Hisar, December 1
If 'numbers' is the benchmark for success of any political rally, the massive rally of Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) at Hisar today has proved beyond doubt that the party is a potential political force to reckon with and capable of upsetting he apple-cart of both the Congress and the INLD.

The rally held exactly one month after Samman Rally of the INLD at Kurukshetra and 20 days after Congress Shakti rally at Gohana sent a clear message that the yellow colour of the party was not a pale shadow of the INLD's green and pink of the Congress. It signalled the onset of "rallies dominated" politics of Haryana.

The presence of Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley and Haryana BJP chief Ram Vilas Sharma at the rally was politically significant as it made clear to the BJP leaders that the HJC was a better bet for alliance for the party as compared to the INLD.

The tenor of the speeches made by BJP leaders and the remark that "things would have been different if the two parties had forged an alliance in 2009 itself" was sufficient to gauge the mood of the leaders.

No doubt, the HJC was held in the stronghold of Bishnois, but the party did not have advantage of being in power or having a strong cadre base like the INLD but the crowds were responsive and enthusiastic.

While in the Congress Rally, Chief Minister BS Hooda stole the show and in the INLD rally Abhay Chautala held the fort in the absence of Om Prakash Chautala, who was in jail, Kuldeep Bishoni here proved that he had capacity to lead the party founded by his father late Bhajan Lal, a former Chief Minister.

The venue of the Vijay Rally was spread over 45 acres and had three stages.

Magwati (94) from Adampur, wrapped in yellow chunni, said that Kuldeep Bishnoi was ditched by his own people who, defected to the Congress after the last elections. She urged people to do justice to him this time.

While Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Chief Minister BS Hooda were main speakers at the INLD and the Congress rally, Arun Jaitley and Kuldeep Bishnoi were key speakers at Vijay Rally.

The remarks of Badal at the INDL rally that the BJP and the INLD should come together again had created confusion among the BJP workers about the future of alliance with the HJC. But today’s rally has cleared the air and made it clear that the alliance with the HJC has come to stay. The rally has brought relief for Hooda, also who was worried over possibility of formation of grand alliance comprising the BJP, the INLD and the HJC. 

Another son rise

* After Deepender Hooda and Digvijay and Dushyant Chautala, Bishnoi also paved the way for his son Bhavya bishnoi in the politics and said that the promise made by his son to the youth regarding starting students’ elections in the state would be fulfilled if voted to power.

* “Vote for me and make sure that after elections when I enter my home, my wife welcomes me with the words -Karke Congress ka safaya, mera piya ghar aaya”, said Bishnoi ending his speech on a lighter note.

* Kuldeep Bishnoi had a dig at Hooda for making announcements without making any budgetary provision and said “Hooda is making two announcements per day but not telling the people from where the funds would come."

* “Tractor”, election symbol of the HJC, was also on display at the venue. Special train was run to carry people from Rewari via Dadri to Hisar.

* Small remote controlled aircraft were used to airdrop the publicity material over the venue, adding to the curiosity and excitement of the people.

* A man painted himself yellow with slogan "Sher-e-Haryana Kuldeep Bishnoi zindabad" written on the front and “Yug Purush Bhajan Lal Amar Rahe” on the back with election symbols of the BJP and the HJC.

Kurukshetra, December 1
Resentment prevails among Haryana pensioners against the Haryana Government for its failure to fulfill their demands. Stating this in a statement here today, Haryana Pensioners Welfare Society patron Nawal Kishore Nawal said they were expecting some positive announcement at the Gohana rally on November 10 where various announcements were made by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

They they were disappointed as there was no announcement regarding their long-pending demands.

Nawal said that pensioners of Haryana want 5, 10 and 15 per cent hike in basic pension at the age of 65, 70 and 75, respectively.

Their further demands are removal of anomalies in the 6th Pay Commission, full pension benefit of 20 years service with effect from January 1, 2006, cashless medical policy and arrears and implementation of the 6th Pay Commission to the left-out boards and corporations. 

Sirsa, December 1
A dental student was allegedly molested by a youth while she was going to college from her hostel in the campus of the institute. The police has arrested the accused, a student of a college in Faridabad. It is learnt that he knew the girl. He was her classmate at Hisar before she joined the dental college in Sirsa.

According to reports, the accused Narender Kumar, a resident of Adampur in Hisar and a student of a college in Faridabad, went to the girl's college and tried to molest her when she was walking to her college.

