03082025-CT-01.qxd 8/3/2025 12:38 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune CRACKDOWN ON E-RICKSHAWS AFTER DAKSHIN MARG CURBS SECTOR 22 GIRLS CLINCH INTER-SCHOOL SOCCER TITLE BONDS THAT TRANSCEND TIME, DISTANCE AND TRENDS The traffic police here have launched a crackdown on e-rickshaws found operating on the Dakshin Marg. P3 GMSSS Sector 22, beat Sector 21 school 2-1 to lift the title in the interschool tournament. P5 As the world changes rapidly around us, the nature of friendship is evolving too. P7 » » CLOUDY, RAIN MAX 31°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 33.3°C | MIN 26.2°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.15 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.43 AM » SUNDAY | 3 AUGUST 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST /THETRIBUNECHD FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE City street crime rate turns southward, 40% dip in snatchings Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 2 Street crime is turning southward in the city if the decrease in snatching incidents is any indication. In the first seven months of this year, Chandigarh has witnessed a dip of over 37% in the cases of snatching as compared to the corresponding period in 2023 and 26% decline when evaluated with 2024 figures of the equivalent time. Not only have the incidents taken a downward trend but almost 75% of them have also been solved. Besides, the delivery of justice to the victims has been made within just 18 days after the registration of a snatching case under the new criminal laws, which Chandigarh was the first to adopt and implement fully in the country since July 1 last year. The development assumes significance as snatching incidents have always been a matter of concern in Chandigarh, especially in the residential and market areas. This was made possible under the special drive of the UT police to ensure public safety and enhance citizens’ sense of security. Sharing the strategic measures taken to prevent street crimes, particularly snatchings, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kanwardeep Kaur, told The Tribune that it was achieved through intensive patrolling, robust surveillance using the CCTV network, focused deployment of motorcycle-borne PCR units, and consistent public awareness campaigns. These steps made an impact on curbing the menace, she added. Under the slew of preventive measures, the Chandigarh Police strengthened patrolling and police presence, increased foot patrolling in evening and night time at vulnerable areas, deployed PCR vehicles and bike patrols for faster response, and intensified night patrolling in isolated areas. “We identified the crime 75% cases solved, conviction as quick as in 18 days TELLING NUMBERS YEAR 2025 2024 2023 SOLVED CASES 57 132 155 75% Conviction in record 18 days in November case (Figures of 2023 & 2024, and of 2025 till August 2) << SSP Kanwardeep Kaur supervises night patrolling in Chandigarh. TAKING PROACTIVE, SUSTAINED APPROACH, SAYS SSP ❝ As a result of the proactive interventions, the city witnessed a considerable decline in snatching incidents. In a display of prompt policing and effective implementation of the new criminal laws, we ensured justice in record time as well. — KANWARDEEP KAUR, CHANDIGARH SSP ❞ hotspots, mapped the crimeprone areas based on previous incidents and conducted surprise checks and nakas at key locations,” the SSP revealed. On the use of technology to curb the street crimes, she said the CCTV coverage was expanded under the Smart City project, regular monitoring was done through Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) and private CCTV cameras. Also, criminals were tracked with technical surveillance and CDR analysis. Acting against the criminal elements, the police undertook special drives against historysheeters, parole jumpers and suspects on bail. “Dedicated watch list was created in all police stations, wherein all previously arrested snatching case accused have been updated,” she divulged. The verification of suspected and criminal elements was being conducted in physical mode as well through e-beat book 2.0 in which updated details were being entered along with live photographs. As part of the community involvement, awareness drives were conducted with the Residents Welfare Associations and Market Associations during which the citizens were educated about safety precautions and prompt reporting. According to the official figures, snatching cases dropped Work to fix broken roads, sanitation mess at Sec 26 mandi yet to begin WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH MN Sharma Memorial Lecture: The Shifting Paradigm of Mass Space Relationship in Architecture (from pre-historic to modern times), Assembly Hall, CCA, Aug 4, 4 pm APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sec 34 and Dadumajra Mohali: Sector 88, Phase 8 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com INBRIEF HIT-&-RUN ACCIDENT Chandigarh: Anil Sharma, a resident Nayagaon, reported that his father died after being hit by a vehicle near the Khuda Lahora bridge on Friday. The drive sped away after the accident. The police have registered a case. TNS Secretary pays surprise visit Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August2 Over one week after Chandigarh Tribune highlighted the problem of poor hygiene and broken roads at the Sector-26 fruit and vegetable market, not much has changed on the ground. The problems of stinking garbage, potholes, muddy and broken roads and encroachments still persist. Notably, the Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Right Commission issued notices to Mandi Board Secretary, Chief Engineer and Deputy Commissioner and directed them to submit their reports a week before the next date of hearing fixed for September 11. UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma, meanwhile, also convened a high-level meeting on July 30 to review civic and infrastructural issues at the market. He expressed concern over the prevailing sanitation condition and directed the contractor to augment both manpower and equipment. Verma also issued directions for the improvement of the market but little has changed on the ground. However, the traders are happy with the intervention of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, saying they were hope- Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 2 Agriculture and Marketing Board Secretary Hari Kallikkat and senior market committee officials carried out a surprise inspection at the Sector 26 fruit, vegetable and grain market today. Notices issued to staff for negligence A road covered in slush at the Sector 26 mandi in Chandigarh. TRIBUNE PHOTO: PARDEEP TEWARI ful that the issue will be addressed. When The Tribune’s team visited the market, slight improvements were noticeable inside the market but the entry points were still stinking and covered by rotten vegetables. A vendor