Bathinda, October 10
Following a dharna staged by the Congress workers outside the Canal Colony police station last night protesting against the alleged misbehavior of SHO Gurpreet Singh, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and former MLA Harminder Singh Jassi today accused the Punjab Police of working for the safety and security of only the Badal family.

“While the Punjab Police officials are busy toeing the lines laid by the Badals, the common man is forced to run from pillar to post to get justice. The police personnel look away when the common man becomes a victim of pick pocketing, snatching and eve teasing,” he said, adding that the prime task of the Bathinda police these days was to misbehave with the Congress leaders and register false cases against them.

He stated that on Thursday night, the SHO pressurised one of the senior Congress leaders into withdrawing an RTI query which he had submitted against a ration depot holder Vimla Rani and in an attempt to end the matter, the SHO also made sure than a mutual compromise was reached between the two parties. He also added that the SHO misbehaved with Congress workers, including the president of Bathinda District Congress Committee (Urban) Mohan Lal Jhumba.

Jassi further stated that the police officers have been instructed to serve only the SAD leaders and workers and not pay attention to the common man’s problems. He added that the rise in the crime graph was a clear indication of how inactive the police system had become.

Rekindling the drug trafficking cases wherein some SAD leaders had been named, Jassi stated that the police was hand in glove with the state government in shielding the big players in the drug trafficking cases.

He also took the opportunity to take the state government to task over the long power outages. He said the SAD and BJP leaders who used to lure voters of the ‘VIP constituency Bathinda’ promising them 24-hour power are nowhere to be seen now that the city residents are braving long power cuts and the state faces a severe shortage of power.

Bathinda, October 10
Upset over the eulogising of sale and consumption of drugs in a Punjabi song, a lawyer has moved a complaint in the office of the SSP, Bathinda, demanding registration of case against the lyricist and singer.

In his complaint to the police, advocate Gurwinder Mann stated that two Punjabi songs are in vogue these days in which the central character or protagonist has compared a girl with fair complexion with the white powder—smack.

Young boys are playing these songs in their vehicles with loud music on city roads which encourages the youngsters to consume drugs.

The song, he said, is comparing girl’s beauty with smack and he describes about the kick and compares it with the girl. “The song also depicts about the crossing of drugs from the border area and youngsters vying for the same,” he said.

The police said that the lyricist and the singer have been contacted over the issue and they too may be called at the Civil Lines police station to record their statements.

“The complaint was marked by the SSP to a DSP who is looking into the matter and a case is likely to be registered in this connection soon,” said the police officials investigating the matter.

The lawyer stated that two songs are produced by two separate music companies of Bathinda and Jalandhar and the songs are sung by three singers—duet and solo.

Mann said the Sections 29 and 38 of the NDPS Act defines that anyone abets someone for the drugs whether someone gets encouraged or not should be booked under these acts.

The complainant said it’s been over three months that the complaint was lodged but the police was quite slow over the investigations. “Apart from the complete ban on such songs, I have also demanded an in-depth investigation about the money involved and enquire about those who have funded the making of such songs.

He pointed out that the unabated circulation of such songs is maligning the image of the Punjabi youth which should be stopped immediately. “The playing of all such songs should be stopped immediately and efforts should be made to enquire into the funding for the release of such songs,” Mann added.

He said the lyrics of these two Punjabi songs are abetting the youngsters who get carried away by such songs. The police should step in to keep a check on the unscrupulous elements who are trying to take cultural route to encourage youngsters to consume drugs.

Bathinda, October 10
A woman, resident of Lal Singh Nagar has alleged that Congress president, Bathinda unit, (urban) Mohan Lal Jhumba misbehaved with her and used derogatory remarks.

In a complaint to the police, Bimla Devi stated that she runs a government ration depot centre at Lal Singh Basti and she had, earlier, filed a complaint against the Congress leader Darshan Bansal for misbehaving with her and in that context yesterday she has went to Canal Colony police station with the residents of the area. While she was coming out, Darshan Singh, Mohan Lal Jhumba, Sohan Lal Jhumba and some others used abusive language with her.

