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Tourists attacked, looted
Man throws his children in Beas, rescued
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Dowry death: Woman ends life
World Cup tournament: Ramandeep makes it to national hockey team
Lahore society to assist in heritage conservation
Akshay Kumar visits holy city
Notorious criminal shot at, critically injured
Health Dept in dark about Fatahpur satellite hospital
Health Dept collects samples from ice-cream factories
Drug peddler escapes from lock-up
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Lack of police patrolling in city
Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 24 These incidents have sent the alarm bell ringing in the sensitive hospitality industry as industrialists fear that it may earn bad repute to the city. Amritsar Hotel and Restaurant Association president APS Chatha said among the industries tourism was the most sensitive. An iota of violence concerning tourists could jeopardise the industry, which is currently the mainstay of the city’s economy. He elaborated that tourists from different economic groups visit the city. This particular group which was attacked by the assailants was from a high paying capacity group as it was heading to stay at a five-star hotel. He said these tourists go on to spend money on transportation, shopping, eating and on other heads during their stay. Higher the income group, higher the paying capacity. He added that tourism was a business where profit instantly percolated to different sections of society in a city. Piyush Kapoor from Ritz hotel said it was the beginning of the summer season with educational institutes around the country closing down owing to summer vacation. Adding a word of caution he said recurrence of such incidents could spoil the tourism prospects. He urged the police to intensify patrolling during night to avert any crisis. He said since the city of the Golden temple attracted a large number of tourists, it was but natural that many of them venture out at night. Besides, a large number of tourists especially travel to the Golden Temple to pay obeisance at midnight. Keeping all these factors in mind, round-the-clock security must be provided on city roads to infuse a sense of security among the visitors. The instance in which a tourist bus was targeted by robbers in the late night hours has brought to the fore the lack of police patrolling in the city which is thronged by tourists throughout the year. Besides, it was only recently that staff members of the hospitality industry were attacked by robbers post-midnight. Incidents like these are sending a wrong message to the tourists and also reflecting the holy city in a bad light. Concerned over being a target of repeated attacks, employees of hotels and restaurants have already brought their tale of woe to police authorities. A majority of the hospitality industry employees are from outside especially the hilly states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which make them vulnerable to attacks from anti-social elements. Police Commissioner JS Aulakh said the city police along with the rural police jointly made a plan to ensure the safety of tourists, hotel employees and all other people on roads at night. He added that the looting of the tourists travelling in a bus occurred two nights ago. Since then, the plan was put in place and no incident was reported thereafter.
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Man throws his children in Beas, rescued
Amritsar, May 24 Amarjit Singh, SHO, Beas police station, said the accused was upset because his wife had separated from him after a dispute and went to live with her parents. He said he was unemployed and could not bring up his children, a five-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son. He said the two children were living with their grandfather, Karnail Singh, who is a sewadar at a gurdwara at Sultanpur Lodhi. Today, Karnail Singh took the two children with him. Amarjit said the accused brought the two children from their grandfather and reached the Beas river bridge and threw the two children in the river. Ram Babu, a diver who was present near the spot, noticed the incident and immediately rescued the children. He informed the police which arrested the accused. Amarjit said the accused had been arrested and a case under Section 307, IPC, had been registered. The children have been handed over to their grandfather.
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Dowry death: Woman ends life
Jagjit Singh, SHO, Ajnala police station, said a case under Sections 304-B and 34 of the IPC had been registered against the accused following the statement of the deceased’s father Surjit Singh, a resident of Kotla Suraj Lohar village. Surjit stated to the police that Dalbir Kaur was married to Nanak Singh six months ago and she was three-month pregnant. He stated that Nanak Singh was living with his maternal grandparents at Bhootanpura village and was brought up by his maternal grandmother Ajit Kaur. "We had given enough dowry, including a motorcycle and other household items, during the marriage. However, her in-laws started harassing her and demanded a car. A number of times our relatives intervened to resolve their differences but they continued to harass her. Yesterday, she quarrelled with her husband, aunt and grandmother," Surjit Singh said. He said they had received a call from a known person that Dalbir Kaur had died while her in-laws were absconding. "As we reached Bhutanpura village, we found her dead while no one was present at home. He alleged that Dalbir Kaur was murdered by her in-laws," Surjit Singh added. The others who have been booked are Ajit Kaur, Nirmal Kaur and Babu Singh. Notably, a newly married woman, Gurpreet, had ended her life after consuming some poisonous substance on May 21 at Gujjapir village in Ajnala. The police had booked three persons, including her husband, mother-in-law and brother-in-law.
