Bathinda, October 20
A man was sentenced to life for killing his 17-year-old daughter around one and half years ago. The accused, 45-year-old Rachhpal Singh, alias Buta Singh, a resident of Bhai Mati Dass Nagar, Bathinda, was booked by the police under Sections 302 and 323 of the IPC.

Announcing the verdict today, the court of Sessions Judge Tejwinder Singh announced that the accused does not deserve any leniency as he ended the life of his young daughter—a student of Class XII and also injured his wife.

His daughter, Manpreet Kaur, was trying to intervene when his father attacked her mother with a hammer on April 17 at around 6 am last year.

The accused was married to Sukhpal Kaur and the couple have two children, a girl and a boy. While the daughter, 17 years old, was preparing for her Class XII exams the boy, 15 years old was in Class IX.

The father used to do menial work and had left his job sometime ago and become a saint. He then started consuming intoxicants and various forms of banned drugs while his wife was doing menial chores in households to meet her house hold expenses. She had been sparing money for their children’s school fees and other expenses.

The accused, however, used to visit the house occasionally and forcefully take away all the cash lying with the wife. He also used to beat them up and create chaos whenever they denied for the money.

Once, the accused had burnt the entire household materials in their absence to express his anger to get money for drugs.

On April 17 last year, he raised a hue and cry around 6 am and threatened to put the household material on fire, again. As he tried to light up a matchstick to burn a mattress on a cot, his daughter tried to restrain him. She then tried to save her mother from her father’s blows and received repeated blows from the hammer. She received serious injuries and was rushed to the Civil Hospital where she succumbed to her wounds. Her father was taken into custody by the police and was put on trial as he claimed innocence and stated that he was being falsely implicated.

The court, however, observed that all the evidence went against the accused who is awarded life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000. In case of non-payment of the fine, the accused would further undergo imprisonment for six months.

Bathinda, October 20
Police patrolling in the city has gone for a toss during the festive season as more than 15 police control room (PCR) motorbikes are lying defunct at the Police Lines.

The state government had provided the police with 25 Bajaj Pulsar 150cc mobikes. Sources claimed that the mobikes are not in a good condition, as they have not been maintained properly.

In the absence of any police patrolling in the main markets, residents feel unsafe, as during the festive season, a large crowd throng the market.

PCR officials, while talking to TNS, said they get only two litres of petrol per day, while they use the motorcycles round-the-clock in two shifts of 12-hour each.

They added that most of the time, they spend money from their own pockets to buy petrol, as all the mobikes have less mileage due to lack of maintenance.

“The motorbikes are not in a condition to chase the criminals as they can stop anywhere. Even the brakes of some of the motorbikes are not functional,” said a PCR personnel, pleading anonymity.

Some police officials regretted that though the government had provided them with motorbikes, there were no funds for the maintenance and junior officials had to spend from their own pockets for their maintenance and buying petrol.

Many policemen in the city were seen using their private motorcycles instead of the government vehicles.

Bathinda, October 20
Additional District Magistrate Dr Sumit Kumar Jarangal has imposed a ban on using fireworks around the oil depots located in Phoos Mandi village. In his orders, Dr Jarangal has specified that using any kind of fireworks within 500 meter area of the oil depots is strictly prohibited. He has also banned the sale of crackers at places other than the designated places. He also discouraged the shopkeepers from storing and selling crackers at undesignated places. These orders would be applicable from October 17 to November 16.

Besides, under Section 144 of the CrPc, the Additional District Magistrate has imposed a ban on lighting fireworks and crackers during wedding functions. He has also banned construction in 1,200 yards area around the ammunition depot under the Works of Defence Act 1903.

He also banned the use of loudspeakers without seeking prior written permission from the authorities concerned. The use of loudspeakers in orchestra, band, DJ and at religious places is completely banned from 10 pm to 6 am. The owners of marriage palace have also been directed to ensure that the loud noise at functions are not heard in nearby houses.

