H A R Y A N A

105-year-old Dhabo Devi, mother of former Chief Minister
of Haryana Bansi Lal, coming to cast her vote at a polling
station in Golabagh, Haryana on Tuesday. — PTI photo

69 pc turnout in five constituencies
AMBALA, Feb 22 — The voters turnout in the five constituencies — Ambala City, Ambala Cantonment, Mulana, Naraingarh and Naggal was 69 per cent.

Man arrested for raping minor
KURUKSHETRA, Feb 22 — The police has arrested Jasbir Singh, under Sections 363, 366 and 376/34, IPC, for allegedly abducting and raping a minor at Sector 13 on the night intervening February 15 and 16.

Manipal academy to start IT courses
SONEPAT, Feb 22 — The Manipal Academy of Higher Education will launch government-recognised degree and diploma courses in information technology through its study centre in Sector 14 here.

69 pc turnout in five constituencies
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Feb 22 — The voters turnout in the five constituencies — Ambala City, Ambala Cantonment, Mulana, Naraingarh and Naggal was 69 per cent.

According to the District Electoral Officer, Mr Ram Niwas, the turnout in the Naggal constituency reported to be the maximum at 77 per cent. About 70 per cent polling was reported in Mulana and Naraingarh constituencies, while in the urban constituencies the polling was low. In Ambala Cantonment the poll percentage was about 67, while in Ambala City it was 62, the lowest in Ambala district.

According to information received here, in Brahaman Majra village of the Naggal constituency the polling was stopped for half an hour when a polling agent of a candidate raised objection on the identity of a voter, while the other party protested against it. The Returning Officer of Naggal, Mrs Renu Phulia, immediately rushed to the spot to resolve the issue and the polling was restarted.

The police impounded seven vehicles in Naggal area. The police also rounded up around 20 persons boarding these vehicles. A clash was also reported from the Mulana constituency in which five persons sustained minor injuries.

Mr Ram Niwas said that the polling throughout the district remained peaceful.

At many rural polling booths it was noticed that a large number of electorate were bringing ration cards instead of photo identity cards for their identity verification, while in urban area at some booths around 65 per cent voters were reported to carrying the photo identity cards.

Man arrested for raping minor
From Tribune Reporters

KURUKSHETRA, Feb 22 — The police has arrested Jasbir Singh, under Sections 363, 366 and 376/34, IPC, for allegedly abducting and raping a minor at Sector 13 on the night intervening February 15 and 16.

Jasbir Singh was on Saturday produced before the Duty Magistrate, Ms Gagan Deep, who remanded him in judicial custody until March 3.

The girl was reportedly abducted by Jasbir Singh and three others from near the local Bank Colony. She told the police that she was abducted by the accused in a White Maruti car and was taken to a health club at Sector 13 where she was reportedly raped by two of them. She was dropped at around 4 a.m. the next day at the spot from where she was picked up.

Though the club owner has expressed ignorance about the incident, one of the club's attendants is reportedly missing. Also the results of a medico-legal report have confirmed that the girl was raped.

Meanwhile, the girl's father has alleged that relatives of the accused had threatened him with dire consequences if the case was not withdrawn.

HISAR: An 18-year-old girl was reportedly gangraped by three persons at Gaibipur village 30 km from here, the police said on Tuesday.

According to a complaint lodged by the victim, she was forcibly taken to a field and was raped by the accused, all residents of the same village.

A case under Section 376, IPC has been registered. No arrests have, however, been made so far.

Manipal academy to start IT courses
From Our Correspondent

SONEPAT, Feb 22 — The Manipal Academy of Higher Education will launch government-recognised degree and diploma courses in information technology (IT) through its study centre in Sector 14 here.

Mrs Viraj Pahil, Director of the institute, told mediapersons here today that the institute would provide undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas in information and technology, E. commerce and telecom technology. The degree courses would include Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) and Master of Information Technology (MIT).

Students who are appearing for 10 plus 2 examination and those doing their graduation were eligible for admission to these courses.

Prospectus with admission forms was available at the institute and the session would start this month.