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Congress gets into
election mode
Haryana first to introduce photo
electoral rolls
DC orders inspection of polling booths
48 officers transferred a month before elections
Chautalas’ posters at DC’s office violate poll code
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INLD’s first list of names today
Voters drifting back to INLD,
says Ranga
De-recognise INLD, Randeep urges EC
BJP’s first list of candidates likely today
Voter list reflects
declining sex ratio
State poll panel submits names to AICC
Helpline for voters’ list
Crude weapon smuggling on the rise
Court allows Tarlochan Singh’s application
Haryana to enforce peak load restrictions on industry
Two brothers shot at, hospitalised
Ambala rail division gets new head
Major power failure in Sonepat
Two killed in road accident
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Congress gets into
election mode
Rohtak, January 3 Though technically it was organised under the auspices of the Haryana Kisan Mazdoor Janhit Manch, it was evident that this was just a ruse as the “photographic presence” of the Congress chief, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, loomed large owing to huge hoardings put up in all directions. The manch had invited Mr Hooda as the chief guest. He was lent support by the presence of two Union Ministers, Ms Selja and Mr Inderjeet Singh, and Congress MP Jai Parkash. The manch had claimed last week that eight of the nine Congress MPs from Haryana, including Mr Hooda, had confirmed their participation in the rally. There was no word from organisers about the absence of the others. True to its claims, though, many Congress legislators of Haryana were present. These included: Mr Sher Singh, Mr Daan Singh, Mr Shadi Lal Batra, Mr Raghbir Kadiyan, Mr Jitender Malik, Mr Rajinder Bisla, Mr Moola Ram, Mr Dharam Pal, Mr Jai Parkash Gupta, Ms Anita Yadav, Mr Bhim Sen Mehta, Mr Dev Raj Dewan and Mr Dharamvir Singh. Mr Daryao Singh, independent MLA from Jhajjar who had been supporting the INLD government till after the May Lok Sabha poll, was also present. Mr Om Parkash Jindal, legislator from Hisar, was absent. The organisers had claimed that he had confirmed his participation along with that of his son, Mr Naveen Jindal, MP from Kurukshetra. Mr Hooda focussed on corruption and atrocities, saying that he and his team would observe 2005 as “bhrashtachaar aur atyachaar hatao” year. He said corruption bred poverty which in turn led to atrocities on the weaker sections.” He remarked that “bhrashtachaar” in Haryana surfaced when the state saw the sale and purchase of legislators. The import of this potshot at the HPCC chief, Mr Bhajan Lal, was not lost on the predominantly Jat audience. He went on to say that in recent years, corruption had reached its highest level. Mr Hooda then turned to the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, and reiterated the charges levelled against him in the memorandum the Congress had submitted to the Haryana Governor a few weeks ago. He alleged that jobs were openly sold, postings offered to highest bidders and only people belonging to a particular area of Haryana were offered government appointments. Mr Hooda who represents the Rohtak Lok Sabha seat alleged that the area had been discriminated against during the past over five-year rule of the INLD. He was presented with a silver hoe weighing the same as his body weight. Swords and other gifts were also given to him. Ms Selja said Mr Hooda had been spearheading the struggle by the Congress in Haryana over the years and time had come for the people to help him by bringing a Congress government in the state. Mr Inderjeet Singh alleged that Rohtak and the neighbouring Ahirwal belt had been neglected during the Chautala rule. The rally was largely attended leading to traffic jams. There was pandemonium as volunteers tried to control the crowd. |
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Haryana first to introduce photo
electoral rolls
