Enforcement of ESMA assailed

Students beat bus driver

Four pistols seized

Five die as train derails

Blood donation camp opened

Youth shot dead

Govt in fix as oil stocks vanish
From Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

GURGAON, Aug 31 — The district administration here was reported to be in a fix following reports of traders and stockists removing their stocks of mustard oil from the market to evade checks even while two more persons of a family have reported with symptoms of dropsy, raising the total number of cases to nine.

The administration has launched a campaign to convince the stockists and the traders that the stocks not found contaminated would be allowed for sale later.

There are indications that the Haryana Government would soon come out with a clarification that the stocks not found contaminated would be allowed for sale to convince the traders and stockists to cooperate with it in its effort to check adulterated mustard oil.

The Civil Surgeon, here, Dr N.K. Jain, said two more persons who reported with symptoms of dropsy, Mr Tanvir Singh and Mrs Rekha Singh, a couple, been discharged from the hospital. Residents of Sector 4, they were hospitalised last evening. They showed symptoms of the disease after consuming mustard oil of Dhara brand. Out of the seven earlier cases of dropsy, three of a family were also from Sector 4.

The Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon, Mr Devendra Singh, said the administration was monitoring inflow of all kinds of goods from Delhi at Gurgaon-Delhi border into the district. The administration apprehends the transportation of oil from Delhi to this district following massive check operation of stocks of mustard oil in the capital.

The administration is focussing on the Mewat area in the district and the areas resided by the labourers whose main cooking medium is mustard oil.

Teams of officials have fanned out in these areas to convince the residents to stop using mustard oil till the checks on the stocks were completed.

Mustard plants are cultivated on almost all parts of Mewat. The people here consume the oil extracted from the plants cultivated here. However, the administration does not want to take any chance even though the possibility of consuming adulterated oil here was very low, a senior officer said.

The administration has set up a special cell in the Civil Surgeon Hospital to attend to any case which reported symptoms of the disease.

Roadways staff to observe token stir
From Our Correspondent

FATEHABAD, Aug 31 — The Roadways Karamchari Union, Haryana, has decided to keep roadways buses off the road on September 16, in pursuance with a call for a token strike given by the Haryana Karamchari Mahasangh on that day.

The decision was taken at a gate meeting of the union held here today. The meeting was held under the presidentship of Mr Shalender Bishnoi, president of the local unit of the union, and was attended among others by Mr Nihal Singh Matana, general secretary, and Mr Rajbir Sandhu, vice-president of the state unit of the union.

Addressing roadways workers, Mr Matana alleged that the state government, which had already privatised the state power board, had initiated the process of privatisation of the Public Health and Haryana Roadways. The Minor Irrigation and Tubewell Corporation had already been dismantled, he alleged.

He said the state government had failed to provide good working conditions to its employees. While the government had increased the salaries and allowances of its ministers manifold, it had played a poor joke with class IV employees by increasing their bicycle allowance by Rs 10 only. He said the recent announcements by the government regarding house rent, medical allowances and CCA was like adding insult to injury. The present government had proved to be the worst of all previous governments, he added.

He said the government employees from all over the state would observe a token strike on September 16 and call essential services, including water and power supplies, would remain suspended on that day to protest against the anti-employee policy of the government.

Infant "detainee" awaits treatment
From Jatinder Sharma
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 31 — Although Akash was born free nearly a month ago, but destiny drew him to the fourwalls of the district jail here.

His fault? Akash's mother died five days after giving him birth at Nilothi village of Jhajjar district. His father, Balwan Singh and grandmother Angoori Devi were arrested by the police on August 2 on charges of causing the death of the infant's mother and since then both had been lodged in the jail here.

Since there was no other person in the family to take care of the new born, Angoori Devi took the five-day-old baby to the district jail.

The miseries of the infant "detainee" did not end there. He fell ill and was taken to the local medical college hospital for treatment on August 19. Doctors after administering him medicines for treatment of diarrhoea, advised the jail authorities to bring Akash again after two days for check-up.

But the infant could not be taken on the prescribed date as the jail authorities had no police guard to escort them to the hospital. He is still suffering from diarrhoea and the jail authorities are yet to provide a police guard who could escort the infant and his grandmother to the hospital.

