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Helping Jaitley by not campaigning, says Sidhu
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Jakhar files contempt petition against Principal Secretary
Khaira alleges Bibi encroached upon land, files complaint
Congress and Akali supporters gather in front of their respective offices, which are located in adjoining buildings, in Faridkot on Wednesday. Tribune photo
Hola Mohalla function: Poll panel serves notice on SAD
Jaitley presents his vision for Amritsar
Two dissidents back with Cong
SS Libra quits Cong; to meet Sukhbir shortly
Kejriwal’s visit from April 11
State didn’t utilise central funds for Anandpur Sahib: Soni
No need of acting chief, says Bajwa
Election official in dock for not joining duty
Patiala school under lens as food samples fail test
Two Abohar youths clear PCS (Judicial)
New DC, SSP for Fazilka
Jammu train chugs off amid mild response
3 die as jeep rams into tree
Teachers hold protest
DNA test helps police nail rapist
University VC put on poll duty
High Court chides Special Secretary
State rapped for not providing information in land grab case
2 held for murder of Sangrur panch
Spurned, youth throws acid on girl
FIRs registered for violation of poll code
Acid attack accused held
2 undertrials escape in Patti
Former Block Cong Committee chief booked for rape attempt
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Helping Jaitley by not campaigning, says Sidhu
Amritsar, April 2 Talking to The Tribune, Sidhu said, "I am a well-wisher of Jaitley sir. I am helping his cause by not campaigning for him in Amritsar. Besides, there are so many people who feel insecure because of me. I am giving them the security." He said he did not want to pose a hindrance to Jaitley’s election, who was brought to the constituency on the promise that the Akalis will “ensure” his victory. Sidhu had recently said he would not campaign for Jaitley since Badal was dead against his candidature. His move doesn’t bode well for Jaitley, who has a formidable opponent in Captain Amarinder Singh in a constituency that has a 64 per cent Sikh population. Stating that he was discharging his duty by campaigning for the party elsewhere in the country, Sidhu said he would be seeking votes for Narendra Modi and Rajnath Singh in Varanasi and Lucknow in mid-April. On Badal's statement that he should not turn his back on Jaitley, he said, "Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken everything head on in life. Those who stabbed me in the back must answer, or else the public will answer." He said nothing was a secret anymore. “Everything has come out in the open in the last few days. Yeh jo public hai sab jaanti hai (the public sees through everything),” he said. On Badal's plea to campaign for Jaitley, Sidhu said, "I would like to ask Badal Saheb how many times he called me up in the last three years. Who held the press conference days before ticket allotment, saying we don't want Sidhu and would like Jaitley instead? Who ignored me in meetings to review development works or while announcing the Rs 2,000-crore vision? There is a huge difficulty in today's politics, which is the difficulty of being good." He said he had made sacrifices whenever the situation demanded. "I sacrificed my family and my profession to get elected as Amritsar MP. The party asked me for the Amritsar seat, I sacrificed it. Now, the Akalis don't want to see me in Punjab and I have granted them their wish too. Is there anything left to give," he said. He said only Badal could spell out why he was given such treatment. Sidhu said his wife was now his representative in Amritsar and was campaigning full-time to ensure Jaitley’s win. Sidhu has been at loggerheads with the SAD top leadership over the last few months after he accused it of scuttling his pet projects. Subsequently, he was “cold-shouldered” by SAD leaders during various events in Amritsar. This tussle is seen as the prime reason for the BJP replacing him with Jaitley in Amritsar.
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Lambi, April 2 Notwithstanding his busy schedule, he has not missed his routine of exercising for an hour and reciting “path” for almost the same period of time, as he has started waking up around 4.30 am, a bit earlier than usual. Harsimrat is contesting against his estranged brother-in-law, People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) chief Manpreet Badal. In all villages he visits, Badal urges people, “Eh aapni aan te shaan di gall hai. Sirf jittna hi nahi, ek nava record vi banuana hai te oh vi sirf Punjab nahi poore desh ch sabh ton vaddi jitt da. (This is the matter of our respect and reputation. We not only want to win, but win with the highest margin of votes ever, not only in Punjab, but in the entire country).” As Badal’s cavalcade reaches the first village of Roranwali of his day’s schedule at 8.15 am, he enters the “pandal”, greets everyone with “Sat Sri Akal” and starts the speech, “The time is running out. The Lok Sabha elections are approaching fast. Do cast your vote, keeping in mind the important issues.” Then he trains guns on the Congress, saying that the party ruled for 10 years, but failed on all fronts. “The UPA-led Congress Government failed to protect the country from neighbouring countries. Sometimes, China enters our territory and, sometimes, Pakistan beheads our brave soldiers,” he says. The CM appeals to people to help in forming the government led by BJP’s PM pick Narendra Modi. Later, he raises the issues related to the state, stressing on agriculture, and assures to get maximum financial assistance from the Centre, if the NDA comes to power. The he turns to Harsimrat. “Last time, Capt Amarinder Singh’s son was defeated by maximum votes from here. This time, do the same thing by defeating Manpreet.” Turning a bit emotional, Badal says: “The party (SAD) gave him (Manpreet) everything. I left my constituency for him, even made him the Finance Minister. Still, he left us. Now, tell me what more can the party do for him. Still he did not give respect to the party, which is like the mother of a person.” In the same breath, he cautions public. “Don’t fall prey to the conspiracy of Congress, which has joined hand with Manpreet. He had taken oath in the name of Shaheed Bhagat Singh while forming his party, promising to bring some ‘reforms’. But the present situation is that the Sanjha Morcha formed by Manpreet has dismantled. The PPP has also met with the same fate, as all of its leaders have left.”
