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TOP STORIES

Mayor leaves office, blames officials
Chandigarh, August 21
A day after the death of 26-year-old Avinash in a road accident involving stray cattle, Mayor Subhash Chawla walked out of his office and surrendered the keys to his room and official car saying that officials didn’t act on his recommendations on the stray cattle problem.

Mayor Subhash Chawla's official car parked at the MC office; and (right) an official locks the Mayor's room in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photos: S Chandan

Kin want Mayor, MC Commissioner booked
Chandigarh, August 21
Family members of 26-year-old Avinash, the sole breadwinner of the family, who died in a road accident involving stray cattle, demanded action against the Mayor, MC Commissioner and officials today. Avinash’s father Narinder Kumar today lodged a police complaint against Mayor Subhash Chawla, MC Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh, Joint Commissioner Rajiv Gupta and Superintendent Dr MS Kamboj under Section 304-A (causing death due to negligence) of IPC.

Family members of 26-year-old Avinash (inset) who was killed in a road accident involving stray cattle. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Four months on, relief eludes Harpreet’s family
Chandigarh, August 21
Even as Avinash’s death is the second death in past four months due to stay cattle, Harpreet Singh Sodhi’s family, who had died in similar incident on April 6, is still waiting for a government job and compensation. Thirty three-year-old Harpreet Singh Sodhi, a resident of Sector 45-C, was killed when the motorcycle he was riding hit a stray cattle on the road separating Sectors 49 and 46.

The MC has failed to check the stray cattle menace. A file photo

Councillor asked to do counselling job
Panchkula, August 21
Councillor of the Panchkula Municipal Corporation Ravi Kant Swami was in for a surprise when he got an official communiqué from the headmaster of a local government school to send irregular students to the school. Perturbed at the letter, Swami visited the school and asked whether his work was to get development works done in the area or counsel children to attend the classes.

Woman battles for life at PGIMER after being stabbed by husband
Chandigarh, August 21
In a bizarre incident, a 34-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed by her husband with a knife at their residence in Sector 48. The victim is battling for life at the PGI. Ajay Chaudhary (37) allegedly stabbed his wife Santosh following a petty quarrel. The incident was reported around 11 am today.

A forensic expert and a police team collect evidence from the crime spot in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photos: Parvesh Chauhan

13-year-old rape victim pregnant: Report
Panchkula, August 21
A 13-year-old rape victim, who was kidnapped and rescued recently, is seven weeks pregnant, stated her medical report. The medical tests of the girl, a resident of Surajpur, were conducted again by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) at the Sector 6 General Hospital.

Rape victim faces 'harassment' at Zirakpur police station
Chandigarh, August 21
A 21-year-old woman who works as a domestic help in Zirakpur and allegedly raped by a man on the pretext of marrying her has been struggling for empathy. In the absence of any woman police at the police station, she had to brave the humiliating questions of the policemen and got her complaint registered only after two days.

COMMUNITY

Passport adalat
110 pending cases disposed of
Chandigarh, August 21
As many as 110 applicants, out of 200, got their issues resolved during a passport adalat at the regional passport office today. The applicants submitted the relevant documents in the absence of which objections had been raised by the passport authorities. The department collected a fine of Rs 78,000 from the defaulters, while clearing their long-pending cases.

An official listens to the grievances of residents during a lok adalat at the Regional Passport Office in Sector 34, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Need-based changes in residential buildings
GMADA serves notices on residents
Mohali, August 21
A strong wave of resentment has spread among the Mohali residents with the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) serving notices on house owners following the scrapping of its policy on the need-based changes in residential buildings.

Industrial Area sans basic facilities
Chandigarh, August 21
Even as 10 new hotels and two malls have come up following the conversion of plots in the Industrial Area in the past couple of months, the UT Administration and Municipal Corporation have failed to upgrade the basic infrastructure in the area. The industrialists and hoteliers have to bear with the poor condition of internal roads and parks besides the lack of power supply and streetlights.

An uncarpeted and potholed road dots the Industrial Area, Phase II, in Chandigarh. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

City roads not safe for cyclists: Study
Chandigarh, August 21
Cyclists are not safe on the city roads. A recent study done by the Chandigarh traffic police on the road accidents reported in the city between January to March this year has revealed that of the total 31 persons who died in road accidents reported in this period, 12 were cyclists. Twenty of these deaths were caused by cars, the study also revealed.

Mangled remains of a car after an accident that claimed a cyclist’s life in Chandigarh on Monday. A File photo

Painted sky: A beautiful formation of clouds on the road dividing Sectors 17 and 16 in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Narrow escape: A damaged car after it was hit by a Punjab Roadways bus at Sector 46/47 lights in Chandigarh on Tuesday. No casualities were reported. Tribune Photo: Parvesh Chauhan

City resident loses Rs 61,000 in ATM fraud
Chandigarh, August 21
A Sector 45 resident lost around Rs 61,000 of his hard earned money in a case of ATM fraud. Mohit Walia, who works in a private company, was in for a shock when yesterday he received four SMSes regarding transactions made from his ICICI bank account. The transactions amounted to Rs 61,000. At the time the transactions were made, the ATM card was with the victim.

