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TOP STORIES

3 students gangrape minor, held
Chandigarh, April 28
A 17-year-old girl, a resident of the Maloya Colony, was allegedly gangraped by three engineering students in a forest area near Sakteri village last evening. The police has arrested the three youths, all of whom are pursuing a diploma course in engineering from a reputed institute in Sector 26 and are around 20 years of age.

Suspended Inspector booked on charge of extortion
Chandigarh, April 28
The UT police has registered a case of extortion, theft and intimidation against suspended Inspector Amanjot Singh, who is in the dock for forcibly taking Rs 3 lakh from a businessman who owed him money. The police has registered a case under Sections 380, 384 and 506 of the IPC against the Inspector. The police today recorded his statement at the Sector 26 Police Lines.

Potable water a luxury in Mohali village
Mohali, April 28
For Karnail Singh and Roshan, residents of Manauli village in Sector 83, Mohali, arranging drinking water for their family is nothing short of a challenge. There is no government supply of drinking water to the village, which has a population of around 6,000.

A man fetches water on his bicycle at Manauli village in Mohali; and (right) a resident shows a muddy candle of his water filter. Tribune photos: Vicky Gharu

42.7% rural students in UT found malnourished
Chandigarh, April 28
In a city that boasts of high-end cars and affluence, as many as 42.79 per cent children studying in rural government schools are malnourished. This has come to light in the monthly UT school health programme report for March. A total of 3,788 students of different age groups underwent a general medical check-up in seven rural schools and 552 students in one urban government school.

Rubbing can harm eyes: PGI study
Chandigarh, April 28
Regular rubbing of eyes, as commonly seen in children, can result in severe eye problems if the findings of a study conducted on 136 patients from the region at the PGI are any indication. In 37 per cent of the youth included in the study, regular rubbing of eyes was found to be the key factor for the development of keratoconus, a severe eye disease, which leads to a loss of vision.

COMMUNITY

In Tangle Part-V, Mohali
Tempers run high as parents, passersby vie for space
It is virtually an ordeal for parents and commuters outside schools in Mohali during rush hours. The Tribune reporter Akash Ghai and photographer
Vicky Gharu etch out the traffic woes of road users.
One witnesses traffic jams in front of almost every school in Mohali in the morning and afternoon. As parents jostle for space, it wastes a lot of their time and on many occasions it also leads to altercations as they are in a hurry to go and pick up their children.

A common sight outside Small Wonders School.

Park or playground? Tug of war continues
Chandigarh, April 28
In the absence of playgrounds in the city, the youngsters virtually end up encroaching the peace of mind of elderly people by claiming parks to be their territories for sports. As the debate has been on for years, still there doesn't seem to be any solution as the politicians, children and residents of city beautiful stick to their guns on the issue.

MC notice at a park in Sector 11 , Chandigarh, prohibiting children from playing team games. Tribune photo Pradeep Tewari

Panchkula MC poll
Spending limit may go up
Panchkula, April 28
Permitted expenditure by candidates during the first Municipal Corporation elections in Panchkula is likely to be enhanced from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The candidates raised the issue before the Election Commissioner in the recent meeting, after which the enhancement is being worked upon.

Open house response
Check misuse of power: Residents
The media reports road rage incidents in the tricity almost every day. Most of these incidents end with verbal duels, and sometimes become physical too, leading to fist fights. However, whenever vehicles of politicians or government officials are involved, the common man is always at the receiving end of the uncouth behaviour of the accompanying security personnel or drivers.

MAKING A FASHION STATEMENT: Models walk the ramp during a fashion show organised by the INIFD at the Gymkhana Club in Patiala on Sunday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

Election process to be over by June 16
Panchkula, April 28
The process of the conduct of Panchkula Municipal Corporation (MC) elections would be over by June 16. The date for the elections is expected to be out anytime. The voters’ list has already been finalised and the township is gearing up for the elections. Political parties have also geared up deciding whether to contest on party symbols or not.

It’s raining liquor in city
Chandigarh, April 28
With two days left for the validity of licence for liquor vends to end under the excise policy 2012-2013, liquor contractors are offering heavy discounts to clear their stock.

Mapping of underground water pipelines on House agenda
Chandigarh, April 28
In a significant development, the upcoming House meeting of the Municipal Corporation (MC) will contemplate mapping of underground water pipelines in the city.

Panchkula police fines 40 violators for drinking in public places
Panchkula, April 28
As many as 40 persons were fined for drinking at public places in the town last night. The Commissioner of Police, Rajbir Deswal, also made a surprise check at various checkpoints set up for the purpose across the town. The drive was held for three hours from 8 pm to 11 pm.

BJP workers join Congress
Chandigarh, April 28
Former BJP councillor Surinder Kumar Jagota, along with BJP workers, today joined the Congress party in the presence of Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of Railways. INTUC president Kulbir Singh too was inducted into the party.

Pawan Kumar Bansal, Union Minister of Railways, along with former BJP councillor Surinder Kumar Jagota (extreme right), who joined the Congress, at a function in Sector 23, Chandigarh, on Sunday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Forgotten promise
Victim’s mother suffers heart attack
Chandigarh, April 28
Jagwinder Kaur, mother of Harpreet Singh, who died in a road accident after ramming his motorcycle into a stray cow, suffered a mild heart attack today. Yesterday, talking to the Chandigrh Tribune, Jagwinder Kaur had resented the failure of the Municipal Corporation to include the item regarding providing job to Harpreet’s wife in the agenda of the upcoming House meeting. The issue was highlighted in these columns today.

