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Day of reckoning for 253 LS candidates
3-tier security for counting
High stakes for Amarinder, Jaitley
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khadoor sahib
Several crores placed on bets
Congress leader
Goel, wife brutally killed in Jagraon
Poll a referendum on ruling alliance
battleground bathinda
Big day for Moti Bagh
gurdaspur Bajwa trashes exit polls Gurdaspur, May 15 On the eve of counting tomorrow, PPCC chief and Gurdaspur candidate Partap Singh Bajwa rubbished the exit polls conducted by various news channels and preferred to give nine of the 13 seats, including the one he is contesting, to the Congress. His rivals Vinod Khanna (BJP) and Sucha Singh Chhotepur (AAP) also claimed “they would sail through”. Bajwa is camping at his home town Qadian while Khanna is expected to reach his Pathankot house tonight.
Delayed lifting in fazilka Rs 31-lakh penalty slapped on procurement agencies Fazilka, May 15 
The market committee authorities have issued notices of demurrage to the tune of about
Rs 31 lakh to procurement agencies on account of delayed lifting of wheat from the grain market and 28 purchase centres here.Sacks of wheat lying in a pool of water after heavy rain in Fazilka. A Tribune photograph
44 lakh bags await lifting in Muktsar
Mansa boy’s death: Doctors to observe strike across state today
DSGMC delegation back from Pak
Day of protests in Tarn Taran
Muktsar transport office record lying abandoned
One hurt as car falls into Sirhind canal
Police officer accused of rape
Punjabi man in UK jailed for 16 years for assault on wife, son
A 59-year-old Indian-origin man in the UK has been jailed for over 16 years for brutally assaulting his own son and wife in a row over watching a TV show.
8-yr-old thrashed, Moga school closes for 2 days
3 held for attack on Amritsar advocate
Sarpanch held for fraud
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Day of reckoning for 253 LS candidates
Chandigarh, May 15 Besides, the traditional parties- Congress, SAD and BJP- the fledgling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) threw its hat in the ring. First-time voters turned up in large numbers. For most of them, the motivating factor was AAP. Narendra Modi (BJP) too pulled the youth to the polling booths. Big guns in the arena made the contest interesting in several constituencies. In Amritsar, Congress' Capt Amarinder Singh and BJP's Arun Jaitley were locked in a fierce battle. If Amarinder wins, it will revive his political fortunes. If his rival Jaitley (considered close to Modi) wins, his stature as a leader will rise further. Much is at stake for Amarinder's wife Preneet Kaur who is contesting the Patiala seat. She faces a tough contest from AAP's Dharmvir Gandhi and SAD's Deepinder Singh Dhillon. For the Badal clan, the stakes are high in Bathinda. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal's daughter-in-law Harsimrat Badal is pitted against his nephew Manpreet Badal. If the latter wins, it will revive his political career whereas a defeat will come as a severe jolt to him. If Harsimrat wins, it will further strengthen her position. If defeated, it could well be the beginning of her downfall and that of the Badal family. Gurdaspur will decide the fate of Punjab Pradesh Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa. His win will strengthen his position in the party but a defeat could hit his political career hard. He is pitted against BJP-SAD candidate Vinod Khanna and AAP's Sucha Singh Chhotepur. In Ferozepur, Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar is locked in a fierce contest with SAD's Sher Singh Ghubaya. At Anandpur Sahib, senior Congress leader Amibka Soni is contesting against SAD's Prem Singh Chandumajra and AAP's Himmat Singh Shergill. In Sangrur, AAP's Bhagwant Mann is pitted against Akali veteran Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and Congress' Vijay Inder
Singla.
