The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

	‘Cop’ booked for stealing Rs 10,000 from truck Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 A "head constable" has been accused of stealing money from a truck. Truck driver Hardev Singh in his complaint to the Sultanwind police alleged that a person wearing police uniform and claiming himself to be a head constable intercepted his truck near New Amritsar. The "head constable", who adorned a name plate of Laxman Singh, while accusing the driver and cleaner of the truck of smuggling opium and poppy husk as the truck belongs to Rajasthan, asked them to come down. He later started checking the truck and after a few minutes went away without finding any objectionable material in the vehicle. Hardev Singh said later when they checked the vehicle they found Rs 10,000, meant for diesel, missing. Following his complaint, the police registered a theft case under Section 379 IPC against the "head constable". Amarjit Singh, investigating officer, said initial investigations had pointed out that the suspect had worn the uniform of a policeman, but actually he was not a policeman. “In the investigation it was found that there are just three policemen with name Laxman Singh in the Amritsar rural and city areas. They were produced before the victims. However, they said they were not the same man who had duped them,” said Amarjit. He said a sketch of the suspect had been prepared and investigations launched. Whether, he was a policeman or not, appropriate action would be taken against the accused, he added.
	Murder of witness: Verka directs police to register case under SC/ST Act Asks district admn to pay compensation of ~5 lakh to deceased’s family P K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The National SC/ST Commission today directed the Amritsar (Rural) police to register a case under the SC/ST Act in the case in which a person was killed after he became witness in a rape case in 2006. The commission also ordered the district administration to give Rs 5 lakh as compensation to the aggrieved family. Raj Kumar Verka, the Vice-Chairman of the commission, who had summoned the SSP, Amritsar (Rural) police, in this regard, said the IG, Border Range, would be directed to hold an impartial probe in the case. Prem Singh, a resident of Baba Bakala, had appeared before the commission and stating that his son had become a witness in the court against an accused in a rape case in 2006. Following this the court had convicted the accused and sentenced him to seven years of rigorous imprisonment. He alleged that his son was later brutally murdered by the opposite group and the case regarding this was pending in the court. He alleged that the SHO of the police station concerned had manhandled them in full public view in order to pressurise the family to withdraw the case. Not only this, the police lodged a false complaint against them in which the accused of his son’s murder were made witness, he told the commission. Expressing his concern and dismay, Verka saidthat the commission would ask the IG, Border Range, to personally conduct a thorough and impartial probe in the case. Meanwhile in another case, a resident of Gate Hakima appeared before the commission while alleging that her brother was falsely implicated in a case by the Narcotic Department of the police. While detailing she said about seven years ago she had an affair with one Daljit Singh, who was son of Kashmir Singh, an ASI. She said when she came to know that Daljit was involved in drug peddling, she snapped her ties with him. She alleged in order to take revenge, he along with his father and brother-in-law Hardeep Singh, who was posted in the Narcotic Department, picked up her brother from Shaheed Udham Singh Colony on March 20. Later, the family came to know that a case for possessing opium had been registered against him. Verka taking cognisance of the case asked the police officials concerned to submit their reports.
	Rape accused held with arms Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 In a chance arrest, the CIA staff nabbed a person for possessing arms and ammunition, who later turned out to be an accused of rape. The police has recovered a country-made pistol from his possession. According to information, the CIA staff laid a naka near Green Avenue turn when it noticed two motorcycle-borne youths, who made a U-turn after seeing the police party. They were chased by the police party, which managed to arrest one. The arrested youth has been identified as Rahul Kumar, a resident of Nawa Pind, Jandiala. His accomplice Ajaypal Singh of old Jawahar Nagar, Mehta road, however managed to escape. Kulwinder Singh, assistant sub-inspector, investigating the case, said preliminary investigations found that Rahul was wanted in a rape case registered with the Jandiala police in October, 2010. He had been evading arrest since then. He said the police had seized a .315-bore country-made pistol and a live cartridge from his possession and further investigations about the source of the weapon and why they were carrying it were under progress. Meanwhile, he added, raids were being conducted to nab his absconding accomplice.
