Woman dies in hospital, family alleges negligence
Amritsar, September 20
The family members of a woman, who died after delivering a child at Bebe Nanaki Mother and Child Health Care at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, staged a protest outside the hospital and blocked traffic here today.

Amritsar, September 20
The Punjab Police have suspended SP (D) Rajeshwar Singh Sidhu and in charge, CIA, Rashpal Singh, after it received Punjab and Haryana High Court orders.

The high court has ordered their suspension for allegedly misbehaving with the warrant officer, who had raided the CIA office following a habeas corpus petition filed by Rajwant Kaur, who had alleged that her husband, Karnail Singh, was kept in illegal detention by the CIA staff of the Amritsar rural police. Karnail Siingh was taken into custody in connection with the mysterious death of Harinder Singh Tinu, son of a Chandigarh policeman, around two months ago. His body was found in a car in the Jandiala police station area, where a murder case was registered following a post-mortem examination report.

According to the details, the high court had appointed a warrant officer to verify the charges levelled by Rajwant Kaur. The warrant officer, in his report submitted to the high court, had reportedly stated that there was no entry about the arrest of Karnail Singh. He also mentioned that the SP (D) and other officials, who were present at the CIA office, had “misbehaved” with him. He alleged that some of the policemen were drunk.

Taking cognisance, the high court has ordered the suspension of SP (D) RS Sidhu, in charge, CIA, Rashpal Singh, Jandiala Guru police station SHO Paramjit Singh besides two constables.

Jasdeep Singh, SSP, Amritsar rural, while confirming the development said that besides SP (D) and in charge, CIA, head constable Jasbir Singh and constable Surinder Singh had been placed under suspension. About the Jandiala SHO, he said he had been shifted to the Police Lines till the pending enquiry. 

Amritsar, September 20
Over 50 shacks in front of Cantonment police station on the GT road here were removed by the Municipal Corporation in a drive today to make way for the ongoing BRTS project. The MC had served a notice to the shopkeepers to vacate the shops built allegedly on public land. Even as most of the shopkeepers had already removed their goods from the shacks, a few of them staged a protest today to oppose the drive.

Most of the shops in the lane are of vegetable and fruit sellers. MC officials said they were following government instructions as the BRTS project was important to solve the problem of traffic congestion and provide an economical public transport mode to the general public. Meanwhile, Mahesh Verma, president, Rehri Majdoor Union, said, “The MC has violated the National Policy on Urban Street Vendors 2009 by removing the shacks.”

He said according to the Union Government’s guidelines, the MC was required to give a 30-day notice to the shopkeepers before launching proceedings. He said as these shops were the only mode of livelihood for the families of these shopkeepers, the MC should have made arrangements for their relocation. The association stated that the MC should also bear the cost of relocation and damages incurred by the shopkeepers.

He said the shopkeepers would approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Verma said the MC should allocate an alternative place to the shopkeepers whose shacks were removed today. He said the MC had violated the procedure by giving a three-day notice instead of 30 days.

Amritsar, September 20
The snatching incidents continue unabated in holy city with yet another tourist robbed of her cash and belongings by an unidentified motorcycle-borne youths.

The victim, identified as Sweeti Chopra, a resident of Malviya Kunj, Agra, was going to the Ranjit Avenue area when the miscreants snatched her purse containing Rs 8,000 and other belongings. She was riding pillion with her nephew, who had come to receive her at the railway station.

Similarly, two more snatching incidents were reported in the Kartar Nagar area in Chheharta in which youths snatched earrings of two women. Ravneet Kaur of the Sandhu Colony area stated to the police that the snatchers pulled her earrings in the Kartar Nagar area. At the same time, two persons snatched the earrings of Amarjit Kaur of the Kartar Nagar locality. Surprisingly, instead of lodging different FIRs, the Chheharta police registered the two cases in a single FIR.

A few days ago, a Guru Nanak Dev University student fell victim to a snatcher. However, with her presence of mind and courage, the accused was caught hold of by the people and later handed over to the police. A few days ago, some persons had robbed a woman in front of the house of the first citizen of the city, Bakshi Ram Arora. The police was yet to achieve any breakthrough in the case so far even as the whole incident was recorded on a CCTV camera.

