Patiala, May 27
Punjabi University's claims of promoting Punjabi language fell flat today when the BA-I (Honours) students of Punjabi department got their examination paper printed in English only.

One of the students of the department said their paper (Bharat Da Itihaas) was printed in English alone whereas it was compulsory to study the subject in Punjabi. "We were shocked to see that the paper was printed in English alone. Many of us faced difficulty in comprehending the question paper and when we brought the matter to the notice of teachers, they refused to do anything by saying that it was a departmental issue," he said.

Pawan Kumar Singla, Controller of Examination, Punjabi University, said the department had sent the question paper in both English and Punjabi language for printing but due to a technical fault at the printing press, the question paper in Punjabi language was not published. "Since, we cannot break the seal once we receive papers, we didn't get to know about the flaw. But now, I am looking into the matter," he said.—TNS

Fatehgarh Sahib, May 27
To create awareness among the women about their rights, the Continental Group of Institutes (CGI), Fatehgarh Sahib, today conducted a symposium on “Women Empowerment”.

Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Gurmeet Singh Chauhan was the chief guest on the occasion. Pooja Sayal Grewal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, presided over the function.

The SSP, while addressing the seminar, said: “The presence of women has increased in almost all the spheres of life. The top priority of the police now is to stress on their safety.” He assured that the Fatehgarh Sahib police is accessible round-the-clock to help women.

Fatehgarh Sahib SDM Pooja Sayal Grewal laid stress on the role of parents in educating their sons to respect women and assured that there would be zero tolerance by the Fatehgarh Sahib administration against eve-teasing and rape.

As many as 15 newly recruited women constables also shared their views on the occasion.

On the occasion, a presentation on women empowerment was made by Shikha Sota, in which she elaborated the initiatives taken by the CGI on women empowerment.

2 killed, 14 hurt as bus rams into pillar
Manish Sirhindi
Tribune News Service

Ambala, May 27
Two persons were killed while 14 others sustained serious injuries when a Haryana Roadways bus en route to Yamunanagar from Patiala rammed into one of the pillars of the overbridge near the Ambala Cantonment railway station on NH-1, here this afternoon.

The mangled remains of the Haryana Roadways bus that rammed into a pillar on the NH-1 near the Ambala Cantonment railway station on Monday. Tribune Photo: Dev Dutt Sharma

According to eyewitnesses, the accident took place when the bus driver, Subhash, tried to save a motorcyclist, who took a wrong turn on the road. The bus driver lost control over the vehicle and rammed into the pillar after hitting the motorcyclist. The motorcyclist, who was identified as Venod Kumar, and the bus driver, lost their lives in the mishap. The injured were immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, from where five persons were referred to the PGI, Chandigarh. Others on board the bus had a narrow escape. After receiving information, Vinod Kaushik, DCP, Ambala (urban), and Mukesh Ahuja, SDM, rushed to the spot and initiated rescue measures. The driver and a few other passengers, who were injured in the mishap, were pulled out of the mangled remains of the bus with the help of passers-by and the police. A case has been registered.

Chandigarh, May 27
Booked in an accident case, Sub-Inspector Jaspal Singh Bhullar was granted bail by the court today. Chief judicial magistrate, Rajnish Kumar, on Monday, granted bail to SI Jaspal Singh Bhullar against bail bonds of Rs 50,000.

Bhullar is accused of causing death due to negligence after Gagandeep Singh (20), a resident of Fatehgarh Sahib, was killed in a road accident in 2009. The chargesheet in the case was filed in the court in 2011.

Bhullar appeared before the court on Monday and furnished bail bonds of Rs 50,000. He was handed over the copy of the challan filed against him, before the court deferred the hearing of the case to August 6 when the case would come up for arguments on framing of charges. The UT police had closed the case after the accident in order to shield their inspector. The victim’s family had moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court. An inquiry by the Haryana police was ordered and fresh investigations in 2011 held Bhullar guilty. The police had then filed a chargesheet in the case in the court against Bhullar and he was transferred to police lines. — TNS

Zirakpur, May 27
The police has seized 9 kg poppy husk from a Himachal Roadways bus during a checking at a naka.

According to the police officials, they had stopped the Himachal Roadways bus for checking. After searching the bus, a bag was found lying unattended and when they searched the bag, around 9 kg poppy husk was found. The police has registered a case.—OC

Mohali, May 27
The Mohali police today arrested a bookie red-handed while accepting bets during the final IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians, here yesterday night.

Bookie Ashwini Kumar in police custody in Mohali on Monday. A Tribune photograph

The accused, Ashwini Kumar, a resident of Fazilka, was staying at a hotel in Sector 70 from where the police party, led by DSP Rajinder Singh Sohal, arrested him during late hours.

Mohali SSP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said four cellphones and other equipment being used in betting had been recovered from the accused.

“Ashwini was in touch with other five bookies, Vicky Batra, Lara Mahajan, Sonu Handa and Laddu Popli, all from Fazilka. The raid was conducted following a tip-off. Ashwini was arrested red-handed while accepting bets from his clients," said SSP Bhullar.

Several police teams have been sent to Fazilka and some other places to locate other bookies.

Inspector Samar Vineet, who is investigating officer in the case, said details of the clients of these bookies were also being checked.

A case under Sections 420, 120-B of the IPC; Sections 66, 67 of the IT Act; and Sections 13-A, 3, 6, 7 of the Gambling Act had been registered against the six accused at Mataur police station, here.