Chandigarh, January 3 Stating this here today, the Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana, Mrs Urvashi Gulati said that following instructions of the Election Commission of India, photo-electoral rolls of Ambala and Baroda constituencies had been drafted. With the exercise of publishing draft electoral rolls of all 90 constituencies in the state having been completed, about 5.3 lakh new voters have been registered. The total number of voters in the state now stands at 1,26,42,552. This includes 68,47,257 men and 57,95,295 women. The rolls were prepared by carrying out special summary revision of electoral rolls. Mrs Gulati said that these electoral rolls would be available at the offices of deputy commissioner, sub-divisional officer (civil), district electoral officer, concerned electoral registration officers, tehsildars, block development and panchayat officers, patwar circles, municipalities, all polling stations and post offices concerned for seven days for inspection. She said that any left out eligible elector could still apply to the electoral registration officer by submitting his claim in Form-6. The electoral rolls would also be available on the Election Department’s website at http://www. ceoharyana.nic.in. She said that all the district electoral officers had been directed to set up helplines to facilitate the voters to get information about the electoral rolls. She said that in Haryana, 91.27 per cent of the electors had been issued Electors Photo Identity Cards. However, the Election Commission would be issuing an order specifying various other identification documents to be used for establishing identification of electors who did not possess electors’ photo identity card to facilitate them to exercise their franchise in the ensuing Haryana Vidhan Sabha polls to be held on February 3, 2005. |
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DC orders inspection of polling booths
Hisar, January 3 At a meeting of the polling staff held here today, Mr Malik instructed the officials to ensure that the Assembly elections were conducted in a smooth and impartial manner. He also asked them to got proper ramps constructed for the physically challenged voters. The Deputy Commissioner also directed the officials to get the slogans and hoardings etc removed from the government buildings with immediate effect. He warned that strict action would be taken against the persons found involved in defacing public property. Talking to The Tribune, Mr Malik said a twin training programme on the use of electronic voting machines had begun today. He explained that under the programme, the electoral officials as well as the common people, would be trained on using the EVMs. He said the programme was part of the confidence-building measures initiated by the district administration. A neutral approach and transparency were must in the conduct of free and fair elections, he added. Meanwhile, the district police chief, Mr Attar Singh Ahlawat, said additional police personnel had been sought for the district in view of the approaching elections. He said three DSPs, five Inspectors, 238 Head Constables and 807 Constables had been sought for the district. Mr Ahlawat said apart from this, a special campaign had been launched to nab the parole jumpers. As a result, most-wanted Narender Mota, a parole jumper, had been arrested by the police, he added. The district police chief appealed to the people to submit their firearms with the police department. He said their were over 7,000 licensed weapons in the district, of which 725 had been deposited with the department. |
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48 officers transferred a month before elections
Chandigarh, January 3 Karnal ADC-cum-CEO (DRDA) Lajvir Singh has been posted as Narnaul's ADC-cum-CEO (DRDA) in place of HCS officer J.D.
Naharwal. He has been posted as Kuruksherta's ADC-cum-CEO (DRDA) against a vacant
post. Bhiwani's ADC-cum-CEO J.P.S. Dahiya has been posted as ADC-cum-CEO as Panipat's ADC-cum-CEO in place of Mr
W.S. Goyal. Mr Goyal has been posted as Karnal's ADC-cum-CEO. In place of Mr Dahiya, Mr Surjeet Singh has been posted as Bhiwani's
ADC-cum-CEO. Panchkula's General Manager (GM) Irrigation Praveen Kumar has been posted as Faridabad's SDO. The GM of Haryana Roadways at Faridabad, Dharam Paul, has been posted as Hodal's SDO in place of HCS officer Manjeet Singh. Managing Director of Rohtak's Coop Sugar Mills R.C. Bidhan has been posted as Kosli's SDO. GM of Haryana Roadways at Gurgaon
V.S. Hooda has been posted as Jhajjaar's SDO, while GM of Haryana Roadways at Narnaul
A.S. Mann has been given additional charge of Narnaul's City Magistrate. GM of Haryana Roadways at Sonepat Sultan Singh Ghoswal has been posted as
SDO-cum-HUDA's Estate Officer at Sonepat. City Magistrate Inder Pal Bishnoi has been posted as Joint Director of Secondary Education. GM of Haryana Roadways at Kaithal Dharam Pal Singh has been posted as SDO in
Guhla. Kaithal's City Magistrate P.K. Sharma has been posted as Sohana's SDO. MD of Coop Sugar Mills at Bhuna
R.K. Chauhan has been posted as Rohtak's SDO. GM of Haryana Roadways at Panipat Jaibir Singh Arya has been posted as Dabwali's SDO.