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World Cup tournament: Ramandeep makes it to national hockey team
Ramandeep, a native of Meeka village, about 30 km from here, came to limelight when he became the highest priced player in Hockey India League in November last. The founder of the MRSH Academy, former Olympian Balwinder Singh Shammi, said Ramandeep, earned a place in the national team with his consistent performance with the stick. Earlier, he earned the highest bid with his robust performance as he scored his maiden goal in his debut match at the ninth Men’s Asia Cup and had scored six goals in the third Sultan of Johor Cup 2013. A proud Shammi said Ramandeep was a product of the MRSH Academy and he joined it when he was studying in Class VI in 2004. Since the academy has an arrangement of offering free education at Spring Dale School, he passed out of 10+2 in 2010 from the school. About his strong points Shammi said, “Ramandeep is a forward along with a reliable receiver of the ball in the shooting circle. He is very swift in scoring goals.” Earlier, he was playing for Jaypee Punjab Warriors in Hockey India League (HIL). Now, he has been roped in by the Uttar Pradesh Wizards for the next year’s HIL. His father Raghbir Singh, a farmer by profession, said Ramandeep had been selected in the Indian national hockey team in August 2013 and now he was continuing with his success story. Ramandeep’s uncle, Kashmir Singh, a PT teacher, said he introduced young Ramandeep and his cousins to the game. About seven of his cousins from the village are training at the MRSH Academy, he said. Ramandeep’s elder brother, Harmandeep Singh, is also a hockey player and is employed with the Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai. “Before them, nobody in the family had played the game”, he quipped.
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Lahore society to assist in heritage conservation
Amritsar, May 24 This was announced by LCS President Kamil Khan Mumtaz, a renowned conservation architect from Pakistan, who was today in the city and took stock of 122-year-old majestic Khalsa College campus. ``I am happy to visit this historical building. Its architect Bhai Ram Singh had planned many buildings in Lahore also. We will provide expertise to the Khalsa College management and will be working to preserve other such buildings in the city," said Khan. He was earlier welcomed on the college campus by the Khalsa College Governing Council finance secretary, Gunbir Singh. Later a meeting was held where Khan, a recipient of the highest civilian honour in Pakistan, Tamgah-i-Imtiaz, presented his vision through The Lahore Project (TLP) and interacted with residents. Gunbir Singh, who also heads the Dilbir Foundation working for environment protection and heritage conservation, said the LCS had agreed to collaborate in areas of synergy, share best practices and work together towards common goals in the cities of Amritsar and Lahore. ``We will work in close coordination with the LCS," said he. An agreement was reached that the TLP and The Amritsar Project (TAP) work jointly led by the Dilbir Foundation. Among those who attended the meeting were Dr Sarbjot Behl from the School of Planning, Guru Nanak Dev University, Pradeep Sehgal, Convener, CII Amritsar Core Group, senior citizens, youth volunteers and representatives of the WWF and Eco Amritsar. He said the LCS had developed a comprehensive team of artisans and craftsmen.
