Ludhiana, May 29
With senior IPS officer RK Jaiswal assuming charge as the eighth Commissioner of Police of Ludhiana, it is being expected the long-pending murder cases will be solved soon.

Jaiswal, who has served as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ludhiana, is aware of the problems the city is grappling with, be it traffic bottlenecks or the rising number of snatchings.

Jaiswal has a reputation of solving sensational murder cases. He had solved the killing of city-based socialite Reema Jain during his posting as the SSP, Jagraon. During his tenure as SSP, Ludhiana, he had cracked the brutal murder of the principal of Jalandhar College, Rita Bawa.

Land, sand mafia

This is perhaps the main issue the officer will have to deal with. A majority of the city residents have fallen prey to the land mafia. Whenever a police chief is transferred, the land mafia gets active. The land mafia allegedly works in connivance with police officials. Earlier, Commissioner of Police Ishwar Singh was successful in keeping tabs on the land mafia to a large extent. A majority of the persons involved in illegal sand mining are politically well connected.

Unsolved cases

Rahul Verma murder

Twentyfive-year-old Rahul Verma was killed and his sister Priya was injured by assailants in South City on January 15 this year. The case still remains a mystery.

Shooting of Namdhari follower

Noted Namdhari follower Avtar Singh Tari was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Sahnewal on April 13, 2011. Though the police showed some seriousness in investigating the case, not much came out.

Barber’s killing

Barber Satish Kumar (38) was shot dead outside a temple at Maya Nagar, near Ghumar Mandi, by unidentified attackers on March 5, 2011. During investigation, it came to light that Satish, a resident of Haryana, had dumped his wife in Karnal and married a city-based woman. The police questioned many persons in connection with the murder but the case remains unsolved.

Lambardar’s murder

Sohan Singh Lambardar, father-in-law of Akali MLA Simarjeet Singh Bains, was murdered at his house in Noorpur village on December 23, 2011. The lambardar was living alone in his house and used to keep cash collected from a fuel station at home. Burglary was suspected to be the reason behind the murder. The police have failed to make much headway in the case.

Two killings of 2012

The killing of 34-year-old trader Sukhjinder Singh, who was found dead in his office on Rahon Road on August 17, 2012, and the murder of Taranjit Kaur (60) at Model Town on July 31, 2012, are yet to be cracked.

Iron trader’s murder

Iron trader Shiv Sharma (38) was shot dead at Phase-II, Dugri, by unidentified assailants on August 7, 2010. The murder of Kimi, wife of businessman Mohan Singh, also remains unsolved.

Ludhiana, May 29
There is a flicker of hope for 114 allottees of residential plots measuring 125 square yards each in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony developed by the Ludhiana Improvement Trust (LIT) on Pakhowal Road here. The successful allottees have been waiting to get the possession of their plots for more than 20 months.

At a meeting with some of the allottees at Circuit House here yesterday, the Principal Secretary, Local Government, Ashok Gupta, assured that the final decision on the resolution adopted by the LIT for granting possession of plots to the applicants would be taken within the next one week.

The draw of lots was held in September and October, 2012, for the allotment of plots to the eligible applicants but the resolution (no. 59, dated October 9, 2013) to approve the draw of lots and grant of possession to the allottees, adopted by the LIT, still awaits a nod from the state government.

According to Devinder Kumar Rehan and other beneficiaries, they were originally allotted plots in 1982 but the possession of plots was not given to them as the land in question was acquired for the “now abandoned” city centre project.

“It was on the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the draw of lots was held for the allotment of plots to the eligible applicants after the delay of more than two decades. However, the apathy on the part of the government has delayed the physical possession of plots,” said the allottees.

As their unending wait did not seem to be coming to an end, the allottees had submitted memoranda to Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi and senior officials of the Local Government Department.

The allottees said the assurance given by the Principal Secretary, Local Government, had given them a fresh ray of hope. “However, we will not wait indefinitely to get the possession of the plots, which is our right. If the government failed to take an early decision in this regard as promised, we shall seek take a legal recourse against the injustice being done to us,” they added.

Ludhiana, May 29
The state unit of the Shiv Sena today charged the son of a Cabinet Minister with causing huge financial losses to the Municipal Corporation by way of displaying illegal advertisements at malls, petrol pumps and railway sites.

Addressing a news conference here today, Rajiv Tandon, chairman of the party alleged that a city-based advertising agency was displaying advertisements all over the city without paying advertisement tax to the MC. He said Simranjit Singh Dhillon, son of SAD legislator from Sahnewal and Punjab PWD Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, had financial stakes in the agency.

Tandon said on one hand the MC was finding it difficult to carry out development works and to pay salaries to its staff, on the other “illegal” advertisements were being displayed all over the city by the firm owned by a Cabinet Minister’s son, causing losses worth several crores to the civic body.

Rebutting the allegations, Shavinder Singh Sandhu, a director of the agency, said there was nothing “illegal” about the advertisements being displayed at the shopping malls and other places.

He said payments as per the provisions laid down in agreements signed with the shopping malls were being made by their company. On the advertisement tax payable to the MC, Sandhu said the MC had not raised any demand for such a tax.