Hike in passenger tax
Bus operators demand rollback
Chandigarh, August 21
As many as 50 private bus operators of the Chandigarh-Punjab Bus Operator Welfare Association staged a protest against the Punjab Government for undue increase in passenger taxes today.

Temporary sheds razed
Chandigarh, August 21
The UT Estate Office demolished as many as eight temporary sheds at Raipur Khurdh today. These sheds had been shut down by the contractor as the authorities had not given him the permission to use them under the new excise policy.

BSNL staff holds protest
Chandigarh, August 21
BSNL employees staged a protest against the anti-employees policies framed by the management today. The employees alleged that there had been no progress on the issue of the revision of wages after 2007.

EDUCATION

School fee hike
Panel seeks clarification on order
Chandigarh, August 21
A three-member committee appointed by the Punjab and Haryana Court to look into the fee hike issue of Chandigarh’s private unaided schools has moved a petition before the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to seek clarification on whether the High Court’s judgment dated April 9 on fee hike issue is applicable on minority schools in the city as well.

From schools
Students selected for national coaching camps
Chandigarh: Six students of St John’s High School have been selected by the Chandigarh Education Department for the national coaching camps in the disciplines of cricket, chess and football. Aadilpreet Singh has been selected for (U-14) cricket; Abhinay Mehta and Karan Cheema for (U-17) football; Utsav for (U-17) chess and Vishwa Poswal and Dervesh Singh for (U-19) chess. The students will attend national coaching camps and will further represent the UT in the 59th National School Games.

Pu polls
Unions eye big departments to ensure victory
Chandigarh, August 21
With the tentative date for the Panjab University Campus Student Council (PUCSC) elections approaching, the attention of student parties haS shifted to the departments having larger number of students, which once again will decide the fate of the leaders contesting the elections.

NSUI supporters canvass at a department in Punjab University in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune Photo: S Chandan

Govt to spend Rs 5.44 cr on developing school infrastructure in Mohali
Mohali, August 21
The state government will be spending Rs 5.44 crore on developing the basic infrastructure of primary and middle schools in the Mohali district. Mohali Deputy Commissioner Tejinder Pal Singh Sidhu said Rs 2.73 crore would be spent on schools which had no boundary walls. Sidhu said besides providing more classrooms in high and senior secondary schools, the basic infrastructure of the school buildings was also being developed. A new school building will also be constructed at Dera Bassi.

Teachers submit demand charter to DPI
Chandigarh, August 21
A delegation of Joint Action Committee (JAC) met DPI (s) Upkar Singh today and submitted a charter of demands. It asked the official concerned to revoke the FIR registered against the four office-bearers of the committee. They demanded transparent transfer policy.

BCI inspects UILS for extension of affiliation of 5-year integrated courses
Chandigarh, August 21
A team of the Bar Council of India (BCI) today conducted inspection for extension of approval of affiliation to the University Institute of Legal Studies (UILS), Panjab University (PU).

Auction of vanity nos. 0004 fetches Rs 1.65 lakh
Chandigarh, August 21
A Sector 19 resident shelled out Rs 1.65 lakh for the vanity number CH-01-AU-0004 during an auction at the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA) today. Inderbakshish Singh bought the number for his car Volkswagen Jetta. It was the highest bid during the auction of 30 numbers in the series. The second highest bid was for CH-01-AU-0005: Rs 1.25 lakh. The RLA earned a total revenue of Rs 9,22,600 during the auction. Due to a stay imposed on the auction of CH-01-AU-0006 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it was not included in the auction. For 0505, the bid was settled at Rs 77,500. Another bidder paid Rs 70,000 for 0053. — TNS

Theatre artistes get tips on puppetry
Chandigarh, August 21
India's renowned puppeteer Dadi Pudumjee began a five-day workshop at the State Library in Sector 34 today. The workshop is on exploration and making of shadow puppets, which could be used both for performance and a teaching aid. Around 45 people, including theatre artistes, teachers and artists participated on the first day of the workshop. Today he shared techniques used in puppetry and how it can be used to express several issues concerning society. Founder of the Ishara Puppet Theatre trust, he said that the art form can also be used for the purpose of educating students. Dadi Pudumjee has been honuored with Padamshri award. — TNS

