Amritsar, December 7
A large number of residents of the Chheharta area, who have been left fuming after the sensational killing of an Assistant Sub-Inspector a couple of days back, took to the streets and protested against the lawlessness prevailing in the city.

They alleged that the drug peddling and bootlegging is going on in connivance with the police department.

"There is utter lawlessness in this historic area where drug peddling and consumption of liquor has assumed serious proportions. These wrong activities thrive thanks to the ignorant attitude of the authorities concerned, vote-bank politics of the representatives of the area and corrupt practices of the police," said Mahant Lal Pishoria, a resident of the city.

Residents of Chheharta area raised slogans against the ruling parties alleging that they had been sheltering and harboring the goons.

Raising a question mark on the functioning of the police, they alleged police officials are hand in gloves with the anti-social elements, who do not fear law.

"During the tenure of Ashwani Kumar, SHO, Chheharta police station, three incidents, including the sensational daylight killing of ASI Ravinder Pal Singh, were reported in the city," said Amarjit Singh Asal, district secretary, CPI.

Following the murder of the ASI, the Punjab Government has dismissed Ashwani Kumar with an immediate affect for dereliction of duty.

Asal said bad elements have a 'cordial' relationship with the police authorities. "As they have got shelter from political parties, they have become more dreadful and fearless. Ranjit Singh Rana, the main accused in ASI's murder, is the prime example of this," he added.

"Narcotic substances and liquor are being sold openly. The consecutive governments have taken no action to nail this problem. Women are not safe and they area subjected to harassment and eve-teasing," said another resident Kuldeep Singh.

ASI’s killing triggers protest
A large number of residents of the Chheharta area, who have been left fuming after the daylight murder of an Assistant Sub-Inspector, take to the streets and protest against lawlessness in the city
They allege that the drug peddlers and bootleggers are working in connivance with the police
Residents of Chheharta area raised slogans against the ruling parties alleging that they had been sheltering and harboring the goons

official speak
The police is very serious about the problems being faced by the people. If they have any complaints they could approach me

— Ram Singh, Police Commissioner

Amritsar, December 7
The shocking incident of ASI being shot dead by armed assailants while attempting to protect his daughter has stunned the holy city.

The menace of eve-teasing has become a crime that has gone unnoticed till now. But after the incident, women in city are voicing their concerns about safety.

The Amritsar Tribune talked to women from all walks of life to get their views on this serious issue.

As a student and as a girl, I never consider myself safe whether in a market place or inside the campus. All these crime incidents sho how the city residents, especially women, are safe in the city. Public places are high risk areas for eve-teasing incidents. The recent incident of policeman being shot dead outside the police station has baffled all our sense of security. If the police cannot provide a safe environment for girls in the city, they should allow us to carry guns in our bags too

— Shweta Sharma, A Student 

The crime against women is on the up and there is no doubt in saying that it will continue to happen if nothing is done for their security. If the police and law enforcement takes it upon them, crimes against women could significantly decline. Moreover, we ask women to be bold and independent, but what if that becomes a reason for a crime against them. There is a sense of insecurity, especially amongst young girls due to an unsafe society that we are living in today. The recent crime was shameful and shocking, even the policemen are not safe anymore

— Baljeet Johal, Actor

I am a city-bred girl and have been working in the media for past five years now. But there has not been a single day of my grown-up life that I felt safe in the city. The recent incident has instilled fear in most women professionals in the city, as it become risky if you have late working hours. Since I live near that area where it happened, my parents are worried about my safety. Somebody has to seriously do something about the situation

— Simran, radio jockey

Eve-teasing is a menace, whether in Amritsar or in any part of the country. But it all comes down to having an efficient law enforcement system. The situation can improve when the eve-teasers fear law. No amount of self-defense classes or any other means of personal security could help if the offenders are carrying a gun and decide to shoot you on the spot, without even thinking twice. It’s a problem where the law enforcement agencies and policy makers fail us again and again

— Manisha Nagi, engineer

The city is not safe for girls. And if you are travelling alone then the risk increases and you are responsible for your own safety. Eve teasing has become a routine affair, on roads, in parking lots, market areas and even shopping malls. I have my peers and friends complaining and suffering due to eve-teasing everyday. And there is no trust on the police as eve teasers usually get away quite easily. One must consider that eve-teasing a horrific crime and a first step towards many heinous crimes against women. It should be made a punishable offence.