Akash is not the only child in the jail. There are reportedly five more children between two to four years of age, who are also undergoing "imprisonment" due to the crimes committed by their mothers or grandmothers. There is none to look after them and take care of their education. The overcrowded female ward have 70 detainees against the capacity of 15.

Xens' dismissal: HC notice to Haryana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — Mr R.L. Chhokkar and Mr R.S. Bhatti, two Executive Engineers with the Haryana State Electricity Board, today contested in the Punjab and Haryana High Court their dismissal from service.

Mr Justice V.K. Bali and Mr Justice B. Rai, before whom their petition came up for hearing, issued notice to the Haryana Government for September 26.

While Mr Chhokkar was Convener of the Bijli Nijikaran Virodhi Manch (Anti-Power Privatisation Manch), Mr Bhatti was Joint Secretary of the Haryana Power Engineers Association. While the former's services were dispensed with on August 7, Mr Bhatti was dismissed from service on August 5. The allegations against them were that they instigated HSEB employees to take part in the strike by the All-Haryana Sarv Karamchari Sangh, including HSEB employees, on February 13, 1997.

The petitioners stated that the enquiry conducted by Mr Kirat Gopal, Chief Engineer (who retired on August 1) did not find them guilty of the charge levelled against them. The government, however, differed with the enquiry report and imposed the penalty of removal from service.

They pointed out that Mr O.P. Verma, President of the Haryana Power Engineers Association was also chargessheeted for the same alleged misconduct. The enquiry was conducted by Mr Narinder Singh, Chief Engineer. While the enquiry report in the case of Mr Verma was accepted, the enquiry report in their case was rejected. Therefore, there was a clear cut discrimination against them.

The show cause notices to the petitioners were issued on the basis of the enquiry report by the authority which was subordinate to the punishing authority. This action of the government was not sustainable under the law. Moreover, the petitioners alleged that they were not given any opportunity of hearing heard before passing the dismissal order.

The petitioners also pointed out that the Chief Engineer, Thermal Plant, Faridabad, also stated in his report dated March 27, 1997, that the plant was closed due to the timely help by the police.

MDU to strengthen professional courses
Tribune News Service

ROHTAK, Aug 31 — The Maharshi Dayanand university has decided to strengthen the existing professional courses and set up an engineering college on its campus.

A handout issued by the university here today also said that the Vice-Chancellor had set up a "university-industry liaison cell" to augment its resources. It said that the cell comprising senior professors, is headed by Dr O.P. Goyal, Professor Management Studies.

The university also has decided to set up 'placement cell' to help its students in securing employment in the public and private sectors. Senior faculty members and administrative staff would assist the students in getting jobs.

The handout said that the university had taken firm decision to ensure discipline, peace and healthy environment. About 12 "indisciplined" elements, who were staying in the university for the past 10 to 15 years, had been expelled and their entry on the campus banned. The university hostels have been cleared of all the 'unlawful' occupants, it said.

The university claimed to have despatched over 1.40 lakh pending degrees to the students. The detailed marks cards and degrees are promptly despatched with no backlog left. The Maharshi Dayanand University, has adhered to the statutory requirement of 180 teaching days.

Relaxation in passenger tax
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — The Haryana Government has decided to give relaxation in the passenger tax being paid by the maxicabs for getting permits for operation in the State.

Disclosing this here today the Transport Minister, Mr Krishan Pal Gujjar, stated that the passenger tax in respect of these vehicles had been reduced from Rs 150 per seat per month to Rs 100 per seat per month.

He stated that with a view to checking the menace of unauthorised operation of vehicles especially jeep, Sumos, Matadors etc. The challaning powers had also been delegated to the General Managers of Haryana Roadways apart from the Secretaries, Regional Transport Authority.

He said that the checking on routes of Haryana Roadways had been intensified and was being supervised by senior offices regularly for bringing about improvement in the functioning of the depots. Strict action was being taken against the conductors involved in fraud cases and drivers found guilty in accident cases.

The Minister said that the financial as well as physical performance of Haryana Roadways had also started improving. During July last, the receipt of the roadways showed an increase of 10 per cent as compared to that of July 1997. The kilometre per litre (KMPL) of Haryana Roadways had also increased from 4.43 in July 1997 to 4.48 in July last.

