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Joshi backs Sidhu, says Amritsar funds must be spent on city alone
Sikh group in US gets summons against PM
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Security up in Pathankot, Amritsar
High Alert: Policemen inspect a car boot at a naka in Amritsar on Thursday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Bumper Afghan opium crop spurs cross-border smuggling
Cops plan night raids to nab drug peddlers
Sibal’s visit to Bathinda boosts Singla’s chances for party ticket
Central pollution board’s industry ban a bid to stall growth: Sukhbir
Illegal mining in Moga unabated
Specialist docs spared of VIP, emergency duty
Mahilpur principal ‘reinstated’
40 child labourers rescued from embroidery units
Tree Felling
Major projects in Patiala in limbo
Poor to get free treatment for hepatitis C
Smart classrooms in Patiala school a hit
Ropar village gets free legal aid to fight land grab case
Hyderabad forensic lab to check Honey Singh’s CDs
HC raps police for inaction in castration case
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Joshi backs Sidhu, says Amritsar funds must be spent on city alone
Amritsar, September 26 Talking to The Tribune on issues raised by Sidhu, Joshi said he was yet to ascertain if Amritsar Improvement Trust funds were indeed diverted or given as loan to other civic bodies. He, however, said that funds of the Improvement Trust should be spent on Amritsar alone. On Sidhu's pet projects like solid waste management plant, he said: "Any public representative, be it MP or MLA, has the right to speak up for the welfare of residents. We will make sincere efforts to complete all development works. The government is anyway duty-bound to carry out development works in the state." The minister said he would look into the issues raised by Sidhu. Joshi's statement assumes significance. Joshi was brought in to contest from the Amritsar North assembly seat by Sidhu, but the two haven't been sharing a rapport for quite some time. They grew apart after the 2009 Lok Sabha elections with Sidhu accusing Joshi of "not supporting him wholeheartedly". Subsequently, they have been seen sharing dais on a few occasions only. Sidhu's wife Chief Parliamentary Secretary (CPS) Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu extended an olive branch to Joshi by visiting his home on August 29, prior to her husband's return to the city after several months. Nevertheless, Joshi and his supporters did not turn up to welcome Sidhu back into his constituency on September 4. The two leaders came face to face at the local BJP office for celebrating the announcement of Narendra Modi as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, but they didn't greet each other. Sangat Darshan by
CPS The first in the series of such events will take place at Vallah area on Friday.
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Sikh group in US gets summons against PM
Washington, September 26 The New York-based Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), which had secured similar summons for Congress president Sonia Gandhi earlier this month, got the summons against Manmohan Singh in connection with the counter-insurgency operations in Punjab in the 1990s. Acknowledging that it would be an "uphill task" to serve the summons on the Prime Minister during his stay here, the SFJ plans to ask the Washington Federal Court for leave "to effect alternative means of service" through White House staff, the group's attorney Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said. In America, one can get such summons by simply paying a $350 fee without the court going into the merits of a case, sources said, dismissing the case as a "publicity gimmick". The 24-page SFJ complaint alleges that Manmohan Singh, as Finance Minister in early 1990s, had approved and financed the practice of "cash rewards" to members of security forces for allegedly killing Sikhs through extra-judicial means to curb militancy. The complaint also alleges that during his tenure as PM beginning 2004, Manmohan Singh had actively shielded and protected members of his Congress allegedly involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The SFJ plans to hold a "Justice Rally" in front of the White House on Friday during the Obama-Manmohan Singh meeting. Justifying the filing of lawsuit against Manmohan Singh, Pannun said the Prime Minister "should be held accountable before the world community for funding crimes against humanity and protecting security force personnel involved in extra-judicial killings of Sikhs in the state of Punjab". — IANS
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Security up in Pathankot, Amritsar
Pathankot, September 26 Madhopur is known as the gateway to Punjab. The national highway which connects Pathankot to Jammu runs through the town. Every vehicle entering the town from Jammu and Kashmir was stopped for inspection at the Madhopur check post. The SSP said at least 50 policemen at the check post were provided bullet-proof jackets. Nakas were also set up at Taragarh. The route is preferred by truckers. The SSP said a two-tier security ring had been formed around Ranjit Sagar Dam. Several teams had been constituted to check vehicles on the Pathankot-Gurdaspur-Amritsar road. A strong police posse was on guard at the naka in Dinanagar. Passengers of state-owned and private buses entering the town were today made to alight for frisking. Amritsar: Following the terrorist attacks in the Kathua and Samba Sectors in Jammu, the Border Security Force (BSF) has been put on a high alert. The city police has also tightened security at vital points in the city. MF Farooqui, DIG, BSF, Amritsar sector, said: “We have instructed the jawans to be extra vigilant and keep a close watch along the border to thwart the nefarious designs of anti-national forces”. Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Police Commissioner, said senior officials had been asked to check security arrangements at the railway station, inter-state bus terminus (ISBT) and tourist destinations including the Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and Jallianwala
Bagh.
