Panchkula, November 14
A day after the mutilated body of 28-year-old Vimal was found near the Chandimandir police station, the police claimed that his wife and her lover had committed the murder. While his wife Rinku has been rounded up, her paramour is at large.

“Police teams have been sent to arrest him,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jagtar Singh.

The two allegedly chopped off the neck of the victim. They then crushed his face with a heavy stone in a bid to conceal his identity,” said sources in the Police Department.

Dr Sunil Gambhir, who conducted the postmortem today, said some sedative appeared to have been given to the victim before the murder.

“The stomach was congested, indictaing that some sedative may have been given before the murder. We have sent the samples to the CFSL, Karnal,” said Gambhir.

Chandigarh, November 14
For three Nepalese inmates residing in Snehalaya, Children’s Day turned out to be a day of reunion with their family members in Nepal. Bire Nepali (12) of Pyuthan district, 13-year-old Kammar Bahun of Kalikot and 14-year-old Sangita Tamang of Dhankuta had been struggling to give the correct description of their home town to UT Child Welfare Committee counsellors for the past over three months.

After great efforts, the committee was able to track down their home town through search on the web. The three inmates of Snehalaya were unaware of the fact that they had crossed the border of their country.

“We tried to identify the places which these children spoke about to counsellors to get an idea where they belonged to,” said UT Child Welfare Committee chairperson Neil Roberts. After confirmation that the inmates were from Nepal, a formal communication was sent to the country’s Embassy and the details of the children were also forwarded to it on October 29, he said.

Embassy officials confirmed that the missing children were from their country and sent a communication regarding it to the UT administration, he said.

He said the committee told the Embassy that as one of the inmates was a girl child, a woman should accompany the panel which comes to pick up these three children from Snehalaya. The children were handed over to the Embassy officials yesterday, he said.

Sangita Tamang had been living in Snehalaya for the past three years, while Kammar Bahun and Bire Nepali had been living there for the past over one year.

Chandigarh, November 14
A day after explicit pictures of the UT Deputy Commissioner with a woman officer in the UT went viral on social networking sites, the Chandigarh Police have registered an FIR against unknown persons.

The pictures have gone viral on the social media for the past two days. The Deputy Commissioner, in his complaint sent to the SSP this evening, mentioned about the pictures and sought the registration of an FIR.

The case was registered after the UT Adviser called up the IGP to investigate the matter. IGP RP Upadhyay said the case had been handed over to the cyber cell.

The police have been asked to track down the source of the explicit pictures that are being alleged to have been morphed. In consultation with IT experts, efforts are being made to track down the source of the pictures, said police sources.

On the basis of the complaint lodged by DC Mohammed Shayin, a case under Sections 465 (punishment for forgery), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 469 (forgery for purpose of harming reputation) of the IPC and Sections 66 (computer-related offences), 67 (punishment for publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form) and 71 (penalty for misrepresentation) of the IT Act has been registered at the Sector 17 police station.

Chandigarh, November 14
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anshu Shukla today convicted three members of a family for a dowry death while acquitting another one in the case.

Those convicted are Choti Devi (62), her son Ashwani and daughter Sanjana, all residents of Jattanwala Mohalla, Mani Majra. The court held them responsible for the death of Davinder Kaur (26) in October 2011. The court acquitted Nitu Rani, sister-in-law of the deceased, after she produced a medical certificate showing that she was admitted to the hospital when Davinder Kaur had died.

The court will pronounce the quantum of the sentence on November 17.

According to the prosecution case, the UT police had on October 21, 2011, registered a case after Davinder Kaur, mother of twin girls, died of poisoning.

Davinder Kaur, hailing from Patiala, had married Vijay, who was staying in Italy.

The couple had twin daughters.

Davinder’s family had alleged that after killing her, Davinder’s in-laws had killed one of her daughters as well.

They have filed a petition in this regard, which is pending.

Mohali, November 14
Harinder Kaur, mother of six-year-old Mehram whose body was found buried recently after he was reportedly kidnapped, has said she and her mother are willing to join the police investigations.

“If they want to question us, we are ready. We certainly have no problem with being quizzed as we want to see the culprits behind the bars soon,” said the mother, Harinder Kaur, speaking for herself and her mother, Jaswinder Kaur, to mediapersons at her Phase IX residence here today.

Harinder Kaur and her mother said the police could approach them any time.

“We have already replied to every question they have put before us. I don’t know what they intend to ask now, but I am ready for anything to get justice,” she said.

