Ludhiana, February 10
Contaminated water has led to an outbreak of jaundice at Malak village in Ludhiana district. Patients in the village are reportedly suffering from hepatitis- E. This was disclosed by the State Nodal Officer, Integrated Disease Surveillance Project, Punjab, Dr Deepak Bhatia.

He said, "Sewage water got mixed with drinking water at Malak village. All patients suffering from jaundice have tested positive for hepatitis-E, which means contaminated water had a role to play in it."

Dr Bhatia said no reports of jaundice had been received from any other area in the district.

Jaundice cases are generally reported in the summer and the rainy season, but sporadic cases keep pouring in throughout the year. Dr Aneesh Chaudhary, Senior Consultant in Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Christian Medical College and Hospital, said, "Every month, we receive 15 to 20 patients suffering from hepatitis-A and E in our hospital. Consumption of contaminated primarily responsible for such cases."

Dr LS Chawla, a gastroenterologist from the city and founder Vice-Chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, said, "Hepatitis-B and C have become common these days. Fortunately, these are curable if the patient consults a doctor on time."

Ludhiana, February 10
With the arrest of seven persons, including five women, the Division No. 7 police claims to have busted a flesh trade racket in the city. The arrested girls are in the age group of 25 to 30 years and all of them are married. The kingpin of this racket managed to flee from the spot.

The police had conducted a raid on the premises of a house located in the Jagdishpura Mohalla area in the city. The arrested women are residents of Shimlapuri, Tibba Road, Daba Road and some other areas in the city. The remaining two persons who have been arrested were their "customers".

Inspector Raj Kumar, SHO of the Division No. 7 police station, said they had conducted a raid after receiving a tip-off. “The main accused, Jaswinder Kaur, from whose house the racket was allegedly being run, managed to flee from the spot. All arrested persons have been booked under the Immoral Trafficking Act,” he said.

Ludhiana, February 10
The housing sector in the industrial hub of the state is all set to get a big impetus, and city residents can look forward to huge opportunities in the real estate sector once three urban estates, proposed by the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) on the outskirts of the city, turn into a reality.

GLADA has already completed a preliminary survey of a 1500 acre urban estate from Sahnewal to Chandigarh Road, which will also integrate the expansion of the Ludhiana airport while surveys have been undertaken for two other urban estates of 500 acres each along the Southern (Delhi) bypass on the Lohara-Jaspal Bangar road and Bulara village on Gill Road.

Senior GLADA officials confirmed that a physical survey for suitable pockets of land for the two urban estates in Lohara and Bulara had been launched and the engineering branch was also preparing tentative layout plans for the development of urban estates, which would comprise a combination of residential flats, residential plots and commercial centres to cater to the needs of various sections.

With no residential schemes having been developed in the mega city either by GLADA or the Ludhiana Improvement Trust for almost three decades now, those looking for their "dream homes" were left to fend for themselves. With a few exceptions, many buyers of plots or built-up properties fell victims to tall claims of unscrupulous developers, or had to buy property at exorbitant rates from licensed colonisers.

Although GLADA did chip in occasionally to fulfil the need for affordable housing by launching a few schemes of residential flats or offering residential plots in its existing colonies, these were far too less in comparison to the vast need for housing for the ever-growing population of the city, especially in the wake of an increase in the disposable income of the salaried class over the past few years.

The proposed development of three urban estates, in a total area of some 2500 acres, has brought cheer to various sections of city residents.

Kulbir Singh, a bank official, said with no residential colony having been developed by any government agency for a long time now, the people had a few choices. "One could either purchase property in an illegal colony with little or no amenities or else buy a plot or flat in a licensed colony at a hefty price," he said.

Avtar Krishan, a retired government employee, said like him many aspirants for having a home of their own, now looked forward to development of the new urban estates.

"It is always reassuring to buy a plot or a flat from a government agency where the buyers get all promised amenities and facilities unlike in the case of licensed or unlicensed developers, who tend to shortchange the buyers," he said.

Ludhiana, February 10
A man posing as a cop allegedly duped a person of his mobile phone and Rs 34,730 at Kara Bara Chowk on the GT Road here. The con man was wearing a khaki uniform when he accosted the victim, who was returning home after selling sugarcane at a mill near Amloh.

Jasvir Singh, a resident of Dhaliwal village in Jalandhar district, along with his nephew Sukhwinder Singh, was returning home on a tractor-trailer after selling sugarcane on Thursday.