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan course gets under way at Regional Institute of English
Chandigarh, August 21
DPI (s) Upkar Singh today inaugurated the 41st Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan course for teachers of government schools at the Regional Institute of English. The course focuses on improving the pedagogic skills of teachers in reading skills. Speaking on the occasion, DPI Upkar Singh said that by developing the reading skills of students, one can actually empower them in their pursuit of knowledge and enhance their communication skills. "Once the students have learnt to read, they can explore vast knowledge territories on their own," he said. — TNS

PU VC asks students to adopt trees on campus
Chandigarh, August 21
Panjab University (PU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Arun Kumar Grover has called upon the students to adopt at least one tree on the campus. Prof Grover was speaking to the students after inaugurating the plantation drive at the Music Department of the PU. Large number of students participated in the plantation drive. As many as 40 Ashoka trees, 15 Arjun trees, 11 Cassia Biflora and 20 Ficus trees were planted. Faculty members also planted saplings. — TNS

Malik is chief of GGSSS-35 management committee
Chandigarh, August 21
Malik Singh Kohli has been designated as the chairman of the school management committee of the Sri Guru Gobind Singh Senior Secondary School (GGSSS), Sector 35. A meeting of members of schools management committee was held under the chairmanship of Joginder Singh Sawhney, president of the Gurdawara Asthapan Committee, Sector 22D, and office-bearers of the managements committee were elected. — TNS

Allot hostels to girls at earliest: SOPU
Chandigarh, August 21
Members of the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU) today held a protest outside the Vice-Chancellor's office demanding that the waiting list of the girl students seeking hostels should be cleared at the earliest. SOPU party president Rashpal Hakuwala said, "There is long waiting list for the girls' hostels. The girls should be allotted hostels at the earliest. The sports hostel should also be utilised for girls." — TNS

NGOs donate stationery, utensils to anganwadi centres
Chandigarh, August 21
The Youth Innovative Society in collaboration with another NGO Doing Our Bit today donated stationary and utensils to the anganwadi centres in Bapudham colony which is being run by the Central Social Welfare Board. The Central Social Welfare Board chairperson Kamlesh was the chief guest on the occasion. — TNS

NEIGHBOURHOOD

Punjabi University signs MoU for advancement in academics, sports
Patiala, August 21
Punjabi University, Patiala, and the World Gatka Federation (WGF) today signed a MoU for advancement in academic opportunities and sports cooperation in order to promote, standardise and revive indigenous martial art “Gatka” as a recognised game at international level.

Adopt scientific methods in dairy farming, says DC
Fatehgarh Sahib, August 21
To promote dairy farming and allied sectors, the State Government is providing financial assistance as well as technical training to the farmers in the state. Under the self-employment scheme, 49 farmers and entrepreneurs of the district have been given lakhs of financial assistance in the shape of subsidy, said Arun Sekhri, Deputy Commissioner, while inaugurating the dairy production awareness camp.

Villagers block traffic
Ropar, August 21
Hundreds of people from a nearby village sat on dharna and blocked traffic protesting against the death of a woman allegedly due to negligence on the part of doctors at a private hospital here today. The deceased has been identified as Ranjana (30), a resident of Kalewal Bhole village. Ranjana was admitted to a local Pannu hospital for her delivery last Monday. Rajana developed complications and went consciousness after delivering a baby.

Miscreants decamp with Rs 5.10 lakh
Kalka, August 21
Unidentified miscreants decamped with Rs 5.10 lakh from a counter of a document writer on Railway Road opposite the Kalka tehsil office today.

201 penalised for overspeeding
Patiala, August 21
The Patiala traffic police issued 201 challans for overspeeding in the past 10 days.

COURTS

Abetment to suicide case
Challan presented against SP Mohal Lal
Zirakpur, August 21
The police has presented a challan against SP Mohan Lal in the Dera Bassi court today. He is in the Patiala jail regarding the abetment to suicide case of a girl. He was arrested after the death of 23-year-old girl at Rishi Apartments.

CRIME

Snatcher held red-handed
The Chandigarh police today caught a snatcher red-handed soon after he along with his accomplice snatched a purse from a woman in Sector 38 (West). Kamlesh, a resident of Sector 38, was walking on the road when the motorcycle-borne accused snatched her purse containing cash and valuable documents. The police present near the spot chased the snatchers and caught one of them. He has been identified as Naushad, a resident of Dadu Majra colony.

Two of vehicle lifters’ gang arrested
Chandigarh, August 21
The operation cell of the Chandigarh police claimed to have busted a gang of inter-state vehicle lifters with the arrest of two persons. The police has recovered 10 vehicles, including a car, from them. The police said the gang was active in Chandigarh and neighbouring states.

Two members of a vehicle-lifters’ gang in police custody at Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Death at bhawan
Murder case registered after 2 yrs
Chandigarh, August 21
Almost two years after the son of a senior IAS officer of Himachal Pradesh was found dead at Himachal Bhawan in Sector 28, the Chandigarh Police registered a case of murder against an unknown person. Abhishek Kapoor, son of Dr PC Kapoor, a 1982-batch IAS officer, was found dead in room number 501 on November 22, 2011. Abhishek, who was a software engineer, was in the city after appearing for the mains examination of the civil services.