	MC gears up for preventing outbreak of malaria, dengue in summer GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The Municipal Corporation (MC) has prepared an action plan to prevent the spread of epidemics this summers. With peak summers arriving and malaria and dengue threat looming large, the district Health Department has kicked off a mosquito control exercise. The civic authorities in collaboration with the health authorities have identified over 500 locations in various wards, which have been acutely infested with mosquitoes. This is the first step to ensure that there is no confusion in the diagnosis of mosquito bite-related ailments. The Health Department has also taken precautions to keep the mosquito breeding under control. Health Officer, MC, Dr Yogesh Arora said the health wing of the corporation was fully geared up to ensure the well-being of city residents and extensive pest-control measures, like fogging, would be taken up during the season. The MC had earmarked around Rs 20 lakh, decided during the recently held House meeting, for purchasing medicines. Some medicines would be diluted in diesel before spraying and others to be put in stagnant water and ponds. The MC had eight fogging machines, which will be used in the coming summer season. Areas, such as Indira Colony, Mustafabad, Maqboolpura, Kot Khalsa and Wadali Guru, in the interior of the city, where the problem of stagnant water and garbage was prevalent, would also be covered on a priority basis, the official said. The civic authorities had chalked out a plan, wherein special squads had been formed, which would go in the sensitive areas of the city and help in diagnosis, investigation and treatment of diseases in collaboration with the health centres falling in the area. The campaigns would spread awareness on various monsoon-related diseases, including jaundice, cholera, gastro and malaria. Eight teams would spray medicines in 65 wards. Already four rounds of spray had been carried out. Similarly, eight other teams had been told to look after the walled city area, including the Bhaktawala dumpyard, which is the most sensitive point. "We are also into procuring drugs to make additional provision," he said. The Health Department had planned to conduct a survey in all the nodes of the city to keep a check on the number of people falling ill and suffering from such diseases. Dr Ashok Goyal, senior professor at Government Medical College, said besides bringing respite, the showers also brought in many diseases. "Water contamination due to unhygienic conditions is the common cause of ailments. Water-borne diseases like gastroenteritis, dengue and malaria increase during these months," he said. Precautions one must take Wear clothing that can protect you from mosquitoes. Trust the humble anti-bug cream that can protect you from mosquito bites. Avoid consumption of unclean water and food. Give your skin the least exposure to infections. Must not store scrap material in the open, like on terraces/building compounds. Special attention must be paid to tyres and empty vessels that are generally kept out. Spray kerosene on stagnant water bodies. Water tanks on rooftops shouldn't lie uncovered. It serves as a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and germs.
	Holy city to have international cricket stadium Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 With a view to bolster cricket in the holy city, the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has decided to raise an international cricket ground. The state-of-the-art cricket stadium, spread on 16.5 acres, would be raised at the proposed outdoor sports stadium, a part of the Indoor and Outdoor Sports Complex. The outdoor sport stadium is to have grounds for different games, including cricket, hockey and football, and 250 m synthetic athletic track, three lawn tennis courts, three kabaddi courts and two volleyball courts. Meanwhile, the indoor stadium would be developed as per the original plan and it would have three badminton courts, three table tennis and two wrestling/boxing units, two squash courts, swimming pool and a skating court. Chairman, AIT, Sandeep Rishi, said the AIT approached the architect, whose design for a modern indoor and outdoor sports complex, won Rs 1 lakh. He said the changed design and its revised cost estimates would be submitted to the AIT, which would put it again in the House meeting and eventually it would be sent for approval to the government. He said the decision was taken as all these sports had dedicated grounds in the city. He said the seating capacity and estimated cost of the stadium would be arrived at after getting the revised design. Earlier, a five-member committee of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) had approved a final design out of the three submitted by architects for raising a modern indoor and outdoor sports complex at the posh Ranjit Avenue locality of the city in November last year. The design of Panchkula-based architect Renu Khanna was approved under the technical bid category by the committee and the same will be put up before the next trust meeting to take a final call of financial bid. Her design got a prize of Rs 1 lakh. As per the selected design, the total play field area would be 55.90 per cent of the total 5,95,624.24 sq feet. Besides, the rest of the area would include ground coverage of 16.77 per cent, green area, including semi-paved pathways, 17.13 per cent, road area 10.20 per cent. The foundation stone of the sports complex was laid by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal before the Assembly election in November, 2011. There would be a provision of parking for 270 cars outside the campus and for 45 carson the campus. Additional facilities like guest rooms with attached toilets, sports mall, lecture hall, food courts, exhibition halls, gymnasium, billiards and card rooms could be added. Apart from this, public utility features like drinking water, separate toilets for male, female, VIPs and physically challenged persons, change room for players and lockers could be incorporated in spectators' gallery in each stadium. The design proposed four entry and exit gates.