Panchkula's District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Maheshwar Sharma has been posted as Hisar
DDPO. GM of Haryana Roadways at Ambala Aurbind Sharma has been posted as Yamunanagar's City Magistrate. The order added that the GM of Haryana Roadways at Jhajjar S.K. Katyal has been posted as Ratia's SDO. MD of Gohana's Coop Sugar Mills
P.D. Verma has been posted as Gohana's SDO. Joint Director Secondary Education Mahavir Kaushik has been posted as Panipat's
DDPO. Gurgaon's Estate Officer Narhari Singh Banger has been posted as Meham's SDO.
Jhajjar's District Transport Officer (DTO) H.C. Bhatia has been posted as Fatehabad's SDO. HUDA's EO at Karnal Gurmeet Singh has been posted as Karnal's City Magistrate. GM of Haryana Roadways at Rohtak Virender Lather has been posted as Sirsa's
SDO-cum-EO. Ambala's DTO N.S. Dhull has been posted as HUDA's EO-cum-SDO at Kurukshetra. Faridabad's SDO Ram Kumar Beniwal has been posted as Faridabad's Land Acquisition Officer (LAO). Kurukshetra's SDO Prem Singh Gangal has been posted as GM Irrigation. SDO Satbir Singh Jangu has been posted as Sirsa's City Magistrate. Kosli's SDO Narinder Singh Yadav has been posted as GM Haryana Roadways at Sonepat. Sonepat's
SDO-cum-EO Amar Deep Singh has been posted as Gurgaon's LAO. HUDA's EC-cum-SDO at Sirsa. Ashwani Kumar-II has been posted as GM Haryana Roadways at Ambala. Rohtak's SDO Sanjay Rai has been posted as MD Coop Sugar Mills at Rohtak. Fatehabad's SDO Subhash Sheoran has been posted as Jhajjar's
DTO. Meham's SDO Bir Singh -II has been posted as Gurgaon's EO. Gohana's SDO Umed Singh Mohan has been posted as MD of Gohana's Coop Sugar
Mills. Yamunanagar's City Magistrate Pravesh Kumar has been posted as Yamunanagar's
DTO. Tohana's SDO Ashok Kumar has been posted as Kaithal's City
Magistrate. Gurgaon's LAO Virender Singh has been posted as GM of Haryana Roadways at Delhi. Hisar's DDPO Satbir Singh-II has been posted as GM of Haryana Roadways at
Gurgaon. Hodal's SDO Manjeet Singh has been posted as GM of Haryana Roadways as Faridabad. Ratia's SDO Mange Ram has been posted GM of Haryana Roadways at
Rohtak. Jhajjar's SDO Satish Kumar has been posted as GM of Haryana Roadways at Jhajjar. Guhla's SDO Sant Lal Pachar has been posted as Kaithal GM of Haryana Roadways at Kaithal. Joint State Transport Controller Hoshiar Singh Siwatch has been posted as Kurukshetra's
DTO. Sirsa's City Magistrate Baljeet Singh has been posted as GM of Haryana Roadways at Panipat. Yamunanagar's DTO Naveen Kumar Ahuja has been posted as Ambala's
DTO. |
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Chautalas’ posters at DC’s office
violate poll code
Panchkula, January 3 While the authorities don’t seem to mind this at all, it is, infact, happening in gross violation of the model code of conduct imposed for the assembly elections slated for February 3 right outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner, who is also the District Electoral Officer. Fairly old, these posters of the ruling Indian National Lok Dal government have been on the pillars and the wall outside the Secretariat before the December 6 rally of the party. Interestingly, despite having been there for long, the posters have gone “unnoticed” by those assigned the task of removing them. Also, the entire administrative paraphernalia right from the Deputy Commissioner to the Superintendent of Police, the SDM to the City Magistrate use the passage daily While the district administration as also the local civic body promptly had all hoardings and posters removed from within the Municipal limits of the city, these being left untouched in a complex frequented by public, comes as a surprise to the visitors. Ms Kasni said that she had received a copy of the Defacement of Property Act 1954, which banned defacement of public property through pasting posters, painting walls and installing billboards yesterday. Ms Kasni stated that she would shortly issue an order for removal of posters in the district, while claiming ignorance about posters in the Secretariat. “We have got most of these removed all over the district though we cannot rule out exceptions. However, I have also directed the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council to create an awareness among various political parties regarding the Defacement Act. The idea would be to educate them about the penalty we would impose rather than go ahead and fine them. Also, we will earmark areas where the parties can put up posters so that their freedom is not curtailed,” she added. The local MLA, Mr Chander Mohan, said that giving concessions to the ruling party by allowing posters at public buildings while stepping up tirade against posters by other political parties would not be tolerated. “These must be removed immediately and the model code should not be given a go by for nobody. We are not in favour of doling out any such concessions to anybody and sparing none for violations,” he said. |