Speaking to The Tribune, Badal took potshots at the Congress. “The internal fight within the state Congress is set to increase, as state Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa has remarked that he would be the next Chief Minister. The remark will not go down well with a section of the Congress leaders,” the Chief Minister said. When asked which contest is tough, Amritsar or Bathinda, Badal said: “There is no competition anywhere. We will win all 13 seats in the state.” Badal is holding public meetings from 8 am to 6 pm every day, sleeps around 9.30 pm to make another early morning start. The only thing which he misses in villages is the timely delivery of newspapers.
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Ambika Soni’s contribution nil, says Ramdev
Mohali/Ropar, April 2 He said the attack on the holy shrine was a blunder on the part of the Congress and the then Prime Minister. He refused to comment when asked whether he was justifying indira's assassination. Baba Ramdev, who has been campaigning for the BJP and its allies across the country, claimed the Congress may not win even 50 seats. “The Congress stands nowhere in these elections as Sonia Gandhi is unwell and the shahzada (Rahul Gandhi) is a novice,” the Baba said. Terming the Congress as the "Gangotri of corruption", he said it had looted the country for the past 60 years and would now be "removed from the scene forever”. The yoga guru was here to hold a " yog shivir " organised by the Bharat Swabhiman Manch. Asked whether he favoured Ram Temple, Baba Ramdev said the issue was religious and not a political one. He said he would visit Bathinda and Amritsar to campaign for the SAD-BJP candidates. Lashing out at Congress candidate Ambika Soni, he said her contribution to the country was nil. “She only knows how to please her boss (Sonia Gandhi). She has learnt Italian in the process,” he said, pointing out that as Union Culture Minister in 2007, Soni had filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, claiming that Lord Rama was a mythical figure. Ramdev said it was unfortunate that the Congress had fielded a candidate who did not have faith in Lord Rama. Claiming that the NDA would win at least 300 seats, he said the nation was in a mood to give a chance to BJP’s PM candidate Narendra Modi.
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Jakhar files contempt petition against Principal Secretary
In his petition for initiating contempt proceedings against Ashok Gupta, Principal Secretary, Department of Local Government, and six other official respondents, Jakhar alleged: “In spite of the orders passed by the High Court, the authorities have not moved further and they have done nothing to provide the necessary infrastructure in the Fire Brigade Department.” His counsel Surinder Pal Singh Tinna added: The authorities have, thus, wilfully disobeyed the orders passed by the High Court and thereby the authorities are endangering human lives”. Taking up the matter, Justice Mahesh Grover of the High Court called for a report before fixing May 5 as the next date of hearing. Justice Grover observed: “Before issuing the notice of motion, the court would like to solicit a report from the respondents in regard to the grievance of the petitioner, which was directed to be considered in accordance with the law”. Claiming that the situation in the state had worsened to the extent that even bare minimum necessities were not being provided, Jakhar had earlier sought directions to the government to provide firefighting equipment in the state, including his constituency — Abohar. In his previous petition filed in public interest, Jakhar had contended that Abohar residents were “victims of political vendetta and this was the only reason that the state was not ready to provide funds for the purchase of necessary equipment and fire tender vehicles”. He had added: “It is crystal clear that because of party politics, the government is not ready to take action in spite of the fact that their own officials are intimating them about the miserable condition of the fire brigade office…. The real intention of the ruling party is to settle political scores. Therefore, they are making
up excuses that they lack the funds”. Taking up the matter, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli had disposed of the petition in February after asserting: “The respondents would specifically deal with the issue of the funds stated to be provided by the Central Government and their utilisation keeping in mind the undisputed requirement of the fire tenders,
which is sought to be postponed on the ground of paucity of funds”.
