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Suspended cops fire at police party
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
 Amritsar, October 3
Already wanted for their illegal activities, two suspended head constables with the Punjab Police fired at a police party near Khasa today.
Posted with the Amritsar rural police, the policemen were identified as Saroop Singh and Paramjit Singh.
Sanjiv Kumar, in charge, anti-narcotic cell, Amritsar rural police, was heading the police party at the naka. As soon as the police party signalled the car, in which Saroop Singh and Paramjit Singh were travelling, to stop, they fired several shots at the police party. No policeman was hurt in the attack. The suspended head constables then stepped up the accelerator and sped away. The police team failed to chase down the duo. They were driving a car (PB-02-BH-7885). A case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against the duo. The two had been already suspended as they had not joined their duties. Said to be acute drug addicts, they were also allegedly involved in drug peddling. Saroop Singh and Paramjit Singh were already wanted by the city police in an extortion case. They had snatched a motorcycle of one Ibrahim Mottu, a resident of Kaler village, in August. Ibrahim had told the police that the duo had demanded money from him and later escaped after snatching his bike. The duo had asked Ibrahim to arrange Rs 10,000 if he wanted his motorcycle back. He reported the matter to the police and later asked them to come near Alpha Mall. However, seeing the check post the head constables managed to flee after breaking the naka. A case was registered with the cantonment police at that time. Preetpaul Singh Virk, SSP, Amritsar (rural), said the accused were on the run. “Raids were being conducted on their suspected hideouts.”
Policemen escape unhurt
- As soon as the police party signalled the car, in which head constables Saroop Singh and Paramjit Singh were travelling, to stop, they fired several shots at the police party. No policeman was hurt in the attack
- The suspended head constables then stepped up the accelerator and sped away. The police team failed to chase down the duo
- The two had been already suspended as they had not joined their duties. Said to be acute drug addicts, they were also allegedly involved in drug peddling.
- Saroop Singh and Paramjit Singh were already wanted by the city police in an extortion case
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PPCB asks hotels to install sewage treatment plant
Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 3
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has issued notices to a majority of hotels in the holy city asking them to install sewage treatment plant and appropriate air pollution control device.
Objecting to the requirements, Satnam Singh Kanda, chairman, Hotel Association Walled City (HAWC), has urged the state government to exempt the hospitality industry from the purview of the PPCB and demanded that the government must direct the Amritsar Municipal Corporation to install sewage treatment plants. The notice said each hotel has to obtain the consent of the PPCB to operate hotel and to discharge of sewage effluent under Section 25/26 of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act within seven days. Besides, it was also obligatory on the part of each hotel to install an adequate and appropriate sewage treatment plant so that the effluent discharged by the hotels does not exceed the permissible limits. The violation of the Act is punishable, under which the hotel owner could be imprisoned for a minimum of two years and maximum of six years and with fine. Another notice said the provisions of Section 21 of the Air (Prevention and Control of pollution) Act, 1981, made it mandatory for each unit of the hospitality industry to obtain the consent of the PPCB under Section 21 of the Air (prevention and control of pollution) Act, 1981 to operate a hotel and to discharge its emissions. It intimated that each hotel must install adequate and appropriate air pollution control device. Another hotelier from the walled city Subhash Singla said a majority of the hotels inside the walled city operate from less than 150 square yards area and function as guesthouses. He said these guesthouses use water for general purpose and toilet purpose which need not to be treated. Earlier too, the PPCB had issued notices to hotels located inside the walled city in this regard.
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Free legal aid for central jail inmates
GS Paul
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 3
Now, the government prosecutors and the law students of GNDU would assist inmates at Amritsar Central Jail in legal matters pertaining to their cases. Besides this, special training has been given to those jail inmates who have law background to help their fellow inmates.
