The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Roads in Ferozepur cry for attention Condition of newly-built roads pitiable too; protests by residents fall on deaf ears Anirudh Gupta Ferozepur, October 22 In contrast to the claims of the state government regarding upgradation of basic infrastructure in the state, the condition of roads in the town portrays a saga of apathy and neglect. Even the roads constructed recently have been damaged beyond repair causing utter loss to the state exchequer. At several locations in the city, the overflowing sewage has become a safety hazard for the passersby. The residents have staged protest many times but the municipal committee, sewerage board and the PWD keep passing the buck to refuse accepting their responsibility. The road leading to the cremation ground and the Mallanwala road besides a portion of the newly constructed road from Ferozepur city to Zira are in bad shape for the last several months. A portion of the kutcha Zira road has been damaged beyond repair within a few days of its reconstruction allegedly due to the flawed sewerage connection. Every day, thousands of people from nearby colonies and villages, including old-timers and school going children, face problems because of the pitiable condition of this stretch which poses a danger to their safety. Several mishaps have been reported during the last few weeks. However, the authorities do not appear to be concerned. On August 28, hundreds of residents including van and autorickshaw drivers had staged a massive protest and blocked the road for hours following which the ADC Gurmel Singh and the president of the municipal council Ashwani Grover had assured of necessary action within a week. However, even after a lapse of nearly two months, the situation has only worsened. As per the information, the Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board (PWSSB) had laid a new sewerage line on the road near the grain market. However, instead of providing any relief; it has become a source of nuisance for the residents of nearby colonies who have to put up with the overflowing sewage day in and day out. Even the road which had been recently reconstructed by the PWD under 3354 head at a huge cost has withered away due to the overflow of sewage. Sukhdev Singh, a local resident, said large potholes have come up on this portion of the road beneath the sewerage which acts as death trap for the commuters. "We have made several representations to the administration and municipal authorities to rectify the problem but in vain," said Bhupinder Singh. Some of the residents have now decided to adopt a legal course to put pressure on the authorities to improve the sanitary conditions and roads in the town.
	Cab driver robbed of car in Muktsar village Tribune News Service Lambi/Muktsar, October 22 Five robbers, including a woman, snatched an Alto car near Mehna village in Lambi assembly constituency in Muktsar district late last evening. The robbers had hired the car from the Gidderbaha taxi stand to go to Dabwali in Haryana. Lambi police said acting upon the complaint lodged by driver Pardeep Kumar, the investigation had been started, but the accused were still at large. The car belonged to one Satish Kumar of Gidderbaha. In his complaint to the police, Pardeep stated that the robbers posed as natives of Husnar village and hired the car for Rs 650 to go to Dabwali at about 6:30 pm yesterday. "After reaching near village Mehna, an occupant told me that he was not feeling well and I slowed down the car, so that he could vomit. Taking advantage of the slow speed and the darkness outside, they thrashed me, snatched the cell phone and fled with the car," stated the complainant. Gurpreet Singh Bains, SHO, Lambi police station, said, "The complainant also committed a mistake, as before starting the journey he did not get the identity proof of the travellers, who later snatched his car and cell phone. But we are putting in maximum efforts to trace the car and the robbers." "It seems the robbers were drug addicts, as the car's worth was not more than Rs 1 lakh, because it was of 2008 make and was running on LPG. They will not get more than Rs 15,000 while disposing it of," added the SHO.
	Slow lifting of paddy Dist-level livestock contests postponed Archit Watts Tribune News Service Muktsar, October 22 Due to the reported delay in the lifting of paddy from the grain markets and farmers busy sitting there awaiting the sale of their produce, the Animal Husbandry department has postponed its scheduled district level livestock championships starting from today. The two-day district level championship had to start from today at Mohali and Moga districts. Though no fresh date has been announced for the holding of livestock championships, yet the preparations being made in this regard have been stopped. Deputy Director (Muktsar), Animal Husbandry department, Naresh Sachdeva, said, "In our district, the championship was scheduled to be held on October 25 and 26, but yesterday I got a phone call from the senior officials to postpone it for some time. As of now, no fresh date has been announced in this regard." Giving the reason behind this development, he added, "The farmers are busy selling their produce in the mandis, so it was of no use organising the event in such a situation." He added that the department had made all arrangements to organize the event. "The venue was decided. Duties had been assigned to the officials. The public announcement had also been made through the media. But the event has been postponed at the last moment in all districts of the state," added Sachdeva. Similarly, Dr HS Sandha, Director, Animal Husbandry, said, "As the farmers are busy in mandis, we decided to organise the livestock championships next month."
	Man ends life over wife’s infidelity The woman had illicit relationship with a Powercom official; duo booked Tribune News Service Faridkot, October 22 Upset with the alleged illicit relations of his wife with an official in Powercom, a 38-year-old mason allegedly committed suicide by cutting his wrist nerve at Sadhwan village in Faridkot district today. The body of Budh Singh was found lying in a pool of blood this morning at his house. The police have booked the Powercom junior engineer Balbir Singh and the deceased's wife Pushpinder Kaur for abetment of suicide. In a complaint to the police, Sohan Singh, the brother of the deceased, alleged that his sister-in-law was continuing extramarital relations with the JE despite opposition by the family members. There were frequent quarrels in the family over the issue, he alleged. Two weeks back, the family members had allegedly caught the JE and tied him to a tree but he was released after the seniors in the village intervened. He was also warned to mend his ways. Some days back, Budh Singh allegedly beat up his wife and she was admitted to a local hospital. Late on Sunday evening, Budh Singh committed suicide. The police have registered a case against Pushpinder Kaur and Balbir Singh under sections 306/120B and 34 of the IPC at the Sadar police station, Kotkpura, but no arrests have been made so far.
	Man, son killed in road mishap Our Correspondent Abohar, October 22 An advocate Krishan Brawad (33) of village 3ML and his eight-year-old son Mayank died on the spot while his wife Kiran, minor daughter Poonam and a nephew sustained injuries as the car by which they were returning after pilgrimage to Salasar, collided with a truck on Suratgarh-Sriganganagar section of the national highway 15 today. Preliminary investigation reportedly indicated that the driver had not switched on the indicators while parking the truck on the roadside. The advocate driving the car could not notice the truck due to headlights of another heavy vehicle. A case has been registered by Chunavadh police against the truck driver for negligence. Bar Association secretary Vipin Sidhu said lawyers will mourn the tragic demise of their colleague by suspending work in Sriganganagar courts on Tuesday.