04092024-CT-01.qxd 9/3/2024 11:46 PM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune DENGUE CASES CROSS 200 MARK IN PANCHKULA DIST NO POWER FOR 10 DAYS, FARMERS STAGE DHARNA WHEN CANINE NUTRITIONIST TURNS ‘PETPRENEUR’ The district has been witnessing a steep rise in the number of dengue cases every day. P2 Residents of villages stage a dharna in front of Chorwala Grid to protest the erratic power supply. P2 Chef Ishmeet Singh Chandiok’s venture offers healthy and flavourful everyday meals for dogs. P4 » » PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 35.7°C | MIN 26.1°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.41 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6.02 AM » WEDNESDAY | 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE DAY 3 OF FARMER PROTEST Lull at Sec 34 site, respite for locals Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH Light show for children’s cancer awareness: Garden of Silence, Sukhna Lake, September 5, 6:30 pm Awareness camp on animal birth control: By PETA and Aashray foundation, Sector 17 Plaza, 12 noon Vehicles stuck in a traffic jam at a light point in Zirakpur. FILE PHOTO Silk Expo: Himachal Bhawan, Sector 28, from September 3 to 8 Play “The Cursed Throne”: An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, by Shunya Theatre Group, Tagore Theatre, September 6, 6:30 pm, no entry free ‘Open Mic Poetry’: By Chandigarh Literary Society, Government Museum and Art Gallery, Sector 10, September 6, 5:45 pm, send entries to eventsofcls@gmail.com Launch of book “The Maz Files”: Author Mazhar Farooqui, House No. 105, Sector 11-A, September 6, 5:30 pm Book fair ‘Load the Box’: CP67 Mall, Mohali, from August 31 to September 8, 10 am to 10 pm APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 15, 40, 46 and 52 Mohali: Phase 11 Panchkula: Sector 25 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF MAN ATTACKED Chandigarh: Deepak, a resident of EWS Colony, Maloya, alleged that Virender, alias Biri; Sonu Yadav, alias Kadhu; Aman, alias Muthai; Sanjay and others attacked him with rods. The police have registered a case. TNS 11 years on, bypass project back on track NHAI comes up with new plan for Zirakpur road Dushyant Singh Pundir Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 3 The Zirakpur bypass project is back on track after remaining stalled for nearly 11 years. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has come up with a new plan for the construction of a sixlane bypass with a 200-foot width to ease traffic congestion in Zirakpur. The project will provide an alternative route to commuters going to Shimla from Ambala side. During a meeting of the 23member Unified Metro Transportation Authority (UMTA), chaired by UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria yesterday, the NHAI gave a presentation on the project. The NHAI stated that a plan had been prepared to construct a bypass connecting Zirakpur and Panchkula. The route will provide a direct connection to traffic heading to Himachal Pradesh, thus reducing congestion in the tricity area. Moreover, it is strategically important as it will offer a signal-free connectivity from SIGNAL-FREE CONNECTIVITY The route will provide a direct connection to traffic heading to Himachal Pradesh, thus reducing congestion in Zirakpur and Chandigarh. Moreover, it will offer a signal-free connectivity from the Chandimandir Western Command Headquarters to the Chandigarh airport. the Chandimandir Western Command Headquarters to the Chandigarh airport. The proposed bypass will span nearly 16.5 km, starting from the Patiala-Zirakpur light point and ending at the old Panchkula light point. The bypass will cross the McDonald’s on the AmbalaZirakpur highway, pass through Peer Muchalla, Sanoli, Gazipur and Nagla before merging with the Sectors 20-21 road in Panchkula. An official said the project would remove traffic bottlenecks from several places in Zirakpur and Chandigarh, including the ZirakpurPatiala light point, Big Bazar traffic lights, K Area point and the Airport Road lights etc. Raminder Singh, a resident of Zirakpur, who works in Sector 17, said the project would be a great help for commuters like him as it took nearly an hour to reach office. With the completion of the project, a large number of vehicles would be diverted to the bypass, he added. The NHAI highlighted that a rapid development of Mohali, Zirakpur and Panchkula around Chandigarh has significantly increased traffic in the tricity area. To address this, the development of a ring road around the Chandigarh area was discussed during a meeting of the Northern Zonal Council in Amritsar. It was proposed that the NHAI, in