Abohar, November 7
Ms Maya Devi (60) and her sister Rama Bai (65) were killed and six others injured when a private bus hit a Mohindra jeep (HR 26 F 4657) near Usmankhera village on the Abohar-Sriganganagar road (NH 15) this evening.

According to sources a family from Diwankhera village of this subdivision had gone to Manhnewala village in neighbouring Sriganganagar region to mourn the death of a relative. They were returning in the evening when the jeep collided head on with a private bus near Usmankhera village. Maya Devi wife of Waryam Chand Kamboj resident of nai abadi and her sister Rama Bai wife of Lakha Ram of Seedan village in Sirsa district died on the spot.

Other occupants of the vehicle, including Saido Bai, Santo Bai, Sandhya, Khushal Chand, Hari Chand and Bhajan Lal, who was driving the jeep, received injuries.

The driver of the bus fled, leaving the bus.

Patiala, November 7
Mr Gurbax Singh Balbehra, president, BKU (Ekta), Patiala, while disclosing that his organisation would not take part in dharna to be held at Barnala tomorrow by various Kisan organisations.

Mr Balbehra said it would continue its struggle against the forcible acquisition of land of farmers by industrialists through government agencies.

According to a press note issued here today, Mr Balbehra said the BKU (Ekta) had rejected the MSP of wheat Rs 750 as announced by the Central Government recently.

He said the MSP should be fixed Rs 50 more than the prevailing market price of wheat.

Mr Balbehra said loans of the farmers must be waived off. He said loans should be given at 4 per cent rate of interests to the farmers in future.

Chandigarh, November 7
Making strong verbal observations with regard to the alleged incidence of molestation of women veterinarian protesters at a rally in Ludhiana on September 21, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today said that such kind of lawlessness could not be permitted.

During resumed hearing of a suo moto matter as well as a PIL filed by the World Human Rights Protection Council (WHRPC) through its president advocate Ranjan Lakhanpal, the Bench headed by Acting Chief Justice S.S. Nijjar observed: "A lady has allegedly been molested who could be a daughter, a sister, a wife, including that of a police officer, or for that matter a mother of someone. Such lawlessness can't be permitted." The court also came down heavily on the Ludhiana police. This happened in the presence of SSP, Ludhiana, A.S. Rai, who was present in the court.

The court was also angry over the submission of the Punjabi version of the probe report of the Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, in the matter.

On being questioned, counsel for the Punjab Government said the report had been provided by the district administration only this morning due to which it could not be translated.

The Bench then ordered that the translated version in English be submitted on the next hearing.

The Bench also sought the presence of Inspector Sandeep Wadhera, the policeman whose picture had been carried by a section of the media showing his hand inside the shirt of one of the protesting girl students.

It may be recalled that on the last hearing, SSP Rai had claimed that police personnel had not tried to molest any girl student. On the other hand, he had alleged, that it was the students who had misbehaved with the police.

He had stated that the agitating girl students had become very aggressive and removed the turban of Inspector Wadhera. The girl in question was then removed from the spot by a woman constable, he had claimed.

ADMINISTRATION

Revenue records a click away
Tribune News Service

Ropar, November 7
Revenue records of each village of the district will soon be available just a click away. With computerisation of the Revenue Records Department here the villagers will get their copy within no time and can also check it online at the district headquarters, said the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Alok Shekhar, while inaugurating the computerisation of the revenue records project here.

The Deputy Director, Land Records, Mr P.P. Singh, said the computerisation of the revenue records in the state had begun from Nawanshahr district by the Chief Secretary, Punjab, on November 4.

Fatehgarh Sahib, November 7
Dr R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab Univeristy, Chandigarh, yesterday inaugurated the North-East Zone Inter-University Kho-Kho (Men) Tournament being played on the grounds of Lincoln College of Law, Fatehgarh Sahib. The college is hosting the event under the auspices of the Directorate of Sports, Punjabi Univeristy, Patiala.