Main candidates in the fray Congress: Capt Amarinder Singh (Amritsar), Partap Singh Bajwa (Gurdaspur), Ambika Soni (Anandpur Sahib), Sunil Jakhar (Ferozepur), Mohinder Singh Kaypee (Hoshiarpur) SAD: Harsimrat Badal (Bathinda), Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa (Sangrur), Ranjit Singh Brahmpura (Khadoor Sahib) and Prem Singh Chandumajra (Anandpur Sahib) BJP: Arun Jaitley (Amritsar), Vinod Khanna (Gurdaspur), Vijay Sampla (Hoshiarpur) AAP: Bhagwant Mann (Sangrur), Dr Dharamvir Gandhi (Patiala), Prof Sadhu Singh (Faridkot), Sucha Singh Chhotepur (Gurdaspur) and Dr Daljit Singh (Amritsar) Issues that emerged
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3-tier security for counting
Chandigarh, May 15 Also, a large number of policemen have been deployed at various ‘nakas’ statewide. Assistant CEO Raminder Singh said the EC had in a communication sought a “military-like" security deployment, clearly stating: “The entrance of the building for counting agents and poll staff will be manned by the Punjab Police. At least 10 companies (about 1,000 personnel) of the PAP will form the second layer of security while the innermost layer will be manned by 70 companies (about 7,000 personnel) of the paramilitary forces.” To prevent trouble, all counting centres at 32 locations will be covered under Section 144 of the CrPC that prohibits a gathering of more than five persons. Manned by 42 observers, the entire exercise will be videographed. Raminder Singh said that counting would be held in 117 rooms and each room would cater to one assembly segment. Nobody would be allowed inside the counting centre without authorisation. No liquor would be sold in the state for 24 hours.” Every counting centre would have a public address system and the results would be announced at the end of each round. The CEO's office would send the results after each round to the Election Commission. The Additional CEO said that counting would commence at 8 am and the results are expected by noon. "Counting centres in the constituencies with several candidates such as Bathinda (29), Amritsar (23), Jalandhar (24), Ludhiana (22) and Sangrur(21) may face space problem if the counting agents of every candidate turn up during counting. This, however, is highly unlikely,” said a senior official. The IGP (Headquarters), Arpit Shukla, said a separate security wing had been set up for intensifying patrolling in the cities during counting.
Preparing for D-day
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High stakes for Amarinder, Jaitley
Amritsar, May 15 The stakes are high for both the top guns as a victory in Amritsar will revive the political fortunes of Amarinder who was ousted as PPCC chief after two successive defeats in the Assembly elections. His win will also boost the morale of the Pradesh Congress. If he loses, it could be the end of the road for him in Punjab politics. The Amritsar seat has become a battle for prestige for the ruling SAD which had persuaded Jaitley to contest from the constituency, promising him a “cakewalk”. The Congress turned the tables on the SAD by fielding Amarinder against him. For Jaitley, a victory will add to his stature at the Centre, particularly with the exit poll predicting an NDA Government under Narendra Modi. It will be a huge setback for him if he loses Amritsar, though he may still bag a portfolio being a Rajya Sabha member from Gujarat. The entry of noted eye surgeon Dr Daljit Singh as AAP candidate further spiced up the contest. He may well play spoilsport for either of the top guns. The “outsider” row, Operation Bluestar, alleged SAD patronage to the drug trade, property tax, sand and gravel rates and declining trade and industry were some of the issues that dominated the campaign. There seemed an anti-incumbency sentiment against the seven-year-old SAD-BJP regime in the state as well as the UPA's decade-long "misrule" at the Centre. Also, Amarinder's remark on Jagdish Tytler's role in the 1984 riots and Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia's blasphemous speech triggered a controversy. While a united Congress rallied around Amarinder, former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu kept away from Jaitley's campaign on account of
his tussle with the SAD leadership.
Battleground Amritsar
Preparations for counting The district electoral authorities have made a three-tier security arrangement for counting which will take place at the Government Medical College and Khalsa College Satta bazar The local satta bazar is favouring Amarinder over Jaitley, as is revealed by the the betting rates. The satta rate for Amarinder is Rs 10/13.50 and for Jaitley Rs 10/24. If a punter bets Rs 10 on Amarinder’s victory, he takes home Rs 13.50, if he wins. In case Jaitley wins, he takes home Rs 24 for a bet of Rs 10. Looking back
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khadoor sahib
Amritsar, May 15 Brahampura, after his defeat in the last assembly elections, is already perceived as a spent force in the political arena. The victory in the Lok Sabha elections could give a new lease of life to his political career whereas as a defeat could signify the opposite. The talk in the villages is that his defeat would better suit the Akali patrons. On the other hand, his rival Harminder Singh Gill of the Congress, who has unsuccessfully contested the Assembly elections thrice, has nothing much to lose even if the results go against him. The mood in both the camps is upbeat as supporters of each party are claiming victory. Even as the scale seems to be tilted in favour of the SAD (Khadoor Sahib is an Akali stronghold), the Congress workers claimed the results would “shock political pundits”. The results from the constituency would also be a litmus test for Sikh hardliner groups in state politics as SAD (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann is also in the fray.