This was disclosed by District Sessions Judge Kishore Kumar after launching the free legal aid service at the jail today. "This service has been introduced, exclusively, for the benefit of those inmates who cannot engage lawyers on their own. This would also get the inmates aware of their rights," he said. A few months ago, the District Legal Service Authority (DSLA) has opened a legal advisory cell in the jail, distinguishing it as the first ever jail in the state to offer free legal aid service. Known as 'Legal Aid Clinic', this cell would be operational on every Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm, it would provide free legal advice to any inmate, including foreign nationals, lodged in the jail. Those inmates who have limitations in engaging their own lawyers can avail this opportunity by submitting a simple application form with the legal aid clinic, where they can also seek help from their trained fellow inmates in furnishing their legal documents. As many as six male and two female jail inmates, who would assist the visiting lawyers or the law students associated with the aid clinic, have been trained for the purpose. These trained inmates would also be entitled for an honorarium of Rs 250 per day for their services. It has been observed that due to paucity of funds or resources, many inmates were unable to engage legal service. Even the foreign nationals, who have been lodged under the Foreign Act for inadvertently crossing the border line, too find themselves helpless in the absence of any legal assistance due to which they languish in the jail for a long time. Meanwhile, others present on the occasion included District Legal Services Secretary cum-CJM Arun Kumar Aggarwal and Jail Superintendent Amrik Singh.
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Checking wrong parking: Police to hire pvt tow-away vehicles
GS Paul/TNS
Amritsar, October 3
Going tough against the wrongly-parked vehicles, the police would involve private players to tow-away these vehicles.
The traffic wing has floated tenders for hiring as many as eight tow-away vehicles to tackle the menace of wrong parking in the holy city. The wing currently has only two vehicles. Ironically, the wing was finding it difficult to maintain them after the state government reduced fuel supply.
The authorities have also asked them to submit bids by October 7 with the Office of the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police. The problem of wrong parking is particular serious in Lawrence Road, Crystal Chowk road side, Mall Road and other key areas. ADCP (Traffic) Rachhpal Singh Ghuman said, “It is true that we had inadequate machinery to deal with the wrongly-parked vehicles. Just on the pattern of Jalandhar and Ludhiana, this move is being implemented in Amritsar.”
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Streetlight maintenance takes a hit as MC wing faces staff crunch
GS Paul
Tribune News Service
 Amritsar, October 3
The staff crunch in the streetlight wing of the Municipal Corporation (MC) has hit the maintenance work of streetlights.
There are around 57,000 streetlight points in different parts of the city. And the MC wing has less than 40 employees, which is not enough to keep an eye on each pole.
Though the MC has awarded maintenance contract to five private companies, the MC is responsible to inform these companies about any fault with any streetlight. But due to the limited staff in the MC wing, faults go unnoticed over a long period of time. The MC wing is also responsible for the repair of streetlights in various government and corporation offices. The wing has no regular junior engineer (JE) whereas there is requirement of five JEs. A junior engineer plays an important role in the streetlight functioning as he is responsible to make the estimates, call up tenders and streamline the maintenance job. At present, as a stop-gap arrangement, a JE of the Civil wing has been given the additional charge of the streetlight wing. The wing has no regular JE since the retirement of JE Sham Singh two months back. Other junior engineer Harish has taken over as additional SDO after his promotion. Similarly, against the requirement of 30 patrollers, the department
has 16 patrollers. Sources said the MC did not have staff for the maintenance of its own Guru Nanak Bhavan city centre. Streetlight maintenance related complaint numbers: Five companies, which have been given the contracts, can be informed about any fault with streetlights. Tarn Taran Electrical Company caters to Chheharta Sub-Division, Lawrence Road, Civil Lines sub-division, South and Islamabad sub-division areas. The company can be informed about faults at these numbers 98782-72375, 0183-5099845. Linco Electric and Flower Decoration Company caters to Hussainpura, Ghee Mandi, Durgiana Temple, Badminton Hall, Swimming Pool Complex, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Market, West sub-division is available at 92562-97777, 96461-61710, 0183-6542027 Surinder Singh Electric Contractors caters to Chattiwind, Kot Meet Singh, Gopal Nagar sub-division, Golden Temple sub-division available at 93561-41705, 93574-75660, 0183-6526765 Tripat Trading Company responsible for Sultanwind, Mall Mandi, Focal Point and Gateway of Amritsar can be contacted at 98557-37464, 0183-2550664 Shahi Electricals responsible for Hakima Gate, Beri Gate and Tunda Talab areas could be informed about faults at 96538-42270, 98883-03138 Officers a call away: MPS Bedi, XEN: 9780700187 (for North, South and West constituency); Subhash Chander Sharma, XEN: 96460-50707 (for East constituency); Harish Kumar, AE: 8054019501 and SP Singh, acting JE: 9888874411 OfficialSpeak MPS Bedi, XEN, streetlight wing said, “It is true that the staff shortage is affecting the work. Still, we are trying our best to give flawless service to residents.”
