Jalandhar, January 7
Residents of the Jalandhar Vihar locality here today held a protest by blocking the passage of garbage-laden trucks of the municipal corporation (MC) passing from inside the lanes of their colony towards the Wariana dump.

Ever since a bridge on the Kala Sanghian drain falling on the way to the dump had given way in December last week, the garbage trucks have been moving from an alternative route within the colony. Residents today closed their colony gates, not allowing any truck to pass through the place. They alleged that the trucks were not well covered and left filth on the passage, making their surroundings unhygienic.

Dr Varinder Kalia, in charge of the sanitation wing of the MC, reached the spot. He tried to convince them that the work of repairing the bridge was on and it would take them just about a week, but the residents did not budge and sought an assurance from a senior functionary.

It was after Mayor Sunil Jyoti reached the spot at 3 pm and convinced the residents that they allowed the trucks to pass by. The residents were given an assurance by him that the trucks would be covered with net and any spillover would be removed by five safai sewaks who would be on duty till 5 pm. At this, the residents allowed the MC to ply their garbage trucks till January 15.

Kartarpur, January 7
In a tragic incident, a 25-year-old youth committed suicide "as he failed to fulfil dreams of his parents". The deceased, identified as Dharminder Singh, was a resident of Kartarpur.

SHO Kartarpur Surinder Pal said the youth used to curse his life "as he had failed to give comforts to his parents" adding that this afternoon, he was alone at home when he took the extreme step.

A suicide note, recovered from the spot, read: “Nobody is responsible for my death. I am feeling ashamed of my life because I failed to give comforts of life to my mother and father. Since the day I took birth in this house, my mother was living in penury. I hope my father will forgive me because once I manhandled him and misbehaved with him”

Jalandhar, January 7
An unidentified man, posing himself as a contract killer, has been making threatening calls to a local businessman. The accused has also been sending him life-treatening messages. Acting on the complaint, the police division No. 2 have registered a case against the unidentified person.

The complainant, a local commission agent Ravinder Kumar, told the police that late last evening, he received a message on his mobile from some unknown number in which the sender had demanded Rs 11 lakh from him, failing which he would be killed.

The message read: “I have been given contract of Rs 10 lakh by someone to kill you. But if you do not want to die, pay me Rs 11 lakh and I will let you live.”

Taking serious note of the complaint, the police registered a case against the unknown person under Sections 66 and 67 of the Information Technology Act.

The mobile number of the unknown person has been put on surveillance to trace his whereabouts.

Police officials said they also tried to call on the alleged number, but the same was found switched off, adding that they were inquiring the complaint and making efforts to the identified the accused.

Jalandhar, January 7
Two youths, under the influence of liquor, resorted to firing in the air in Urban Estate Phase II late last night. The police, after registering a case against the two, sent to them to jail.

The youths were identified as Prabvir Singh of Urban Estate Phase I and Gagandeep of Bank Enclave here. Police sources said Prabvir was the son of a farmer, while Gagandeep belonged to a business familiy.

Sukhdev Singh, station house officer (SHO), police division No. 7, said the police also recovered a .32 bore pistol, four used cartridges and one live cartridge from the youths. Yesterday, none of the youths was able to produce arms licence, but today Prabvir produced his arms licence.

The incident occurred at 11.30 pm when the duo parked their Scorpio near the Traffic Light Chowk and started firing in the air. A cop, passing near the chowk, after noticing them, informed the police control room.

On reaching the spot, the police found that the youths were in a drunken state. The medical examination of the youths, conducted at the Civil Hospital, confirmed that they were drunk.

The SHO said the Scorpio in which the youths were travelling was having a blue beacon atop, adding that the police was inquiring why the beacon had been put up by the youths.

The SHO said the police was inquiring the past record of the youths.

Jalandhar, January 7
City residents celebrated the 348th Parkash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh with religious fervour and gaiety. Gurudwaras across the city were illuminated with lights. The celebrations started with the bhog ceremonies of akhand paths that started since Sunday in all the gurudwaras across the city. Thousands of people thronged the religious shrines on Tuesday.

Prominent kirtan jathas from all over the state mesmerised the devotees by singing religious hymns from Guru Granth Sahib.

Earlier on Sunday, various competitions for children related to religious wakefulness were organised at various gurudwaras. "Various competitions related to shabad kirtan, dastaar bandhi and debate were held on the gurudwara premises in which more than 200 children took part. All the children were given prizes and certificates on the occasion. Around 4,000 devotees visited the Gurudwara on the sacred day and sought the blessings of almighty," said Parminder Singh Dimpi, general secretary, Central Town Gurudwara. He said many devotees have put up stalls outside the gurudwaras for the devotees coming from far off places.

Prominent Kirtan Jathas had been called to sing religious hymns from the holy verses of Guru Granth Sahib and enthral the devotees on the sacred occasion. "Along with other events a special lecture on the life of the tenth guru was also held by SS Iqbal Singh at the gurudwara. Community Kitchen served langar throughout the day," said Atam Prakash, president, Model Town Gurudwara. He said elaborate parking and security arrangements were made by various gurudwaras to cater to lakhs of devotees visiting the shrines.

