Jalandhar, December 21
The body of Aswini Mishra (45), a resident of Civil Lines here, was found from his house this evening. The victim, who was mentally unstable, lived with his ailing 80-year-old mother Rampiari. The assailants tied the victim’s limbs before strangulating him to death. According to SHO Vibhor Kumar, the assailants took away the gold ear-rings worn by Rampiari. Some fixed deposit receipts (FDRs) have been found missing from the house.

Neighbours informed Mishra’s elder brother Onkar Mishra, a resident of Chandigarh, when no one came out of the house in the morning today. The neighbours’ children saw the victim lying on the floor of the house and informed their parents.

The police entered the house on the arrival of Onkar from Chandigarh in the evening. The victim was unmarried.

A case has been registered against unidentified assailants under section 460 of the IPC.

The victim’s mother is unable to answer what happened clearly as she is in a delirious state, says SHO Vibhor Kumar. “We have asked Onkar’s wife to enquire about the incident from the victim’s mother who is suffering from memory loss,” says the SHO.

Batala, December 21
Id-ul-Fitr (Bakrid) was celebrated at Qadian, 20 km from here, with enthusiasm today.

The function was presided over by Hakim Mohammad Din, member, Sadar Anjuman Ahmadiya Muslim Community, at Ahmadiya Ground today.

Qadian is known as the headquarters of the Muslim Ahmadiya community.

Hakim Mohammed Din said a three-day festival of the International Ahmadiya Muslim Community would be held at Qadian from December 29 to 31 this year.

About 300 members of the Ahmadiya community had arrived in Qadian from Pakistan to take part in the celebrations. Thousands of the community members from all over the world would arrive here shortly.

Lakhbir Singh Lodhinangal, MLA from Qadian, also joined Muslims in their celebrations and greeted them on the occasion. He declared that the SAD-BJP government would provide all possible help to the Ahmadiya community in their yearly function.

A large number of Muslims gathered at Qadian in a mosque to make special prayers on the occasion. They greeted each other after saying the prayers.

Hoshiarpur:Id-ul-zuha was celebrated with great enthusiasm here on Friday. Thousands of Muslims thronged the local Jama Masjid on the Jalandhar road and performed “namaz” under the leadership of Maulana Shamim Ahmed Qasim, who sent a message of brotherhood, unity and safety for the country. Master Mohmad Sharif advised Muslim brothers to always be ready to sacrifice themselves for the unity of the country.

President Mohmad Rafi Malik and general secretary Mohmad Jamil Bali of the Jama Masjid Intzamia Committee, additional deputy commissioner Iqbal Bhatti and many others also addressed the people on the occasion.

Hoshiarpur, December 21
“The SAD-BJP government, led by Parkash Singh Badal, has failed on all fronts and caused frustration and unrest among the people of Punjab. The law and order situation is going from bad to worse as incidents of snatching and looting are increasing. There is no check on anti-social elements, causing insecurity among the people, especially women.”

This was alleged by former minister Naresh Thakur here on Friday. He said either the Chief Minister should set the things right or step down.

On account of financial crisis, almost all the development works had come to a standstill. The state is facing an acute shortage of power and due to mismanagement, intermittent and unscheduled power cuts daily were being imposed by the Punjab State Electricity Board. The entire industrial sector was facing serious problems and was on the verge of closing down. The hike in the prices of essential commodities had added to the day-to-day problems of the common man.