Ludhiana, May 9
Officials of the municipal corporation (MC) carried out hectic activity throughout the day today to take action against commercial establishments misusing the service lanes along Ferozepur Road for parking purposes. The action followed directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard.

During the course of an inspection by a five-member team of senior officials, two commercial complexes, Jaysons and Hotel Batra, were sealed by the MC team.

MC Commissioner RK Verma had set up a team of five officials, comprising Joint Commissioner Ajay Sood, ACP (Traffic) Dhruman Nimble, Superintending Engineer Dharm Singh, MTP Raj Kumar and ATP (Zone D) Rajinder Sharma to inspect the hotels and commercial complexes on Ferozeupr Road which were put on a 48-hour notice to make provisions for parking according to their approved building plans or else be prepared to face the music.

Following the directions of the HC on a public interest litigation, the MC has to submit an action-taken report on the parking of vehicles in the service lanes on May 20. Acting on the court directions, the MC had identified 10 commercial complexes on Ferozepur Road which were allowing the parking of vehicles in the service lanes as they had either failed to make provision for parking within their complexes or the parking space was inadequate and not according to the building plans.

The MC team inspected the parking provisions at Hotel Majestic Park Plaza, Ansal Plaza, Khushi Ram and Sons, Olivia, KP Complex, Hotel Nagpal Regency, Hotel A and Hotel Friends Regency. The owners of these complexes were given instructions to make arrangement for parking, and strictly warned against the use of the service lanes for parking in front of their establishments.

The ACP (Traffic) being a member of the team set up by the MC, the traffic police has also been instructed to keep a watch on the violation of parking norms in the service lanes on Ferozepur Road.

Ludhiana, May 9
A day after a schoolteacher, Richa (40), was allegedly assaulted by, what the police claims, a swindler posing as a policeman at the Jalandhar bypass, the victim has asserted that the attacker was a policeman and not a highway robber posing as a policeman.

“I am not a child. I am 100 per cent sure that he was a constable,” said the victim, who is recuperating at her house in the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Colony near the Jalandhar bypass.

To substantiate her claim, she said: “The policeman concerned, whose batch read Kashmir Singh, was standing at a naka near the Jalandhar bypass along with two other policemen. The naka was just a few metres away from the Salem Tabri police station.”

“How can swindlers, posing as policemen, dare to rob people near a police station,” questioned Harkrishan Lal, the victim's father.

Richa’s 10-year-old son Jashan is in a state of shock. He did not eat anything and went to school on an empty stomach. Narrating the incident, she said her son had requested her to take him to the market for shopping. “We were late and caught an auto at around 9 pm. I spotted a policeman taking Rs 500 from a truck driver. The policeman then stopped the auto-rickshaw in which my son and I were travelling at Jalandhar Bypass Chowk,” said the victim. Richa said she was a Hindi teacher at a government school on Cemetery Road.

She said: “The policeman demanded Rs 200 to release the auto. I confronted him and told the driver to drive the auto. We had just reached near Greenland School when the policeman intercepted our vehicle. He pulled me out of the auto. He was drunk. He punched and kicked me badly. A youth, Ajay, who lives in our locality, was also accompanying the policeman. I tried to save my child and entered into a scuffle with the policemen. But his blows were too strong to handle and I fell unconscious,” said Richa.

Harkrishan Lal, the victim's father, said he called on his daughter's mobile phone at 9.30 pm and a commuter, who attended the call, told him about the entire episode.

The police has detained Ajay for questioning. “There is no policeman by the name of Kashmir Singh in our or any nearby police station. We have registered a case and started investigation. An attack on a woman will not be tolerated and the accused will be brought to book soon,” said Dharampal, SHO, Salem Tabri police station.

According to sources, a physical verification of the policemen deployed in the area would be conducted once the woman recuperates.

The police has not ruled out the personal enmity angle as Richa and Ajay are believed to be at loggerheads. Residents of the locality hinted that the woman may have levelled allegations against Ajay to settle an old personal score.

ACP North J Elanchezhian maintained that the suspect was not a policeman but a swindler who was robbing innocent commuters and auto-rickshaw drivers. In a few incidents reported in the past, a swindler, posing as policeman, is said to have extorted money from auto drivers and commuters.

Ludhiana, May 9
Shopkeepers in the upmarket business hub of Ghumar Mandi and other visitors to the market were gripped by panic when a fire broke out in The Bistro, a restaurant on the first floor of a building adjacent to Ghumar Mandi Chowk here today.