“If any tax liability is there for the display of advertisements on malls and other commercial establishments, our company is prepared to pay all such taxes,” he added.

Ludhiana, May 29
Failure to take timely action against the violation of building bylaws in the construction of a commercial building, and possible connivance with the builder, has cost an official of the Municipal Corporation dear. Rajinder Sharma, Assistant Town planner (ATP) of Zone D, has been placed under suspension by the Local Government Department, for dereliction of duty.

The orders for his suspension were issued by Principal Secretary Ashok Gupta yesterday.

While the suspended official is yet to receive the charge sheet, senior MC officials said the action had been taken against the ATP after he was found negligent in acting against a high-profile commercial complex in the posh Maharani Jhansi Road area.

It was stated that on a complaint filed by a city-based RTI activist, the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the Local Government Department conducted a probe during which massive violations and deviations from the approved building plan had come to light.

“Based on his findings, the CVO issued orders that the complex be sealed. However, the ATP of the area (Zone D) failed to take timely action, which led to the builder moving court and getting a stay order against the sealing,” said the MC officials.

Ludhiana, May 29
According to the new Atta Dal Scheme under National Food Security Act, 2013, some new categories have been included. The new categories will be given blue cards.

The families whose fertile land has come under the river belt and the head or any member was affected with AIDS will now be given blue cards. ADC (D), Isha Kalia said the work for the scrutiny of the blue cards already issued in the district has been finished. She further said people whose fertile land has come under river area or are suffering from AIDS can file their applications.

In case of fertile land the applications need to be attested by Tehsildar, while in case of AIDS patients, the applications will be attested by civil surgeon. In both the cases, the annual income of the applicant should not be more than Rs 60,000 from all sources.

The applications can be submitted at the DC office, development block or SDM office.

Ludhiana, May 29
To control the spread of water borne diseases, the health department is taking precautions. DC has also issued orders for preventing the spread of cholera in Ludhiana district. According to the directions issued by DC to the health department ban has been imposed on the sale of all kinds of food, drinking articles including cakes, biscuits, bread, lassi, sharbat unless the same are properly protected with wire gauze, glass against contamination from dust and flies.

The sale and exposure for sale of manufacture, import/export of ice candy, ice gola, mineral water and aerated water is not allowed unless certified by bacteriologist of Punjab government. "The sale or exposure for sale of fruits, sugarcane, juice unless prepared under hygienic conditions. The sale of over ripe and under ripe fruits is also prohibited," said DC, Rajat Aggarwal in a notification sent to the health department.

In addition to this it has to be made sure that supply of water by all the water works for drinking purpose should be regularly chlorinated and tested for any type of contamination by bacteriologist and concerned SDO in-charge will be personally responsible.

All the medical officials deputed as medical inspectors are authorised to stop the vehicle and check the passengers suspected to be suffering from cholera.

Ludhiana, May 29
MP Ravneet Singh Bittu has slammed the SAD-BJP alliance over the Sahnewal airport issue. Bittu said after Narendra Modi was sworn-in as the Prime Minister, the lone flight between Ludhiana and Delhi was discontinued. Are these the ‘Achhe Din’ the SAD-BJP alliance was boasting of? asked Bittu.

“Former Union Minister Manish Tewari had taken the initiative of starting flights between Ludhiana and Delhi. Tewari had also taken the initiative to install DVOR at the airport,” claimed Bittu.

Chiding the SAD-BJP leaders, Bittu said the state government has been boasting about the expansion of the airport. Bittu said as the NDA government is in power at the Centre, its ally Akali Dal should raise the issue and make efforts to continue the air service.

The MP said he promised the residents to establish an airport of international standards in Ludhiana. He will put his demand before the NDA government. “I will try to restore the air service that connects Ludhiana to Delhi.”

Ludhiana, May 29
In the middle of the night, the street lights in the village are lit up. The village is asleep, but the street is abuzz with “lights, camera and action” and the chirp and applause of the audience watching the scenes makes a loud noise. The old advertisements of brands of the bygone era painted on the walls while a white Ambassador car and an old Bajaj scooter lie on the side of streets. The somnolent streets of Ghungrana village of Ludhiana have been turned into a set of the movie “October 31st”.

It is a delight for the villagers as their homes have been converted into movie sets. Shooting of the movie is going on for the past 20 days, and it is a delight for the villagers to watch a Bollywood movie being shot.

Producer of the movie Harry Sachdeva said village streets look similar to those of Delhi of 1984. He had shortlisted another village in Chandigarh, but he found people of Ghungrana village very friendly. So he choose to shoot the movie here, he said.

He said the poles and streetlights have been brought by the crew and the advertisements of the brands have been painted on the wall and movie posters of the movies released in those days to create the feeling of the streets of Delhi of 1984.

A crew of about 300 members is working day and night. The scene of the movie being shot a night before was that of a Sikh family going home in a car, petrified, when an electric pole is made to fall and they are pulled out and killed by rioters.

Villagers watch the scene being shot at 1 am in the morning and many of youngsters in particular stay awake the whole night to watch the shooting.

