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Con man 'dupes' man of Rs 5 lakh
Ludhiana, December 18 The incident came to light this evening when the police was sent in a tizzy following a false alarm that robbers fled with Rs 5 lakh from Axis Bank located on the Mall Road. ADCP-III Joginder Singh, ACP-West Gurpreet Kaur, CIA-I in charge Harpal Singh and SHO (Division No. 8) Ranjit Singh reached the spot and it was learnt that a con man fled with Rs 5 lakh by duping an employee of a textile company by posing as a bank employee. Jasjot Singh, alias Joti, owner of the textile company located at Focal Point, also reached the bank. He told the police that Parminder Singh had been depositing the company's cash in the bank for the past five years. Jasjot said Parminder Singh came to his house located in Model Town Extension and collected Rs 5 lakh, which was to be deposited in the bank. Before visiting the bank, Parminder visited Millar Gunj and collected Rs 50,000 from a businessman. Parminder said he entered the bank around 12.30 pm. A man posing as a bank employee met him and took the cash from him on the pretext of getting it deposited in the account. While Parminder sat on a chair and waited, the con man fled with the cash. The entire story narrated by Parminder Singh came under a cloud of doubt when the police scanned the video footage of the CCTV camera installed in the bank. ACP-West Gurpreet Purewal said, "We are investigating the case and Parminder Singh cannot be exonerated as of now. We have gone through the video footage and it tells a different story." She said the suspect entered the bank a few minutes before Parminder. He waited for Pariminder and spoke to him for a moment and headed towards the counter. Here Parminder and the suspect again spoke to each other following which he handed over the cash to the suspect and sat on a chair by turning his back towards him. "He was depositing cash in the bank for the past five years and knew all bank employees. Why did he hand over the money to a stranger? Why did he sit on a chair by turning his back towards the suspect? However, the suspect has been caught on camera and he cannot escape now. The whole story behind the incident will come to light soon," said ACP Gurpreet Kaur. Parminder Singh was taken to the Division No. 8 police station for
further questioning. 2nd incident in month
This is the second such incident within a month. On November 20, a con man, posing as a bank employee, had duped a jawan of the ITBP of Rs 2.5 lakh. The incident had taken place when the jawan, Jaiveer, posted at the ITBP cantonment at Baddowal, visited the main branch of the State Bank of India at Fountain Chowk. The accused could not be identified as the CCTV camera installed in the bank was not operational.
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Thieves strike at shops, decamp with mobiles, goods worth lakhs
Ludhiana, December 18
Inderjit reached the spot and informed the police about the theft. According to Interjit, the accused broke open the shutters with the help of a jack. “My sons Sachin and Sunny are running the business. They were on a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi and are on their way back from the pilgrinage. The real estimate of the loss will only be known after they return,” said Inderjit. The police suspects it to be the handiwork of an insider, who was perhaps aware about Sachin and Sunny's pilgrimage plan. “Thieves have laid their hands of expensive mobile phones, while cheaper phones remained untouched. I am a heart patient and was shocked to see my shop ransacked,” said Inderjit. No CCTV camera was installed in the shop. The police suspects that the thieves struck around midnight. The police has rounded up a private watchman for questioning. In another incident, thieves broke open the shutters of seven shops, including vegetable and liquor vends, located in Sabzi Mandi near the Salem Tabri area here today and decamped with cash, liquor bottles, vegetables and valuables worth Rs 2 lakh. The incident came to light this morning when shopkeepers reached their establishments and were shocked to find these ransacked. Jatinder Kumar, one of the shopkeepers, said seven shops had been burgled. After entering the shops, the thieves broke open the cash counters and took away the entire cash. "They took away vegetables and liquors as well. Collectively, we have suffered a loss of Rs 2 lakh. The thieves perhaps came in a truck as it is not possible to carry so much of stolen stuff on any other vehicle," said Jatinder. The police has registered a case and started investigation. The police has questioned some persons staying in the area.
