06062022-CT-01.qxd 06-06-2022 01:14 Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh TRIBUNE MONDAY | 6 JUNE 2022 | CHANDIGARH M'RASHTRA LEAD TALLY WITH 9 GOLD IN KHELO INDIA GAMES Defending champions Maharashtra start Khelo India Youth Games campaign with a bang by leading the medal tally. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY PAGE 3 MAX 45°C | MIN 26°C | YESTERDAY MAX 44.5°C | MIN 25.9°C SUNSET MONDAY 7:22 PM TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI P’KULA MOHALI POSITIVE 92,539 44,373 96,066 RECOVERED 91,241 43,932 94,876 NEW CASES 24 7 7 ACTIVE 133 27 41 CHANGE 9 4 2 DEATHS 1,165 414 1,149 NEW 0 0 0 National Measles Laboratory at the Department of Virology, PGIMER, gets the WHO accreditation. SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:21 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE A college dropout, Bishnoi graduated in crime from city he was convicted by the court and sentenced to two-year imprisonment in 2016. As per the information available with the police, Bishnoi was named in at least 33 cases registered in Chandigarh and neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan between 2010 and 2017. Amit Sharma Tribune News Service CHANDIGARH 120 PANCHKULA 103 MOHALI 109 SEVERE VERY POOR POOR MODERATE SATISFACTORY GOOD INBRIEF 2 ARRESTED FOR STEALING MOBILES Chandigarh: Two suspects, including a juvenile, have been arrested by the Chandigarh Police for allegedly stealing mobile phones from a mobile store in Sector 35. The complainant. Kapil Dev, a resident of Mohali, had reported that on the intervening night of May 20 and 21, 22 mobile phones and other accessories were stolen from his store. The police had registered a case in this regard at the Sector 36 police station. During the investigation carried out by the police, the suspects, identified as Deepender, alias Deepak, and a juvenile, were arrested. The police said 19 mobile phones, a smart watch and two ear buds were recovered from them. The juvenile was sent to Juvenile Home. Deepak is on police remand till Monday. TNS PAGE 3 He was a soft-spoken boy who wanted to make it big in politics: Ex-student leader AIR QUALITY INDEX 401-500 301-400 201-300 101-200 51-100 0-50 PGI'S VIROLOGY DEPARTMENT LAB GETS WHO ACCREDITATION The second phase of the “Har Ghar Dastak” campaign for Covid vaccination will start on Monday. TRICITY COVID REPORT CHD PAGE 3 DOOR-TO-DOOR VAX DRIVE FROM TODAY IN MOHALI DIST A woman scooterist has herself properly covered to beat the scorching heat in Chandigarh. Hottest June day in 5 yrs, no respite in sight City sizzles at 44.5°C, six degrees above normal Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5 The city today witnessed the hottest June day in five years and there is no respite in sight in the coming days. The maximum temperature in the city today was 44.5°C, six degrees above normal. Last year, the highest maximum temperature in June was 41.9°C. In June 2020, the highest maximum temperature was 40.4°C. It remained a bit higher in June 2019 when the highest maximum temperature was 44.2°C. In June 2018, it was 42.3°C. In fact, since 2011, it was only thrice that the highest maximum temperature in June remained higher than this month so far. In over a DEPT ISSUES HEATWAVE WARNING ■ The city has been witnessing a heatwave for the past few days and it increased further on Sunday. ■ Heatwave conditions are considered when the maximum temperature is over 40°C and is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal for the day. ■ The department has issued a heatwave warning for the next five days. MAX TEMP IN JUNE OVER THE YEARS June 2022 June 2021 June 2020 June 2019 June 2018 decade, it was in June 2012 that the highest maximum temperature touched 45.1°C. “Southwest winds are coming from Rajasthan. Whenever that happens, hot conditions prevail. Secondly, the Punjab Cong prez meets Jain 44.5°C 41.9°C 40.4°C 44.2°C 42.3°C weather has been dry,” said Manmohan Singh, Director, Chandigarh Meteorological Department, on the rising temperature. He said there was no immediate relief in continued on page 2 Chandigarh, June 5 Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who has been hogging the limelight for the wrong reasons for the past few years for “ordering hits” from behind the bars and who has now been accused of orchestrating the killing of Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, aka Sidhu Moosewala, had started his never-ending journey of crime during his college days in Chandigarh. One of the oldest cases as per the police records was registered at the Sector 11 police station, Chandigarh, in April 2010. Bishnoi and Supreet were accused of setting on fire a Mitsubishi Pajero and a Maruti Esteem parked at Panjab University Student Union (PUSU) leader