Huge flames and dense smoke engulfed the entire area as hundreds of visitors to the market and panic-stricken shopkeepers gathered outside the building.

The fire brigade rushed three fire tenders to battle the flames. Firefighters had a tough time reaching the third floor of the building from where the fire started. Though the flames were doused in about half an hour, as a precaution, the fire staff requisitioned a water tanker and water was sprinkled on all shops and showrooms underneath and around the restaurant to check the fire from spreading further.

While the fire damaged furniture, fixtures, furnishings, computers and some other items, at least 12 workers inside the restaurant were safely evicted.

According to Brig SS Gill (retd), the fire was noticed at at 12.05 pm, a few minutes after the power supply was restored following a disruption. The probable cause of the fire, he said, was a short circuit. "It was a providential escape as the lunch hours being a little away, there were no customers in the restaurant when the fire broke out. We had about 15 fire extinguishers, all of which were used before the firefighters arrived," he said, adding that the estimated loss was around Rs 20 lakh.

Ludhiana, May 9
Ritish Goyal of Sacred Heart Senior Secondary School, BRS Nagar, has topped the JEE (Main) in Ludhiana district by scoring 331/360 marks. Ritish owes his success to his parents, teachers and the Almighty.

Son of Dr Anil Kumar Goyal and Renu Goyal, a homemaker, Ritish believes that studying for four to five hours daily is sufficient to crack any examination provided you put in all your concentration. He said: “To achieve a good rank, guidance from teachers is necessary. I thank my physics, chemistry and maths teachers for their guidance and help.”

"I owe my success to my parents, without whose guidance this would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my brother Aatish Goyal (a student of the IIT, Mumbai) whose achievement two years ago encouraged me to work hard. Given a chance, I would also like join the IIT, Mumbai,” Ritish said.

Ludhiana, May 9
A 70-year-old man allegedly murdered his wife by smashing her with a pan (tawa) following a minor dispute in the Kochar market area here today.

The accused has been identified as Ganga Ram, who works at a dhaba, while the victim has been identified as Shanti Devi (65), who was a sweeper in a private complex near her home.

After the murder, the accused called his daughter, Lalita, who is married and lives near the house. He told her that he had killed his wife and her body was lying in the kitchen.

The accused also called his grandson, Rahul, and told him about the incident.

Relatives rushed to the house and were shocked to see Shanti's body lying in the kitchen. They informed the police.

Police officials reached the spot and sent the body to the Civil Hospital for a postmortem. It is learnt that the couple used to often fight over petty issues.

The police has recorded the statement of some relatives. A case is yet to be registered.

Ludhiana, May 9
The police is believed to have got some vital clues to the murder mystery of Sachin Gupta (18), whose body was found from the storeroom of a house near his residence in Basant Enclave, Dugri. Sources said the police was likely to make more arrests in the case.

The special investigation team (SIT) has declined to give details of the progress made in the case.

Commissioner of Police said there was no fresh development in the case. However, sources said the police was about to make a major breakthrough in the case and was currently gathering evidence.

Gabbar Singh, alias Chhotu, a servant of Manjeet Singh from whose house the body was found, was arrested on May 7 on a charge of murdering Sachin and dumping his body in the storeroom.

The role of Manjeet's son Davinder, alias Goldy, is also under the scanner.

The police is probing the IPL betting angle as a possible reason behind the murder. It has also not ruled out other theories, including that of illicit relations.

Ludhiana, May 9
Six persons lost their lives in separate incidents in the city. A 24-year-old labourer died after falling from a ladder at an under-construction house in Phase-III, Dugri, here today.

The deceased, identified as Zeharudeen, was working and living in the under-construction house.

The incident came to light this morning when labourers arrived at the house and were shocked to see the labourer's body lying on the floor of the house. Amandeep Singh Brar, SHO, Sadar, said the deceased might have died after slipping from a ladder. The police has sent the body to the Civil Hospital for a postmortem examination.

In the second incident, the body of a 65-year-old man, who went missing last night from his house on Hambra road, was found lying at Jhammat village near Malakpur here today. The deceased has been identified as Gurmail Singh. The police suspects he may have died by falling from his scooter. A bottle of liquor was also found from the spot. Amarjit Singh, SHO, Haibowal, said: “No trace of any other vehicle was found which could support the fact that it was a hit-and-run case. There is a strong probability that Gurmail died of a head injury after falling from a scooter. We have launched inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC.”