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Billboards, hoardings painted white
Panchkula, January 3 Ms Kasni said she had directed all officers to remove the hoardings and posters set up along the national highways, passing through the district, at the cost of public exchequer, and also from the aprons of culverts and bridges. “We could not have removed these hoardings and posters so quickly, so we decided to paint them white,” she said. Ms Kasni said a number of posters of political rallies, held by the ruling INLD and the Congress, had been put up by various political parties on the walls of private and government buildings and from the signboards of various sectors. “We have now procured a copy of the Haryana Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1989. After going through the provisions of the Act, I have now asked the Municipal Council to remove these posters at the earliest,” she said. The DC said the political parties or non-political organisations could put up posters after seeking the approval of the administration and only at specifically earmarked places. “I appeal to the public that in case they notice any place where political posters or hoardings have come up, they should report the matter so that those can be removed,” she said. Meanwhile, the voter’s list for the Kalka Assembly elections has been published today. It has the names of 2,44, 079 voters. Ms Kasni said over 14,000 voters had been included in the supplementary list, prepared after October 2004. |
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INLD’s first list of names today
Fatehabad, January 3 Mr Ajay Singh was here to ascertain the views of party workers for allotment of ticket. He said the INLD believed in announcing the party ticket in chaupaals unlike the Congress which he alleged, was infamous for “selling the party in drawing rooms”. He said the party would field only winning candidates from all assembly constituencies and form the next government in the state. Earlier, addressing party workers in the local Shri Shobh Raj Batra Dharamshala, Mr Ajay Singh said people had seen the “anti-poor” and “anti farmer” face of the Congress. He alleged the UPA government at the Centre had proved to be pro-industrialist and anti-farmer. He said the people of Haryana had realised their folly in returning the Congress to power at the Centre and would not repeat the same error in the Assembly elections. He exhorted the workers to work hard for ensuring the victory of the INLD candidates from their respective booths. He addressed workers’ meeting at Rattia and Tohana too. |
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Voters drifting back to INLD,
says Ranga
Rewari, January 3 Commenting upon the factionalism which, according to political observers, was eating into the vitals of the Haryana Congress, Dr Ranga said that the on-going ‘unsavoury’ scramble among the numerous contenders for the party ticket would also prop up a large number of rebel candidates whose presence in the electoral fray could tilt the result in several of the constituencies. He said the fast changing political scenario tended to lend such queerness to the ensuing electoral battle as could see the INLD and the Congress nominees lock horns with each other in many of the constituencies. |
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De-recognise INLD, Randeep urges EC
Chandigarh, January 3 In a statement issued here today, he said that state machinery was being misused by the ruling party and huge amounts were being extorted from businessmen and traders in the state. He said large amounts were being spent from the state exchequer to project and promote the leadership of Mr Chautala. Mr Surjewala has sought that the appointment to HPSC posts, the results of which were declared on January 1, 2005, be cancelled. Further appointments and joining orders of 819 police constables in Haryana Armed Police, 69 Sub-Inspectors of police and 64 veterinary surgeons should also be cancelled as these were declared after the code of conduct was enforced. |
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BJP’s first list of candidates likely today
Ambala, January 3 Mr Yadav said that the state election committee would be meeting on January 7 to discuss the remaining seats and the final list of candidates would be announced by January 10. Mr Yadav had come to Ambala to address a party meeting at the Jain Dharamshala in Ambala Cantt. He said that the SYL issue and the poor law and order situation in Haryana were going to be the major issues. He promised that the issue of unauthorised colonies which had all basic amenities, would be considered and the excess taxes imposed by Mr Chautala after 1999 would be reviewed. He stated that the hike in power and water rates would also be looked into.