Arrangements
District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal said a ban on holding public meetings had been imposed around 200 metres of the counting centre. He said that ample security measures have been taken to conduct peaceful counting.
2009 results
Rattan Singh Ajanala of the SAD had defeated Rana Gurjeet Singh of the
Congress by a margin of 32,260 votes. The polling percentage this time round was 66.89.
Sangrur Arrangements
A DSP-level officer to be in charge of security of each assembly segment Key contestants
2009 results
— Sushil Goyal ludhiana Arrangements
Key contestants
Claim to victory SAD candidate Manpreet Singh Ayali said he was confident of a favourable result whereas Phoolka said AAP would do well in Punjab. Bittu pinned his hopes on the “anti-incumbency factor” (in the state) and the high voter turnout. “We are hopeful as there’s a wave against the Akali Dal in the state,” he said Bittu. — Minna Zutshi jalandhar Arrangements
Key contestants
Claim to victory SAD candidate Manpreet Ayali said he was confident of a favourable result whereas Phoolka said AAP would do well in Punjab. Bittu pinned his hopes on the “anti-incumbency factor” and the high voter turnout. — Minna Zutshi anandpur sahib Arrangements
Key contestants
2009 results
— Arun Sharma hoshiarpur Arrangements
2009 results
Key contestants
What they said Congress candidate Mohinder Singh Kaypee said: “My winning margin was above 36,000 from Jalandhar last time. It is going to be bigger this time.” BJP’s Vijay Sampla said: “When the Modi wave is set to sweep the entire country, how can Hoshiarpur be left behind? We will certainly win”. Yamini Gomar of AAP said: “With the kind of support AAP has got, I am optimistic about my prospects”. — Deepkamal Kaur
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Several crores placed on bets
Faridkot, May 15 The betting rates on Harsimrat Badal in Bathinda and Sunil Jakhar in Ferozepur are 32 paisa to a
rupee. Those placing a Rs 1 lakh bet on the victory of Harsimrat and Jakhar will earn Rs 1.32 lakh. If they lose the bet, they will lose all the money. The betting rate on Capt Amarinder Singh (Amritsar), Preneet Kaur (Patiala), Vinod Khana (Gurdaspur) and Prof Sadhu Singh (Faridkot) and Bhagwant Mann (Sangrur) is paise 35, 24, 32, 70, 22 to a rupee.The Amritsar and Bathinda seats are the most risky bets, say punters.
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Congress leader
Goel, wife brutally killed in Jagraon
Jagraon, May 15 The victims have been identified as Suresh Goel (75) and his wife Shimlapuri Goel (70). Shaguna (19) of
Panchkula, who had arrived on Tuesday, was rushed to the local civil hospital. She had suffered cuts on her face, neck and right hand.
Goel was a three-time Congress councillor and remained president of Nagar council
Jagraon, while his wife Shimla was a retired government school teacher. Suresh also lent money on interest. Dr Kishan Singh, who performed the autopsy of the couple, said Suresh suffered six stab wounds on his back and stomach, while Shimla was stabbed thrice on her back and chest. The investigating officer said the killer attacked the couple while they were asleep and suffered from head injuries. Senior Superintendent of Police
(SSP) Ashish Choudhary said they were investigating the case. Shaguna narrated the incident to the police. She said she woke up in the middle of the night after hearing the screams of her grandmother. She said a masked assailant stabbed her when she tried to stop him. Shaguna then locked herself in a room and cried for help. Soon, area residents reached the spot and rescued
Shaguna. The SSP then reached the spot and launched a manhunt. Sources said a suspect had been rounded up for questioning. Meanwhile, thousands of people attended the couple’s cremation in the evening. The victims
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Poll a referendum on ruling alliance
Chandigarh, May 15 With the results for the state’s 13 Lok Sabha seats will be out tomorrow, the equations in the state politics is likely to see a change. Anti-incumbency against the Akali-BJP government on the issue of non-availability of sand and gravel; massive drug addiction and illicit drug trade, allegedly with the support of some ruling party politicians; unemployment; non payment of pensions etc was apparent in almost all seats. Similarly, high food inflation and price rise, too, led to anti-incumbency against the Congress. How the third party in the fray — Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) — will manage to feed on the very apparent anti-incumbency against the Akalis in the state and the Congress at the Centre, is