Udey Wirring’s house in Sector 11. There was “no looking back” for Bishnoi, who was switching over from student politics to violence. Between 2010 and 2017, 16 FIRs were registered against Bishnoi at different police stations across the tricity that included cases of attempt to murder, issuing threats and under the Arms Act. While six cases were registered in Chandigarh and seven in Mohali, three cases were registered in Panchkula. In 2016, almost six years after the registration of the FIR at the Sector 11 police station, both Bishnoi and Supreet were Was active in student politics at DAV College A file photo of Lawrence Bishnoi (white shirt) at DAV College, Sector 10. Slain YAD leader Vikramjit Singh Middukhera (left) is also seen. HIS MURKY WORLD OF CRIME ■ Between 2010 and 2017, 16 FIRs were registered against Lawrence Bishnoi at different police stations across the tricity that included cases of attempt to murder, issuing threats and under the Arms Act. While six cases were registered in Chandigarh and seven in Mohali, three cases were registered in Panchkula. ■ As per the information available with the police, Bishnoi was named in at least 33 cases registered in Chandigarh and neighboring states of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan between 2010 and 2017. acquitted by a local court. In the judgment, the court had concluded, “The court is of the considered opinion that the prosecution has miserably failed to prove the guilt of the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt. As such, the accused are acquitted of the offences charged with”. Police sources said Bishnoi Testing times had been acquitted in several other cases for want of evidence. “Witnesses fail to depose before the court fearing a threat to their life following which all cases fall flat”, said a police official. However, in another case of attempt to murder, which was registered against Bishnoi at the Sector 34 police station, Bishnoi was active in student politics at DAV College, Sector 10, from 2010 onwards. In 2011, he was announced the SOPU party president of the college, in the presence of slain Youth Akali Dal (YAD) leader Vikramjit Singh Middukhera, alias Vicky Middukhera. The video of SOPU leaders announcing Bishnoi as the party president outside the college canteen is among the few or probably the only video of Bishnoi’s social life before he turned a notorious gangster. A former student leader, who was then associated with the Student Organisation of Panjab University (SOPU), said Bishnoi was a soft-spoken boy who wanted to make it big in politics. “I believe the lust for power drove Bishnoi into the world of crime. Student politics became the gateway for crime for him,” he said. Bishnoi wanted to cement his base in student politics at DAV College and later enter Panjab University (PU), which is a nursery for potential continued on page 2 OP BLUESTAR ANNIVERSARY Police hold flag march MOHALI MC TURMOIL: Cong councillors meet, 8 of 37 turn up Tribune News Service Mohali, June 5 Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring today visited the house of former Deputy Mayor Rishav Jain and met some Congress councillors, sparking off speculations. With former Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu and his brother Mayor Amarjit Singh Sidhu leaving the Congress to join the BJP yesterday, political circles in Mohali are abuzz with the new permutations and combinations in the 50-member House. Sources said an informal meeting of Congress councillors was held at the house of the former Deputy Mayor today in which only eight of the 37 Congress councillors were present. A senior Congress leader said senior councillors did not attend the meeting. “It does not mean that they are leaving the party. Most of the councillors are adopting a wait-and-watch policy. From my observation, most Congress councillors want to remain neutral and do not want to create hurdles in the Cyber fraudsters on the prowl Unauthorised religious structures come up in city Tribune News Service During the flag march, a message was given to the common man to maintain the law and order situation in the city and to immediately report any untoward incident to the police. Residents say public land is being encroached upon | We act on complaints, says Estate Office Gaurav Kanthwal Tribune News Service working of the House. They are not inclined to join the BJP this is certain,” said , Bedi, who himself did not attend the meeting. “I could not go to the meeting, but I am with the party, as of now. Let us see what happens in the coming days,” he said. Mayor Sidhu had announced that all 37 Congress councillors would join the BJP soon. However, that appears unlikely with several senior leaders, including Deputy Mayor Kuljit Singh continued