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Govt gets cracking, sacks 3 cops in drug trade
1,000 cops swoop on Moga village, 14 held
MLAs call for restraint as Capt, Bajwa fight it out
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Phoolka questions court practice of bail without arrest
Case pendency in HC at all-time high
Do away with ‘halqa’ chiefs: Tandon
Police harassing AAP workers: Bhagwant
Will sack striking employees, warns ambulance firm
Takht Patna Sahib panel meet put off
LPU student wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award for short film
Modi’s invite to Pak PM uncalled for, says Sarabjit’s sister
One more held in Bikramjit case
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Govt gets cracking, sacks 3 cops in drug trade
Chandigarh, May 24 The police also seized a sizeable quantity of heroin, poppy husk and other intoxicants. In Amritsar, an ASI and a head constable have been dismissed from service for their alleged involvement in drug trade. Kuilwant Mann, SHO, Kahnuwan police station in Gurdaspur, was dismissed for allegedly letting off a drug peddler. Sukhwant Singh Gill, Senior Superintendent of Police, Gurdaspur, said Mann had accepted a hefty bribe for letting off the peddler who was caught with a huge quantity of heroin a few days ago. An inquiry was conducted which indicted Mann. Amritsar: Jatinder Singh Aulakh, Police Commissioner, said ASI Gurpreet Singh and head constable Avtar Singh, posted with the joint CIA, had been dismissed. “There were several complaints against them regarding their involvement in illicit drug trade. Some peddlers arrested recently had also named them. Our own investigation established their role in the drug trade,” he said. Ludhiana: As many as 32 persons were arrested for either possessing drugs or trading in these. Swapan Sharma, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, said opium was being smuggled in bulk from Uttar Pradesh, while smack from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Sangrur: The police registered 47 cases against 170 people in three days. At least 35 persons, including eight women have been arrested on the charges of drug smuggling. A sizeable quantity of poppy husk, opium, heroin, smack and prescription drugs was seized from them. Ropar SSP said most of the persons involved in drug trade were addicts. Of the 12 arrests made by the Ropar police in 15 days, 11 were addicted to drugs.
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1,000 cops swoop on Moga village, 14 held
Moga, May 24 As many as 14 persons were arrested and 10 cases were registered under the NDPS Act at the Kot-ise-Khan police station in Dharamkot sub-division. Amar Singh Chahal, DIG, Ferozepur Range, and
S Bhoopathi, SSP, Moga, said 270 gm of heroin, 67.5 kg of poppy husk, 75 bottles of illicit liquor, 20 kg lahan (used to prepare illicit liquor) and 150 gm of intoxicating powder were seized. Besides, Rs 5.48 lakh, three SUVs and 14 motorcycles were seized. The owners of these vehicles did not have valid documents. At least, 1,000 policemen were summoned from nearby districts to launch the search operation. All roads leading to the village were sealed. Every household of the village was thoroughly searched. A local Akali leader, Baba Avtar Singh, a member of the Moga Zila Parishad, was detained, but was later released. More than 180 residents of Daulewala village had been convicted in at least 500 cases under the NDPS Act in the last six years. Many are languishing in jails. More than 75 women of the village are also facing charges under the Act. The police had also initiated a process to attach the properties of at least 120 residents of this village in the past few years. Elsewhere in the district, the police registered more than 20 cases of drugs smuggling at various police stations during the past 24 hours and arrested 25 persons. A police officer said 100 gm of smack was recovered from Simran Kaur of
Moga.