— Monika Kashyap, manager, VLCC

Amritsar, December 7
Mohit Khanna, the suspended secretary of the Amritsar Games Association (AGA), has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that inquiry conducted against him was flawed and influenced by political pressure.

In a written statement issued here today, he said he had come out clean in the probe conducted by the district administration. “As I found that political pressure influenced the inquiry, I had to knock the door of the high court and challenge the entire episode.”

It may be mentioned here that Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal, also the president of the Amritsar Games Association (AGA), suspended Khanna as secretary for alleged corruption, unilateral amendment in the constitution and influencing the selection of players in cricket teams on November 21.

He claimed that the inquiry committee in its report did not find him guilty of embezzlement. But he was still suspended due to political pressure as a 10-member team of the DC office, including two ADCs, searched more then 300 files but found nothing against him.

Besides, he has forwarded a communiqué, endorsed by nearly 50 cricketers, to the Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal requesting his intervention and resolution of the matter and to prevent his victimisation.

It is pertinent to mention that the four-member committee, comprising ADC (General), ADC (Development), District Sports Officer and Treasury officer, who probed charges against Khanna, was constituted on September 3. These officials probed charges of corruption, unilateral amendment in the constitution and ignoring of merit in selection procedure of players.

The inquiry was conducted in two parts namely financial irregularities, and procedural lapses and constitutional changes.

Earlier, Industry Minister and BJP MLA Anil Joshi had accused Khanna of favouritism claiming that he had barred Kamal Passi, a member of the Indian cricket team which won the U-19 World Cup, from playing for two years ago on September 1.

Besides, former Indian cricketer Harwinder Singh and junior cricketers Ravneet Ricky, Chandan Madan and Manish Sharma, and councillor from Ward 8, Aman Aery, too had come out against Khanna alleging undue influence in the selection of teams.

Rohit K. Lakhanpal, joint secretary, AGA Heritage Club, also claimed that Khanna used highhandedness in running the AGA and alleged that he changed AGA’s constitution to give more powers to the position of secretary, which he was holding.

Amritsar, December 7
The annual shopping and business extravaganza, Punjab International Trade Expo (PITEX-2012) brings together business and pleasure to Amritsar with an array of international products and brands.

The seventh edition of the annual flagship event of PHD Chamber of Commerce focuses on bigger and better lifestyle products this year with over 350 exhibitors displaying their best products.

Like every year, the most popular attraction is the Pakistani stalls. Amongst the 100-odd international stalls from countries like Lebanon, Thailand, Nepal, Ghana, Hong Kong, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal et al. this year’s highlight of the trade expo is business opportunities in Africa and so a lot of African specialties are on the display.

Pakistani traders have displayed suits, juttis, jewellery, the onyx stone furniture and artifacts, woolens and delicacies. There is stall of the Handicraft Association of Pakistan which has brought a huge variety of fabrics and designer wear for women in city.

A trader of Azam Handicrafts, which has been bringing traditional handicrafts from Pakistan for some years now, shared, “I participated in last year’s edition as well and got a good response. This year too the footfall has been quite good. With three more days to go and the high demand for Pakistani products, the business seems better,” said Mohammed Azam. “We have been a regular part of the fair and have found a big market for our designer suits,” says Azam. Bringing a select selection of hand embroidered suits in chiffons and crepes, the exhibitors always find response good. “Amritsar is a good market for us as the cultural tastes are similar to Pakistani people. Also, the buying potential of the consumer here is fairly good.” Shimmering range of décor products from Karachi, carved rosewood furniture, designer melamine and rich dry fruits and onyx. There is no dearth of the products on offer.

The food stalls with authentic delicacies from the country, serving halal meat kebabs and grills, shorbas and other Pakistani recipes belonging to the famed Lahore Food street, the food stalls had the maximum crowd after the designer wear arcade.

Stalls from Thailand which exhibit dry flowers, designer home décor items, lamps and fancy candles are also hit with residents. Traditional, pure herbs and spices from Egypt and dry fruits from Afghanistan have attracted locals. Apart from the clothes and apparel arcade, the Kitchen Expo, HomeExpo and HealthExpo too had seen rising footfall.

High on Popularity
y Pakistani stalls displaying suits, juttis, jewellery, the onyx stone furniture and artifacts, woolens and delicacies are attracting visitors. There is stall of the Handicraft Association of Pakistan which has brought a huge variety of fabrics and designer wear for women in city.

Amritsar, December 7
Even as the government anticipates earning revenue in crores by levying CLU (Change of Land Use) charges from resorts and marriage palaces, it is yet to make them implement commercial building bylaws.

