The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	Ferozepur mourns its fall from grace Anirudh Gupta Ferozepur, December 30 Once considered to be a land of prosperity, the historic district of Ferozepur continues to be economically backward along with lack of industrial growth and infrastructure development, and the year 2012 did not bring any luck either. Rather than bringing any fortune, the year saw the district almost become politically orphaned. The delimitation followed by the creation of Fazilka district dented its already shattered economy and impeded the pace of development. Earlier, the Jalalabad "halka" represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and the neighbouring Abohar represented by Congress MLA Sunil Jakhar, which were hitherto part of Ferozepur, had already moved to Fazilka. Subsequently, Akali stalwart Janmeja Singh Sekhon also shifted his base to Maur this year which worsened the scenario. Today, this city of " Feroz" which became a border town following the partition of the country over six decades ago, presents a picture of neglect. Over the years, the sordid episode of partition, the Indo-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971 besides the ravaging Sutlej and lack of political will has proved catastrophic for the prospects of the district which has been bifurcated several times owing to vested political interests. Once considered to be politically significant, Ferozepur has today no representation in the state cabinet, though Zira MLA Hari Singh happens to be one of the senior most Akali leaders. Even the Chief Minister and his deputy who previously used to frequent this town several times have not made any appearance since the time Akalis returned to power this year. "Earlier, when Sekhon was here, the CM used to invariably stay and listen to the demands of the residents. However, after Sekhon shifted to Maur, Badal sahib has also done a disappearing act," lamented a senior Akali leader of the region, adding that even the officials do not take much interest in the development works anymore. All is not well even within the BJP here, which too seems to be vertically divided into two factions. The elevation of local resident Kamal Sharma as advisor to the CM has not gone down well with the rival faction. The residents here are seemingly confused on whom to approach for their work. The entire development has come to a grinding halt. No funds have been released for any new project. Even the ongoing projects like provision of total sewerage and water supply in the city have been stalled owing to lack of funds. The municipal committee is in total disarray. The key issues like opening of Indo-Pakistan border, shifting of Central Jail, establishment of Government College, abolition of octroi from the cantonment, four-laning of national highway from Talwandi Bhai to Hussainiwala, besides setting up of some employment generating institutions, all have been dumped. "The district seems to be low on the priority of the present SAD-BJP regime," said a local industrialist who is planning to shift his base out of the town. Huge heaps of garbage, overflowing sewage and the poor quality of potable water has all added to people's woes. The lack of trade and employment besides spurt in crime and drug addiction has kept the investors at bay. While the other districts have achieved sea-change in their profile, the slogan "industrialise or perish" seems to have eluded this border district which continues to bear the brunt of apathy that has marred the prospects of the district so far.
	Protest against atrocities on women Tribune News Service Barnala, December 30 A rally was taken out today under the banner of the Jabar Virodhi Committee, to protest against the incidents of molestation, rape and atrocities on women. The protest was held in front of the office of the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Barnala. Later, the participants also took out a march through the bazaars, raising slogans against the deteriorating law and order and cases of atrocities on women. A large number of women also participated in the protest. The protest march was attended by members of various political, social, democratic, revolutionary and socialist organisations, including the Inqulabi Naujwan Vidyarthi Manch, Istri Jagriti Manch, Pragtisheel Istri Sabha, CPI, CPM, Inquilabi Kendra Punjab, Naujwan Bharat Sabha, Bharatiya Kisan Union and the Democratic Employees Front. Addressing the protesters, the speakers said incidents of atrocities on women were not new. But it had taken an ugly shape due to which incidents of molestation, rape and injustice to women were occurring daily in all parts of the country. They asked the government to take effective steps to check such crime. They said decisions in these cases should be taken by fast-track courts within the stipulated period. Among those present on the occasion were the leader of the Inqulabi Kendra, Punjab, Narayan Dutt, CPI leader Ujjagar Singh Beehla, CPM leader Sher Singh Pharwahi, Charanjit Kaur, Mandeep Singh Saddowal, Iqbal Kaur Udasi, Navkiran Singh, Rajiv Kumar, Pavittar Singh Lali and Karamjit Singh Beehla. Muktsar: Social activists and teachers, under the banner of 'Mai Bhago Jabar Virodhi Sangharsh Committee', today carried out a protest march on city roads demanding harsh punishment for the accused of Delhi gang-rape. They also appealed to the public not to celebrate the New Year to pay homage to the victim. Bhupinder Preet Kaur, convener of the committee, said they had also handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. Meanwhile, residents of Malout town also staged a similar protest demanding harsh punishment for the gang-rape accused. They also appealed to the local residents to respect women. Abohar: A galaxy of retired officials who attended the meeting organised by the Punjabi Sabhyachar Manch at Shaheed Bhagat Singh Chowk here last night, gave a call to the people to shun New Year celebrations as the nation felt shocked over the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim. Leading the mourners in lighting the candles as a tribute to the brave girl who lost her struggle for life in a Singapore hospital, Colonel Dilbagh Singh (retd) recited a poem that he had penned after the death of the physiotherapy student. Addressed to the national heroes of freedom struggle, the poem sought to convey that women were not safe even 67 years after the independence in the largest democracy of the world. Manch president Gurcharan Singh Gill said there was no option but to amend the law to hang the rapists. Eve-teasing should also be made a non-bailable offence, the gathering demanded.