Though the police completed the formalities by lodging FIRs, such incidents left the women community worried. On their part, the police officials claimed that though they arrested the culprits and put them behind bars, they start their nefarious activities again after coming out of the jail on bail.

Police Commissioner Jatinder Singh Aulakh said the city police was trying its best to nail down the problem and curb the snatching incidents by arresting anti-social elements. He said the people should come forward and tell the beat officers of their particular area about the anti-social elements residing in their areas. He said the beat foot-patrolling system was also being strengthened in this regard. 

Amritsar, September 20
The family members of a woman, who died after delivering a child at Bebe Nanaki Mother and Child Health Care at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, staged a protest outside the hospital and blocked traffic here today.

The family members alleged that she died due to the negligence of doctors and the staff of the hospital. Dr Sujata Sharma, Medical Superintendent of the hospital, has asked the family members of the deceased to file a written complaint in this regard.

Amandeep Singh, brother of the deceased, identified as Manpreet Kaur, a resident of Rampura, Khasa, said the victim was admitted to the hospital on September 17 where she delivered a child with caesarean procedure. He alleged that the same night she complained about severe pain in her waist following which her stomach got swollen. He said the staff members and doctors did not pay any attention towards her condition. After repeated requests doctors checked her and advised another operation, he added.

He alleged that after the second operation, her condition deteriorated further and later she died. Amandeep said doctors did not bother to get the necessary scans done to diagnose the problem. The family members alleged that Manpreet died due to the negligence of doctors during the first caesarean operation.

Activists and leaders of different Valmiki communities, who reached the spot, demanded a high-level probe into the incident.

Sharma, Medical Superintendent, said a medical board would be constituted if the family submits a written complaint to the hospital. She said appropriate action would be initiated after the probe. 

Amritsar, September 20
At the Winter Festive Season of Lakmé Fashion Week 2014, grand finale designer Manish Malhotra showcased a glamorous bridal collection, sparking a desire in brides-to-be to have that perfect look on their wedding day. The team of Lakmé Salon backstage experts, who crafted these bridal looks on Kareena Kapoor and popular models, will now help the brides in the city to get ready for the D-day.

This wedding season, join the experts and they will ensure that you are a perfect bride. A first-of-its-kind initiative — Bridal Dream Team — comprising Shailesh Moolya, creative hair director, Sushma Khan, national skin and make-up trainer, and hand-picked skilled experts have created the two most exquisite sought-after bridal looks, Shimmering Beauty and Moonlit Rose, especially for the brides-to-be of Amritsar.

Sushma presented these looks in Amritsar with supermodels Pia Trivedi and Binal Trivedi, posing as perfect brides. She said, “Being the forerunner in hair, beauty and make-up trends, this bridal season, we bring something special. The team comprises experts, who excel in creating bridal looks, consultation services and have the know-how of the latest trends. The team will be present at the company salons across the country.” The bridal dream team ensures that an array of beauty services are offered to help a bride plan her special journey from day one till the end.

All beauty and fashion needs, from head to toe, will be tended to, giving her the required look and glow to make her the perfect bride.

The dream team project has also tied up with the city-based designer studio, The Closet, for the bridal collection. Creating contemporary looks for the city brides, The Closet, in association with Lakme, will come up with different looks, cocktail and western-wear collection. “The project will ensure that we provide the wedding wear along with the make-up services designed by Lakme,” said Sargun Seth, from The Closet.

A manual that will be prepared will have specific cocktail gowns in pastels, cutwork and hand embroideries. “The minimalistic look being this season’s trend, the entire look has been created keeping in mind contemporary brides,” she says. 

Amritsar, September 20
Uncertainty looms large over the future of hundreds of students of Nishkam Sewa Public School, as the state government is contemplating to acquire the school building. According to reports, the obvious plan is to acquire the whole premises of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital and the school being run from a small portion of the office of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) located on the hospital premises, which is lying unused.

Nishkam Sewa School provides free education to the children of rag pickers. The government officials have already intimated verbally to Sardara Singh, a social activist, who had started the school, to vacate the premises.