It is also pertinent to mention that Congress workers headed by the Congress, president, Mohan Lal Jhumba, are staging dharna outside the Canal Colony police station and they are protesting against the alleged misbehavior by the SHO Gurpreet Singh.

Mohan Lal Jhumba, refuting the allegation, stating that the woman was making a false allegation, as she has been exposed. He said that the reality of the incidents was that senior Congress leader Darshan Bansal had asked information regarding a ration depot under the RTI Act. Pertaining to the same, he was called by the SHO who tried to pressurise him to withdraw the application. He also misbehaved with him. He also misbehaved with other Congress workers.

Gurpreet Singh SHO said he had called both the parties to the police station to know the details. He further stated after the matter had been settled mutually and the application had been withdrawn, Jhumba objected to the mutual settlement and raised a hue and cry.

Congress workers had also demanded that they would continue to sit on dharna outside the police station until the action is taken against the SHO as the police had pressurised Bansal to withdraw the RTI application if he wanted the complaint against him to be withdrawn.

Bathinda, October 10
Court of Sessions Judge, Tejwinder Singh, today acquitted an ASI, who was booked by the Vigilance Bureau on charge of corruption around two years ago.

The accused, ASI, Jaswant Singh, allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 40,000 from an NRI in November 2012. The complainant in the case, Balwinder Singh, had stated that he came from Malaysia in the year 2012 and was driving a car along with his other family members near Bhagta Bhaika village. The car, Tata India, was driven by the NRI which collided with a motorbike on which two persons were riding. The bikers received injuries and consequently lodged a police complaint against the NRI and demanded registration of a case against him for rash and negligent driving.

The police initially tried to convince both the parties to reach a compromise but later registered a case against the NRI under Section 279 of the IPC.

The complainant stated that the ASI who was in possession of the passport and the car assured to release the documents in lieu of the bribe.

The investigative officer in the case, ASI Jaswant Singh demanded Rs 40,000 in lieu of releasing the documents, the NRI stated. Upset over the demand of Rs 40,000 the NRI decided to got the ASI arrested from the vigilance bureau. He lodged a complaint with the vigilance and later got a trap laid and got him arrested red handed while accepting the bribe.

Accused’s counsel advocate Gurjeet Khadiyal said that they took the plea that the police had already registered a case against the NRI and there was no point of demanding bribe after the registration of case. “Also, the complainant and the vigilance bureau failed to prove the point that the accused had got Rs 10,000 transferred in his bank account in the form of bribe”, Khadiyal said.

After hearing the arguments, pleas and claims of both the parties the court of Sessions Judge today announced to acquit the ASI.

Bathinda, October 10
As part of the Reach Safe Campaign, youngsters and school students falling in the age group of 15 to 29 years will be taught traffic rules. The District Traffic Police, Human Rights Organisation and the community police will come together to make the programme a success.

Other departments concerned with the roads safety will also be included in the programme.

Elaborating on the campaign, president of the Human Rights Security Organisation Suresh Gaur, coordinator of the campaign Navneet Duggal and in-charge of the Community Police Centre, Sukhdev Singh, stated that the campaign will cover government-recognised schools and colleges.

They stated that as part of the drive, students of Class IX to Class XII and students of colleges will be taught about traffic rules using the medium of competition. During the competition, students will be asked 25 questions on the traffic rules.

Those securing more than 85 per cent marks will be awarded certificates. Traffic rules awareness workshops, debates and other competitions will also be organised.

As part of the campaign, every Saturday the commuters will be taught about traffic rules and those found to be following the same will be recognised and felicitated. — TNS

Mansa, October 10
Hearing in two different cases, registered in the Mansa district against the Sikh preacher and HSGMC (ad-hoc) member, Baljit Singh Daduwal, was adjourned on Friday following the absence of Daduwal, who was re-arrested within minutes of his release from Faridkot Jail on Thrusday, after getting bail from the High Court.

