Bathinda, January 12
In view of the statements issued by the various Sikh organisations against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief and the Maghi Mela in neighbouring Muktsar district, the police today reviewed security arrangements and staged a flag march to instill confidence.

A cavalcade led by the Superintendent of Police (Detective), Sukhdev Singh Chahal, took a round in the district. The march, which began at 8 am in the city, moved towards the sub-divisions and the rural areas, including Sangat, Ramma, Talwandi Sabo, Rampura, Bhai Rupa, Salawat Pura, Bhagta and Nathana. The cavalcade that included 350 policemen, 25 jeeps, canters and 50 motorcycles, returned to the city at 6 pm. The DSPs had been informed about the route and had been instructed to join the cavalcade in their respective areas.

When contacted, Chahal said, “Security has been tightened in view of the Maghi Mela, which is going on in Muktsar, a district adjoining Bathinda. Various Sikh organisations have been holding conferences there to mark the occasion. The purpose of the flag march is just to create a sense of security among the people. If needed, it will be held on Monday also.”

It has been reported that following the rejection of permission to hold a programme at Salawat Pura ashram from January 11 to 14 by the district administration, Dera followers are reportedly making preparations to move the Punjab and Haryana High Court in support of their demand.

The P.R. Nain Insaan, senior vice-chairman of the Dera Sacha Sauda, in whose name the permission was sought could not be contacted despite several attempts.

Bathinda, January 12
The Siberian birds migrating to various wetlands in Punjab and its neighbouring states have refused to adopt the lakes of Bathinda as their abode during the winters.

A handful of birds that were sighted in one of the three lakes last month have now flown elsewhere. The three water bodies here present a deserted look, while the nearby wetland of Harike plays host to a large number of winged guests.

With three water bodies in a row that greet the visitors here, Bathinda is also called a city of lakes. These artificial lakes came up in their present shape in 1974 to cater to the water requirement of the thermal power station.

However, the migratory birds have skipped these water bodies and refused to adopt these as their winter home ever since these came up about 33 years ago.

One of the reason for this, environmentalists say, could be all sorts of pollution in the area. These lakes are located under the shadow of the chimneys of the thermal plant that emit fly ash, which has become problematic for residents of the town. The power plant has been accused of disposing ash slurry in the lakes.

The busy rail line passes through the periphery of these lakes and the highways to Faridkot and Abohar garland these water bodies causing noise pollution day and night. The Pong Dam in Himachal Pradesh and several wetlands in the neighbouring Rajasthan have become important tourist destinations because of presence of various species of migratory birds.

The wildlife department had a few years ago floated dummy birds in one of lakes in the state a few years ago to attract the winged guests. However, such serious efforts are yet to be taken here.

One of the lakes that has been occupied by the army was being utilized for water sports by the troops. Some army personnel were seen engaged in water surfing today.

Successive governments in the state promised to make Bathinda a mini-Kashmir by floating Dal Lake like houseboats and shikaras on these water bodies but nothing has been done so far to attract tourists. 

Bathinda, January 12
The city police today arrested one Community Police Officer (CPO) for allegedly stealing a bicycle.

CPO Manjinder Singh of Janta Nagar allegedly stole a bicycle on Friday night from Dhobi Bazar, where he was deputed as a security watchman.

The police received a complaint from the owner of the bicycle on Saturday morning in this regard.

Following a tip-off, the police nabbed the accused and recovered the bicycle. The accused said that he took along the bicycle on Saturday morning, when he was about to leave from the spot. He said he didn’t have any wrong motive and informed his senior but the police had arrested him.

Two CPOs at Kotwali police station alleged that the accused was a drug addict and stole the bicycle under the effect of intoxicants. They stated that the accused was recently promoted to the post of supervisor.

When ASP (City), Harsh Kumar Bansal was contacted, he said, "The police has done its duty and all the CPOs will be strictly warned to be loyal towards their duties."

Bathinda, January 12
The District Level Boxing Championship organised by the Bathinda Boxing Association at the sports stadium, concluded on Saturday. Deepinder Singh Seewian, Balwinder Singh and Akali Dal leader Aatma Singh Chahal distributed prizes to the winners. In the boys competition, the first prize was bagged by the MSD School and the second prize by the IBC, Kotbhara. In girls category, the MSD School got the first prize and the MHR School got the second prize. The sports stadium of Bathinda bagged the overall trophy.

Winners and runners-up:

Men’s category

81–91 kg: Varinder Singh, Vikas Duggal

Above 91 kg: Sahil Kumar, Kulwinder Singh

Women’s category

50–52 kg: Amandeep Kaur, Rajwinder Kaur

66 – 70 kg: Sandeep Kaur, Paramjit Kaur. 

Faridkot, January 12
Simranjit Singh Maan, President, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), along with his 16 party members was released from prison on bail here today.

Talking to the media persons, he said he had to knock the door of high court to get bail, which exposed working of democracy in the state. Punjab and High court ordered bail in a case registered under 107 and151 sections of the IPC at Kotkapura Police station on January 7.

Mann also said he would take part in the party’s scheduled political rally on Maghi festival at Muktsar.

Ferozepur, January 12
Setting an example, the first Lohri of seven baby girls, born to families in Pieariana village of Ferozepur district, was celebrated here today.

It was for the first time that Lohri for girls was celebrated in a village in the state. The celebrations, named ‘Nirlep di Lohri’ was observed under the theme ‘Dhian di Lohri’.

Parminder Singh Pinki, general secretary of the PPCC and the chief guest on the occasion, presented Rs 1,100 each to the families of the seven girls, that would be deposited in a post-office for 20 years. On maturity, the sum would be used to marry these girls. As many as 63 families received free five-marla plot certificate while 63 families were provided with BPL yellow cards. The aim was to drive home the message that girls were not a curse. 

Barnala, January 12
The court of additional session judge Vivek Puri here today granted bail to Kulwant Singh Mallian, sarpanch of Mallian village.

The court also directed the sarpanch to cooperate with the administration in the enquiry. The Shaina police had booked sarpanch Kulwant Singh for the alleged embezzlement of government funds. The next hearing of the case is fixed for January 21.—OC

Ferozepur, January 12
A public display of the latest high-tech equipment was organised by the Golden Arrow Division as a prelude to the Army Day celebrations here today at Parade Ground, near Ferozepur fort.

“Know your Army” was the theme of the exhibition. The display was organised in order to highlight various achievements of the Army in professional fields, humanitarian aid and relief work, and the services rendered as aid to civil authority. It also gave spectators a glimpse into the life of the Army and was aimed at motivating youth to join the prestigious defence force.

The display was inaugurated by Major General Munish Sibal, general office commanding of the Golden Arrow Division. He also addressed the gathering and highlighted the proud customs and tradition of forces. He also exhorted the youth to come forward and be a part of this valiant organisation. 

Abohar, January 12
“The elections-related political turmoil in Pakistan notwithstanding, we must continue our endeavours to bring the people on the both sides of the border closer in order to strengthen the communal harmony and peace among the two countries,” said Sajjan Kumar Jakhar, a former minister at a function organised by the AKS, a drama club, in the DAV College auditorium here on Friday night. Councillor Vimal Thathai and Sat Narain Singla, state vice-president of the Aggarwal Sabha, were the guests of honour.

The AKS president, Raju Nagpal, presented mementos to the guests.

Director S. Narula said staging Som Pal Heera’s play “Te Rome Jalda Riha” was a humble effort to project the sufferings of the partition.—OC