13022024-JTR-01.qxd 2/13/2024 12:55 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune PUNJAB POLICE WIN GOLD IN 72ND ALL-INDIA HOCKEY C’SHIP ZEENAT AMAN COMPLETES FIRST ANNIVERSARY ON INSTAGRAM I AM SURPRISED BY MY OWN VERSATILITY: NAVNEET MALIK Punjab Police won the 72nd All-India Police Hockey Championship held in Jammu from Jan 29 to Feb 8. P2 Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has completed one year on the social media platform Instagram. P3 Actor Navneet Malik, who is juggling between shoots of two projects, revealed how he is greedy as an artiste. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 23°C | MIN 07°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 05°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.09 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:04 AM TUESDAY | 13 FEBRUARY 2024 | JALANDHAR 21-yr-old youth dies by suicide Jalandhar, February 12 A 21-year-old youth, resident of Birring village in Jalandhar Cantt, hanged himself from a ceiling fan at his residence on Sunday evening. The deceased, was identified as Ankush. As per information, Ankush had been grappling with depression for a long time. His father, Mangal Singh, a labourer, found his son hanging from a ceiling fan on returning home from work. Ankush was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Mangal Singh, in his statement to the police, said Ankush had been under depression since the untimely demise of his mother during his childhood. This loss weighed heavily on him, rendering him quiet and mentally distressed. After post-mortem, his body was handed over to the family. “After recording Mangal Singh’s statement, proceedings have been initiated under Section 174 of the CrPC,” said Sandeep Rani, SHO, Jalandhar Cantt. — TNS Convicted of murder, man gets RI for life, to pay ~25,000 fine Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, February 12 The court of District and Sessions Judge Dilbagh Singh Johal convicted a murder accused Surjit Singh, alias Seeta, and sentenced him under Section 302 of the IPC to undergo rigorous imprisonment (RI) for life and pay a fine of Rs 20,000. In default of payment of fine he would have to further undergo RI for six months. Also under Section 201 of the IPC Surjit was sentenced to undergo RI for three years and pay a fine of Rs 5,000. In default of payment of fine, he would have to further undergo two months RI. A case was registered at the Dasuya police station on May 31, 2022, Inspector Bikramjit Singh, SHO, the investigating officer (IO) of the case, was on patrol duty at Adda Randhawa. HIT VICTIM WITH SPADE HANDLE Accused Surjit Singh told the police that he owed some money to Om Parkash. There was a quarrel between them. In a fit of rage, Surjit picked up handle of the spade and hit Om Parkash on left side of his head and nose after which he lost consciousness. Later, he threw Om Parkash in the septic tank at his house and closed its lid. Satnam Singh, a resident of Kalaran village, was with him. He told the SHO that on May 26 Surjit Singh, alias Seeta, a resident of Kalaran village, came to their house and asked his brother Om Parkash to take him along for doing labour work. Om Parkash took Surjit to work at Dasuya the same day. Thereafter, Om Parkash did not return home. However, Surjit came back to the village. Santosh Kumari, mother of the complainant, inquired from Surjit about Om Parkash. He told her that Om Parkash had gone with mason. Om Parkash did not return home even the next day. Om’s family started searching for him, but failed to find him. After three days, Surjit also left his house. His neighbours told village sarpanch Paramjit Singh that Surjit had fled from his house. They said foul smell was emanating from the septic tank in his house. The residents of the area in the presence of Paramjit lifted the lid of the septic tank at Surjit’s house and found a dead body in it. Om Parkash’s mother also reached the spot. With the help of residents, septic tank was dismantled and dead body was taken out. On cleaning the body, it was found to be of Om Parkash. On getting Farmers proceed towards Delhi, say Central Government should fulfil their pending demands Our Correspondent Phagwara, February 12 The state general secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (Piddi Group), Sarwan Singh Pandher, has strongly condemned the Union and Haryana Governments for creating obstacles by putting up barricades at the Punjab-Haryana border to stop farmers from proceeding towards Delhi. Talking to the media during a brief halt of the Delhi-bound farmers’ cavalcade at Mauli village on the National Highway between Phagwara and Goraya on Monday morning, Pandher said Haryana Government’s orders to switch off the Internet would not affect farmers’ agitation as they can use wireless sets for connectivity. Pandher, in the presence of BKU (Doaba) president Manjit Singh Rai and general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni, said farmers had always tried to convince the Centre to fulfil their demands. Pandher alleged that though the Prime Farmers partake langar during a brief halt of their cavalcade near Phagwara on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Minister had released a letter to fulfil demands of farmers during the earlier agitation, these were still pending. BKU leader Rai said there was doubt over the intentions of the Centre. Farmers from all the states of the country were coming to Delhi, but only farmers of Punjab were being stopped by putting up barricades at the Haryana Transporter alleges police inaction in accident case Jalandhar, February 12 A transporter, residing near Verka Milk Plant here, has been struggling for over two months to get an FIR registered regarding an accident in which his Innova vehicle was damaged. The victim, identified as Satnam Singh, suffered a loss of Rs 2 lakh in the accident that occurred on November 24, 2023. His Innova was hit by another