R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda
Computer Lab: A computer lab, established by the State Bank of Patiala (SBP), was inaugurated at Government Senior Secondary School of Sheikhpura village in this district on Wednesday. In a press note issued, Mr A.K. Das, Managing Director, SBP, said that to keep the rural youth updated with the technological advancements, the bank had decided to adopt 10 villages in Muktsar and Bathinda district for the establishment of computer labs.

Hoshiarpur
ESCAPES: Surinder Pal Gohat, an undertrail prisoner, escaped from the custody of the New Delhi police at Pandori Ganga Singh village of the district on Monday. According to police sources, the accused was brought to the village for some recovery in a case. The Mahilpur police has registered a case under Section 224 of the IPC.

Nawanshahr
ARRESTED: The local police has arrested Lakhwinder Kumar of Adarsh Nagar and Rakesh Kumar of Chuharpur village for allegedly preparing fake driving licences and registration copies (RCs) of vehicles. As many as five fake RCs and two fake driving licences were seized. A case has been registered.

ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Punjab State General Category Welfare Federation, Mukandpur unit: president - Mr Balbir Singh Basra; general secretary - Mr Kulbaran Singh Punia; vice-presidents - Mr Gurdial Singh and Mr Surjit Singh; and secretary - Mr Prem Kumar Karnana.

Pathankot
NOMINATED: Mr Yogi Seth, social worker and senior Congress leader of the area, has been nominated as member of the Sales Tax Advisory Committee, Jalandhar Division. A notification to this effect was issued by the Punjab Government.

LOK ADALAT: Mr Tajinder Singh Bal, assistant, Legal Services Authority, Gurdaspur, said three Lok Adalats will be organised on December 18 in the local court complex.

HARYANA

Panipat
DIED: Jagdish Yadav of Babarpur village died in a road accident on the GT Road here on Tuesday. He was returning to his house in the village. His body was taken to Bhim Sen Sachar Hospital for post-mortem.

Sonepat
INAUGURATED: Chief Minister Om Parkash Chautala laid the foundation stone of Pai distributory near Kharkhoda in the district on Tuesday. Later, Mr Chautala inaugurated the newly-built community centres and office of HUDA at Sector 12, 15 and 23 here. He also inaugurated Badkhalsa Memorial near Badkhalsa village in the district. He unveiled the statue of Ch. Devi Lal at Ch. Devi Lal Chowk, Gannaur, and inaugurated the newly-constructed building of Industrial Training Institute, Gannaur.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Bilaspur
INAUGURATED: State Forest Minister Ramlal Thakur has inaugurated a four-storey tourist inn, “Maitri Chhaya”, at Nainadevi constructed by the Temple Trust. Addressing the gathering, Mr Thakur exhorted people to shun hunting, poaching and killing of wild animals and birds around the Nainadevi shrine.

POLICE DRIVE: The police has started a drive against persons involved in illicit trade of narcotics. Meanwhile, the police has freezed LIC policies worth Rs 2.93 lakh of Shayamlal of Sungal village near here, who was arrested for possessing 10.4 kg of opium husk and 25 gm charas.

Hamirpur
Fatal fall: Ram Chand of Kathina village died when he fell from a tree on Tuesday evening. According to reports received here on Wednesday Ram Chand had climbed a tree for firewood. However, the dry tree collapsed along with Ram Chand and he died instantly.