R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Jalandhar
Power bills: On the call of the Pendu Mazdoor Union, Dalits and the economically weaker sections from villages around Malsian burnt their power bills here on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, the union president, Mr Tarsem Peter, strongly criticised the government for “forgetting the promises made during the previous elections.” He said the government had earlier made a declaration for giving free power to Dalits and weaker sections while imposing certain conditions but without any notifications in this regard. He said that all statements and advertisements were simply “gimmicks”.

Kapurthala
One killed: A 42-year-old resident of Dashmesh Colony was killed in a road accident here on Tuesday. According to information, the deceased, Sarvmitter, was coming to Kapurthala from Jalandhar late evening when his scooter hit a potato-laden tractor-trolley near Khaira Majha village. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot.The police is investigating the case.

Basant Mela: Basant Mela will be organised by Municipal Council, Kapurthala in the premises of Shalimar Garden on February 2, Mr Sudesh Kumar Aggarwal, President, Municipal Council and Mr R.K. Mittal, Chief Executive Officer said in a press release, here on Monday. Rana Gurjit Singh, Member of Parliament, would be chief guest and renowned artists from Punjab would perform in the function, they added.

Camp: A 10-day free camp to train persons interested in fish farming would be organised by the Department of Fish Farming from February 6 to February 15 in the office of the department, Dr S. K. Das, Assistant Director of the department said in a press release, here on Monday.

Alumni meet: Alumni Association of Hindu Kanya College, Kapurthala will hold a ‘Re-Union Day’ on February 5 in the college campus, Ms Gulshan Yadav, Principal of the college said in a release on Monday. Former students, who had not yet registered with the alumni association could get themselves enrolled on the same day, the release added.

Boy recovered: The local police on Tuesday claimed to have solved the “kidnapping” case of a boy. According to the police, Shukr Mandal, a resident of Bhawanipur in Bihar, had sent his son, Santosh Kumar, to Kapurthala six months back and lodged a complaint of his kidnapping with the police suspecting his brother, Udhao Mandal, as the accused. Santosh was spotted by some of his co-villagers who informed about this to Udhao. He found Santosh working at a grocery shop and brought the matter to the notice of the local police who informed the Bihar police accordingly.

Ludhiana
Pensioners’ Body: At a meeting of the Government Pensioners’ Association, the following were elected office-bearers: President — Mr. KK Sharma; senior vice-president — Mr Gurcharan Singh; vice-president — Mr PL Nirmal; vice-president — Ms Paramjit Kaur; general secretary — Mr Yash Paul Ghai; additional general secretary — Mr Mahesh. C. Kumar; joint secretary — Mr RC Kashyap; joint secretary — Mr HR Singla; treasurer — Mr MM Katyal and auditor — Mr Balak Ram.

Phagwara
Burglaries: Two burglaries took place in two villages on the periphery of Phagwara on Monday night. In first case, valuables worth Rs 90,000 and cash amounting to Rs 55,000 were stolen from GK Soap Factory in Bhullarai village, the factory owner, Vinod Kumar, said. In the second incident, valuables worth thousands of Rupees was burgled from a house in Kotrani village.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chamba
ONE ARRESTED: The district police has arrested Neeraj Singh in connection with a firing incident in which Mehboob Khan was involved. A case has been registered. Mehboob Khan and two accomplices had fled after they shot at Vipin Rana, a client of a local lawyer, Mr K.K. Gupta on Sunday.

Kangra
1 KILLED IN MISHAP: One person was killed and another injured in a road accident here on Monday. Their motorcycle was hit by a truck, according to the police. Pramood Singh (56), who was an employee of the P&T Department, succumbed to his injuries at the local Civil Hospital. Des Raj, who was driving the motorcycle, was admitted to the Civil Hospital for treatment. The police arrested the truck driver, Sunil Kumar.