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108 ambulance staff strike affects patients adversely
Amritsar, May 24 Even as the ambulance operator, Ziqitza Healthcare Limited, claimed that the services had not been hit because they had made arrangements with the private ambulance operators besides NGOs to provide services, the association of workers stated that 18 out of 22 ambulances in the district had been stopped. The 108 Ambulance Employees Union state president Makiat Singh said, "Less than 10 per cent employees with the ZHL have continued the service as the others are protesting. It will be wrong to say that services have not been hit." He accused the ZHL of making employees work for 12 hours a day against the norms. "While the workers are being paid for merely eight hours, the company does not provide them conducive working conditions," he said, demanding that the ambulance service should be run by the state government as a private firm can never prioritise public service over profiteering. Meanwhile, press note of the ZHL stated that they were complying with the minimum wages norms. The note stated, "Some employees with vested interests are trying to disrupt the emergency services, thereby putting the lives of the needy people in danger and going for the strike without any notice." It stated that the staff operating the 108 ambulances may be present in the ambulances for more than eight hours (which includes the spread over time as well), the actual working hours were much less than eight hours. The project head for ZHL, Jitendra K Sharma, said they were making arrangements with independent private ambulance operators to transport individuals in medical emergencies in case of any illegal disruption by vested interests working to sabotage the functioning of the 108 ambulance service in Punjab.
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Akshay Kumar visits holy city
Amritsar, May 24 The actor looked comfortable while enjoying some moments of fun, performing bhangra with jawans, getting into impromptu arm wrestling contests and met the families of officers. Akshay shared his heart's desire with the jawans, "My father was an Army officer and I, too, would have followed him if I would not have become an actor." Akshay plays an Army officer in "Holiday", directed by Vipul Shah, a role he will be seen in after a long time. Bitta too praised the Army jawans for their undying dedication towards the nation and sacrifices made to ensure our safety. "You are true patriots," he told officers.
— TNS
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Notorious criminal shot at, critically injured
Amritsar, May 24 His family members reportedly took him to Jalandhar while the police said they were yet to locate him. The police said nobody from his family had filed a complaint about the incident. Amarjit Singh, SHO, Beas police station, said Gurnam Singh was at a shop at Butala village when four unidentified armed persons came in a car and indiscriminately fired at him. He was critically injured as a couple of shots hit him. The SHO said Gurnam Singh was declared a proclaimed offender by the court in a murder case. He had allegedly killed a kabbadi player around three years ago. He is also wanted in many other criminal cases. He had escaped to
Dubai.
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Residents, NGOs stage dharna
CPS Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, AAP's Dr Daljit Singh participate in protest Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 24 She said instead of cutting huge shady trees, the authorities should explore other options. City residents, representatives of NGOs Mission Aagaaz, Voice of Amritsar, Voice of Tobacco Victims, Pollution Control Committee, Bharat Vikas Parishad and schoolchildren formed a human chain under the banner "Amritsar Speaks" on the occasion. Dr Sidhu said she would ensure that the initiative undertaken by the NGOs and the residents was taken to its logical conclusion. "Nobody will be allowed to cut even a single tree and if required, we will approach the Green Tribunal and the Punjab and Haryana High Court," the CPS said. Mall Road, once known for its beautiful shady trees, has been converted into a concrete jungle. AAP leader Dr Daljit Singh also participated in the formation of the human chain. The protesters vowed to save the green cover in the city. Dr Singh regretted the cutting of trees and said this was a sin and the people involved in the crime would not be spared by nature. Meanwhile, the NGOs urged the government to desist from cutting trees. They said the government's "intention" to make Amritsar tree-free instead of pollution-free was condemnable. They said the cutting of trees should be the last option and if the need arose to cut some trees for the project, a panel including experts and representatives from the NGOs, should be formulated to assess the viability of the project. They regretted that the green cover in the city had shrunk due to several development projects. Earlier, trees were axed due to the construction of a bridge over Tara Wala Pul on the GT Road, and a flyover at Saifuddin Kitchlew Chowk. Trees were also axed during the widening of the airport and circular roads, beautification of the Durgiana Temple and other infrastructure-related projects. The NGOs said the axing of tress would continue till the government did not make environment-friendly policies. Highlights
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Health Dept in dark about Fatahpur satellite hospital
Amritsar, May 24 Civil Surgeon Dr Usha Bansal said the panchayat had agreed to provide land for the hospital. She said, however, the construction of building can only be started after the land is transferred to the department. She said the hospital could continue services from the same building for one month more after which it would be vacated. "In the meantime, when the new building is under construction, the panchayat has agreed to provide a building for continuing medical services," she said. The health authorities are pressing upon the panchayat to provide an alternative place so that medical services could be continued without any disruption, she said. The earlier building of the hospital, near the Jhabal road, would be grounded soon as the place came under the land earmarked for the construction of a jail. The construction of the jail had started earlier last year after which the way to the hospital was blocked by the construction company. Ever since, patients are facing a lot of problem in reaching the hospital. The local residents claimed that the construction company blocked the way to the hospital whenever it wished. The city has five satellite hospitals on its periphery which were conceptualised to provide medical services to the residents of the village adjoining the city so that they do not have to travel on the crowded roads in an emergency.
