Bibiwala, September, 10
Tension broke out when a Sikh family that is believed to have converted to Christianity, allegedly set Gutka Sahib on fire late last evening at their house in village Bibiwala. As per the information gathered from the spot, Malkit Singh and Daljeet Singh, both brothers, set the holy book on fire reportedly on the instigation of a Christian pastor Bahadur, who is a government servant at the canal rest house in Bibiwala.

Villagers said that Harbans Kaur, the mother of the accused, died on Tuesday. At that time, Bahadur motivated them to burn the "Sarup of Guru Sahib", saying that only after doing so would the soul of their mother get a place in the house of God.

Acting upon his advice, they allegedly set the Gutka Sahib ablaze. When some of their kin, who visited them to express their condolence, came to know about the incident, they immediately informed the villagers and the police about the incident. Meanwhile, the accused cremated her in the village in the presence of a motley group of villagers and Christians, belonging to Bathinda.

Not taking the matter seriously, the police came in the morning and investigated the matter. Then they seized some remaining portions of the Gutka Sahib and arrested Manjit Singh, Daljeeet Singh and Bahadur.

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, some of the villagers said that the family had changed their religion three years ago, but still used to go to the gurudwara. They further disclosed that Malkit Singh was earlier booked by the police for impersonating as Tehsildar and taking bribes from the people. He was later booked in a clash that had taken place between Hindu and Christian youths of the village. They also informed that in the village, religion conversion had been going on a big scale.

When asked about the incident, Sarpanch Joginder Singh Aulakh parried the query saying he was not aware of it.

Later, a number of Sikh organisations and villagers blocked the road and demanded the arrest of other people involved in the incident. But with the assurance of fair investigation by the police, they lifted their dharna.

Sukhpal Singh Sra, secretary, Punjab unit of the VHP, expressed his concern over the incident and alleged that some organizations were behind the religious conversion, which had lead to the incident. When contacted, SHO Cantonment, Sandeep Singh said, "The case is under investigation. However, on the basis of prima facie evidence, the three accused have been arrested and a case has been registered under section 295-A of the IPC."

Baghapurana (Moga), September 10
The District Magistrate (DM) of Moga Satwant Singh Johal has asked the authorities concerned of the local administration to lodge an FIR against all those persons who had caused damage and encroached on five acres of prime land (public property) in the heart of the town here, 15 km from the district headquarters.

The DM has also imposed section 145 of the CrPC and appointed the local tehsildar as receiver of the land till 
further orders.

The DM told the TNS that the matter was brought to the notice of the Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal by the local residents and a question in this regard was also recently raised in the state assembly by Darshan Singh Brar the local MLA of the area. "The CM called me this morning and asked to take stern action against the encroachers," he said.

Ashok Talwar, a local resident and former chairman of the Punjab Khadi Board, said that 150-year old village pond used to exist on this land. Half of the pond was filled with sand by the encroachers and a boundary wall was raised to illegally justify and transfer the proprietary rights of this land.

He said that the land belongs to the public 'abaadi deh rakba' for the past over one hundred years and it could be used for only public purposes and not by any individual for personal benefits.

After the formation of the municipal council in this town, the land should have automatically been transferred to the local body but the authorities concerned of the council did not take any interest in taking possession of this land during the past many years. As a result of which, there always remained a controversy over its actual ownership.

Meanwhile investigations made by The Tribune revealed that a senior officer of the police posted in the district, son of an Akali leader, a leading property dealer of that town and certain officials of the local municipal council were indirectly involved in encroaching upon this public land. They were trying to sell this land by fraudulent means.

When the district administration sought a report from this police officer, he instead of giving a clear picture of the land got recorded the statements of those persons who had encroached upon many plots on this land and tried to justify that they were the legal owners, revealed a senior official of the civil administration.

It was learnt that a property dealer had taken 'beana' from 22 persons promising to give them 'kabza' of pieces of plots for construction of shops by manipulating with the police officer and an official of the local body.

However, these pieces of plots carved out from the pond land were not yet transferred on anybody's name, revealed an official of the revenue department.

On the other hand, the local people of the area revealed to The Tribune that some of the encroachers had managed to get registries done on their names by manipulating with the revenue authorities.

The total value of this land as per the current rates prevailing in the town is more than Rs. 25 crore.

Abohar, September 10
The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) vice-president Sajjan Kumar Jakhar has criticised Shiv Sena supremeo Bal Thackeray for joining nephew Raj Thackeray in attacking actor-turned-Member of Parliament Jaya Bachchan for a short speech she had made earlier this week in Hindi.

Speaking to selective media persons at his Maujgarh village farm on Wednesday, former cabinet minister (Jakhar) regretted that certain leaders had not realised even after 61 years of hard earned Independence that India is the largest democratic nation having diversities and the Constitution ensured freedom in pursuing religious faith of his/her choice besides language.

