R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMLOH
THEFT CASE: On the statement of Mr Ashok Kumar, a local resident, the police registered a case against Kuldip Modi of Amloh on Monday under Section 379 of the IPC. According to police sources, Mr Ashok Kumar lodged a complaint in the Amloh police station on February 2 that an electric motor was allegedly stolen by Kuldip Modi. After obtaining a legal opinion from the District Attorney, Fatehgarh Sahib, the case was registered but no arrest has been made so far. 

AMRITSAR
EYE CAMP: An eye check-up-cum-operation camp was organised by the Lions Club, Amritsar, at Basserke village on Monday. The camp was inaugurated by Mr O.P. Soni, MLA. As many as 500 persons were examined of which 300 were given medicines and spectacles free of cost and 100 identified for operations.

BATHINDA
CROP DESTROYED: Standing wheat crop at Gillpatti village was destroyed when sparks from a power transformer fell on the crop. Wheat crop over 1.5 acre of land belonging to Mr Jagair Singh was damaged. A case has been registered.

BLOOD DONATION: Blood donation camp was organised on Monday at Rampuraphul by the Blood Donors Council. Fiftythree persons donated blood at the camp. Mr Bharat Bhushan, SDM of Rampuraphul inaugurated the camp. The president of the club said it was the 127th camp organised by the club.

CONDEMNED: Reporters of various dailies based in this city on Monday condemned the thrashing of photo journalist Ranjit Singh of Amar Ujala by some police personnel on Sunday night. They demanded a probe into the incident and urged the government to give punishment to those involved.

DORAHA
FOUR INJURED: Four persons were injured in a clash that took place between two parties on Monday. According to sources, there was the dispute between the owner of Kashmir Restaurant and members of the Tempo Union, under the leadership of Bhajan Singh, over some matter. Since the two parties failed to arrive at any positive result, they became violent and threw stones and bricks at Kashmir Building. Vehicles parked in front of the building were also damaged. The injured have been admitted to various hospitals. A case was registered on the complaint of Mr Jagjit Singh, owner of the restaurant, under Sections 328, 324, 452, 427, 148 and 149 of the IPC. 

GARHSHANKAR
SENTENCED: Additional Sessions Judge A.S. Narula has sentenced Gurmukh Singh of Manguwal and Baljinder Singh of Mahalon to 10 years imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh each under the NDPS Act. A case was registered against them by the Garhshankar police on July 28, 1999, for illegally possessing 111 bags of poppy husk.

BODY FOUND: Body of a priest was found in the temple of Khurmi Got Jatheras at Samundra village, near here. On a complaint by Kishan Singh, a case was registered.

KHAMANO
CHEQUES DISTRIBUTED: Jathedar Kirpal Singh Khirnia, member SGPC on Tuesday distributed about 40 cheques for Rs 5,100 each to the tune of Rs 2.4 lakh under the shagan scheme. The needy who received the cheques belonged to the nearby villages namely — Sanghol, Chari, Thikriwal, Farour, Butta, Lakhanpur, Jatana Neewan, Jatana Ucha and some other villages. Jathedar Khirnia also said that the repair of damaged roads would be started immediately on a war-footing. 

KHARAR
TRAINING: The Rotary Club, Kharar, organised a team training seminar (2001-2002) at Aman Resort near here on Sunday to give training to the newly elected office-bearers of the club. Mr Yogender Dewan, past District Governor (Distt 3080), was the chief guest. Mr Dewan, while addressing the members, advised them to work hard for the welfare of the society and to fulfil four avenues of services, club services, community services, vocational services and international services. Mr Kirpal Singh Saini (former President, Rotary Club, Kharar) was the trainer at this function. 

LIQUOR SEIZED: The local police has arrested Kuldeep Singh of Sahoran village following the recovery of 36 pouches of illicit liquor from his possession. A case has been registered under the Excise Act. 