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Bumper Afghan opium crop spurs cross-border smuggling
The reason is being attributed to a bumper opium crop in Afghanistan, which has led to a higher production of heroin. Besides, the standing paddy crop in the state is helping the smugglers in delivering the consignment. Around 56 kg of heroin has been seized along the state border in the past one month. The BSF had seized 17 kg of heroin from Juggi Noor Mohammad in the Ferozepur sector on September 14 while 13 kg of heroin was seized from Rattoke in the Khemkaran (Tarn Taran) sector on September 12. “The standing paddy crop, which is currently three to four feet high, gives ample hiding space to Pakistani smugglers. During dark nights, it becomes very difficult to locate them,” said a BSF official. Recently, some smugglers, who had safely entered the Indian territory, managed to cross over to Pakistan, leaving the consignment behind after BSF jawans raised an alarm. Since January this year, the BSF has seized 214 kg of heroin from the Punjab border. Similarly, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), a counter-intelligence wing of the Punjab Police dedicated to keeping tabs on narcotic smugglers, has confiscated around 40 kg of heroin to date. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s risk assessment survey had suspected that the opium production was likely to increase in Afghanistan due to the withdrawal of most of the international security forces by 2014. Intelligence agencies, including officials of the SSOC, have also apprehended an increase in the smuggling attempts from across the border. RPS Jaswal, DIG, BSF, said the force was already on an alert to thwart any misadventure from the anti-national forces from across the border and the recent seizures were a testimony to this fact.
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Cops plan night raids to nab drug peddlers
Muktsar, September 26 A fresh directive from the police mentions that a team of nearly 200 policemen would be formed to cordon off villages during night hours and carry out special search operations to catch drug peddlers. The villages are being divided into three categories and duties are being assigned to the policemen to bring this order into effect at the earliest. In each district, three villages will be searched every night and all related information will be sent to the higher-ups on a routine basis. SSP Surjit Singh said, “We have sought the lists of villages and notorious persons having history in drug trade from all Station House Officers.”
