Ludhiana, February 2
The plan was foolproof. The robbers' motive was to kill the woman and her son and flee with the cash and valuables to make it appear like a robbery.

Before attacking Sunanda Jain, her son Sakshar and their servant Nikhil at their residence at E- Block in Rishi Nagar yesterday, main accused Rajiv Jain, alias Raju, confirmed from the woman that there were no CCTV cameras in the house.

The entire story behind the gruesome assault was unfolded after Raju's accomplices, Jasdeep Singh and his relative Roshan, were nabbed by the Jodhewal police last night.

The police has recovered Rs 18 lakh cash, gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 18 lakh from their possession.

The ADCP- I, Nilamberi Vijay Jagdale, said it was a meticulously planned robbery. "Rajiv Jain used to discuss the financial status of his relative Rajesh Jain, owner of Love Bird Garments, with his friend Jasdeep and how his money could be stolen. Jasdeep then introduced him to Roshan, a resident of Subash Nagar."

Roshan has a tainted background. He had spent nearly five years in jail for kidnapping a student of Green Land School, near the Jalandhar Bypass, in 2002.

The trio hatched a plan. Since Raju was known to the Jains, their primary motive was to kill the mother-son duo and flee with the cash. The accused conducted had been visiting the area for the past five days. They entered the Jain's house on Friday on the pretext of giving them a wedding invitation. They threatened Sakshar with a knife and asked Sunanda to quickly take them to a room where the cash and gold was kept. Sunanda quickly handed over the keys of the room to Raju. After putting the cash and gold in a sack, the accused tried to strangle Sunanda with a plastic rope. They also attacked domestic help Nikhil.

Believing the trio to be dead, they locked them in a room. Nikhil managed to come out of room through a window and raised an alarm. According to the plan, the robbers dispersed in different directions and were slated to meet in Delhi.

The ADCP-I some of the stolen material was yet to be recovered. The accused were produced before a court, which sent them to police remand.

Ludhiana, February 2
Rajesh Jain, Sunanda's husband, is yet to come to terms with the tragedy. He chokes when he recalls the moment he received a call from his son Sakshar, who suffered a neck injury and was reported to be profusely bleeding. "My son is brave. When the robbers left the house, he dragged himself to the room where a landline phone was kept. He was bleeding and his mother was lying unconscious. But, Sakshar did not lose courage and he rang me up. He could not speak properly because of the injury. I am proud of him," said Rajesh Jain, before breaking into tears.

Sakshar, who was operated upon for the life-threatening neck injury at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMC&H), is stated to be out of danger. Sunanda is also recuperating at the hospital.

The Jains' relatives, who gathered outside the hospital, said Raju was like a younger brother to Sunanda. Sunanda reportedly told a relative that as Roshan was trying to slit Sakshar's neck, she said: "Raju why are you doing it. Don't hurt my son, kill me instead."

Ludhiana, February 2
A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd started the door-to-door collection of garbage in the Chaura Bazar area of the city today. The staff of the company lifted garbage from around 400 shops in the area under police protection.

Fearing a protest by private garbage collectors, officials of the MC as well as the company kept the garbage collection a low-key affair. The private garbage collectors have been opposing this project ever since it started on August 15, 2011.

On January 28, hundreds of safai karamcharis, led by members of the Valmiki Samaj Bachao Andolan (VSBA), had organised a protest against the MC as well as A2Z Waste Management Ludhiana Ltd. They had threatened that if the MC allowed the company to carry out door-to-door collection of garbage in the city, they would hold protests. However, there was no protest by the private garbage collectors today.

In October, 2011, the private garbage collectors of the state had gone on strike against the A2Z company, after which, on October 31, 2011, a meeting between Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and the members of the VSBA was held in Chandigarh. Both the CM and the Deputy CM had promised that the private company would lift garbage only from collection points and not from houses. However, the company was asked to carry out door-to-door collection of garbage later on.

Of a total 75 wards in the city, the staff of the A2Z company has been lifting garbage from 10 wards.

Vice-president of the A2Z company BPS Chauhan stated garbage was lifted from around 400 shops in the Chaura Bazar area. "We will keep on covering more areas like Books Market, Gur Mandi, Sarafa Bazar, Clock Tower Chowk and almost all the nearby markets," he added.

