11102018-ATR-01.qxd 10/10/2018 11:50 PM Page 1 THURSDAY | 11 OCTOBER 2018 | AMRITSAR AMRITSAR TRIBUNE Stubble burning More skeletons tumble out Ravi Dubey turns producer Stubble burning alternatives 'not viable' for those growing vegetables after paddy. P2 Actress Sandhya Mridul has opened up about her alleged sexual harassment. P3 After having a successful career in television, Ravi Dubey has turned producer now. FORECAST SUNNY | MAX 29°C MIN 19°C | YESTERDAY MAX 30°C MIN 19°C | SUNSET THURSDAY 6.04 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.31 AM Canadians grateful to Sikhs Demonstration held amid student elections at GNDU for their contribution: Scheer Tribune News Service ‘We stand for the unity of India and don’t support violence’ GS Paul Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 10 Canada’s opposition Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer, along with his wife Jill Scheer, and Bob Saroya, Federal Member of House of Commons, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple on Wednesday. During the maiden visit, they also visited Guru Ram Dass Langar Hall and performed seva. He started conversation by greeting ‘Sat Sri Akal’, visibly impressed by the SGPC’s hospitality. “Sikhs in Canada constitute a huge part of our society. We are grateful for their contribution over the past 150 years. I have a great respect for Sikhs and learnt about their vibrant history. I am fortunate to have an opportunity to visit Golden Temple and overwhelmed to have such a warm reception,” he said. When asked if he would let continue the prevailing favourable policies of facilitating students from other countries to study in Canada, he said, “ Canada has a very ambitious programme to encourage people from all Conservative Party leader from Canada, Andrew Scheer (left), and his wife Jill Scheer (centre) at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR over the world to have university education in Canada along with the residence facility for those who come to study for a longer period of time and it will be a continued process.” Recognising the contribution of the Sikh community in business circle as well, he said that the ruling government in Canada had raised taxes on their small businesses, even accusing them of evading taxes. “We stand for the Sikh entrepreneurs as they have created jobs not only for their families but also for the wider community. Conservatives want to award their hardwork with low tax regime that allows them to keep more money and improve their quality of life,” he said. Commenting on activities of radical Sikhs demanding a separate state in India, he clarified that the Conservative Party stood for India’s unity and any voice that led to violence would be snubbed. SGPC presented them with siropa, a shawl and a model of Golden Temple. Later, the couple also visited Pingalwara’s Manawala branch. Dr Inderjit Kaur, president of All India Pingalwara Charitable Society, apprised the guests in detail the various activities of Pingalwara which houses over 1,800 destitute, orphans, abandoned and mentallychallenged persons. She also explained that Pingalwara’s educational institutions were being supported by Pingalwara Society of Ontario, Canada. They visited Artificial Limb Centre, Children ward, Special School and Deaf School where he actively interacted with residents. Others present on the occasion were vice-president of society Dr Jagdeepak Singh, in-charge, Kudarti Kheti Farm, Sarabjit Singh Chheena, and administrator Col Darshan Singh Bawa. Tiny tots steal the show Amritsar, October 10 High drama was witnessed during student union elections at the GNDU when a faction of students staged a protest, demanding postponement of the polls on Wednesday. Alleging dispute regarding the selection of candidates in the fray, a group of students said some teachers, who were part of the executive committee overseeing the election procedure, indulged in favoritism. “We raised objections and reported to the Dean Student Welfare, who intervened and sorted out the issue later,” said a student of University Business School, choosing to remain anonymous. Meanwhile, the elections were held Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 10 “Posing as CBI officials”, four persons, including two women, raided a factory in Islamabad and tried to extort money from the owner. The latter got suspicious and informed the Chheharta police, following which they Amritsar, October 10 A city resident lost Rs 1.5 crore to three Delhi-based conmen who lured him into investing money in cryptocurrency for huge returns. The victim, Nitin Seth, of Dayanand Nagar said Dushayant Sabharwal, Gautam Khanna and Naveen Pathak promised him at least 10 per cent interest upon investing in Bitcoin. Nitin stated to the police that he met the accused at a hotel at the GT Road in Rayya in May 2017. After committing the fraud, the accused closed their website and switched off their mobiles. The police have registered a case under Sections 420 and 120- B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Further investigation is under way. Kulwinder Singh, investigating officer, said the police were trying to trace the suspects. Police mum on reason 15 days on, officials yet to submit behind attack: Bhatia report on damaged Mall road Amritsar, October 10 Even after elapsing of five days, the police are silent on the reason behind the assault on Congress Councillor Jeet Singh Bhatia. Cabinet minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Wednesday said that the government would not exempt anyone of the accused who attacked the councillor. Meanwhile, police officers are not responding to the phone calls of Bhatia. Jeet Singh Bhatia, Councillor of Ward No. 30, said, “I have been calling the ADCP con- cerned to know the status of the case, but he is not available. I will meet the police commissioner on Thursday. The police had assured to crack the case within two days, but now it has been five days.” Cops said they had arrested five persons and one was still absconding. After the arrest of the keyaccused, the police would reveal the story behind the attack.There are speculations that it was a councillor’s conspiracy to humiliate Bhatia. Bhatia alleged that police officials were hesitating to name the councillor. — TNS Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 