Panchkula, November 14
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s clean Haryana mission has been given two hoots in Panchkula as heaps of garbage was found dumped in the middle of a main road in Sector 9 here.

Local officials have been giving the contention that sweepers were on a protest due to the Executive Officer-Councillor row because of which there is no one to remove the garbage.

Commuters were facing a tough time due to the issue.

“If the sweepers are on protest, can’t the administration arrange for other sweepers to collect the garbage. When the protesters threw garbage outside the DC’s residence or outside the MLA’s house, it was cleaned the next day,” said Binny Thukral, a resident of Sector 9.

Vimal Singla, another resident, added: “Its strange that no official of the Municipal Corporation or administration noticed such heaps of garbage. If this is so then why claims about the cleanliness drive.”

It seemed that the drive was only taken seriously for the first day for the administration officials to get the photographs clicked. The ground reality is actually dfferent,” said Sainand Singh, a resident. On November 1, on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new Chief MInister had started the drive which the administration had claimed would continue for the entire month. The garbage lying there is emanating a foul smell.

“At least the local MLA could have taken up the initiative to check the same,” said Bharat, a resident.

Chandigarh, November 14
Appreciated the urgency shown by the new government in expediting long-pending defence projects, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Training Command, Air Marshal Ramesh Rai, said even with this newfound pace, it would take four to five years to clear the backlog in defence acquisitions.

Speaking at the two-day seminar on “Structural Defects in MiG-series Aircraft – Trends and Remedial Measures”, which concluded today at the Air Force Station High Grounds, here, he appreciated the enormous support from the industry and academia in maintaining the IAF’s ageing and technology intensive aircraft fleet.

The MiG series aircraft have been in IAF service for more than five decades. Russian fighters have always presented diverse challenges in structural maintenance. The MiG series aircraft in particular have always required close monitoring of stresses and corrosion. Regular remedial measures have been administered over the years by different agencies.

The seminar provided a common platform for the operators of MiG series aircraft in the IAF with various repair and overhaul agencies, premier research establishments and the industry to discuss new technologies that have evolved recently in strengthening/rejuvenation of airframe structures and come up with out of the box solutions.

In his keynote address, Air Vice Marshal RKS Shera, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, gave a brief insight into the structural issues faced by Russian fighters in the IAF and stressed on the need to learn up and apply modern technological solutions for the maintenance of the aging aircraft.

Air Marshal VM Khanna, Director-General Aircraft at Air HQ, stressed upon the need for constant interaction between the research community, industry and defence engineers in order to simulate innovative thinking, highlight common pitfalls and shorten the learning curve associated with future development of military hardware.

Senior officer from the IAF as well as experts from the Department of Atomic Energy, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aeronautical Laboratory, the industry and academia attended the seminar.

Chandigarh, November 14
UT Administration Shivraj V Patil today inaugurated the Sixth Chandigarh National Crafts Mela at Kala Gram.

Patil said the mega event will give the residents, especially the youth and students, a grand opportunity to know about the country’s rich cultural heritage.

He said the Chandigarh Administration’s effort in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre will also help in reviving and preserving our folk skills and rich cultural values.

The Administrator called for a multi-pronged approach for preserving our heritage “in all its rich diversity”.

Panchkula, November 14
A contractor who was to give his consent for a polygraph test in the kidnapping of Shiv Kumar Sharma, today landed up at a hospital alleging that he was thrashed by officials of the Crime Investigating Agency (CIA) officials.

The contractor, Pinto, was called to give his consent in the kidnapping case of Sharma, who has been missing since October 25.

A resident of Sector 20, Sharma had gone out for work but didn’t return. Later, his Chevrolet Beat car was found abandoned in the market of Sector 20 here. The kin of the victim had gheraoed the Sector 20 police station following which the case was transferred to the CIA.

Police officials said Pintu was brought for questioning on Tuesday to the CIA.

“He was detained for three hours and was sent back to his family on Tuesday itself. Pintu had a deal of Rs 7 lakh with Sharma. As he wasn’t revealing anything, he was to be taken to court to give his consent for polygraph test today. But he got himself admitted to the hospital, stating that he was beaten up,” said a senior police official.

He added: “Why would the CIA officials thrash him when we are to get the polygraph done.”

As per the police, Pintu’s mobile number had surfaced in the call details of Sharma’s mobile phone.

Pintu, who was admitted to General Hospital, alleged that he was called for questioning.