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Khaira alleges Bibi encroached upon land, files complaint
Khaira said the Chief Secretary directed the Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner to stop the construction. He said a detailed report on the matter had also been sought. Khaira said a complaint pertaining to the land was pending with the Lokpal since August 24, 2011. In his complaint, Khaira alleged Bibi Jagir Kaur had made a similar attempt to encroach on the land in June, 2010, after which a formal complaint was lodged with the office of the Chief Secretary on June 23, 2010. Khaira said the SAD leader stopped short of constructing the wall around the land as the people of the area raised a hue and cry on the matter. He said though Begowal resident George Subh had lodged a complaint with the state Lokpal over two years ago, no action had been taken against Bibi Jagir Kaur. Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner DS Mangat said he could not comment on the matter since the complaint had been registered with the Lokpal. He, however, said that he had ordered that the construction be stopped.
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Proximity of Cong, SAD offices in Faridkot triggers tension
Faridkot, April 2 Congress leaders accused Akali leaders of intending to intimidate Congress workers by opening the office near theirs. They approached the District Electorate Officer (DEO)-cum-Deputy Commissioner (DC), Faridkot, Mohammad Tayyab, demanding the closure of the Akalis’ office to avert clashes. Punjab Pradesh Congress Party general secretary Kushaldeep Singh Dhillon said as the elections were around the corner, workers of both the Akali Dal and the Congress were emotionally charged. He said due to the proximity of the offices, there was a high risk of clash. Many senior Akali leaders today visited Faridkot to open the office of their candidate Paramjit Kaur Gulshan. The Congress candidate, Joginder Singh Panjgrian, opened his election office five days ago near this office. “We had already opened our office five days ago so it would have been better if the Akalis had selected some other place in the town to open their office,” said Joginder Singh. DEO Tayyab said while there was no official communication or information about the situation of the election offices of the political parties, extra police forces were deployed in the area to avert any clash or untoward incident. Paramjit Kaur Gulshan said the party office was opened in a private building so the Congress had no locus standi in opposing the location of this office. “Bereft of any election issue to attract public attention, Congress leaders are trying to make a mountain out of a molehill,” she said. “We want the district administration and the DEO taking some corrective measures otherwise we will have to approach the Chief Election Commission,” said Dhillon.
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Hola Mohalla function: Poll panel serves notice on SAD
Chandigarh, April 2 Additional CEO Supreet Singh Gulati said that in a notice sent to SAD secretary Daljeet Singh Cheema, the EC had sought comments as to “why it organised a political rally at Anandpur Sahib when permission to hold it was denied by EC?” Without giving details on the possible follow-up action, he said: “We will forward the reply to the EC and wait for an official communication.” Cheema said: “Hola Mohalla is a religious occasion where leaders also participate. The EC communication came very late and it was difficult to inform the public. We did not make any elaborate political announcements for the occasion. We have already sent a detailed reply on the issue and will send it again.” When the CEO underlined the incomplete first report by the DC, it sent another one which, too, did not find anything wrong in the function. Day 1: 6 nominations filed In all, six candidates filed papers on the first day of nominations today, Additional CEO Gulati said. Balbir Singh of CPM filed two sets of nominations and Raghunath Singh filed papers as his covering candidate from Anandpur Sahib. Sukhchain Chand from Khadoor Sahib is contesting from the Democratic Bharatiya Samaj. The remaining four, who filed the nominations, are contesting as Independents. They are Badal Singh from Faridkot, Manpreet Singh from Bathinda, Manoj Kumar from Sangrur and Rajinder Singh Pawar from Patiala.
Poppy husk seized Additional CEO B Purushartha said the Jalandhar police had seized 30 quintals of poppy husk coming from Indore. The police have arrested two persons in this connection. Purushartha said the Punjab Police had seized 31.62-quintal poppy husk after the implementation of model code of conduct.
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Amarinder accused of running away from national issues
Amritsar, April 2 Addressing a press conference here today, he said: “All these issues prominently figure in the Lok Sabha elections. But Amarinder is not ready to speak on any of them. He should clarify as to whom does he hold responsible for the rising inflation and shrinking economy. Does he have an opinion on any of these issues?" he asked. To a query, he said he was ready for an open debate with Amarinder,“provided I see in him an ability for a serious debate and not lumpen comments”. To a question regarding Amarinder's repeated attacks on the SAD leadership, he said if his rival considered the Akalis as his main target, he should contest the Assembly poll and not Lok Sabha elections. “The people must learn to grow,” he remarked, alleging that Amarinder
was using impolite language only to make his presence felt. Jaitley attacked Amarinder over his "poor record" in the Assembly. “I have come to know that his House attendance in the past seven years has been negligible. If he is not active in Punjab Assembly, how can the people expect him to participate in the Lok Sabha proceedings,” he asked. He claimed his own attendance in the Rajya Sabha was almost 100 per cent and that there was hardly any issue which he had not debated. On Amarinder calling him a “political mercenary” and a “guest from New Delhi”, Jaitley said he could not be both at the same time. “When senior national leaders go and contest in any part of the country, the constituencies welcome them. Amethi, Lucknow and Varanasi are a few examples,” he said. On Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu describing him as one of the top five BJP leaders with a potential to be the party’s PM face, he said he took such comments as a mere pat
on the back.