something nobody has been able to guess. But the party has found a massive fan following in the state. This could actually change the trend where the party in power in the state does not do well in the Lok Sabha elections, which are held mid-way of the Vidhan Sabha’s term. In 1999, when the Akalis were in power in Punjab, the state Congress managed to send eight MPs to the Parliamernt and its vote share was 38.44 per cent, as against just two MPs of the Akali Dal. In 2004, when the Congress was in power in the state, its tally in the Lok Sabha from Punjab was just two as against eight from the SAD and three from the BJP. Congress’ vote share had declined to 34.2 per cent and that of the Akali Dal increased from 25.59 per cent (in 1999) to 34.3 per cent in 2004. SAD’s alliance partner had managed to get a vote share of 10.5 per cent as against 9.16 per cent in 1999 when it won just one seat. The results were no different in 2009 Lok Sabha election when the Akali Dal was back in power in Punjab. It had been two years since the party was in power and anti incumbency was apparent, which led to the Congress winning eight parliamentary seats and taking its vote share to 45.23 per cent. On the other hand, SAD’s vote share again fell to 33.85 per cent with the party winning four seats while the BJP got just one seat and its vote share fell to 10.06 per cent.
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battleground bathinda
Bathinda, May 15 Harsimrat's rival Manpreet Badal is confident of a victory too. But he apprehends mischief during counting. He says he has lost trust in the state administration. Both candidates expect a lead from the Lambi and Bhucho segments. Urban votes in Bathinda city may become the deciding factor. In the last elections, Independent candidates had secured about 55,000 votes. In a tight contest this time, the votes polled by them could affect the poll outcome. The results will show how good the PPP-Congress-CPI alliance was for Manpreet. In 2009, the sum of votes polled by the candidates of the three parties in the last Assembly elections was more than that polled by Harsimrat. Manpreet has already announced that the alliance is here to stay well beyond 2017 state Assembly elections. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal campaigned hard for Harsimrat and so did Revenue Minister Bikramjit Singh Majithia With Talwandi Sabo Congress MLA Jeet Mohinder Singh joining the SAD just before the elections, the Akalis hope that he will help dent the Congress vote bank in that segment and so will Anil Bhola. The latter has been former Congress MP Surinder Singla's Man Friday. He too joined the Akalis prior to the elections. If the strategy to field a "duplicate" Manpreet Badal has worked for Manpreet's rivals will be known tomorrow. This Manpreet was allotted the kite symbol. This symbol was allotted to the PPP in the last assembly elections. The effort clearly was to confuse the voter. Crucial factors
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Big day for Moti Bagh
Patiala, May 15 If the incumbent Nabha (reserve) MLA, Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, wins from Fatehgarh Sahib, the seat will see a byelection. Nabha has been a Congress stronghold.
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gurdaspur
Gurdaspur, May 15 His rivals Vinod Khanna (BJP) and Sucha Singh Chhotepur (AAP) also claimed “they would sail through”. Bajwa is camping at his home town Qadian while Khanna is expected to reach his Pathankot house tonight. Chottepur, who campaigned for AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi, is back at his native village Chottepur. All the three candidates will be present at the Sukhjindra Group of Institutes counting hall tomorrow. Khanna, speaking on phone from Mumbai, claimed he would win by an impressive margin. “There is an intense anti-incumbency wave against the UPA government. Moreover, sitting MP Bajwa has done nothing to improve the lot of the people in this backward border district... During my three tenures from 1998 till 2009, I got constructed half a dozen bridges on the Ravi, Beas and Ujh rivers, a development which connected Gurdaspur with other areas of Punjab. I also got permission to establish the airport at Pathankot, which is proving to be a boon, among others, for the Army and the Air Force,” he said. Bajwa, who was initially reluctant to re-contest, said, “The exit polls are wrong as all of them are at variance with each other. What went in my favour was the anti-incumbency against the Akalis in general and the Badals in particular.” Chotepur, who returned from Varanasi on Wednesday, too was optimistic.
