The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Sunday, July 8, 2001,
Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

R E G I O N A L B R I E F S

PUNJAB

AMRITSAR
PRE-MIX PROJECT: Under the 240-acre new Amritsar scheme, Mr Bakshi Ram Arora, chairman of the City Improvement Trust, inaugurated the project for laying pre-mix, costing Rs 10.42 lakh on Friday.

MURDER SUSPECT: A prime suspect in the murder of three persons is reportedly roaming freely as the Majitha police remains clueless about his whereabouts. Sant Parkash Singh is alleged to have murdered Bakshish Kaur and her niece Jagroop, alias Bholi, on Thursday at Chhawinda Devi village under the Majitha police district. Both deceased were eyewitnesses to the murder of the maternal aunt of the accused, Gurpreet Kaur Sohal.

BARNALA
LIONS CLUB: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Lions Club, Barnala, for 2001-02 session: president — Mr Satvinder Singh Jandu; secretary — Dr Navjosh Singla; treasurer — Mr Ashok Kumar Sharma; and Public Relations Officer - Mr Ashok Kumar Kapil.

ROTARY CLUB: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Rotary Club, Barnala, for the 2001-02 session: president — Mr Navdeep Jindal; secretary — Mr Sampuran Sharma; and treasurer —Mr Subhash Singla.

BATHINDA
NEWSPAPER LAUNCHED: Mr Chiranji Lal Garg, Minister for Science and Technology, Punjab, released the first copy of a Punjabi weekly ‘Aaj di Lod’ here on Friday.

KSHATRI SABHA: The following have been elected office-bearers of the Kshatri Tonk Sabha, Bathinda for the 2001-02 session: president — Mr Surjit Singh Bagria; senior vice-president — Mr Harbans Singh Khalsa; vice-presidents — Mr Sukhdev Singh Kala and Mr Chinder Singh; general secretary — Mr Gurdev Singh; and finance secretary — Mr Major Singh Sidhu.

POPULATION DAY: Mr R. Venkatratnam, Deputy Commissioner, said here on Friday that to create awareness among people about ill effects of increasing population a function would be organised in the city on World Population Day on July 11. He said schoolchildren would take out procession holding banners and placards displaying messages about population control.

FARIDKOT
ORDERS: Mr A. Venu Prasad, District Magistrate, has ordered that all liquor shops in the urban and rural areas would be closed by 9.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. respectively, in the district. He has also banned the pasting of obscene posters on all buildings in the district. The orders will remain in force till September 1.

GURDASPUR
SPECIAL DRIVE: The district Health Department has launched a special drive to implement Pre-natal Diagnostic Techniques Regulation and Prevention of Misuse Act. Dr Gurcharan Singh, Civil Surgeon, and Dr Chandanjit Singh Kondal, District Family Planning and Welfare Officer, said this in a press note on Friday.

KHAMANO
POWER CONNECTIONS: Temporary power connections for paddy crop will be released soon, said Mr Paramjit Singh, SDO, PSEB, here on Thursday. He said scrutiny about 770 applications was in the progress and the connections would be released soon.

MEMO SUBMITTED: A group of residents of Doraha along with aggrieved family members and relatives of Dinesh Kumar, who was shot by robbers outside a city bank on June 2, have threatened to block traffic on the GT road near the town on July 12 if the police fails to nab the accused. The delegation met the SSP, Mr Kuldip Singh, here on Friday and submitted a memorandum to him. Mr Narinder Verma, father of the deceased, said the police had failed to arrest the accused.

BHANGRA CLASSES: A bhangra training workshop, organised by the Art and Cultural Youth Services Club, started at Punjabi Bhavan, here on Friday. It will conclude on July 23. The timing for boys’ group will be 5 a.m. to 6 a.m. and for girls 6.15 a.m. to 7.15 a.m.

LUDHIANA
CHOLERA CASES: Cholera, the dreaded disease associated with the monsoon, is reportedly on the rise in the city and the surrounding areas. More and more cases of cholera, gastroenteritis and typhoid are arriving at private and other hospitals though exact figures are not immediately available. The cholera menace is more acute in slums and labour colonies where there are no adequate arrangements for drinking water and proper sanitation. Last year, a number of deaths due to cholera were reported from Fauji colony alone in the migrant-dominated locality of Sherpur. Two deaths due to gastroenteritis have already been reported this month. More casualties are feared in the near future if adequate preventive steps are not taken immediately.