He ran away when the girl raised an alarm.

Soon other students also assembled there, while the accused escaped. However, as the girl knew him, she lodged a complaint in the city police station here and revealed his identity.

The police has arrested the accused and registered a case of molestation against him. The accused was produced before a local court, where he was remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

Rohtak, December 1
Volunteers owing allegiance to the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) and its student wing, the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO), set a new world record by pledging their eyes for donation at a state-level student convention organised here today.

The India representative of London-based Guinness World Records Limited, Nikhil Shukla, who was present on the occasion, confirmed that 10,450 persons voluntarily pledged their eyes for donation today by filling in declaration forms for the purpose.

The day-long convention marked the culmination of the Yuva Jan Chetna Yatra led by INSO president Digvijay Singh Chautala, who took the lead by filling in the declaration form for eye donation after reaching the venue.

The tone and tenor of speeches delivered by INLD leaders on the occasion suggested that the party was all set to join hands with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Haryana.

Some leaders exhorted party cadres and supporters to elect BJP leader Narendra Modi as Prime Minister and INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala as Chief Minister in the next elections while others hinted at these.

Addressing the gathering on the occasion, INLD general secretary Ajay Singh Chautala's son Digvijay launched a scathing attack on the Central and state Congress leadership.

Te youth leader blamed UPA chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for “huge scams and massive loot of public money” witnessed during successive tenures of Congress and Congress-led UPA regimes.

He accused Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda of “putting his turban at Sonia’s feet,” thereby “debasing himself and the pride of Haryana”.

Digvijay charged Hooda with leaving state farmers landless and serving the interests of builders like Ramprastha. He took a dig at Sonia’s son-in-law Robert Vadra.

In an emotional appeal to INLD cadres and sympathisers, the INSO leader told them to take revenge from the Congress, which had “plotted the conspiracy which led to the imprisonment” of the “80-year-old party patriarch”, referring to INLD president and former Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala.

INLD leader Abhey Singh Chautala and party’s state unit president Ashok Arora also addressed the gathering. Ajay’s other son Dushyant Chautala conducted stage proceedings.

Sirsa, December 1
With the general election less than six months away and state Assembly elections not far, political parties have started efforts to woo non-Jat voters in the state. Non-Jats, particularly Punjabis, Agarwals and Brahmins living in urban areas, constitute a major chunk of voters in the state.

While Jats, who are in a majority in the state, are divided between the camps of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda or Leader of Opposition Om Prakash Chautala, the stand of non-Jat voters assumes importance during state elections.

Since inception of the state in 1966, Jats have dominated the political scenario in Haryana. Barring Bhajan Lal's tenure from 1980 to 1986 and 1991 to 1996 and some small stints by Rao Birender Singh, Bhagwat Dayal Sharma and Banarsi Dass Gupta, Jat Chief Ministers have ruled the state.

Bansi Lal, Devi Lal, Om Prakash Chautala and Bhupinder Singh Hooda have been the prominent Jat leaders to have remained Chief Minister.

Bhajan Lal is considered the tallest non-Jat leader Haryana has produced. After his death, several political leaders, including his son Kuldeep Bishnoi, Ambala City MLA Venod Sharma, state Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) president Ashok Arora and state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Ram Bilas Sharma, are vying to take the position.

Though Haryana Janhit Congress supremo Kuldeep Bishnoi is trying hard to step in the shoes of his father, political observers feel that he still has to work hard to reach anywhere near his father's position.

Bishnoi's supporters are confident that with the BJP as his alliance partner, the HJC supremo will be able to gain support of a majority of non-Jats in Haryana.

The Congress is making efforts to woo non-Jats, particularly Punjabis, Agarwals, Brahmins and Rajputs, through Venod Sharma, who of late has emerged as the biggest leader of these communities in the ruling party. He is on a statewide tour at present to interact with the people. His drive will continue till February next year.

During his public meetings, Congress leaders have been giving Venod Sharma the credit for Hooda government's decision to give 10 per cent reservation on economic basis to upper caste Punjabis, Brahmins, Agarwals and Rajputs.

Both the INLD and the BJP have non-Jat leaders as their state presidents. Gurgaon MP Rao Inderjit Singh is making efforts to establish himself as a non-Jat leader after he distanced himself from the Congress.

Political observers believe that the support of non-Jat voters can prove a deciding factor in the elections and that is the reason all political parties are trying hard to woo non-Jats ahead of the elections. 

