Festive spirit marks Divali in region
From Tribune Reporters

CHANDIGARH, Oct 20 — Pleasant weather, after four days of incessant rain, warmed up people of the region to the festive spirit of Divali.

Rows of earthen lamps, candles and flickering electric bulbs on houses and bazaars brightened up the region. Children vied with one another in bursting crackers with loud reports. Pujas at homes and temples stressed the significance of the festival marking the return of Lord Rama from exile.

Roads on the towns and villages of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh became lively, more so from noon.

Earlier, the people of the three states were felicitated by the Governors and Chief Ministers.

AMRITSAR: Tight security arrangements were made in the city specially around the Golden Temple. The police diverted the traffic in the city in the wake of heavy rush which resulted in traffic jams at several places. At the Golden Temple the display of the traditional jewellery "jalao" for two hours in the morning was the special attraction.

The Jathedar of Akal Takht Bhai Ranjit Singh delivered a message for the Sikhs from Darshani Deori. Illuminations and fire works were witnessed in the Golden Temple by thousands of persons.

Devotees also took a holy dip. Six persons were injured and admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital as two groups of people clashed in the Cheretta labour locality. The police registered a case against over 10 persons for rioting.

ROPAR: Sweets were distributed among the undertrials of local sub-jail by Mr Khushi Ram, ADC, and Mr JC Sabharwal, Assistant Commissioner (General), Ropar, who were received by Mr DS Rana, Jail Superintendent. Both officers were given a guard of honour.

A Divali mela and cultural programme was also jointly organised by the Satlej District Cultural Centre and the district red cross society here. Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, inaugurated the cultural programme. Mr Balwinder Bickey, alias Chacha Raunki Ram entertained the audience. Ms Priya Nijjar, Mr Jasbir Jassi, Ms Kanchan, Mr Vijay Kumar, Mr Gurpreet Ghuggi and Feroz Khan etc also presented their items.

FAZILKA: Sweet sellers did a brisk business. Sale of crackers and dry fruit was less than expected. Divas had no purchasers as mustard oil was not available. The Social Welfare Society, Bharat Vikas Parishad and the Sewa Bharti distributed sweets, fruits and crackers among Border Security Forces jawans at Sadki, Nirmal and Khanpur border check posts.

HAMIRPUR: Gamblers and tipplers had a field day who spent the night gambling and drinking. Some drunkards were seen lying on the roads and in different parts of the city.

KURUKSHETRA: A fire in a cloth shop reduced goods worth lakhs to ashes on the intervening night of October 19 and 20. A short circuit of electricity is reported to be the cause of fire. A case has been registered.

On the eve of Divali, 12 persons were arrested the district under the explosive act for allegedly storing and selling fire works at unauthorised locations and without seeking permission from the sub-divisional magistrate.

In another case 12 gamblers were arrested under the Gambling Act and Rs 17000 confiscated from them, Mr Singhal added.

FATEHABAD: The Haryana Home Minister, Mr Mani Ram Godara, joined public and police jawans at a Divali evening function held at the local police lines. The evening was organised by a local police-public-coordination forum, Fateh-Dhwaj. Organisers distributed sweets among the jawans and illuminated the police lines with candles. Local artistes Rajnish, Mukesh Rahi, KK Pappu, Anil Sharma, Naresh Jangra and Sukpal sang ghazals and sangs. Poor paddy and cotton crops this year and an uncertain weather affected celebrations of the festival. Not many villagers were seen in the markets. Over 100 stalls of crackers had been set up in the ground outside the local General Hospital. According to a stall owner, he could sell only half of the stock of crackers. The story of others was also not different. Shopkeepers were aimed at recovering the money invested, not profits.

SHIMLA: Divali was celebrated with traditional gaiety and fervour in the state despite inclement weather.

There was a brief drizzle and the weather became fine by the evening.

The Chief Minister, Mr P.K. Dhumal, shared the festivities with lepers and jhuggi dwellers in the Maha Shiva Colony at Phagli. He distributed sweets among them.

Accompanied by the Horticulture Minister, Mr Narinder Bragta, he also visited the Bal Asharam at Tuti Kandi and the local Kasturba Gandhi Ashram.

Mr Dhumal announced that the government would construct a home for lepers at Shimla and two blocks of "sulabh shauchalaya" in the Maha Shiva Colony.

ROHTAK: Although vehicular traffic was disrupted in certain areas due to roads filled with bustling crowd, no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in the district. Notwithstanding orders of the District Magistrate, crackers were sold in congested markets and residential areas.

However, in rural and suburban areas, interest of the people was subdued due to heavy loss to the crops caused by the recent unseasonal rains.

BATHINDA: People burnt crackers and enjoyed fireworks till late night.

Mrs Kusum Duggal, wife of Lieut Gen G.K. Duggal, GOC 10 corps, visited military hospital and distributed sweets among patients.

Troops destroy six Pak bunkers

JAMMU, Oct 20 (PTI) — Indian troops destroyed six Pakistani bunkers in exchange of fire in Tangdhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday, defence sources said here today.

Meanwhile, light to heavy exchange of fire was reported in different sectors along the international border and the line of control (LoC) in the state, the sources said.

Six Pakistani bunkers were destroyed when Indian troops returned fire in the face of heavy firing from across the border in the Kachal area of Tangdhar sector. Casualties, if any on other side were not known, the sources added.

Heavy exchange of artillery also took place in Siachen Glacier of Ladakh region from 6 p.m. yesterday till 6 a.m. today. There was no loss of life on the Indian side, the sources said.

Pakistani troops, using medium machine guns and light arms, also resorted to firing in Rajouri and Poonch sectors during the period, the sources said, and added Indian troops gave a befitting response to Pakistani guns.

A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesman said Pakistani Rangers last night opened fire on six Indian border outposts (BOPs) in Samba and R.S. Pura sub-sectors along international border without causing any damage on the Indian side.

BSF troops retaliated at the posts of Chandwa, Pansar, Bobiya, Sangral and Mala-Bela and intermittent exchange of fire continued till this morning.

In the state itself security forces killed eight militants and recovered some arms and ammunition in Jammu and Kashmir since Sunday, officials said here today.

Two militants were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Budhal area of Rajouri district on Monday, the officials said.

One militant was killed in Chattar Dhar area of Doda district on Monday night. One pistol with some ammunition was recovered from the slain militant.

One militant was killed in an encounter with troops at Jagan village of Bandipore tehsil of Baramulla district in Kashmir valley. A weapon was recovered from the scene of encounter, the officials said.

In another operation, security forces gunned down one militant and recovered one AK-type rifle in Gaiwar village of Tangmarg area of Baramulla district during the period.

Troops recovered one universal machine gun during a search operation at Balhal village of Doda district on Monday, they said.

SRINAGAR: Two militants and a security force official were killed in two separate incidents at Dhoki jungle area of Chirala and Gujjar Basti in Doda district, he said.

Two AK assault rifles, a machine gun, two grenades and some ammunition were recovered from the encounter sites.

One militant died in an encounter with security forces at Ramgarh area of Kathua sector.

Exchange of fire took place between militants and security forces when a police picket was attacked at Chajwal in Gool area of Udhampur district.

However, no one was hurt in the firing, the spokesman said.

Three militants were arrested from hideouts at Soura in Srinagar and Gauripora-Humhama in Badgam district on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, security forces detected a powerful explosive device planted by extremists on the main road at Tithanhal in Kishtwar area of Doda district, the spokesman said.

An AK assault rifle, a rocket, a grenade launcher, eight grenades, 18 kgs of explosives and two mines were recovered from two abandoned militant hideouts in Kupwara district.