The Additional District Magistrate has also banned use of olive green color military dress clothes for covering jeeps, motorcycles or for any other civilian use. All these orders are applicable from October 17 to December 16. — TNS

Bathinda, October 20
The Bathinda health authorities on Monday conducted as many as 40 raids in several towns of the district and destroyed the sweets that were not fit for consumption on the spot.

The officials took a number of samples of milk products that seemed suspected spurious. In the last two months ahead of the Diwali, the department had already conducted about 80 raids in the district while on Monday about 40 raids were conducted in all the blocks. The Health Dept had thus also collected the samples from various shops while it had given strict instructions to each for not using unhygienic sweets

“We are conducting raids at sweet shops so that no one can sell adulterated food. We are destroying the products that are not fit to be sold. Samples have been taken from many shops of sweets and they have been sent to a laboratory in Chandigarh. Action would be taken against the wrongdoers. Already, we have collected a fine of Rs 7 lakh since 2011 from the traders who sell sub-standard food, said food inspector, Bathinda.

Bathinda, October 20
The sale of firecrackers in the city has been highly affected this season due to their increased rates. Wholesalers and retailers of firecrackers are unhappy and a worried lot but still they hope to do good business in the days before Diwali.

Sources said the prices of firecrackers had been hiked from 15-20 per cent this year due to the increased cost of imported raw material, tightening of rules and inspections at firecracker units, which has led to a fall in production.

In the city market, the most expensive firecracker is the 1,000 shots, which costs Rs 15,000 per piece. The new variety of firecrackers which has hit the market this year is the peacock anar, which costs around Rs 100 per piece and the gold mine, which is around Rs 120 per piece.

The cost of chakari is between Rs 40 and Rs 240 this season. Coloured anar price is from Rs 40-260. High quality rockets have crossed the Rs 300 mark this year. Sparklers (phuljhadi) cost around Rs 10-40 in the market.

Rajiv Kumar, a firecracker trader said, “We have placed orders at prices that are 15-20 per cent more than last year’s prices. People have started avoiding noisy crackers. So, this year, we have brought firecrackers that are of eco-friendly stuff as people prefer lights rather than noise these days.”

He said so far there has been a slump in the firecrackers market as compared to the previous years. The main reason is the hike in prices and the overall slowdown in the market, he added.

Unlike in the past, firecrackers are now bought only a few days ahead of Diwali. “Earlier, families used to buy firecrackers a month in advance. Parents now buy it after finishing all other shopping,” he said.

Another firecracker seller Arun Kumar said beside the hiked rates, Chinese firecrackers, which have flooded the market despite being banned, are also affecting their sale.

As the Chinese firecrackers are cheap as compared to the branded firecrackers, people have started demanding the former, as they are also attractive.

He said due to the high prices of firecrackers, people are not buying them in large quantities. However, they are hoping to do brisk business in the last few days ahead of Diwali.

Tarun Garg, a resident, said, “We will party with our family and friends instead of bursting crackers. There is no point in wasting money on them and polluting the environment.”

Bathinda, October 20
The application moved by a section of Bhagu Road residents seeking stay on the widening project of the Bathinda Development Authority (BDA) was dismissed by the court of Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) Raman Kumar.

The matter was lying with the court after the alleged encroachments were removed by the BDA last month.

The area residents, accusing the BDA of biased attitude, alleged that the extended portion of their houses—earlier sold by the BDA—were demolished without any notice in an illegal manner.

They also took the plea that one of the area residents (now dead) had got stay over the demolishing a few years ago. The residents moved the application through their lawyer, advocate.

The much hyped widening project of the BDA begun with a demolishing drive wherein the authority officials got the extended portions of around seven houses were demolished using earth mover.

The area residents said after demolishing of their extended walls, store rooms, toilets they became more prone to unwanted elements as their houses got exposed to the outsiders.