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MLAs call for restraint as Capt, Bajwa fight it out
Chandigarh, May 24 These MLAs, who both the warring factions in the Punjab Congress claim to be on their side, have denied supporting either Amarinder or Bajwa. Instead, these MLAs have now asked both the leaders to exercise restraint and rise to the occasion for strengthening the party. Most of the MLAs expressed concern at the slugfest between the top party leaders and said they did not want to side with any of them. Talking to The Tribune, Amloh MLA Randeep Singh Nabha, who both the Capt Amarinder as well as the Bajwa camp claimed to be on their respective side, said it was unfortunate that the state leadership was involved in this fight. “In this time of crisis for the Congress, we need to strengthen the party. I would advise both sides to refrain from publicly fighting it out and rather use the party’s internal redressal mechanism to sort out the problems,” he said. Supporting him, Karan Kaur Brar, MLA from Muktsar, denied she had allowed any of the factions to use her name while issuing any statement against the other. “I refuse to be drawn into any controversy. I am a true soldier of the Congress and will go by the orders of the party high command,” she said. OP Soni, MLA from Amritsar Central, too, denied he had authorised anybody to use his name in the political slugfest between the two sides. “The Congress is in crisis and this infighting at this stage is unfortunate,” he said. Jasbir Singh Dimpa, former MLA, who too is caught in the ongoing war between Amarinder and Bajwa, rued that there was a huge vacuum in Punjab politics, which the Congress should fill by stepping in and taking on the Akali- BJP government. “The arrogant ways of any political personality costs him dear. This arrogance by the party leaders will not benefit anyone and the party workers will suffer because of this fight for supremacy. Let us not allow a third party like the Aam Aadmi Party take centrestage in Punjab’s political arena,” he advised. Infighting in the Punjab Congress went a notch up today with Amarinder and Bajwa launching a frontal attack on each other. While Amarinder accused Bajwa and his brother Fateh Jung Bajwa of trying to sabotage his election campaign in Amritsar, the latter has retorted by saying that “he rejects the statement with the contempt it deserves”. Amarinder said, “Bajwa and his brother tried to sabotage my campaign in Amritsar and they had specifically visited the city and were telling people to oppose me. I had kept quiet so far only in the interest of the party.” However, he was now forced to reveal it since some senior leaders were unnecessarily being targeted and blamed for none of their faults. Bajwa retorted by saying, “Amarinder is trying to deflect from the real issue as a number of MLAs and leaders from other areas had camped in Amritsar throughout the campaign while neglecting their own regions. This strategy of his resulted in colossal loss in other places like Gurdaspur, Khadoor Sahib, Bathinda, Anandpur Sahib and
Sangrur.”
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Phoolka questions court practice of bail without arrest
Addressing mediapersons here today, Phoolka said such people had to furnish bail bonds even though they had not been arrested. The AAP leader was speaking in the support of AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal who was recently put behind bars for not seeking bail. “How can a person who has not been arrested be given bail? Still, everyone is asked to follow this legally wrong practice, which has been continuing in our courts since decades… The people are the ultimate sufferers,” he said. Phoolka demanded that this practice should be ended, a step that would not only come as a relief to the people but also lessen the unnecessary burden on the judiciary. “By not securing bail, Arvind Kejriwal is fighting for the innumerable people who have to seek bail without being arrested and, thus, feel victimised,” he said. Having unsuccessfully contested the recent parliamentary elections from Ludhiana, Phoolka has been fighting for the cause of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims in Delhi.
To launch anti-drug drive
Phoolka said he would launch a campaign “Drug-Free Ludhiana”. He said AAP would open drug de-addiction centres under the campaign, the responsibility of running which had been taken by ex-servicemen.
Backs Kejriwal
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Case pendency in HC at all-time high
Chandigarh, May 24 The annual report released by the High Court reveals an increase of 11,640 civil and criminal cases till December 2013. The report suggests that 1,15,727 cases were instituted in the High Court in 2012, compared to 1,23,101 in 2013. “There is more disposal than it was during the last year. However, because of high institution of cases, there is an overall increase in the cases,” the report says. The number of crime against women cases has come down by 155 from 1,930 in January 2013 to 1,775 by year-end. The pendency of corruption cases also decreased by 210 from 1,222 in January, 2013, to 1,012 by the year-end. Efforts put in by the judiciary resulted in a fall in the number of cases against juveniles as well. The number went down from 5,090 in January, 2013, to 4,062 by the year-end. The report adds the High Court has been working on various fronts to enhance its efficiency to keep in pace with the changing trends and technology and to live up to the expectations of the changing world. “With a vision to provide all possible facilities to litigants, Bar and other stakeholders, the High Court has been working on various plans. Some of the recent initiatives which will yield dividends in the near future include paperless courts, e-filing for all type of cases, arbitration centre, visitor centre, multi-level parking, food court, additional administrative area, new judges library and SMS acknowledgement of case filing, objection, copy and judgments.
