02112024-CT-01.qxd 11/2/2024 12:36 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune CITY AIR QUALITY ‘VERY POOR’ ON DIWALI NIGHT COURT ORDERS HIGHER RELIEF FOR MALOYA FARMERS TRAILBLAZER SARIN ETCHES HIS NAME IN HISTORY AQI reached a peak of 395 in Sec 22, marking the highest pollution level across monitored areas. P3 Their land was acquired in 2006 by UT Administration for rehabilitation of slum dwellers. P3 Creates the world's largest musical installation — a colossal, playable cruise ship! P6 » » Cops get 110 calls related to fireworks, 35 more than those made last year WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH 46th Annual Chandigarh Sangeet Sammelan: Being organised by the Indian National Theatre in collaboration with the Durga Das Foundation from November 8 to 10, Strawberry Fields High School auditorium, Sector 26. On Day 1, classical vocalist Rutuja Lad will perform at 6 pm, followed by vocalist Atul Khandekar. Triveni Kala Utsav: By Chandigarh Sangeet Natak, from November 3, Rani Lakshmi Bai Bhawan Auditorium, Sector 38-C, kathak performance by Marami and her daughter Meghranjani Medhi on the opening day Fifth edition of the Tricity Theatre Festival: Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, from November 4 6:30 pm onwards, the play “Kaun Mohan Deshpande” to be staged on the first day, entry by ticket APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 40, 43 and 49 Mohali: Sector 82 Panchkula: Sector 14 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF MOBILE PHONE SNATCHED Chandigarh: An auto driver reportedly snatched a mobile phone on Thursday. Kunwarpal Singh of Sector 50 reported that the auto driver snatched his phone near forest area close to his house. The police have registered a case at the Sector 49 police station. TNS Chandigarh, November 1 Residents largely ignored the restrictions on the bursting of crackers on Diwali, leading to air and noise pollution in the city. Police sources said a total of 110 calls related to nuisance due to bursting of crackers were received, way more than 75 calls received past Diwali. The administration had allowed the bursting of crackers only for two hours, from 8 pm to 10 pm. However, the celebrations began well before this time window and continued till midnight. People across city areas reported disturbance caused due to fireworks after midnight. However, with limited staff and widespread violations, law-enforcement wings were unable to curb such violations. Residents questioned the effectiveness of the ban, saying that there was a lack of stringent enforcement measures. “The ban should be followed in full spirit, to protect the environment,” said Hemant Kumar, a local resident. The disregard for the rules has drawn criticism from environmental groups and residents, who had hoped the ban would lead to improved air quality and less noise pollution. The violation was widespread in southern sectors where resi- Tribune News Service dents kept bursting crackers before and after the two-hour window with impunity. “The flouting of rules underscores the need for a more strategic approach to curb use of crackers, which may include increasing awareness among students and engaging community leaders,” said Balbir Jaswal, a resident of Sector 38. Dhaba worker murdered in Sector 24, six detained Chandigarh, November 1 A dhaba worker was murdered while another was injured in an attack by seven persons, including a juvenile, on Wednesday night. Six suspects have been detained by the police. According to sources, the suspects arrived at “Punjabi Dhaba” in Sector 24 and ordered for food. Dhaba owner Sushil Kumar said it was around 11.30 pm they were closing for the night when four persons arrived and ordered for food. They paid Rs 60 for a dish but workers told the owner that they couldn’t serve it as the dhaba was closed. An argument ensued and the four customers left the scene after a while. Around 30 minutes later, seven persons, with their faces covered, arrived at the dhaba and attacked workers, identified as Jaswinder Singh, alias Jassi; and Akash, with sharp weapons. Sources said after Jassi fell on the ground, the assailants pushed a refrigerator on to him. The injured were taken to the the Government MultiSpeciality Hospital in Sector 16 where Jassi was declared dead on arrival. Akash, who is hearing impaired, received 35 stitches on the head. — TNS 442 PLAINTS ATTENDED TO BY PCR As many as 1,006 calls were received at the police control room on Thursday and police teams visited the spot in response to 467 calls. Of these, 129 calls were related to quarrel, two to nuisance and 161 were miscellaneous spots. Nineteen incidents of road accidents were also witnessed in the city. Youth found dead in house at Dera Bassi Dera Bassi, November 1 The body of a youth from Hisar was found in his home at Shakti Nagar here this morning. The deceased, Satnam Singh, was employed at a private hospital. Satnam had returned home the previous evening. The landlord knocked the door and upon receiving no response forcibly entered the room. He found Satnam's body inside and informed the police. Cloths belonging to a girl were found in the room. The police said an investigation into the youth's death was underway. — TNS DROP IN COUNT DUE TO INCREASING AWARENESS According