The BDA decided to widen the 1.2 km-long stretch on Bhagu Road and decided to increase its width from 22-foot to 60-foot. With claims of bringing respite to the commuters the BDA also announce to provide six-foot wide pavement on both the sides of the road.

The authorities removed 30 encroachments on September 20. The Rs 1 crore project will help commuters reaching Barnala Road—near the Cantt Police Station—from Bhagu Road and vice versa. It is pertinent to mention here that the BDA authorities have intensified the pace work the moment they came to know that the house owners moved to court in this regard to obtain a stay on the project. The top authorities in the BDA ordered to complete the project by carrying out the work even during late night.

Complainant’s lawyer, Manohar Lal, said that they were planning to move another application in the court to seek some respite in view of the problems being faced by the area residents ever since their houses are exposed to the unwanted elements.

Bathinda, October 20
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) today staged a dharna near the office of the chief agriculture officer (CAO) in support of their demands. They raised slogans against the state government.

BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) leader Jagjit Singh Bhundar alleged that in Ghuddha village, five acres of land of a farmer was damaged because of the spraying of Actera medicine of Anand Company.

He said the doctor of the company had told them that the Actera medicine had also damaged crops in Fazilka and Mansa districts. The agriculture office has prepared a report in favour of the farmer.

Despite this, no action has been initiated against the dealer and the company, he added. He alleged that the farmer had not got justice even after running from pillar to post as the administration had supported the dealer. The pressure, which the police was putting on the agitators, should be put on the dealer, so that the farmers can get compensation, he added.

Bhundar said instead of taking the side of the farmer, the police are supporting the dealer. After the protest, a group of the farmers went to the chief agriculture officer (CAO) and he assured them of intervening in the issue and getting it resolved soon.

The farmers threatened that if their issue was not resolved, they would intensify their protest.

Bathinda, October 20
The Education Department today organised an anti-copying rally as part of the state government’s anti-copying campaign. The rally was organised under the guidance of District Education Officer (Secondary) Dr Amarjit Kaur Kotfatta and was flagged off by Deputy Education Officer Sukhvir Singh from the Teachers’ Home.

Nearly 200 students from Government Girls Senior Secondary School, MHR School, Guru Nanak School, MSD School, Desraj Memorial Senior Secondary School and Saheed Sandeep Singh Government Senior Secondary School assembled at the Teachers’ Home and were administered anti-copying oath.

The deputy DEO encouraged the students to work hard to achieve their goals and not rely on copying to score marks.

He said copying could help them secure more marks but it wouldn’t turn them into intellectuals. Those who chose the path of copying to secure more marks would lag behind in securing jobs, he added.

Bathinda, October 20
The two-day district level women games (Under-25) kicked off today at the Multipurpose Stadium in Bathinda. But, the sportspersons had to face a lot of inconvenience as SAD MLA Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu, who was the chief guest and was to inaugurate the games, reached the venue after a delay of nearly 1 hour.

The games which were scheduled to begin at 12.30 pm, actually began at 1.30 pm.

Sportspersons felt harassed as they remained standing in the sun with a flag in their hands waiting for the chief guest for more than half an hour. These sportspersons had arrived this morning at the stadium and had to participate in the games after the inauguration.

Jeetmohinder Singh Sidhu, after unfurling the flag, administered oath to the players. He said the Sports Department of the state was organising various sports tournaments under the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Abhiyan Scheme and they were encouraging youngsters from villages to participate in them.

District Sports Officer (DSO) Sukhdev Singh Bhullar said athletics, kabaddi, kho kho and volley ball games were being held here at the Multipurpose Stadium. While hockey will be played at Government Rajindra College astroturf hockey stadium, handball will be played at St Xavier’s School, basketball at Khalsa Senior Secondary School, gymnastics, lawn tennis at Police Public School and badminton and table tennis are being played at MSD Senior Secondary School.

