The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

CRIME

Robbery foiled in Panchkula
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 3
In yet another attempt to loot at gunpoint, three miscreants allegedly tried to rob a factory worker of Rs 2.30 lakh in the wee hours today near Maddahwala near Pinjore, Panchkula.

While the miscreants tried to flee after hearing the siren of the police, which was on patrolling, one of them was nabbed by the worker and the police in that process.

According to the police, the nabbed accused, Raj Kamal was a servant with the factory and was aware that the money was kept in the locker.

One of the factory workers, Munshi Ram Ali, also suffered minor injuries during the incident.

“In the wee hours today, when the workers were sleeping, three miscreants came and took the worker near the locker at gunpoint,” said a police official.

He further added, “As the worker shouted, one of them hit Ali with the butt of the gun.”

The miscreants also heard the siren of the PCR vehicle that was patrolling outside. In the meantime, other workers had also woke up hearing the noise. The miscreants tried to flee but one of them was nabbed by the workers and the police,” said another official.

Miscreants damage cars in Mohali
Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 3
The residents of Sector 71 are having sleepless nights as some mischievous persons break the windowpanes of the vehicles, parked outside the houses, here. The mischievous elements, who most probably are college students, targeted two vehicles-a Toyota Liva and Tata Safari-in the wee hours today.

The cars damaged by miscreants in Mohali. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu

Giving details, Anil Kumar, a government officer, said the front and rear screen of his Liva car and side windows of Tata Safari, belonged to Arvind Kumar of the same locality, were smashed with bricks and tiles by a group of youngsters at around 4 am today.

“One of our neighbours, whose car was targeted about 15 days ago, was awake at the time of incident. On hearing the sound of smashing windowpanes, he immediately came outside and saw a car being used by the youngsters for their anti-social activities. But the youngsters, who seemed to be college students, managed to flee by then,” said Anil Kumar.

“Arvind Kumar’s Tata Safari has been targeted for second time within this week while the windowpanes of my car have been broken for the third time in a year, said Anil Kumar while adding that a SUV in the area was also targeted 15 days before,” he said.

Another resident of the area claimed that over 10 such incidents had occurred within past three months.

“The police has failed to nab the culprits so far despite several complaints. We are fed up now,” said the residents.

On the issue, the area’s DSP Rajinder Singh Sohal said all the incidents were not being reported.

“The victims should come to us whenever such incidents occur. However, we will intensify the night patrolling in the area to check the menace,” said DSP Sohal.

32-year-old commits suicide
Tribune News Service

Panchkula, February 3
A 32-year-old man allegedly committed suicide after consuming a pesticide here today. The victim has been identified as Rajesh, a resident of Sector 26. Rajesh was working as an assistant with the education department.

Sources said no suicide note has been found from the spot and that Rajesh had been in some tension for the past many days.

He was rushed to the General Hospital, Sector 6, where he was declared brought dead. The deceased is survived by his wife and two children.

“We were informed that Rajesh consumed some pesticide when he was alone in his room. His son had a surgery recently due to some chest congestion. Since then, he was in tension,” said Inspector Satish Kumar, SHO of the Chandimandir police station. Rajesh, originally hailed from Jind and was posted here at Sector 5 Panchkula.

SPORTS

C Rajesh of railways wins cyclothon
Tribune News Service

(Left) A physically challenged boy takes part in race. (right) Young cyclists take part in the cyclothon.

Chandigarh, February 3
Cyclist, C Rajesh of Railways, won the Chandigarh Cyclothon Professionals' competitive 61-km race and bagged the wining prize of Rs one lakh, here today.

Pankaj Kumar from Haryana, secured the second position, to bag Rs 70,000, while his another person from Haryana, Dilawar Singh, finished third and took home the cash award of Rs 50,000. Later, the non-competitive cycling events of 5 km junior / fun Ride, 10 km of amateur race and 10 Kms of corporate race, was also organised.