The Government had also invited applications from registered transport cooperative societies of unemployed youth in Haryana (having minimum of five members) for grant of about 700 stage carriage permits to operate buses on about 418 routes up to 125 kms within the State.

Prof Lal to be new Pradhan Yogacharya
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — Yogacharya Prof M. Lal, who is a son of the late Yogiraj Swami Devi Dayal Ji Maharaj, will now be the Pradhan Yogacharya of all yoga institutions being run by his father till recently. Yogiraj Swami Devi Dayal Ji Maharaj died on August 1, 1998.

This was disclosed here by Mr R.S. Gandhi, president, Haryana Yoga Sabha.

Mr Gandhi said Prof Lal, would take over the institutions at a formal function to be held at Divyayoga Mandia, Sector 7, Panchkula tomorrow, organised by the Chandigarh and Haryana Yoga Sabhas at 9 a.m.

Prof Lal was born on June 15, 1944, in a family of traditional yogis, who had devoted about 80 years in the service of humanity by relieving the pains and problems of people through yoga. He was initiated into yoga at the age of eight by his father at Rohtak and soon yoga became a great passion for this young boy.

In 1968 he went to Europe and for two years he visited a number of universities and yoga ashrams where he interacted with exponents of yoga. Since 1970 Yogacharya Ji has propagated the teaching of Yogeshwar Mahaprabhu Ramlal Ji at various prestigious institutions within India and several foreign countries, including West Germany, the United Kingdom France, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the USA and Holland. He commissioned a pilot study on yoga against psychosomatic problems at the Psychiatry Department, Willingdon Hospital, New Delhi. He has been bringing out periodicals besides directing films on yoga at Dubai, India and Singapore. He also conducted yoga courses against common health problems on Doordarshan, Home TV and also on TV channels in West Germany, Singapore and Canada, for 25 years.

Prof Lal has invented hundreds of absolutely new yoga techniques and also mastered simplified yoga courses against day-to-day stress, chronic backache, spondylitis, sciatica and migrain.

Cops suspended for extortion
From Our Correspondent

PANCHKULA, Aug 31 — Two Haryana cops allegedly checking vehicles in an unauthorised manner on the Ambala-Shimla National Highway last night, were placed under suspension this morning.

The two cops — Jai Singh and Mahipal, both constables posted in the district — were checking vehicles near HMT, Pinjore, when they were caught by members of the public and handed over to the police.

Both policemen, who were in uniform, were reported to be in an inebriated state, when handed over to the Pinjore police.

The problem started when they intercepted a truck at around 12 p.m. and asked for the registration papers of the vehicle from the driver. After going through the papers they demanded money from the driver.

On hearing the commotion drivers of other trucks blocked the national highway in protest against the behaviour of the cops. Some Punjab Policemen who were stuck in the blockade, intervened and handed over the cops to Pinjore Police station.

According to information available Jai Singh, who was attached as Naib-reader to the Kalka DSP and Mahipal, posted at Pinjore police station, had dinner and liquor at Red Bishop hotel here last night before proceeding towards Pinjore in a private jeep. They were accompanied by Head Constable Ram Parkash.

At Chandimandir the third policeman accompanying the duo got off and they moved on to check vehicles at Pinjore.

The Superintendent of Police, Mr Alok Mittal, said the two policemen had been arrested for extortion and placed under suspension. A case had also been registered against the third policeman.

Arjun flays selfish party workers
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 31 — Mr Arjun Singh, a former Punjab Governor and member of the Congress Working Committee, last evening called upon Congressmen for the revival of the party on the lines as it used to function during the British rule period.

He wanted that the Congress should revive its determination to fight all forces which spread social injustice, communalism and weaken the country.

Mr Arjun Singh was addressing the three-day state-level training camp of Congressmen organised by the HPCC on its concluding day.

The veteran Congress leader expressed the view that there was no political party worth the name in the country which could keep back the Congress from coming to power. In fact it was the Congress leaders which was failing the country and its workers. The base of the Congress had weakened. Caste politics was all pervasive. How this should be removed could be the biggest achievement of the Congress, he said.