A man in his mid 20s accosted them near Kara Bara Chowk on the pretext of conducting a search. Jasvir Singh told the police that the con man was on a bike and after taking away his mobile phone and Rs 34,730, he asked both of them to reach Jalandhar Bypass Chowk, around 200 metres away from the spot.

“He told us to come and meet his senior, who was on duty at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk. When we reached the place, neither that person nor any other policeman was on duty there. It is then that I realised that I had been duped of my hard-earned money,” Jasvir Singh alleged in his complaint to the Salem Tabri police.

Ashok Kumar, munshi at the Salem Tabri police station, said a case under Sections 420 of the IPC had been registered in this connection. No arrests have been made so far.

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 10
The department responsible for protecting life and property of residents of the area seems to have undermined importance of lives of its own employees posted at local police station and persons visiting it.

Though the condition of the building housing the police station has been deteriorating for years, the administration instead of getting it renovated has tried to evade the responsibility by putting warning signs about its safety.

Inmates had been fleeing from two lockups as the walls had developed huge cracks. The plaster on the walls and bricks keep on falling even today, putting at risk the lives of cops, inmates and people visiting the police station to register their complaints.

The authorities instead of getting the building reconstructed or repaired, has attempted to hide the actual position by getting some rooms whitewashed. "Unsafe" signs have been displayed on other wings despite the fact that cops visit these portions in routine.

According to sources, the building has not been repaired for over past 30 years. Social workers and leaders of various political parties said the condition of rooms and verandas had started deteriorating a long time back.

Surprisingly, senior officers up to the rank of deputy inspector general have been visiting this police station but needful has not been done.

When contacted, the official looking after maintenance of the building said proposals for the repair of the building had long been sent to the authorities concerned.

Investigations further revealed that the rooms declared unsafe are being used as kitchen and stores, where majority of the police officials have to go in routine.

SHO Jasvir Singh said process for renovation of the building had already been initiated. "Few months ago a team of officials from civil department at Chandigarh visited the police station to take necessary measurements," said Singh. 

Chawa(Khanna), February 10
A man died after he reportedly fell from a moving train at the Chawa railway crossing here. The matter came to light this morning when some people noticed the body lying near the railway track.

A Government Railway Police (GRP) official said the victim had probably fallen last night. He added that the person was aged between 30-35 years and perhaps was a migrant labourer. The body was spotted at 6 am with multiple injuries, he said.

The body was sent to the Civil Hospital, Khanna, for post mortem to ascertain the exact cause of death. The identity of the victim is being ascertained. 

Ludhiana, February 10
The Northern Railway Pensioners Welfare Association during its monthly meeting today criticised the civic body’s proposal to impose property tax on the owners of residential houses in the city.

Chairman of the association Sher Singh said the new tax was nothing but a desperate bid of the state government to create more financial resources for the crisis-ridden municipal bodies in Punjab at the cost of the people who were already reeling under a severe inflation.

Singh said the notion that the owners of residential houses could afford to bear the burden of property tax.

“It is only a small section of affluent people living in palatial houses who would not feel the pinch of the property tax. For a vast majority of people having their own houses or even those living on rented properties, the levy will be a crushing blow.”

Senior vice president of the association TV Singh said the MC had not been able to provide basic amenities to the majority of people in the city.

“Roads are bad in a bad condition, water supply is erratic and sewerage network in inadequate. In such a situation, there is no justification of imposing any more financial burden on the residents," Singh said.

The pensioners questioned the politically motivated decision to abolish octroi. Poor diagnostic and therapeutic facilities at the Railway Hospital were discussed during the meeting.

Ludhiana, February 10
The elder brother of Inspector Dilpreet Singh was booked in an attempt to murder case for attacking him. Now after three days his brother has come out in open and accused Dilpreet of using his influence for getting a false case registered against him.

Inspector Dilpreet Singh on the other hand has refuted these allegations and has claimed that he was attacked by his brother with a sword.

Harpreet Singh is a property dealer and claimed that on Wednesday evening his children saw Dilpreet chasing his friend with a sword in his hand.

After the incident, a case under Sections 307, 324 and 34 of the IPC was registered against Harpreet Singh at Division Number 5 police station.

Harpreet, along with his family met Police Commissioner Ishwar Singh and an inquiry into the matter was marked to ACP Gurpreet Kaur Purewal.

