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Kandi farmers fret as boar, sambhar population rises
Two-member panel to find ways to rationalise free power bill
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Shift wheat to godowns, HC tells procurement agencies
Delhi team to inspect Ludhiana metro route
PPP expels Bir Devinder Singh
Former legislators call the shots in Gurdaspur district
Empty coffers, yet govt to spend Rs 38 cr on chopper
Probe over, FIR to be filed soon
No power cuts for now, says PSPCL
Scarce ivory delays work on Darshani Deodhi
Quash proposal to set up evening courts: Lawyers
College students boycott classes, demand abolition of PTA funds
Principal suspended for drawing wife’s salary
Regularise affairs of trusts, govt told
Protesting farmers seek regular power supply
Ludhiana City Centre scam
Frame policy for whistleblowers, says HC
PIL on handing over grants to defeated MLAs
Woman sarpanch, a faith healer, tortures girl to death
Local leader attacks Ghanaur SHO, held
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Kandi farmers fret as boar, sambhar population rises
Chandigarh, August 23 Though the problem persists in the entire lower Shivalik hills, it has assumed alarming proportions in kandi areas of Mohali, Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts. So much so that marginal farmers at many places have left their fields uncultivated, fearing whatever they grow would either be consumed or damaged by these animals. Moreover, their financial condition does not allow them to appoint armed guards, the practice followed by well-off farmers. Shanti Swaroop, a resident of Rahmapur village in middle kandi belt, said: "Cultivating groundnuts used to be out primary occupation. But, the last three seasons have been full of misery for my family as wild boars would come and destroy the crop at will, leaving nothing for us to reap. This time, we have not sown anything." Brij Bhushan, a farmer of Kot Patiala village in Hoshiarpur district, said, "It is distressing to see plants being chewed by wild animals and the whole fields being plundered." Confirming an increase in the number of wild animals and losses being incurred by farmers, Chief Wildlife Warden Dharindra Singh said though there was no exact data available, the population of herbivores, including wild boars, sambhars and neelgais, had seen an alarming rise. Aware of their growing population, the state government had recently allowed "selective" hunting of wild animals that caused damaged to crops. But for this, permission needs to be taken from the forest sub-divisional officer concerned. There is also a provision for "adequate" compensation to farmers whose crop is destroyed. However, farmers claim the process is "lengthy". Rakeshwar Katoch, resident of a village in Gursdaspur, said, "Hunting animals is not everybody's cup of tea because all farmers do not have guns. Wild boars attack in a group either late at night or early morning. They take very little time to plunder an entire field and return back into the forest." Sukhhwant Singh, a farmer of Siswan village near Chandigarh, said, "Sambhars and neelgais also come in groups. The way they have been destroying crops in our village for the last few years shows they literally have developed a taste for our crops. The fields situated next to the kandi area are the most vulnerable." Leopard count up too An increase has been witnessed in the population of leopards in kandi areas. Special CCTV cameras, two each in Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts, have confirmed the increase. Takhni-Rehmapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Hoshiarpur district has been a witness to most frequent leopard sightings. Chief Wildlife Warden Dharindra Singh said there also had been cases when leopards were rescued from traps sets by hunters. Two were even found dead, he said.
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Two-member panel to find ways to rationalise free power bill
The Dhindsa - Mittal committee has been formed to study ways and means to channelise power to farmers and ensure that free power is used for agricultural purposes alone. It is mandated with giving suggestions to reduce the agricultural subsidy bill which has gone up to Rs 5,700 crore this year. The SAD is wary of even accepting that the Dhindsa - Mittal committee has been constituted. The panel was formed following objections by the BJP that the state exchequer was being looted because of “misuse” of the free power subsidy. Health Minister Madan Mohan Mittal, when questioned on the issue, said the committee that would meet at the month-end would come up with concrete suggestions. He said there was a feeling that power meant for the agriculture sector was not being accounted for properly. He said with only 10 per cent of all tubewells in the state metered, there was every chance of power being diverted for purposes other than agriculture. He said it was difficult to prove allegations that other heads were being included in the power subsidy and that the best option would be to meter power supply to all tubewells. Though Mittal said the issue was yet to be discussed, BJP leaders have told Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal that some farmers were selling water while still others were building farmhouses in their fields and using power meant for agriculture for their residences. Another BJP leader has suggested that the farmers be given direct subsidy in cash for the power consumed by them. It has been suggested that an average consumption rate could be arrived at and direct subsidy be given to the farmers accordingly. The Dhindsa-Mittal committee will look into this suggestion. Sources said the BJP is keen that the power bill is reduced from the present Rs 5,700 crore to Rs 3,500 crore to improve the state’s finances and to enable the government to reduce the proposed Rs 4,000 crore taxes. In case nothing was done on this front, the free power bill could increase to Rs 10,000 crore in another five years, the sources said. The free power bill stood at Rs 2,600 crore in 2007.
