R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Jalandhar
anganwadis: Pahal, a city-based NGO, Friday announced adoption of seven anganwadis in Maqsudan area here. On this occasion, the NGO organised a medical check-up during which 387 kids of the anganwadi were tested for malnutrition, anemia and other ailments. The doctors, took part in the camp, revealed that as many as 60 per cent of the children who underwent the check up were below standard health under various criteria and required urgent attention.

Kapurthala
Teachers Held: Ahead of the Congress rally at Lambi on Saturday, five ETT teachers had been arrested in the district, alleged Mr Harinder Bhalla, district president of the Berojgar Adhyapak Union here on Friday. “Though the state government is leaving no stone unturned to scuttle the move of ETT teachers at Lambi, where the ruling party’s first electoral rally is scheduled to be held, we will reach there in full strength to mark our protest against the recruitment policies of the government,” said Mr Bhalla.

Phagwara
Opium seized: The local police seized 7.500 kg of opium at a naka on the T-point of Bhogpur village here Friday. The opium consignment, according to DSP, Mr Navjot Singh Mahal, was brought from Madhya Pradesh by opium peddlers, who intended to sell it in the Doaba area. The DSP said the police party at the naka signaled three youth riding a Bullet motorcycle to stop. In the search operation the police recovered 7.500 kg of opium from their possession.

CHANDIGARH

ALUMNI MEET: The SD College Alumni Association will hold its second annual old students Ball on December 17 at Chimney Heights Resorts (Zirakpur-Patiala Highway).

Mohali
WORKSHOP INAUGURATED: A Bajaj three-wheeler workshop was inaugurated at Hind Motors Limited here on Friday. Mr C.M. Gupta, managing director (Hind Motors), and Mr Ashish Gupta, executive director (Hind Motors), informed about a new scheme, under which every customer buying a Bajaj three-wheeler would get free insurance and a mobile phone upto December 31.

HARYANA

Ambala
VIJAY DIVAS OBSERVED: Vijay Divas was observed in Ambala Cantonment on Friday. A poignant ceremony was held to remember the sacrifices of the brave soldiers at Kharga Vijay Smarak. Major General R.P.S. Bhandari, Chief of Staff, Kharga Corps, Subedar Major Bahadur Singh and other senior officers paid floral tributes to the martyrs. A number of senior officers, retired officers, Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks attended the solemn ceremony. Vijay Divas is observed on December 16 every year to commemorate the sacrifice made by the soldiers during Indo-Pak war in 1971.

BANK SECURITY: The Superintendent of Police, Ambala, Mr Rajbir Deswal, checked the security arrangement in different banks on Friday. Mr Deswal observed that in 80 per cent of the banks, the security arrangements were far from satisfactory. He pointed out that despite repeated advice, the banks had not taken steps to beef up their security arrangements. He advised the bank officials to strengthen the security measures. It may be recalled that earlier this year, two banks were looted in Ambala district.

CONDEMNED: The Sarv Karamchari Sangh Ambala unit on Friday condemned the action against retrenched Haryana Government employees at Chandigarh. Mr Mahabir Prasad Dahiya, Ambala unit president, said the retrenched employees were lathi-charged and water cannons were used against them during a protest staged by them at Matka Chowk in Chandigarh, on Thursday. He said before the Assembly elections the Congress used to give statements in favour of the retrenched employees and it was said the retrenched employees would be taken back into service. However, no action had been taken in this regard, after the elections.

Strike by bank staff: The employees of State Bank of Patiala went on strike on Friday to press for their various demands. The strike call had been given by All-India State Bank of Patiala employees federation. The employees held a demonstration in front of GT road branch of the bank and raised slogans against the bank management. Mr Rajesh Bansal said the union had decided to strike on state-wise basis throughout the country from December 16 to December 13 and the branches of the bank in Haryana were the first to strike.