There was a time the Congressmen used to actively participate for the upliftment of the poor and fight communalism, but today that was not the case. Mr Arjun Singh lamented that "while we talked of social justice, labour rights and poverty, we seemed to be less enthusiastic to fight for that." In fact these programmes were the main plank of the party's action plan. But how much the Congressmen had been able to achieve this could be anybody's guess, he said.

The former Governor said a Acharan samiti had been set up in the All-India Congress Committee. Such samities should be set up in each state and even up to the block level to keep watch on the conduct of Congressmen.

Lashing out at the BJP, Mr Arjun Singh maintained that the party had used all possible means to strengthen its base among voters. The name of Lord Rama had been repeatedly used to exploit religious sentiments of voters. But now as the party was in power, they were shying away to use the name of Lord Rama.

Mr Arjun Singh urged party men to bring in parity of action and thought. He condemned those who were using the party platform and party machinery for self aggrandisement. That was why the reputation of the Congress had gone down, he said. He said all those who used the Congress platform for their selfish ends would have no place in the party.

He said Mrs Sonia Gandhi had agreed to take up the task of reviving of the party bowing to the wishes of workers. It was the duty of the Congressmen not to fight for power, but to fight for strengthening the party at the grass-roots level, he said.

Mr P.A. Sangma, former speaker of the Lok Sabha and chairman of the task force of the Congress, in his speech called upon Congressmen to devote themselves the meet aspirations of the youth which constitute 67 per cent of the voters of the country. He was of the view that Congress programmes should be attuned towards them. Mr Sangma stressed the need for an action at the grass-roots level to strengthen the party.

He urged Congressmen to come out with concrete programme for the youth, labourers and the downtrodden. Their priority should not be to be in the government and capture power, but to strengthen the party. He was of the view that at least two years were needed to refurbish the image of the Congress.

Criticising the BJP for its failure on all fronts, he alleged that the Prime Minister Mr Atal Behari Vajpayee, was toeing the lines of regional parties. Regionalism had its sway instead of constructive national programme. Mr Vajpayee instead of proving to be an able Prime Minister has proved like a "disabled Prime Minister" Mr Sangma was unhappy that the country lost its importance in the world. The foreign policy of the present government had failed and India had lost its place in the world. He said that only a centrist party was needed to manage the cross currents of country's politics.

The three-day training camp of the Congress concluded with messages from leaders to revive the party.

Boost for Haryana Congress chief
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — The success of the three-day training camp organised by the Haryana Congress, which concluded at Kurukshetra yesterday, has not only boosted the morale of supporters of the party chief, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, but has also virtually isolated the former Chief Minister, Mr Bhajan Lal.

For reasons best known to him Mr Bhajan Lal, bete noire of Mr Hooda, along with his prominent supporters boycotted the camp, where several important central party leaders addressed the partymen. Even his two MLA sons, Mr Chander Mohan and Mr Kuldeep Singh Bishnoi, did not participate in the camp though the other 10 MLAs of the party were present. His another close associate, Mr Ramji Lal, Rajya Sabha member, and his protege, Mr Dharam Pal Singh Malik, former President of the Haryana Congress, were also conspicuous by their absence. Interestingly, barring Mr Malik all former party Presidents addressed the trainees.

The camp was organised by the State party unit in deference to the wishes of the AICC President, Mrs Sonia Gandhi. Several central leaders, including Mrs Meira J. Ram, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, Mr P.A. Sangma and Mr Arjun Singh, came from Delhi to train their partymen.

Mr Bhajan Lal's absence from the camp was noticed by almost all the central leaders. But Mr Mukherjee made his displeasure known publicly. He reportedly told certain partymen in the rest house that Mr Bhajan Lal had not acted wisely by boycotting the camp.

For Mr Hooda nothing could have been more cheering than what Mr Sangma told the Haryana Congressmen, who included certain aspirants of the party chief's post also. In his speech Mr Sangma said in his capacity as the Chairman of the AICC task force constituted by Mrs Gandhi to rejuvenate the party, he could say that the party high command was "totally with Mr Hooda". Therefore, he said, Congressmen in Haryana should work wholeheartedly under the leadership of Mr Hooda.