LUDHIANA
MEETING: A general body meeting of the Vivekanand Study Circle was held in SKN Model High School. During the meeting, members of the association — Mr R. Paul, Dr Inder Mohan Sharma, Principal K.D. Arora and MrT.S. Bakshi — suggested new ways to spread the activities of the circle on a larger scale. Finally, the secretary of the circle, Prof Vinay Sofat, concluded that for further development the circle should hold school competitions, seminars on religious themes, scientific themes and also decided to release a souvenior. 

ASSOCIATION: The Punjab Ophthalmic Officers Association (POOA) has taken a serious note of the reported remarks of the zonal president of the Ophthalmic Surgeons Society, Bathinda, regarding the status and role of ophthalmic officers in one of the newspapers, during its executive meeting held here on Monday. Mr Jaswinder Singh, general secretary, and Mr Harpal Singh, press secretary POOA, in a press note said that the remarks made by the zonal president were baseless. They said the association had been providing primary eye care services to the rural population for the past 18 years. They challenged the zonal president to come out with facts and strongly warned the doctors to stop such campaign against the cadre immediately and play positive role in the society. 

MALERKOTLA
POPPY HUSK SEIZED: The police has seized 100 kg of poppy husk. According to DSP Kulshinder Singh, Amarjit Singh Bhola was selling the poppy husk at Dalanwal Lasoi village but he managed to escape on the arrival of the police. A case under the NDPS act has been registered.

MALOUT
WATER SUPPLY: Residents of streets number 4,5,6 and 7 of Patel Nagar has urged the municipal council authorities to make arrangements for adequate supply of potable water for them. In a letter written to the president and the executive officer of the council, the residents said due to inadequate supply of water they had been forced to use underground water which had been declared unfit for human consumption.

MANDI GOBINDGARH
TWO INJURED: Two persons were injured in a collision between a scooter and a moped on the Amloh-Mandi Gobindgarh road on Tuesday. Both were admitted to Desh Bhagat Aurvedic Hospital, Mandi Gobindgarh. The injured have been identified as Mr Rajinder Singh, a resident of Sakrali village, near Bhadson, and Mr Kishori Sharma, a resident of Ward No 4, Amloh. 

SHO KILLED: A case under Sections 279, 304-A and 427 of the IPC has been registered against the truck driver on the charges of killing an SHO and his guard near Kohara Chowk on Monday. It is learnt that the SHO Khanna, Ram Singh, along with his guard, Kartar Singh, were coming from Ludhiana towards Samrala on a car (PB-10T-008) when a truck (PB10-22-9599) overtook them and applied brakes due to which the car bumped into the truck from the back thus resulting in two deaths. The SHO died on the spot, while Kartar Singh was rushed to a hospital in Ludhiana where he was declared dead. The truck driver, however, absconded leaving the truck behind. 

MANSA
DHARNA HELD: The PWD Field and Workshop Workers Union staged a dharna on Monday in front of the office of the Executive Engineer, Jawaharke, to press for the acceptance of their demands. They alleged that the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court were not being implemented by the authorities concerned.

CPI(ML) FUNCTION: The CPI (ML) celebrated its 32nd establishment day on Monday here at Baba Bhuja Singh Bhavan. The flag was hoisted by Mr Kirpal Singh Vir, a leader of the party. The district secretary of the Pargatisheel Istri Sabha, Ms Kirandeep Kaur, state unit president of the AISA, Mr Harbhawan Bhikhi, were also present. 

MOGA
DRAINS BLOCKED: Polythene bags have become a menace in this town as drains are choking with bags. Dumping bags in the streets is common. Residents urged the municipality on Tuesday to ban use of polythene bags.

NAWANSHAHR
STONE LAID: Mr Mohan Lal Behram, MLA, laid the foundation stone of the Dr B.R. Ambedkar park and library to be constructed at a cost of Rs 5 lakh at Banga, about 13 km from here, on Monday.

ELECTED: Mr Manjit Singh Lally of the local R.K. Arya College and Mr Suchit Verma of S.N. College, Banga, have been unanimously elected president and secretary, respectively, of the district unit of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union.