He said during this tournament they would select the players for the upcoming state women’s sports games, which are scheduled to be played from October 30 to November 1 in Ludhiana.

Bathinda, October 20
The Municipal Corporation of Bathinda (MCB) sprung into action and filled the potholes on the under-bridge leading to Parasram Nagar following a news report titled “Departments pass the buck as bridges cry for upkeep” published two days ago.

Until two days ago, the Municipal Corporation of Bathinda and the Buildings and Roads Department denied that it was their responsibility to repair the under-bridge but the MCB took the initiative to cover the uneven patches.

“As stated earlier, the B&R Department is yet to hand over the two bridges to us and it wasn’t our responsibility to initiate the repairs. We did so keeping in mind the larger interest of the public. At the same time, we have also taken up the matter with the B&R Department and have asked the officials to consider starting the repair of roads across the city,” said MCB Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh.

Although a little happy with the repairs, the commuters complained that the MCB had done quite a shoddy job.

“This is an example of how seriously they take the interests of the common man. They could have done the repairs properly rather than doing carelessly. The patch will come off with the plying of heavy vehicles,” said Gurpeet Singh, a resident of Parasram Nagar.

Bathinda, October 20
Zila Parishad chairman Gurpreet Singh Maluka today conducted a surprise checking at the primary health centre in Jiwansingh Wala village and found the centre locked and the entire staff absent from the hospital.

Doctor Bhushan Kumar, pharmacist Nimal Singh and class IV employee Jeet Kaur were all absent from the hospital.

Village residents told the raiding team that the doctor had apparently gone to the Kotbhara PHC of which he held an additional charge. When the checking team reached the primary health centre in Kotbhara, it found that the centre was locked.

“Primary health centres in both Jiwansingh Wala and Kotbhara were found locked and no one was aware of the whereabouts of the staff. Such irresponsible attitude will not be tolerated and a departmental inquiry will be initiated against the erring staff,” said Maluka.

To its surprise, the team also found that pharmacist Iqbal Singh, who had the charge of the veterinary hospital in Kotbhara, was also absent from the hospital.

Villagers told the checking team that the pharmacist had apparently gone to participate in a dharna.

Bathinda, October 20
Thieves struck at Government High School in the Jajjal village and stole materials worth more than Rs 1.25 lakh late last night.

In a complaint to the police, Labh Singh, watchman of the school, reported that the accused Rajwinder Singh and some unidentified persons broke the locks of a room open around 4 am and took away eight computer sets worth Rs 1.25 lakh.

Officials of the Rama police station stated that a complaint has been registered against the unidentified thieves under Sections 457 and 380 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Bathinda, October 20
The police have arrested one person on the charge of storing firecrackers without a licence at his house in the residential area of Baba Deep Singh Nagar in the city.

Following a tip-off, the police raided the house of the accused Pardip Kumar and seized a large quantity of firecrackers.

Police official Gurpreet Singh said a raid was conducted at his house and firecrackers had been recovered.

A case has been registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused for storing the firecrackers in large quantity at his house despite a ban order by the deputy commissioner.

Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg had issued instructions banning the storing and selling of firecrackers in residential and market areas of the city. He has designated four places for the sale of firecrackers – Multipurpose Stadium, Govt Rajindra College ground, Railway Ground and Thermal Ground. — TNS

Bathinda, October 20
The district administration has banned the parking of trucks at congested and busy intersections in the city to streamline the traffic. Additional District Magistrate Dr Sumit Kumar Jarangal said due to trucks parked near the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, students of MSD Senior Secondary School and Guru Harkrishan Public School face a lot of inconvenience. School vehicles such as vans, buses, rickshaws face the risk of being involved in an accident.

Parking of trucks on Goniana Road and Sports Stadium Road near Hanuman Chowk has been banned. Besides movement of trucks in this pocket from 6 am to 9 am and from 1 pm to 3 pm has also been banned. —TNS