to a PGI spokesperson, firecrackers that caused injuries were “tilli” bomb, “putli” bomb, “sky shot”, “bicchu”, “murga chap”, “anaar”, “aloo” bomb and sparkles. The doctors collectively attributed this significant drop in injuries due to firecrackers around Diwali to increasing awareness among the public. Cases Adults Children Youngest patient Cracker users Bystanders Surgeries Tricity patients From other states 2022 28 (in 24 hours) 12 16 8 yrs old 14 14 11 17 6 College and Hospital, Sector 32, 20 patients with burns and eight with eye injuries arrived. One patient was referred to the PGI and the rest were dis- A patient at the Advanced Eye Centre in PGI. 2023 23 (in 48 hours) 13 10 6 yrs old 10 13 7 14 9 2024 21 (in 48 hours) 9 12 3 yrs old 9 12 6 8 13 charged after first-aid. Two eye injury patients are still admitted to the GMCH-32. In anticipation of Diwalirelated injuries, the Advanced Eye Centre of the PGI had activated special emergency protocols, ensuring immediate treatment for firecracker injury cases from October 30 to November 2. The centre, with round-the-clock shifts of doctors, nurses, and allied personnel, managed 21 cases of eye injuries. Of these patients, five were women and 12 children aged 14 of below, the youngest being 3year-old gild. Eight patients were from Chandigarh and the remaining 13 from Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, UP and Rajasthan. Twelve patients suffered burns as they observed fireworks and nine were bursting crackers when they got injured. Six patients underwent surgery. At the Trauma Centre, PGI, 5 burns cases were received. Among them was an 18-month-old boy who had suffered 30% burns and a continued on page 3 c m y b 129 INCIDENTS OF QUARREL Plaints Nuisance due to crackers Quarrel Nuisance by other means Accident Fire Miscellaneous Total security of people on Diwali night. The city was divided into seven fire zones, each under the jurisdiction of the respective Station Fire Officer. This plan ensured quick response time across all areas. The Commissioner said fire vehicles were deployed at venues witnessing heavy footfall such as Patel Market in Sector 15, Sector 17, Sadar/Palika Bazar in Sector 19, Aroma light point, Grain Market in Sector 26. The fire vehicles were also stationed at 12 sites designated for cracker sale. The leave/rest of operational staff was restricted from October 30 to November 1, ensuring a robust workforce during the crucial period. 26-year-old man visiting uncle for Diwali killed A family celebrates Diwali in Chandigarh on Thursday night. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI Major health facilities see 129 cases against 177 recorded last year Chandigarh, November 1 Major hospitals of the city saw a total of 129 cases of eye injuries and burns related to firecrackers on the night of Diwali. The number of cases has significantly dropped from last year when 177 cases were reported. In 2022, 179 cases were received. As many as 53 burns and 27 eye injury patients were treated at the Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, on Diwali night. Of these, three patients were referred to the PGI. The Civil Hospital, Sector 22, saw only 12 cases of burns, while the Sector 45 hospital admitted 39 patients with burns and three with eye injuries. A total of 24 burns and four eye injury cases were reported at the Mani Majra Civil Hospital. At the Government Medical 20 fire calls received, lowest in three years Chandigarh, November 1 The Fire and Rescue Services Department, Municipal Corporation, received 20 emergency calls on Diwali night — the lowest number of incidents in the past three years. Four minor injuries were reported. As of November 1, a total of 20 distress calls related to fire incidents and emergencies were reported from across the city, compared to 22 emergency calls received past Diwali. Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar said there was no major fire incident as the MC had devised a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety and 80 cases of eye injury, burns reported at Sector 16 hospital, 21 in PGI Tribune News Service FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE Amit Sharma Tribune News Service MAX 33°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 32.6°C | MIN 17.7°C SUNRISE SUNDAY 6.37 AM TWITTER/THETRIBUNECHD Cracker curbs drown in Diwali din MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET SATURDAY 5.35 PM » SATURDAY | 2 NOVEMBER 2024 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST 2024 110 129 2 19 21 161 442 2023 75 155 35 21 23 136 445 Chandigarh, November 1 A 26-year-old man, who had come to his uncle’s house in Kaimbwala to celebrate Diwali, was murdered by a few persons for refusing to join them in gambling on Thursday night. The UT police have arrested four suspects. The victim has been identified as Jagdish, a native of UP . The police said Jagdish, who had arrived here around 10 days ago for work, was visiting his uncle at Kaimbwala on Diwali. A few people, who lived in the neighbourhood, asked Jagdish to join them for a gambling session, but he refused. An argument ensued and the people from the neighbourhood hit Jagdish with stones and sticks, leaving him severely injured. He was rushed to the hospital where he died. continued on page 3