Sirsa, December 1
Health authorities in Sirsa have been able to save children born to HIV positive parents from the disease by providing them Nevirapine prophylaxis treatment in time.

Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Viresh Bhushan said in a function organised to mark World AIDS Day in Lord Shiva College of Pharmacy here today that infants of all the five HIV positive mothers born in Sirsa this year have been saved from the effect of HIV by timely intervention.

Akshdeep Mahajan, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), inaugurated the function that saw students participating in inter-college declamation and poster-making contests on HIV and AIDS.

In the poster-making competition, Radha, a student of Government ANM Training Centre, was adjudged first, Amarjit of Rajendra College of Nursing was second and Santosh of Lord Shiva College of Pharmacy was third.

Priyanka of Government ANM Training Centre was first in declamation contest, Neha of Rajendra College of Pharmacy was second while Sudesh from Lord Shiva College of Pharmacy was third.

Dr Bhushan said that treatment for HIV and AIDS was provided free of cost in all government hospitals in Haryana and people should come forward to avail the benefit.

Akshdeep Mahajan said the rules of the Haryana State Legal Services Authority provided for free legal aid to the victims of HIV and AIDS.

He said under the law, no doctor could refuse treatment to a patient of HIV and AIDS and children of such patients could not be discriminated against in their schools. 

Chandigarh, December 1
There has been an overall reduction of 5.8 per cent in new HIV infections in Haryana during the past five years. Stating this here on the eve of World AIDS Day yesterday, Haryana Health Minister Rao Narender Singh said there was moderate HIV prevalence among high-risk groups like female sex workers and intravenous drug users, which was the lowest among all the adjoining states.

There is low HIV prevalence among the blood donors, and the trend has declined from 0.2 % to 0.16% during the past three years. There are about 27,000 HIV positive patients all over the state detected at various Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres.

The Haryana State AIDS Control Society is taking various steps to prevent HIV/AIDS among the high-risk groups which are being implemented through 68 NGOs who are working in the state for different high-risk groups I.e. female sex workers, injecting drug users, migrants, truckers and males having sex with male.

Several facilities are provided by the state government for the prevention and treatment of HIV and AIDS through ICTCs, sexually transmitted infections clinics, anti-retro viral treatment centres and OPIOID substitute therapy centers.

He said 98 Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres, 95 Facility Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres had already been set up in various health institutions. About 4.65 lakh clients were tested for HIV out of which 1.86 lakh pregnant women were tested and counselled in 2012-2013.

Karnal, December 1
Social activists stressed the need for creating more awareness about AIDS at a function organised here today by the National Integrated Forum of Artists and Activists (NIFAA) to mark the World AIDS Day.

Leading social activist Mahindra Kadiyan said there was a need for voluntary organisations to play a greater role in spreading awareness and lauded NIFAA for creating a Guinness World Book record in AIDS awareness. NIFAA president Pritpal Singh Pannu said the number of HIV positive cases had crossed 21 lakh in the country and there were 1,300 HIV positive cases in Karnal alone, including 92 registered cases of AIDS.

Pannu said the number of HIV positive cases had come down from 24 lakh in 2010 to 21 lakh in 2013, which was a matter of "great satisfaction" but much remained to be done for the prevention of the disease.

Meanwhile, the youth wing of NIFAA organised a motorbike rally to spread awareness about AIDS. 

Jhajjar, December 1
A Junior Engineer (JE) and two linemen with Haryana Power Corporation had to face the wrath of a villager when they went to Baaghpur village under Beri sub-division here last evening to check power theft.

The villager allegedly not only manhandled the officials but also snatched power wires from them. The officials had to return empty handed after the incident.

The Beri police have registered a case against Krishan Kumar for obstructing government servants from performing their duties and power theft on the complaint Suresh Kumar, SDO of the power corporation.

Power officials had got information that Krishan was committing power theft in his fields through 'kundi' connection to run his tubewell. Acting on the information, JE Rajender Singh along with linemen Praveen and Zile Singh carried out a raid on the fields and caught Krishan red-handed while committing power theft, said the police.

Krishan got infuriated when the power officials seized the wires being used for the theft and started other paper formalities to register the case. In a fit of rage, he allegedly manhandled the JE and the linemen. Thereafter, some other villagers also reached the spot.