10 The five-member committee, constituted by the MC to look into the reasons behind the caving in of a big portion of the Mall road on September 25, is yet to submit its report even after elapsing of 15 days. Also there is no progress in the construction work after filling of the caved in portion with earth. The Public Works Department (PWD) had filled the pit last week and the traffic on one side of the road and the BRTS track had resumed. The report is ❝submitted, butready to be the construction company hasn’t responded to the committee yet. We are waiting for the response of the company. ❞ SONALI GIRI, MC Commissioner Now, the MC has floated tenders for the construction work. The civil wing of the MC will construct the retaining wall by spending Rs 36 lakh. Officials are expecting that the work will be complet- c m y b Tarn Taran: The Verowal police have booked Karambir Singh of Jalalabad village for allegedly abducting a teenage daughter of his neighbour with a marriage promise. The mother of the victim said Karambir took her away at night when other members of the family were sleeping. The victim is a student of ninth standard. OC Embezzlement Protesters talk to an official at the GNDU. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR smoothly and Harpreet Singh was declared winner. As many as 18 department representatives took part in the procedure to elect the leader of the student union in the university. Dr Sarbjit Behal, Dean Student Welfare, talked to the protesting students to sort out the differences and clear the air on any foul play. Till the time of filing the story, he remained unavailable for comment. Amritsar: Manjinder Singh, former sarpanch of Gehri Mandi village, has been booked for allegedly bungling Rs 1.49 lakh of the gram panchayat which he got as rent of the shops belonging to the panchayat. The case was registered on the complaint of the District Development and Panchayat Officer. A case under Section 409 of the IPC and 13 (1) (A), 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered. He is yet to be arrested. TNS Caught by the Chheharta police, let off as two parties reach compromise Tribune News Service ASSAULT ON COUNCILLOR Girl ‘abducted’ Posing as CBI officials, four raid factory Man duped of ~1.5 crore Kids dressed like Lord Hanuman were the centre of attraction at Bada Hanuman Mandir at the Durgiana Temple complex in Amritsar on Wednesday. Since it was the first day of Navratri, the temples in the district witnessed a huge rush of devotees throughout the day. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR SNIPPETS ed before Diwali festival, but with the failure of the MC to start it till date, it seems that the work will not be completed this year. Water supply officials are yet to get the lines connected. The construction company, which had recarpeted the road, is not responding to the MC. MC Commissioner Sonali Giri said, “The committee has prepared its report and it is ready to be submitted, but the construction company hasn’t responded to the committee yet. We are waiting for the response of the company.” were caught. They were released later when the two parties struck a compromise. Two of the them had identity cards of some human rights organisation. The fake CBI team raided the factory on Friday where they allegedly threatened the labourers and the factory owner, accusing them of violating trademark norms. They demanded Rs 1 lakh from the owner for writing a report in his favour. The complainant informed the police, following which they were nabbed. Harish Behal, SHO, Chheharta police station, said the accused belonged to a human rights organisation, which was registered with the Pun- jab government. He said the president of the organisation also came and assured the police and the factory owner to expel the “errants”. He said the two parties reached a compromise. Police Commissioner SS Srivastav said he was not aware of the incident. “I will look into the matter,” he said. Over 100 students take part in civic body’s poster contest Students busy during a painting competition at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 10 The Municipal Corporation organised a poster-making competition themed ‘What heritage means to you’ at Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, Company Bagh, here on Wednesday. Around 100 students of different schools participated in the competition. Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu was the chief guest. He gave prizes to the winners. The competition was conducted under the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme of the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The MC has planned a threeday function to make people aware of the heritage sites, such as Ram Bagh Gate, 40 Khoo, Goal Bagh and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama, which have been revitalised under the HRIDAY project. Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu said Amritsar being a heritage city witnessed a large number of tourists every day. The MC is making efforts to uplift the infrastructure and preserve of heritage sites to attract more tourists, he said. The MC will conduct a seminar describing the importance of the heritage in the present scenario at the Indian Academy of Fine Arts on Thursday. A cultural event would be organised at Goal Bagh. Apart from this, the MC will conduct an interaction with community stakeholders and organise a visit to heritage sites with special focus on Lok Virsa Museum, Ram Bagh Gate, on October 12. Cop caught supplying cigarettes in jail Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 10 A cop has been caught for allegedly supplying mobile phone charger and cigarettes to a jail inmate, who returned after a court hearing. He has been identified as Avtar Singh, said to be attached with the Tarn Taran police. Jail authorities have lodged a complaint with the city police in this connection. Later, he was released on bail. The jail inmate, identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, of Harike in Tarn Taran has been booked under Sections 42, 52 of the Prisons Act, and 166-A, 120-B of the IPC. Jail Superintendent Arshdeep Singh said the jail authorities caught the cop supplying two bundles of cigarette and a mobile charger to the inmate in a washroom.