More than a decade ago, Sardara Singh, started Nishkam Sewa School along with some like-minded people from a temporary bamboo shed. Adverse weather conditions could not deter students as well as staff in their crusade for learning and imparting education, respectively. After their repeated pleas for some concrete shed, their request was heard by the then Deputy Commissioner, Kahn Singh Pannu.

Sardara Singh said a team from PUDA had come to take measurement of the place around a fortnight ago. “They intimated me that the CMO office has been handed over to PUDA and the government is going to sell this land,” he said.

After getting the information, Sardara Singh wrote to the Chief Minister, Punjab, to desist from selling the land as it would destroy this institution. “I had handed over this letter to the Chief Minister on September 2 through Additional Deputy Secretary, but till date have received no response,” he rued.

It was after his efforts that the district administration allotted two rooms in an abandoned building of the Chief Surgeon’s Office located nearby, whose possession was handed over to Sardara Singh on February 12, 2011.

With the initial strength of 10 children in 1996, the school today has over 200 children, who are taught by a small group of teachers. The school holds classes from nursery to Class X and has been granted affiliation by the Punjab School Education Board.

Enthused by Sardara Singh’s initiative, several good Samaritans also joined him in his mission. They occasionally provide funds for the infrastructure required by the school and food material for children. Although food for around 50 children is provided by the government under its mid-day meal scheme, yet there is a kitchen which provides food to the remaining 150 students in the afternoon.

Chief Administrator of Amritsar Development Authority Sandeep Rishi, who also heads PUDA, said Nishkam School runs from the premises of an old Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and it had to be shifted.

“Still, as the school is being run for a noble cause, we will prepare a report and send it to the government for an appropriate outcome. May be, the school can be allotted another place or so. The school management has already approached the Chief Minister, and their case is under consideration,” he assured.

“Actually, around 17.87 acre of old Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital complex, which is lying defunct, has to be acquired under the government’s Optimum Use of Vacant Government Land (OUVGL) and it has already been transferred to PUDA. The idea is to develop a project named as Urban Haat and a hotel at a cost of Rs 9.25 crore here. PUDA has taken an initiative in collaboration with INTACH for preservation, conservation, restoration and reutilisation of the existing building as Urban Haat to display the rich Punjabi culture by creating an environment of a traditional village market with synthesis of handicrafts, food and cultural activities.” The chief administrator said the heritage building raised between 1860 and 1920 would be conserved without any modifications. Any type of modification or construction within the 100 metre periphery from the monument would be allowed, he added. 

Amritsar, September 20
Railway offices continue to operate from a dilapidated building despite the fact that the engineering wing of the Railways has declared it unsafe. The building dates back to the British era. The rundown building poses a grave danger to the staff members, whose offices are located there and passengers visiting the area. A number of unsafe buildings have collapsed recently in the city during the rainy season. In his letter on September 9, Northern Railway Divisional Engineer had declared the roof opposite the booking office and adjoining offices, near the waiting hall, as unsafe. Railway officials, who are working in the same building, on a condition of anonymity, said, “The department concerned has discharged its duty by issuing a letter. No alternate arrangement has been made to secure the life of the staff and passengers. They cannot be held responsible if any accident in the building and loss of life and property is reported in future. The engineering wing will wash off its hands in case there is any mishap.”

The letter stated: “Some portion of the roof of the said building has fallen during heavy rains in the past few days. The roof is made of battens and tiles, which were eaten up and weak in strength. Walls and arches show cracks at various locations.” It also admitted that: “Passengers stand in a queue round the clock for buying tickets under the said structure.”

The building has a cluster of offices linked to IT not only of the local railway station, but also of other 42 stations. Any mishap could hamper work of all these stations too.

The building has six booking office counters, a booking office passenger hall, unreserved ticketing system server room, booking office stock room, office of the chief booking supervisor for public dealing has been shifted in the same building, but not allotted any room, a branch office of the NRMU and a station superintendent store for stocking uniforms, stationery and safety material for guards posted in running trains. 

Amritsar, September 20
The Regional Passport Office organised a passport mela here today to make it easier for the general public to get their passports. Regional Passport Officer JS Sodhi said 500 appointments were booked for the passport mela. 