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Trade unions' protest throws traffic out of gear
Ludhiana, December 18 With the protesters squatting at inter-sections and refusing to lift the blockade despite pleas of affected people and the police, vehicles caught in the jam had to take diversions and detours, which increased pressure on all feeder roads along Ferzoepur Road. The cascading effect of the traffic blockade was felt in many surrounding residential and commercial localities like Sarabha Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Maya Nagar, College Road, Durga Mata Mandir and Link Road. The traffic disruption led to long queues of vehicles, including cars, buses and auto-rickshaws, till the general bus stand on Link Road and Fountain Chowk on the Mall Road. Vehicles were stuck till Jagraon Bridge and Aarti Chowk on both sides of Bharat Nagar Chowk on Ferozepur Road. Several irate car drivers were seen arguing with the protesters against the traffic blockade. But for the intervention of the police and others, the situation could have taken an ugly turn. Kulbir Singh, a motorist, alleged inaction on the part of the authorities, especially the police, saying that they were acting as mute spectators to pressure tactics by various groups. "City roads have become a safe haven for all sorts of protesters who block roads with impunity and hold the entire road users to ransom. Why do the police and the authorities act in a helpless manner and not take action as per law against the offenders?" he asked. During the protest, activists of the All-India Trade Union Congress, the Indian National Trade Union Congress, the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions focused on the plight of construction and industrial workers, brick-kiln labour, contractual employees at private hospitals, colleges and universities, roadways and other public utilities. Flaying the "anti-people and anti-worker" policies of the government, they sought enhancement of minimum wages of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers and scrupulous implementation of labour laws. Bitter medicine |
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School Games get off to a colourful start
Ludhiana, December 18
Despite sports officials' efforts to clear the mess, broken glass of tubelights lay scattered in the stadium as players were made to sit on the ground after the march past ceremony. Nihangs had shown their daredevil skills with tubelights during the closing ceremony of the kabaddi cup and the event management company concerned did not bother to remove the broken pieces of glass from the venue. Fortunately, no untoward incident happened today as all players were wearing shoes and most of them were aware of glass being scattered on the ground. Meanwhile, it again turned out to be a shabby show due to poor arrangements of portable water and food for players. In the absence of portable water, students were seen drinking water from sprinkle pipes in and outside the stadium. Players were also seen arranging fast food items form vends outside the stadium. Healthcare arrangements The Education Department seems to have learnt a lesson from last year's National School Games as this year the department has made good health care arrangements for the players. Last year, it was reported that a Players made to sit on broken glass player from South India faced health problems due to a change in the weather conditions. This year, the department has arranged medical teams at all places where players are staying.Sports kits Hockey matches held on Day 1
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Minister makes players wait for hours
Ludhiana, December 18
Punjab Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka arrived over three hours late to open the National School Games. The inauguration function was scheduled for 11.30 am, but the minister came at 2.45 pm. The players, who had taken their breakfast at 9 am, had to wait for the minister without water and food till 2.45 pm. It is not the first time that the Education Minister came late at the venue. Maluka had come two hours late for the inauguration of the Inter-District School Games held on October 20. A teacher said, "The Education Minister issues show-cause notices to teachers for coming late, but himself failed to reach the stadium on time. Due to the delay in his arrival, the schedule was disturbed. Around 2,300 players from across the country are participating in the games. They must have got a bad expression about the host state." Addressing the audience, the Education Minister said the government would constitute a separate directorate at the primary level to provide better infrastructure to school students. "We want to provide the best facilities to our players. The Punjab Government has demanded an annual budget of Rs 40 crore from the Centre for the uplift of sports in the state," said Maluka. Maluka announced that the Education Department would give Rs 15,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 7,500 to the players who bag the first second and third positions, respectively. Maluka announced that an international wrestling championship would be organised in the state soon. Wrestlers from Pakistan, Iran and India would participate in it. Minister apologises
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Mayor chalks out priorities
Kuldip Bhatia
Ludhiana, December 18 At a meeting with councillors of Zone D, comprising most of the posh localities as well as peripheral areas, Gohalwaria discussed at length the pending development projects related to roads, streets, sewerage and water supply as well as power. Other civic problems like sanitation, encroachments and violation of building bylaws were also discussed at the meeting. Later talking to The Tribune, the Mayor said the drive for the recovery of arrears of house tax and user charges (water supply and sewerage) had been stepped up, and it has yielded positive results. "The MC has cleared a huge part of its old liabilities. Payments of contractors for development works have been cleared till February, 2012, while those for maintenance works have been cleared till July, 2012. During the last two months, Rs 4 crore worth of pending payments have been made to contractors while almost an equal amount of their securities and earnest money has been refunded," Gohalwaria said, asserting the financial condition of the civic body had taken a turn for the better. The Mayor said all the pending development works were being discussed with the councillors concerned on a continuous basis at various levels. Recently, directions in writing had been issued to all the four zonal commissioners to hold monthly review meetings with the councillors of their respective zones so that pressing development or maintenance works could be taken up without losing any time in procedural wrangles. He, however, added that in the wake of financial constraints that the MC was facing for the time being, priority would be accorded to maintenance works, and other development projects would be taken up when adequate funds were available. "We don't want to start what we can not finish in a desirable manner," quipped Gohalwaria.