Perhaps to cover up their boycott of the Kurukshetra camp, the Bhajan Lal camp has planned a dharna against the alleged failures of the Bansi Lal Government in Panchkula tomorrow. The dharna will be led by Mr Chander Mohan, elder son of Mr Bhajan Lal, who is the MLA from that constituency.

The supporters of Mr Bhajan Lal, including the President of the Panchkula DCC, Mr R.S. Chauhan, are busy in mobilising the people of the constituency to participate in the dharna in a big way. Incidentally it will be the first such protest to be organised by Congressmen in the satellite town since the Bansi Lal Government came to power.

Nigerian team to study HAU work
Tribune News Service

HISAR, Aug 31 — A high-level study team of the Government of Nigeria is on a two-day visit to Haryana Agricultural University here.

The Director, Academy of Agricultural Research and Management Dr I. J. Singh said today the tour had been sponsored by the Human Resource Development Foundation, New Delhi.

The team which comprises of Dr S.M. Toro, Mr H.U. Yousuf and Mr J. Kwanshie from the Federal Ministry of Water Resource and Rural Development, Nigeria, will study the progress achieved in the field of salinity, water management and water logging.

Meanwhile, two students of the first batch of the food, science and technology course being run in the varsity , have been selected for receiving advanced training in the USA and Australia. according to Dr Kuldeep Singh Dhindsa, Dean, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, one student will receive training in USA while the other will receive the training in Australia.

Besides Dr M.A. Akbar, scientist, Department of Animal Nutrition and his colleagues Dr A.B. Mandal, Dr A.K. Verma and Dr Kuldip have been selected for Dr V.R. Gopalakrishnan Medal, which would be presented to them at Chennai on September 11.

Promotion rules framed
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, Aug 31 — In view of the decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the Haryana Government has framed general rules, the Haryana Civil Services Promotion of Class C and D Employees Rules, 1998, to enforce the system of departmental test for the promotion of Class III and IV employees to the posts of clerks in all the departments of the State Government.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Haryana Chief Secretary, today.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in any other service rules framed in this behalf, Group C and D employees who are matriculate and have put in five years service of Group C and D posts or combined experience of five years on both Group C and D posts, whose scales of pay are less than or equal to the scale of the post of clerk, will be eligible for promotion to the 20 per cent posts of clerk reserved for them. When the turn of such employees comes up for promotion to the post of clerk, they shall have to pass a written departmental test in Hindi and English languages of the matriculation level to be conducted by the head of department concerned and only on being qualified they shall be considered for promotion to the post of clerk. Such promotion will be made on the basis of seniority-cum-fitness.

The inter-se-seniority of such promoted employees will be determined according to their seniority position in their respective cadres, if the persons being promoted belong to the same cadre. In case the persons being promoted belong to different cadres, their length of service will be relevant for the purpose of determining their inter-se-seniority on the initial post in the department.

District Red Cross office sealed
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 31 — The office of the District Red Cross has remained `sealed' for the past four days.

According to sources, the office has been `locked ' by the district authorities to inquire into various allegations of irregularities in the functioning of the office.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Anil Kumar, confirmed that the office had been locked to inquire into some irregularities but he refused to divulge any details.

This has brought the functioning of the office to a standstill and it is not known when the office will reopen. The District Red Cross runs an institute for mentally handicapped children, a hostel for working women, a computer institute and an ambulance service, besides holding blood donation camps.

It is reported that the authorities have, for the time being stopped the collection of donations for the Red Cross and the Child Welfare Society.

Enforcement of ESMA assailed
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Aug 31 — The national executive committee of the All-India Federation of University and College Teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) has condemned the enforcement of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on the striking teachers of the state.

A resolution passed at the meeting of the committee held in Delhi warned the government against any victimisation of the teachers.

Meanwhile, the Haryana Government College Teachers Association has taken strong objection to the statement of the Union Human Resource Development Minister that teachers were being prevented from joining duty by the association.

Mr P.D. Sharma, a spokesman of the association, described the statement as an attempt to sabotage the agitation. He said BJP leaders had supported the grant of UGC pay scales in January 1998, but were now opposing it when they had come to power at the Centre.