Hospital inaugurated
Zirakpur, April 28
A multi-super speciality hospital, Trinity Hospital and Medical Research Institute, was inaugurated by NK Sharma, Punjab Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Industries & Commerce), at Swastik Vihar here today. The hospital had been designed under the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Health Care Providers guidelines, said Dr Mohinder Kaushal, chairman and managing director of the institute. — TNS

EDUCATION

School education
No proper rules for promotion
Chandigarh, April 28
When it comes to promotion to different cadres, the UT Education Department has failed to make proper rules, the result of which was seen in the recent promotion of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) in which several teachers got promotion as lecturers of subjects other than their core TGT subjects.

Accident on PU campus
Four-member committee fails to meet
Chandigarh, April 28
How serious is Panjab University about checking negligent driving and increasing traffic on the campus can be gauged from the fact that a four-member committee formed by PU to inquire into the incident of negligent driving by two university students that led to a major accident on the campus on April 16 has failed to meet even once.

Students ride a two-wheeler without helmets on the PU campus. Tribune photo: Pradeep Tewari

From schools
Earth Day observed
Earth Day was observed by students of Sri Guru Harkrishan Senior Secondary Public School, Sector 40-C, Chandigarh. The school organised various competitions for both senior and junior wing students in order to remind them of their responsibility towards the earth. The students came up with thought-provoking slogans and posters with a message to save the earth. 

A traffic policeman apprises students of traffic rules at Chandigarh Traffic Park. A Tribune photograph

Seven govt colleges in city without regular Principal
Chandigarh, April 28
Seven out of the total eight government colleges in the city affiliated to Panjab University do not have a regular principal for the past several years. The long-pending issue with the UT Administration was also discussed during the Senate meeting held on Saturday.

Time relaxation to non-medical, medical students opposed
Chandigarh, April 28
Class XI and class XII medical and non-medical students of government schools here are being freed an hour and a half earlier from schools than the students of other streams. While these students are allowed to leave at 12.30 pm, others leave at 2 pm. This practice is going on in UT’s senior secondary schools for the past several years.

Panjab University senators criticise top hierarchy
Chandigarh, April 28
Senate members from the registered graduates’ constituency of Panjab University criticised the university top hierarchy during the special Senate meeting held on Saturday for adopting indifferent attitude and apathy to their just and legitimate demands.

Outstanding students honoured at function
Chandigarh, April 28
The Guru Harkrishan Educational Society, Chandigarh, held its 21st samman samaroh function today at Vivek High School, Sector 38. Students from various universities were honoured for securing top positions in various exams.

Baisakhi fest concludes
Chandigarh, April 28
The third TFT Baisakhi Festival concluded with the powerful performance in much acclaimed production “Court Martial” here at the Tagore Theatre today. The play exposed the hypocrisy of the upper classes viz-a-viz the lower strata of society and even the Army is also not spared by this social evil.

Guest faculty
JBTs threaten to launch protest
Chandigarh, April 28
Several JBT government teachers held a meeting here to express their resentment against the Education Department’s likely move to adjust expelled guest faculty lecturers as TGTs.

Teachers assemble at a park in Sector 20, Chandigarh, to discuss their issues on Sunday. Tribune Photo: Pradeep Tewari

NEIGHBOURHOOD

3 drug peddlers held
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 28
The district police during a regular checking of vehicles arrested three drug peddlers and recovered 4,000 intoxicant tablets, 3,000 capsules and 20 gms of ganja from their possession. The accused, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gogi, of Mandi Gobindgarh; Mandeep Singh, alias Kaka, also of Mandi Gobindgarh; and Pinku Paswan of Bihar, were booked under the NDPS Act. — OC

Residents rally against social evils
Ambala: Residents of Ambala City on Sunday took out an awareness rally against social evils and the rising incidents of sexual harassment of women in the country. In the morning, DCP Ashok Kumar flagged off the rally from Herbal Park. It concluded at the police lines ground after passing through various markets of the city. — OC

CRIME

Women held with 50-kg poppy husk
Zirakpur, April 28
The police arrested three women for drug peddling and seized 50 kgs of poppy husk from their possession at Chhatt village today. The accused women have been identified as Neelo and Rani of Patiala and Neetu of Barnala. They would be produced in court tomorrow. OC

SPORTS

Desert man excels in water sports
Chandigarh, April 28
The man of desert is doing wonders on water. ITBP's constable Gayarshi Lal, who hails from Rajasthan, is the only player from the Indian Police and Para-Military Forces to clinch medal at the Open National rowing championship in 2000m men's single scull. He won bronze medal in 2012 edition of national rowing championship, held in Hyderabad and another bronze medal at this year's championship at Kerala. Selected for national camp, from where the team for next year's Asian games will be picked up, he stands a fair chance to show his rowing skills at the highest level.

ITBP lead chart with six gold
Chandigarh, April 28
Final events of 200m kayaking and canoeing were held on the fourth day of 12th All India Police Water sports Championship, being held at Sukhna Lake. ITBP continued to show its good performance as it bagged another gold and two bronze medals.

Players in action during a rowing event in the ongoing 12th All- Indian Police Water Sports Championship at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh on Sunday. Photo S. Chandan

CLTA tournament from today
Chandigarh, April 28
Local lads put up an exceptional show by qualifying for the main draw at Raheja ITF Men's Futures $15,000 Tournament, starting tomorrow at CLTA complex, Sector 10 here. Nischay Rawal of Chandigarh made a great comeback after losing the first set 3-6 to beat Garry Tokas 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

Children play cricket in a green belt at Sector 21 in Chandigarh.	A park in Sector 22 being used as a parking area. Tribune Photos: Parvesh Chauhan