Celebrations were also held at Gurudwara Charan Kanwal Sahib, Gurudwara Nauwi Patshahi, Dukh Niwaran Sahib and many other community gurudwaras in various localities.

Jalandhar, January 7
The state unit of the Computer Teachers Union will be meeting Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on January 8 for their long pending demands. President of the district unit of the union said, “The teachers should be regularised to relieve them of the troubles they are undergoing everyday.

A panel meeting with Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka had led to hopes that computer teachers will be regularised soon.”

Union leaders and district head Sunil Kumar said, “Speculations are rife that changes are being made to alter the appointment letters of the computer teachers, disregarding the government notification.”

Their demands include regularisation in the Education Department, pending increment of two years, prevention of any changes in the appointment letters of newly-appointed teachers, regular salaries and implementation of civil service rules. 

Phagwara, January 7
Supporters of the Aam Adami Party today assembled at Gandhi Chowk to enroll themselves as the member of the party. Social activist Vipin Khurana said more than 1,100 residents, including women got themselves enrolled.

Later, all the supporters, with brooms in their hands, took out a procession in the town. The procession started from Gandhi Chowk and passed through Gaushala Bazar, Sarai Road, Moti Bazar, Bansan Wala Bazar, Mahavir Bazar and Mandi Road.

Jalandhar, January 7
Preparations are on for the NRI Sammelan to be held at Bath Castle near Phagwara here. Almost the entire government machinery, tehsildars, excise officials, SDMs, ADC and DC, have been put on the job for the entire week to ensure that various arrangements for the purpose are in place.

As many as 13 teams headed by the IAS officers have been formed to handle various duties, under which 60 PCS officers have been deputed. Expecting a gathering of 1,600 NRIs, the administration has plans to put up as many as 50 counters for their registration at the entry point to the venue so that they do not have to wait for long to get inside the hall. The NRIs would be issued ID cards at this counter after going through a copy of their passports. They would also be provided with a literature on the facilities being provided by the state government for the NRIs.

The registration committee has been formed under SDM Phillaur Jasvir Singh. A coordination committee has been formed under SDM-1 Iqbal Singh Sandhu and SDM Mukerian Rahul Chaba. The various other committees include reception committee, seating arrangement committee, stage ceremonies committee, transport committee, publicity and media committee, food and refreshment committee, medical committee, security and parking committee, NRI registration, accounts committee, sanitation committee and exhibition committee.

The administration is also mulling setting up of an exhibition of various welfare and development schemes for which 35 stalls are being readied. Arrangements for two-side parking and temporary toilets are also being made.

The who have been deputed for the arrangements include MC Commissioner Manpreet Chhatwal, DCP Rahul S, DETC Sarojini Gautam Sharda, Harminder Singh, ADC Hoshiarpur, Harbir Singh ADC Hoshiarpur, Barjinder Singh, SDM Dasuya, Jasvir Singh SDM Phillaur, HS Dhaliwal, SDM Nakodar, Daljit Kaur, Deputy Director Local Bodies, Ravinder Singh SDM Khadoor Sahib, Anupam Kler, Joint Commissioner MC, Karnais Sharma, Deputy Director Food and Civil Supplies, Shikha Bhagar, GA to DC, Dr Sanjeev Sharma, AC (grievances), and Kuldeep Sharma, district treasury officer. 

Jalandhar, January 7
Students from three premier educational institutions of Punjab will represent their institutions in the 5th Shell Eco-Marathon Asia to be held in Manila, Philippines, in February.

Three teams, comprising 22 students, will represent the universities—Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT), Jalandhar, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, and Chitkara Institute of Engineering and Technology (CIET), Rajpura—in the eco-marathon. Dr Yasmine Hilton, Chairman Shell Companies in India, while speaking about the Shell Eco-marathon Asia 2014, said: “Fourteen teams of students will represent 12 Indian universities, in this event, and field 11 prototype and three urban concept vehicles, powered by gasoline, diesel, battery and hydrogen.”

“The NIT, Jalandhar, team led by Vikas Kumar Sharma will present a diesel prototype concept that is built on a light aluminum chassis and comprises of an adjustable steering system. The vehicle is expected to give a mileage of 250 km per litre. The LPU team under the leadership of Vikram Motwani will make a presentation on a gasoline prototype concept and has constructed a vehicle using light and eco-friendly material such as 6,063 aluminum alloy for manufacturing the chassis and a glass fiber body to keep the vehicle strong and light weight,” he said

“The CIET team will present a gasoline urban concept made out of carbon fibre and an external gearbox in addition to the main gearbox. The team would be lead by Chetandeep Singh,” he said. —TNS

Jalandhar Tribune invites feedback from its readers on issues of public concern relating to Jalandhar, Phagwara, Kapurthala and the nearby areas. Readers can email their views to

jalandhar.feedback@gmail.com 

They can also send their views to: Feedback, Jalandhar Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh - 160029. Letters sent by post must mention 'Feedback for Jalandhar Tribune' on the envelope and it should be signed and must contain the address and telephone number of the sender. It should not be more than 150 words.