R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

DERA BASSI
Felicitated: Mr Sher Singh Sidhu, Subdivisional Magistrate, hoisted the tricolour on the occasion of Republic Day here on Wednesday. Contingents of Home Guard, Punjab Police, NCC units from the Government College and school students participated in the march past. Taking salute at the march past, the chief guest said we should maintain national integrity and solidarity, keeping in view the sacrifices made by martyrs. Nine freedom fighters and a bus conductor were felicitated on the occasion. Two handicapped persons were also given tricycles by the SDM on behalf of the newly-formed subdivision-level Red Cross Society. A cultured programme was also presented by the school students.

FATEHGARH SAHIB
Elected: The following have been elected office-bearers of the 21st Century Vision, Punjab: chairman — Dr Rajinder Paul Singh; general secretary — Mr Ashok Kumar; vice- chairman — Mr Dalbir Singh; organising secretary — Dr Jagtar Singh; cashier — Mr Nirmal Singh; press secretary — Mr Amandeep Singh; and office secretary — Mr Rajinder Jandiali.

FAZILKA
One killed: Harjinder Singh (48), a resident of Radha Swami Colony, was killed in a road accident on Thursday. According to information, he was travelling in a car along with his family when the car collided with a tractor-trailer near Ghallu village resulting in his death. His daughter Aman (18) was injured and admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

HOSHIARPUR
One held: The Sadar police has arrested Harbhajan Dass, a resident of Bassi Nau village, under Section 302, IPC, for allegedly murdering his wife Pinki on Thursday, Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, said here on Friday.

Cinema ticket rates: After a meeting with owners of cinema theatres, Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, District Magistrate, has fixed the cinema ticket rates. The new rates are Rs 13 for balcony, Rs 7.50 for upper stalls and Rs 5 for lower stalls.

Appointed: Mr Hans Raj Nakra, president of the district unit of the BJP, has appointed Mr Suresh Kapahtia as president of the city unit of the Beopar Mandal.

MOGA
Swords recovered: The police has rounded up three students on a charge of eveteasing , the SHO , Mr Gurbux Singh Sidhu, said here on Friday. He said the police had recovered two swords from their possession.

PATIALA
Elected: Mrs Jagdish Kaur has been elected as president of the PSEB Paramedical Staff Association, Mr Avinash Gupta, general secretary of the association, said on Thursday. A general body meeting of the association will be held on February 5.

PHILLAUR
Gang busted: The police busted an inter-state gang of robbers with the arrest of five miscreants on Thursday. The police has recovered three knives from their possession. The arrested persons are Suresh Kumar, Balak Ram, Darshan Ram, Raj Kumar and Sukhjinder Singh.

CHANDIGARH

Inter-college debate: An inter-college debate was organised by the Commerce Department of the Government College for Girls, Sector-11 here. The topic of the debate was Computerisation — A solution to All Indian Problems. Teams of many colleges participated in the contest. The first prize was won by Rajan Vishal of SD College, Sector 32, the second by Jaskiran Kaur of MCM DAV College, Sector 36, and the third by Shivani Sharma of GCG, Sector 11.

Seminar: A seminar on environmental pollution was organised by the Punjab Engineering College branch of the State Bank of India in association with the Environment Club of the Government Polytechnic for Women, Sector 10, here on Friday. Mr K.P. Joshi, Manager of the branch, was the chief guest. Earlier a cleanliness drive was held on the college premises.

Bereaved: Ms Mohinder Kaur, mother of Prem Singh, an eminent artist of the region and Principal, Government College of Art, Sector 10, passed away on Wednesday after a brief illness. The funeral procession will take place on January 28 at 1pm from his residence at 374/1, Sector 44-A, here.

300 examined : Lions Club Chandigarh organised a free medical check-up camp at its multi-purpose project building at Karsan on Thursday. About 300 patients were examined for various ailments and given free medicines. Free X-ray, ECG and blood testing facilities were also provided.

HARYANA

AMBALA
1 killed, 2 hurt in mishap: One person was killed and two others were seriously injured when the motorcycle they were riding was hit by a speeding truck near the Central Jail bridge here on Friday. A person called Harjinder Singh died on the spot. The injured Surinder Singh and Kulwant Singh, have been admitted to the Civil Hospital at Ambala city. The police has registered a case against the truck driver, Pawan Kumar.

70 liquor pouches seized: The local police has arrested a person and seized 70 pouches of country liquor from him. The accused, Baldev, was caught past night. A case under the Excise Act has been registered against him

Inaugurated: Ms Shivjot Sihota, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association, (AWWA) will inaugurate the Kharga boys’ hostel on Saturday. According to an Army press note the hostel will provide boarding and lodging facilities to the wards of serving personnel, ex-servicemen and widows. The hostel has a capacity to lodge 20 boys. The hostel is located in the heart of Ambala Cantt.

REWARI
Polling booths: As many as 19 villages in the Rewari constituency, 17 villages in Jatusana constituency and 16 villages in Bawl constituency have been identified as sensitive, according to the Returning Officer, Mrs Sumita Mishra Singh. She said 37 polling booths would be set up in the Rewari constituency, 53 in Jatusana constituency and 52 in Bawl.

SONEPAT
Body found: The death of Pradeep Kumar (15) whose body was reportedly found on the Sonepat-Bahalgarh road on Thursday is shrouded in mystery. According to a report, the victim had left his house in Jahri village on Wednesday. When he did not return, members of his family started search and recovered the body 10 km away from the village. The police is investigating the cause of his death. The family suspects it to be a case of murder

Sammelan: The local Shree Sunder Kaand Yajna Samiti will hold a three-day 'maha yajna and sant sammelan' from February 4 at Nehru Park in Gita Colony here. Dr Swami Divyanand Ji Maharaj (Bhikhshu) of Hardwar will perform the 'yajna'.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
Notice: The District Magistrate-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Mr Jagdish Chander Sharma, on Thursday issued a notice regarding delimitation of all wards of Nagar Parishad, Bilaspur, Nagar Parishad, Naina Devi, Nagar Panchayat, Ghumarwin, and Nagar Panchayat, Talai. The notice said any objections regarding fixing of limits of these wards would be entertained till Monday.