Players from 34 universities of north and east India are participating in this tournament. Mr Tarsem Bahia, Director, Lincoln College, said the players were being provided every facility and the tournament would continue up till November 9. Dr Raj Kumar Sharma, Director (Sports), Punjabi University, welcomed the chief guest.

Dr R.C. Sobti in his inaugural address emphasised the importance of traditional sports like kho-kho and kabaddi in human life. He said the need of the hour was to reorient the sports scenario in India and restore the dignity of sports like football and hockey.

While talking to media persons, Dr Sobti expressed concern over the re-orientation of the education system. He said vigorous efforts were required to tone up the administrative system of universities in conducting exams with complete transparency and accountability.

He also stressed on starting new professional courses relevant to the globalised society, so that India could play a major role in emerging knowledge society at international level.

On the opening Day Visva Bharti Shanti Niketan University defeated M.J.P. Rohilkhand University, Bareilly, R.S.S. University, Raipur, beat Kumaun University, Nanital, D.D.U., Gorkhpur, defeated C.C.S. University, Panjab University, beat C.D.L. University, Sirsa, HP University, Shimla, beat V.B.S. Purvanchal University, Jaunpur, Dr M.L. Avadh University, Faizabad, defeated C.S.J.M. University, Kanpur, Allahabad University, defeated S.K. University, Dumka, Guru Ghasidas University defeated Ranchi University, Ranchi, Kurukshetra University, defeated Magadh University, Bodh Gaya, Jammu Univeristy, defeated Lucknow University, Bundel Khand University, Jhansi, defeated Amity University, Noida, G.N.D. University, Amritsar, defeated Banaras Hindu University.

On the second Day, Dr D.S. Heera, Principal, BBSB Engineering College, inaugurated the morning session of the tournaments, where as Mr Pritpal Singh Virk, SP(H), presided over the evening session. Punjabi University, beat Bundel Khand University, Jhansi. Allahabad University, Allahabad, beat Dr R.M.L. Avadh University, Faizabad. Punjab University, defeated Guru Ghasidas University, Bilaspur, Kurukshetra University defeated Jammu University, HP University, Shimla, defeated Visva Bharti Shanti Niketan.

Patiala, November 7
The Punjabi University campus team stole the limelight today by winning the quiz competition held at Arts Auditorium, by scoring 70 points on the opening day of three-day Punjabi University inter-zonal youth festival.

Government College for Girls, Patiala, and Government College, Ropar, shared the second position with 50 points each.

The Akal Degree College, Mastuana, won first position in folk orchestra, while the GCG, Patiala, and Government Rajindra College, Bathinda, finished joint second.

As per press note issued here today, Dr Sunita Dhir, Director, Department of Youth Welfare, Punjabi University, Anjana Chaudhary of the GRC, Bathinda and Dikshika Aggarwal of the GCG, Patiala, were appreciated in the Rangoli competition.

The GRC, Bathinda, was declared first in group shabad followed by Gurmat College, Patiala.

Gurdeep Kaur of the GCG, Patiala, and Satinder Singh of Guru Nanak College, Budhladha clinched the top and second spot, respectively, in the on-the-spot painting event.

Guru Nanak College, Budhladha, and Rayat College of Education, Sahouran, were adjudged first and second, respectively, in clay modelling.

Patiala, November 7
Parwinder Kaur got the best all round student award instituted by Ms Preneet Kaur, MP, while Himanshi Dhamija carried the Rohit Kundal Trophy and a cash prize of Rs 2,500 at the silver jubilee function of local Blossoms Senior Secondary School here today.

Capt Amarinder Singh, Chief Minister, while addressing the function, laid stress on the need of computer education. He also appreciated the role of the school in maintaining environment. He gave away prizes to the students.

The Chief Minister also visited exhibitions organised by different departments of the school. A power point presentation highlighting school’s achievement during the past 25 years was shown to him. Major B.S.S. Bedi memorial silver medal was awarded to Nitika Verma. Dr Jamait Singh Scholarship of Rs 1,000 each was awarded to Manav Singla and Ajay Singh Chauhan.