As many as 401 people were issued passports by the authorities concerned after scrutinising their applications at the mela today. Sodhi said of the total of 500 applicants, who had booked appointments for today, only 431 attended the mela. He said around 35 applications were refused for want of relevant documents. The passport office had organised the mela to deal with the huge rush of the applications. 

Amritsar, September 20
Punjab National Bank chairman and managing director KR Kamat appreciated the Punjab government’s move to identify houses without banking accounts.

While addressing mediapersons here today, Kamat said, “The state government’s survey will be immensely helpful in opening accounts under the Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana.” He said the target was to open accounts for 7 crore families in the country. Six months after opening accounts, subscribers would get Rs 5,000 over draft, Rs 1 lakh insurance cover and other facilities, he added.

The managing director commended the Punjabi population living in the UK for endorsing and popularising the bank there. Due to this reason, he said, the bank had seven branches in the UK, which was the maximum number in any other country. “Now, the bank has got licences for opening branches in Myanmar and Bangladesh, besides it plans to open its branches in some countries in African continent,” he added.

With 6,400 domestic branches stress was also being laid on banking through machines. He said 320 branches had been converted into Pragati branches under which four machines had been installed on each premises. Customers directly transacted over these machines while the staff had a plenty of time to focus on other banking aspects.

Kamat said it did not mean that the bank was not recruiting. He said 6,000 youngsters would be recruited this financial year to infuse fresh blood and dynamism in the organisation.

Amritsar, September 20
Kamal Verma, a resident of Muzaffarnagar in UP, who allegedly made a threat call to the Golden Temple manager, was remanded in three-day police custody by the local court, where he was produced by the police today.

HS Brar, ADCP (Special), said according to the investigations so far, the accused was using the mobile SIM of a Roorkee-based woman. Through the mobile SIM number, they traced the woman, who told them that she had given her mobile for repair to Anuj Verma of Verma telecom in Roorkee. She, however, forgot to take out her SIM card. Anuj later confessed before the police that he had given the SIM card to Kamal Verma, who is his relative.

From him, they procured his photograph, which was later circulated to various police stations as his location was found to be in Amritsar and around the Golden Temple area. Later, the police arrested him from Guru Ram Dass Sarai on the Darbar Sahib premises.

Kamal Verma told the police that he had lost his bag in the Golden Temple and, therefore, wanted the security to be beefed up, so that no more pilgrims suffered losses by losing their belongings.

Brar said investigations so far revealed that he was earlier arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Police for allegedly stealing a car. The owner of the car had lodged a complaint with the police, which later held his mother. His mother disowned him because she had to go to the police station because of him. 

Amritsar, September 20
The Lopoke police have arrested the Akali sarpanch of Mullankot village in connection with the seizure of 3 kg heroin by the Border Security Force (BSF) a few days ago. He has been identified as Gurmail Singh.

The troops of 50 battalions of BSF had confiscated 3 kg of heroin worth Rs 15 crore in the international market from the Udhar Dhariwal border outpost area in the Amritsar sector. The jawans saw a man on the Indian side grazing buffaloes along the barbed-fence track. They found his movements suspicious and followed him.

Amritsar, September 20
Mystery shrouds the death of a youth, whose body was found on the railway lines, between Jayantipur and Kathunangal area. The police claimed it to be a case of suicide. An appropriate action would be taken after the post-mortem examination report, added the police.

However, the family members of the deceased, identified as Saurav, alleged that he was killed by the family of a girl with whom he had an affair. Rajiv Duggal, a relative of the deceased, said Saurav had an injury mark on his head, which raised a suspicion that he might have been killed before his body was thrown on the railway tracks to give it a look of a suicide.

He said Saurav went to his work place yesterday morning, but did not return home. Last night his body was found on the railway tracks, near Jayantipur, by the Government Railway police.

The family members said Saurav had an affair with a girl. However, her family came to know about the incident later. A couple of months ago they had kept Saurav in illegal detention. He was released only after the intervention of the police. Duggal said since then Saurav was being harassed by the girl’s family. SHO of the Government Railway Police, Dharminder Kalyan, said they had initiated action under Criminal Procedure Code. He said the post-mortem report would reveal the exact cause of Saurav’s death and further action would be taken accordingly.