Lambra, January 13
Residents suffered a lot as agitated SAD-BJP workers blocked the Jalandhar-Nakodar road for over six hours today to express their anguish over the timing of the arrest of a proclaimed offender of Nijjar village, Tejinder Singh.

According to police sources, sarpanch Tejinder Singh was declared proclaimed offender as he had jumped bail in a case filed against him under Sections 448, 506, 427, 148, 149 and 380, IPC, on January 17, 2001, at the Lambra police station.

The case was filed on the complaint of Lashman Singh in which he alleged that the sarpanch along with others had tried to grab a piece of his land. He was also an accused in two other cases, the police added.

The workers, led by SAD Kartarpur candidate Avinash Chander and BJP general secretary Vijay Sampla, blocked the traffic outside the police station at around 9 am. They threw burning tyres and branches of trees on the road to block the traffic.

As soon as the news of traffic blockade spread, police officers, including SP City II Pritam Singh and DSP Rural II Jagmohan Singh, reached the site.

Acting promptly, the police diverted the traffic to minimise the inconvenience to the public.

However, when the SAD-BJP workers realised that the traffic was being diverted, they reached Pratapura Adda.

Some policemen, led by DSP Jagmohan Singh, reached there and started removing the burning tires to clear the road but when Mr Sampla reached there the protesters started raising slogans.

Some of the workers even manhandled milkman Balbir of Sahar Kulia village when he tried to cross the road.

When asked, Mr Sampla denied that the SAD-BJP workers manhandled any person. He said some mischievous persons might had done so.

The blockade was lifted in the evening when SAD-BJP leaders were assured that an inquiry would be ordered into the alleged misbehaviour with Tejinder Singh, his wife and others during his arrest.

Batala, January 13
As the campaigning for the Assembly elections is yet to pick up, residents and political leaders today turned the sky colourful by flying kites of various shapes and sizes.

The residents, including leaders, were engaged in the competition of “bringing down” the kites of their rivals to attain supremacy.

Most of the shops and business establishments were closed as the residents were busy in kite flying.

“Kite flying is popular among residents of this town. Since my childhood I am flying kites, particularly on Lohri. Of late, leaders of various political parties are also engaged in the kite flying to prove their prowess,” said Roshan Lal, an octogenarian. However, kite makers are cashing in on the changing trend.

“Of course, the sale of kites is on the rise with the elections around the corner,” said Charanjit of Jiti Di Hati, Quadi. He is one of the oldest kite sellers.

But Chinese kites have usurped the traditional market base.

The Chinese kites have flooded markets of the town. As Chinese kites can be folded and have longer life, it is quite popular among customers.

PHAGWARA: It was a clear and pleasant day for the kite-lovers as bright sunshine greeted them in the morning in sharp contrast to yesterday’s brief foggy spell.

The oldest kite centre of the town, the Old Post Office Road, was packed with kite flyers early in the morning. In the Satnampura area, vast open spaces and parks were occupied by children and adults.

(With inputs from Anil Jerath)

Hoshiarpur, January 13
The local police registered a case under Section 306 of the IPC against Kuldip Singh of Labh Nagar last evening on charges of compelling his wife to commit suicide.

According to the police, Ram Murti complained that his daughter Maya Rani was allegedly tortured and maltreated for bringing dowry by her husband.

He had fulfilled the demands of her son-in-law time to time and gave Rs 40,000 to him about two and a half years ago. But now he demanded Rs 50,000 for purchasing a plot.

Another case of dowry has been registered by the Mukerian police against Nirlap Singh, his father Sarwan Singh, brother Nirbair Singh, sister Sukhwinder Kaur, mother Daljit Singh, all residents of Chak Alla Baksh village.

In third case, Baljit Kaur of Lodhan stated to the Model Town police that she was married to Harjinder Singh, an employee of the Punjab Police, in 2006. Soon after the marriage she was allegedly tortured for bringing insufficient dowry by the in-laws.

The police has registered a case against her husband, father-in-law Piara Singh and mother-in-law Resham Kaur.