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Tension in village over burning of election flags, banners
Tusse, February 7
With electioneering in Punjab getting intense with each passing day, it is also getting bitter at some places witnessing close or multi-cornered fight among different candidates. Tusse village 25 km from here is engulfed in such a tension for the past two days, as rival parties have begun burning flags and banners of opposite candidates.

The remains of the banners and flags that were burnt in Tusse village on Wednesday night and (right) villagers discuss the matter.
— Photos Inderjit Verma.

Roll numbers on ration cards!
Ludhiana, February 7
While most students of government, aided and affiliated schools have received roll numbers for Punjab School Education Board examinations, hundreds of private city candidates have been left in lurch.

Few bank upon the ATMs Ludhiana, February 7 Banks that had launched the ATM service with fanfare are intrigued by the poor customer response to it here, so far. These machines had been installed to cut down transaction costs and provide customers with additional benefit. However, the banks are incurring huge losses on the maintenance and operation of these machines. The ATMs are not popular with bank customers in Ludhiana. — Photo Rajesh Bhambi

Violations galore on hoisting of Tricolour Flag code awareness amiss Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana, February 7 Close on the heels of the hoisting of the National Flag with a black wheel in Jaipur, a similar violation along with disrespect of the Tricolour on other counts has come to light in Ludhiana district. The ‘National Flag’ with a black wheel hoisted on the FCI godown in Mullanpur has never been folded in the evening, resulting in the violation of directions of the Supreme Court. — IV

Violations under observers’ nose
Latala, February 7
The model code of conduct is being violated right under the nose of election observers in the Qila Raipur Assembly segment. Supporters of the Technical Education Minister, Mr Jagdish Singh Garcha, who is contesting this seat, have come up with posters accusing the Congress for being responsible for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and demolishing Akal Takhat during Operation Bluestar.

MC demolishes unauthorised structures
Ludhiana, February 7
Officials of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation demolished eight unauthorised structures in Shekhowal village falling in Ward No 66. Mr Satpal Puri, Congress councillor, alleged that since the village was supporting the Congress, the corporation officials were trying to create terror among the people so that they did not vote for the party.

COMMUNITY

Women bring decency to campaigning

Ludhiana, February 7 Ms Neelam Dawer, wife of the Congress candidate from Ludhiana East, Mr Surinder Dawer, is helping her husband take on the BJP candidate and Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly, Mr Satpal Gosain. She is among the many women who are campaigning actively for their husbands this time. Women power: Wife of Congress candidate Surinder Dawer campaigns for her husband in Ludhiana East on Thursday. — RB

‘SAD has no right to seek votes’

Ludhiana, February 7 In response to a call given by the Joint Action Committee, comprising the managements’ federation, principals’ federation, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union and Non-teaching Employees Union, a protest rally was organised here today.

College teachers hold protest rally in Ludhiana on Thursday. — IV

Dhanda promises quality education
Ludhiana, February 7
Promising quality and affordable education for every section of society, Mr Harish Rai Dhanda, Independent candidate from the Ludhiana West constituency and president of the Ludhiana Bar Association, organised an election rally for students, teachers and educational workers at Embassy Palace, here today.

Keen contest likely in Ludhiana-Rural
Ludhiana, February 7
Ludhiana-Rural is the biggest assembly segment in Punjab with about 3.5 lakh voters. Currently represented by Mr Hira Singh Gabria, the constituency is likely to witness a keen contest as this time the Congress has field Mr Milkait Singh Birmi, a former minister and influential leader of the area.

Bhai Ranjit Singh flays Badal
Amloh, February 7
Bhai Ranjit Singh, a former jathedar of Akal Takhat, addressed an election rally in support of Panthic Morcha candidate Randhir Singh Rakhra at Bhadson village, near here, yesterday.

• Govinda to canvass

CITY SCAN
A feeling of mini-India
THE spirit of India is its real identity. Its long history lends to it a rare complexity. It is simultaneously simple and complex. Very few understand her real strength. Many of our historians, planners and politicians miss it. An average Indian is gifted with a robust common sense.

CRIME

Two get life term in murder case
Ludhiana, February 7
Rajinder Singh (28), owner of Dashmesh Electronics, Raikot, and his servant, Mohammad Yasin (23), have been sentenced to undergo life imprisonment on the charge of killing commission agent Mohinder Kumar (24) of Raikot on November 8, 1997.

National award for PAU scientists
Ludhiana, February 7
Prof V.K. Sehgal, Senior Research Engineer-cum-Head, and his research team comprising Dr Shashi Paul, Dr V.K. Thapar, Dr Maninder Arora and Dr P.K. Chhuneja of the Department of Processing and Agricultural Structures, College of Agricultural Engineering, Punjab Agricultural University, have received the ISAE team award on January 28, 2002 at the XXXVI annual convention of the Indian Society of Agricultural Engineers held at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur.

‘Arrest stall’ gets good response
Ludhiana, February 7
Pay Rs 10 and get anyone arrested. And pay Rs 20 to get him released. This might not be possible in reality, but students of the College of Home Science, PAU, today made it possible for all participants who visited the fete organised in college grounds today.

COURTS

Forum penalises United India Insurance
Ludhiana, February 7
The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum has directed United India Insurance Company, to pay Rs 1,837 on account of balance amount of a claim settled, along with interest at the rate of nine per cent per annum from March 6, 2001, till the date of payment.

Healing Ministry Week begins
Ludhiana, February 7
According to Mr Emanuel, secretary, North West Region Christian Medical Association of India, said that the second week of February was specially dedicated to the healing of the people who were sick. In Christian perspective, it was the undertaking of commitment with God to serve people and strive better and better to serve the needy. During this week, a concerted campaign was carried across all the churches in India.

SPORTS

BCA (II) student wins long jump event
GNI sports festival
Ludhiana, February 7
Ravinderjit Kaur of BCA (-II) was declared the winner in the long jump event on the fourth day of the annual sports festival of the Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology, Gujarkhan Campus, Model Town, Ludhiana, today. Simrat and Harpreet Kaur, also students of BCA (II), finished second and third respectively.