selling fruits on the footpath in Sector 26 said the garbage was never removed from the roads. “The rotten vegetable and the garbage results in stench that makes it difficult to even stand roadside,” he added. Ranjan Singh, a regular visitor, echoed the sentiment, saying the smell of the garbage has become unbearable. Noting the importance of the market, he said vegetable and fruits are available at onethird the prices being charged by vendors in the sectors. “It is shameful that visiting the market even once a week has become difficult given the sanitation. The muddy roads and the stink make it impossible to stay here for long.” Sandeep Kumar, another fruit seller, said they at times pay out of their own pocket to get the area cleaned. Addressing the issue, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal president Sanjiv Chadha and Grain Market Welfare Association president Mohit Sood said traders are happy that the Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry had taken suo motu notice of the issue. They further expressed hope that the condition of the market will improve soon with proper planning. PGI best regional organ transplant centre Kallikkat and market committee administrator Paviter Singh spent over two hours at the market and interacted with traders. They heard their problems related to sanitation, broken roads and encroachments and directed officials concerned to issue show-cause notices to the staff found negligent in the discharge of their duties. Directions were also given to ensure immediate removal of all encroachments and strengthening the sanitation measures. During the visit, the officers undertook an extensive round of the mandi. They also met Grain Market Welfare Association president continued on page 5 from 155 in 2023 to 132 in 2024, which was a year-on-year reduction of 15%, while 57 cases have been registered in 2025 to date, marking a dip of over 37% and 26% as compared to corresponding period in 2023 and 2024, respectively. “Of the total snatching cases registered since 2023, almost 75% cases have already been worked out,” the SSP disclosed, while attributing it to smart policing, rapid response, and community collaboration, reinforcing Chandigarh’s image as one of the safest cities in the country. SWIFT JUSTICE In a record of sorts, a snatching case was decided in just 18 days under the new criminal laws. This case was registered under Sections 304(2), 317(2), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Sector 17 police station on November 13, 2024. The investigation was conducted continued on page 5 Fortis Hospital told to pay ~50L for negligence Tribune News Service Chandigarh, August 2 Holding guilty of medical negligence, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, has directed Fortis Hospital in Mohali and its doctor to pay Rs 50-lakh compensation along with interest at the rate 9% per annum to a woman whose husband died during treatment at the hospital. The commission passed the order on a complaint filed by Priyanka Sharma, widow of deceased Harit Sharma. In her complaint, she claimed that her husband, an advocate, was admitted to the hospital in 2021 with acute gastric problem. Before admitting him, the hospital conducted his Covid test, which was found negative. Since there were restricted visiting hours at the hospital, only one visitor was allowed to visit the patient during the entire identified visiting hours. When she visited her husband between 12.30 pm and 1 pm on July 29, 2021, she was told that her husband had recovered from the gastric problem and given improvement in his condition, he desired to be shifted to a private ward from the ICU. However, he was kept in the ICU on the pretext that ascites was to be removed from his stomach, said the complainant. Tapping was done on the patient on July 28 and 30. However, due to negligence in carrying out tapping, his oxygen level came down drastically and he had to be put on oxygen support. As Harit was fully conscious despite being on the oxygen support, he overheard the conversation between the hospital Director and doctors that tapping had been wrongly done upon him and it would be carried out again. When she went to see her husband during the visiting hours the next day, she found he was unable to speak due to mask, but made signs asking for a pen and a paper. He wrote on a paper conveying to her about what happened with him at the time of tapping for removal of ascites. He wrote the note with a shaky hand. In fact, it was a dying declaration by the patient, she said. On August 2, she was informed that her husband had died. Refuting the allegations, the hospital authorities claimed that there was no negligence on its part and there was no expert evidence continued on page 5 Striking a chord Wins award for 2nd consecutive year, also bags Best Brain Stem Death Certification Team title Tribune News Service Union Health Minister JP Nadda presents the award to Prof Vivek Lal, PGI Director; Pankaj Rai, DDA; Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Supdt; and Saryu D Madra, Consultant (IEC/Media), ROTTO North. Chandigarh, August 2 The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) here reaffirmed its leadership in the national organ donation landscape by winning the Best Regional Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (ROTTO) Award for the second year in a row at the 15th Indian Organ Donation Day event held in New Delhi today. This marks the PGI’s third national win since the award’s inception in 2019, underlining its consistent excellence in promoting cadaver organ donation across northern India. The award ceremony, held at the Dr BR Ambedkar International Centre, was organised under the aegis of the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organisation (NOTTO). The event was graced by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Chemicals & Fertilizers Jagat Prakash Nadda. He commended the collective efforts made across India to foster ethical organ donation and enhance public awareness. The award was received by a delegation of the PGI, led by Prof Vivek Lal, Director; alongside Pankaj Rai, Deputy Director (Administration); Prof Vipin Koushal, Medical Superintendent and Nodal c m y b Officer, ROTTO PGIMER; and Saryu D Madra, Consultant (IEC/Media). The PGI also bagged the Best Brain Stem Death (BSD) Declaration Team award, in recognition of its timely, transparent and ethical donor identification as well as management practices. The award was received by a team comprising Prof Kajal Jain, Prof Rajesh Chhabra, Prof Ashish Sharma, Dr Rajeev Chauhan, Dr Hemant Bhagat and Dr Shanky Singh, who were led by Prof Lal and Prof Koushal. Prof Lal said, “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to continued on page 5 Vocalist Vidushi Kalapini Komkali performs during Varsha Ritu Sangeet Sandhya organised at Strawberry Fields High School, Sector 26, Chandigarh, on Saturday. RAVI KUMAR PAGE 5