Amritsar, August 17
The heavy showers during the past few days has damaged the historical Rigo Bridge, which has developed cracks in it. The footpath along the one side of the bridge have collapsed while the one on the other side has developed cracks. Even a portion of the road area have developed cracks.

The railway board had earlier declared the bridge unsafe as it has outlived its life. But it still is being used by hundreds of vehicles. The bridge connects the B-Block area of the Railway Colony with the GT Road.

A makeshift arrangement to highlight the cracks to the vehicle drivers by using bricks was noticed at the bridge today. People in the area said heavy showers washed away the soil under the supports and finally led them to collapse.

Commuters said the bridge had become risky as the railings on its side, too, had collapsed. Municipal Corporation officials said earlier the Improvement Trust had been entrusted with the responsibility to reconstruct the bridge, which has even started the process.

However, residents said the risky bridge may cause a mishap and authorities must take necessary action to avoid any such situation. "The bridge helps save people a lot of time while travelling, but as it is unsafe now, the administration must declare it out of bounds for vehicles until either the bridge is repaired or a new one is constructed in its place," said Amanpreet Singh, a resident of the area.

Improvement Trust Chairman Sandeep Rishi said the process to make a design for the new bridge had been initiated.

Amritsar, August 17
Heavy spells of shower over the last four days in the city has brought to the fore the poor quality of work on the city roads which had been badly damaged. “It seems that all of a sudden potholed roads have surfaced all over the city. These roads were adding to accidents and damage vehicles”, said Shalini. She is a teacher with a private school and commutes around 15 kms daily. “Since these potholes were new many a times I had a providential escape while driving”.

Commuters were having a tough time while crossing the submerged roads on their vehicles as they are clueless about the potholes that the incessant rainfall had created on the roads, which also poses a threat to life. The state government had given a grant for Rs 100 crore for city’s development to MP Navjot Sidhu and former mayor Shawet Malik in December 2007. MP Sidhu had stated that “such a large grant for a city is unprecedented in Punjab. The amount would be spent on laying and repair of 613 kms of roads in city so that the holy city can live up to the reputation of being the Vatican of the Sikhs”.

“The blueprint for the project would be ready in a week’s time and global tenders would also be floated to invite world-class companies for the project. We are keen on hiring blue-chip companies like Larsen and Toubro Limited which can live up to the expectations of the people,” he had stated.

The state government had handed over a cheque of Rs 100 crore to the MC as part of Rs 250-crore masterplan for city’s development. As per the initial announcement made by Chief Minister Pakash Singh Badal, the MC was to use these funds for maintenance of internal roads, improving drinking water and sewerage facilities and providing uninterrupted power supply.

Social activist Naresh Johar said it was quite intriguing that many roads built during the past four years could not last for even years.

Sarbjit Singh, a resident, said delay in repair work by the department concerned compelled the residents to place bricks in potholes. However, bricks come out of these potholes and pose danger to the vehicles and commuters. 

Amritsar, August 17
Even as the incessant rains have been leading to waterlogged roads in the city, the town planning authorities need to learn a lesson and make rainwater harvesting compulsory and implement the bylaws in this regard.

As of now, the rainwater falling on the roofs of all private and public buildings flows to the roads. The city does not have enough of open spaces like ponds where this water can flow. The large quantity of rainwater has no place except the sewerage. However, the sewerage pipes are blocked due to garbage and it take hours to clear the road even after mild showers.

Most of the government buildings don’t use rainwater harvesting techniques to recharge groundwater. The elevated road on the GT road is the only one structure which has used the technique. However a theft of the equipment made the system non-operative.

Making rainwater harvesting compulsory, at least for the new colonies mushrooming in city, can help solve the problem of waterlogged streets to a great extent besides helping in improving the health of groundwater table.

“The Municipal Corporation must make it compulsory for all upcoming buildings,” said Gurbej Singh, a city based environmentalist. He said waterlogging has been a prominent problem during the recent week and its extent can easily be decreased. He said at least it should be made compulsory for large plots as they can easily afford the system if they can buy a large chunk of land.

Municipal town planner Des Raj said incorporating rainwater harvesting facility is compulsory for all buildings over 200 sq mts, if the building owners do not complies with the rules, the MC has power to cancel the design under Section 264 of the Building Bylaws. 