Situation better in lower courts
The situation, however, has improved in subordinate courts where the pendency registered a decline of 12,164 cases from 11,51,304 in the beginning of 2013 to 11,39,140 by the year-end. The dip can be attributed to an increase in the number of judicial officers in the district courts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. In the beginning of 2013, there were 883 judicial officers, including 246 District and Sessions Judges/Additional District and Sessions Judges and 637 Civil Judges-cum-Judicial Magistrates in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. The strength of judicial officers increased from 883 to 916 by year-end.
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Do away with ‘halqa’ chiefs: Tandon
The ruling SAD has appointed MLAs and former MLA as ‘halqa’ in charge, who reportedly dictate terms to officials at the district level. “This system should be scrapped immediately. The police and other officials should be given a free hand so that they can discharge their duty as per the law of the land. Clear instructions should be given to the police and other officials that in case of their involvement in any wrongdoing, they will be dealt with strictly,” said Tandon. The election results, said Tandon, indicated that there was a huge anti-incumbency against the state government, which resulted in the Aam Aadmi Party securing four seats even though it lost everywhere. Tandon said another problem was the deteriorating law and order. He said, “The constituency in charge wields unlimited powers in his respective police stations. Such a practice sends a wrong message among the people and, thus, leads to resentment.” He said despite the strong Modi wave in the country, the results in Punjab were far from satisfactory. He said the drug issue had also hit the state hard. “The people vented their ire over the government’s inability to check the menace by voting against the alliance,” he said.
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Police harassing AAP workers: Bhagwant
Sangrur, May 24 Mann said he had been informed by his party's rank and file that on the directions of the ruling alliance, the police had issued traffic challans to AAP workers and supporters during party rallies while violations by ruling party supporters during Sunny Deol's roadshow were overlooked. Mann said the police had been raiding shops of AAP supporters to harass them. He said if such actions continued, the party activists would launch an agitation. Mann also said he would take his oath as an MP in Punjabi. He thanked NRIs across the globe for extending support to him. He said the NRIs had fought his election as a mission. Mann said AAP would create its organisational set-up in Punjab at the booth as well as the state level. He said AAP would contest municipal and assembly byelections. It would also take part in SGPC elections, he added. He opposed AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal's arrest, saying that there was no need for him to furnish a bond to get bail.
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Will sack striking employees, warns ambulance firm
Jalandhar, May 24 Jitender Sharma, project head, ZHL, said: “The strike is unjustified. It has brought to halt an important emergency service which has affected a large number of people”. In a contradicting statement, Sharma said they had stationed ambulances at the police stations to prevent any damage by the striking staff, but added that they managed to ply 200 ambulances today. The employees, meanwhile, held a rally in Mohali today. Malkiat Singh, president of the employee union, said the staff would not work under the private firm. “We have asked the government not to run emergency services through private firms and bring these under its control. This will not only prevent harassment to the general public but will also provide stability to around 1,200 employees,” said Malkiat Singh. The demands of the employees include permanent jobs and better wages.
Class IV staff support cause
Fatehgarh Sahib: The Class IV employees of the Civil Hospital here have come out in support of the striking employees of the 108 Ambulance service in the state.
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Takht Patna Sahib panel meet put off
Amritsar, May 24 Talking to The Tribune on phone from Patna, Committee general secretary Charanjit Singh said the meeting had been deferred due to “unavoidable reasons” and now it would be held next month, a date for which will be decided soon. On the issue of the new Jathedar, he said the committee had every right to make a fresh appointment to facilitate smooth functioning at the Takht.
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LPU student wins Dadasaheb Phalke Award for short film
Jalandhar, May 24 The 15-minute film won the Special Festival Mention Award in the short film category for students. Khan received a Certificate of Excellence from National Award-winning producer Savita Raj Hirmath. The panel of experts received entries from across India and 45 other countries. The
LPU was the title sponsor of the film. ‘The Poster’ is about the anguish of a common man. The film is based on the story of Zahir Raihan, a revolutionary figure in Bangladesh.