PATHANKOT
OFFICE INAUGURATED: Mr B. Vikram, Deputy Commissioner, Gurdaspur, inaugurated the computerised office of the SDM here on Monday. The Deputy Commissioner who was accompanied by Mr K.K. Garg, SDM, also inspected the sub jail and listened to the problems of the inmates.

TRUCK IMPOUNDED: The police has registered a case against Sudarshan Kumar, son of Joginder, resident of Maidhpur village, Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, for carrying the ghee tins in a truck on forged documents.

PATIALA
OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr Subash Patialvi has been elected as the President of the Patiala District Photo Journalists Association at a meeting held here on Monday. The other office-bearers are: Secretary — Mr Pawan Kumar; Cashier — Mr Mohan Lal; executive members — Mr Rajesh Kumar Arora and Mr Parshottam Kaushal. 

BDR ATTACK: The alleged torture and killings of 17 Border Security Force (BSF) jawans at the India-Bangladesh border by the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) has been condemned by the BJP and the Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha. In a press release, Dr Paramjit Singh, Executive Member of the State Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), said government should be serious about this barbaric act and an immediate action should be taken in this regard. He also welcomed the probe initiated by the Bangladesh government. Expressing deep shock and concern over the attack, Mr Varinder Khanna, executive member of the Bharti Janta Yuva Morcha, Punjab, said the Bangladesh government should repent the innocent killings of the Indian jawans. He added that the recent incidents have created terror and havoc in the area. 

WHEAT PROCURED: 3.61 lakh tons of wheat has been procured by the various agencies till Monday. This was stated by Mr Gagandeep Singh, ADC, during a meeting with the various agencies at the Red Cross Hall here Tuesday. Mr Gagandeep Singh said out of this, the Food and Supply Department has procured 26,710 tons of wheat, 88,470 tons by Markfed, 80,447 tons by Punsup, 42,737 tons by Ware House, 58,760 tons by Punjab Agro and 64,824 tons of wheat has been procured by the FCI. Mr Gagandeep Singh said though due to unseasonal rains, the amount of wheat was affected in mandis, but the revival of the weather has improved the procurement. 

MAY DAY: A state-level May Day would be celebrated on May 1 at Amritsar. This was stated by Mr Kulwinder Singh, Convenor, Punjab PWD Employees Workers Union, PSEB, in a press release here on Tuesday. 

INTRUDER SHOT: An unidentified Pakistani intruder was shot dead by a BSF patrolling party at Thathi Jaimal Singh village when he crossed over to this side of the border. A case has been registered in police station, Khalra, in this regard.

HARYANA

AMBALA
FOUNDATION: The foundation stone of a new building of DAV Public School, in Simbla village, Barara, was laid by the Haryana minister, Mr Risal Singh. Mr Risal Singh announced a grant of Rs 51,000 for the building. Among others, Mr Rajinder Nath, Mr G.D. Jindal, Ms Santosh Kapoor and Ms Sunita Kapoor were present. Ms Vimla Sudan said she is going to give one acre of land to the school. A cultural programme was also presented. 

BHIWANI
INJURED: Three persons, including a woman, received injuries in a clash at Beeran village on Monday. According to reports, Balbir and his sons attacked his brother Buli Chand, his son Raja and Reshma with iron rods. The three have been admitted to a hospital here.

LOOTED: Baljeet, a roadways conductor of Mokhra village was reportedly injured by a youth who also robbed him of Rs 1800 near Kharak village on Monday. The youth boarded the bus from Kharak and refused to buy the ticket. Later, while alighting, he hit the conductor’s head with a brick and decamped with the cash. The conductor was admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

CHARGE TAKEN: The newly appointed Chairman of the local Improvement Trust, Mr Virender Bhoruka, took charge here on Tuesday at a ceremony held at premises of the trust. The SDM, Mr Yogesh Chander Bhardwaj, was also present.