Amritsar, August 17
Celebrating freedom in a novel way, a group of bikers drove to the Wagah border. An initiative taken out by the Harley Davidson group, the freedom ride had hordes of young bikers flashing the machines and unbound adventure spirit to commemorate this year’s Independence Day.

The 15 odd bikers from Chandigrah, Jallandhar and surrounding areas had enough wheels to kick up some dust and perform some wheelies at Sarhad, a food park near Wagah. The highlight was Amanjot Kaur, a young female daredevil from Patiala. Flaunting a cool Fat Boy, this girl has got what it takes. “Riding a Harley gives me a real feeling of freedom and power. I love my Fat Boy. And the fact that it earns me second glances most of the time," she said, sitting on the most popular Harley Davidson model.

Enjoying her ride from Chandigarh to Wagah, Amanjot felt that the city has an aura that celebrates freedom and passion. “It’s a historic city, a symbol of our freedom movement and Wagah being a popular symbol of our patriotism. Also the true Punjabi passion could be very well experienced here.”

Another biker Navdeep Singh from Chandigarh, too shared his experience. “It was a great drive to Sarhad, and Wagah. And the fact that the food here is great doubles the celebrations.” he said.

The rain and wet weather didn't appear to distract the bikers. "We are used to such rough situations, in fact rough weather and rugged terrain is what we like. It was a fantastic drive," said Archana, another young woman biker accompanying the group.

Aman Jaspal, owner of Sarhad and host of the adventure group too added to the celebration by creating a special Tiranga Menu for Independence Day. "The Tiranga Biryani and Tiranga Kebab were a big hit," he said. Complementary Tiranga Cake was offered to all the guests visiting the Wagah Border. 

Amritsar, August 17
The district administration acknowledged services of two educationists on the Independence Day function. 

Madan Mohan Mittal, Health and Family Welfare Minister, felicitated DAV Senior Secondary School, principal, Ajay Beri and officiating principal of government school Aman Devesar for their meritorious services in the field of education. — TNS

Amritsar, August 17
Residents of the city today paid tributes to Madan Lal Dhingra, who was martyred on this day in 1909 in the UK.

Various programmes to mark his martyrdom were held. Punjab Industry Minister Anil Joshi presided over the state-level function, while former minister Lakshmi Kanta Chawla hosted a separate function under the banner of the Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra Smarak Samiti, constituted by her.

Joshi said, “The youth should come forward to fulfil the dreams of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for attaining freedom." Addressing a gathering at the SR Government College for Women he recalled that Madan Lal Dhingra took the revenge for torturing Indians from the Britishers by assassinating a British official Curzon Wyllie in the UK.

He announced that the state government would take up the matter to bring handwritten documents of the martyr lying in the British Library to his home district. He added that an ordinance would be brought up in the Cabinet meeting to make biography of Saheed Madan Lal Dhingra part of school syllabus.

He announced to establish Saheed Madan Lal Dhingra Memorial in the city and handed over a cheque for Rs 5 lakh to Sarup Rani College. Joshi honoured freedom fighters and winners of the declamation and painting completion.

Earlier, the Industry Minister inaugurated a blood donation camp in which 52 units of blood were collected. The painting and declamation competitions of school and college students were also organised on the occasion and a choreography and play "Balidan" were also staged.

The alma mater of Dhingra, PBN Senior Secondary School, held a programme to recall the sacrifice of the martyr. School Principal Rajeev Kumaria narrated the tale of heroic deed of Dhingra to the students, who paid tributes to him.

Senior BJP leader Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) vice-president OP Soni, district Youth Congress leader Vikas Soni and others paid tributes to the martyr at his bust at the Town Hall. Subsequently, a programme was held in the Municipal Corporation building.

To pay tributes to Madan Lal Dhingra on his martyrdom day, the students of Shri Ram Ashram Senior Secondary School held a special assembly.

Amritsar, August 17
A woman was allegedly gang-raped by a couple of youths at Jathuwal village in the Amritsar (Rural) police area here today.

What was more shocking is that she remained lying on the floor unattended for hours at the Babe Nanaki Mother and Child Health Care Centre in Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. She was finally admitted to the centre when mediapersons intervened.

Questions were also raised as no policemen reached the hospital to investigate the case and know the condition of the rape victim.

However, hospital authorities refuted the charges and said there was just a minor delay. They said she was admitted and had been under treatment.