	Woman alleges rape, says forced to marry accused Our Correspondent Fazilka, December 30 In a bizarre case, a 24-year-old woman of village Singhpura in Fazilka sub-division has lodged a complaint with the police alleging that one Om Parkash of village Ramkot allegedly raped her on October 13 and she had to be married to him later on. Police has now booked the "husband" of the woman, Om Parkash, and his relatives under section 376, 342, 506 and 120-B of the IPC. While explaining the facts of the case, SSP Amar Singh Chahal, while addressing a press conference today in the evening, said the girl was married to Om Parkash on October 15 at a temple in Panchkula. He said as per the statement of the girl, the inter-caste marriage of Om Parkash with her was not acceptable to her father. The "couple" knocked at the doors of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for police protection. On October 17, the court directed the SSP Fazilka to provide security to the couple. As per the SSP, Fazilka police asked the girl to take police assistance many times but she refused on the ground that her father had accepted their marriage. But again on December 10, the Fazilka DSP offered police cover to the girl. Here the case took a new turn. She surprisingly informed the police that now she neither wanted to live with her husband Om Parkash nor with her parents. Upon this, the Fazilka police presented the girl before the sub-divisional magistrate, Fazilka, who directed to send her to Nari Niketan in Jalandhar on December 12. The case took another twist when her father brought her back from Nari Niketan on December 24. After that, the medical examination of the girl was conducted at the local Civil Hospital on December 26. But on December 27, she lodged a complaint with the police narrating that one Komal, wife of Bhim Sain of village Khui Khera, and a relative of Om Parkash, called her for the delivery of a woman, as she had been working with a private clinic as nurse. But she refused to visit their residence. Upon this, on the recommendation of her another relative, Nimo Bai and Ramesh Kumar, she went to village Khui Khera to attend to the delivery. She has alleged that Bhim Sain, his relative Om Parkash and others mixed some intoxicating substance in her tea as a result of which she became unconscious. They reportedly took her to a nearby "dhani" and allegedly raped her. When she regained consciousness, she found herself in Chandigarh, where she was allegedly forced to marry Om Parkash in a temple. After that, Om Parkash took her to his native village Ramkot. Now on the basis of the girl's allegation, Fazilka police has booked five persons including her husband Om Parkash, Bhim Sain, his wife Komal, another relative of the girl, Nimo Bai and Ramesh Kumar. "The people should maintain patience in sensitive cases like rape in the interests of society," said the SSP.
	Indoor badminton court to come up in Fazilka Our Correspondent Fazilka, December 30 The long cherished dream of the badminton players of Fazilka finally came true when local MLA and Cabinet Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani and Member of Parliament from Ferozepur, Sher Singh Ghubaya, jointly laid the foundation stone of an indoor wooden badminton court on Saturday evening at the local Recreation Club. Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg presided over the function. SSP Amar Singh Chahal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Charandev Singh Maan, Superintendent of Police (Abohar) Varinder Singh Brar and SP (H) Manmohan Sharma, who won a gold medal in the National Police Games for the third consecutive year, were also present. Sher Singh Ghubaya gave away Rs five lakhs for the badminton court and promised to give another Rs 5 lakh at the onset of the New Year from the MPLAD funds. Jyani, while addressing the members of the club, said it was necessary to promote sports to divert the youngsters from the menace of drugs.
	Two rape cases reported in Abohar Abohar, December 30 Finding themselves in a tight spot after the country-wide anguish over the delay on the part of the police in dealing with complaints related to rape, the Sadar police acted on a complaint that was lodged on September 29. A girl of village Katehra had alleged that Vinod and Pawan of the same village had exploited her sexually. The police has now booked the said persons under sections 376, 506 and 34 of the IPC. Earlier, a sarpanch of village Burjmuhar, affiliated to SAD, was arrested recently three months after the complaint was lodged by a married woman alleging rape. The city police has booked one Maneesh Kumar under Section 294 of the IPC and IT Act as Devinder Singh of Shyam Vihar Colony complained that the accused has been sending obscene MMS to his daughter using different mobile phones. Sadar police has booked Rajwinder Singh of Panjpeer colony under sections 363 and 366 of the IPC as one Nirmal Singh of Alamgarh alleged that he had kidnapped his 23-year-old daughter as she was returning home last Sunday. Powercom linesman Sardul Singh, posted in Ferozepur, along with three others, two of them women, have been booked under sections 376, 506 and 120 of the IPC on a complaint lodged by a married woman, 26, of Bhagwanpura locality. She alleged that two woman conspired in her kidnapping after which she was sexually exploited for a week. — OC