Harpreet said, "He used to bring girls in our house and when we objected to it, he used to abuse and misbehave with us. My family is taking shelter at some other place while Dilpreet is staying in our house."

Inspector Nirmal Singh, SHO of Division Number 5 police station said: "Dilpreet is mentally unstable. We have met both the parties after the registration of this FIR; we advised them to settle this matter amicably because both of them are brothers. Moreover, we are not harassing anyone and the case will be thoroughly investigated."

Ludhiana, February 10
Gurdwara Shree Guru Singh Sabha, Sarabha Nagar, has launched a plantation drive "balhari kudrat vasya" dedicated to Guru Har Rai, the seventh guru of the Sikhs. Guru Rai was a prominent environmentalist.

The managing committee of the gurdwara has planted nearly 500 saplings in Sarabha Nagar. Trees on the road leading to the gurdwara have also been adopted.

“Watering, cutting and pruning are being done by the gurdwara. Usually people plant saplings and after that they are forgotten. We are ensuring that the saplings are also well nourished," said Jatinder Singh Sandhu, president of the managing committee.

“Flower shows are a routine feature at our gurdwara. We are holding a competition for the best house garden on March 3. The judges will visit the houses of the participants," he added.

A cycle has been put on display at the lawn of the gurdwara to encourage the habit of cycle driving among residents. This will help people remain fit and along with serving the purpose of environmental protection. 

Ludhiana, February 10
The instructions of the Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, to all senior medical officers in the district to conduct postmortem of cases falling under their jurisdiction at the respective primary health centres (PHCs) and community health centres (CHCs) seem to have fallen into deaf ears.

For, some autopsy cases from the peripheries are still being sent to the Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. This increases the workload of the staff of the civil hospital furthermore.

Dr Subhash Batta, Civil Sugeon, Ludhiana, on July 25, 2012 had issued direction to all senior medical officers in the district not to send postmortem and medico-legal cases to other jurisdictions.

“These jurisdictions are fixed by the state government after consulting the police department and the respective district administrations. None can change these on their own. Even the police department has requested us to follow the jurisdictions by the CHCs and PHCs," the instruction read.

Some of the employees working at the civil hospital rue the fact that the instructions were not being followed.

"Cases of postmortem from Khanna, Doraha and Payal are sent here. Postmortem facility is very much available in Khanna and Payal. All this adds to our burden," an employee said.

“On an average, eight to 10 postmortem cases are conducted at the civil hospital every day. It takes about one hour to conduct a postmortem and then the doctor concerned has to file a complete report on it which is very time consuming,â€� he added. 

Ludhiana, February 10
With a view to curb the number of road accidents, the city police today organised a special training session in first-aid at the Police Lines here.

The session was supervised by Kaka Ram Verma, a former employee with the Red Cross.

Inspector Buland Singh, in-charge (Traffic and PCR) said a total of 532 officials from Traffic Police, Police Control Room, Police Lines and women personnel were trained on providing first-aid in cases of cardiac arrest, fracture, bleeding, epilepsy, fire incident, building collapse victims.

“The police personnel were also trained about the manner in which victims should be taken out of the debris, how to make them lie on stretcher, how to lift them on arms and tips about blood pressure and sugar levels,”€� he said. 

Ludhiana, February 10
To create awareness in the society against the menace of drugs an awareness walk across Punjab will start on Monday from Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur. It will conclude at Chandigarh.

Gurbhajan Gill, president of the Punjabi Sahit Akademi (PSA), said: “The awareness drive is spearheaded by the Canada based NRI, Balwinder Singh Kahlon, who is the chairman of the Drug Awareness Foundation (DAFC), Canada.”

Balwinder Kahlon, while addressing a huge pre-event gathering, said: “The use of drugs and alcohol is engulfing the Punjabi community. It has also resulted in escalated anti-social and illegal activities. The increased use of alcohol and drug has caused variety of social, domestic, financial and health related challenges in the community. We need to change our lifestyle and stay away from alcohol as even occasional drinking can lead to problems.”

The program is getting tremendous from various organizations, including PSA, Ludhiana, Prof Mohan Singh Memorial Federation, Ludhiana, Social Welfare Forum, Batala, Indian Cultural Association, Kartarpur, Surjit Sports Association, Batala, and Punjabi Culture Study Circle International, Ludhiana.