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Sibal’s visit to Bathinda boosts Singla’s chances for party ticket
Bathinda, September 26 The two Congress leaders are reportedly canvassing for the party ticket to take on sitting MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The Congress had lost the assembly elections last year because of a similar tug of war between ticket aspirants. It will have to be more careful this time. Polarisation of leaders aspiring for the party ticket and subsequent differences among their supporters will not augur well for the party. The Congress can hope for a victory only if it puts up a united fight against the well-entrenched Bathinda MP. Though former Rajya Sabha MP Surinder Singla remained non-committal about his candidature, he spoke at length about the development he had brought to the region at a function of the Bar Association and that of a local college yesterday. Union Minister Sibal also spoke of Singla's contribution. Sources close to Singla said he was yet to make up his mind on contesting the seat. Talking to The Tribune, Singla said: "The Bathinda refinery, the four flyovers and an underbridge were conceived by me. Even the Bathinda Municipal Council was upgraded to a corporation owing to my efforts." He challenged the Akalis to prove his claims wrong. Singla had won the Bathinda Urban assembly seat in 2002. His supporters claim he is capable of attracting urban voters, especially the trading class in small towns. His detractors point out that Singla could not win the Amritsar seat in 2007 (byelections) and has been away from Bathinda for too long. Congress leader Harminder Jassi is banking on the traditional vote bank as well as Sacha Sauda Dera for support. Those opposing him argue that the dera vote may not entirely go to him. Also, Jassi seems to be inclined towards the Bajwa camp and it remains to be seen how Capt Amarinder Singh's camp reacts to his candidature. Appeal to legal eagles Sibal exhorted the lawyers and the youth to deliberate on national issues. He discussed the nuances of the criminal investigation system suggesting that police personnel at the crime scene must carry an electronic diary connected to servers of the police department. He talked about central grants and how Gross Enrollment Ratio (the ratio of children going to schools and colleges) was more important than Gross Domestic Product.
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Central pollution board’s industry ban a bid to stall growth: Sukhbir
Kapurthala, September 26 The ban has been imposed by the Central Pollution Control Board in view of the rising pollution in the industrial town. Addressing a public rally at Wadala village after laying the foundation stone of a railway over-bridge near Pushpa Gujral Science City today, Sukhbir said if the the NDA came to power, it would take steps to boost industrial and agricultural growth in the state. Sukhbir said it was unfortunate that the Centre was meting out a step-motherly treatment to Punjab despite the fact that Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari belonged to Ludhiana. He accused the UPA government of ignoring the border state of Punjab by denying it an industrial package and providing incentives to the neighbouring states. Sukhbir said the charisma of BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi would wipe out the UPA, “which has to its credit only flawed programmes and policies”. Announcing tubewell connections for farmers having less than five acres of land, the Deputy CM said directions had been issued and the connections would be released within the next two
months.
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Illegal mining in Moga unabated
Moga, September 26 Over the last few weeks, more than 50 criminal cases have been registered against those indulging in illegal sand mining in the area. In the latest development, fake weighing slips, aimed at evading government taxes, are in circulation in these areas. These have allegedly been issued by mining contractors to transporters. District Mining Officer Darshan Singh has recovered such slips and got a criminal case registered under relevant IPC and mining regulation Act at the Fatehgarh Panchtoor police station against unidentified persons. Preliminary investigations suggested that a mining site was allotted to Ranjit Singh of Kot-ise-Khan from July 2011 to June 2014 at Dargah Saidan village in Dharamkot sub-division of the district. However, the weighing slips issued to the transporters from this site did not match with the serial numbers of the record available in the office of the District Mining Officer. A police officer said the anomaly indicated the prevalence of a nexus between the government officials concerned and the sand mafia. He said investigations were in progress. Sources said the illegal business was going on in areas like Waris Wala Jattan, Khurki, Malang Shah Wala and its adjoining villages in Ferozepur district. In Moga district, the affected areas are Karaiwala, Kot Mohammad Khan and nearby villages. The sand from these two districts is reportedly transported to Barnala, Sangrur, Bathinda, Faridkot and other nearby districts.
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Specialist docs spared of VIP, emergency duty
Chandigarh, September 26 Confirming the development, Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Vinnie Mahajan said the decision was taken following a meeting with the members of the PCMS Specialist Doctors Association here today. All the civil surgeons were clearly instructed in the meeting that specialists be spared from the duty of handling emergency cases, she said. The delegation of PCMS Specialist Doctors Association, led by its president Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal and secretary general Dr SP Bhagat, said a separate cadre had also been sought for the specialists. They also demanded special attention towards facilities and perks in rural services.