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Voter list reflects
declining sex ratio
Ambala, January 3 In the case of service voters, the divide is even wider. Out of 4,389 total service votes, there are barely 1,546 female voters. The situation of poor sex ratio in primarily rural Assembly seats is not much different from that of urban assembly segments. In Ambala City, there are 1,26,143 total voters, out of which there are 59,527 female voters. There are 151 female service voters out of 398 total service voters. In Ambala Cantt, there are 83,984 total voters which includes 39,868 female voters. Out of 203 service voters, there are 84 female voters. In Naggal Assembly seat, there are 1,44,018 voters which includes 67,200 female voters, 281 female service voters are part of the total 780 service voters. In Mullana (reserved) Assembly segment, there are 1,32,545 voters in which there are 61,173 female voters. Out of 1,514 service voters, there are 511 female service voters. In Naraingarh Assembly segment, there are 1,18,854 total voters, including 54,855 female voters. There are 1,494 service voters including 539 female voters. In the five assembly segments in Ambala district, a total of 608 voting centres are being set up. The highest number of voting centres will be 143 at Mullana closely followed by 141 voting centres for Naggal seat. While Naraingarh will have The district administration has written to the Election Commission to have three more new voting centres. Two new voting centres will be at Naggal and one new voting centre will be at Ambala City. |
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State poll panel submits names to AICC
Rewari, January 3 The names of the candidates would now be cleared by the seven-member screening committee which would hold its first meeting in Delhi tonight. The committee headed by the AICC Treasurer, Mr Moti Lal Vora, comprises Union Minister for Power P.M. Sayeed, senior party leader Ram Niwas
Mirdha, AICC General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi, Haryana Congress Legislature Party leader Ajay Singh Yadav, HPCC Chief Bhajan Lal and Mr
Hanumanthappa. |
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Helpline for voters’ list
Fatehabad, January 3 The District Election Officer said here today that 11,309 new voters had been added to the voters lists of last year. The total number of voters in the district was 5,53,834. He said that the voters’ lists were also available in the offices of the Deputy Commissioner, at the election office, the SDM’s office, the tehsil office, the patwar
khana, the panchayat ghar, post offices and the public relation offices. |
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Crude weapon smuggling on the rise
Sirsa, January 3 According to state intelligence sources, due to the alleged nexus between the Haryana police and smugglers, the smuggling of illegal weapons is growing. Talwara
Jheel, a village falling in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, manufactures these weapons. The village is mainly inhabited by Siglihars,who are nomads and are in this trade. The sources said the weapons are smuggled into the district through Ellnabad subdivision. A countrymade “pistol” is available for only Rs 300 onwards and is delivered on one’s doorsteps. Initially, the Siglihars were mainly into the manufacture of kirpans but opted to pistols and other weapons due to an increase in the demand. The racket goes deep with the smuggling of poppy husk and other narcotics also. The sources said with the Assembly poll round the corner, the district has witnessed an increase in the demand of these weapons. Ellenabad has become a soft route. The sources in the police said though the department had classified information about the smuggling, particularly during elections, but nothing had been done in this regard. |
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Court allows Tarlochan Singh’s application
Chandigarh, January 3 Ex-parte order had been passed by the High Court on December 15 after Mr Tarlochan Singh failed to appear in the court through his lawyer or file reply to the petition. In her petition Ms Choudhary, who lost the Rajya Sabha election for one of the two seats in Haryana, has challenged the election of Mr Tarlochan Singh. She has also challenged the action of the Haryana Assembly Speaker in disqualifying six MLAs, who had come out in her support. While the petitioner secured 22 votes, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and Mr Tarlochan Singh, Chairman of the National Minorities Commission, who contested as an Independent candidate supported by the INLD, the BJP, the BSP and three Independent candidates, got 29 first preference votes and 28 first preference votes, respectively. Mr Ajay Singh Chautala has been made party by name in the petition. The case will now resume on January 15. |