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Jaitley presents his vision for Amritsar
Amritsar, April 2 “ The main industrial activity has to be around the creation of a textile cluster, the agricultural implements industry, the rice mills, embroidery, jewellery, decorative items and footwear. These clusters need to be supported by the state,” he said. “A last push is required to the expansion of the official border trade between India and Pakistan. Industrial activity will always depend on the manufacturing environment in the country... Tourism and trade (including international trade) have a singular ability to revive and strengthen Amritsar’s economy... “Road, rail and air connectivity must be improved. “Direct international flights are the need of the hour. A good airport needs to be better connected. Establishment of food streets and a food village can add to the charm of the city. A no-traffic walkway food street or food village where traditional items are sold can be a great tourist attraction," he said. Jaitley has batted for multiple categories of healthcare, both public and private. "The promise of establishing an AIIMS in every state has to be materialised. Amritsar with a legacy of medical colleges could be an ideal location for AIIMS,” he said.
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Two dissidents back with Cong
Pathankot, April 2 The two leaders visited Sharma's house today. Sharma had lost the 2007 assembly elections to BJP's Master Mohan Lal. Denied the party ticket in the last elections, he had contested as an Independent against the Congress nominee, Raman Bhalla. He had garnered nearly 23,000 votes. After breakfast at Sharma's house, Ahmed and Bajwa left for Bhalla's residence. Bhalla is apparently piqued at Sharma's decision to re-join the party. He blames Sharma for his defeat in the
assembly elections. "It is simple arithmetic. Had the votes polled by Sharma gone Bhalla's way, he would have defeated the BJP candidate," he said. Later, both the leaders visited the residence of Naresh Puri at Sujanpur. Puri, son of former Cabinet Minister Raghunath Sahai Puri, contested as an Independent during the last elections and bagged nearly 27,000 votes. He stood second, relegating Congress nominee Vinay Mahajan to the third spot. The seat was bagged by BJP's Dinesh Babbu. "This development, coming in the wake of the General Election, is bound to help the Congress. The PPCC chief has played his cards well. He is now expected to do well in the Pathankot and Sujanpur Assembly seats," said a sitting Congress legislator.
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SS Libra quits Cong; to meet Sukhbir shortly
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 2 Sources say Libra is scheduled to meet Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal soon. The MP could not be contacted as his cellphone was switched off. Libra was annoyed with the Congress for allotting the party ticket to the four-time MLA and sitting legislator from Nabha, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot. He did not attend the launch of Dharamsot's poll campaign. Dharamsot and Fatehgarh Sahib MLA Kuljeet Singh Nagra expressed surprise over Libra's resignation. When contacted, Dharamsot said: “In a democracy, everyone has the right to take his
own decision.” Dharamsot had told mediapersons at the launch of his election campaign that he had Libra's unflinching support as he had sought his “blessings”. Libra was reportedly denied the party ticket keeping in view his performance during the past five years.
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Kejriwal’s visit from April 11
Sangrur, April 2 The party candidate from Ludhiana, senior advocate HS Phoolka, said here today that Kejriwal would canvass in Sangrur for Bhagwant Mann. He said he had not charged a penny for fighting the cases of 1984 riot victims. He challenged SAD and SGPC leaders to prove their charge. “If you prove, I will retire from politics as well as my legal profession," he said. Phoolka claimed that the Congress and the BJP might collude to thwart AAP's victory chances.
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State didn’t utilise central funds for Anandpur Sahib: Soni
Ropar, April 2 She said she allocated a lot of funds for the development of Anandpur Sahib when she was the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture. Soni said she had allocated funds for the construction of a theme park in memory of Sikh martyrs at Chamkaur Sahib. She alleged the state
government, however, failed to utilise the funds properly. Lambasting the government over the drug trafficking in the state, the Congress leader said it could not flourish without the support of politicians from the ruling party. Soni further alleged barring a few small peddlers, the main accused in
the drug trade were roaming free.