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Delayed lifting in fazilka
Fazilka, May 15
Market committee secretary Salodh Kumar Bishnoi told The Tribune that a penalty of Rs 30,74,740 had been slapped on Punsup, Pungrain, Food Corporation of India (FCI), Markfed, Punjab Agro Industries Corporation (PAIC) Limited and Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC) on account of slow lifting of wheat. A fine of Rs 7.05 lakh has been imposed on Punsup, Rs 7.33 lakh on Pungrain, Rs 5.95 lakh on the FCI, Rs 4.65 lakh on Markfed, Rs 3.08 lakh on the PAIC and Rs 2.68 lakh on the PSWC. The secretary said demurrage had been imposed at the rate of 25 paisa per bag (50 kg) per day. He further said that the PSWC was prompt in lifting wheat from April 15 to 27. Besides penalty, the agencies face a loss to the quality of produce lying in the open in inclement weather. Showers in the past few days have inundated the wheat bags, causing considerable loss. Experts say the foodgrain should be dried otherwise quality will be hit. Sources said 25.37 lakh quintals of wheat arrival was recorded in the Fazilka grain market and purchase centres so far. Of this, 17.69 lakh quintal has been lifted.
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44 lakh bags await lifting in Muktsar
Muktsar, May 15 Sources said 2,20,050 MT wheat, purchased by procuring agencies, was yet to be lifted. Of the 7,69,078 MT wheat arrived till yesterday, 7,63,157 MT has been procured. In all, 18.27 lakh bags of wheat are yet to be lifted in Muktsar, 12.62 lakh in Malout, 9.55 lakh in Gidderbaha and 3.67 lakh in Bariwala. Arhtiyas (commission agents) and farmers said the state government couldn’t keep its promise of lifting the wheat within 72 hours of its arrival. “The quality of food grain will be adversely affected as used wheat is being packed in used gunny bags,” said an arhtiya. Gurcharan Singh, secretary, Market Committee, Muktsar, said, “The problem in Muktsar occurred due to shortage of vehicles. But ever since the Deputy Commissioner warned those allotted tenders, the lifting of wheat has gathered pace.” He further said the sudden showers were delaying the work. A truck carries nearly 400-500 wheat bags, which means nearly 10,000 trips will have to be made to lift the purchased stock.
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Mansa boy’s death: Doctors to observe strike across state today
Mansa, May 15 The victim’s family and local residents went on the rampage, alleging that Narinder Kumar Garg died due to negligence of doctors yesterday. Punjab IMA president Dr Ramnath Bhardwaj said that except the emergency service in Civil Hospitals, private doctors and chemists would go on strike tomorrow. The doctors, meanwhile, remained on strike and medical stores were closed today. They protested at the Civil Hospital here and showed video clips of yesterday’s incident. They demanded the arrest of persons, who damaged the hospital building and Dr Akashdeep’s house. The victim’s family also protested at Bara Hatta
Chowk, demanding registration of a case against Dr Akashdeep, who is accused of boy’s death. The
IMA, on the other hand, has demanded registration of a case FIR under the Punjab Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008, against those who vandalised the hospital. Besides, they seek
suspension of police officials present at the spot for failing to control the situation. The IMA has threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands are
not met.
Skeletal services
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DSGMC delegation back from Pak
Amritsar, May 15 “The members of the delegations urged the PSGPC to follow the amended Nanakshahi Calendar as it is approved by Akal Takht. It, however, said PSGPC would stick to the original Nanakshahi Calendar,” Hit said. The delegation visited several historic gurdwaras in Pakistan and urged the authorities there to hand over their ‘sewa’ to the SGPC and the DSGMC. The members raised the issue of liberal visa for ‘granthis’ and ‘raagis’ so that the gurdwaras in Pakistan could be properly maintained, Hit added.
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Day of protests in Tarn Taran
Tarn Taran, May 15 The Teachers’ Union organised a district-level rally against a letter issued by the Director General, School Education (DGSE). In the letter, teachers have been instructed to hold classes for students who have dropped out of school before 14 years of age. Women teachers were part of the protest. The teachers marched to the DC’s office and presented a memorandum to the DC. In another protest, Powercom employees organised rallies against the issuance of show-cause notices to them. Gurpreet Singh Gandiwind , circle convener of the Joint Agitation Committee (JAC), said officials wrongly held employees responsible for the releasing power connections to customers, who had defaulted on electricity bills. Leaders said employees solely cannot be held responsible as power connections, were released under a set process. Farmers under the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Committee,Punjab, held meetings in Piddi and Rureassal village, demanding reduction in power tariff. Sawinder Singh Chutala, committee state general secretary, while addressing a meeting in Rurreassal village, said power rates in Punjab was the highest abd should be reduced to ~1 per unit. He further said drug trade was thriving in the state connivance with leaders of the ruling party.