The participants will leave Dera Baba Nanak in the morning. Ragi Harjinder Singh Srinagar will sing shabads on the occasion and the prominent preachers, including Giani Pinderpal Singh and Giani Amir Singh of Jawaddi Taksal, Ludhiana. The awareness carvan will also visit Golden Temple in Amritsar. 

Ludhiana, February 10
An NGO, Vishwa Guru Ravidass Mission, has demanded better health facilities for the cancer patients, who are ecnomically week, from the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Madan Mohan Mittal, and Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal.

Shiv Ram Saroy, president of the NGO, said: “Arrangements for better health facilities for the economically weaker cancer patients should be the top priority. Many patients remain devoid of proper medical facilities as many government hospitals lack advanced equipments.”

He said treatment should be provided to cancer patients at the earliest and the government hospitals should be equipped with better health equipments, experts and facilities. 

Ludhiana, February 10
As many as 23 complaints were settled and disposed off during a public darbar organised at Division Number 2 police station today.

Inspector Gurpreet Singh, SHO of Division Number 2 police station, said the public darbar was organised for the speedy disposal of complaints filed in the police station. More such initiatives for the welfare of the area residents would be organised.—TNS

Ludhiana, February 10
To upgrade the professional skills of physiotherapists, Physiocare Physiotherapy and rehabilitation Centre, Ludhiana, organised a two-day education programme.

On the occasion, a physiotherapy workshop on advanced ankle and foot problems like pain, frequent twisting of ankle and foot, swelling, planter fasciitis, flat foot was conducted.

Dr Som Gupta, organising secretary, said: “The main motive of this program is to sharpen the skills of physiotherapists ."—TNS

Ludhiana, February 10
Kite strings made of Chinese nylon continue to flood the markets with impunity despite the authorities had put a ban on the use of such material. The fact that strings made of Chinese nylon had claimed some lives of late hardly seems to have deterred people from using them.

The administration’s drive to restrict and check the easy availability of such kite strings has proved toothless so far. The parents and their wards are turning a blind eye to the menace.

During an open kite-flying competition organised at a school in Dugri, most of the children had brought these strings. A parent who was flying the kite along with children said he knew such strings were banned adding he bought them since his kids were interested on buying the same.

One of the parents said the administration must take effective measures to prevent such strings coming to the markets.

“If these reach the markets, gullible children will use these. So there should be a complete ban on these,” he said. 

Ludhiana, February 10
A Patiala resident was injured today when one of his legs was crushed under the rear tyres of a low-floor bus at the Jalandhar Bypass Chowk here. The victim, Anil Kumar (35), had come to the city to attend a wedding ceremony. When he was about to board a bus (PB 10 DJ 8479) at 8 am from the Jalandhar Bypass Chowk, the driver moved the bus due to which he fell down and his left leg came under its rear tyres.

Anil was rushed to the Civil Hospital in an ambulance from where he was referred to the Christian Medical College and Hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be out of danger now. — TNS

Ludhiana, February 10
The city police confiscated two truckloads carrying 40 cows here yesterday. Reports said the cattle were being taken to Mizoram for breeding purpose but neither the local authorities were informed nor a permission was sought in this regard from the district administration.

On a tip-off, members of a social organisation reached the spot yesterday and reportedly tried to manhandle the staff. A total of 14 people have been booked.

Raj Kumar, SHO, Division Number 7 police station, said they had received information that some people were loading cows in two trucks near a dairy on the Tajpur road.

“When we reached the spot, we confiscated the cows. Those carrying the cows claimed that they were representatives of the Mizoram government and were taking these cows for a breeding project. But they had neither informed us nor did they take any permission which is necessary in such cases,â€� Kumar added.

A case under various sections of the IPC, Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been registered against Sunil Kumar, Parteek Kumar and SK Vaish, all residents of UP, Parminder Singh, Amarjit Singh, Vijay Kumar and Dr Bhajan Singh.

In another case, the Jamalpur police confiscated 20 cows from the Chandigarh road area. Jamalpur SHO Davinder Singh said he had received information that two truckloads of cows were being taken somewhere.

“Both the trucks were confiscated from near Veer Palace on the Chandigarh road yesterday. They also claimed that they are taking the cows to Mizoram to a breeding project,â€� the SHO said.

A case under various sections of the IPC, Cow Slaughter Act, 1955, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has been registered against Sukhraj Singh, Partap Singh, Tarsem Singh, Jagmanjit Singh, Jagan, Ram Parmeshwar Rai and Manpreet Singh.