RATES (in Rupees)

Category Charges (per mth)

Hotel:

0-10 rooms 500

10-20 rooms 1,000

More than 20 2,000

Restaurant/sweet shop:

Air-conditioned 1,000

Non-AC 500

Dhaba:

Air-conditioned 500

Non-AC 100

Factory:

0.50 paisa per sq yard

Mall/multiplex:

0.50 paisa per sq yard

Marriage palace:

0-500 sqyd 8,000 yearly

500-1,000 12,000 yearly

sq yard

Above 1,000 25,000 yearly

sq yard

Small shops:

Up to 10 sq metres 50

Up to 25 sq metres 100

Showroom up to 150 100 sq metres

More than 100 sq 200

metres 

Kila raipur, February 2
Gusto reached its climax on the second day of the 77th Edition of the Kila Raipur Sports Festival that continued at the Grewal Sports Stadium here today.

Resumption of the bullock cart races, which had been banned last year, proved catalyst for the event with veteran rural people thronging the stadium for quenching their thirst to watch quadrupeds scaling the ground in eights.

Defying age and vigor elderly men and physically challenged persons stole the show by performing rare feats today.

In keeping with the tradition of the mega event, where showcasing rare feats not rare Gurmel Singh, a physically challenged youth balanced himself on a glass bottle and Bahadur Singh pulled a car with his ear. While Gurnam Singh rotated bicycle with his teeth Pargat Singh Mukandpur lifted plough and bicycle with his molars and Jasjit Singh dragged Maruti car with his Jaws. Paragliding by Bhupinder Dhanaula was the only factor that could distract spectators from events on ground to the blue, though for a brief period.

Equestrians, martial artist, and greyhounds besides bullocks remained attraction among spectators from far and wide. Some foreigners were seen mingling with Maghar Singh, the veteran Nihang Singh and his group.

Meanwhile, Maninder Singh of Khanna and Kaushalia of Hoshiarpur emerged fastest runners of the day who dragged Mukesh Kumar and Kirandeep of Jallandhar to second position in 100 mt races.

Nachhattar Singh (70-75), Ajit Singh Randhawa (65-70) and SP Sharma (60-65) were declared fastest veteran runners in their respective categories.

Other results were as follows:

One mile cycle race U-19 boys’: 1. Kuldeep Singh, Patiala 2. Gaganbir Singh, Ludhiana 3. Rajvir Singh, Doraha; 400 meters U-19 Boys: 1. Shanky Ram, Panchkula 2. Dharamvir, Panchkula 3. Mandeep Singh, Jalandhar.

400 m U-19 girls race: 1. Sandeep Kaur, Patiala 2. Kulwinder Kaur, Patiala 3. Sandeep Kaur, Bathinda.

200 m U-19 boys’ race: 1. Mukesh Kumar, Jalandhar 2. Akashdeep Singh, Patiala 3. Ranjeet Singh, Hoshiarpur.

200 m U-19 girls’ race: 1. Kirandeep Kaur, Jalandhar 2. Amandeep Kaur, Jalandhar 3. Mandeep Kaur, Patiala.

Kabaddi men: (70 kg-one village open): Butahari team beat Jassaran by 15-11.

Hockey (U-17 Boys): Kila Raipur Academy beat Malwa Academy Ludhiana (7-4), Sangrur beat Gill Academy.

Kharar 7-3 and Jarkhar defeated Kila Raipur education wing by 12-1.

Senior hockey tourney: Hans kalan defeated New Gurdaspur Hockey Club by 2-0 and SGGS Club, Jalandhar, beat Dholan by 3-0. Ropar lost to Makandpur College by 0-2.

Bullock cart race: Bullock carts of Gurdeep Singh of Alamgir, Naib Singh of Kalsian, Sukh Nagra of Jodhaan, Avtar Singh of Assi Kalan, Raju Waria of Assi Kalan, Karan of Balala, Arshdeep Singh of Lohgarh and Satinder Singh of Kila Raipur reached semifinals by winning their respective heats.

Ludhiana, February 2
Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension, College of Veterinary Science, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary & Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), organised a two-week "Specialised Training Course on Dairy Farming" for the farmers. Dr HK Verma, HoD of the department said 57 farmers including one woman trainee from different parts of the state participated in this training course.

Experts from College of Veterinary Science delivered their lectures on various aspects of dairy farming. The farmers were advised to have proper planning in connection to land, funds and availability of loans etc. Further, they were guided to keep high yielding dairy animals in their herds. They were instructed to construct cheap but comfortable sheds for their animals, which help them in better hygienic conditions and excellent management.

