R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
ANNUAL FUNCTION: Brahmavadini Didi Krishan Kanta, Head of the International Brahmarishi Mission, inaugurated the fifth annual function of Brahmarishi Mission School here. She expressed satisfaction over the academic and co-curricular performance of the institution that had been founded by B.V. Bawraji Maharaj. Students entertained the gathering with a variety of Indian dances and songs for four hours.

Gurdaspur
PO ARRESTED: The Gurdaspur police has arrested proclaimed offender Dharam Pal who was wanted in a number of criminal cases of smuggling and robbery in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The SSP, Mr Ishwar Singh, told that the accused, along with his gang, looted a business of Rs 9 lakh from Nurpur in Himachal. He was arrested and Rs 7.35 lakh was recovered from him. He later escaped. Dharam Pal has also been accused of smuggling illicit liquor from Cheni Beli village of Himachal, near Damtal, to areas of Punjab.

Hoshiarpur
RELIEF FUND: A condolence meeting was organised by the employees of the Health Department under the presidentship of Dr Y. C. Markan, Civil Surgeon, here on Monday to condole the death of thousands of innocent persons by the earthquake and tidal waves in the southern parts of India and the neighbouring countries. A two-minute silence was observed to pay homage to the departed souls. Twentytwo doctors donated Rs. 500 each to the Civil Surgeon for sending the same to the Prime Minister Relief Fund.

Patiala
pseb OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr Gurdial Singh Bhangal has been elected as the president of the Technical Services Union of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB). Other office-bearers are: Mr Rameshwar  Pasiana-sinior vice-president, Mr Gurdeep Singh-vice-president, Mr Karora Singh-general  secretary, Mr Sukhwant Singh Sekhon-assistant secretary and Mr Kirpal Singh-organising secretary.

SAMRALA
TRIBUTES PAID: Tributes were paid by thousands of persons to deceased Malvir Singh Khattran, member of the Panchayat Samiti, Samrala, president of the Sports Club, Khattran, and leading commission agent of Samrala grain market, at his native village, today here 5 km from here, on Monday. Among others who addressed the gathering were Mr Balbir Singh Rajewal, national secretary of the Bharti Kisan Union, Gyani Mohinder Singh Bhanglan, senior Akali leaders, Jathedar Gurdev Singh Muskabad, Mr Gurtej Singh Bhagwanpura, Mr Tejinder Singh Kooner, president of the district unit of the PPCC, Mr Bhupinder Singh, chairman of the Panchayat Samiti, Mr Ajmer Singh Purba, vice-chairman of the Panchayat Samiti, Samrala, and Mr Ravi Inder Singh, president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Ravi). Speakers highlighted the works done by Malvinder Singh Khattran.

OFFICE-BEARERS: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Samrala Cloth Merchants Association: president — Mr Hari Krishan Gambhir (for the second time), vice-president — Mr Tarsem Lal; secretary — Mr Ranjit Singh; cashier — Mr Ajit Singh; and press secretary — Mr Gurmeet Singh.