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No need of acting chief, says Bajwa
Bhaini Sahib April 2 He was here yesterday to meet Namdhari Chief and others in the wake of elections. He said that the demand raised in this regard to appoint Laal Singh as acting President by Captain Amrinder Singh and others is not genuine as he is fully fit to campaign in the state in favor of party candidates. He said that Congress Party in the state is united and will defeat Akali Dal-BJP candidates including Bathinda with big margins. He said that he will tour all constituencies with full force and Punjab Congress will sweep all 13 seats in the state. How ever Namdhari Chief Satguru Uday Singh was not present in the dera as he is out upto 10 April as per Dera Spokesman Lakhvir Singh. He met Mata Chand Kaur and others and spent about one hour in the
dera.
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SAD member for 36 years joins AAP Ludhiana: Senior Akali leader Harjit Singh Adaltiwal, along with his supporters, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday. He was part of the SAD for 36 years. He was Akali leader from Patiala and founder president of the Kamboj Organisation of India. Adaltiwal had requested for the presence of the AAP candidate from Ludhiana, HS Phoolka, at his joining. "The joining of Adaltiwal and his supporters is a clear sign of the AAP's increasing popularity among Punjabis," Phoolka said. “I have quit the SAD due to its anti-Punjab policies. I will do my best to ensure the victory of AAP in the Lok Sabha elections," he told the media. AAP fields former
IFS officer Fatehgarh Sahib: Former IFS officer Harinder Singh Khalsa will contest the Lok Sabha elections from Fatehgarh Sahib (reserved) constituency on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) ticket. Khalsa had resigned in protest against the Operation Blue Star in 1984 when he was deputed as Ambassador to Norway. He remained in exile
for about six years and later returned to India in 1990 when late VP Singh was Prime Minister. More Cong leaders to join SAD: Sukhbir Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) today said more senior Congress leaders were set to join the party in the next few days and that no desperate "homecoming" appeals, as were being made by Congress Amritsar candidate Capt Amarinder Singh, would have any bearing on them. "Senior Congress leaders are ringing me up with requests to join the SAD," claimed SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal here. He said many Congress leaders were visiting his house, appealing to be inducted into the SAD. "For the past two years, Congress leaders at the grass-root levels have joining the SAD," Sukhbir said. Expenditure
observer appointed Fatehgarh Sahib: Mahesh Kumar Yadav, a 2006-batch officer of the Indian Customs and Central Excise Services, has been appointed the Expenditure Observer for the Fatehgarh Sahib (Reserved) constituency. Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer Arun Sekhri said the Expenditure Observer would available in Bachat Bhawan here. “Anyone wanting to meet him or register a complaint can do so by contacting him on 01763-232219 or his mobile-phone number 97806-21250,” the
DC added.
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Grant me death wish, Bitta to SC
Chandigarh, April 2 "The party leaders did not consult me when they facilitated the mercy petition of Bhullar in the Supreme Court. They have contributed to fiddling with my security cover, leading to several murderous attacks. I have written that I don't want any security cover at all," Bitta told the media here. Bhullar's wife Navneet Kaur, talking to The Tribune from Delhi, said: "Bitta is creating unnecessary noise because he has been sidelined by his party. Nothing was proved in court in spite of 133 witnesses testifying." She further said: "Bitta is lying all through. He has been exposed even before the law. Hundreds of farmers have committed suicides, but no one made any theatrical announcements like this popularity-seeker." Bitta said, "My lawyers are drafting a petition pleading the apex court to grant me death wish and facilitate the donation of my body parts to the families of soldiers and the needy. I have already communicated my desire to the Congress president and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," Bitta said. Showing no respect for committed workers, the AIATF chief said, the “misguided” party high command was ignoring senior leaders such as Shamsher Singh Dullo. “A committed Congressman like Avtar Brar, too, was forced to leave the party. An honest and clean leader like Pawan Kumar Bansal would have been denied the ticket if nefarious designs of those interested in contesting from Chandigarh had succeeded.” Bitta said, “Bhullar is fit mentally. Get him checked abroad. I will pay for his treatment in case he is found to be fit mentally. If I am killed in a blast, they will name Babbar Khalsa and Lakshar-e-Toiba.” To this, Navneet Kaur said: "I cannot reply to these baseless utterances. If he wants to show magnanimity by paying for the treatment of my husband, he is most welcome. I have just come out of a traumatic experience fighting the case for the past several years, so I will not like to comment
further."
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Election official in dock for not joining duty
Fatehgarh Sahib, April 2 The DC asked Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh Chauhan to book Goyal under Section 134 of the Peoples Representative Act 1950. Sekhri said Goyal was supposed to join election duty from April 2, but the officer took
leave without getting prior sanction. Sekhri said Goyal had been verbally demanding exemption from election duty, but was refused the same. Thereafter, he applied for medical leave, citing poor health. The district returning officer had constituted a six-member team, including Naresh Goyal to assist Assistant Returning
Officer, to accept the nomination papers of probable candidates for the Fatehgarh Sahib (Reserved) Lok Sabha constituency. Goyal said he was not medically fit and had already submitted documents in this regard to the department.