The officials returned from the village and informed Beri SDO Suresh Kumar about the incident. The SDO then contacted the police and a case was registered against Krishan. Notably, this is not for the first time when the villagers have misbehaved with power officials in the Beri sub-division. Earlier, a power employee was held captive by the villagers when he went to the village to recover power bills. The villagers later freed the official after the police intervened. 

Rohtak, December 1
Deepak, a local youth, was battered to death allegedly by the family members of a girl, who had reportedly eloped with his friend a few days ago. Deepak was found lying near a railway track on the Kaccha Beri road here today. He was taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead by the doctors.

Alleging that the police did not initiate any action on their complaint in this regard, Deepak’s family members and their supporters blocked the road near Gohana Stand, bringing vehicular traffic to a standstill.

A resident of Gurunanakpura locality in the town, Deepak used to run a garments shop. Deepak’s family members alleged that he had been receiving threats from the family members of a girl student of an educational institute at Khanpur Kalan in Sonepat district, who had reportedly eloped with Deepak’s friend Amit, who used to run a canteen at the educational institute.

Amit had reportedly got a mobile phone SIM card on the basis of Deepak’s Id-proof. When the girl eloped with Amit, her family members traced Amit’s mobile number and found that it had been issued in Deepak’s name.

Suspecting that Deepak would know the whereabouts of the runaway couple, the girl’s family members allegedly threatened him with dire consequences if he did not tell them the couple’s location.

Deepak’s family members alleged that as the police did not initiate due action on their complaint, he went to his sister’s home in Indira Colony locality of the town last night to escape the wrath of the girl’s family.

However, Deepak went away on his motorcycle with two youths this morning, apparantly to get the matter settled. He was found dead a few hours later. The police has registered a case and sent the body for a post-mortem examination.

Chandigarh, December 1
The Haryana Power Distribution Utilities, the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) and the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN), have planned to create a five-tier system for getting the complaints regarding interruptions in power supply and commercial issues registered.

Managing Director, DHBVN and UHBVN, Anurag Agarwal, while reviewing the services being provided to the consumers, said the nigams had already revived their old mechanism of complaint centres by making it wider and comprehensive.

Under this mechanism, 1,650 complaint centres in villages and towns had been made functional. The Bijli Sividha Kendras and control rooms had also been established at circle and divisional level to ensure timely redressal of complaints and to attend or register complaints of consumers telephonically and physically during day and night.

All 33 kV substations now had complaint centres also, where complaints could be registered telephonically or by going in person, he added.

Agarwal said the facility of a call centre had been made available to the consumers all over the state. The call centre could now be used for getting all type of complaints registered, including those relating to billing, metering, connections, expansion of system, etc, besides the complaints relating to power supply. The consumers could reach the call centre through a toll-free telephone number 18001801615 round the clock every day. Another number- 155333 has also been provided to facilitate the consumers.

He said the complaints related to power supply failure would be registered and fed in the computer at the call centre. The complaint staff at the concerned complaint centre or in the field would be asked to attend the complaint. After restoration of the supply, it would be confirmed telephonically from the complainant if he was satisfied.

If there was a complaint of any other nature, ie relating to billing, connection, replacement of meter, expansion of system etc, the complaint would be transferred to the computerised Consumer

Grievance Redressal System (CGRS) of DHBVN by the call centre.

Agarwal said all officials had been directed to put all the complaints in the CGRS. Any consumer can get his complaint lodged in the CGRS by requesting the computer operator in all offices of the operation wings of the Discoms. 

Ambala, December 1
No leniency or irresponsibility will be tolerated in cases of crimes against the women in Ambala district. Deputy Commissioner (DC) KM Pandurang said this while reviewing the functioning of the district-level committee constituted for this purpose.

He said in case of such an incident, the officer should report to his office with the DCP so that the affected women could be provided free legal help, social security, advice and other facilities.

He said besides rape cases, women would be helped in cases of harassment in homes, streets, markets, industries, buses, rail and other places and stern action would be taken against the offenders.

Reviewing such cases, he told the district attorney and the police to finalise cases which were lingering for more than one year as per the directions of the government.

He directed the police to station PCRs near educational institutions in the morning and afternoon so as to keep a check on anti-social elements. He told them to post policewomen in plainclothes in buses and main markets to curb activities of such elements.

He directed the District Education Officer to ensure placement of complaint boxes in all the educational institutions so that girls could put their complaints of harassment in these boxes and these boxes should only be opened by police officers.