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Shift wheat to godowns, HC tells procurement agencies
Chandigarh, August 23 During the resumed hearing of a PIL by Bhola Singh of Mansa district for directions to the FCI and Pungrain to immediately shift the stocks of recently procured wheat to 27 capacity godowns, the High Court virtually rapped the Pungrain Managing Director and a Senior FCI officer. They were at the receiving end for not resolving the issue of deficiency in godowns, leading to a delay in the storage of wheat in godowns, which were constructed some time ago by private entrepreneurs. The Bench had on July 20 directed the respondent, FCI and Pungrain to occupy these godowns irrespective of the deficiencies, if any, within one week and utilise the same for storing the
foodgrain.
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Delhi team to inspect Ludhiana metro route
Chandigarh, August 23 The sources said the team would inspect both the metro corridors. At some places, the rail track would be laid underground while at others, it would be over the ground on the pattern of Delhi Metro. A team of state government officials led by Principal Secretary of the Local Bodies Suresh Kumar held a meeting with officials of the DMRC in New Delhi yesterday. The sources said various aspects of the project were discussed in the meeting. The feasibility report of the project will be ready by mid-September and it will be submitted for an appropriate action to the Central Government. The Centre will contribute 20 per cent of total cost of the project to be built under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. An equal share will be contributed by the state government. The project cost is likely to be in the range of Rs 10,000 crore. The sources said there would be resistance by shopkeepers and others concerned at certain places with regard to acquisition of land to lay the track. The officials concerned would have to work hard to convince the shopkeepers. Expenditure on the land to be acquired would be in the range of Rs 500 crore and the state government would bear this cost. They said the state government was also exploring the possibility of a similar project for
Amritsar. About the case
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PPP expels Bir Devinder Singh
Chandigarh, August 23 A meeting of the PPP, that was chaired by its patron Dr Sardara Singh Johl, today expelled Bir Devinder from the party’s primary membership. It accepted his resignation as the party’s chief spokesman. Johl had earlier tried to mediate between Manpreet and Bir Devinder. Arunjot Singh Sodhi, PPP spokesman, said party leaders were of the opinion that Bir Devinder’s utterances were deliberate and aimed at weakening the party. He said the meeting noted that Bir Devinder had been keeping himself away from party campaigns. Dr Johl said as the PPP patron, he would guard its lofty ideals zealously. “There is no place in the party for those who want to use politics for furthering personal interests”, he said. Bir Devinder, when contacted, ridiculed his expulsion. Terming the PPP as Manpreet’s “private” party, he said he confessed to being guilty of “kite flying” (PPP’s poll symbol was kite) for two weeks during the assembly elections. Bir Devinder had contested the Mohali seat on the PPP ticket. “I was told that there was an undercurrent of support for the party. But by the end of the elections, I realised the party was bereft of any current”, he added.