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Modi’s invite to Pak PM uncalled for, says Sarabjit’s sister
Amritsar, May 24 Talking to The Tribune, Dalbir said: “Earlier, Dr Manmohan Singh had showed his humility. How long will India continue to act in such a manner, particularly at a time when every other day there is firing along the LoC and our soldiers are being killed?” She said they would have been happy had Modi first met the families of the soldiers killed at the border in cross firing. She opined that the new Indian regime should have dealt with Pakistan with a strong hand and had waited for it to initiate measures for releasing Indian prisoners languishing in its jails before extending an invite to the Pakistani PM. “Nawaz Sharif was at the helm of affairs during the Kargil war and Sarabjit’s jail term in Pakistan. Sharif knew everything, but did nothing,” she alleged. Dalbir Kaur also targeted the BJP, saying it was the same party that had lashed out at the Congress-led UPA government for extending courtesy to Pakistani ministers and today they were ready to roll out a red carpet to welcome the Pakistani PM. She said the Indian people should oppose the new government's move to invite Sharif to Delhi. An emotional Dalbir said she was deeply shocked ever since she heard that Sharif would be attending Modi’s swearing-in ceremony in New Delhi on Monday. Even after a year of Sarabjit’s death, the Pakistan government didn’t do anything to bring the guilty to book, Dalbir Kaur said.
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Canadians mark 100 yrs of Komagata Maru
Vancouver, May 24 The band members not only accorded warm welcome to the South Asians but also allowed the South Asians to organise a function for the unveiling of the Canada Post stamp dedicated to the incident. The event was organised in partnership with the Komagata Maru Heritage Foundation, which was instrumental behind the Canada Post’s decision to launch a stamp to mark 100 years of the incident. The stamp was unveiled by the descendants of the ship passengers at the ceremony and received standing ovation from those in attendance. The band elder Larry Grant announced that his community welcomed the South Asians with “open arms” on the centenary occasion. In his brief speech, Grant said, “We as first people of Canada raise our hands to welcome you.” He noted that they had also welcomed British settlers, but gradually the British Empire occupied their territory and decided to exclude every non-European, including the First Nations and the immigrants from South Asia. Others who spoke on the occasion included Federal Minister Tim Uppal. He reminded the gathering that Harper was the first Canadian Prime Minister to acknowledge this historical wrong. Incidentally, Harper had also apologised for the abuse of the aboriginal children at Indian Residential Schools where these children were forcibly sent to covert them into Christians during colonialism. Former BC minister Wally Oppal, who headed an inquiry into the missing and murdered aboriginal women in Vancouver said the history taught in Canadian schools, had done injustice to the indigenous people for the past several years. He recalled having read how indigenous people were referred to as savages by the European historians. He warned that racism still continued and needed to be challenged. He demanded that the Komagata Maru episode should be made compulsory history reading. Among other speakers were former federal minister Herb Dhaliwal. Those present on the occasion included Jaswinder Toor and his family. Toor’s maternal grandfather Puran Singh Janetpura was aboard the ship. Likewise, Manjit Dhillon, whose grandfather was a Ghadar Party activist and his wife Harjit Dhillon, whose father Moola Singh was a leader of the Gurdwara Liberation movement, were also in attendance. An exhibition of paintings by Jarnail Singh depicting Komagata Maru story was also at display.
Historic day
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One more held in Bikramjit case
Amritsar, May 24 Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh in a press statement issued here said they had arrested Deep Raj of Qadian Road, Batala. He has been charged with criminal conspiracy (120-B) in the case. He was produced in the court and brought on 4-day police remand to hold further investigations. Bikramjit, a murder convict, was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital following some orthopaedic problem. Aulakh said a team of the counter intelligence wing had kidnapped Bikramjit Singh from the hospital on May 5. They then took him to a building owned by Deep Raj on Qadian Road in Batala where Bikramjit was allegedly tortured to death. The victim’s body was found from a canal near Kiratpur on May 8. The police have booked 13 persons, including 12 policemen, in the case. While seven policemen have been arrested, the remaining five are on the run. The accused
have been booked on charges of kidnapping, murder, destroying of evidence and criminal conspiracy.
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Moga, May 24
Jalandhar, May 24
Ludhiana, May 24
Chandigarh, May 24
Ahsif Khan of Lovely Professional University (LPU) has won the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke 2014 Award for his short film ‘The Poster’ in New Delhi on Friday.