Major part of the expenditure in dairy farming is on feed and fodder. The farmers were guided to make the green fodder available to their animals throughout the year. They were also encouraged to make the concentrate feed and prepare the silage at the farm itself. The farmers were trained to differentiate between healthy and sick animals. Role of regular vaccination, deworming and hygiene in prevention of diseases was stressed.

The first aid methods for various ailments were taught and practical demonstrations were held. Tips for timely detection of heat, timely Artificial Insemination and care of pregnant and new-born animals were emphasised.

Ludhiana, February 2
Scientists at Agro Meteorologist Department of Punjab Agriculture University predicted that there are the chances of rain and hailstorm on February 4, 5 and 6. While advising farmers, Dr KK Gill, an agro-meteorologist at PAU said farmers should not irrigate the wheat crop if the irrigation is delayed.

Dr KK Gill said, "The wheat crop has not matured yet so the rain and hailstorm will not affect much damaging. But we advise farmers to avoid irrigation." "The temperature would decrease after the rain for a day or two. But after that the weather will be clear," she added.

Today, residents got respite from fog, as the day was sunny for whole day. The Met department predicted that Sunday morning would be foggy. Maximum temperature was recorded 23.5 degree Celsius and minimum temperature was 12.8 degree Celsius.

Ludhiana, February 2
The Integrated Infrastructural Development (IID) scheme has failed to kick start in the region due to the lack of funds with the state government. The scheme was launched in 2008 by the Central Government.

The aim of the IID scheme is to provide developed sites with infrastructural facilities like power distribution network, water, telecommunication, drainage and pollution control facilities, roads, banks, raw materials, storage and marketing outlets, common service facilities and technological back up services.

The scheme covers rural as well as urban areas with a provision of 50 per cent reservation for rural areas and 50 per cent industrial plots to be reserved for tiny sector.

Under this scheme, 60 per cent funding is done by the Central Government while the remaining 40 per cent is contributed by the state government. The paucity of funds with the state government has led to the failure of the scheme for the benefit of the MSME sector.

Badish Jindal, president, Association of Small Scale Industries, said: “The Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) should be made the implementing agencies.”

Jatin Garg, a small scale manufacturer, said: “The schemes run by the Central Government are hardly executed by the state government. The state government neither takes any interest nor do they have enough funds to make the scheme run.” 

Ludhiana, February 2
An exhibition titled “Art Beat” was organised today at the International Institute of Fashion Design in Ludhiana.

The aim of the exhibition was to showcase creativity and learning. More than 1,000 articles were on display. As many as 400 students from fashion design, textile design and interior design departments created artworks and artifacts.

Designer articles of home furnishings such as curtains, cushion covers, bed sheets, flower pots, lamps, glass artifacts, wall hangings and paintings designed by the students were on display. Collections of accessories such as embellished bags, jute bags, neck pieces, earrings and stoles were also exhibited.

Ludhiana, February 2
On one side a section of Congress councillors are holding protest against Mayor Harcharan Singh Gohalwaria and MC Commissioner, Rakesh Kumar Verma, and on the other side a group of eight Congress councillors today held a meeting with the Mayor in his camp office near Rose Garden. These eight councillors were from the group of Ludhiana West MLA Bharat Bhushan Ashu.

The Congress councillors, who held a meeting with the Mayor today, include Balkar Singh Sandhu, chairman of Congress councilors; Sanjay Talwar, Deepika Bhalla, Narinder Sharma, Mamta Ashu, Gurpreet Singh Bassi, Maharaj Singh Raji and Jai Parkash Sharma.

A section of Congress councillors led by leader of opposition, Hem Raj; senior deputy leader Rakesh Prashar; and deputy leader Sushma Mehta; have been sitting on protest at MC’s Zone-A office near Mata Rani Chowk since January 28. These Congress councillors are protesting against the levying of development charges in Core Area, imposition of property tax and a demand for convening general house meeting of the MC. — TNS

Ludhiana, February 2
The sitar virtuoso, Ustad Nishad Khan, accompanied by tabla exponent, Zohaib Khan, today performed at BCM Arya Model School, Shastri Nagar, and then at Guru Nanak Khalsa College, Gujjarkhan campus.

Ustad Nishad Khan said, “There is an urgent need to preserve our classical music. In the US and Europe, corporate world supports and promotes classical music. The India too corporations should come forward for the promotion of classical music.”