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Former legislators call the shots in Gurdaspur district
Batala, August 23 In Batala, former Qadian MLA Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, who lost the Batala seat by nearly 20,000 votes to Ashwani Sekri, has been designated as ‘halqa incharge’. “He calls the shots in the administration and the police. He managed the posting of the new SDM and is actively involved in the developmental works being undertaken in the town,” said a Congress leader. Lodhinangal has brought in funds totalling Rs 12.48 crore (in two installments) for the Batala Municipal Council (MC). “Bringing in funds to run the MC is the job of the local MLA. However, since Sekri’s voice is not heard in the corridors of power, Lodhinangal has stepped in to do the job,” said a senior officer. Two 66 KV grid stations on the Jalandhar bypass are likely to come up soon owing to the efforts of this ‘halqa incharge.’ Recently, Lodhinangal ensured the appointment of his two loyalists, Jatinder Kalyan and Randhir Singh, as president and vice-president of the MC. Deputy Comissioner Abhinav Trikha, however, declared the meeting as null and void and now the matter is before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Former Agriculture Minister SS Langah, who lost to Congress’ SS Randhawa from Dera Baba Nanak, allegedly played a role in the transfer of Gurdaspur SSP Ravcharan Singh Brar. Brar, during his tenure as the police chief, had reportedly written a letter to the IG (Border Range), asking him to transfer three SHOs out of the district. Two of the SHOs had Langah’s support while the third was said to be close to former Education Minister SS Sekhwan. An angry Langah approached Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal and asked him to transfer Brar, said a police officer. Sources said once Langah and Sekhwan returned from their foreign jaunt, the transferred SHOs were likely to be brought back to their posts. In Dinanager, BD Dhuppar of the BJP, who lost to Congress MLA Aruna Chowdhury by nearly 12,000 votes, controls the transfers and postings of middle-rung police and revenue officers. “There are four police stations in Dinanagar where all four SHOs have reportedly been posted at the behest of Dhuppar and Manjit Singh Dala, a realtor whose proximity to the Chief Minister is well-known,” said an officer. In neighbouring Fatehgarh Churian, the voice of former Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon is heard more than that of sitting MLA Tript Rajinder Bajwa. In Qadian residents flock to Sekhwan to get their work done. Sekhwan was defeated by Charanjit Bajwa by nearly 16,000 votes.
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Empty coffers, yet govt to spend Rs 38 cr on chopper
Chandigarh, August 23 Official sources said the copter would be delivered by the manufacturing company in November. At the time of delivery, Rs 31 crore more would be paid to the company, it is learnt. Sources said the state government would engage three pilots and 10 technicians for the twin-engine copter that can be flown even in fickle weather conditions. The Government has taken a hangar on rent. Whereas the state government has money to buy the copter, it has not paid scholarship money to students belonging to minority communities for the past several months. The Centre had released a sum of Rs 87 crore during the last fiscal year to enable the state government to pay scholarships to students of minority communities, including Sikhs. This money should have been disbursed among the students during the last fiscal year before the end of the academic session. However, the sources said only Rs 22 crore were released some months ago. Under the scheme, money for the current fiscal year is to be released by the Centre only after the state government gives an undertaking regarding the utilisation of the money released during the last fiscal year. Likewise, the state government has not released Rs 34 crore to be disbursed among Scheduled Caste students. Couples opting for inter-caste marriage are also waiting for the release of incentive money. The Opposition has been accusing the state government of “diverting” the money provided by the Centre under various schemes. Though the government has released money to procure wheat for its “atta-dal” scheme, no money has been released for the procurement of pulses for the past few months. The state government is ready with fresh tax proposals to generate an additional revenue of Rs 3,000 crore. Owing to a lack of agreement with its alliance partner, BJP, the tax proposals have yet to be given the go-ahead. A Cabinet meeting to approve some of these proposals was to be held on August 5. It had to be postponed with the BJP leadership developing cold feet on the issue. Bills worth Rs 1,600 crore are pending for clearance. Employees are facing difficulty in even getting their Provident Fund bills cleared. The state’s debt burden by the end of this fiscal year is likely to touch Rs 90,000 crore. The state’s revenue deficit, which was Rs 6,700 crore last year, is likely to touch Rs 9,000 crore by the end of fiscal year. Flying high in times of distress
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Probe over, FIR to be filed soon
Patiala, August 23 A Vigilance probe was ordered by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal after government land was transferred to private persons allegedly by the then Patiala Deputy Commissioner Vikas Garg in connivance with five revenue officials. “We have studied all aspects of the case. There is sufficient evidence to proceed against the accused,” said sources. They said a re-measurement of the disputed land by district revenue officers had confirmed that it belonged to the government and, hence, could not have been transferred. “We have completed the investigations and a case will be registered soon,” said investigating officer Neeraja Voruvuru, IG, Economic Offences Wing. Patiala Deputy Commissioner GK Singh, who supervised the land re-measurement, said fresh demarcation had been done and a report submitted to the Vigilance. Besides Garg, those suspended after an inquiry into the scam were District Revenue Officer Rajbir Singh, tehsildar AS Thind, naib tehsildar GS Walia, kanungo Priitpal Singh and patwari Suresh Kumar.