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Health Dept collects samples from ice-cream factories
Amritsar, May 24 Department officials said the demand for cold food products increased during summer and it was important to ensure their good quality. The health officials collected 42 samples from various ice cream factories besides ice manufacturing units in the past three days. District Health Officer Dr Shivkaran Singh Kahlon said the samples were collected from three ice-cream manufacturing units. The samples were collected from Shiv Shakti ice-cream factory in Islamabad, Rim Jim ice cream near Khalsa College for Women, Seth Bakers near Putlighar and Daily Needs sweets shop.
— TNS
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Bringing flavours of India on platter
Amritsar, May 24 The city-bred chef, who has earned appreciation for being creative with traditional recipes, has prepared some delightful recipes for the ‘leaf’ eaters. “The book has recipes you will not find anywhere. It will break the conventional methods of cooking vegetables while maintaining the purity of vegetarian food,” he said. The book, by far one of the heaviest recipe books on veggies, will be released in the US and Europe within a week and has some interesting fusions like, ladyfinger cooked in gravy, avocado soup, broccoli cooked with grapefruit and many more. “I am glad that the book dedicated to my soil saw its first launch in Amritsar,” said Vikas, who has already written 14 books, some of them bestsellers. Vikas believes in cooking with a free mind. “To capture the international market and get ahead of others in terms of bringing something better on table, one has to think beyond the convention. It’s a matter of survival while challenging the stereotypes, especially when you are working in New York City, one of the world’s bustling multi-cultural society,” he says. A lot of research was done while writing the book as it has knowledge about the ingredients, cultural-specific food and recipes of different areas. “It’s a story of my soil, my motherland. The food, its cultural influences and regional nuances find a mention along with an international flavour. I want that someone in New York cook up bhindi the same way we do in India. My next book will have quintessentially Amritsari recipes. His next book will be dedicated to his grandmother, who, according to Vikas, says was his inspiration. "It will also have some recipes of local culinary experts like Jyoti Arora. The world famous Amritsari cuisine will be presented in an international avatar. I want to add some freshness to them,” he said.
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Drug peddler escapes from lock-up
Amritsar, May 24 He started yelling in the lock-up asked a cop to open the lock-up as he wanted to go to the bathroom. “As the cop opened the lock-up, he fled,” the SHO said. He said aaction would be taken against the cop for dereliction of duty. — TNS
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Laying of sewerage pipes unfinished
The laying of sewage pipes in several areas of the city was a cause of celebrations as the residents hoped that the problem of waterlogging would come to an end with this. However, the celebrations turned into a nightmare for the Maqbool Road residents. The road has been lying dug up for the past four months. There are muddy patches where vehicles get stuck every time it rains. The work has been suspended as there is no time frame for the completion of the project. Rohini
Arora, Amritsar MC custodian of public property
It is related to a news item published in this paper regarding a religious function organised at Gol Bagh. As claimed by the Municipal Commissioner, the organisers had given a written undertaking that they would compensate for the damage to the park but the MC as a custodian of public property, should have obtained a cash security, and refunded it after everything was put in order. KS
Khurana, Amritsar
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Amritsar, May 24
Amritsar, May 24