BLOOD DONATION: IndusInd Bank Limited organised a blood donation camp here today in association with the Lions Club Ludhiana, Vishal. The camp was inaugurated by Dr K.S. Sekhon, Dean, Postgraduate Studies, Punjab Agriculture University. The bank has been organising social activities on a regular basis. Lion Anil Aggarwal, president, Lions Club Ludhiana, Vishal, assured to conduct series of camps in the future also. He said the blood donation was the need of the hour to save the precious lives. Lion P.S. Narang, regional chairman, was also present on the occasion.

ANNOUNCED: Mr Charanjit Singh Atwal, Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Saturday announced a grant of Rs 50,000 for the community centre under construction in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar. Earlier, addressing a meeting of activists of the SAD in the locality, Mr Atwal said the Akali-BJP government had accomplished in terms of development what the Congress had failed to do in its 45 years of rule. He said the money being distributed for rural development was being given from the rural development fund which was started during the Congress rule but was never utilised properly. Among others who addressed the meeting were Mr Amarjit Singh Bhatia, vice-president, Akali Dal (Badal), Mr Pritpal Singh, Mr Harwant Singh, Mr Balwant Singh Chhabra and Mr Shamsher Bakshi.

ELECTION: The unanimously elected president of the District Arya Sabha, Ludhiana, Mr Roshan Lal Arya, on Saturday announced the body’s new executive comprising three patrons, one senior vice-president, 11 vice-presidents, one mahamantri, one senior mantri, 10 mantris and a cashier. According to a press note of the sabha, the three patrons are Swami Shobhanandji Maharaj, Swami Sumanamatiji Maharaj and Acharya Ved Parkash Shastri. Mr Diwan Rajender Nath has been nominated as senior vice-president and the 11 vice-presidents are Dr Ramesh Gupta, Mr Om Parkash Passi, Mr Amar Nath ( Samrala), Mr Ashok Bhalla, Mr Ayodhya Parkash Malhotra, Mr Sant Kumar Arya, Ms Indu Aggarwal, Mr Arun Bector (Doraha), Mr Harish Sood, Mr Yashpal Bangian and Mr Yagyadev Tangri. Other office bearers are Dr. S.B.Bangian- Mahamantri, Mr. Dev Pal Arya-senior mantri, Mr. Jagjiwan Pal Sood, Poonam Kapahi ( Jagraon) Ms. Shubh Lata Bhandari, Dr. Ramesh Ehsaas (Sahnewal), Mr. Pardeep Thapar ( Doraha), Mr. Arun Sood, Mr. Rajinder Gupta, Mr. Ajay Batra, Mr. Ramesh Sood, Mr. Satya Pal Sagar ( Haibowal)- all mantris and Mr. Atam Parkash-cashier. And Mr Mohinder Sood, Mr Surinder Kumar Arya, Mr Ved Parkash Singla, Mr Gauri Shankar, Mr Devinder Sharda, Mr Satish Thamman, Ms Shashi, Ms Kiran Bala, Ms Balaji Gambhir, Mr Parveen Bakshi, Mr Baldev Raj Arya and Mr Kapil Dev Sharma were nominated as executive members of the sabha.

MOGA
ACCIDENT: One person was killed on the spot, while his wife was injured seriously, when his scooter dashed against an electric pole near Dhallke village on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as Karnail Singh of Dhallke.

LABOURERS SAVED: Three labourers engaged in the sinking of a tube well in Thathi Bhai village were rescued when they got buried under the debris, according to a report received here on Friday.

SAMRALA
MEETING POSTPONED: The meeting of the Grievances Committee called in connection with the sangat darshan has been postponed due to heavy rains on Saturday. The next date will be informed within four days.

BADAL FLAYED: “Mr Parkash Singh Badal is responsible for developing Congress culture in the Shiromani Akali Dal. He has bid adieu to the Panthic agenda and demands of Punjab,” said Mr Rupinder Singh Mundi, SHSAD president of Khanna police district here, while talking to mediapersons. Mr Mundi earlier, presided over a meeting of youth workers here, which was called to hold discussions over the Ludhiana youth convention being organised by the SHSAD on July 15.

SDO TAKES OVER: Mr Deepak Kumar took over as SDO, (phones), here on Friday, replacing Mr Nirmal Singh, who has been shifted to Ludhiana, where Mr Deepak Kumar was posted earlier.