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job regularisation Our correspondent
Jagraon, December 18 They had started the indefinite hunger strike yesterday. They demanded to regularise the temporary safai Karamcharis and asked to prove safety kits. While addressing the protesters, Punjab Municipal Workers' Union (Cleaning Wing) president Sham Lal Dhaudria criticised the state government for its failure to meet their demands. He reminded that ahead of the recently held state assembly elections, the ruling SAD-BJP had promised to regularise the temporary safai karamcharis. But after coming to power, the government failed to keep the promise, he said. "There is a large number of temporary safai karamcharis, who are working on meagre salaries. Some of them have been working with the Municipal Council for the past 15 years and despite their repeated appeals to the state government for regularising the temporary safai karamcharis, the government has ignored their demand,"said Sham Lal Dhaudria He said the state government had also failed to provide safety kits to the safai karamcharis and many of them had died due to poisonous gases while cleaning a sewerage. "There is always a huge risk in cleaning the sewerage without safety kits but they put their lives in danger for meagre salary," said Sham Lal Dhaudria. "We have lost many colleagues during the past years. The lives of the karamcharis constantly remain under the huge risk while cleaning the sewage. The government has not even provided safety kits but despite this indifferent attitude of the state government, the safai karamcharis continue with their work," said Vinod Kumar, Jagraon unit president of the union. During the second day of the stir Vinod Kumar along with several other temporary safai karamcharis sat on the hunger strike. The protesters demanded to regularise the safai karamcharis, who are working on temporary basis for the last many years. They also demanded provide safety kits to them. The safai karamcharis vowed to continue with the strike till their demands are met by the state government.
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‘More stringent laws needed’
Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, December 18 The Tribune spoke to a number of women from various walks of life. They feel that the policymakers need to wake up from their deep slumber else it will be too late.
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BSNL staff stir enters second day
Ludhiana, December 18 Addressing the gathering, Balwinder Singh, district secretary, BSNL Employees' Union, said the BSNL was incurring heavy losses for the last four years. "In the current financial year, the loss of the BSNL is around Rs 9,000 Crores. The services of the BSNL are deteriorating due to the inefficient management of the ITS officers," he said. He said the financial position and services of the BSNL services could not improved until the ITS officers were not absorbed in the BSNL. The other main demands, which were raised, included financial viability of the BSNL/MTNL, pension of the MTNL retiree to be paid by the government instead of the MTNL as in the case of the BSNL retiree and Immediate procurement of equipment and material by the BSNL/MTNL. Paramjit Singh, district president of the union and Avtar Singh Jhande , additional district secretary of the BSNLEU, said the ITS officers were on deputation from the DOT to BSNL since the beginning of the BSNL. They are on the rolls of the DOT but drawing salaries and allowances from the BSNL. The entire workforce of executive and non-executives, numbering 2.70 lakh have been absorbed in the BSNL but the ITS officers, numbering around 1500, are reluctant to join the BSNL.