Reasons for resentment
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Muktsar transport office record lying abandoned
Muktsar, May 15 The ever-increasing number of files concerning driving licence and vehicle registration, among other applications has been stacked on almirahs that are full to capacity. And many have been kept on the floor. There is a chance that the files may go missing. If not, the there is a lurking fear of rats in the office situated on the ground floor of the district administrative complex. These files are not part of old record, but those submitted in the past few months. The District Transport Officer, Muktsar Sandeep Rishi, who is also the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for Lambi, said: “I am busy in election duty in Bathinda. The files have been kept in the open because of the lack of space. The office is being run from two rooms and these double up as storerooms for files.” He said that after the election results, permission regarding more space would be sought from the Deputy Commissioner. “We will try to buy racks to keep the record of the past few years in a proper manner and dispose of the old record, as all data has been stored in computers.” He, however, admitted that the record had importance in as courts only accepted original documents as evidence. It is to mention here that this is not the first such instance, when official records have been found lying abandoned. Earlier, a large number of official files of different departments were found abandoned in a dilapidated canteen on the second floor of the complex.
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One hurt as car falls into Sirhind canal
Ropar, May 15 Ropar Station House Officer (SHO) Kulbir Singh said when the car fell into the canal, passersby raised an alarm. A rescue operation was launched and divers extricated Umanpreet from the car. However, her husband could not be found.
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Police officer accused of rape
Abohar, May 15 Investigation officer Samuddin Khan said a widowed police official lodged a case, alleging that
Mahabir, a 2011-batch Sub-inspector from Sriganganagar, visited her house in last December and raped her. — OC
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Punjabi man in UK jailed for 16 years for assault on wife, son
London, May 15 Ajit Sekhon of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, was charged in connection with the assault at his home last October. Manjit Kaur Sekhon, 55, son Paul and husband Ajit were watching TV soap opera 'Emmerdale'. Ajit lost his temper as Paul adjusted the TV aerial. He attacked Paul, 31, with a metal bowl, battering him repeatedly over the head. Ajit then beat his wife with an ornament, ripping the skin off her head. When the police arrived, they tasered him. He pleaded guilty to two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent at a previous court hearing. Ajit appeared at Sheffield Crown Court on May 9 where he was jailed for nine years and nine months for the attack on Manjit and a further six years and nine months for the assault on his son. The sentences are to run consecutively, a statement on South Yorkshire police website said. “The judge handed down a robust sentence. This was a sustained and brutal assault and this type of violence won't be tolerated within the criminal justice system,” Detective Sergeant Stuart Hall, of South Yorkshire Police said. “The victims are still recovering from their injuries, both physically and mentally,” he said. Manjit said in a court statement, “I was severely injured and my life was in serious jeopardy. I required immediate surgery to the wounds on my scalp and required a blood transfusion.” Her son Paul is undergoing physiotherapy to try and improve the use of his hands. “I often have mental flashbacks to the incident itself. Often, if I hear sirens, I will think back to the assault,” he said. — PTI
The crime
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8-yr-old thrashed, Moga school closes for 2 days
Moga, May 15 Additional Deputy Commissioner Mahinder Pal has asked the District Education Officer to inquire into the incident. The local management of the school run by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha, however, did not disclose the names of the Class XI and Class XII students who thrashed the boy. Over 3,000 students are enrolled at the institutes run by the sabha. Though, the sabha has constituted a team to inquire into the incident, the details of the report are yet to be disclosed. Victim’s father Jagdish Chander Singla has alleged the school management was protecting the guilty students as their parents were influential. Local MLA Joginder Pal Jain, former minister Dr Malti Thapar and former MLA Vijay Sathi visited the school on Wednesday and demanded the school management take stern action against the guilty. Sathi, who is a senior activist of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha and member of the school management, announced the suspension of the school principal Sarjit Kaur Mann. However, Yogesh Goel, vice-president of the management, denied having suspended Sarjit. “I stand by her as no such incident happened on school premises,” he said. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) this year began the process of formulating a policy to curb bullying. The policy is likely to encourage students to report abuse or bullying.