Makhan Singh, said two Punjabi movies have already been shot in the village, but this movie is big and has a large crew. Rupinder, another village youngster, said this is a fascinating world of movies. It is amazing that so many people are involved in making of a movie and shooting just one scene takes enormous amount of hard work and patience to get a perfect shot. Hopefully, this will inspire more people to get involved in the world of movies.

Ludhiana, May 29
Three students of BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School broke the age-old perception ‘that sportspersons can’t perform well in academics’ by securing excellent results in CBSE Class XII exams.

Sagar Arora, a roller skating player of the school, secured 96 per cent marks in commerce stream. Sagar has participated in the national school games five times and is a state champion from the past three years.

Talking about this balance between academics and sports, Sagar said, “It was quite tough but I have managed it successfully. Sports is my passion and study is equally important for my career. I made a time table and followed it strictly.”

State level champion and a national level tennis player Anmol Kaur bagged the third position in the city by securing 95.8 per cent marks in Humanities. She has participated in the open national held last year.

“I love to take part in sports. I even have several medals in NCC. I was a state champion in athletics. I also take part in painting competitions,” Anmol said.

Another sportsperson, Fatehdeep Singh is an international player of lawn tennis. He secured 75 per cent marks in mass media. Fatedeep has represented the country five times. He has also participated twice in the Davis Cup and has bagged a gold medal in Asia Cup.

According to Fatehdeep, sports and academics are equally important and he tries to strike a balance between the both.

Unusual choice

Simranpreet Kaur, a student of Eastwood International School, Mullanpur Dakha, made an unusual choice by opting for a combination of mathematics and biology after her Class X boards. She secured 97.2 per cent in Class XII examinations. According to Simran, hard work was her success mantra.

Another student, Rhythm Wadhera of Sacred Heart Convent School, Ludhiana, made the same choice.

While most of the students struggle after opting even a single stream (medical or non-medical), she managed to juggle both extremely well and scored scored 92 per cent in Class XII. She will be opting chemistry or biochemistry as her major subject with a combination of maths and computer science.

Ludhiana, May 29
Under a statewide drive against drugs, the city police conducted a surprise check at Punjab Agricultural University late last evening.

The police checked many areas of the university, including the boys’ hostels. They detained two persons but released them after a brief interrogation. The police did not find any intoxicant on the campus.

Surinder Singh, PAU station house officer (SHO), said: “It was a general checking and was not linked to any drug dealer”.

Karanvir Singh, president, Punjab Agricultural University Student Association (PAUSA), said: “The initiative to curb the drug menace is an appreciable step of the state government.”

Chandigarh, May 29
The state government will take “strict action” against the dairy farm owners, who discharged their waste into the ‘Buddha Nullah’.

The District Aministration of Ludhiana was directed to take action after a detailed report prepared by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) on the ‘river cleaning project of the state’ was reviewed. CM Parkash Singh Badal had asked a high-level committee to identify all the sources polluting Sutlej, Beas and Ghaggar rivers in the state. The Administration has also been asked to initiate the process to include all the villages around the city in the Municipal Corporation limits to ensure the provision of all types of civic amenities in the suburbs of the city. The government approved the upgrade of all the three existing STPs at Jamalpur of 48 MLD capacity, Bhattian of 161 MLD and Balloke STP of 257 MLD.

The CM also directed the Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd to immediately release power connections to all the new pumping stations of STPs in Ropar. — TNS

Ludhiana, May 29
The city police have registered an attempt to murder case against two persons, including a bank manager, and an unidentified person, after a 35- year-old man was stabbed 26 times with an ice pick and assaulted during a fight outside an eatery on ‘Chauri Sarak’ during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday.

The victim was identified as Jaspreet Singh Bawa. Bawa’s condition was stated to be critical. Bawa had visited the eatery to resolve an issue between two groups.

The incident and subsequent inaction by lower rung cops has also caused embarrassment for the police. The cops were caught on the back foot for starting investigation into the matter nearly after two days of the incident.

Even police remained tight-lipped about the entire episode. Several phones calls were made to Division No 3 SHO Rajinder Kumar, but he kept disconnecting the phones call.

It is learnt that police was allegedly trying to suppress the matter as some of the assailants are politically well connected.

It has further come to light that the footage of the CCTV installed in Pandit Prantha Wala, in which assailants were seen stabbing the victim, was also not procured by the police.

The victim’s father said Bawa had left the house on Tuesday night along with his friend to resolve the issue. Family members present at the hospital said one of the accused, a bank manager, was harassing a woman, who was fiancée of Bawa’s friend.

Both the groups reached at Pandit Prantha Wala where a heated argument ensued and the accused bank manager and his friends allegedly stabbed Bawa 26 times. Bawa was rushed to CMCH. Ishwarjot Cheema, a Congress leader, said the Pandit Parantha Wala eatery has become a den of criminals. Why the eatery owner did not inform the police immediately. It seems that he was trying to save the criminals. It was not the first that a crime incident had occurred outside the eatery. Due to lack of security the place has become haven of anti social elements.