vehicle speeding out of a private hotel basement near the bus stand. The four occupants of the vehicle that collided with Satnam’s car first entered into heated arguments with him which turned into physical altercation. Later, the four suspects fled after snatching Satnam’s mobile phone. The victim claimed that despite his best efforts and multiple rounds of the police station and the Commissionerate Office, the police failed to take any action against culprits. “The PCR team came on the spot that night. As there are no CCTV cameras installed near the accident spot the police personnel showed their helplessness in pursuing the case and no FIR has been lodged in this connection,” Satnam alleged. He said the location of his snatched mobile phone was traced to Phagwara. The cellphone remains in police custody as he refused to accept it until action was taken against the culprits. Satnam further alleged that one of the suspects was a police officer which is why cops refused to register an FIR. “As a last resort, I turned to the “Aap Di Sarkar Aap de Dwar” camp at Kalia Colony, but even there officials said they couldn’t help me in this matter,” he said. Parminder Singh, SHO, Division No. 6, said he was transferred here recently and was not aware of the incident. However, he assured that if any crime had been committed, it would be investigated and necessary action taken. — TNS border. “We also belong to this country, but if the government does not accept it, then we should be given our Maha Punjab,” he said. Rai and Sahni said all farmer organisations going to Delhi for protest would receive complete support and the BKU Doaba would also participate in the protest along with them. Meanwhile, the cavalcade of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (Piddi Group), which made a night halt at Mehta bypass, proceeded for the onward journey to Delhi. The cavalcade of more than 700 farmers belonging to Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (Piddi Group) led by Paramjit Singh Bhulla has 200 tractor-trailers. information, the police registered a case and arrested Surjit Singh, alias Seeta, on June 1, 2022. During interrogation, Surjit disclosed that he used a wooden handle of a spade to kill Om Parkash. Surjit told the police that after doing labour work on May 26 at Dasuya, he and Om Parkash came back to his house at Kalaran village. Surjit said he owed some money to Om Parkash. Both had a quarrel over money. In a fit of rage, Surjit picked up handle of the spade and hit Om Parkash on left side of his head and nose after which he lost consciousness. Later, he threw Om Parkash in the septic tank at his house and closed its lid. After hearing arguments of both sides, the court in its judgement held the accused guilty of murder and passed the sentence. NIT professor faces termination over harassmentcharges Jalandhar, February 12 The Board of Governors (BoG) of Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) on Monday announced its decision to terminate a newly-recruited assistant professor at the campus following charges of sexual harassment levelled by two students of a postgraduate course. The girls had reportedly alleged that the suspect attempted to make sexual advances and when they opposed it, he tried to lure them by saying that he would ensure passing marks for them in the examination. The girls had reportedly complained to the authorities a fortnight ago. When no step was taken by officials, they even tried to lodge a protest, but were silenced. The complaint on the issue reached the sexual harassment committee of the campus which heard the accused professor and the victim girls. The committee gave its decision which was discussed by the BoG today that finally announced a decision in favour of the girls. — TNS Buses parked at the workshop in Nawanshahr on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Out of 87 govt buses, 22 off road Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, February 12 Out of 87 government buses in Nawanshahr, 22 have been off the road for a long time. They are not plying on roads due to issues like shortage of drivers and conductors and lack of maintenance. As per information, around 12 buses are off-road due to staff shortage while the remaining need maintenance. Out of 87 buses, 19 are of Punjab Roadways and 68 of PUNBUS. Apart from this, at least 35 buses are lying defunct at the PSHRC seeks report from authorityonwhyNurmahal school building incomplete Phagwara, February 12 The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has directed state project director, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, to submit his report on incomplete building of Nurmahal Senior Secondary School on the next date of the hearing on April 1, 2024. Justice Sant Parkash stated in his order that the state project director, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan Authority, Punjab, had sought more time to submit the report in a written communication to the commission which was granted. The order stated that the report would be sent to the commission by the next date of the hearing, which was fixed for April 1. The PSHRC is hearing a complaint filed by Aditya Bhatara, former president of the Nakodar Nagar Council. The complainant had alleged that the construction work of the new building of the Government Senior Secondary Stray dog menace: Passan Kadim village residents give shelter to scared labourers Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 12 Days after a woman died after being attacked by a pack of 10 to 15 dogs at the Passan Kadim village in Kapurthala, eight canine have been lifted by the Kapurthala administration and villagers from the village and its vicinity. However, the scare of stray dogs has villagers on the edge. Twenty migrant labourers are putting up at homes and farms of farmers in the village. Labourers are scared of an attack by dogs at their isolated jhuggies in the night. These labourers