R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
MARTYRDOM DAY: The Khalra Mission Committee plans to observe the martyrdom day of those killed in the Behla firing incident. Besides the mission members, Justice Ajit Singh Bains (retd), Chairman, Punjab Human Rights Commission, and other human rights organisations will also participate in the function.

CHEQUE PRESENTED: Ms Laxmi Kanta Chawla presented a cheque for Rs 50,000 to the Principal of Guru Ramdas Girls Senior Secondary School (Chhati Khui) here on Friday for the computer laboratory of the school, Ms Charanjit Kaur Bawa, Principal of the school, said.

FATEHGARH SAHIB
SUSPENDED: The District Education Officer has suspended a peon and a chowkidar of Government Senior Secondary School, Balhari Kalan, for allegedly molesting a Class VI student of the school. Mr M.S Bhullar, DEO, in a press release issued here on Friday has said that a police case had already been registered. He warned that such incidents would not be tolerated at any cost.

GURDASPUR
SENTENCED: Mr M.R. Batra, District and Sessions Judge, on Thursday sentenced Bir Singh and Mangal Singh of Sukha Chira village in the Batala subdivision to life imprisonment, under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC, for murdering Shingara Singh of Sukhadra village.

ASSAULTED: An unidentified person assaulted, Mr Prem Kumar, owner of an STD booth here, on Friday. Prem Kumar’s arm was fractured and a thumb chopped off in the assault. The police has registered a case.

HOSHIARPUR
CRITICISED: The Indian Medical Association, Punjab, has criticised the recent order of the Drug Controller, Punjab, under which private nursing homes have been debarred from selling medicines on their premises. Dr Kuldip Singh, secretary of the Legal Cell-cum-Action Committee of the IMA, stated this in a press note here on Friday. He alleged that the Drug Controller was hand in glove with the chemists’ lobby.

INAUGURATED: Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated a two-day yoga training camp, being organised by the Punjab State Yoga Association in collaboration with the district administration, at police grounds here on Friday. Prof. M. Lal, a yoga expert, explained free causes of various diseases and cure through yoga. No fee will be charged at the camp.

CAREER EDUCATION: The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Iqbal Singh Sidhu, inaugurated the IBM advanced career education, started by the Mission Educational Services here on Friday. Mr A.S. Mittal, Managing Director of Sonalika Group of industries, presided over the function.

JAGRAON
ELECTROCUTED: Jeeta Singh of Talwandi Rai was electrocuted and died while changing phase from a transformer.

CHARGE TAKEN: Mr Surjit Chand, Sub-Inspector, has taken charge as city in charge of the local police station, whereas Mr Rajesh Kumar Sharma, SI, has been transferred to police lines on orders of Mr Jaskaran Singh, SSP.

KAPURTHALA
ELECTED: The following have been elected office-bearers of the District Bar Association (Taxation): president — Mr R.P. Puri; vice-president — Mr S.N. Chopra; general secretary — Mr Rajnish Mohindra; and treasurer — Mr Kulbhushan Sharma.

KHANNA
ONE KILLED: Kamal Kumar, owner of Arvind Medical hall, was run over by a truck (UHO 774) last night and died thereafter. He was going to his house after closing his shop. The police has arrested Pritam Singh, a resident of Bhaini Salon village, near Sahnewal, and registered a case.

KHARAR
BJP’S DEMAND: The BJP Sohana Mandal, which falls in Kharar Assembly constituency has demanded that in the forthcoming elections to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, this time the Kharar seat should be allotted to the BJP in alliance with the SAD. According to a copy of the letter written to the president of the state BJP on Friday they have written that this demand had been made at a meeting of the party held at Sohana village under the presidentship of Mr Madan Lal.

LUDHIANA
CONDEMNED: The district unit of the Indian Medical Association has condemned the decision of the Punjab Government for banning sale of drugs in nursing homes. Dr Gursharan Singh, president, IMA, Ludhiana, in a press statement here on Saturday said the hasty decision was taken without knowing the realities and difficulties faced by the medical professionals. Dr Gursharan Singh said the dispensaries provided medicines in nursing homes for 24 hours which were very helpful to the patients. The IMA also criticised the news published in a newspaper which stated that spurious and substantial drugs were sold at nursing homes.

TALENT SPOT CONTEST: To promote badminton among the youngsters, the Ludhiana District Badminton Association (LDBA) has decided to hold a programme called “Talent Spot Contest” for boys and girls under-12 and under-15 categories. Mr R.S. Behal, General Secretary, LDBA, said in a press release issued here on Saturday that the trial games would start from May 25 at Shastri Badminton Hall. Mr Behal has appealed all the educational institutes to send the players for trials. The registration would be done from May 23 to May 24 at Shastri Badminton Hall. Mr Behal disclosed that special coaching classes would also be arranged for selected players under the supervision of qualified badminton coaches of national fame.