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No power cuts for now, says PSPCL
Patiala, August 23 Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has decided to do away with power cuts for all categories of consumers. Besides, no weekly off will be imposed on any category of the industry till further orders. The PSPCL chief, KD Chaudhri, said with the revival of the monsoon, the power scenario had improved drastically. “Subsequently, we have relaxed the power regulatory measures,” he said. Sources said the PSPCL was in a comfortable position with the power demand falling from 2,200 lakh units per day to 1,700 lakh units per day. Chaudhri said:: “Unit No. 3 of Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant, Lehra Mohabbat, which had developed a snag, is now operational.” He said sufficient coal stocks were available at all thermal plants in the state.
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Scarce ivory delays work on Darshani Deodhi
Amritsar, August 23 The work being carried out by Sant Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale, under the supervision of Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, was started in July 2010, with a deadline of 18-24 months. The work was necessitated by the deteriorating condition of over 200-year-old gates. Wood used in the gates had decayed over the years, gold nails had come out at several places and ivory work had got damaged. The frame of the gates had been given a temporary support to stay erect. Subsequently, the original gates were replaced with temporary ones when the experts ruled out the possibility of repair. It was for the first time since their installation in 1800 by Maharaja Ranjit Singh that the original gates were unhooked. These beautifully carved wooden gates are at present kept inside a glass enclosure in the Golden Temple Complex and the SGPC plans to preserve and showcase it for public display in future. The new gates, which will be a replica of the original ones, are being prepared by master craftsmen. The Akal Takht Jathedar said the silver work was underway in full swing while 45 per cent of the ivory work was complete. “The work got delayed due to non-availability of ivory, but we hope to complete it over the next six months or may be early.” Controversy over origin The Darshani Deodhi gates had been in news due to a controversy related to their origin. Some say the gates were originally from Gujarat’s Somnath Temple which were looted by Afghan invaders in the 12th century, but later Sikhs snatched them from the Afghans. However, this theory has been rejected by various Sikh leaders. They say the Somnath Temple’s doorframe size is smaller whereas the Darshani Deodhi’s gates are bigger. They also claim that the Darshani Deodhi gates were carved by Muslim craftsman Yaar Mohammed Khan on an order by a Sikh family of Sursingh village, which presented them to Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Also the Golden Temple has a tradition that no used artifact or article can be presented to the shrine. First written observation The first written observation on Darshani Deodhi gates was made in 1881 by Major HH Cole in “Golden Temple at Amritsar, Punjab”, published in 1884. Major Cole wrote: “The doors of the Darshani Gate are of shisham wood, the front overlaid with silver, the back inlaid with ivory. The silver plated front is ornamented with panels only. The back is arranged in square and rectangular panels with geometric and floral designs, in which are introduced birds, lions and tigers. Some of the ivory inlay is coloured green and red, the effect being extremely harmonious.”
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Quash proposal to set up evening courts: Lawyers
Moga, August 23 Also, the lawyers said now onwards they would boycott the courts on every Saturday. Representatives of as many as 35 bar associations attended the meeting. Moga Bar Association president Sunil Garg also accused the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Council chairman of trying to sabotage their agitation. “The problems faced by lawyers and litigants coming from far-flung places have not been looked into while taking the decision,” they said. — TNS
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College students boycott classes, demand abolition of PTA funds
Patiala, August 23 The movement spread across Mohindra College, Government Bikram College of Commerce and Government College of Physical Education. District president of PSU, Manpreet Singh Khanaouri said students especially from rural background could not afford to pay the PTA fund. He said people living in the villages here were backward and financially weak. Gursewak Singh of PSU said the government was collecting several crore rupees in the name of PTA funds and was using the money to pay the salaries of guest faculties. The funds were meant to be spent on providing better facilities to students. Meanwhile, the Punjab Forum for Social Justice and Healthy Society, Chandigarh, has also impressed upon the Punjab government to stop paying the salaries of the guest faculty from the PTA Funds. Prof MS Salh, former President of the Punjab Government College Teachers Association, said though the PTA's were introduced in government colleges for the welfare of students, the associations have not achieved their objectives. He said under the rules of PTA's approved by the government in March 1998, no part time teacher could be appointed out of these funds. But later the government amended the rules in May 2007. Out of the sanctioned 1873 posts for the 54 government colleges in 1998, around 1,000 sanctioned posts are vacant. Since there have been no regular appointments for more than a decade now, around 700 guest teachers and 250 part-time lectures are working in these posts.