	New committee to liven up AGA District administration mulls new three-member committee for cricket events Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The district administration has constituted a three-member committee to overhaul and infuse a new lease of life into the oldest games organisation in the holy city, Amritsar Games Association (AGA). Under the tutelage of the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA), the AGA is looking after the affairs of Mahatma Gandhi Cricket Ground, training the cricketers under ‘catch them young’ policy besides facilitating state, national and international cricket. The three-member committee would comprise AGA vice-president Pradeep Saini, honorary secretary and ADC (development) Pradeep Sabharwal and District Sports Officer. It will form various committees to handle selection of cricketers under various age groups, ground maintenance, allotment of nets for practice and recovery of dues. Besides, it will work towards forming a new general body of the AGA. Deputy Commissioner Rajat Aggarwal said the rules and responsibilities of the committee would be defined so that cross check and balances could be done efficiently. The annual calendar of events would be prepared in advance for all cricket tournaments. In order to make the selection of players more transparent, members of the selection committee would have to give in writing that no relatives of theirs was seeking team membership, he said and added that violation of this would invite criminal case. Aggarwal said a lapse on the part of various schools, who had sub-let their pitches and nets to other teams, had come to light. He added that pitches were offered to schools to train their students in the game and it was not a means to make profit. The rule of allowing nets to the entitled school teams to train their youngsters would be strictly implemented. The annual fee of Rs 1,000 to these schools would also be revised, he added. Besides, a way to issue identity cards to players was also being explored, he said. Sabharwal said the AGA earned rent from over 20 shops and about Rs 22 lakh rent was to be claimed from many of these. Chalking out his future strategy, he said the major thrust would be on training youngsters in different departments of cricket by catching them young and then providing them enough exposure to boost their confidence in the sport.
	Guru Ramdas School of Planning conducts study on city GNDU’s department holds presentation on traffic problems & solutions Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 Guru Ramdas School of planning of Guru Nanak Dev University conducted a study on various aspects of Amritsar City. A presentation on traffic and related problems was made by Balvinder Singh, Head of Department and Sunanda, Assistant Professor, here today. They apprised the audience about the various problems related to traffic of the city. While making a PowerPoint presentation, issues related to critical junctions such as Chhehertta, opposite GNDU, Putlighar Chowk, Railway Station, Queens Road Junction, SSSS Chowk and Bhandari Bridge as internal junctions of the city and the India Gate Junction, Ram Tirth junction, Ajnala Road Junction, were highlighted on the basis of traffic volume surveys done by the students of BTech in Urban and Regional Planning. To overcome the identified problems, long term and short term solutions were suggested. The presentation was followed by a brain storming session in which Dr Kaustab Sharma, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Police, Dr Ketan Patil, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Traffic and Surinder Singh, Assistant Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Amritsar participated. Balvinder Singh concluded that the need of the hour was to introduce public transport system, removal of encroachments, putting up of direction and traffic signs at proper places and to strictly enforce traffic rules. The representatives of police and corporation appreciated the work done by the School.
	Unemployed youths’ agitation enters Day 8 Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The agitation of the unemployed youths, who had climbed atop a water tank seeking jobs in the PowerCorp on compassionate grounds, entered the eighth day today. Miffed over what they termed was the “indifferent attitude” of the authorities, the agitating youths said some officials of the PowerCorp and an SDM had approached them to arrange a meeting with PowerCorp Chairman yesterday, but had not returned back. One of the agitators, Sukhchain Singh, said they would continue their agitation as long as their demands were not met. Local PowerCorp officials maintained that the matter had been conveyed to the headquarters but it was a policy decision which was notified in April 2010 to offer employment to the next of the kin of only those PowerCom employees who expired while in service. It does not apply for the period prior to the said date, they added. The officials insisted that any amendment could be done only at the level of the Chief Minister. The hearing 340 such cases is still pending before the PowerCorp. The protesting youths claimed that they did not opt for the Rs 3 lakh compensation offered by the department and hence, were eligible for the job on compassionate grounds.
