R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

SANGRUR
Two killed in accident: Two persons, including a 12-year-old boy, were killed on the spot at Badrukhan village, near here, when a truck hit their bicycles on Thursday. One of the deceased was identified as Nachhattar Singh (26) of Kunran village, while the boy could not be identified. The police has registered a case under Section 304-A of the IPC in this regard. 

HARYANA

Ambala
Chain snatching: Two motorcycle-borne robbers fled after snatching an elderly woman’s chain near Milap Nagar in Ambala City on Thursday morning. One of the robbers also attempted to snatch her earrings. In this attempt she fell down on the road and sustained injuries on her face. She was rushed to local civil hospital. Around half a dozen chain-snatching incidents have occurred in the city and cantonment area during the past six months. 

Kabiraj is Ambala SP: Sibash Kabiraj took charge as superintendent of police, Ambala, on Thursday evening. He relieved SP K.V. Ramana, who will join as SP of Sirsa. Sibash Kabiraj was SP of Hisar before joining here. The transfer orders were issued yesterday. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

BILASPUR
Car snatched: The police is searching for four youths, who have attacked and injured a car driver, Mukhvinder Singh, of Kheda village, Ludhiana, Punjab. They ran away after snatching his car (13K-3322) on way to the Naina Devi shrine, about 55 km from here, on Wednesday. A case has been registered in this regard on Thursday. 

Chamba
Two killed, 20 hurt in bus mishap: Two persons were killed and about 20 were injured when an HRTC bus fell into a gorge at Kanjiar Mor, about 20 km from here, on Wednesday. The bus (HP-48-7520), which was carrying about 40 passengers, was on its way from Chamba to Sirhkund. The deceased are Parkash of Barodhi village and Subhash of Kotha village. Residents of the surrounding areas helped in the rescue operations and brought the injured passengers in their own vehicles to the hospital. The police has registered a case. 

Relay fast: The employment guarantee scheme (EGS) teachers of Chamba district on Thursday took out a demonstration and blocked the vehicular traffic at the zero point near here, which continued for about one-and-a-half hour. But with the intervention of the police, the transportation services were restored. The relay fast of the EGS teachers entered its 15th day on Thursday. These EGS teachers were demanding regularisation of their services as they had completed about eight years of service. 

Kullu
Bhuntar NP president: Nirat Ram Sharma was unanimously elected president of the Nagar Panchayat, Bhuntar, on Thursday. Five of the seven members of the committee present in the election meeting. Ousted president Meena Thakur supported Nirat Ram. S L Saini, SDM, presided over the meeting. Nirat Ram Sharma said he would ensure uniform development of the town and lay emphasis on cleanliness. 

Shimla
Centre restores rice quota: The Centre has restored the monthly rice quota being given to the state under the public distribution system (PDS). Food and civil supplies minister Ramesh Dhawala said here on Thursday that due to the efforts of the state government the rice quota, which was to be discontinued from June, had been restored. In order to ensure that the people did not face any inconvenience, the state government had given rice from its own godowns this month. 

JAMMU & KASHMIR

SRINAGAR
Mehbooba to visit Berlin : PDP president Mehbooba Mufti would attend the official guest programme on “Cross-border Cooperation between India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran” being organised by the German Government at Berlin from June 16 to 20.A select group of eight high-ranking decision-makers from India, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan will attend the programme which will give visitors an opportunity to discuss the issues of cross-border cooperation in the region with the German experts. Mehbooba Mufti was the only invitee from India, a PDP spokesman said. 

HM ultra held: In a joint operation the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Thursday arrested a Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militant, Ghulam Nabi Sheikh, from Taharthpora area in Handwara district. Acting on a tip-off regarding the presence of militants, the police launched a joint operation with the 125 Battalion of the CRPF. They cordoned off the area and arrested Ghulam. The police also recovered one Chinese pistol, one pistol magazine and four pistol rounds. Sheikh was assisting other militant outfits in Ramhal area by guiding them and providing logistics. 

Labourer found dead: A labourer was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Leh district on Thursday. Shamby Ram, working with the General Reserve Engineering Force, was found dead inside his rented room at Spang-Nyoma in the border district, a police spokesman said. Inquest proceedings had been initiated by the police to ascertain the cause of Ram's death. 

Ladakh Sindhu Festival: The three-day Ladakh Sindhu Festival started on Thursday with a colourful ceremony at the banks of the Indus. Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad inaugurated the festival. The members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Art, Culture and Tourism, currently on a study tour of Ladakh, also witnessed the event which included cultural items performed by Ladakhi artistes. 

TALWARA
Hostel for Gujjar kids: Lt-Gen S.K. Sinha (retd) inaugurated the Pir Panchal Hostel for children of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals here on Thursday. The hostel has been constructed by the White Knight Corps under Operation Sadhbhavana by Uniform Force of the Army. It is spread over 9 kanal of land offered by the Reasi civil administration. The hostel will house 50 children hailing from the remote areas of Reasi, Rajouri and Ramban districts.