collaboration with the stakeholders, including the governments of Punjab and Haryana, and Chandigarh Administration, should prepare a plan for the development of the ring road. This project, funded on a cost-sharing basis, will enhance interstate connectivity and ease traffic congestion in the tricity area. Chandigarh, September 3 As no activity was planned for Day 3 of the farmer protest at the Sector 34 ground, protesters spent most of their time on mobile phones, which they charged using kundi connections from the street light poles. The kundi connections were also used to run fans at the site. “The state administration should have provided electricity connections to our tents. We have to find our own way to manage through kundi connections,” said a protesting farmer, who later appreciated the administration for providing water tankers in the morning for following their daily routine. “Where else could we have charged our mobile phones? It’s important to connect with our family members back home and the only way to spend our rest of the day here. It’s so hot here, that’s why we have brought our own pedestal fans,” said another farmer. By afternoon, the farmers explored the nearby areas, but in small groups in order to avoid a ‘thin presence’ at the site. “We just cannot leave the protesting site and roam around in the city. We do visit the nearby places and the gurdwara, but in small groups. No one can sit at the same place day long and do nothing. We are here for a cause and fighting for our Lok Adalat on September 14 Mohali, September 3 Third National Lok Adalat of the year will be held on September 14. Cases pertaining to criminal compoundable offences, NI Act under Section-138, bank recovery, accident compensation, matrimonial disputes, labour, land continued on page 3 More members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ugrahan) reach Sector 34 on Tuesday. PRADEEP TEWARI rights,” added Balwinder. In the evening, as it started to rain, the farmers covered their tents with waterproof (tarpaulin) sheets and stayed inside. A prayer meeting was also conducted in order to keep alive the spirit of the protest. “We are here as a united and extended family for a better future of the country. We have brought our own cylinders, cooking materials, fans, tarpaulin, mattresses and other things so that we continue our protest in a very peaceful manner,” said Anokh. “The prayers and discussions are held throughout the day. We talk about the government policies, the state’s contribution to the uplift of farmers, increased involvement of politicians and how to carry NEXT COURSE OF STIR TO BE DECIDED ON SEPT 5 “We are ready to stay here as long as our leaders want. The initial call was for five days, but the future course of action will be decided on September 5, as told to the media by our leaders on Monday. We are campaigning peacefully and brought all necessary material to stay put for a long time, if needed, without troubling anyone,” said a farmer. out our protests. To manage a protest at such a large scale needs a lot of work, planning, execution and aim,” added another protester. Tomorrow, more people from Punjab are expected to reach the site. The BKU (Ekta-Ugrahan) has announced a five-day protest at the Sector 34 open ground. Unlike yesterday, offices and educational institutions in the vicinity of the protest site opened on their scheduled time, but footfall at the nearby business establishments remained less than usual. A portion of the road leading to the site has been blocked for vehicles. “The number of farmers was fewer than yesterday, which was a relief for commuters. Defecation in the open is one of the major problems and they (protesters) should be made aware of it,” said Aparna, a student. Personnel of the Punjab and UT police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) continue to guard the area round the clock. PUTA poll: Naura-Mritunjay faction wins another term Shots fired at SUV, 3rd shooting in 48 hours Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 3 In less than 48 hours after gunshots were fired at Night Food Street and later at a house in Sector 56, another shooting incident took place on the Dadu Majra/Dhanas road last night. It was alleged that Vijay, a notorious criminal, and his accomplices, who were involved in the earlier two incidents, opened fire at an SUV. Around five shots were fired, two of which struck the vehicle. Around 10 pm, the complainant, Gurjeet Singh, also known as Chota Boora, a resident of Dhanas, was returning home when the assailants, who were in a white car, intercepted The SUV, which was being driven by the victim. PRADEEP TEWARI PREVIOUS