	Navratras: Nine days of worship, fasting & dandiya Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 Navratras are here again. The nine nights of religious festivities will be on a high and so will be the believer in us. As the important religious and cultural festival, which keeps us busy twice a year, catches up with the youth, it also brings up a trend of sorts. In an attempt to improve our religious and mythological IQ, the astro-experts in city are busy giving tuitions on the significance of Navratras and the traditions associated with it. “The beginning of spring and the beginning of autumn are considered to be important junctions of climatic and solar influences. These two periods are taken as sacred opportunities for the worship of the Mother Durga. The dates of the festival are determined according to the lunar calendar. Navaratri represents a celebration of Goddess Durga or Shakti. Since, it is celebrated with varied versions and traditions across the country, it becomes important to know and educate ourselves about it,” shares Ashwini Sharma, an astrologer. It is not just about faith, but also science. “More people are interested in religious traditions like navratras since these time periods have positive or negative effects on our lives. When seasons change, life pattern also changes. The body, which is a part of nature, changes with the changing surroundings, change in seasons. There is a change in diet pattern, sleep, metabolism etc. Navaratri is such a transition from one season to another and is a celebration of this change. It is a period when energies of the nature align themselves. And this brings about changes in every individual’s life,” he says. Mostly, the ones getting enlightened are women, especially housewives. Sonia Kumar, who has been taking religious classes from astro expert, says “Navratri is a celebration of feminity, divine power. As a kid, the only thing I was interested in during navratras was dandiya and fast snacks. But, I feel one should get educated with our culture and religious believes as well to pass it down the generations”.
	Duplicate beauty products seized Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 The Rambagh police has booked and arrested three persons, including the owner of a shop, for allegedly selling duplicate beauty products. The accused were identified as Parmeet Singh, Manat Kumar and an unidentified person, who runs their shops in IDH market, located near bus stand. They were later released on bail. They were booked following a complaint lodged by Satwinder Rana, Field Officer, Speeds and S Networks, JT Limited, Mohali. The police recovered duplicate products of Garnier and L’oreal cosmetics worth Rs 8 lakh from the accused. A case under Section 63 / 65 of the Copy Right Act was registered at the Rambagh police station in this connection. Five nabbed with narcotic substances The city police has nabbed five persons in as many cases for allegedly possessing narcotic substances. Those arrested were identified as John Masih of Majitha Road, Monu of Utamgarh, Shamsher Singh alias Goa of Dashmesh Avenue, Baljit Singh of Shiv Mandir, Naraingarh and Sandeep Kumar of Jora Phatak. While John was nabbed with 170 gm charas, the police recovered 250 gm, 280 gm and 80 gm of narcotic powder from Monu, Shamsher and Baljit respectively. Sandeep was arrested with 550 gm of habit forming drugs. The police has registered separate cases under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act against them at respective police stations.
	IAFA ex-chief’s death condoled Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 A meeting of the members of the Indian Academy of Fine Arts (IAFA), Amritsar, was held today. The members moved a resolution and expressed their sense of profound grief on the sad and sudden demise of Dr Dharm Bir Singh Jolly, former president of the IAFA, Amritsar. Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina, president of IAFA, said Jolly was a great social worker, a bold speaker and a gentleman to the core. Jolly breathed his last on April 6 at the age of 101 years. Meanwhile, the members also observed two-minute silence in memory of the departed soul.
	Preparations in place for GNDU MA exams Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 10 All essential security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of MA Part-II (annual system) theory examinations scheduled to be held from April 15 and MA Part-I (reappear and improvement) theory examinations from April 20 of Guru Nanak Dev University. Prof RK Mahajan, professor in charge, examinations, said roll numbers to all the eligible candidates have been sent. However, any candidate who did not receive his or her roll number, could appear personally at examination branch-2 of the University, alongwith two passport size attested photographs and all essential documents of the lower examination, to collect the duplicate roll number. The examination branch-2 would remain open on April 14, Sunday, for the convenience of the students.
	Prof Davinder Singh is Khalsa College registrar Amritsar, April 10 Prof Davinder Singh of Department of Political Science and Dean, Cultural Affairs, was today appointed as Registrar of Khalsa College. College Principal Dr Daljit Singh formally installed him as registrar. He said Prof Davinder had proven his skills in administration and had been a dedicated teacher. Prof Davinder said he would use the best of his abilities to do justice to the post. Former Registrar and Principal of Khalsa College, Chawinda Devi, Dr Baljinder Singh, Prof NB Singh, Prof Arshad, Prof Bhupinder Singh were also present at the ceremony. — TNS