EMBROIDERY COMPETITION: An embroidery competition was organised by Vardhmaan Company at Adarsh School. In the competition 140 students from classes VII to X participated. An interesting feature of this contest was that more boys participated in this contest than girls. One week before the contest ,the teachers gave special training in embroidery to the students. The winners of the contest were Monica, Deepak and Anuj of Class X, Navin, Joshi and Natasha of Class IX, Smaksh, Kanika and Harppreet of Class VIII and Megha, Gagandeep and Richa of Class VII. All the 140 students received participation certificates.

AMARNATH YATRA: The Shri Shiv Shakti Sewa Dal has taken up the matter of pilgrim’s welfare in view of the approaching Amarnath Yatra. A delegation of the dal called upon the Deputy Commissioner on Friday and submitted a memorandum to him, copies of which have also been sent to the Prime Minister, the Chief Ministers of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. It demanded the opening of registration offices in Punjab and arrangements for special pilgrim trains. It also demanded deployment of central security forces in place of J and K Administration and compensation to the families of those pilgrims who had been gunned down by terrorists last year. The memorandum also called for an end to charging of taxes on foodstuffs meant for community kitchen. Finally, the government should ensure all registered pilgrims for Rs 2 lakh each.

TRAINING CENTRE: Mr R.L. Kalsia, Director Social Security and Women and Child, Punjab, inaugurated Nishkam Computer Training Centre here on Thursday. Mr Kalsia advised the students to learn the computer whole- heartedly and make themselves self-reliant.

DIAGNOSIS CENTRE: Seema Choudhry Memorial Rotary Diagnosis Centre was inaugurated here on Friday by Mr Harminder Singh, Rotary Governor, 2001-2002. According to a press release, a medical check-up camp was also organised on this occasion which was inaugurated by Mr O.P. Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Cycles, and Mr Surinder Seth, past Rotary Governor. Over 700 patients were examined by different doctors of the hospital. Free lab tests, ultrasound tests were done and medicines free of cost were provided to the patients. Mr P.L.Singla, president, Shri Krishna Charitable Hospital, welcomed the audience and presented a vote of thanks to the Rotarians for their association in helping purchase specialised equipment for the hospital. Mr O.P. Munjal appreciated the team work of the hospital management and encouraged the Rotarians to keep up their spirit for the social welfare. The annual report was read on the occasion by Mr D.P. Sharma. Mr G.L. Pahwa, former-president, said the project had been set up at the cost of Rs 10 lakh and the hospital had already set up a laproscopic centre and an eye care centre.

EXHIBITION: An exhibition-cum-seminar, dedicated to the Women Empowerment Year, would be held at Satguru Ram Singh Government Polytechnic, Rishi Nagar, Chhoti Haibowal, on Tuesday, according to an official press release here on Friday. Various technical tools would be on display and information would be given about various government schemes to create awareness among women of all sections of the society. On the concluding day, a seminar on information technology career would also be held in which a number of IT firms would take part.

SANGAT DARSHAN: The Indian Minorities and Dalit Front has welcomed Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s sangat darshan programmes in the state. In a press release here on Friday, the front organising secretary, Mr Charan Singh Halwara, said that the CM’s announcement about giving 5-marla plots to Dalits was a step in the right direction. He said other minorities should also be included for the purpose.

MOGA
TREE AXED: Kikkar and sheesham trees on the banks of many canals belonging to the Forest Department have been axed by some persons reportedly in collusion with certain officials of the department.

SEIZED: Dr Shard Satya Chauhan, Senior Superintendent of Police, said the district police arrested Mara Singh of Maur Naubad village on Thursday and seized 35 kg of poppy husk from his possession.

PATHANKOT
APPOINTED: Mr Prem Bhatia, a senior advocate, has been appointed as court auctioneer for a period of five years on the recommendation of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

SODOMISED: A minor (8) of Ucha Thara Colony was reportedly sodomised by a 19-year-old boy. The police has registered a case, under Section 377, of the Indian Penal Code.

PATIALA
RESENTMENT: Residents of the Mohalla Sudhar Committee, New Bishan Nagar, alleged on Saturday that the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, GMTD has started including a rent of five months instead of two months included earlier. The Committee president, Mr Tarlochan Singh, said in a press note that the consumers had already deposited Rs 3,000 in advance as security and Rs 750 to Rs 1000 as Telephone Set Security. Residents said an additional advance rent was not justified.