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3 held for attack on Amritsar advocate
Amritsar, May 15 They were identified as Ashok Kumar of Navi
Abadi, Fatehgarh Churian, Raj Kumar of Navi Abadi and Pawan Kumar of Sanjay Gandhi Colony. Police commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said that SIT investigations had revealed that the attack was the outcome of some personal enmity but other angles too were being looked into. He said the vehicles used by the assailants had been identified. On the alleged involvement of the minister, as alleged in the FIR, he said nothing of the sort had been found so far. Asked whether the police were giving a clean chit to him, he said the matter was still being probed. On the role of BJP councillor Prabhjit Singh
Rataul, he said he had been named in the FIR for planning the attack.
Remove police Commissioner:
Capt
Amritsar: Former Chief Minister and Congress candidate Capt Amarinder Singh today sought the removal of Amritsar Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh for “trying to influence investigation in the Vaneet Mahajan assault case and shielding the guilty”.
Talking to the media after meeting Mahajan at a private hospital here, Amarinder said the Punjab and Haryana High Court had ordered the constitution of a special investigation team under the DGP to probe the case, but the commissioner was “trying to divert the course of investigation which also amounts to the contempt of court”. He alleged it was obvious that Mahajan was attacked at the behest of Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi who had been cornered in the double vote case. He condemned BJP candidate Arun Jaitley’s silence on the matter.
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Sarpanch held for fraud
Abohar, May 15 Ravinder Singh alleged that the accused had fraudulently transferred lease deeds of plots by cancelling 55-year old agreements to favour her relatives. — OC
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Finally, it is the day of reckoning for 253 candidates contesting the 13 Lok Sabha seats in the state.
Amritsar, May 15
Faridkot, May 15
Medical services are likely to be affected in the state tomorrow on the counting day as the state unit of the Indian Medical Association has called a strike by government and private doctors to protest against attack on a private hospital here yesterday over the death of a 14-year-old boy.
Piles of official files are lying abandoned at the District Transport Office
(DTO) here. Blame it on the lack of space, so says officials. They feel helpless as the office comprises two rooms.
A car fell into the Sirhind canal under mysterious circumstances here today. While Umanpreet of Tutomajra village near Garhshankar was rescued by divers, her husband Jagjeet Singh could not be found. She was admitted to the
PGI, Chandigarh.
Adhering to the Election Commission's instructions for strict security at all counting centres, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Singh, in consultation with the state police, has ensured a three-tier security cordon comprising more than 10,000 personnel of the paramilitary forces, the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) and the Punjab Police.
All eyes are on battleground Amritsar which is witnessing a fierce battle between two heavyweights- BJP leader Arun Jaitley and former Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh.
The election result in Khadoor Sahib holds immense significance for SAD nominee Ranjit Singh Brahampura who once, especially after the demise of Gurcharan Singh Tohra, was considered potent enough to challenge the growing influence of the Badals in Sikh politics.
A five-tier security system in place for the counting at Desh Bhagat College complex in Bardwal near Dhuri
Nine counting centres, one each for the as many assembly seats in Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency, have been set up at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)
Nine counting centres, one each for the as many assembly seats in Ludhiana Lok Sabha constituency, have been set up at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU)
The authorities have set up three centres for the counting of votes for Anandpur Sahib constituency
Two counting centres have been set up here - Pandit Jagat Ram Polytechnic College and Rayat-Bahra Educity
The mood in the Harsimrat Badal camp is upbeat. With the exit poll giving the BJP a clear majority, the Akalis feel the Bathinda seat will go in its kitty. The Akalis had sought votes in the name of development.
The Congress MP faces a tough contest with AAP candidate Dr Dharamvir Gandhi expected to do well both in the rural and urban areas. "We got a lot of silent support. We are confident of winning the seat," said AAP's Chetanya Sharma. 
On the eve of counting tomorrow, PPCC chief and Gurdaspur candidate Partap Singh Bajwa rubbished the exit polls conducted by various news channels and preferred to give nine of the 13 seats, including the one he is contesting, to the Congress.
As per norms, the procurement agencies are required to lift the procured produce within 72 hours. But in some centres, the procured wheat have been lying for the past three to four weeks.