Nandgarh honours Bibi Amrit Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 31
Mr Balwant Singh Nandgarh, Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib, honoured Bibi Amrit Kaur, a daughter of late Beant Singh, an assassin of Indira Gandhi, by presenting her with a “siropa” (robe of honour) at a function organised by Dal Khalsa here today.

Mr Amrik Singh, father of Avtaar Singh Gola, who was allegedly shot dead by Inspector Gurmit Singh Pinki five years back, was also honoured.

Jathedar Nandgarh equated the “sacrifice” of Beant Singh with those martyrs who had restored the honour of the Sikhs.

Protest march by physically challenged
Tribune News Service

Sangrur, October 31
The district unit of the Physically Handicapped Association, Punjab, organised a protest march, through the town and a dharna in front of the office of the Deputy Commissioner here today in protest against the non-acceptance of their demands by the government. During the march the protesters raised slogans to air their grievances and condemned government’s alleged indifferent attitude.

The demands of the physically challenged include implementation of the Person With Disability Act, 1995, for the rehabilitation of physically challenged in Punjab, free education for physically challenged students, free bus travelling, clearance of backlog of jobs, increase in the pension and scholarship, grant of Rs 750 per month travelling allowance, free power supply and payment of Rs 21,000 to the physically challenged as “shagun” at the time of their marriages, etc.

COURTS

SC rejects Baba Amrik Singh’s bail plea
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 31
The case registered by the Punjab Police against Baba Amrik Singh for having allegedly embezzled crores of rupees from kar seva funds took a new turn yesterday. The Supreme Court rejected his plea for interim bail.

The Additional Director-General of Police, Mr Chander Sekhar, is investigating the case. The police has already checked the records relating to some agricultural land, residential property and bank accounts. Several persons who are close to Baba Amrik Singh have also been questioned. The High Court had already turned down the bail application.

Gurdaspur, October 31
After Pathankot today lawyers of the Gurdaspur Bar Association struck work. While lawyers of the Pathankot Bar struck work from October 28 to 30 demanding district status for Pathankot, advocates of Gurdaspur today announced they would strike work till Saturday to oppose the bifurcation of the district.

President of the district Gurdaspur Bar Association Naresh Thakur told The Tribune that besides not attending the courts they would hold a dharna in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office every day for two hours till the government assured them that the district would not be bifurcated.

With Barnala being made the 20th district of Punjab the demand for making Pathankot district once again gathered momentum. Various social and professional organisations have held meetings and demanded that Pathankot should also be made a district.

They allege that the Barnala subdivision had just 203 village in its revenue area, whereas Pathankot had over 400 villages. Despite this Pathankot had been ignored and Barnala made a district.

Chandigarh, October 31
The first case under the newly introduced law on protection of women from domestic violence was registered in Punjab today.

A young woman had lodged a compliant with the police against her husband, Iqbal Singh, who has been booked.

The SSP, Bathinda, Mr Varinder Kumar, told The Tribune on the phone that Rajvinder Kaur (29), a resident of Sangat Khurd village in the district, had reported that her husband Iqbal Singh had been beating her up and of late was having illicit relations with another woman.

Ferozepore, October 31
The police has arrested two persons for the kidnapping of Guru-harsahai businessman Babu Ram. Mr Arpit Shukla SSP said Babu Ram was kidnapped on pistol-point by unidentified persons last week and a ransom of Rs 1 crore was demanded from his family for his release. The police arrested two persons including his driver in 24 hours of the incident.

Mr Shukla said yesterday, the police got information other two culprits, who had connived with driver Pawan Kumar to kidnap the businessman identified as Bakshish Singh alias Sheesha and Balwinder Singh alias Shinder were hiding in the Mand area adjoining Tarn Taran district.

The police cordoned off the area and combing was launched and both accused were arrested. The accused during interrogation revealed they were wheedled by Pawan Kumar to kidnap Babu Ram for money.

Mr Shukla said he had recommended names of a few police officials who had done good job for DGP’s Commendation Certificate.