DECLAMATION CONTEST: Late Dr K.C. Saronwala Memorial Inter-School Declamation Contest was held by the Rotary Club in Rotary Bhavan here. Our Lady of Fatima Convent School won the Dr K.C.Saronwala Memorial Trophy. Aditi Agarwal, (Lady Fatima School,) won the first prize, Zinnia Gupta, (Aurobindo School), bagged the second award while Esha Seth, (Lady Fatima School) won the third prize in the contest. Runeet Kaur (Blossom School) and Rajandeep Singh of (Modern School) won the consolation prizes.

OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr Jagrup Singh Mahimadpur has been elected as president of the Urban Estate Phase-II Residents Welfare Association at a meeting held here on Saturday. The other office-bearers are: senior vice-president — Mr Surjit Pal; vice-president — Mr Ashok Anand; general secretary — Mr Sukhdev ; and assistant secretary — Mr Amarjit Singh.

MEDICAL CAMP: The Dedicated Brothers Group will organise a free blood sugar check-up camp at local Garg Hospital, Dhillon Marg, Model Town here on May 20. Dr Naresh Garg and Dr Meena Garg will provide free consultation and distribute free medicines to the patients. The medical camp will be organised under the guidance of Mr Labh Singh, Project in charge of the camp.

CONDEMNED: The Advocates Co-ordination Forum in a meeting held here on Saturday condemned the lathi charge on lawyers at Sangrur. These lawyers were demanding proper space for sitting. A meeting of the forum was held under the patronage of Mr N.K. Singla, ex-Chairman, Bar Council Punjab and Haryana. He said the government should give priority to the construction of bar rooms and chambers in every judicial complex. Mr Harchand Singh Barsat, Political Secretary to Capt Amarinder Singh, President, PPCC, also condemned the lathi charge on the lawyers.

PHAGWARA
CONSUMER FORUM: An educationist, Ms Prem N. Kumar, has been appointed member of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Kapurthala.

SAMRALA
SUICIDE: Constable Baldev Singh of Dayalpura village near here has committed suicide after consuming poison on Friday evening. He was serving at Bahadurgarh. The cause of suicide could not be ascertained. The body was handed over to their legal heirs after post-mortem on Saturday in the local Civil Hospital. The police has registered a case.

4 ARRESTED: The local police has arrested four persons — Gurmel Singh, Jagjit Singh, Ujagar Singh and Satnam Singh — of Todarpur village. All of them attacked Chhota Singh of Todarpur village on Friday because of a land dispute. The police has registered a case under sections 323, 324 and 34, IPC.

DISTRIBUTED: Under the Pension Scheme of the Punjab Government, 500 beneficiaries were distributed pension copies here on Saturday, by Jathedar Kirpal Singh Khirnian, member, SGPC. Addressing the gathering Jathedar Khirnian said persons who are more than 65 years of age are only entitled to get pensions. The CDPO, Ms Avtar Kaur, said the remaining persons will also be distributed pension copies very shortly in a camp and pension forms can be submitted to the local SDM.

CHANDIGARH

SAS NAGAR
RESIDENTS’ PROTEST: Tempers ran high in Phase 4 here when residents of the area protested against an alleged move by the management of Sherwood Convent School to dismantle footpath tiles to raise boundary wall of the school. The residents in a joint memorandum to the Chief Minister and the Additional Chief Administrator of PUDA sought that the footpath should not be damaged.

HARYANA

POSTPONED: Maharshi Dayanand University has postponed Paper-III (Methodology of Educational Research and Statistics) of M.Ed from May 24 to June 1. The timings and centres of examination will remain the same.

SIRSA
APPOINTED: Former municipal councillor Pardeep Ratusana, Mr Ramesh Yadav of Ahmadpur village and Mr Basant Singh of Nagoki village have been appointed president of Sirsa (city), Sirsa (rural) and Baragudha division, respectively, while Mr Suresh Pawar, Richhpal of Mirpur village and Harpinder have been appointed general secretaries.

OPEN DARBAR: As many as 80 complaints were heard by Mr Jeet Singh Mehra, SDM, Ganaur, at an open darbar at the Panchayat Bhawan here on Friday. According to official sources, most of the complaints were related to the encroachments and illegal occupation on public and panchayat lands and erratic and inadequate supply of drinking water and electricity in the rural areas.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

MANDI
ARRESTED: Mr J.R. Thakur, Senior Superintendent of Police, said here that the owner of Midway Resorts, Slappar, was arrested on Thursday for illegally possessing 41 bottles of English wine and 27 bottles of beer. A Maruti car was impounded for illegally carrying 14 sleepers of cedar, he added. A case, under Sections 41 and 42, of the Indian Forest Act and Section 379, of the Indian Penal Code, has been registered.