R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

BARNALA
Seized: Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, said here on Monday that 160 kg of lahan was seized from Gurjant Singh, a resident of Maur Sukhpura. In another case 40 kg of lahan and nine bottles of liquor were seized and two persons arrested.

GURDASPUR
Rally: Employees of the Punjab Government SC/BC Employees Federation held a rally at Nehru Park here on Monday. They urged for the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations. Later the ralliest staged a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office.

Awarded: Mr Kuldip Singh, a lecturer of Government Senior Secondary School, Warsola, has been awarded the National Youth Award for 1998-99' by the Ministry of Culture and Sports, at a function held at Gandhi Nagar in Gujarat. The award carries a memento, a citation and a cash worth Rs 10,000.

Arrested: The Dinanagar police on Monday arrested Puran Chand, a resident of Bharoli, near Pathankot for stealing a scooter of Kiranjit Singh, on January 22. A case has been registered against the accused.

GARHSHANKAR
Theft: Thieves entered the house of a woman at Bharowal and decamped with household goods. It is alleged that they were disguised as Telecom employees.

Elected: Mr Surinder Singh Bajaj of the SAD (B) has been elected the President of the local Municipal Committee.

Nominated: Mr Chanchal Verma has been nominated as the President of the Mahilpur Youth Congress, by the President of the state unit of the Youth Congress Mr Davinder Singh Baboo.

One killed: A Maruti van collided with a Sugarcane loaded tractor-trailer near the local Rest House. One person died on the spot. A case has been registered.

Case Registered: The local police has registered a bribery case against a senior office-bearer of the local Municipal Committee.

JALANDHAR
Appointed: Mr Major Singh has been appointed general secretary of the beopar cell of the Punjab Youth Congress by Mr Devinder Singh Babbu, president, PYC.

Lok Adalat: To initiate a debate on the working of the local Doordarshan Kendra, Via-Media, a journalists' association, has decided to hold a Lok Adalat here on January 30. In a press note issued here on Wednesday, Mr Baljit Singh Brar, president of the organisation, said a panel of judges would record the statements of both sides and submit a report to the government.

JALALABAD
Petrol pump looted: Two armed youths snatched Rs 6,000 at a gun point from Prithvi Chand, an employee at the local Josan Filling Station, on Saturday night. Before fleeing, they locked the employee in the toilet of the filling station.

MALERKOTLA
Strike: The local Bar Association resolved to continue its strike on every Saturday to press for a five-day-a-week work in courts. Mr Zulafkar Ali Malik and Mr Rajesh Rikhi, President and Secretary, respectively of the local Bar Association, assured the Punjab Lawyers Association of full cooperation. They urged for the implementation of the welfare schemes of Punjab and Haryana Bar Councils.

Polio drops: As many as 407 children were administered polio drops at a camp sponsored by the State Bank of Patiala at Benra village, 20 km away from here. According to Mr Parveen Sood, Branch Manager of the Bank, eatables were distributed amongst the children.

SAMRALA
Strike: On a call given by the PSEB Employees Struggle Committee, a strike was observed by powermen here on Monday. According to Mr Karam Chand, spokesman of the PSEB Employees Federation, Khanna circle, all complaint centres and cash counters remained closed.

CHANDIGARH

Elected: The following have been elected the office-bearers of the Punjab Fisheries (Headquarters). Employees Welfare Association: President — Ganesh Dass; Vice-President — Mr Baljit Singh; Senior Vice-President — Mr Dial Singh; General Secretary — Mr Raghbir Singh; and Cashier — Ms Davinder Kaur.

Scheme launched: The State Bank of Patiala, in collaboration with the Lions Club, launched the “Help the Poor Scheme” at Tungwali village near Bathinda on Monday, according to Mr S.M. Bhatnagar, Branch Manager. Mr Mahadev Balani, DGM of the bank, who was the chief guest, distributed 50 blankets to poor persons of the area. Chosen ones among these would be given regular support under the scheme.

