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‘Parallel banking’ led to kidnapping
Amritsar, February 23
The sensational kidnapping of two businessmen brothers from here has exposed the nexus of police, politicians and criminals even as the police has been trying to conceal the identity of the police personnel involved in the crime as they are “personal bodyguards” of a senior police officer.

Poll results: bookies keep fingers crossed
Bathinda, February 23
Even as the contestants of the recently held Assembly elections are anxious about the outcome of polling fate of punters, who have crores at stake by laying bets on the winner and loser of their respective “horses” at the hustings and keeping their fingers crossed, is also sealed in the electronic voting machines (EVMs).

Farmers await research centre
Mansa, February 23
Farmers of the district are facing a lot of problems in the absence of an agriculture research centre here. The issue has been hanging fire for the past decade. Mansa was carved out of Bathinda on April 13, 1992, by the then Chief Minister, Mr Beant Singh, in deference to the wishes of the people.

Terrorism victim awaits appointment letter
Bathinda, February 23
“We have received the case of your appointment as peon on mercy grounds from the Deputy Commissioner, but the orders from the department have not been received as yet. You will be informed whenever the same reached here,” is all that Mr Vikram Singh son of victim of terrorism, has been hearing for the past many months whenever he visits the office of District Education Office (S) Gurdaspur to know the fate of his appointment letter.

In jail for 140 days due to officials’ fault
Bathinda, February 23
Call it a clerical mistake or negligence on the part of authorities concerned, Mr Raj Kumar, a poor daily wage worker, has been released from jail after spending more than four months in jail after he was found not guilty by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in a murder case.

COMMUNITY

Probe ordered into reduction in shop rent
Gurdaspur, February 23
A “scandal” regarding the reduction in rent of zila parishad shops by the zila parishad authorities took an interesting turn when the Deputy Commissioner deputed the ADC (Development) to probe into the matter. The ADC is in charge of the zila parishad and the rent cannot be changed without his sanction.

Move on airports ill-conceived: manch
Amritsar, February 23
The state government’s unrealistic proposal to upgrade at least six to seven airports to an international level in Punjab may squander the gains of the Amritsar international airport project already approved by the Union Government.

Funds released for super-speciality wing
Amritsar, February 23
With the release of Rs 1 crore, the construction plans for the super-speciality wing of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital have resumed after a lapse of nearly six months. The Rs 13.76 crore 200-bedded project has been hanging fire since its inception in 1992.

PLF decries move on Labour Act
Bathinda, February 23
The Punjab Law Forum (PLF) has condemned the decision of the Union Government to allow the closure of the industrial unit employing up to 1000 employees and has termed it as anti-labourer and anti-national.

• Bail plea: March 4 fixed for hearing
• SSF to launch stir on SYL issue
• SHSAD meeting
• Education needs overhauling; says Governor
• Farmer steps on landmine, loses foot
  

AGRICULTURE

Grain stocks not lifted for years
Moga, February 23
Residents of Langaana Purana village of this district yesterday urged government procurement agencies to remove stocks of foodgrain stored in their godowns several years ago and valued at several crores. They said the stocks had started emitting foul smell and were unfit for consumption.

ADMINISTRATION

3 villages to get hepatitis-B vaccines
Bathinda, February 23
Mr R. Venkatratnam, Deputy Commissioner, has announced a grant of Rs 1 lakh for vaccinating the residents of Sooch, Dikh and Dhade villages against hepatitis-B. The DC today visited these villages, where some cases of the disease have been detected in the recent past, along with Health Department officials.

CRIME

Villagers booked for assaulting cops
Sangrur, February 23
The local police has registered a case against some persons for allegedly attacking and injuring the police personnel, namely Mr Devinder Kumar, Sub-Inspector; Mr Jasbir Singh, ASI, Mr Pavitar Singh, Mr Narinder Kumar and Mr Sukhwant Singh, all Havildars; and Mr Manjinder Singh, constable, at Uppali village near here last evening. The injured policemen were admitted to the local Civil Hospital.

Man robbed of cash, chain
Bathinda, February 23
Two unidentified persons snatched Rs 12,000 and a gold chain from a local resident, Rajesh Kumar, last night.

Three arrested for robberies
Patiala, February 23
The local police has solved two recent robberies committed in the city by arresting three persons and recovering gold ornaments worth Rs 3 lakh from them, besides arresting a policeman who was extorting money from businessmen by putting up a ‘naka’ at the Sanauri adda on the outskirts of the city.