“From Sector 20 police station, he was taken to the CIA. He was badly beaten up there. He was injured and then the police officials dropped him back at the police station. Why did they keep him for hours together,” said a relative of Pintu.

The victim’s family had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh to trace Sharma. They barged into the police station and stated that the police were not making efforts to locate him.

Zirakpur, November 14
Keeping in view the rapidly multiplying demand for power, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) is all set to come up with two more power substations in Zirakpur.

The substations having the capacities of 20 Mega Volt Ampere (MVA) each would be set up at Baltana and Gajipur villages and decks have been cleared for the same.

Sources in the PSPCL disclosed that the average growth of power in Zirakpur (urban) is 20 MVA annually, which forced the corporation to set up the substations to meet the power demand.

With the setting up of these substations, the total power capacity in the Zirakpur (urban) will rise to 100 MVA from the current capacity of 80 MVA, the sources revealed.

Though PSCPL officials claim to have improved power situation in the MC limits in the past one decade, unscheduled power cuts and erratic electricity supply continue to haunt residents.

The main power guzzlers are malls and other business establishments such as Best Price, Metro and Big Bazaar, apart from hotels that have come up in the township in the past 10 years.

Catering to the demand of over 1.75 lakh population of the Zirakpur municipality, PSPCL has increased the number of electricity feeders from 1 (in 2000) to 20 (at present).

Executive engineer of PSPCL, MP Singh, claimed to have 53,000 electricity connections within the Municipal limits alone and the figure is to go up more in the coming years.

“We are receiving 400 to 500 applications for the installation of electric meters, on an average basis, every month,” he revealed.

At present, two (Bhabhat and Dhakoli) grid substations of 66KV capacity each are feeding to Zirakpur (urban), while two more grids (Banur and Mohali) of the same capacity are fulfilling the power requirement of Zirakpur (rural).

The upcoming International Airport, Mohali, and Aero City, being developed by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority, also fall under PSPCL, Zirakpur.

The proposed substations at Gajipur and Dhakoli would be fed from Mubarikpur, reducing load on the current feeders supplying power to Baltana and Gajipur areas, a senior officer of the PSPCL disclosed. 

Mohali, November 14
Deficiency in service cost dear to Emaar MGF Limited, a construction company, as the Permanent Lok Adalat directed it to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation along with litigation cost of Rs 15,000 and refund Rs 5,39,806 to applicants.

The above-mentioned amount has to be paid within 30 days, failing which interest would be charged at the rate of 12 per cent per annum.

In their complaint, Sarvendra Kumar Garg and his wife, Sarita Garg, now residing in Zambia, claimed that they had booked two flats in the company’s project in Mohali and deposited the amount as per the plan.

The possession of the flats was to be given within 36 months but it was delayed by about 46 months. For deficiency in service, the applicants demanded compensation for delay in the delivery of possession, which was given on January 11, this year. The applicants also alleged that the builder had charged Rs 18,210 as common area maintenance charges, Rs 1,194 as water charges, Rs 1,50,000 for car parking, Rs 56,180 as club membership and Rs 65,000 as interest-free maintenance security, which were not due from them.

The applicants said if the construction had been completed within the stipulated period of 36 months, they would not have been liable to pay service tax of Rs 66,561, which was introduced w.e.f. July 1, 2010. In the meantime, stamp duty and registration charges were increased from 6 per cent to 10 per cent and the applicants had to pay Rs 1,92,360 extra.

Requesting the court for refunding the said amount, the applicants said why should they suffer for the builder’s fault?

The court, headed by Jagroop Singh Mahal, held that the possession was to be delivered within 36 months and there was no default in payment on part of the applicants. Holding the builder at fault, the court directed the respondent to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation along with litigation cost of Rs 15,000 and refund Rs 5,39,806 to the applicants within 30 days.

Chandigarh, November 14
The enforcement committee of the Municipal Corporation today recommended that flying squads of the Enforcement Department should be formed to check encroachments in the city.

In the meeting, which was held today under the chairmanship of Rajesh Gupta, it was also discussed that the enforcement wing of the MC would be strengthened by providing more manpower, extra police force and infrastructure keeping in view the markets and population of the city.

Meanwhile, chairman Rajesh Gupta said he would also take up the issue of ignoring a resolution passed by its General House in April 21, 2011, that called for the repatriation of the non-cadre employees working as inspector/ sub-inspector (enforcement) to their parent department.

He said recently the MC had brought two employees from the Public Health Wing to the Enforcement Wing. He would now take up this issue in the coming MC House meeting.