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Patiala school under lens as food samples fail test
Patiala, April 2 On an anonymous complaint, the health authorities raided the school on March 10 and seized around 150 cartons of expired packaged juice. The team collected five samples of the expired juice and a sample each of rice and ‘karhi’ that was cooked that day. District Health Officer Dr Harish Malhotra said four of the five juice samples and the sample of rice were found unfit for consumption. He said they would register five cases against the school authorities. Recently, Dr Jaswinder Singh, member of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, also visited the school and took stock of the arrangements. He said there were certain issues that needed to be addressed. Dr Singh said the BEd college was also being run on the same campus. He further said a final report would be prepared after scrutinising all the documents obtained from the school authorities. Meanwhile, advocate HC Arora served a legal notice on the district health authorities, asking them about the action taken in the matter. He also wrote to the National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism. Civil Surgeon Dr HS Bali said they had taken adequate action as per the Food Safety and Standards Act. “We destroyed the expired stock and collected the samples. Now we would take suitable action,” he added.
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Two Abohar youths clear PCS (Judicial)
Abohar, April 2 They are sons of employees of the Revenue Department. There was jubilation not only in their houses but in their respective localities as well. Kanwaljit Singh (28) studied in Assumption Convent School and LRS DAV Sr Sec School, did graduation and an Honours in Law from Panjab University Campus College. Suresh Kumar, who was born in Kerakhera village, was a student of Tender Heart Sr Sec School. He, too, did graduation and an Honours in Law from Panjab University Campus College. Kanwaljit and Suresh got their training from senior lawyers Anil Kamra and Jai Dayal Kantiwal, respectively, at the sub-divisional complex here.
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New DC, SSP for Fazilka
Fazilka, April 2 Notably, Fazilka --- which is represented by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal from Jalalabad Assembly constituency, Health and Family Welfare Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani from Fazilka segment and leader of opposition Sunil Kumar Jakhar from Abohar constituency --- is the only district in the state where the heads of civil and police administration have been reshuffled. Young woman district police chief Jagdale Nilambari Vijay is the first IPS officer who has been posted at Fazilka. The eight former SSPs posted here were of the PPS cadre. Karuna Raju said he had been assigned the job of conducting free and fair elections, towards which he was committed to. — OC
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Jammu train chugs off amid mild response
Abohar, April 2 BVP members offered garlands to loco pilot Fateh Chand and guard Joginder Singh and offered sweets. There were 130 passengers only on board as the train left. Notably, hundreds of people had thronged the railway station here when the “puja” special weekly train for Jammu was launched. It was withdrawn later. Sharing concern of the NGOs, Pondicherry Lt Governor Virendra Kataria had on March 24 sent a letter to Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, saying the weekly Puja Express was launched last year for Jammu, had to be cancelled owing to poor occupancy as its time table and route did not strike a chord with the commuters. Railway Passengers Welfare Association secretary Hanuman Dass Goyal said if two trains would now run through the Abohar-Fazilka-Ferozepur route within a gap of just 15 minutes on each Wednesday, how could the railways expect good revenue.
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3 die as jeep rams into tree
Abohar, April 2 Rawatsar Station House Officer Anil Meena said Anil Kumar of Sampla (Ajmer), Mukesh Rajput of Malasar (Churu) and Ameen of Budhpura (Nasirabad) were returning from the Pallu-Rawatsar toll tax barrier after dropping a colleague there. The bodies of the occupants, aged about 22-25 years of age, were shifted to the local Civil Hospital, where their post-mortem examination will be conducted tomorrow.
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Nawanshahr, April 2 They demanded release of adequate budget, sanctions and Drawing and Disbursing powers before April 10 to ensure release of salaries for the past three months. Other demands were conversion of temporary posts to permanent posts and release of budget for the entire 2014-15 financial year to ensure regular payment of salaries. — OC
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DNA test helps police nail rapist
Faridkot, April 2 The five-year old case has led to many protests and dharnas against the police in Faridkot. It was also a souring point between Dalits and upper castes in Chameli village. After the DNA samples found on the victim matched with that of the suspect, the police trashed claims that the 13-year-old girl was raped by her neighbour. The District and Sessions Court, Faridkot, awarded ten years of imprisonment to the culprit on Tuesday. The victim, who is the daughter of a brick-kiln worker, was raped in Chameli village of Faridkot in December 2008. The registration of a rape case against Pappu Singh, a close relative of the victim, led to a protest by many labourers’ unions in the area, which accused the police of shielding the real culprit. Opposing the police theory, the victim’s family and labourers’ unions had filed a complaint in the court accusing an upper caste farmer, living in the neighbourhood of the victim, as the real culprit. Taking cognizance of this complaint, in May 2009, the court issued directions to the police to register a rape case against the farmer. However, after an inquiry, the police gave a clean-chit to the farmer and asked the court to order a DNA test of both suspects. The DNA samples found on the victim matched with the DNA samples of Pappu Singh.