on page 2 Candidates come out after appearing for the UPSC Civil Services (Prelims) examination, 2022, in Chandigarh on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 5 Cyber fraudsters tried to dupe people by seeking Amazon gift cards using UT Adviser Dharam Pal’s picture on WhatsApp. Try to dupe people in name of UT Adviser Last week, a fraudster tried to dupe people in the name of DGP Praveer Ranjan, following which the DGP posted a message on Twitter to warn everyone about the fraud. Sources said a person received a WhatsApp message from a number with the Adviser’s DP The fraudster . wrote that he was at a crucial meeting with limited phone calls. He asked for a favour continued on page 2 Chandigarh, June 5 Illegal religious structures have come up in different parts of the city with no fear of law. This is giving rise to encroachments. During a random check, such structures were found to have been raised at the Sector 52 ground near EWS houses, at the Sector 29 mango orchard near Tribune Chowk and in some villages and colonies. “Some people raise small religious structures on the roadside, which can cause accidents. Public land is encroached upon for doing so, but the authorities seem to be turning a blind eye to it,” said Jaswinder, a resident of Sector 29. “Since these are religious ‘LAW NEEDS TO BE ENFORCED’ Since these are religious places and hence sensitive matters, the authorities do not take much interest. However, the law is the same for everybody and must be enforced. ❝ UT land has been illegally encroached upon at several places in the city such as in the pic above in Sector 29. MANOJ MAHAJAN ❞ Ravi Kumar, A RESIDENT OF SECTOR 45 396 RELIGIOUS PLACES IN CITY: SURVEY According to a survey conducted by the Administration in July-August 2005, there are 396 religious places in Chandigarh. Of these, 194 are in the sectoral grid, 128 in villages and 74 in colonies. Of the 194 religious places and hence sensitive matters, the authorities do not take much interest. However, the law is the same for every- places in the sectoral grid, 92 have been allotted by the Administration. The remaining are unauthorised with a few exceptions, which have been in existence since the inception of the city. body and must be enforced,” said Ravi Kumar, a resident of Sector 45. According to a survey conducted by the Admin- c m y b istration in July-August 2005, there are 396 religious places in Chandigarh. Of these, 194 are in the sec- toral grid, 128 in villages and 74 in colonies. Of the 194 religious places in the sectoral grid, 92 have been allotted by the Administration. The remaining are unauthorised with a few exceptions, which have been in existence since the inception of the city. A senior officer of the Estate Office said, “We carry out regular inspections. We take action whenever we receive complaints. We also take suo motu action if something of the sort comes to our notice. However, we have not made any list of illegal religious places recently.” He said four such illegal structures in Colony No. 4 were razed recently. Besides, a religious structure built near the PGI was demolished by them earlier. Mohali, June 5 Ahead of the 38th anniversary of Operation Bluestar, the district police and paramilitary forces today held a flag march in various parts of the city. It was aimed at maintaining law and order, preventing any untoward incident and to instilling confidence among residents. Led by Mohali SP (Headquarters) RPS Sandhu, the flag march started from Phase 7 and passed through the Phase 3 and 5 light points, YPS Chowk, PCA Chowk and Phase 11 in Mohali. A flag march was also held in Zirakpur. Sikh organisations observe “Ghallughara Day” on June 6. Section 144 imposed The Mohali administration has imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the district with prohibition orders issued on gatherings of five or more persons. The orders will be effective from June 6 to July 31. Demonstrations, rallies, meetings, dharnas and chanting of slogans in the district was not allowed keeping in view the Ghallughara Day, said Mohali DeputyCommissioner Amit Talwar. The police hold a flag march in Mohali. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VICKY ~40K, silver utensils stolen Panchkula, June 5 Thieves targeted a locked house in Sector 7 here in broad daylight and took away ~40,000 and silver utensils worth several thousand rupees. Mantosh Bhardwaj, a resident of Sector 19, Panchkula, in his complaint to the police, said his uncle Balwinder Kumar, a resident of Sector 7, had gone to Australia after locking the house. He said he received information that unidentified persons entered the house after breaking the windowpane and took away cash and silver utensils. He said he contacted his uncle continued on page 2