R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

ludhiana
Govt pensioners demand dearness relief: Punjab government pensioners and family pensioners have urged the state government to release the dearness relief of 7 percent thus raising it from 51 to 58 percent of the basic pension with effect from July 2011. The Pensioners Information Centre Management Committee chairman, BR Kaushal, said the central government had already provided enhanced dearness relief to its pensioners and family pensioners more than a month ago. Since the Punjab government has been following the central pattern, it should also announce immediate hike in the rate of dearness relief. 

Machiwara
NSS volunteers to educate  villagers: A seven-day NSS camp by NSS unit of Guru Gobind Singh Khalsa College for women Jhar Sahib at Hambowal Bet village in which 54 girl students of different classes took part. A function was organised in the college at the outset of the camp. The college principal told the participating students about the importance and the aim of the NSS camp and asked them to serve the mankind. Ranjit Kaur, camp in charge, gave information that the main aim of the camp will be to educate the uneducated in the remote village. 

 Moga
Deaf and dumb girl abused by priest in Moga: A 22-year old deaf and dumb girl was allegedly raped by a self-styled priest for months in a remote village of Moga. A case has been registered against Pritam Masih of Izzat Wala village, said SHO Satish Kumar. The SHO said raids had been carried out at the residence of the alleged offender to arrest him. The victim’s father, Mangal Singh, has alleged that his daughter was repeatedly abused by Pritam Masih. The family learnt about the matter when she become pregnant.

HARYANA

AMBALA
Police station: DGP Ranjeev Dalal on Wednesday inaugurated a Rs 62 lakh police station at Mullana in this district. The building is equipped with all latest IT-enabled facilities. The DGP said all police stations in the state would go hi-tech within a year and linked to the headquarters through the crime and criminal tracking network system. 

Panipat
Dasehra celebrations: Elaborate security arrangements have been put in place for Dasehra celebrations. The district authorities have decided to install CCTV cameras at the HUDA grounds where huge crowds are expected to assemble to witness Dasehra celebrations. Bhim Sachdeva, president of the Dasehra committee, said the cameras would keep a close vigil to avoid any untoward incident.

SIRSA
2 traders booked: Two shopkeepers has been booked for selling spurious shoes of a reputed footwear company. Ashok Chhabra, anti-piracy officer of Relaxo Footwear Company, had alleged in a complaint that the two shopkeepers, Kasturi Lal and Suresh Jain, have been cheating his company by selling spurious footwears. A case under Sections 420, 426, 483, 486, IPC, and Sections 51 and 63, Copy Rights Act, has been registered against the two traders. 

YAMUNANAGAR
‘Certificate of Merit’: DR Sharma, secretary of District Red Cross Society, was awarded a “Certificate of Merit” by Union Minister for Health Ghulam Nabi Azad for his outstanding work done at Yamunanagar. The certificate of merit was awarded at DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, on Tuesday. 

DEHRADUN

Dehradun
Man commits suicide: A 32-year-old man allegedly committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan in the Mandakini Vihar area here on Tuesday. Identified as Pravesh Singh, a native of Chamba in Tehri Garhwal, he was working with an NGO. The matter came to light when his wife returned home from a shop. She found her husband hanging from the fan. A suicide note was also found in the room but it did not mention the reason behind the man’s action.

Kumaon Briefs

Mystery shrouds two deaths:Two men from the Kaladhungi area of Nainital district died under suspicious circumstances on Tuesday. According to information, the duo, Mohammad Arshad (24) Mohammad Ikram (23), had beer in the afternoon. Later, they went to a community feast. However, after some time, they were found in an unconscious condition near a community health centre. They were taken to a hospital in Haldwani, where they were declared brought dead. Further investigations are on.

Suicide bid by man, daughter: A man and his daughter allegedly tried to commit suicide by consuming a pesticide at their residence in Lal Kuan town of Nainital district. According to sources, Vishwanath Goswami (38) and his daughter Soni (15) were found in an unconscious condition in their house. A bottle of pesticide was found lying close to them. They were taken to a hospital in Haldwani with the help of the 108 ambulance service. Both of them are under treatment. The reason behind this extreme step is yet unknown.

Truck cleaner killed in mishap: A truck cleaner was killed when he was reportedly run over by a truck on the Rampur road in Haldwani. The victim, Chintu of Uttar Pradesh, had come to Haldwani with his cousin to deliver a consignment. The accident took place when he, along with his friend, was going to take dinner from a nearby shop. The duo was reportedly hit by a speeding truck. They were taken to Sushila Tewari Memorial Hospital, where Chintu succumbed to injuries.

Decomposed body of woman found: The decomposed body of an aged woman was found from her house in Kulyalpura locality of the town. The deceased has been identified as 71-year-old Indu Joshi, who had been living alone for several years. Her neighbours had not seen her for three days. It was a stench emanating from her house that drew their attention on Tuesday evening. They informed the police, which broke down the door only to find the body.

18 hurt as bus falls into canal: Eighteen persons were injured when a bus fell into the Belgarh canal near Ramnagar on Tuesday afternoon. The bus was on its way to Delhi from Haldwani. The accident took place when the driver lost control over the vehicle. The injured are being treated in Ramnagar Hospital.

(Compiled by Rajeev Khanna)