INCIDENTS September 1: Three shots were fired outside Night Food Street (NFS) opposite the PGI gate. The same group later opened fire at the house of a Sector 56 resident, who runs a food counter at the NFS. his SUV and opened fired at it. Gurjeet, who provides bouncers to clubs, immediately informed the police. A team reached the spot and examined the crime scene. Gurjeet reported that the assailants fired four or five rounds. The police recovered an empty shell from the scene. A forensic team also inspected the spot. In his statement to the police, Gurjeet alleged that Vijay, a resident of Sector 25, was involved in the attack. The complainant had an argument with Vijay at a club a few days ago. Although the police have named Vijay in the FIR registered at the Sector 11 police station, DSP (Central) Gurmukh Singh said they were verifying Gurjeet’s claims. Vijay, a notorious criminal, and his accomplices have allegedly been involved in the two recent shooting incidents at Night Food Street near the PGI and at the house in Sector 56. Vijay had also claimed continued on page 3 Newly elected office-bearers of the Panjab University Teachers Association. PHOTO: RAVI KUMAR Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 3 Naura-Mritunjay group is set to embark on another term after it won the Panjab University Teachers’ Association (PUTA) election today. As many as 549 votes were polled from 8 am to 2 pm in the Law Auditorium today. Prof Amarjit Singh Naura won the post of president with 287 votes, while his rival Prof Ashok Kumar polled 244 votes. For the post of secretary, Mritunjay Kumar won the seat with 288 votes against 246 votes polled in favour of Kulwinder Singh. Naura and Kumar were elected to the same seats last year as well. The post of joint secretary was won by Surinder Pal Singh, while that of treasurer was bagged by Deepak Kumar, both from the same group. The group, which has won for the eighth consecutive term, was backed by Prof Keshav Malhotra. However, the vice-presidential candidate of the NauraMritunjay group, Simran Kaur, who bagged 247 votes, was defeated by Suruchi Aditya, who polled 286 votes. For the Executive Members Group 1, Gautam Bahl, Khushpreet Brar, Nitin Arora and Sumedha Singh, from the Naura-Mritunjay group were elected with 320, 330, 331 and 297 votes, respectively. For the Executive Members Group 3, Amita Sarwal, Deepak Gupta and Neeraj Aggarwal from the same group won, while the fourth winning member Ikreet Singh is from the Teacher’s Voice United Front. For Group 4, Prof Keshav Malhotra has been elected unopposed, while Jaspreet Kaur, Mohinder Singh Negi, Tanzeer Kaur and Vijay Kumar, also from the winning group, have been elected unopposed. During the last term, the Naura-Mritunjay group had seven members. This time, they have got 17 of their members elected. Gala day for students of university, city colleges Akashdeep Virk Tribune News Service Youths outside a club during a party organised by a student group. AKASHDEEP VIRK Chandigarh, September 3 With just two days to go for the elections to the Panjab University Student Council (PUCSC), students of the university and a few colleges had a gala day as they were invited to cafes and clubs in Sector 26 here. While the social media page of a party from DAV College, Sector 10, had c m y b publicly shared posters inviting students for a party in a club with free soft drinks and food, invitations for ‘fresher’s parties’ from two PU student bodies were being circulated on the social media. Both these PU parties are backed by mainstream political parties and are also contesting the election in alliance. Outside a certain club in Sector 26, a huge crowd of stu- PU STUDENT COUNCIL POLL Outfits contesting PU poll throw parties in city clubs dents from the SGGS Khalsa College, Sector 26, was present and they were being let in by the organisers after checking their Aadhaar and college identity cards. “It is our first year in the college and this is an opportunity to enjoy and interact with each other. We were invited here by a student party from our college,” said an undergraduate student from SGGS Khalsa College waiting for his turn to enter the club. Three parties were organised in another club. While the first party was organised by the DAV College unit of INSO in the presence of their candidates, the pictures of which were also uploaded on the social media platforms, the second and third party were reportedly organised by two parties from the PU. “It is convenient to hold different parties in the same club the same day. Since the food is to be prepared in bulk, club management offer discounts as well,” said a PU campus student leader.