Shortcomings
- Though the MC has awarded maintenance contract to five private companies, it is responsible to inform these companies about any fault with any streetlight. But due to the limited staff in the MC wing, faults go unnoticed over a long period of time
- The wing has no regular junior engineer whereas there is requirement of five JEs
- Against the requirement of 30 patrollers, the wing has 16 patrollers
Kundi problem
- Officials, on condition of anonymity, said people in the slum areas draw power using kundi connections through these streetlight poles. This practice puts extra burden on power cables, often causing damage to wires.
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Khalsa college students raise a banner of revolt against principal
Neeraj Bagga
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 3
Continuing their protest against the principal and inadequate infrastructure, students of the Khalsa College of Engineering and Technology (KCET) boycotted classrooms and even locked the entrance to the college for a brief period today.
Earlier, they had resorted to a similar agitation on September 27. In a communiqué addressed to the management committee of Khalsa College Society signed by over 300 students, the students claimed relation between students and Principal RP Singh Sukerchakia was not cordial due to his dictatorial way of functioning. They claimed that several times, the principal had tortured students physically. They also alleged Sukerchakia had been misusing his office to deter students and has been hurling threats. The students alleged that they were compelled to boycott their classes under these circumstances. Raising slogans against the college, the students alleged that the college management had failed to provide them conducive environment and required infrastructure even after charging hefty fees. They said classes were being held in an under-construction building, which was a constant source of noise. They said many times classes were found flooded with water. They claimed that though the semester started about three months ago, the computer lab was opened only a month ago. The wi-fi facility, which was promised in the college prospectus, is still not available. They said evening classes stretch up to 6 pm. They said parking was not streamlined as the space is uneven, while the building is surrounded by wild growth. They stated that in order to manage the shortcomings in the infrastructure, the college faculty has imposed many restrictions, which created unnecessary confrontation between students and the faculty. College principal RP Singh Sukerchakia denied all the allegations levelled by students. On study hours, he said as below average students also take admission in engineering courses, they need special attention and guidance. He added that the decision to take extra classes was taken in the best interests of students. Most of students are ready to take these classes, but unfortunately a few of them are not willing to take extra classes in the evening, he said. "We will try to find out a solution for students coming from rural and remote areas of the district in this regard," he said. Besides on the infrastructural front, he said facilities would be provided in the due course of time. He advised all students to take classes seriously and not to disturb the healthy academic environment of the college.
Up in arms
- Students boycott classrooms and even lock the entrance to the college for a brief period.
- They claim that relations between students and Principal RP Singh Sukerchakia was not cordial due to his dictatorial way of functioning. Several times, the
principal had tortured them physically, they allege.
- They also allege that the college management had failed to provide conducive environment and required infrastructure even after charging hefty fees
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Phone call details help police nab kidnapper
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 3
After going through severe trauma at the hands of his kidnapper in Ludhiana, trader Manohar Singh returned to the city a relieved man on Monday.
Manohar had gone missing from Ludhiana on September 24 where he had gone to take payments. He was rescued by the Ludhiana and Amritsar police on September 28. He was brought to Amritsar on Monday.