In the third incident, a 26-year-old woman committed suicide by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her house on the Tibba road here today. The deceased has been identified as Amandeep Kaur. Her relatives said she was alone at home at the time of the incident. Her husband Sonu was reportedly away for work. The incident came to light when a woman, who lives in the neighbourhood, visited the house this afternoon and saw Amandeep’s body hanging from a ceiling fan.

In the fourth incident, Naresh Kumar (24), a resident of BRS Nagar, died after taking poison here today. Naresh was reportedly suffering from depression.

In the fifth incident, a 45-year-old year man was crushed to death under a train near the Gyaspura area.

The deceased has been identified as Ramesh Kumar (40), a resident of Gyaspura. A commuter spotted his body lying on the railway track and informed the police. It is not yet clear whether the man committed suicide or died while crossing the railway track.

In the sixth incident, a woman pedestrian died in a road mishap near Mundian.

The deceased has been identified as Budha Devi. The incident took place while she was crossing the busy Chandigarh road. According to an eyewitness, a motorcyclist hit Budha Devi. She suffered serious injuries and died on the spot. The motorcyclist was also rushed to hospital in a serious condition.

Ludhiana, May 9
The Jodhewal police has booked a 14-year-old boy on a charge of raping a six-year-old girl. The police had to tread cautiously while registering the case and recorded the statement of the girl and her parents as both the victim and the accused are minors.

The boy and the girl live in the neighbourhood and used to play together like other children in the locality.

The incident took place yesterday. The girl reported the matter to her parents.

Shocked by the incident, the girl's parents reported the matter to the police.

SHO Balwinder Singh said a rape case had been registered against the boy.

He said as the boy was a minor, he could not be kept in custody and was sent home. 

Ludhiana, May 9
Only 50 candidates are in the fray for 25 zones of zila parishad elections after as many as 30 nominees withdrew their nominations. While, nomination papers of one of the candidates were cancelled during the scrutiny and interestingly, none of the candidates has filled the paper against Shiromani Akali Dal candidate, Baldev Singh from Zone No 16 Manku (Reserved).

Meanwhile, after the withdrawal of 314 candidates, now 438 are in the fight for panchayat samitis.

According to Rishipal Singh, Additional District Electoral Officer, after the withdrawal of papers by nominees there are 47 candidates from panchayat samiti, Ludhiana, 36 from panchayat samiti, Doraha, 47 from panchayat samiti, Jagraon, 39 from panchayat samiti, Khanna, 50 from panchayat samiti, Dehlon, 30 from panchayat samiti, Pakhowal, 39 from panchayat samiti, Sudhar, 56 from panchayat samiti, Ludhiana-2, 29 from panchayat samiti, Samrala, 14 from panchayat samiti, Sidhwan Bet, 28 from panchayat samiti, Raikot, and 25 from panchayat samiti, Machhiwara will contest in the elections. A number of candidates were not opposed by any one.

Interestingly, a majority of these unopposed candidates are from Shiromani Akali Dal. It is worth mentioning that there are 12 development blocks in the eight assembly constituencies of rural Ludhiana. Meanwhile, there are 25 zones of zila parished and 12 panchayat samiti, comprising 225 blocks in the district.

As many as five zones of zila parishad are reserved for the General women, four for the SC women and six for the SC male candidates.

In the 25 zila parished zones, Kila Raipur, Sarabha, Sudhar, Ghalib Kalan, Lalheri, Beezan, Mutto, Gill, Dhandra, Mangat and Kheerniyan will be general pockets while Manuke, Purail, Neelon Kalan, Mattewara, Heera and Baddowal will be the reserved for SC candidates. Ramgarh, Sardaran, Binzal and Haans have been reserved for SC (Women) candidates and Kaddon, Hambran, Chakk Swaran, Narangwal and Alamgir have been reserved for women from the general category. During the last term, the ruling party of Shiromani Akali Dal had won all the zila parishad zones.

Ludhiana, May 9
Books of Classes I to VIII in many government schools are yet to arrive despite the fact that the session had started a month back. Books for reserved category students for higher classes are also expected.

Some of the schools have received books for some subjects, but all the books have not been released from the board. "Studies are suffering because of non-availability of books for many of the subjects for various classes. We are managing some how. We are teaching from last year's books," said a school principal.

"More than a month has passed by. There are no books to study from," said a student of Class VIII.

