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Pak still aiding terrorism, says Advani
Chandigarh, February 7
The Union Home Minister, Mr L. K. Advani, today said Pakistan had not abandoned its dangerous dalliance with terrorism, if what Gen. Musharraf said in his statement at the so-called joint session of the “assembly” in PoKon Wednesday was any indication.

• ‘Vote for SAD-BJP to ensure Hindu-Sikh unity’

SETTING AGENDA FOR NEW GOVT— II
People’s priorities different from poll promises
Chandigarh
It is time the people set an agenda for the political parties. Politicians and the people have their own perceptions about each other and are mutually suspicious.

PROFILE OF CONSTITUENCIES
Keen contests likely in Akali bastion
Sangrur, February 7
The district comprises 10 Assembly constituencies and has been a bastion of the Shiromani Akali Dal. In the ensuing Assembly elections, a majority of the constituencies in the district are likely to witness key contests due to the presence of Panthic Morcha and rebel candidates.

• Former rebels back as nominees

TRENDS
Voters give ‘chronic’ politicians thumbs down, want young blood
Ferozepore, February 7
There is a marked difference in the current Assembly elections from the previous ones. Voters, who used to be secretive earlier, this time frankly discuss the merits and demerits of candidates and also the political parties in the fray in their respective areas. 

Akal Takht Jathedar seeks Vatican status for Amritsar Amritsar, February 7 Jathedar Akal Takht Giani Joginder Singh Vedanti today sought Vatican status for Amritsar. After returning from the Vatican City, Jathedar Vedanti told a select media-persons that he was very much impressed with the status and affection given to St John Paul by the devotees from all over the world.

Cops turn blind eye to code violations
SAS Nagar, February 7
In a run-up to the general Assembly elections, it appears that the cops are playing it safe as far as the checking the violations of the Election Commission’s model code of conduct is concerned.

Chained detainee rescued Chandigarh, February 7 In an alleged case of human rights violation, an Amritsar district resident, reportedly picked up by the police, was allegedly chained to a hand pump at a police post before being rescued by the warrant officer appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Amritsar district resident Kuldeep Singh, who was allegedly picked up by the police and chained to a handpump in a police post, shows a broken tooth at his lawyer’s residence in Sector 2, Chandigarh. —  Tribune photo Parvesh Chauhan

Badal, BJP harming minorities: Mann
Bathinda, February 7
Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Mann), dubbing yesterday’s killing of a Muslim migrant by Gurpartap Singh Kairon, brother of Mr Adeshpartap Singh Kairon, Excise and Taxation Minister, as a communal murder, alleged today that Mr Parkash Singh Badal and the BJP were causing harm to the minorities in Punjab and the country as a whole.

KEY CONTEST
Stakes high for Harcharan Brar
Muktsar, February 7
A triangular contest has shaped up in this key constituency of the Punjab Assembly where the Congress leader and the former Chief Minister, Mr Harcharan Singh Brar, is locked in a close fight with the sitting Akali MLA, Bhai Harnirpal Singh, and a rebel Akali leader, Mr Sukhdarshan Singh Marar.

‘Left to play role in govt making’
Nangal (Ropar), February 7
The left parties would play a major role in the formation of the next government in Punjab. In the forthcoming Assembly elections, neither the Congress nor the SAD-BJP would get an absolute majority and the left parties, which would win about 10 seats, would play a decisive role in the formation of government. 

PM must apologise for insulting Sonia: Cong
Chandigarh, February 7
The AICC general secretary, Mrs Ambika Soni, today sought an “unqualified apology” from the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on three accounts — using intemperate language against women, as a class; insulting AICC President Sonia Gandhi; and slighting the Leader of the Opposition.

Arjun questions PM’s claim on coffin issue
Ludhiana, February 7
Senior Congress leader and former Governor of the state, Mr Arjun Singh, today disputed the claims of the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, on the coffin controversy, claiming that even the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes, had himself admitted certain goof-ups in the deal.

• Slams Badal on Longowal pact

SAD, Cong men clash at rally
Kapurthala, February 7
A verbal duel between workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress marked the visit of senior Congress leader and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit here today, even as the latter castigated the SAD-BJP combine government by holding it responsible for “rampant” corruption in the state.

Cong workers quit party, back Rakhra
Patiala, February 7
Congress workers led by the sarpanch of Pasiana village in the Samana constituency and office-bearers of the Block Congress of the Tripuri township announced their decision to quit the party and support the candidature of the SAD nominee, Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, who is arrayed against former Congress minister Brahm Mohindra.