Labourer thrashed in Pinjore
Panchkula, August 21
In yet another incident of mistaken identity, an innocent person was thrashed in Pinjore by the villagers executing theekri pehra. He was suspected to be a member of the Kala Kaccha gang.

4 suspects handed over to police in Mohali
Mohali, August 21
Four persons suspected to be members of the "Kala Kachha" gang were gheraoed by women in Kharar today and were handed over to the police. According to reports, the suspects were staying in a vacant house near the NRI Enclave.

Surety bonds
2 held for furnishing fake documents
Chandigarh, August 21
The crime branch of the Chandigarh Police today arrested two miscreants who used fake identity cards and salary slips for furnishing surety bonds for getting bail for accused persons.

Youth arrested for eve-teasing
Panchkula, August 21
A case of eve-teasing was reported last night after a 25-year-old girl was eve-teased by a youth in the market of Sector 8, Panchkula. The victim, a resident of Mani Majra, had gone to the market with her father when the incident took place. According to the police, a youth identified as Raju passed vulgar comments and even held her hand in front of her father. The victim called up at the 100 number following which a case was registered. The youth has been arrested. — TNS

SPORTS

Delhi team disqualified as players found overage
Chandigarh, August 21
In a major twist in the ongoing 12th ONGC SN Vohra Memorial Sub-Junior (U-14) Hockey Tournament at Sector 42 Hockey Stadium, the Delhi hockey team was disqualified from the tournament in their first league match after 14 of their players were found over-aged. Their opponent, Haryana Hockey XI, has advanced to next level.

Players struggle for the ball during the 12th ONGC SN Vohra Memorial Sub-Junior Tournament at Hockey Stadium, Sector 42, in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Parvesh Chauhan

Prabhjeet enables Saupin’s School to win cricket match
Chandigarh, August 21
An unbeaten knock of 43 runs by Prabhjeet Singh enabled Saupin’s School, Sector 32, Chandigarh, beat Ajit Karam Singh International School, Sector 41, (AKSIPS-41) by a huge margin of 10 wickets in the fourth St Joseph’s Championship League Cricket Tournament here today at St Joseph’s School cricket ground.

Players in action during a cricket match between AKSIPS-41 and Saupin’s School at Sector 44 in Chandigarh on Wednesday. Tribune photo: S Chandan

Anant, Karandeep, Inderpreet, Prashar win golf tourney
Chandigarh, August 21
Anant Singh Ahlawat won Boys Division 1 with an aggregate of 147 in the Little Masters Golf Tournament which concluded at the Forest Hills Golf and Country Club here yesterday. Karandeep Bajaj was second with a total of 162 while Jaisaurav Bangar was third with a total of 166.

Winners of the golf tournament strike a pose after the prize distribution ceremony in Chandigarh. A Tribune photograph

Skyline Ltd beat Young Premier by eight wickets
Chandigarh, August 21
Skyline Ltd won the opening match of the first Skyline Cup after defeating Young Premier by 8 wickets. The championship began here yesterday at SD School, Sector 24. Young Premier won the toss and decided to bat first. However, fine bowling spell by Krishenender of the opposite team took six wickets in just 13 runs and bundled the team in just 54 scores in 14.4 overs.

Aastha trounces Ibadat in tennis
Panchkula, August 21
On the third day of the lawn tennis tournament at Manav Mangal School, Panchkula, pre-quarterfinals matches were held both for boys and girls in the Under-14 category. In Under-14 girls singles, Aastha Malhotra trounced Ibadat Kaur 8-1 and advanced to next level. A total of 8 matches were held in the girls’ category. In other matches, Mansi Singh beat Sagrika 8-4. Harleen Kaur defeated Reetinder Kaur 8-2.

Boxing tourney from Aug 29
Chandigarh, August 21
Fifth Pandit Mohan Lal Inter-School Sub-Junior and Junior Boxing Championship will be held from Aug 29 to 30 at KK Sharma Boxing Stadium in Sector 32, Chandigarh. The matches will be played in different weight categories, including 36 kg, 40 kg, 44 kg, 46 kg, 48 kg, 57 kg, 60 kg, 64 kg, 69 kg and 75 kg. Boxers, born in the year between 1996 to 1999, are eligible. — TNS

Cricket cup from Aug 25
Chandigarh, August 21
Vandey Maatrum Cricket Cup will start from Aug 25. Last date for registration is Aug 22. All the matches will be of 20 overs each, and will be played on league-cum-knockout basis on holidays and Sundays. Schools, institutions, colleges, companies, organisations and registered clubs from the tricity can contact at H. No. 3517, Sector 46, Chandigarh. — TNS