Majority of the commercial complexes do not have parking space within their premises in accordance with the norms of municipal building bylaws, as a result of which the visitors park their vehicles on the road, causing nuisance to the general public and hindering smooth traffic flow.

Disaster Management Expert Surjit Sharma said besides majority of these establishments has failed to adhere to the fire safety norms in their premises.

He said at a given time hundreds of people gather there which makes it mandatory for them to take measures to avert any disaster.

“All marriage palaces and resorts use tandoors and LPG run big stoves, the disaster management agencies will have an uphill task to carry out their operations if any accident breaks out,” he said.

In the absence of parking space at their premises, visitors park their vehicles on the road which results in traffic congestion. Though majority of the resorts are located on the four lanes by pass but marriage palaces are located in various parts of the city like civil line areas, which has high concentration of population. He said in the disaster management swift reaction and smooth movement could curtail the loss of life. He said majority of these commercial buildings have failed to install smoke detect alarms and sophisticated fire extinguishers. He advised that staff members of these places must be trained to combat fire accidents and other disasters.

As per the norms, building plan for any commercial building above 500 sq yards has to be approved by the MTP. Construction on commercial area less than 500 sq has to be sought from the corporation. Among others these laws ensure fire safety norms.

MTP Des Raj said implementation of these guidelines would be ensured while carrying out the survey while levying the CLU. He said the department would launch the survey as soon as the notification reaches the office. He said the CLU has been decreased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 40 lakh per acre. He said the exact number of marriage palaces and resorts would be known after completion of the survey.

Various associations of marriage palaces and resorts have urged the government not to include them in the ambit of the CLU on the ground that these establishments came into existence when there was no mechanism by the government to approve them. They said they are paying all kind of taxes, including luxury, excise, service, VAT, commercial house tax, commercial power connection and others but now all of a sudden these were being categorised as illegal. They initiated the business when there were no rules like the Change of Land Use (CLU) and others. These associations anticipated that there are about 400 marriage palaces and resorts in and around the city but majority of them are functioning without any licence.

In order to become valid, these commercial projects require NOCs from seven to eight departments, including the National Highway Authority of India, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the forest department and the municipal corporation.

Amritsar, December 7
The holy city is in for some theatrics, thanks to the 10th National Theatre Festival commencing from December 8. The festival, to be organised in collaboration with Punjab Natshala; Department of Culture, Government of India; North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala; Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi; Amandeep Hospital; and Virsa Vihar Amritsar; will bring the best theatre works and groups from the country over the span of 10 days.

Over 100 artistes across the nation would performing the known plays.

“We have dedicated the festival to late legendary Sadat Hasan Manto, as a part of the yearlong celebration of his 100th birth anniversary. The event will have the biggest and best names from the stage and like every year, we hope that this year too gets a good response,” shared Kewal Dhaliwal, director, Virsa Vihar.

Known theatre groups from Assam, Ujjain, Delhi, Patiala, Jammu, Jodhpur and many more places will be a part of the event. The annual event will also showcase the local talent and will host Ajoka Theatre group from Pakistan. “Theatre is like a social therapy, diagnosing and healing the ailments of our social structure. It’s a medicine that takes a cue from the past and tries to cure our present and future. Amritsaris have never risen up for the cause of theatre like this. Going by the mad rush for tickets for the event last year, we are expecting a bigger, better response this time as well,” says Kewal.

The 10-day festival will have hordes of cultural activities planned to keep crowd’s attention. It’s going to be a cultural fiesta with street plays, folk performances and interactive sessions at the venue all throughout the festival. “People from all walks of life are coming to buy tickets. Some have not seen theatre before, young college students, professionals and senior citizens all have booked their spot,” says Kewal Dhaliwal.

Amritsar, December 7
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed an insurance company to pay Rs 4,56,439 as compensation to a resident for car theft.

The company had earlier repudiated the claim reasoning that the owner of the car, Manju Goel, a resident of Old Lakhar Mandi, had not produced the report on the untraced vehicle duly signed by Ilaqa magistrate.

The forum also directed the National Insurance Company to pay Rs 2000 as litigation expenses.

Earlier, Manju Goel had complained that her car was stolen from outside her house on November 5. A police complaint was filed immediately, but the vehicle could not be traced.

She said the matter was also reported to the insurance company which denied compensation after repeated requests from her.

The counsel for Manju Goel said the forum has observed that the claim was wrongly repudiated.