DERA BASSI
Silver Jubilee: Mr Satwant Juneja, Principal of Government College, Dera Bassi, has invited old students of the college to the silver jubilee celebrations of the institution on Friday at 12 noon.

HARYANA

AMBALA
Section 144 imposed: The District Magistrate of Ambala, Mr Ram Niwas has ordered to impose Section 144 in the district, in view of the forthcoming Assembly elections. According to a press release of the administration, the order will remain in force till the completion of the election process. During this period no person will be allowed to carry arms in public places.

Chain snatched: Two motorcycle borne persons snatched a gold chain of a woman on Sunday. According to the police report, the woman who is a resident of Palika Vihar here, was coming from a gurdwara when these persons snatched her chain and fled towards the GT Road close to Palika Vihar.

Doctors unavailable: Several outdoor patients protested against the non-availability of doctor at Ambala Cantonment Civil Hospital here on Monday. The doctor was on some other duty in the preparation of Republic Day by the SMO. When the patients were told that the doctor would not be available, they threw stones on the hospital building.

SONEPAT
Inaugurated: Mr Sudhir Rajpal, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated a five-day yuva camp organised by the UNESCO here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, he urged the participants to work hard for the development of the country. Mr K.P. Singh, SSP, also spoke on the occasion.

Shop gutted: A fire broke out in a cloth shop at Gohana, 35 km from here, on Wednesday resulting in a huge loss. The cause of the fire is not known.

Canal water shortage: A patwari was taken hostage at Bhadana village by irate villagers on Wednesday in protest against the non-reaching of canal water at tail-end of fields. The patwari was later released on an assurance that steps would be taken to improve supply of water. The farmers also threatened to gherao the office of the Irrigation Department in case the supply was not improve.

Six arrested: Mr K.P. Singh, SSP, said here on Monday that five miscreants were arrested and three country-made pistols, one cartridge, a knife and 900 grams of charas were seized from them. In another case, the Sadar police has arrested Siripal of Guhna village for allegedly possessing a pistol and a cartridge.

Prohibitory orders: The District Magistrate, Mr Sudhir Rajpal, has enforced prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr PC in the district. The order will remain in force till January 29 to prevent any untoward incident during Assembly poll. Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police has asked the arm licence holders to deposit the same with nearest police station or face prosecution.

Elections: Mr Sudhir Rajpal, Deputy Commissioner, on Sunday appealed to leaders of all parties to extend support to the district administration in conducting free and fair elections. He also stated that the posters and banners would not be allowed to be pasted without the permission of the owners of the houses and other places.

Harassment: Resentment prevails amongst the local industrialists against the alleged harassment by officials of the Pollution Control Board. They stated that officials had been dilly-dallying in granting no objection certificates to them and urged for their dismissal.

SIRSA
Annual function: The local Kamla Montessary School organised 12th annual function here on Sunday. Dr Sushil Indora, MP, honoured students who stood first in various subjects. He also announced to grant Rs 1.5 lakh from his discretionary quota for starting computer courses and other activities in the school.

YAMUNANAGAR
Voting machines: The Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be used here and at Jagadhri in the Assembly poll. Mr Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, said here on Monday that out of five Assembly segments of Yamunanagar and Jagadhri, EVMs would be used in two Assembly segments. Polling officers had been trained to undertake this job.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

HAMIRPUR
Havildar missing: Havildar Dev Raj of 18 Dogra Regiment, a resident of Dhabrayna village in this district has been missing since December 31. He was to rejoin duty in Jammu on December 31, 1999, but failed to reach the place. This was stated by Capt Sriram Sharma, father-in-law of the Havildar.

SUNDERNAGAR
Employment: Mr Maheshwar Singh, MP, Mandi parliamentary constituency, while addressing a gathering at Maleh village said here on Sunday that youths of this state would be employed in hydro-electric projects. He sanctioned Rs 1 lakh each for the construction of a play ground at Government High School, Maleh, and a community centre at Bhanwar.