The committee members asked enforcement inspectors to keep vigil in the city markets so that encroachments could not take place again and again on the same place. The members suggested that warnings should be issued to vendors who 
sell food items during nights for the upkeep of sanitation in their surroundings in the open spaces.

Mohali, November 14
After his surprise check at the Phase I police station here yesterday night, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal has posted on a social networking site that such checks would be conducted across the state in the coming days.

Yesterday, Badal took a round of the town in a private car without any security to check the law and order situation and the policing scenario here.

After finding no policemen at prominent roundabouts and sensitive points, Badal went to the police station where he only found ‘munshi’ at night.

Badal held a meeting at the police station yesterday night and ordered to suspend the policemen who were found absent from duty. The meeting was attended by Punjab DGP SS Saini, DIG R Jaiswal and Mohali SSP Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti. — TNS

Chandigarh, November 14
Six companies of paramilitary forces and 12 companies from Punjab besides 3,000 Chandigarh Police personnel will keep vigil across the city on November 17 – the day Sant Rampal of Karontha’s Stalok Ashram has to appear at the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

“A heavy deployment of police force will be made at all the entry points to check the entry of Sant Rampal’s followers into the city,” the Inspector General of Police, UT, RP Upadhyay.

He said that 12 companies from Punjab, including two women companies, would be deployed in the city. Apart from the manpower, the Chandigarh Police have also sought tear gas grenades and water cannons from Punjab.

Upadhyay said petitioners and others visiting the High Court on November 17 will only be allowed inside the premises if they furnish some valid reason for the visit.

“The Bar association has also been requested to provide their ushers at the entry gates, so that advocates don’t face any kind of inconvenience,” he said.

With Section 144 of the CrPC in force in the city, followers of the controversial godman will be confined to Sector 25. The local police personnel have already received special anti-riots training to help them control the mob. Sources said a number of meetings have already been held to chalk out a strategy for the day. 

Chandigarh, November 14
As diabetes is now being diagnosed in people as young as 25 years, a change in lifestyle is the only prevention, said experts on World Diabetes Day today.

Stress relief, not skipping meals and taking adequate sleep can help in keeping the disease away, they said.

Dr Prashant Jain, consultant pathologist at Dr Jain’s Diagnostics, Sector 44, said the number of patients with “pre-diabetes” has markedly increased over the past years.

He said the present sedentary lifestyle and junk food played a major role in conversion of pre-diabetes to diabetes. Diabetes has been recognised as “a chronic, debilitating and costly disease associated with major complications that pose severe risks”.

Highlighting the diagnosis and prevention of sepsis in feet of diabetic patients, Dr AK Attri, head of the general surgery department at the GMCH-32, said: “We have started assessing ulcers using the Doppler technique at our clinic. We design the shoes according to the requirements.”

The World Diabetes Week 2014 campaign ((November 14-20) marks the first of a three-year (2014-16) focus on healthy living and diabetes. It is believed that India will cross the 100 million mark by 2030.

Chandigarh, November 14
While most doctors in the country are raising awareness on osteoporosis — bone-decay in women after menopause, there is a need to ensure the strengthening of bones before the age of 30, especially among women, said endocrinologists gathered at a meet that began here today. Over 200 delegates from across the country are participating in the Endocrine Congress — ESICON 2014 — at the PGI.

Dr RK Marwaha from Pune said the lack of exposure to sun, both in summers and winters, to prevent tanning is a prime factor responsible for deficiency of vitamin D in younger women.

“In West, the exposure to sun is higher among people,” he said.

Dr Nikhil Tandon from AIIMS said: “We do not acquire bone density after crossing the age of 30. Preparations must begin from childhood.”

He said calcium and vitamin D deficiency was likely to become a concern requiring large scale supplementation programmes.

Chandigarh, November 14
To mark the 125th birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Children’s Day was celebrated with fervour in schools of the tricity. The highlights of the day are as follows:

Bhavan Vidyalaya, Sec 27

A special morning assembly was held where teachers expressed their love for students. They encouraged them to follow the path of righteousness and work for the country.

KBDAV, Sec 7

Students were filled with patriotism and paid tributes to Pandit Nehru. Cultural items were presented by the students. As many as 3,500 students were in attendance. Ninette Vas Sharma, wife of UT Adviser KK Sharma, was the chief guest.