The husband of the victim alleged that she was raped by Ajaypal Singh and his two accomplices Jasbir Singh and Satnam Singh, residents of the same village. The victim's husband drives an auto-rickshaw in the city area. He said he came to know about the incident when he returned home about 12.30 pm for lunch.

"When I returned home, I found her writhing in pain and she told me about the incident. I immediately reported the matter to the police and brought her to the hospital at about 1.30 pm. Since, then neither the hospital authorities admitted her to the hospital, nor any policemen have arrived to investigate the case," he alleged.

He said he had no animosity with the three youth. He alleged that the three youths had got themselves admitted to a hospital by injuring themselves to save their skin.

Dr KS Sidhu, Medical Superintendent of the GNDH, when contacted, said the victim reached the hospital at about 4 pm. There was some delay as the staff was busy in some delivery cases. She had been admitted to the hospital and instructions had been passed to the staff to take every necessary step for her proper treatment.

"I was busy on the premises regarding the visit of the Director, Research and Medical Education (DRME), in the hospital till 3 pm and there was no such incident till then," he said, while adding that he had been told that she reached the hospital at about 4 pm.

Yadwinder Singh, SHO Kamboh police station, said the victim's family had earlier lodged a complaint of physical assault and quarrel. Now, her husband had been alleging rape, he added. He said a medical examination of the victim would be conducted and necessary action would be taken accordingly.

Amritsar, August 17
A man poisoned his wife and three-and-a-half-year-old daughter to death and tried to dispose of their bodies at Bharosi Rajputa village, near here.

The deceased were identified as Sandeep Kaur (28) and Jasmeet Kaur.

The police has arrested Sahib Singh and his mother Joginder Kaur. A case under Section 302 of the IPC has been registered against them at the Khilchian police station, falling under the Amritsar (Rural) police.

Hardeep Singh, SHO, Khilchian police station, said the accused gave milk, laced with celphos, to Jasmeet Kaur, while Sandeep Kaur was given poison in her meal. He said Sahib Singh was a drunkard, which has become a bone of contention between the couple. Sandeep Kaur used to stop him from drinking and fed up of this, he poisoned the two to death.

The SHO said the police had recovered the milk bottle, besides the celphos from the residence of the accused, who had also admitted to their crime.

The SHO said both the accused were remanded in judicial custody.

Amritsar, August 17
The police has booked five persons for allegedly duping an army officer for Rs 5 lakhs. Colonel Anil Sharma lodged a complaint with that he wanted to buy land and met Ashwani Kumar Kalia and Surinder Singh in this regard.

He said a deal was struck between them for 6 kanals and 8 marla land in Meera Kot village. He said he gave Rs 2 lakh in cash and three cheques of Rs 1 lakh each as advance payment.

However, instead of registering the land in his name, the accused transferred the said land on the name of their wives. Those booked were identified as Ashwani Kumar Kalia and his wife Neelam, both residents of Basant Avenue, Surinder Singh and his wife Sunita, residents of Ranjit Avenue and Preeta Puri of Basant Avenue.

Col Anil Sharma alleged that they gave specific information about the prime accused Ashwani Kumar Kalia to the police; however he was let off by the police party without taking necessary action.

Yadwinder Singh, SHO Kamboh police station, refuted the allegations and said the matter was under investigation. He said Ashwani was let off after several respectable people approached for a compromise between the two groups. He said a meeting was organized after taking consent from the complainant.

He said as compromise was not made out, the accused persons would be arrested soon. A case was registered under Sections 420, 120-B, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC.

Amritsar, August 17
The police has booked three persons for allegedly kidnapping Gulshan Rai, a resident of Nawa Kot area, who has been missing since July 2012. The accused are Sunny Chawla, Ricky Chawla and Avinash Chawla, all residents of Nawa Kot area.

Sneh Lata, wife of the victim, stated to police that her husband had gone out of the house in on July 16, 2012 but did not return since then. She alleged that he had a property dispute with the accused and they might have kidnapped him.

The police said earlier the ADCP crime HS Brar had investigated the case and recommended the registration of case. The police has registered a case under Section 364 of the IPC while no arrest had been made so far. 

Amritsar, August 17
The police has arrested two eunuchs for killing a youth identified as Ramesh Kumar. He used to work with them in the past.

The police has registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder against four eunuchs, all residents of Haripura. Accused were identified as Rajji Baba, Dimple Baba, Monika Baba and Lara Baba. The police has arrested Rajji Baba and Lara Baba, while the other two accused are still at large. — TNS