"Wearing western clothes and listening to the western music is all right, but we should not forget who we are and what our heritage is," he said. —TNS

Ludhiana, February 2
The police has initiated probe in the rape case of a three-year-old girl from Rahon road.

The girl’s father said that her daughter was raped by a man nearly two months ago.

The victim’s father, who appeared before the police commissioner, said: “The police officials are hand-in-glove with the accused.”—TNS 

Ludhiana, February 2
The police has announced a reward of Rs 25,000 for giving information about the killer of a six-year-old girl, who was raped, murdered and dumped in a vacant plot near Ekta colony at Rahon road area.

It has been nearly two weeks since the dead body was found but the police has failed to find the accused.

Two test positive for swine flu: Two patients from the CMC have tested positive of Swine Flu. Both of these are resident of Ludhiana. While two suspected patients from DMC tested negative of swine flu

Ludhiana, February 2
Two bikers snatched a gold chain and earrings from an elderly woman.

The victim is a grandmother of Gagan Obroi, a lawyer at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The incident took place today morning when she was returning home from Gurdwara Sahib at Rishi Nagar.

Phillaur, February 2
The Bilga police recovered 1,925 kg of puppy husk, in 35 bags at a deserted place near Sanghowal village in Phillaur Sub-Division today.

SP (D), Rajinder Singh, said the police has registered a case under Sections 15/61/85 of the NDPS Act against five drug peddlers.

He disclosed that the booked accused are already facing more than 16 different criminal cases registered at various police stations for a long period. — OC

Ludhiana, february 2
The renovation work has been stalled at the Guru Nanak Stadium due to the non-availability of funds and negligence by the officials of the Punjab Mandi Board for the past two months.

Punjab Mandi Board had sanctioned Rs 4 crore for the installation of canopies and renovation of blocks A, B and F and the multi-purpose hall.

The Punjab Mandi Board had installed two canopies on block A and B before the 3rd edition of World Kabaddi Cup. But the authorities failed to install canopy on block F till December 15.

The installation work of the proposed canopy at block F is yet to start.

Kartar Singh, District Sports officer, said: "The sports events are suffering due to this delay. The contractor informed that Mandi Board is not releasing the funds. We will not able to organise any sports event till the work is not over at the multi-purpose hall.”

RS Gill, chief engineer, Mandi Board, said the government has sanctioned Rs 4 crore for the installation of canopies and renovation of the Guru Nanak Stadium and multi-purpose hall. We have sufficient funds for this work and they will be released soon.”

Earlier, Punjab Mandi Board officials had announced that department would install ultra-modern equipments and provide world level facilities in the stadium. They had claimed that the Punjab Government will spend Rs 15 crore on the renovation works.

Ludhiana, February 2
All the arrangements have been completed for the 7th All-India Jagtar Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament (boys’: U-21) slated to be held at the Prithipal Singh Astro-Turf Stadium of the Punjab Agricultural University campus from February 4 to 8.

The president of Jagtar Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament Committee, Hardeep Singh Grewal, made this announcement today.

“Eight top teams of the region will be vying for top honours in this five-day meet to be organised on league-cum-knock out basis in the memory of Jagtar Singh. He was a renowned a hockey player, sports promoter and the founder of the District Hockey Association, Ludhiana. He served as its secretary for more than 20 years,” said Grewal.

Teams from Sports Authority of India, Bhopal; Sports Authority of India, Lucknow; Jai Bharat Academy (New Delhi), Namdhari XI (Bhaini Sahib), Centre for Excellence (Patiala), Surjit Hockey Academy, Jalandhar; Kurukshstra XI and Ludhiana XI will be seen in action during this tournament.

Harcharan Singh Gohakwaria, Mayor, Ludhiana, will inaugurate the tournament. Dr BS Dhillon, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, and Sukhdeep Singh, Officer on special duty, Chief Minister, Punjab, will be the guests of honour on the opening day.

The Union Minister, Manish Tiwari, will give away prizes to the winners on the concluding day while Dr Ajaib Singh, member of National Minority Commission, and Suresh Sharma, Inspector General of Police, Punjab, will be the guests of honour on this occasion.

Ramandeep Singh Grewal, Deputy Director (Sports), PAU; Ajaypal Singh Poonia, President of the PAU Sports Association; Kirpal Singh Aujla and Gurinderpreet Singh, co-chairman and general secretary, respectively of Jagtar Singh Memorial Hockey Tournament Committee were present when Hardeep Singh Grewal made the 
announcement.