The DC instructed educational institutions and district sports and youth officers to make girls capable to bravely face unruly elements by teaching them judo and karate. He advised women to immediately lodge their complaint on phone number 100 or 1091 on being harassed.

Sonepat, December 1
Satish, a truck driver of Panipat, was killed and paddy worth Rs 10 lakh looted from his truck by the victim’s friends on November 20.

It was revealed with the arrest of Sunil and Firoz of Vikas Nagar, Nagal Kheri, Panipat, by a team of the local Civil Lines police station. The arrest was made after reviewing a CCTV camera footage obtained from the grain market, Panipat.

According to the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Pooja Dabla, the arrested youths confessed that they had allegedly strangulated Satish and sold the looted paddy in Uttar Pradesh. They were produced in the court and remanded in police custody for the recovery of the looted paddy, the DSP said.

She added that interrogation revealed that on November 20, Satish left a grain market at Panipat with a paddy loaded truck to unload the stock at a rice mill near Bahalgarh in Sonepat. The accused also accompanied him. In the evening, all three consumed liquor and Satish was strangulated by the accused. After committing the crime, they kept his body in the truck and sold the paddy in Uttar Pradesh.

In order to avoid detection, they brought the truck to Sonepat and abandoned it near the Maharana Pratap Chowk on Bahagarh road on November 21.

Jhajjar, December 1
Two days after the school lecturers withdrew their protest campaign, teachers posted at government schools across the state have sounded protest bugle to mount pressure on the state government for getting their pending demands met.

A large number of school teachers under the aegis of Haryana Master Varga Association staged a day-long dharna at Shri Ram Sharma Park. They also held a massive protest demonstration in the city today.

The protesters later submitted a memorandum to Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal stating that the school teachers would not sit calmly until their demands were accepted. The minister has assured them of sympathetic consideration of their demands soon.

Earlier, the school teachers from various districts of the state assembled at Shri Ram Park this morning and sat on a dharna.

While speaking on the occasion, Ramesh Malik, state president of the association, alleged that the government was discriminating with the school teachers. He accused the government of exploiting the school teachers by not promoting them as headmasters and TGTs.

"We have raised the issue several times but no one is ready to listen to us leading to acute resentment among the teachers," said Malik, adding that in the given situation, they did not have any other option but to raise their voice against this 'injustice'.

Demanding the release of promotion list of teachers without any further delay after removing the essential condition of the teaching subject, he said the headmasters of elementary schools had not yet been given the letter concerning their power and responsibility regarding withdrawal and distribution of funds while the finance department had accorded its approval in this regard.

Malik informed the association had also decided to relaunch its agitation campaign from December 8 next. Under first phase of the campaign, demand charters would be submitted to top leaders of the state government so as to make them aware of their grievances.

He maintained that the association would not hesitate to announce a state-wide protest campaign against the government if their demands were not met by the end of this year.

Vikas Sharma, general secretary of the association, informed that they were demanding 50 per cent quota for headmasters of high schools. He demanded that the post of headmaster of elementary school be placed in second instead of the third category, teachers be given the ACP power
at the district level and headmasters, masters and PGTs be given pay scale
of Rs 5,400, 5,200 and Rs 4,800, respectively.

Jhajjar, December 1
Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal today expressed concern over poor general knowledge of teachers posted at government schools in the state. She said a survey had been conducted in the state to check the general knowledge of teachers and a conference would be organised at the State Council Educational Research and Training (SCERT) to enhance their knowledge.

Bhukkal stated this while while interacting with mediapersons after hearing public grievances at her residence here today.

She said refresher courses had been introduced from time to time to enhance the knowledge of teachers but teachers, too, should update their general knowledge as it was essential for their profession.

Stressing the need for moral education, the minister said the demand for having an education system based on moral values had already been put porth at a meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) constituted by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry.

When questioned on agitation by various teachers’ organisations, Bhukkal said, “The state government is sympathetically considering the demands of teachers’ organisations but teachers should also discharge their duties properly by paying attention towards the education of students.”

Describing the Hisar rally of the Haryana Janhit Congress Party as "flop", she alleged that such political parties had no concern for the welfare of people.

Chandigarh, December 1
Members of the Consumer Grievances Redressal Forum (CGRF) of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam will make an extensive visit of the area for 11 days in December for hearing grievances of consumers and entertaining new complaints.