“It was the blessings of god and my near and dear ones that the police reached just on time and rescued me. The abductors had made all arrangements to kill me after taking all my belongings,” said Manohar Singh. The Ludhiana police in a joint operation with the city police arrested Vijay Kumar Sabharwal, a resident of Nagar Nigam Colony, Amritsar, in this regard. Sabharwal was wanted by the city police in connection with a murder of a roadways employee in 2010. Though he was arrested by the police, he dodged the police when he was brought to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital due to some ‘ailment’ about six months back. Sabharwal met Manohar in the PGI where his sister had undergone a heart surgery a few years ago. The accused had introduced himself as an employee with the Municipal Corporation. “We didn’t have any knowledge about his ill intention. He used to come to meet us every now and then. He came close to the family when he did our work related to the MC. A few months ago he came to us wearing a turban. He said he had shifted to Ludhiana and at present was working at Phillaur,” said Manohar. He invited us to visit his house in Ludhiana. “During an interaction on phone, I told him that I was coming to Ludhiana for collecting some payment. When I reached Ludhiana on September 24, he picked me up from Samrala chowk and went to the market. When I was returning home, the accused insisted me to accompany him to his home,” he said. “Next day when I tried to return, the accused offered a cold drink laced with some intoxicant following which I became unconscious and came to senses only on Friday morning. All my belongings including Rs 1.50 lakh cash, a gold kara, watch, mobile phone, purse were missing and I found myself chained,” he said. “Sabharwal said he would set me free in the night. But I saw some acid bottles there and it took no time to guess that he wanted to kill me.,” the trader said. “To my fortunate, the Ludhiana police reached just on time to my rescue. I was traumatised till the police arrived. They unchained me and saved me from his clutches,” he said. Dharam Singh, his father, said, “We are really fortunate that he has returned safe and sound. We are also grateful to the police which took swift action in saving my son.” Ram Singh, Police Commissioner, revealed that ADCP crime Harjit Singh Brar has been deputed to bring Vijay Sabharwal on a production warrant for investigation in the murder case. It was mobile call details which helped the police crack the case and arrest the culprit. The police sources said mobile call details revealed that Sabharwal was in regular contact with Manohar Singh till he reached Ludhiana. The call details showed his location at Mundian wali area near Ludhiana city. When the police team raided Sabharwal’s house on Friday, he was not at home. A police team was deputed outside his residence in plain clothes. When he came to his house in the evening and opened the house, the police arrested him. The police found Manohar Singh chained inside the house. The police also seized several acid bottles and a car.
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Handling biomedical waste: Civil Hospital sets example for others
Gets an appreciation letter from the Punjab Pollution Control Board
Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service
A view of the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital |
Amritsar, October 3
If the patients rush at a government hospital is any criteria to judge efficiency of a medical institution, then Jallianwala Bagh Memorial (JBM) Civil Hospital seems to be one of the best in the city with almost 15,000 patients being examined monthly at its out patient department.
Even charging nominal fee of Rs 2 for registration and very less amounts for various services, the hospital manages to collect around Rs 7 to 9 lakh per month. "We have received five state awards in the current year. Besides the awards, other appreciations came from the Health Corporation, which has asked various other hospitals to adopt our model of biomedical waste," Dr Balbir Singh Dhillon, Senior Medical Officer of the hospital said.  The quantity of biomedical waste collected at hospital has increased more than four times in the past few months. In July last year, the hospital had collected merely 190 kg waste. However, in February this year the collection increased to 800 kg.
"The maximum collection of waste in a month was around 1250 kg. Even we got an appreciation letter from the Punjab Pollution Control Board," added Dhillon. On a way to improve services for the patients and their attendants, the hospital has installed two water coolers and five purifiers in this season. "Even we have computerised the entire clinical laboratories in April. The new system has improved efficiency and reduced the error rate,” said Dr Jaspreet Singh, incharge clinical labs. Further, the hospital has introduced electric fumigator for sterilisation of equipments and operation theaters. "With an average of 1100 surgeries of different kinds every month, the electric fumigator has surely diminished chances of infections to the patients," said Jaspreet. Even the hospital staff has started wearing aprons and coats as uniform to impart a professional look to the institution. The hospital is on its way to get the CCTV cameras installed for security reasons. "The huge rush here is unmanageable without installation of close circuit cameras on the hospital premises," said Dhillon. He said that the money charged from patients as user charges would be spent on upgrading infrastructure and facilities for the patients. "We have got an electric control panel changed at a cost of Rs 6 lakh and a conference hall built at Rs 8.75 lakh," he said.
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NGO organises painting contests, best of five exhibited in Canada
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 3
A Canada-based NGO Gandhian Initiative for the Development of Support Services (GIDSS) selected five paintings for cash prizes after evaluating paintings of nearly 250 students from government, government-aided and private schools of the city.
Many painting contests were held on the theme of ‘domestic violence and child abuse and its impact on children’ in the last month. Project coordinator GIDSS Sunil Thakur said domestic violence has its direct impact on the children. To create awareness about this issue among masses we had organised such painting contests in the city. The five winning paintings were found to be from Sonali Kumari of Kendriya Vidyalaya No 1, who collected Rs 5,000, Jaspreet Kaur of Sant Singh Sukha Singh school, who got Rs 2,500, third prize was jointly given to Sailish of Ram Ashram Public School, Shivani Bhagat of Guru Harkrishan Public School and Anshita of Jagat Jyoti School, each of them were given Rs 1,000 in cash. Thakur said all paintings were dispatched to Canada for evaluation. He said all these paintings were exhibited in Ontario (Canada) on September 29.
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