Morcha rejects Sohi’s claim of support
Chandigarh, February 7
Ms Sheelam Sohi, a Congress candidate from the Banur Assembly constituency, had claimed the support of the Panthic Morcha. But the Panthic Morcha rejected the claim saying it was preposterous. It affirmed its support to the Bahujan Samaj Party candidate in the Banur constituency.

Kanwaljit’s supporters create traffic jam
Lalru, February 7
Traffic on the busy Chandigarh-Ambala highway was disrupted for over an hour as thousands of farmers jumped into the election campaign of Capt Kanwaljit Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from the Banur Assembly constituency here today.

POLL BRIEFS

SAD MAN JOINS CONG GRANT-IN-AID WEIGHED AGAINST BLOOD BANNERS TORN	EC RULES FLOUTED SUPPORT FOR CONG SUPPORT FOR SEKHO
Bhinder accuses Badal govt of non-performance Gurdaspur, February 7 A former Union Minister, Ms Sukhbans Kaur Bhinder, has accused the SAD-BJP government of non-performance, particularly in the border areas.

People fed up with govt: Kanshi
Dhuri, February 7
Mr Kanshi Ram, president of the Bahujan Samaj Party, here today addressed an election rally of his party's is nominee from Dhuri, Ms Sultana Begum.

COMMUNITY

Health main concern of women voters
Chandigarh, February 7
For a 20-year-old woman in a close-by Punjab village who has suffered a miscarriage, a deserving candidate is one who ensures the safe birth of her second child. Her main concern is whether her village would ever have trained midwives or whether she would always have to travel 20 km to Chandigarh to seek medical aid.

Poll frenzy fails to grip border youth
Mulakot/Roarawala/Attari on Indo-Pak border (Amritsar), February 7
Even as border villages get ready for the poll under the shadow of the Army gun, the mood is essentially lacklustre among local youths. The task of meeting daily needs has overshadowed the election euphoria.

Nishan Sahib breaks, one killed, 4 hurt
Amritsar, February 7
The accidental fall of a 40-year-old Nishan Sahib at Gurdwara Baba Deep (Shaheedan Sahib) lead to the death of a pilgrim while four others were seriously injured.

HIGH COURT
Bhattal directed to go to Special Judge
Chandigarh, February 7
Disposing of an application filed by former Chief Minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal for adjourning the alleged corruption case registered against her “to some date in March 2002”, Mr Justice R.C. Kathuria of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today ordered that she could seek adjournment on appearing before Bathinda’s Special Judge on February 8.

Hearing in Kewal Singh’s case adjourned
Bathinda, February 7
The hearing of the bail application of Giani Kewal Singh, a former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, facing a criminal case along with his son Baljinder Singh and another kin, was adjourned to February 11 today as the police failed to submit necessary documents in the court.

ADMINISTRATION

Enforce ban orders: DC
Ferozepore, February 7
Taking a serious note of the violations of the orders passed under Section 144 of the Cr. P.C. prohibiting carrying of firearms in the district, the District Magistrate, Mr S.R. Ladhar, directed officials concerned to ensure strict compliance of the orders for ensuring free and fair conduct of the Punjab Assembly elections.

EDUCATION

Science congress inaugurated
Patiala, February 7
“There is a need to integrate scientific disciplines, humanity and social subjects so as to make education relevant to the present needs of society”, said Prof A. Nigavekar, Vice-Chairman of the University Grants Commission while inaugurating the fifth Punjab Science Congress at the Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology here.

Father appoints examiner for son
Amritsar, February 7
Can a father recommend examiner for his son? Yes, if the meeting of board of studies (commerce) held at Guru Nanak Dev University is any indication.

Teachers, students stage rally
Barnala, February 7
In response to a joint action committee of the Private College Management Federation, Federation of Principals Association of Private Colleges, Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union, and Private College Non-Teaching Employees Union call for “save education”, private college management as well as principal of local S.D. College, PCCTU and PCNTEU activists staged a district-level rally yesterday.

Students stage dharna
Bathinda, February 7
Members of the ETT Students Welfare Association today sat on a dharna on the Bathinda-Muktsar road near Deon village to show their resentment against the bus operators who did not honour the concessional passes of the students. 

Teachers meet PPCC chief on aid issue
Barnala, February 7
A deputation of Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union comprising Prof Aminderpal Singh, secretary, PCCTU, Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof R.S. Brar, executive member, PCCTU, and Prof Malkit Singh, PCCTU chief, Sangrur district, called upon Captain Amarinder Singh, PPCC chief yesterday.