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University VC put on poll duty
Bathinda, April 2 The officiating VC, Prof
P Ramarao, has asked the District Returning Officer to exempt him from this duty. Some senior professors have been given the task of a section officer, usually assigned to Class-II or Class III officials. District Returning Officer KK Yadav blamed the university staff for the goof-up. "We ask all departments to give the names of employees to be put on election duty.The university staff may have filled the names of all staff members, including that of the VC and those re-employed after retirement." He said the duty list would be rectified soon. The Election Commission had recently ordered that those retiring on March 31 could not be asked to perform election duty. A senior professor said the duty list had come as an embarrassment to him and his colleagues. "We have requested for requisite changes in the duty list," he said. Member of Parliament Harsimrat Kaur Badal is seeking a re-election from Bathinda against Manpreet Badal, Congress- PPP candidate. The Central University is located on a temporary campus on the Bathinda-Mansa road. It's campus is coming up at Ghudda, the ancestral village of the
Badals.
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High Court chides Special Secretary
Chandigarh, April 2 The rap on the knuckles came on a petition filed by the Bath Kalan Gram Panchayat, Nakodar block, against the State of Punjab and other respondents. The petitioners had questioned a notification (dated June 18, 2013) issued by the Special Secretary for carving out another gram panchayat -Bath Khurd- from the Bath Kalan
panchayat. Taking up the matter, a Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice Arun Palli asserted: " We are surprised to note the approach of the competent authority who is a senior officer of the rank of Special Secretary... The least that is expected is that the order refers to each relevant fact and the part of the record that is being referred to and the arguments of the counsel with the resultant conclusion. The order is completely devoid of any reasons whatsoever. "The officers are required to pen down reasons and not pass an order, which is so devoid of reason. "The order is also in breach of the directions of the Division Bench dated April 2, 2013, calling
upon the competent authority to take an appropriate decision regarding the bifurcation of panchayat samitis in accordance with the provisions of the relevant Act." Setting aside the order dated May 22, 2013, and the subsequent notification dated June 18, 2013, the Bench remitted the matter back to the Special Secretary. "We may say that the matter shall now be examined not by the same officer but by a different officer," the Bench added.
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State rapped for not providing information in land grab case
Chandigarh, April 2 The Division Bench headed by Justice Hemant Gupta asked the government why it had not recruited enough staff if insufficient number was the reason behind the failure to implement instructions. Giving a week’s time to the state government, the Bench also directed the state Advocate-General to ensure presentation of complete information. The case now would come up for hearing on next Wednesday. The High Court had already made it clear to the state that it was in favour of appointing a commissioner-level officer with the powers of a collector to look into land grab cases in Chandigarh’s periphery and across Punjab. The Bench has also made it clear to the State that the two interim reports by Justice Kuldip Singh panel would be taken on record. The development is significant as it indicates the continuation of the probe earlier ordered by the High Court, though by a commissioner-level officer. It also indicates that the officer would take into consideration the interim reports and proceed further on the basis of the findings recorded by the panel. The Bench, during the course of the hearing, also referred to a three-Judge judgment in Parkash Singh’s case on the powers of authorities to deal with land grab cases. The Bench had asserted the state or its delegate, exercising power under Section 42 of the East Punjab Holdings (Consolidation and Prevention of Fragmentation) Act, 1948, and other authorities under the Consolidation Act were tribunals of limited jurisdiction.
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2 held for murder of Sangrur panch
Sangrur, April 2 The body of the victim, Kamaldeep Singh (32), was found on March 29 on the Dhuri-Malerkotla road near Radha Soami Satsang Ghar. The police found Kamaldeep’s car near his body. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mandeep Singh Sidhu said Sukhwant Singh alias Bunti of Balian village and Jaswinder Singh of Bhadaur had been arrested in connection with the murder case. A car and an iron weapon, used in the crime, have been seized. Sukhwant confessed that he owed Rs 2 lakh to Kamaldeep, the SSP said, adding that the issue had led to an altercation between the two. Both accused hatched a conspiracy to kill Kamaldeep. “They came to Dhuri on March 29 and called Kamaldeep on the pretext of returning the money. Sukhwant sat in Kamaldeep’s car and took him towards the ‘satsang ghar’, where he murdered him with the iron weapon,” Sidhu said. He said Jaswinder helped Sukhwant in fleeing the crime spot. The SSP said that on the complaint of deceased’s brother Pritpal Singh, a murder case against unidentified persons was registered on March 29 at the Sadar police station in Dhuri. The police said Sukhwant had completed a postgraduate degree in English and passed IELTS course, while his accomplice had done BA, B Ed and passed the Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Application
(PGDCA).