"We are studying from notes given by the teachers in class. We cannot study properly without books," she said.

Tejinder Singh, district coordinator for supply of books for the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, said: "The books are being supplied in government schools as and when these are arriving." Another official said, "Our staff is working almost in double shifts for the supply of books, but there is a delay in publishing of the books by the SSA itself."

Education minister Sikandar Singh Maluka said, "Though the books are being sent to schools there has been a delay in sending the books to all the schools. I have asked for reports on reason for the delay. Action would be taken against those found guilty."

Ludhiana, May 9
There are as many as 1,200 dairies in Ludhiana and a majority of these are located in the Haibowal and Tajpur areas. Efforts are being made by the authorities concerned to shift these dairies to the periphery, as demanded by residents. The District Administration has reportedly constituted a three-member committee, two officials from municipal corporation and DDPO, to find suitable locality in peripheries, so that a move to shift the dairies in clusters could be initiated at the earliest. A meeting in this regard will be held on May 14.

Earlier, around 200 acres of land had been identified by authorities at village Gorseankadar Baksh, about 25 km from here. But the dairy owners declined the proposal, as it was not viable to shift the dairies that far. One of the dairy owners, Rajwinder Singh said that an appropriate place should be provided to the diary onwners, in case authorities wanted the dairies to be shifted from the city. "There are about 1,200 dairies, out of which around 750 are in Haibowal and Tajpur areas. Unless and until, we get proper land, we will not shift the dairies", he added.

Henceforth, the committee will now visit the periphery areas or the four-five main villages, where the land is appropriate land is available for dairy work, so that dairies could be shifted in those parts. One of the committee members, wishing not to be quoted said that they had started visiting the villages, which were nearby and had scattered space available and they would hand-over the report to the Deputy Commissioner within 15 days.

Ludhiana, May 9
The issue of dyeing units to submit the central excise duty still hangs fire as a meeting between the representatives of dyeing industry and officials from central excise failed to deliver any results.

The department has sent notices to 81 units, engaged in dyeing and man made fabrics, to submit the central excise duty worth Rs 32 crore, on which they have been wrongly availing exemption. Interestingly, the matter is pending before the Supreme Court and the industry is not ready to pay the taxes on the pretext that court has given stay orders to industrial units in on the same matter, in other states. Whereas, the department has tried to convince the unit owners to submit the tax or face consequences.

An industry representative said," We have written a letter to the Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in this regard and we have handed over the same to the department officials today."

Ludhiana, May 9
High drama prevailed on the premises of a export house in Focal Point area following a raid by the Excise and Taxation Department.

It was in the evening that a team of Excise and Taxation Department led by DS Garcha and Jarnail Ram conducted raid at an exports house in Gujja Jain Colony.

During the raid, the team collected important files, stamps hard disc and other important material lying in the factory.

The owner of establishment Raman Kumar was not the city during the visit of Excise and Taxation Department officials. In the meantime, someone called the control room and said that thieves had decamped with Rs 24 lakh from the factory.

When the police officials reached the factory everything inside the factory was scattered. The windowpanes were also smashed.

ADCP-II Bhupinder Singh said Umesh Kumar had informed him that robbers had struck at a factory unit and fled with material and Rs 25 lakh. "We had received the complaint during the preliminary investigation it was revealed that Excise and Taxation department had conducted raid at the factory unit," said ADCP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu. 

Machhiwara May 9
Five farmers of Akalgarh and Noorpur villages, falling in Machiwara block, today ploughed their 17 acre standing sugarcane crop with tractors to protest against the non-payment of their dues for last year's crop by a sugar mill in Budhewal.

The farmers, Dalwinder Singh, Mukhtiar Singh, Kulwinder Singh, Seetal Singh and Jasmel Singh, alleged that they had sold their produce last year at a sugar mill in Budhewal but they had only received 30 per cent of the payment and their remaining dues in lakhs are still pending with the mill.

They alleged that they had been running from pillar to post to get their dues. The mill officials said, "We are yet to receive payment from the Punjab Government."

Harinder Singh Lakhowal, chairman of the sugar mill, Budhewal, said: "About Rs 10 crore of farmers is pending with the sugar mill as they are yet to receive the amount from the Punjab goverment."

He said that he would take up this matter with the chief minister.—OC

Ludhiana, May 9
An urgent meeting of the office bearers of United Cycle Parts and Manufacturers Association was held under the presidentship of Inderjit Singh Navyug (acting president), in the absence of Gurmeet Singh Kular, to discuss VAT refund of the association members.