A spokesman said here today that the proceedings of the CGRF would be held at Sonepat on December 2, Panipat on December 4, Ambala on December 6, Kaithal on December 9, Jhajjar on December 11, Rohtak on December 13, 18 and 30, Karnal on December 16, Kurukshetra on December 20 and Yamunanagar on December 24. Consumers from distant places would not be required to go to the forum office in Panchkula for redress of their grievances.

The CGRF would take all grievances and complaints of consumers like billing problem, voltage complaints, problems in metering, disconnection and reconnection of power supply, interruption, failure of power supply, efficiency, safety, reliability and non-compliance of Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission orders.

Cases of theft and unauthorised use of electricity, offences and penalties as specified under Sections 135 to 139 of the Electricity Act, accidents and inquiries under Section 161 of the Act would not be considered.

Consumers willing to go to the forum should ensure that no case on a similar matter was pending in any other court of the law. He would be required to submit the complaint with full details along with a duly attested affidavit. No fee would be charged.

Karnal, December 1
A large number of people under the banner of "Justice Club of India" took to the streets today to protest against the spurt in cases pertaining to "alleged" police atrocity on people.

Members of the Justice Club of India, Liberty Worker Action Committee and the Great Abhimanyu Club staged a protest march and appealed to the Judiciary And human Rights Commission to protect people from police atrocities and safeguard their rights. President of Justice Club Advocate Harish Arya alleged that there were different sets of rules and laws for the poor and the rich and democratic institutions had become a mute spectator to the injustice. "The police are brazenly violating the human rights of people, committing atrocities and acting in a barbarous manner. Two such incidents have happened in Karnal alone in the past five days and five police personnel, including a police station in charge have been sent to the Police Lines," Arya said.

He alleged that the police had become "insensitive", were not registering cases, implicating people in false cases, using third-degree torture and illegally detaining people and conniving with criminals.

Sonepat, December 1
Superintendent of Police (SP), Sonepat, Arun Singh has suspended Havildar Ramesh of the special staff for allegedly extorting Rs 1 lakh as bribe for releasing a resident of Bega village from police custody. The SP has also served a notice to ASI Ashok Kumar to explain his conduct in the case.

A delegation of villagers submitted a complaint to the SP on November 24 that Ram Chander, a panch in the village gram panchayat, was at his residence on November 22 evening when some person in plain clothes, claiming to be police personnel, took him in custody and brought him to Sonepat.

He was allegedly beaten up alleging that he was in possession of an illegal revolver and pistol. Though he pleaded not guilty, he was kept in custody.

However, on November 23, a demand of Rs 1 lakh was made for the release of Ram Chander. Somehow, his family members arranged the amount and gave it to the police personnel.

The SP had handed over the inquiry to DSP Satish Kumar and asked him to submit the report at the earliest. After receiving the report from the DSP, the SP took the action.

Rohtak, December 1
Shashi Khattar, an elderly woman residing in Sanjay Colony here, was found dead at her house yesterday. Her body was spotted by a neighbour, who informed the police.

The police and eyewitnesses said her throat had been slit with some sharp-edged weapon and her body was lying in a box-bed.

She reportedly used to give loans on interest. She was alone at her house at the time of the incident.

Rewari, December 1
The Bawal police of the district arrested three brothers - Suresh Balmiki, Subhash and Sunil - in connection with the murder of Ram Phal (50) at Khijoori village, about 20 km from Rewari last night.

They were today produced before the Duty Magistrate, who remanded them in police custody for two days.

Police sources said after an altercation over the blockage of a drain between two groups, members of the Balmiki faction, who were armed with weapons, had allegedly inflicted grave injuries on Ram Phal, leading to death on the spot.

They said a case had been registered against about a dozen villagers, including four women.

Hisar, December 1
The intellegence wing of the Army has caught four persons for allegedly acting as middlemen and fleecing two youths aspiring to join the Army on the pretext of getting them declared medically fit at Hisar Cantonment last night.

The accused were handed over to the police, who registered a case of cheating against them. They were identified as Ratan Singh, Dev Datt, Jaganath and Om Prakash, who belonged to different towns of Haryana.

They had reportedly taken Rs 40,000 each from two candidates who were declared medically unfit in the recruitment drive held in Gurgaon district on November 10.

The youths had appealed against this and were called to Hisar for a medical examination yesterday. The youths met the four accused, who claimed to have contacts in the medical board of the Army and demanded Rs 40,000 each from them to get them declared medically fit.

The youths later got suspicious and demanded their money back, which resulted in a quarrel. The intelligence wing overpower the accused and later handed them over to the police.