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Haryana to enforce peak load restrictions on industry
Panchkula, January 3 Well- placed sources in the Utilities say that there is shortfall of about 42 lakh units (LU) of power on an average per day. As against the demand for 585 LU's of power per day, the total availability is 543 LU's each day. Other than the 510 LU's of power available from the regular power generation sources in the state, HPU has made bilateral arrangements with the states of Tripura, Meghalaya, West Bengal and Delhi (through Power Trading Corporation, Delhi Transco Limited and NVVN) for getting 33 LU's of power. A meeting to review the power supply position in Haryana was held today, wherein officials of the Utilities said that the state was overdrawing power from the Northern Grid to the tune of 20 LUs a day in order to enhance the power supply. However, they were forced to introduce restrictions because of the total absence of winter rains and alarmingly low water discharges in the state's canal system. Officials say that the releases from the Gobind Sagar dam and Pong dam into Haryana's canal system have been much lower this year becuase of the lower water levels in the dams. It is learnt that the water level in the Gobind Sagar dam at Bhakra is 1559 EL, as compared to 1616 EL in January, 2004, while the water level in Pong dam is 1323 EL, as compared to 1340 EL in January, 2004. The lower water levels have meant less discharge in the canals, and complete dependence of the agriculture sector on tubewells for irrigation. With the rabi crop in the state relying completely on tubewell irrigation, the power demand had increased tremendously in December, 2004, as compared to December 2003. The HPU reportedly made available 542 LUs per day in December, 2004, as against 485 LUs in December, 2003- an increase of 57 LUs a day. The rural sector was provided 270 LUs a day during the last month- which is almost 50 per cent of the power supplied to the entire state. Officials inform that a biltaeral
agreement was signed with Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) last month, whereby DTL supplies 250 MW during night to Haryana, and Haryana Vidyut Prasaran Nigam (HVPN) makes available 150 MW of power to Delhi from 7 am to 12 noon. Other than this, the HPU has tied up with the West Bengal Power Development Corporation for getting 175 MW of power daily, 25 MW of power from Tripura and 30 MW of power from Meghalaya during this month. Officials inform that Bihar has surrendered 180 MW of power out of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) stations in Eastern Region, and Haryana has now sought allocation from this power surrendered by Bihar. They say while the tubewells will be given an assured power supply of nine hours for night and seven hours during the day, the rural areas will have to face lighting load (two phase power supply) from 6 pm to 7 am. The urban sector and industrial sector will have to face a one- hour unscheduled power cut each day. |
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Two brothers shot at, hospitalised
Sonepat, January 3 The police has registered a case and launched a massive hunt to apprehend the culprits. However, no arrest has been made so far. It is said three youths came on a motor cycle and one of them stood outside the shop of the victims while the other two forced their way into the shop that was being closed for the day. The duo fired shots at the brothers and fled. On hearing the shots, a large number of people arrived on the scene and informed the police. They took the injured to the health centre. The incident has caused panic among residents and shopkeepers of the town. According to another report, two persons sustained injuries when they were attacked with a knife by a shopkeeper in the Sikka Colony here today. The injured have been identified as Joginder and Raj Kumar. They have been hospitalised and stated to be out of danger. The police has registered a case against the alleged assailant Vineet who is at large. Eve-teasing is stated to be the cause of the incident. |
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Ambala rail division gets new head
Chandigarh, January 3 |
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Major power failure in Sonepat
Sonepat, January 3 According to a report, the breakdown occurred around 10 p.m. The power was restored at 8.35 a.m. today. The cause of the breakdown is being ascertained by officials of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN). |
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Two killed in road accident
Hisar, January 3 Staff members of a private school in Nangal Garhi in Churu district of Rajasthan were travelling towards Satroad Khurd in Hisar district yesterday to participate in a marriage function when their vehicle collided with another car, they said.
— PTI |
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