NEIGHBOURHOOD

Police van catches fire in Ambala

A policeman tries to extinguish a fire in a PCR van in Ambala on Friday. A Tribune photograph

Ambala November 16
A van of the Ambala police control room caught fire all of sudden near Moon Palace at Ambala City here this afternoon. The van was burnt completely. The driver of the van and the other police personnel in the van escaped unhurt.

According to information, the policevan was on patrolling duty at the time of incident.

The occupants of the van jumped out from the moving van otherwise they could have sustained burn injuries. The police personnel threw sand and water on the van, which was totally burnt before the fire tender arrived.

The cause of fire could not be ascertained so far. It is learnt that the model of the PCR van was very old. It is to be mentioned that some of the gypsies of the Ambala police require immediate replacement. — OC

Fatehgarh Sahib, Nov 16
In order to check the environment pollution caused by stubble burning, the Agriculture Department in the district would offer 34 happy seeder machines on subsidy to farmers.

While inaugurating an exhibition about the sowing of wheat seeds through rapiseeder machines at the farms of Kehar Singh, one of the progressive farmers of Marwa village, Deputy Commissioner Yashvir Mahajan urged farmers not to burn stubble. He said farmers should adopt modern techniques like sowing of seeds through rapiseeder machines, which not only helped in protecting the environment but also made fields fertile. Mahajan said the Agriculture Department would offer the subsidy under the Atma Scheme. He said at present 34 rapiseeder machines were available with the department and out of them, 27 were purchased by the farmers. He said the cost of a machine was Rs 1.10 lakh and that was offered to the farmers for Rs 70,000.

He said the subsidy of Rs 18.90 lakh was distributed among the farmers of the district during the last year. He added that 2,500 quintal wheat seeds would be distributed among farmers at the price of Rs 500 per quintal. He directed the Agriculture Department to arrange tours for farmers to different parts of the country where progressive farmers had adopted modern techniques to grow different crops. — TNS

Chandigarh, November 16
The UT police registered as many as four cases of cheating in the city in the last 24 hours. The police booked Amandeep Singh, owner of Cyber Link, SCO number 100-101, Sector 34, on a complaint filed by Sushil Kumar. The accused took Rs 4 lakh from complainant for a work permit of Canada, but failed to provide with the work permit and refused to return the money. A case of cheating has been registered at Sector 34 police station.

In another case, registered at Sector 17 police station, AK Patnayak, general manager, Punjab National Bank, Sector 22, alleged that Vishal Jaiswal, owner of Jaiswal Plastic Industry, Industrial Area, Panchkula, cheated the bank in tune of Rs 78 lakh. The police said the accused had taken loan by submitting forged documents.

The accused after making some instalments, stop paying the bank. The accused had also sold the machinery he had mortgaged with the bank

for getting the loan sanctioned. A case under Sections 420,467,468,471,120-B of the (IPC) has been registered. The accused is yet to be arrested.

In another case the police booked Raj Kumar for cheating Seema, a resident of Maloya. According to the police, the accused took Rs 48,000 from the victim for getting a loan sanctioned. The accused neither got the loan passed nor returned the money. A case has been registered at Sector 26 police station.

Bikers at a practice session; and (below) a biker falls during practice for the National Super Cross Championship at the Sector 17 Circus Grounds in Chandigarh on Friday. Tribune photos: Pradeep Tewari

For instance, the Indian Government has yet not allowed motor cross championship, which is held in natural terrains in several countries. He said India has several perfect locations for motor cross championship and it can help further boasting the motors sports in country.

Dust track looking good

SPS Garcha, regional director for The Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India, said a lot of attention was given on crafting the dust track for the event here in the circus ground. “With the length of 720 meters, it has 10 double jumps, one triple jump, two set of whoop-de-doos and other set of hurdles which will definitely taking the breath away as the bikers ride over it on the final day, said Garcha.

‘Technical expertise important’

Winner of 2010 National Super Cross Championship, CS Santosh, said a biker required technical expertise along with speed and control. He said that it was very important to understand different angles of the track, which can help the biker in landing and controlling the speed on difficult turns. Besides, technical specification of the bike is also important to know, he said.