Although, all the formalities have been completed by members, yet a huge amount of VAT refund is lying pending with the department despite repeated requests by the members of the manufacturer association.

A delegation of the association met Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal in April in this regard who announced to make VAT refunds online but nothing has been done so far.

"The refund should be made available to the industry without any verification at the fourth stage of the transaction between buyer and seller, which is very cumbersome for traders," said Navyug.

Ludhiana, May 9
Dr Raj Kumar Karkara joined as new Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, on Wednesday.

Dr Karkara, who has earlier worked as a Senior Medical Officer at the Civil Hospital, Jagraon, said: “It is a big city and has a sizeable population, so my job is not at all easy.”

He said that his first priority would be to provide patient care and then cleanliness.

The cleanliness has always remained a big question on the premises of the Lord Mahavir Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, as it remains occupied with indoor and OPD patients.

Dr Karkara joined his service in the Health Department as PCMS doctor in 1987 from the Primary Health Centre, Mehalkalan, in Sangrur.

He has also served as a Medical Officer at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana.

Jagraon, May 9
Jagraon Block Samiti Chairman Malkiat Singh Rommi has distanced himself from the issue of subletting of shops owned by the Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO), Jagraon.

He alleged that certain people have been misusing his name for issuing statements to the media about subletting of shops owned by the Jagraon BDP Office. “I have never issue any statement about subletting shops owned by Jagraon BDPO and certain people have been using my name for issuing such kind of statements,” he said.

Machiwara, May 9
About 20 shanties of migrant families were destroyed in a fire at Panjeta village.

No loss of human life was reported. As many as five goats of the families were burnt in the fire. A short circuit is believed to have caused the fire. The Koom Kalan SHO reached the spot along with police officials. A fire tender rushed to the spot which controlled the flames.

Doraha, May 9
Semester system for the post graduate classes in the Panjab University affiliated colleges shall be discontinued from the next session. This decision was taken by the committee constituted for the purpose in the evening today.

Ludhiana, May 9
As summer break comes closer, students and institutes for the summer camps are raring to go for learning the new crafts, arts and talents.

"We have already started the classes from May 1, both for painting, candle-making and chocolate making," Kanika Dhanda from an art studio on Mall Road. "But we are expecting more students to join in a few days, as summer break starts in schools," she added.

"Summer camps are the best time to learn new things, as a month's time is good enough to pick up new skills and talents." says Divya, a class IX student.

"I am looking forward to learn both painting and cooking this summer," says Aditi, a student.

There are different institutes which organise summer camps, so it is not just time for the students but for the institutes as well to come out with the best. "We are going to start the classes and this time we are going to extend the classes to three months," says Sangeeta Khushwaha from a dance academy.

"We have chalked out a special programme for children to teach them art and craft", says another teacher.

Apart from art and craft, personal grooming is another trait that children generally opt for. "We are organising personal grooming and personality development classes that would include makeup, confidence building, dining etiquettes," says Anvita Chatwal, from a salon and academy.

Ludhiana, May 9
Within a span of a few months, a couple of doughnut outlets have become talk of the town. Though, there are more than 30 varieties of doughnuts, the ring-shaped friedcakes are all the rage. "Within three months, there is a huge demand for doughnuts. We have started clocking about 100 pieces of doughnuts per day," says Nehal Sachdeva, from a doughnut outlet on Pakhowal Road. "Apart from the ready varieties, these can be also be prepared according to the demands of customers," he says.

A newly opened outlet at Sarabha Nagar is already doing well. "We opened this outlet to introduce Ludhianvis to the new taste. But it is picking up very fast and there is high demand for doughnuts," says Abhinav Thakur, from the doughnut outlet in Sarabha Nagar market.

"There are a host of varieties, chocolate duplex, oreo, black-mystery, hazel travel are some of the popular varieties," says Abhinav. Variety of doughnuts made from black chocolate, white chocolate, fruits, cream are quite popular, says Nehal.

"We used to enjoy doughnuts while travelling to Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities, but used to wonder why these were not arriving in our city. But it is heartening to see doughnuts outlets opening in the city," says Rahat, a resident. 

Ludhiana, May 9
Some students of the Punjab Agricultural University allegedly beat a junior student by entering in a classroom today.

The junior, a student of food technology department, second year, was thrashed by some of his seniors and their accomplices when he was preparing for his presentation in a classroom.

