Jalandhar, April 19
Former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has demanded an enquiry by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) into the claims of Sandeep Kaur, wife of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) area commander Dharam Singh Kashtiwal, that the residence of PPCC chief Rajinder Kaur Bhattal was frequented by terrorists.

Talking to mediapersons en route Baba Bakala, he said the revelations by Sandeep Kaur in her autobiography were serious and needed to be probed by the IB.

Former minister Malkit Singh Birmi accompanied him. “I am sure if the revelations by Sandeep, who took active part in the terrorist activities in those dark days, were established, then the party high command would have no option but to initiate action against her.”

Sandeep has revealed in her book titled “Bikhra Painda” that activists of her group used to stay in Bhattal’s house.

Commenting on the statements of Bhattal and Bir Devinder Singh restraining him from speaking out, he said since he was a member of the AICC and a former Chief Minister, the former had no right to take any decision against him.

When his attention was drawn to the ban imposed on organising parallel rallies, he said he would obey the instructions of the top brass. “I will listen to the grievances of Congress workers who are being implicated in false cases by the Akalis. If I do not do so who will come to their aid,” he pointed out.

He said he would not backtrack from the allegations that Bhattal was in league with the Akalis. She had the tactic support from the SAD, which helped in the withdrawal of corruption case against her on the understanding that she would not come to the aid of the Congress workers being targeted by Akalis, he added.

It was a common knowledge that Bhattal never once raised the issue of political vendetta on the floor of the assembly, he said. He revealed that many MLAs had told him that Bhattal was warning them against attending his meetings but many had chosen to ignore it.

The former CM also ridiculed rumours on his joining the BJP and BSP.

Tarn Taran, April 19
In a major success, the police today claimed to have busted a gang of women pickpockets who used to steal gold chains, mobiles and cash from devotees and people in crowded places.

SSP Harinder Singh Chahal said the accused used to take advantage of huge turnouts at religious congregations and blend into the crowd. The accused had come to the town along with Guru Manyo Granth Jagriti Yatra.

The accused were caught at a naka near Kot Dharam Chand falling under Jhabal police station here. They were travelling in a car bearing registration number PB-43-A-2703.

The arrested women were identified as Charanjit Kaur of Sangrur, Soma, Balbir Kaur, Banto and Bavi of Barnala. Four gold chains and Rs 10,000 cash have been recovered from the. The police parties have been dispatched to nab other members of the gang including Palo, Babli, Jeeto of Sangrur and Parkasho of Nabha Chahal. More recoveries are expected after the arrest of the remaining accused, the SSP added. 

Hoshiarpur, April 19
Criticising the UPA government for its complete failure in controlling the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities, Punjab minister for cooperative Capt Kanwaljit Singh said the price hike had hit a common man hard.

Talking to mediapersons at Ajowal Milk Plant here yesterday, Capt Kanwaljit Singh blamed the polices of the UPA government for the present price hike. The prices of all commodities, including pulses, wheat, edible oils, etc, had gone out of control and the central government had become a silent spectator only, said the cooperative minister.

Referring to the recent waiving of loans of worth Rs 60,000 crore of the farmers of the country, Capt Kanawaljit Singh said with the waiving, the farmers of Punjab had not been benefited. Blaming the UPA government for its discriminatory practices against Punjab, Capt Kanwaljit Singh said it had not announced any package for the state to boost Punjab’s economy. Emphasising the need for diversifying agriculture, Capt Kanwaljit Singh advised the farmers to opt for dairy farming and grow vegetables for improving their economic condition.

Referring to the election of sarpanchs by the elected panchs in the state, he said the decision was taken to end the groupism in rural areas.

Earlier, Capt Kanwaljit Singh inaugurated a lassi manufacturing unit of the milk plant.

Jalandhar, April 19
One of the oldest schools in the state affiliated to the Council of Indian School Certificate Examination, St Joseph’s Convent School, Cantonment Road, has turned 50.

Being managed by CMC Sisters, a Kerala-based religious congregation, since 1958, the school’s first batch, comprising just two students, appeared in the ICSE examination in 1965. Since then thousands of students have passed out from the school, some of whom are holding top ranks in the administration and defence forces and working as doctors, teachers, architects and entrepreneurs. The school’s golden jubilee function will be held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium on Sunday. It will be attended by Punjab Governor Gen S.F. Rodrigues. The school has invited its distinguished alumni to the function, including IAS women officers Ranjeev Acharya (Andhra Pradesh cadre), Gurjot Kaur (Rajasthan cadre) and Upma Chowdhary (HP cadre), Indian Accounts Audit Services (IAAS) officer Namita Sekhon and Lieut-Col Paramleen Kaur, currently posted at Military Hospital in Jalandhar cantonment.

A new Jubilee Block is being constructed in the school, which will be dedicated to the special children studying here. — TNS

Hoshiarpur, April 19
Punjab minister for parliamentary affairs, medical education and research, forest and labour Tiskhan Sud has instructed the authorities of the local municipal council to lift the entire garbage from the local Bhangi choe (seasonal rivulet) within a month for the improvement of environment in the area.

Addressing a meeting of officers concerned at Forest Rest House here, he instructed them that after cleaning the entire choe bed, the should plant good quality of saplings in the area so that the environment could be improved.

To meet the shortage of drinking water and parking facilities in various localities in the city, he instructed municipal authorities to make necessary arrangements.

He also discussed maintenance of old and historic buildings for attracting tourism. Deputy commissioner N.K. Wadhawan and other government officers were present.

Hoshiarpur, April 19
A major fire broke out in the ABC paper mill here at around 11 am on Saturday. A JCB machine parked near the stacks of shrubs was also damaged in the fire.Fire tenders from Hoshiarpur, Phagwara, Nasrala and Ropar were rushed to the spot. It took firefighters more than four hours to control the blaze. 

SDM, Garhshankar, Harminder Singh along with police force reached the site and took stock of the situation. The total loss has been pegged at around Rs 1.50 crore. Mill manager M.R Yadav said no loss of life has been reported in the incident. — OC