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Farmers unite to rein in stray animals
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 18 After catching stray animals, the farmers will hand them over to the Animal Husbandry Department or organisers of 'gaushalas'. Former legislator Jagdev Singh Jassowal urged the higher authorities, including Chief Minister Punjab Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to impress upon the authorities concerned to do the needful. — OC
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One more tests positive for HIV
Ludhiana, December 18 Nodal Officer for the Red Ribbon Express for Ludhiana US Sooch said: "Today, 255 visitors got themselves tested for HIV on the train. Yesterday, 217 persons under went the test." Dr Sooch said: "All the HIV positive persons will be registered with the Anti-Retro Viral Therapy (ART) centre established at Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. They will be first counselled and then a CD4 cells count test will be done on them free of cost. If their cell count is less than 350 per cubic ml, only then their treatment will be started. If the cell count is more than 350, then the treatment is not required, however their blood test will be done after every six months." Meanwhile, 42 volunteers donated blood on the blood transfusion van of Rajinder Hospital, Patiala. The staff of the Ludhiana Health Department has been encouraging volunteers to donate blood. The collected blood will be handed over to the District Red Cross and Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. 20,000 visit Red Ribbon Express To update their knowledge about AIDS, more than 20,000 visitors from different walks of life had visited the Red Ribbon Express, the train launched with the aim of creating awareness on AIDS, in the last two days. Dr US Sooch, Nodal officer of the Red Ribbon Express for Ludhiana, said: "Today, 12,064 visitors, including armed personnel, transporters, students of schools and colleges, ASHA and anganwari workers visited this train. Yesterday, 8,072 persons visited the train. We hope to receive more visitors tomorrow, the last day of this train exhibition."
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Widow alleges sexual harassment by NGO's driver
Ludhiana, December 18 The driver, Stephen, who had been hired by an NGO for transporting bodies, has been suspended. The matter came to light when the woman narrated the entire episode to the village panchayat following the cremation of her husband. Today, the panchayat of Assi Kalan village visited the civil hospital and lodged a complaint with the NGO. It was midnight when Stephen agreed to ferry the body. The woman's nephew was also accompanying her. She said Stephen stopped the van midway and asked for money. He asked the woman to alight from the van or establish physical relation in lieu of money. The woman and the nephew snubbed the driver and the matter was settled at Rs 300. Meanwhile, BJP leader and a trustee of the NGO termed the allegation as baseless. "The matter has been blown out of proportion. The driver has asked for Rs 300 and we have suspended him for seeking money. Further, in a complaint filed by the villager panchayat there is no mention that the driver had asked the woman to develop physical relation in lieu of money." Karamvir Goel, SMO, said he would initiate an inquiry into the matter.
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Gunjan wins dance contest
Young dancers Gunjan (IX) and Heena (XI) of Bhartiya Vidya Mandir, Udham Sngh Nagar, participated in the Talent Hunt-2012, organised by Indus World School on December 9. Out of the 550 dancers, these enthusiastic girls secured a place in top 12 dancers. The students further participated in the final round on December 16 where they competed with 120 students. Gunjan (IX) was declared as the best dancers during the competition. Principal Bandana Sethi applauded the efforts of the students. Talent Hunt-2012 Indus World School (IWS) wore a festive look as parents and children walked in for the Talent Hunt-2012 finals. The event proved to be a platform for all children of Ludhiana too showcase their talent. The participants competed in various categories - dance, singing, instrumental, art and craft, theatre- during the competition. The talent of the children left the audience spellbound. The participants gave some exceptional performances during the competition. Athletics meet An inter-house athletics meet for the primary wing was organised at Nankana Sahib public School on Tuesday. The students, representing the four houses- Sahibjada Ajit Singh House, Sahibjada Jhujhar Singh House, Sahibjada Zoraver Singh House and Sahibjada Fateh Singh House- participated in the meet. The meet commenced with a march past. On the occasion, guest of owner Teja Singh Dhaliwal, famous basketball player and Punjab Sports Secretary, announced that they would provide an international- level basketball academy soon on the campus. Principal Harmeet Kaur motivated the children to take part in such activities. Children of ABC Montessori visit Hypercity Students of ABC Montessori School, BRS Nagar, visited the Hypercity at the MBD Mall on Tuesday. Playing pre-school learning games and activities in an entertaining way need not to be expensive or confined to a certain time or a specific place. On reaching the toy section, it appeared as if they had entered the Disneyland. They laughed and played with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Santa Clause and Barbie dolls. The teachers helped them in learning shapes like triangle, circle, square and rectangle. Programme on good dental practices Students of Guru Teg Bahadur Public School displayed keen awareness of oral health and good dental practices at the ‘Kaun Banega Pastepati’ programme, organised by Dr Rajan Bir Singh Thind of Thind Dental Clinic, Jamalpur. The programme, which began at 8.30 am on the school premises ended almost an hour later. The children participated in the programme with great enthusiasm. Radio Mantra participated in the ‘Kaun Banega Pastepati’ show along with Dr Thind. The radio jockey interacted with Dr Thind, the students and the teachers of the school. ‘Kaun Banega Pastepati’ is an unique initiative of Dr Thind to educate children about dental health. It is the part of Dr Thind’s mission smile project. Through games and interactive programmes, Dr Thind tells children about the importance of keeping their teeth and gums healthy. —TNS
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Two booked for illegal sale of kerosene
Mandi Ahmedgarh, December 18 The accused were identified as Baljit Singh and Kulwant Singh of Sihar village in Ludhiana district. Sources at the Malaudh Police Station revealed that the policemen, posted at a check post at the Sohian Police Station had intercepted the vehicle, carrying huge and unexplained quantity of kerosene, which was meant to be supplied to consumers through fair price shops. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were earlier booked for similar crime by the Payal police. It was observed that the accused used to sell kerosene at premium price to farmers and agricultural labourer.