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Mahilpur principal ‘reinstated’
Hoshiarpur, September 26 The faction elected the following as office-bearers: president-Major Bakhtawar Singh; senior vice-president-Harbaksh Singh Gill; vice-president-Amarjit Singh Bains; general secretary-Manjit Singh Lali; secretary-Gurinder Singh Bains; assistant secretary-Amandeep Singh; manager-Rupinder Singh and assistant manager-Harbans Rai; and cashier-Romesh Dutt. — OC
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40 child labourers rescued from embroidery units
Jalandhar, September 26 The raids, which lasted till 10.30 pm, were initiated on the instructions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in response to a writ petition.Two warrant officers of the High Court also accompanied the police raiding teams. Talking to The Tribune, Naresh Dogra, ADCP, said as many as 27 children were rescued from embroidery units in Gandhi Camp area. Balkar Singh, ACP, who headed another raiding team, said: “We raided three units and rescued as many as seven children.” This is for the first time that the police has carried out raids on such a scale. However, it is being alleged that the police has also been unable to rescue all the children working in these units as a number of them managed to escape. While Dogra said the children were being sent to the Nari Niketan, petitioner Shahi Sharma, who accompanied the police during the raids, said, “Over 200 children were found working in the units, most of whom escaped through back door.”
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Tree
Felling
Ludhiana, September 26 While trying to downplay the scam, Rai said: “It is not an isolated case where such discrepancies are found. The security deposited by the contractor has been forfeited.” “If any employee is found guilty, action will be taken against him,” he added. A Vigilance probe was launched after it was found that the Forest Department had not been paid for 800 trees that were axed for widening of the NH-1 between the Jalandhar bypass and amusement park Hardy's World in March 2010.
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Major projects in Patiala in limbo
Patiala, September 26 Sources said work on four major projects, including setting up of a solid waste management plant and a canal-based water system; shifting the dairies to the outskirts of the city; and beautification of Rajindra Lake, is yet to begin. “Lack of political will and the lackadaisical attitude of the MC are to blame for this delay,” a source said. Despite several announcements made to shift the city’s dairies to its outskirts, nothing has been done so far. As a result, stray cattle roam the streets and choke the sewerage. Sanitation has also been hit and the city has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. The shortage of drinking water could have been addressed had the MC set up the canal-based water system but it remains a pipe dream. Sanjeev Bittu, leader of opposition in the MC, said, “The MC has already sold over 17 acres of its prime land as it does not have funds to meet its basic requirements. The MC is to blame for the fiscal mess it finds itself in as it had not planned its expenditure. The beautification of Rajindra Lake also hangs fire.” Mayor Amrinder Bazaz blamed his predecessors for the delayed projects. “I am in touch with the Chief Minister, who promises to release funds for the development of the city soon,” he said.
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Poor to get free treatment for hepatitis C
Ludhiana, September 26 Under this scheme, sick people living below the poverty line (BPL) are provided free treatment. Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director Health Services, Punjab, said, "Keeping in view the increased number of hepatitis C cases, we have decided to treat BPL patients at at government medical colleges and hospitals. Project coordinator Dr Deepak Bhatia confirmed more than 400 cases of hepatitis C were identified in the Malwa belt alone.
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Smart classrooms in Patiala school a hit
Patiala, September 26 Students of Class VI to XII are being taught in these classrooms that have interactive electronic boards attached with computers to aid teaching. Animation and three-dimensional (3D) images are used to make difficult concepts more interesting and easier to grasp. Such classrooms have already been set up at several private schools. Student Gagandeep Kaur said, “It is difficult to grasp subjects such as English and science. Now, learning English pronunciation has become much easier with audio-visual support in these classrooms.” Another student Amandeep Singh said, “I feel confident that we will now be able to compete with private school students, who have been learning the digital way for quite some time.” School Principal Tota Singh thanked Patiala Deputy Commissioner GK Singh for funding the project. This grant was issued under the Central Government’s Innovation in Education Scheme. “It is important to keep abreast of the latest innovations in the field of education. This project has been a success as visualisation greatly aids learning. I am confident that now our students will pass their exams with flying colours.”