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MC president loses no confidence motion
Mandi Gobindgarh, August 23 Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan and Senior Superintendent of Police Hardyal Singh Mann were present at the complex to oversee the security arrangements. The motion was brought against Rao by Congress MLA Amloh, Kaka Randeep Singh and 13 councillors, alleging that due to Rao's corrupt practices, the development work in the town had come to a standstill. Dharampal Rao's removal has not only jolted the BJP party but also the Akali Dal, which is already on the verge of splitting up in the area. The 13 councillors who voted in favour of the motion included Harsimranpreet Singh Bajwa, Rajeev Sood, Harmeet Bhambri, OP Gupta, Sukhvinder Singh Bhambri, Kamaljit Kaur Bhambri, Rakesh Sofat, Satnam Singh, Balmukund Aggarwal, Mamta Jaluria and Daljit Kaur, Joginder Pal Singla and Harpal Singh Nasrali. After the no confidence motion was passed, the Deputy Commissioner (DC), under section 22 of the Municipal Act, stripped Rao of all his powers as a council president. MLA Kaka Randeep Singh said that he and 13 councillors took the decision to this effect on July 30. The Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the DC to ensure smooth passage of the meeting, Kaka said. Voting was held under the supervision of Jaswinder Singh Tiwana, Tehsildar Mandi Amloh, who had been appointed as an observer by the DC. Dharampal Rao however denied all charges and said he had been cheated and would move court.
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Principal suspended for drawing wife’s salary
Patiala, August 23 The deputy state project director, Gurmej Singh Kainth, had earlier ordered an enquiry against principal Gurjinder Singh Grewal on the directions of Director General of School Education, Kahan Singh Pannu. The enquiry revealed that Gurjinder Singh had also been taking money from his wife's General Provident Fund along with drawing her salary. The principal has been suspended with immediate effect and the government has directed the District Education Officer (Secondary) to register a case against
Gurjinder.
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Regularise affairs of trusts, govt told
Chandigarh, August 23 The High Court Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, in fact, asked the three to decide the representations filed in this regard by National Students' Union of India, Punjab unit's ex-state coordinator, Dinesh Chadha. In his petition, Chadha claimed the Indian Trust Act was introduced in January 1982 by the Government of India, whereby the provisions were incorporated to regularise the affairs of trusts. The Act contains duties and liabilities of the trustees, their power and rights, along with the liabilities of the beneficiary. Most of the education institutions in India are registered under this Act. Chadha added he had filed an application seeking information under the Right to Information Act from approximately 30 institutions. But, none of the institutions had provided requisite information. Aggrieved, he had approached the State Information Commission, following which five to six institutions provided information "From careful perusal of the aim and object, and the balance sheets of these universities/ private institutions, it has come into the petitioner's knowledge that there are infringements in the accounts," he said. Chadha added he had made representations to the authorities concerned for bringing the infringements to the notice of the respondents and to take necessary action. But, not even a single step has been taken.
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Protesting farmers seek regular power supply
Bathinda, August 23 Farmers alleged that the old age pension given to many villagers of Jeeda and Khemuana was discontinued following some complaints. Speaking on the occasion, the block president of the union, Jagsir Singh, said people were getting pension for the past many years and now the officials claim that they hasd furnished wrong details with the departments concerned. "People have got their credentials attested from the area Patwari and a doctor. If their pensions are discontinued, then action should also be initiated against the officials who have attested the documents," Jagsir said. Farmers demanded eight hours of continued power supply to irrigate their agricultural fields and adequate power supply to fulfill their domestic needs.