He said Haryana teachers would court arrest on September 4 and observe September 5 as protest day.

Students beat bus driver
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Aug 31 — Employees of the Haryana Roadways today went on a strike in Uklana, in protest against the alleged beating of the driver and the conductor by some students on the Uklana bus stand.

The strike lasted about three hours and was called off at about 12 noon on the assurance of the police that the guilty students would be booked within 24 hours.

According to information, a girl student fell from the bus on the Surewala Chowk. When the bus reached in Uklana bus stand a mob of students beat the driver and the conductor of the bus. Later both were admitted to the civil hospital in Uklana.

Four pistols seized
From Our Correspondent

ROHTAK, Aug 31 — The police has seized four pistols from separate places in the past three days.

According to police sources, while two unlicensed pistols were seized from two persons yesterday, two pistols had been seized by the police on Saturday during raids.

According to the cases registered by the police Kamal Singh of Karontha village and Satpal Singh alias Pali of Guhna village were arrested after the police seized pistols of .315 bore from their possession yesterday.

The police also arrested Satish of Nahra village who had been living in Model Town here after recovery of a pistol from his house here on Friday last. Similarly a pistol seized from Roop Singh, of Jassia village on Saturday. Cases under the Arms Act have been registered.

Meanwhile a person was killed in an accident near Meham town on Saturday. According to the complaint lodged with the police the deceased identified as Ram Chander. Truck overran him while he was walking on the road.

HVP leader quits party, joins Congress
From Our Correspondent

HISAR, Aug 31 — Dr Rishi Bishnoi, a leader of the Haryana Vikas Party in the Ratia Constituency today resigned from the party along with his hundreds of supporters and joined the Congress.

In a statement here today, he expressed his faith in the leadership of Mrs Shelja, secretary of the All-India Congress Committee and Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, MP, state president of the party.

Five die as train derails
Tribune News Service

FARIDABAD, Aug 31 — Five persons, including two army jawans were killed and 30 others were injured this evening when the Nizamuddin-Jabalpur Superfast train derailed near Ballabhgarh. The Jawans belong to 6 Light Infantry.

Ten persons who were seriously hurt, have been admitted to the Civil Hospital here.

Reports said five coaches of the train derailed between Ballabhgarh and Asawati stations. It is stated that a technical fault in the track or in the wheels of coach might be the cause of the accident.

A number of passengers are still in the derailed coaches and efforts are being made to extricate them. Rail services on both the tracks of the Delhi-Mathura section have been suspended.

The name of the dead and the injured are not yet known.

Mr Nitish Kumar, Union Railway Minister, visited the site of the accident to supervise relief measures.

Prasad opens blood donation camp
From Our Correspondent

SIRSA, Aug 31 — Mr Mahavir Prasad, Governor of Haryana, inaugurated a blood donation camp organised by the District Red Cross Society and the Nehru Yuvak Kendra here at Panchayat Bhavan yesterday.

He distributed sewing machines, hearing aids and artificial limbs among needy persons.

According to the UNI, the Governor also addressed the concluding session of a two-day journalism seminar organised by the Haryana Patrakar Sangh here.

He honoured 17 correspondents of the state for their distinguished services.

Youth shot dead by carborne assailant
From Our Correspondent

AMBALA, Aug 31 — A youth Amrik Singh alias Mica, was shot dead by an unidentified man near John Sahib ki Diggi in the cantonment today evening.

According to Ravinderjit Singh alias Ruby, who was riding pillion on the scooter being driven by the deceased, the assailant was travelling in a Maruti car and challenged them near the Diggi. He fired at Amrik who was killed.

Ravinderjit, who narrated details of the incident to the police, said that he suspected that the assailants had some connection with the murder of Rajiv Dhalliya, an HVP Municipal Councillor, who was shot dead in a similar manner about two years ago. One of the suspects in that case had escaped from the police custody from the Tis Hazari court in Delhi recently.

Angry residents of the area, including those from the Gobind Nagar Area from where the deceased hailed, later blocked traffic on the Ambala-Jagadhri road for several hours demanding action in the matter. The local MLA, Mr Anil Vij, reached the spot to pacify the crowd.