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Ropar village gets free legal aid to fight land grab case
Ropar, September 26 Around 5 kanal and 5 marla of the shamlat land that belonged to the Scheduled Caste community in Sarangpur village near Chamkaur Sahib was grabbed by a policeman around 7 years ago. After the panchayat that had no funds to finance the matter in court sought help from DLSA, Gopal Arora, DLSA secretary, provided them legal aid counsel for free. Sarpanch Ranjit Singh disclosed that 98 per cent of the people in the village belonged to the Scheduled Caste community and earned their income from the shamlat land. The gram panchayat could have earned Rs1.5 lakh per annum from the encroached land, said the sarpanch. Singh said several other gram panchayats could not hire counsels due to financial reasons.
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Hyderabad forensic lab to check Honey Singh’s CDs
Chandigarh, September 26 Taking up the matter, a Division Bench of the High Court also issued notices to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry along with the Information and Technology Ministry. They have been asked to submit an affidavit on ways and means deployed or to be deployed by the Union Government for preventing misuse of YouTube and social networking sites by unscrupulous elements. Further proceedings in the FIR registered against Honey Singh will remain stayed till November 15. The Bench directed that in case the laboratory needed a voice sample from Honey Singh, the same may be obtained from him on a mutually convenient date in Chandigarh and he need not travel to Hyderabad. His counsel Kanwalvir Singh Kang has been arguing that he has neither sung the disputed song nor is projected in the video. The video had been uploaded by some impersonator and he has been writing e-mails to YouTube since 2012 to remove fake accounts and uploads in his name.
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HC raps police for inaction in castration case
Chandigarh, September 26 Sunny Deva of Jalandhar has claimed that he was abducted and later castrated in a private clinic because eunuchs wanted to cash in on his popularity. In his petition placed before Justice RP Nagrath, Deva claimed that he was possessing supernatural spiritual powers since his childhood. Four eunuchs, impleaded as respondents, had been visiting him for taking his blessings. For taking advantage of his popularity, they planned his abduction for making join him their community. On May 27, 2010, they “deceitfully” took him to a dera in Kapurthala district for inaugurating a newly built house. He stayed there for three days before being fraudulently taken away to a private clinic, where he was castrated. Deva also alleged he was confined in the dera in an unconscious state for one month. He suffered severe pain and was ultimately treated at PGIMER, Chandigarh. No action was taken by the Punjab Government and its functionaries despite the representation. The state, on the other hand, claimed that an inquiry into the allegations was conducted. The petitioner was found to be a consenting party as he wanted to join the eunuch community for better earning. As such, his complaint was spiked. The policemen added if at all any occurrence took place, it was within the area of Hoshiarpur district, where the petitioner was directed to pursue his legal recourse. Virtually rapping the Punjab Police for its inaction in the matter, Justice Nagrath observed: “I find that the state has come up with a strange plea of shying away from its responsibility, rather than taking proper action”. "If that was the view, the Jalandhar police should have transferred the papers to Hoshiarpur district, as a citizen who seeks remedy against the grievance for criminal offence cannot be at the whims of the police and shuttle from one place to other to get justice”. Directing the state to hand over the inquiry into his representations to the crime branch of the state police, Justice Nagrath added a team headed by an officer not below the rank of deputy superintendent of police should be constituted. “The special team so deputed shall conclude the inquiry expeditiously and preferably within two months thereafter,” Justice Nagrath concluded.
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Amritsar MP Navjot Singh Sidhu may not be sharing a good equation with Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, but the latter seems to be on the same page as the sulking MP over the issue of Amritsar Improvement Trust funds and also city development projects.
Pathankot, September 26
Kapurthala, September 26
Patiala, September 26
Amritsar, September 26