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Ludhiana City Centre scam
Ludhiana, August 23 Dismissing the plea, the court observed: “It appears that the purpose of the application is only to provide benefit to particular individuals than to uphold the basic rule of law and administration of criminal justice. “The allegations against the persons are that of misappropriation of public funds. The prosecution has failed to indicate as to exactly what public purpose will be served by withdrawing prosecution against them”. The VB had claimed that there was no adequate evidence against the four accused which would ultimately result in their acquittal. But the Judge held that this aspect should have been given due thought at the time of framing of charges. The court observed that after more than four years of filing a charge sheet in the case, the Home Department was now claiming that the four accused were innocent. Former CM Amarinder Singh, his son Raninder Singh and others were booked by the VB on March 24, 2007, under Sections 409, 420, 465, 467, 468,471, 201, 120-B of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. The VB had filed a charge sheet of more than 20,000 pages against 35 persons, including the Gambhirs and Amarinder. The charge sheet said Today Homes derived benefits worth Rs 1,144 crore by changing the design of homes illegally. Today Homes was Amarinder’s pet project. He had marked an inquiry into the case when he was CM following media reports on the scam. Later, he was booked in the case. The Gambhirs were booked in the case on the statements of property dealers Bikkar Singh , Jagjit Singh, Parwinder Singh, Ram Singh Sohi, Gursharan Singh Bawa and buyers of City Centre sites, Adarshdeep Singh Bedi, Sukaran Jain and Gurpreet Singh Grewal. The VB claimed that there was no adequate evidence against the four accused, which would ultimately result in their acquittal
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Frame policy for whistleblowers, says HC
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh to have their policies on the protection of whistleblowers on the official website. A Division Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain issued the directions during the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by advocate HC Arora.
The latter was seeking issuance of appropriate directions to the States of Punjab and Haryana and the Chandigarh Administration to frame policies that ensured protection to RTI activists and other whistleblowers. The Division Bench also directed that security to the petitioner would continue till further orders. — TNS
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PIL on handing over grants to defeated MLAs
Chandigarh, August 23 The notice came on a petition filed by Ferozepur Municipal councillor Bohar Singh. In his petition before a Division Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh, Bohar Singh said the state should be restrained from handing over the grants to Parliamentary Secretary Sukhpal Singh Nannu and “halqa incharge” Jathedar Ranjit Singh Talwandi. He pleaded that directions also be issued to the respondents to hand over the grants only to elected representatives or the Deputy Commissioners. The petitioner said the state government had adopted a unique method of utilising the grants by putting these at the disposal of defeated candidates. “By doing so, the government has made an attempt to undermine the respect and dignity of elected representatives,” his counsel CM Munjal said.
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Woman sarpanch, a faith healer, tortures girl to death
Moga, August 23 The police has registered a murder case against Pal Kaur, her husband Darbara Singh and two others. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surjit Singh Grewal said the girl’s family tried to put pressure on the police by enlisting the support of local leaders. “But an eyewitness, a local resident, came forward to have his statement recorded on the basis of which a case was registered,” he said. The SSP said Veerpal Kaur (12) of Manawan village was brought to Bhinder Kalan village to offer prayers to “gugga peer”. Believed to be suffering from a mental illness, she was running fever. Instead of giving her medical treatment, her parents decided to take the services of Pal Kaur. They believed that their daughter was possessed by an evil spirit. The faith healer allegedly tortured the girl for hours, pulling at her hair and thrashing her even as she cried for help. Even though the girl fell unconscious, the faith healer kept hitting her. The hapless girl died on the spot.
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Local leader attacks Ghanaur
SHO, held
Patiala, August 23 While the main accused Baljinder Singh was arrested, the other two managed to flee. Baljinder Singh has already got more than 10 FIRs registered against him, one pertaining to murder and a few for assault. Police has booked Baljinder for attempt to murder and is conducting raids to arrest the others, who are still at large. An FIR under sections 307, 353, 186, 295-A and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the accused. Sources said that the accused enjoyed proximity to a former Akali minister. SHO Ghanaur, Karnail Singh along with another home guard sepoy was on a routine patrol when he noticed four persons drinking in public near a wine shop. "When we objected, Baljinder Singh alias Bappu abused and threatened us," he said. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Devinder Singh Dhuri said when Karnail confronted Baljinder, the four accused removed Karnail's turban and punched him repeatedly. "When the home guard sepoy tried to intervene he too was allegedly roughed up. Later Baljinder tried to strangulate Karnail Singh to death with a piece of cloth. Baljinder was caught when additional force arrived however the others managed to flee from the spot," he said. Even when the main accused was taken to the station, he created ruckus and abused everyone present there. "He openly threatened all of us with dire consequences," said a policeman. It was only when senior police officers reached the police station that Baljinder calmed down. He was later sent for a medical examination. Meanwhile the medical report of SHO Karnail Singh is awaited. Incidentally Karnail's retirement is just a week away. "This kind of an attack on an on-duty policeman is totally unacceptable. We will take strict action against the accused," said Gurpreet Singh Gill, Senior Superintendent of Police,
Patiala.
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Amritsar, August 23
Patiala, August 23
Chandigarh, August 22