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8 booked on charge of assaulting youth
Jagraon, December 18 The accused have been identified as Hamandeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Veerpal Singh, Satwant Singh, Paramvir Singh, Jaspal Singh and Manveer Singh, alias Mani, all residents of Galib Kalan village near Jagraon. As per information, all the persons were booked following a complaint by Sarabjit Singh, a resident of the same village. In his complaint, Sarabjit Singh had alleged that he had a minor argument with Harmandeep Singh some days back, however, the matter was resolved by the village Panchayat. "But two days after this, Harmandeep Singh along with seven other accused stopped me when I was returning to my village from Jagraon and thrashed me," alleged Sarabjit Singh. According to the complainant, he received multiple injuries during the attack. Confirming the development, investigating officer ASI Balwant Singh said: “All the accused are on the run. We are conducting raids to arrest the accused and they will be arrested soon."
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Ludhiana, December 18 But Khaira's ordeal was not over yet. "The SHO neither registered an FIR nor the matter was reported in daily diary report (DDR)," lamented Kuldeep Singh. Dejected Kuldeep had to take a rickshaw to return home. The incident has yet again exposed the callous attitude of police.—TNS
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Lawyer
Harsimrat Kaur said women were not safe even at workplace, public places and at home, as in many incidents they were targeted by servants and workers also. The gang rape that happened in Delhi is deplorable. If women are not safe even in public transport, then what can be done? The answer to such heinous crimes is that laws need to be made more stringent. Strict punishment should be given to persons who treat women as objects. But, in our country, such cases get linger on and justice is often delayed. For a victim, justice delayed is justice denied. 
Ziart Priya Kaur, Head Girl, GCG, says on paper, we are equal to men, but where is the equality? How can people gang rape a girl or woman? One can not even think what kind of mental trauma a victim of gang rape goes through. No words or sympathies can heal her wounds. The accused in the Delhi gang-rape case should be hanged. They deserve no less punishment. The government needs to do something for the security of women. 
PappoAbnash Singh says the incident is unfortunate. Look at our politicians and leaders, who travel with loads of security. There is certainly no security problem for them or women members in their families. But, we are ordinary people and feel too insecure in this country. Seeing all such heinous crimes against women, I will make sure that my granddaughters are settled abroad. The government has failed to provide security to women. Unless the government comes with a strict policy, things are not going to improve. 
According to
Dr Neeru Singh, a dentist, it was indeed shocking to read the news. There is no doubt about the fact that now not only women but even men are not safe in the jungle we all live in. Capital punishment should be given to the perpetrators of such heinous crimes. There should be round-the-clock policing in the cities in order to check such crimes.
Rashmi
Bector, Head, Ludhiana Chapter of FICCI, the youth today has become very daring. Preventive measures have to be taken to ensure safety of women in society. There should be police patrolling during night hours as many working women travel late hours and such. Women need to feel they are safe. Men should be made aware about women abuse and its consequences. Stringent laws should be brought in to ensure the safety of women. 