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Tarn Taran, April 2 The accused, Sonu and Sukha of Wara Telian (Valtoha) and Arwinder Singh of the Valtoha border township, have been booked under Sections 379, 411 of the IPC and 21, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act by the police. Harwinder Singh Sandhu, Superintendent of Police (Detective), in a press conference held here today, said the culprits were nabbed following a tip-off from a naka set up at Assal Uttar village last evening. The accused said they used to steal motorcycles from the periphery of the bus stand in Amritsar. The recovered vehicles were stolen by the accused in the past one year. Sandhu said during the investigations, it was found that the accused were also involved in drug peddling in Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts. He said more stolen vehicles were likely to be recovered.They have been sent in six-day police remand. — OC
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Spurned, youth throws acid on girl
Raikot, April 2 Sub-Inspector Amarjit Kaur of the Raikot police station said: "The victim's parents told us that the youth wanted to marry their daughter. He turned hostile towards her after she rejected his proposal and threw acid on her." The girl was attacked when she was alone in her house this afternoon. She was taken to the local Civil Hospital by villagers and from there to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Dr RK Karkara, Senior Medical Officer, said the victim had received about 20 per cent burn injuries. Her condition was stable. Harvinder Singh was nabbed by a police party led by SHO Nidhan Singh and booked under Section 326-A of the
IPC.
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FIRs registered for violation of poll code
Hoshiarpur, April 2 The District Electoral Officer (DEO) had sought clarification from Sampla. He replied that he had not asked the publisher to put these advertisements. On the directions of the DEO, the FIRs against unknown persons were registered by the city police under Sections 171-H of the
IPC.
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Acid attack accused held
Khanna, April 2 Addressing a press conference, Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harcharan Singh Bhullar said on the complaint of the victim's family, a case had been registered against Pappu, Raju and Dharminder. However, after the questioning of the youths, Hari Nandan's name came up, he said. He had reportedly been staying in the victim's house for many years. The SSP said, "Hari Nandan and the girl wanted to marry but they were unable to do so due to their close relation." He said Hari Nandan had confessed that he did not want the girl to marry anybody else. He planned to throw acid at her on Holi but his plan could not materialise. However, last night he managed to throw acid on the girl's face, the SSP said. The police after verification arrested Hari Nandal of Bihar and released the earlier arrested youths. The SSP said they were trying to locate the shop from where the accused had purchased acid.
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2 undertrials escape in Patti
Tarn Taran, April 2 They have been booked under Sections 224, 225, 186, 353 of the IPC by the Patti police. The undertrials were brought from Central Jail, Amritsar, and were to be produced in the court of Patti Judicial Magistrate Pritpal Singh. Head Constable Kulwant Singh had tied them with handcuffs to his belt. They was returning in an official vehicle when the incident took place. A man riding a motorcycle appeared near the railways gate and threw red chilly powder in the eyes of the policeman and managed to take away the undertrials with him. Sukhdev Singh was facing trial under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the
Arms Act, and Parjinder Singh was booked under the NDPS Act.
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Former Block Cong Committee chief booked for rape attempt
Phagwara, April 2 The woman, in her written complaint lodged with the police, alleged that the accused came in her contact a few years ago when she was appointed president of the Block Mahila Congress President. She alleged that the accused had assured her of a loan of Rs 7 lakh
from a co-operative bank but he took “undue advantage” and started coming to her house and attempted to rape her. She said when she resisted, the accused started threatening her. Station House Officer Sarwan Singh Bal this evening said raids were being conducted to nab the accused.
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Amritsar, April 2
The much-awaited Jammu-Tawi weekly train got a lukewarm response on its inaugural run today. Barring some members of the Bharat Vikas Parishad
(BVP), an NGO, none of the dignitaries turned up as the train left Abohar at 2.15 pm. Most of the present and former members of the Railway Users Consultative Committees, too, preferred to give the occasion a miss.
Hoshiarpur, April 2
Chandigarh, April 2
Jalandhar, April 2
Hola Mohalla is a religious occasion where leaders also participate. The EC communication came very late and it was difficult to inform the public. We did not make any elaborate political announcements for the occasion. We have already sent a detailed reply on the issue and will send it
again.