A student, an eyewitness, said that a group of students entered the classroom with bad intentions. The victim was sitting in his classroom and was preparing for the next lecture in which he was supposed to deliver a presentation. The seniors assaulted him and ran away. The attackers had some old rivalry with the student. After the incident, some of the students reportedly informed the incident to the security officer of the PAU . — TNS

Dr Balwinder Singh Walia, chairman, GN Charitable and Educational Society, inaugurated the camp and Dr RP Kaushal, director, chaired the closing ceremony. Students of the institute had prepared a list of volunteers who had saved many precious lives by donating blood on demand —TNS

The document with a budget layout of Rs 198 crore (for a period of five years) has given strong focus on: crop improvement, bio-technology, horticulture, agro-forestry, soil and water conservation, farm mechanisation, processing and value addition; quality seed and planting material production; market intelligence, human resource development and transfer of technology.

The challenge of climate change, more specifically, climate extremities, has also been focused for developing adaptation technologies and mitigation strategies.In the high level meeting held at Chandigarh on May 6 chaired by the Chief Minister of Punjab, the proposal was discussed and approved in principle for inclusion in the document to be submitted to the Central Government. PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Baldev Singh Dhillon, while thanking the Punjab government for accepting the PAU proposal, said that the efforts would lead to the crop diversification and popularisation of resource conservation technologies, which would ensure sustainability of agriculture for future generations. The funds available for this would also help restore the scientific human resource required for giving push to diversification of agriculture programme. Dr SS Gosal, director of research, said the crop improvement for maize, cotton, mung bean, arhar, soybean, forages, basmati rice, agro forestry, would prove useful for the sustainability of Punjab agriculture. —TNS

Ludhiana, May 9
The division no 2 police has nabbed a person in a heroin peddling case. The accused has been identified as Sahajpreet Singh, a resident of Jagraon.

The accused belongs to a rich family and was married to a Canadian NRI.

The accused was nabbed during a routine check by police near the civil hospital.On seeing the police, he tried to flee but after a small chase the police intercepted his car and during a search of his belongings the police seized 40 gm of heroin.

Ludhiana, May 9
A 30-year-old man was crushed to death by an unknown vehicle driver yesterday. The victim has been identified as Satpal, a resident of Jodhewal.

The victim sustained injuries in the accident. He was rushed to the civil hospital where he was declared brought dead.

The police has registered a case. —TNS

Ludhiana, May 9
A warm send off was given to the national basketball teams (men and women) by the Punjab Basketball Association (PBA) here. The teams left for Doha in Qatar to participate in the Three on Three Asian Basketball Championship to be held between May 15 and 17.

A function was organised by the PBA at Guru Nanak Stadium to wish them good luck for the championship. On this occasion, Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the PBA, Kartar Singh Sehmbey, District Sports Officer, Ludhiana and Vijay Chopra, a prominent sports promoter of the area were present among others.

The men's team: Karanpal Singh, Ranvir Singh Virdi, Ajay Partap Singh, Arjun Singh, Pratham Singh, Manoj Rajagopal, Dinesh C V and Prakash Mishra.

Women's team: Kiranjeet Kaur, Pratima, Raj Priyadarshni, Anita, Geetu Anna, Kokila, Prashanti and Manisha. 

Ludhiana, May 9
Ludhiana squandered away the advantage and Chandigarh went on to score 345 runs in their first innings on the first day of the four-day match of the Punjab State Inter-District Cricket Tournament (U-19) for Dhruv Pandove Trophy, being played at SCD Government College ground here today.

Batting first, the visitors had a shaky start to their innings as the scoreboard read 68 for four. Further the Ludhiana fielders provided them a much needed reprieve by dropping at least half a dozen catches.

As a result of this, Chandigarh batsmen capitalised upon these chances and managed to post a big total of 345 runs in 93.5 overs. Their skipper, Simranpreet Singh chipped in with 130 runs., while other notable contributors were Arpit, Jagjit Singh and Shivam who scored 55, 43 and 36 runs, respectively and helped their side to reach a respectable total.

For Ludhiana, captain, Sandeep Singh was the most successful bowler, capturing five wickets for 103 runs in 31 overs. Navendu Sharma and Nikhil Chowdhary grabbed two wickets each while Parul Mehndiratta took one wicket. At draw of stumps, Ludhiana, in their first innings were 7 for no loss with Nimit Malhan (5) and Gurkaran Singh (1) holding their forte.