C Rajesh claimed the winning spot with 56 points in 15-laps, while Pankaj and Dilawar secured their positions with 23 and 19 points, respectively. "I am happy to win this race. These kinds of competitions boost the sport and now that the cycle federation has shown its interest, it will flourish. Winning this race is a result of my daily practise sessions and my co-partners", said Rajesh. The other winners from Haryana added, "Our state is emerging as the land of sports persons and we just want to carry this honour further. The race was difficult and 15-laps, on-road, under un-predictable climate, is a difficult task to perform. The event was good and we received a healthy competition from other participants"

More than 100 elite professional cyclists, participated in the event. The race was flagged of by the President of Cycling Federation of India, Parminder S Dhindsa and VK Singh, Finance Secretary and Secretary, Sports.

Chaos prevails
Deepankar Sharda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 3
The local administration might be patting their back for organising the professional’s cyclothon event successfully, but the riders witnessed chaos, here, this morning.

Without navigators, marking or route-identifications, the riders were seen facing a tough time. The fun ride was of 5 Km whereas amateur and Corporate rides were a 10 km affair.

“We have been deployed to divert the traffic and not to guide the participants. They should have navigators till the finishing point as we cannot approach every participant for guiding the right-way”, said a head constable, deployed near the racing venue.

Many participants received injuries after colliding with each other, due to heavy rush of participants. “Not learning from the past, the authorities failed to avert such chaos.”, said Smita Kaushik, a participant.

A 12-year old added, “I left the ride in-between as there was a lot of confusion. I am a regular cyclist but due to fear of injury and mismanagement, I opted to leave the race” said Kunal Chahaun.

On other hand, despite having sponsors, governmental aid and other resources, the authorities still charge registration fee from the participants. The government employees or handicapped or government school students or participants above 50-years of age, were not charged anything, while participants from private school (till 10+2) were charged Rs 100 and Rs 200 for renting out the cycle.

For corporate ride, the registration fee was Rs 200 and Rs 300 with cycle. According to organisers, the authorities received 600 entries from the students of private schools, 1600 from government schools, 1000 from colleges and NCC, 110 from orphanages, 70 handicapped, 157 corporate and 300 participants of above 50 years.

Equestrian Competition
Gurshoba of YPS adjudged best rider
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 3
Gurshoba Singh of Yadvindra Public School, Mohali, bagged the title of best rider in open category, during the ongoing Inter-School-Club Equestrian Competition, held at Lake Sports Complex, here today.

In the category of 15 to 17 years, Rajat Singh and Sorab Sandhawalia of Woodstock School, were awarded as the best riders while in 11 to 14 years group, Gurbaz Sandhu, won the competition

In the U 10 years event, Abhijay Rana was declared as best rider whereas the best girl rider title was awarded to Sarhanya.

Results: Open Category- Jumping Normal- Gurshoba Singh; Amarinder Singh; Devinder jeet Singh; Sahil Mann; Jumping Fault and Out- Gurshoba Singh; Adev Mann; Gurshoba Singh; Sahil Mann; Dresage-Hukam Chand; Sahil Man; Sorab Sandhawalia; Sepoy Shrinu Aguru; Sahil Mann; Sepoy Shrini Aguru and VD Jadav; Sorab Sandhawalia; Adev Mann; Pole Bending- Hardeep Kamboj; Balpreet Poonia; Adev Mann; Kamaldeep Kaur;15 to 17 Years-Jumping Normal-Rajat; Govind Sandhu; Gurtegh Singh ; Sorab Sandhawalia and Adev Mann; Jumping Fault and Out-Rajat; Apoorva Menon; Govind Sandhu; Sumail Singh; Top Score Jumping-Govind Sandhu; Mehtab Signh; Gurbaz Sandhu; Sumail Singh ; Boot and Hay Race-Jasraj Sidhu and Gurteg Singh; Mankirat Singh and Manmohan Singh; Sorab Sandhwalia and Govind Sandhu; Sumail Singh and Rajat Singh; Mehtab Singh and Adev Mann; Sanchita Banerjee and Apoorva Menon.