B A T H I N D A    E D I T I O N

Minor Dalit girl gangrape case
SHO suspended, six arrested
Malout, October 19
Acting upon the orders of a local court to investigate the alleged kidnapping and gangrape of a minor Dalit girl, a student of class VIII in Chhapianwali village in Lambi assembly constituency, the district police today suspended the SHO Kabarwala police station and initiated an inquiry against him.

Garbage collectors in Abohar strike work
Abohar, October 19
Despite the warning by the senior medical officer of the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital to the Municipal Council that the poor sanitation in this sub-divisional town may lead to the outbreak of an epidemic, about 140 contractual workers not only went on strike today but also dumped garbage at various places resulting in pollution in the walled city.

Abohar college retains quiz contest title for 7th yr in row
Abohar, October 19
The DAV College of Education here has won 23 prizes in the Panjab University Zonal Youth Festival. Principal Dr Venita Singh said the college team under the guidance of Ajay Khosla topped in quiz competition for the seventh consecutive year.

Army school principals dwell on ways to raise academic standards
Ferozepur, October 19
To improve the academic standards and provide quality learning environment in various Army Public Schools (APS) being run under the aegis of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), a two-day meet of the Western Command Principals, which was organized by the Golden Arrow Division, concluded here today.

Fazilka win dodge ball events
Abohar, October 19
Fazilka district has emerged as the champion in dodge ball as the eves today defeated Bathinda and Muktsar in the semi-final and final of the State School Games here.

• Man arrested with 60 kg poppy husk

  Minor Dalit girl gangrape case
SHO suspended, six arrested
Tribune News Service

Malout, October 19
Acting upon the orders of a local court to investigate the alleged kidnapping and gangrape of a minor Dalit girl, a student of class VIII in Chhapianwali village in Lambi assembly constituency, the district police today suspended the SHO Kabarwala police station and initiated an inquiry against him.

A case under sections 363, 366 and 120-B of the IPC has also been registered against six persons including the two women who allegedly helped in kidnapping the girl. All of them have been arrested.

Talking over the phone this evening, SSP, Muktsar, Surjit Singh, said, "As per the application moved by the girl's family before the court, the Kabarwala police did not register a case of kidnapping, despite their repeated attempts. Taking action upon the basis of this statement, I have suspended SHO Gursewak Singh and an inquiry has also been marked against him."

It may be mentioned that the incident came to light after the girl managed to escape from the captivity of the accused and reached her house on October 16, where she informed her parents, who are migrant labourers.

Thereafter, her parents moved an application before a local court seeking justice and the arrest of youths who had eloped with the girl on June 4 this year.

The court immediately ordered the medical examination of the girl, which was done at the Civil Hospital, Malout. However, the report is still awaited.

The victim's family in their application had alleged that the girl was sold twice and was first taken to Rajasthan and thereafter to Bathinda, where she was kept for some time. "In the meantime, she was gangraped," the applicants stated in their application.

In his defence, SHO Gursewak Singh has already stated, "Nobody from the victim's family approached me in this regard."

Garbage collectors in Abohar strike work
Our Correspondent

Abohar, October 19
Despite the warning by the senior medical officer of the Nehru Memorial Civil Hospital to the Municipal Council that the poor sanitation in this sub-divisional town may lead to the outbreak of an epidemic, about 140 contractual workers not only went on strike today but also dumped garbage at various places resulting in pollution in the walled city.

Garbage was dumped at Maharaja Sain Chowk close to the residence of the MC president and a former BJP MLA, outside the old Market Committee complex, Nehru Stadium, JP Park, girls high school in Nai Abadi and in other areas. Many localities and commercial centres were virtually converted into garbage depots.

The sanitation workers formed an action committee at a meeting held at Nehru Park and resolved to block the vehicular traffic by parking rehris, tempos and tractor trolleys at Aggarsein Chowk near the office of the superintendent of police and the Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital on Saturday.

The members of the action committee said the Bathinda-based company had not paid them wages for the last two months. As many as 140 workers were recruited on contract basis to collect garbage from the houses.

The work will be resumed only after receiving the dues, a spokesman of the company said.

Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg had on Wednesday pulled up the Municipal Council over the poor progress in removing garbage from the sewerage pipes that have not been cleaned since 1998.

The DC had told the members of the Abohar Bachao Sangharsh Samiti that a notice has been slapped on the sanitation contractors. 

Abohar college retains quiz contest title for 7th yr in row
Our Correspondent

Abohar, October 19
The DAV College of Education here has won 23 prizes in the Panjab University Zonal Youth Festival. Principal Dr Venita Singh said the college team under the guidance of Ajay Khosla topped in quiz competition for the seventh consecutive year.

The first positions were won in kali singing (Sakshi and Sukhman), debate (Sumit, Anju and Sudhir), essay writing (Sandeep) and short story writing (Arshdeep).

Sukhman was adjudged best in acting and Sakshi in singing (individual).

The institution got the runners-up position in drama, giddha, mime, phulkari and crochet work besides receiving the third prize in other events.

Notably, the inter-zonal festival is to be held in Hoshiarpur from October 26.

 Army school principals dwell on ways to raise academic standards
Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, October 19
To improve the academic standards and provide quality learning environment in various Army Public Schools (APS) being run under the aegis of the Army Welfare Education Society (AWES), a two-day meet of the Western Command Principals, which was organized by the Golden Arrow Division, concluded here today.

The meet, inaugurated by the Chief of Staff (Western Command) was also attended by the officiating General Officer Commanding (GOC), Vajra Corps, GOC, Golden Arrow Division, MD (AWES) besides other senior officials from the AWES and chairmen and principals of various schools.

The officiating GOC of Vajra Corps said the purpose of the meet was to discuss and resolve issues of common interest relating to the Army Public Schools and also to formulate guidelines to improve their working.

Speakers put forth their opinions through discussions and presentations. In this meet, various stakeholders also held detailed discussions on tangible steps needed to improve the communication skills of teachers and students, empowerment of teachers, role of technology in education besides the changing trends.

The rolling trophy was awarded on the occasion to the Army Public School, Noida, for its excellent performance during the academic session 2011-12.

GOC, Golden Arrow Division, delivered the closing address where he expressed the hope that Army Public Schools would maintain their reputation for excellence in all spheres. Army sources said the AWES is running 128 Army Public Schools and 12 Army professional colleges all over the country in which around 1.8 lakh children are studying. 

Fazilka win dodge ball events

Abohar, October 19
Fazilka district has emerged as the champion in dodge ball as the eves today defeated Bathinda and Muktsar in the semi-final and final of the State School Games here.

Earlier, the host district had clinched the winner's trophy in the category for boys also.

The girls from the Abohar-based Amrit Model School, Brahmarishi Mission School and Government Senior Secondary School for Girls were part of the winning Fazilka team. Former SDM BL Sikka was the chief guest at closing ceremony organised by Swami Keshwanand Senior Secondary School.

Navdeep Singh and Lakshdeep Kaur were adjudged as the best shooters. — OC

 Man arrested with 60 kg poppy husk

Abohar, October 19
The police has seized 60 kg of poppy husk and nabbed Sukhchain Singh of village Shyamkhera by intercepting his motorcycle that entered Abohar sub-division through a link road from Sadulshehar segment of Sriganganagar district. He has been booked under the NDPS Act, police said. — OC