The counsel for Daduwal in Mansa, HS Tiwana, requested the court for exemption of his client to appear in person as he was re-arrested under Sections 107 and 151 of the CrPC.

The Court of Mansa Chief Judicial Magistrate (Ist Class) VK Narang had given the next date of hearing for January 21, in a case registered against Baljit Singh Daduwal in January 2011 by the Bhikhi Police.

On January 2, 2011, the Bhikhi Police had arrested Daduwal and 60 others identified and 700 unidentified persons following a clash between the police and Sikhs who protested against the police attempt to stop Daduwal’s congregation. A case against Daduwal and others was registered under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 353 (assaulting public servant to discharge from duty) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

However, later, Daduwal was released. The police on August 22 again reopened the case and arrested Daduwal.

In the hearing of another case registered on August 27 this year against Daduwal by the Mansa police the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, KS Cheema, on Friday, had ordered the next date of hearing for October 20.

On August 27, the Mansa police, had registered a case under Sections 420, 467, 468 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 25, 27, 54, and 59 Arms Act against Baljit Singh Daduwal and claimed of recovering the ammunition and Adhaar Card from Daduwal from Jeep.

The police also claimed that number of the jeep was purchased by Daduwal while the jeep belongs to his follower.

Bathinda, October 10
University College of Basic Sciences of Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo, held a mehendi competition to mark the “Karwa Chauth”. Twenty five students participated in the competition. Dr AK Kansal, Dean, was the chief guest. Kavita Chowdhary and Lavjit Kaur co-ordinated the activity.

Amandeep Kaur and Manpreet Kaur were declared the winners and runners-up respectively.

Appreciating the organisers Dr Kansal said,“ Organising such activities will also help in maintaining our strong bond with the cultural roots.”

Sukhraj Singh Sidhu, managing director lauded the efforts Dr Kansal and organisers.

Deputy Dean Dr Ram Niwas, head of the Punjabi department, Dr Jagwinder Jodha, Dr Balwant Singh Sandhu, Dr Sukhjeet Kaur, NSS programme officer Kanwaljeet Singh and PRO Sukhdevinder Singh Kaurra also graced the occasion.

Bathinda, October 10
In a series of programmes being organised under the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’, Central University of Punjab organised a seminar and debate on its city campus here on Friday.

Sharing views over ‘Dignity of labour with special emphasis on the ideology of Mahatma Gandhi’, Dr Rajinder Kumar, assistant professor, said the dream of Mahatma Gandhi to have a clean India is yet to be achieved because youngsters are not following his ideology and the working class is struggling hard to get respect for their services.

Dr Kumar said Mahatma Gandhi respected grassroot labourers . Now it’s time to put joint efforts by students and the NSS volunteers to build the social values.

“It’s the duty of every individual to maintain cleanliness around the living and working areas. We have forgotten our duties and are destroying natural resources. The cleanliness drive is a must. Until we do not change ourself, the target of cleanliness drive cannot be achieved,” said Prof P Ramarao, Dean Academic Affairs.

An introduction of the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ was given by Dr Anjana Munshi, COC, Centre for Human Genetics.

He appealed all to actively participate in the drive. A debate competition on the cleanliness drive was organised for students.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Prof Amarjit Singh Kahalon, Associate Dean Students Welfare. Prof A K Jain, Prof Chaman Lal, Dr Desh Deepak, Dr Priti Khetarpal were also present on the occasion.

Bathinda, October 10
Calfornia Eagles defeated Vancouver Lions, by 65-53 in an exciting match of the World Kabaddi League here on Friday.

California Eagles maimtained the control over the game. They raced ahead in the first quarter itself, notching up a marginal lead over their rivals. At the end of third quarter again California Eagles maintain the lead. The last quarter, too, followed the same script and the California Eagles finished the match with a score of 65-53.

Baldev Singh of Calfornia Eagles was declared man of the match. Mikhil Jamal Adbul Laif was adjudged the best stopper with 2 stops. Baldev Singh was also declared the best raider with 19 raids.