Panchkula, November 16
Stupendous batting performance by Vaibhav Sharma (162 not out, 11 x 6, 19 x 4) and Kshitij Sharma 85 (3x6, 11x4) enabled St Soldier's Daredevils to beat Panchkula Redbulls by 178 runs in 2nd St Soldier's Panchkula Premier League played at St Soldier School, Sector 16, Panchkula grounds.

Electing to bat first, St Soldier's Daredevils openers Vaibhav Sharma and Kshitij Sharma smashed the bowling attack all over the park. They didn't allow any of the bowlers to take a sigh of relief. Both of them dealt with boundaries and sixes and their strike rates were above 200. Winning team posed the mammoth total of 268 runs with loss of no wickets in allotted 20 overs.

Chasing the target, Panchkula Redbulls never were in game as they kept losing their wickets at regular intervals. Only Sidharth made 21 runs for losing team. Divij took 3 for 20, Arjun Azad took 3 for 29 as the team was all out for just 90 runs in 19.5 overs.

Vaibhav Sharma for his 162 not out runs inning was adjudged man of the match.

Brief scores: St. Soldier's Daredevils: 268/0 in 20 overs, Vaibhav Sharma 162 not out, Kshitij Sharma 85 not out.

Panchkula Redbulls: 90/10 in 19.5 overs, Sidharth 21, Divij 3 for 20, Arjun Azad 3 for 29.

In the second match, fine bowling performance by Tarun 5 for 8 enabled Beating Lions Panchkula to beat Panchkula icons by 4 wickets.

Tarun for his 5 wickets was adjudged man of the match.

Brief scores: Panchkula icons 70/10 in 20 overs, Akash Yadav 23, Rajat 20, Tarun 5 for 8, Anshul Mina 2 for 19.

Beating Lions 74/6 in 11 overs Madhav Goel 24, Sidharth Danda 11, Mudit 2 for 10, Sahil 2 for 21.

Mohali, November 16
The Dushera Ground of Phase VIII usually witnessed a huge mass rush on the eve of Dushera but today the rural sports festival organised by Sardar Sukhdeev Singh Gill Memorial club, witnessed a high turnover.

Except having a highly pitched kabaddi and volleyball events, the event that attracted all the pleasing eyes, was the dog race. The race compromising of mix and Indian breed dogs, turned out to be the most entertained event of the day as not only spectators but players themselves referred to witness the race before their respective matches. Meanwhile, bringing smiles on all localities and proving their iron, the local Indian breed won the battle race of 100 mt after defeating a mix breed. Sangrur based Jokad, the Indian breed dog, won the race after defeating Steno, a mix breed from Chamkor Sahib. “He won the race but the main thing he registered his win against a mix breed. The latter is known to be the best for these short races but he managed to defeat his opponent,” said Choota, his owner.

On his regular diet and practice he added, “I don’t give him extra diet or protein, it’s just the regular eatables with milk, non-veg thrice a week. I usually take him along to my morning walk and make him run. He has won many races but yet to achieve a mark in a good rural festival. We have two to three more pets in our locality and we all organise a competition for them every weekend,” said Choota of Sarangpur.

On other hand, Amandeep from Chamkor Sahib, added, “Basically, the Indian breed (desi) dogs are the best option to run with. They are adapted to climate and conditions. Although mine is a mix breed but he stills needs practice session. Along with races, they love to eat and roam around. I usually take him along to many places for participating in the rural games. He has given me an identity and I just want him to give his best,” said he.

Another owner added, “It’s not a game but a way to entertain the life of these dogs. They also indulge in some good activities for keeping themselves fit and we just help them with providing the best we can. They become as happy as a human being after winning these races and claiming top spots. The only exception they get is good diet and a pleasant time after wining any race,” said Sonu, owner of Red Power, who finished third.

Making it an exceptional case, a bitch named Bratty of Chandigarh, secured fourth place. “I just wanted her to compete with at her best. She is well-deserved winner but I wanted her to claim the top spot. She is a fast learner and sweetheart of family. Although, it gives me immense pleasure whenever, she attains a top spot but her effort is what I appreciate the most,” said Prince, her owner.

“The rural sport has lost its charm. But we are trying our best to tell the masses about its importance. This is the 14th edition of this tournament and players from allover Punjab come to participate here. Our main attention is to target youths, so to make them realise the value of sports,” said Phool Saj Singh, wrestler and organiser of the rural games.