GMSSS, Sec 37

Children’s Day was celebrated with enthusiasm. Chanchal Singh, Deputy Director of School Education was the guest of honour. Students who had excelled in academic and co–curricular activities were awarded prizes.

GMHS, Sec 34

Students came dressed as Pandit Nehru at Government Model High School, Sector 34. A colourful cultural programme was organised. This included speeches, songs, group dances and poems.

Saint Soldier International School

Tributes were paid to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. A special morning assembly was held. A skit was presented by senior teachers to emphasise on respecting elders. Group songs were presented by teachers of the senior and pre-primary wing.

St John’s High School

The students and staff of St John’s High School undertook the Swachhta Abhiyan on the premises. The SWARM group (segregation of waste and recycling management), the eco club members and NCC boys cleaned the school fields, corridors and assembly area.

GSSS, Raipur Khurd

Children’s Day was celebrated at Govt Senior Secondary School. Activities including songs, dance performances, speeches and recitations were organised.

Saupin’s School

Saupin’s School, Sector 32, celebrated Children’s Day. This was An English song was presented by Arti Malhotra accompanied by Keith on the guitar, while a Hindi song was presented by Gagandeep Bedi and Vineet Garg.

Stepping Stones CBSE International School

Stepping Stones School - CBSE International School was the venue for 41 underprivileged students to attend Children’s Day celebrations. Students of Classes I to III interacted with the underprivileged children.

Gurukul Global

Children’s Day was celebrated with fervour. The teachers enacted a play.

Sri Sukhmani International School

Fun-filled activities organised for students marked Children’s Day celebrations at Sri Sukhmani International School, Dera Bassi, here today.

The day commenced with the morning assembly. This was followed by a range of innovative and fun-filled activities to make the day a memorable one for students.

Other schools

Celebrations were also held at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 Chandimandir Cantt, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Public School, Delhi Public School, Ryan International School, Chandigarh, Manav Mangal High School, Sector 21-C, DC Montessori (Sr Sec SMART) School, Mani Majra, Govt Model Sr Sec School, Sector 8-B, Sharda Sarvhitkari Model Sr Sec School, Sector 40-D, CL Aggarwal DAV Model School, Sector 7, Moti Ram Arya Sr Sec Model School, Sec 27-A, AKSIPS-45, St Mary’s School, GMSSS-44B, PML SD Public School Sector 32, Govt High School, Sector 24, Green Castle Public School Sector 47-C, Adarsh Public School Sector 20-B, Sri Guru Harkrishan Sr Sec Public School, Sector 40 C, Oakridge School, Mohali, Tiny-Tots’ Foundation School, Doon Public School, Panchkula, The Sky World School, Sector 21, Panchkula, Shishu Niketan Public School, Panchkula, Blue Bird High School in Panchkula and New India Sr Sec School, Sector 15, Panchkula. 

Chandigarh, November 14
The Department of Social Welfare, Chandigarh Administration, organised a children’s carnival at Snehalaya-Children Home today. The event also marked the launch of the Bal Swachhta campaign. UT Adviser KK Sharma was the chief guest.

The Secretary of Social Welfare, V Lalremthanga, lauded the department for looking after the children.

Tilak Raj, Director of Social Welfare, greeted the children.

The event kicked off with a Ganesh Vandana followed by other recreational activities. The Department of Social Welfare in collaboration with the Health Department also organised a camp for a comprehensive health check-up at Snehalaya - Children Home where several specialists from the GMSH-16 examined the students. This was followed by a puppet and magic show. A football match was also organised.

Chandigarh, November 14
Tribune Model School, Sector 29, organised its annual exhibition ‘Kala Sangam’, on the school premises today. Former Chief of the Army Staff General VP Malik inaugurated the event.

Students from Classes IV to X displayed their talent through photographs, collages, acrylic painting, block printing, clay models, sand work, thumb printing and spray printing. Every stall was decorated conceptually.

The students animatedly described their works to the visitors under the guidance of teachers. The tribal paintings by Tranquil Club were the highlight of the event.

Meanwhile, students of the techno world and electro hub displayed their creativity through innovative research projects.

The students had also put up stalls on various cuisines.

The school choir sang a medley of songs. The street play club ‘Dastak’ kept the gathering spellbound with their performance.

Meanwhile, The Tribune Trust President and former Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court, Justice SS Sodhi, appreciated the hard work and creativity of the students.

The unique and holistic experience of embracing the analytical, artistic and culinary talent of students was appreciated by parents and guests.

School principal Vandana Saxena lauded the extensive research work undertaken by all the clubs.