include deceased Ram Pari’s husband Kewal Thakur and his children and another dog bite victim Pinki Devi from Chuhrpur village. Residents said a veterinary team was designated to shift Stray dogs at Nabipur village in Kapurthala. FILE PHOTO dogs to shelter from the village. Groups of villagers themselves armed with lathis are also catching and shifting stray dogs. Nishan Singh, former sarpanch of Passan Kadim village, said, “The villager in whose fields Ram Pari was attacked by dogs has made a team of youths to catch stray canine. The team surrounds dogs and with the help of lathis forces them into cages sent by the administration. No dog catcher teams have been sent to the village.” c m y b He said, “Dogs are kept at the local veterinary hospital in the night and given food there. So far, eight dogs have been caught on Saturday and Sunday.” He said, “Fifteen labourers spend night at my haveli as they fear an attack by dogs. The dogs were taken to animal shelter this morning. Our only request to the administration is to provide cages until we catch enough dogs and shift them to shelter.” Baljinder Singh from Chuhrpur village also provides workshop. When The Tribune team reached the workshop, several buses were seen parked on the spot. As per information, there is a heavy staff shortage. As many as 30 drivers and 20 conductors are needed to run buses to their full capacity. At present, buses do not cover routes properly. People have complained about buses not stopping in their villages. Recently, residents of Khatkar Kalan held a protest over buses not stopping at their village. They apprised Deputy Commis- shelter at night to labourer families, including victim Pinki Devi, at his house. Rajinder Pal Singh, Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Kapurthala, said, “Dogs are being shifted to a shelter. For the long haul, restart of the sterilisation programme will address the stray canine issue.” Amit Kumar Panchal, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, said, “The problem is in our notice. A meeting of villagers with the ADC, Development, who heads a committee on the issue, was held today. Several dogs have already been shifted to the designated shelter and more will be picked up soon. I have yet to get a formal report of the committee, but we are taking all necessary measures. Instructions will be given to the authorities concerned to resume the animal birth control programme in the district.” School (Co-education), Nurmahal, was stopped seven years ago. He had requested the commission to act on the matter. Director General of School Education (DGSE) had released Rs 1.14 crore for the construction of the school building in October 2013, following directions from the PSHRC. The school principal received Rs 57 lakh in 2013 which was deposited in accounts of the Public Works Department (PWD) as it was the agency to construct government school buildings at a cost above Rs 50 lakh. The PWD completed 50 per cent of the construction work, but the Finance Department did not release the remaining grant. As a result, the construction work came to a halt. Nakodar MLA IK Mann said the school construction would resume soon. She said the remaining grant would be released by the government. However, no amount has been released for the construction work till date. — OC sioner about the problem they were facing. Jaspreet Singh, General Manager (GM), Punjab Roadways, said he had already written about the requirement of more staff to the head office. “We got a few drivers last month. I am sure we will get the required number of drivers and conductors soon.” Regarding complaints about buses not stopping at Khatkar Kalan village, the GM said, “I have asked my team to be present there and check why buses are not stopping at the village.” Four booked for assaulting villager Phagwara, February 12 The Nakodar Sadar police have booked four persons, including a Congress leader and a woman, on the charge of assaulting a villager. Investigating officer (IO) Nirmal Singh said the suspects were identified as Gurmukh Singh, alias Happy Sandhu, a Congress leader and truck union president, a resident of Talwandi Salem village, Manjinder Singh, a resident of Talwandi Salem village, Shiv Kumar, a resident of Chamiara village, and his sister Puja Rani. Inderjit Sharma of Talwandi Salem village complained to the police that Puja Rani was his wife with whom his relationship was constrained. Sharma told the police that on February 4, Manjinder Singh, former village sarpanch, called him on cellphone and asked him to reach Sandhu’s farmhouse where he was pressurised to reach a compromise with his wife. When he refused to do so, the four suspects used abusive language against him and Sandhu threatened him with dire consequences. The IO said a case was registered against the four suspects. —OC Kapurthala Sainik School alumnus assumes charge as Chief Hydrographer Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 12 Coming as a proud moment for Sainik School, Kapurthala, its alumnus Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania has recently assumed the charge as the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India. He passed out from the Sainik School in 1982, the old students said. Vice Admiral Pathania graduated from the Naval Academy and is an alumnus of the International Maritime Academy (IMO), Trieste, Italy, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and College of Defence Management (CDM), Secunderabad. Besides, the Vice Admiral holds a masters degree in defence and strategic stud- Vice Admiral Lochan Singh Pathania ies from University of Madras and masters of management studies (MMS) from Osmania University. Commissioned in the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy in 1990, he has commanded INS Darshak and Sandhayak. During his career spanning more than three decades, he had carried out hydrographic surveys across the entire stretch of the country.