Plea to install martyr’s portrait
Chandigarh, October 26
The President of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC), Mr H.S. Hanspal, has appealed to the Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to get a portrait of Shaheed Darshan Singh Pheruman installed in the gallery of the Vidhan Sabha.

Divali celebrated with fervour
HOSHIARPUR: Divali was celebrated with fervour and zeal in the district. Eight minor fire incidents, however, were reported in various localities of the city. The municipal fire brigade averted these by its timely action. Mr Romesh Chander Dogra, Health and Family Welfare Minister, Punjab, celebrated the festival of lights with the inmates of home for aged and juvenile home at Ram Colony Camp.

• Black Divali at village

Sikh secretariat in Pakistan proposed
Amritsar, October 26
Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, president of the International Bhai Mardana Yaadgari Kirtan Darbar Society, today proposed to establish a Sikh secretariat in Lahore, Pakistan. He also suggested that a Pakistan Sikh gurdwara international committee be set up for the maintenance of Sikh shrines in Pakistan provided Shriomani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee gave its consent to it.

Vishvakarma celebrated PHAGWARA: Punjab Social Welfare Minister Joginder Singh Mann said on Sunday that the next state-level Vishvakarma, Day function would be held at Phagwara. The government was also considering to set up a university after Baba Vishvakarma, he said. He gave a Rs 1 lakh grant to Shri Vishvakarma Dhiman Sabha. The Harbhajan Singh Devgan, an NRI, who was the chief guest, donated Rs 51,000 to the sabha. His brother Nirmal Singh also donated a similar amount. Blacksmiths clean their tools with milk on the occasion of Vishvakarma Day in Amritsar on Sunday. — PTI

Shobha yatra taken out
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 26
An impressive “shobha yatra” was taken out in Bassi Pathana town today by Dhiman Brahman Sabha in connection with the celebration of “Bhagwan Vishwakarma Jyanti”. Mr Nakesh Jindal, general secretary of the District Rice Millers Association flagged of the shobha yatra from Bhagwan Vishwakarma Mandir and it passed through the entire town. A large number of people belonging to every section of society, particularly Dhimans, participated in the yatra.

AGRICULTURE

Release of cane arrears sought
Moga, October 26
Bharti Kisan Union (Punjab) president Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, expressing concern over the failure of the state in releasing arrears of Rs 74 crore of sugarcane growers, by sugar mills, today sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, in the matter.

Millers hail govt move to suspend official
Chandigarh, October 26
Mr Tarsem Saini, President of the Punjab Rice Millers Association, today hailed the state government’s decision to suspend a Deputy Director of the Food and Supplies Department for alleged irregularities and corruption.

ADMINISTRATION

• 2 PCS officers transferred
  

CRIME

Rape accused not booked
Amritsar, October 26
Even as more than two days have passed, the district police has not registered any case against Dr Gurdev Singh, who allegedly raped a girl patient here on October 24. Meanwhile, the medical report of the victim has been sent to Patiala for examination.

Body of woman found in canal
Kharar, October 26
In what is being suspected as a cold-blooded murder, the body of a 31-year-old married woman was found in the Satluj-Yamuna link canal passing through Rora village, near here, today.

6 cops hurt in attack by villagers
Moga, October 26
Six Punjab police personnel were injured, one of them seriously, when the police party raiding an alleged smuggler’s residence in Daulawala village in this district was today attacked by residents of the village.

ZP member attacked
Patiala, October 26
The Vice-President of the Gurdaspur Zila Parishad, Major Amardeep Singh (retd), was injured when he was attacked near Budha Dal gurdwara here last night. A case has been registered at the Civil Lines police station.

26 hurt in group clash
Sangrur, October 26
Twentysix persons, including two women, were injured when two groups of Dalits clashed at Ladda village, near Dhuri, last night.

Two die in mishap
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 26
Bassi Pathana residents were shocked as two youths belonging to the town died in an accident on the Divali night. Their bodies and the scooter were noticed lying in a deep ditch opposite Usha Mata Mandir on the Bassi Pathana-Chandigarh road this morning.

EDUCATION

Teaching staff shortage in schools
Khemkaran, October 26
The local Government Senior Secondary School for boys and Government Senior Secondary School for Girls have been facing a shortage of teaching staff for the past more than 25 years.