ROHTAK
APPOINTED: Prof S.K. Bedi has been appointed Director, Institute of Management Studies and Research, Maharshi Dayanand University. The appointment has been made for a period of three years. Dr R.K. Bhardwaj, Principal of Gaur Brahmin Degree College, has been nominated as member, Academic Council of the university and the MDU court.

SONEPAT
SUICIDE ATTEMPT: A youth is reported to have made an attempt to commit suicide by taking insecticide tablets at his house in Mohalla Mashad here on Tuesday following a family quarrel. He was immediately hospitalised and is stated to be out of danger.

DEAD: Jaiwanti Devi (65), wife of Mr Suraj Mal Antil, MLA (INLD) and chairman of HAFED, died in a Delhi hospital on Monday following a prolonged illness. The body was brought to her native village, Murthal, in this district. Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, MP and Mr Dheerpal Singh, Minister for Town and Country Planning, were among those present.

MEETING: Mr Dev Raj Dewan, MLA, has called upon the members of the Alipur ‘biradari’ to work towards removing social evils, including dowry system. At the annual meet of the ‘biradari’ here on Monday, he said the members should work for the uplift of the people. A cultural programme was presented by schoolchildren on this occasion.

CONVENTION: The Haryana Civil Medical Services Association (HCMS) is holding its 26th annual convention here on Wednesday, according to Dr D.B. Rawal, president of the state unit of the association. He told mediapersons here on Tuesday that Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, MP, would be the chief guest.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Kisan Club, Sonepat: president — Mr Romesh Dagar; vice-president — Mr Ram Kishan; secretary — Mr Satyavan and treasurer — Mr Anoop Singh.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Gaushala Sewa Samiti: president — Mr Narain Gupta; vice-presidents — Mr Jagdish Chander Goel, Mr Satish Goel, Mr Jai Parkash Gupta, Mr Jai Kishan Goel, Mr Prithvi Singh Goel and Mr Lakhi Ram; general secretary — Mr Ram Kumar Garg and treasurer — Mr Niranjan Lal Gupta.

DHARNA: Farmers affiliated to the BKU and the Hailstorm Relief Action Committee sat on a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Monday. They submitted a memorandum to the DC for forwarding it to the Chief Minister.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

STEREOS STOLEN: A gang of thieves stole two stereos from cars in the town on Sunday night, the police said here on Monday. The gang struck in the Vivekananda Vihar locality of the town and broke windowscreens of two Maruti cars parked in the courtyard of Dr Ashok Kumar, a scientist, and decamped with a stereo. The thieves also decamped with a stereo from the car of Mr Ashok Ganjoo in another locality of the town.

KULU
PRIEST MURDERED: A priest of a temple at Gadsa, about 20 km from here, was murdered on Sunday night. The police has arrested Sohan Lal, chowkidar at Government Senior Secondary School, Gadsa, in this connection. A case under Section 302 IPC has been registered.

NURPUR
YC’s WARNING: The Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress (YC) general secretary, Mr Yogesh Mahajan and vice-president, Mr Baldev Pappi, in a statement here on Tuesday took exception to the government’s move to initiate privilege motion proceedings against the state YC president, Mr Sukhbinder Singh ‘Sukhu’, for his reported statement in which he had demanded declaration of assets by the ministers and legislators. They said the YC had endorsed the demand of Mr Sukhu. The YC would oppose any such action against the state chief, they added.

NSS CAMP: The NSS unit of the local Government Senior Secondary School held a public welfare camp in which 50 volunteers participated. The volunteers prepared a pathway and launched cleanliness drive at public places. The 10-day camp concluded on Monday.

SHIMLA
PASSENGER TAX: The transport cell of the BJP has urged the government to simplify the procedure for depositing the passenger tax for taxis on the pattern of trucks. The cell, which met on Monday under the chairmanship of its convener, Mr Divesh Sharma, decided to take up with the government the problems being faced by the transporters, particularly the unwarranted harassment at the hands of the police.