HARYANA

FATEHABAD
FOUNDATION STONE: The Indian National Lok Dal MP from Bhiwani, Mr Ajay Singh Chautala, has said the Indian National Lok Dal government had been making efforts for the welfare of the farmers ever since it came to power. Mr Chautala was addressing a public meeting at Bhattu Khurd village, after laying the foundation stone of a Wheat Purchase Centre on Thursday. The centre would be constructed at a cost of Rs 12 lakh.

NARNAUL
BRIBERY CASE: Balbir Singh, a forest guard posted at Nawan village, was caught while accepting bribe of Rs 500. This was stated by Dr R.B. Langyan, Deputy Commissioner, on Friday.

ANNUAL ELECTION: Annual election of Shree Gopal Gaushala would be held on Sunday. All the members would be eligible to take part in it. This was stated by Mr Parbhati Lal, president of the organisation, on Thursday.

DHARNA LIFTED: A two-day dharna, organised under the leadership of Mr Mangez Singh, president, Forest Department Majdoor Union, at the forest office here was lifted on the intervention of the forest officers. Mr Mangez Singh said the executive committee members were invited by the forest officers for negotiations, where their demands were accepted.

17 INJURED: In a clash over a land dispute at Budin village in Mahendragarh subdivision, 17 persons, including 9 women, were injured on Wednesday. They were removed to the General Hospital, Mahendragarh.

ROHTAK
TRIBUTES PAID: Maharshi Dayanand University has mourned the death of Lt Kuldeep Rathee, who laid down his life in the service of country. Paying tributes to the bravery, valour and dedication of the deceased officer, Major-General Bhim Singh Suhag (retd), Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the supreme sacrifice of the young officer had made the state of Haryana and the nation proud.

SIRSA
SUSPENDED: The district police chief has suspended the incharge of the Dabwali Sadar police station, Ram Singh, allegedly for extortion on a complaint by Balwinder Singh of Rania in the district. An inquiry has been initiated against some other policemen.

SONEPAT
RAIDS CONDUCTED: A team of officials, headed by Mr K.K. Maheshwari, Assistant Drugs Controller, Haryana, raided two pharmaceutical companies at Murthal, 8 km from here on Friday and seized samples of drugs manufactured three. This followed the seizure of fake drugs worth Rs 2 crore by the Delhi Police and the information on the manufacturing of such drugs in these companies.

MEMO TO DC: Members of the All-India Democratic Students Organisation (AIDSO) marched in procession here on Friday in support of their demands. The procession was led by student leaders Devinder and Deepali. They held a demonstration in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner and submitted a memorandum to him listing their demands.

ASSAULTED: Three car-borne youths assaulted Ved Parkash of Thana Kalan village while he was standing near Mamoon Bhanja chowk here on Friday. According to a report, the youth who received injuries was hospitalised and is stated to be out of danger. The police has registered a case.

1 KILLED, 2 INJURED: A cyclist was killed and two others were injured in three different accidents reported on the GT Road near here on Friday. According to a report, a Maruti car hit a tractor near Rai village resulting in the fall of a youth from the tractor. He received multiple injuries and was hospitalised. The police has registered a case. According to another report, a youth going on foot was hit by a Maruti car near Kurar village. In another incident, a cyclist was found dead near Laxmi Pio.

OFFICE-BEARERS: Mr Padam Singh Dahiya, MLA and president of the Yuva INLD, Sonepat on Saturday announced office-bearers of the working committee: senior vice-president — Mr Surinder Khasa; vice-presidents — Mr Suresh Kumar, Mr Ajmer Singh, Mr Somvir, Mr Jasvir, Mr Sanjay Sarpanch and Mr Raman; secretaries — Mr Devinder, Mr Ramesh Kumar, Mr Surinder, Mr Suresh Kumar, Mr Dalip Singh, Mr Rajesh and Mr Mahesh Kumar; treasurer — Mr Dharampal.

IMPROVEMENT TRUST: The office of the newly constituted Improvement Trust was opened at Shivaji Colony here on Saturday. Mr Arun Aggarwal, a trader, has been nominated the chairman of the trust. The Haryana Government has placed Rs 62 lakh at the disposal of the trust for the execution of development works in the city.

YAMUNANAGAR
COMMITTEE FORMED: The Haryana BJP has constituted a nine-member committee which will discuss matters concerning the state government. Mr Rattan Lal Kataria, state BJP president, while talking to newspersons here on Friday, stated that the members included, among others, the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mr I.D. Swami, former Haryana minister, Ram Bilas Sharma, Krishan Pal Gujjar and Ganeshi Lal besides himself. The members of the committee would meet the Chief Minister, Mr Om Prakash Chautala, to apprise him of the law and order situation in the state.