Hindi was declared as the national language and none could object to its use, he said.

The Central government must think of amending the law to snub such forces which spread communal, regional hatred and prompt violence, Jakhar said.

Defending Bollywood super stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan, he said the Thackeray family and their followers should not forget that Mumbai had earned name and fame globally due to Hindi movies which were dubbed later in many Indian and foreign languages and won international awards.

Referring to the state political affairs, he said Punjab had been reeling under uneasy calm even after sect-based clashes abetted by the coalition government to divert attention of of people from failures on economic and other fronts. 

Ferozepur, September 10
To commemorate the 110th anniversary of the unparallel valour and bravery displayed by 22 Sikh soldiers who had sacrificed their lives fighting against thousands of Afridis and Orakazai tribesman in defence of Sargarhi post on September 12, 1897, the Sikh Regiment, with the support of the state government, is going to organise cross-country and cycle rally to inspire youths and instil a spirit of sacrifice for the motherland in them.

Deputy Commissioner Megh Raj said at a meeting here today that cross-country and cycle rally would begin from Faridkot-Ferozpur highway and culminate at Sargarhi Gurudwara.

On the occasion, Manpreet Badal finance minister, Janmeja Singh Sekhon irrigation minister, Sukhpal Singh Nannu chief parliamentary secretary (Revenue) besides hosts of senior officials from the Sikh Regiment, civil and police department would pay tributes to the gallant Sikh soldiers who were awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award given to any Indian troops.

All the 22 Sikh soldiers who hailed from Punjab had sacrificed themselves to establish the concept of last man, last bullet.

The deputy commissioner said that the act of valour exhibited by the Sikh soldiers was solemnly acknowledged by the British Parliament also, which rose in respect to these gallant soldiers. He said that all arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event had been completed.

Barnala, September 10
Lok Bhalai Party chief Balwant Singh Ramowalia said that the state government had failed to provide security to the public that had created an atmosphere of chaos in the state. The government has used unfair means in all the elections, be it the Zila Parishad, municipal committees or corporations or panchyat elections. The party had used its musclemen to grab the top post of mayor, municipal committee presidents or sarpanches.

Ramowalia was here after paying condolences to the aggrieved family of Jagsir Singh at village Tallewal who was murdered on Monday.

Talking to media persons, he said that the people of Punjab were living in an atmosphere of terror. The SAD-BJP combine government had failed to safeguard the interests of the common man. The democratic values had been completely eroded by these political leaders.

He said that Mahatma Gandhi had said that the real democracy lies in the panchyati raj system. Rajiv Gandhi emphasised on strengthening the Panchayati Raj system but the current government had shattered the basic foundation of the panchayati system.

H said that both the Akalis and the Congress had failed to provide facilities to the people so it was high time that the people taught a leson to these politicians.

Mansa, September 10
Labourers of village Boha today went on strike in support of their demands under the banner of the Mazdoor Mukti Morcha (MMM).

It may be recalled that the labourers held a rally two days ago demanding full wages for those who work in the cotton fields. Labourers staged a rally before going on strike.

Addressing the rally, state secretary of MMM, Bhagwant Singh Sammaon said that the district administration had not been taking care of the rights of labourers and due to this, the atrocities against the labourers were increasing. During the rally, the village panchayat assured the labourers of solving their problems through dialogue. Leaders like Sukhvinder Singh Heere Wala and Jeet Singh Boha also addressed the rally. 

Sriganganagar/Abohar, September 10
Hitting back on the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi for squarely criticising the BJP government in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhra Raje said she (Sonia) claimed to be the saviuor of the women but she had not been able to ensure 33 per cent reservation at all levels for them. The Congress-led UPA government had survived the test of strength in the parliament then what prevented them in getting the promised reservation implemented in letter and spirit, Vasundhra questioned.

Raje was addressing a mammoth rally after laying the foundation stone of a sugar mill in village Kameenpura (Chak 23F), about 23 km from Sriganganagar in Karanpur sub-division on Wednesday. The location falls on the boundaries of Kesarisinghpur Assembly segment also. The new mills would replace the outlived cooperative sugar mill located near the railway track in Sriganganagar and will have private sector participation.

Declaring that the BJP would fight and win the incoming Assembly election on the basis of "tremendous" development made under her leadership, Raje observed that Congress had got frustrated as a woman (she) was running the affairs of Rajasthan after 50 years. She had ensured 50 per cent reservation for women in municipal councils and panchayati raj institutions. Water and liquor mafia were eliminated. Total number of liquor vends were reduced from 9000 to 7000 in the state. She had now decided to deal with the land mafia with iron hands. Rajasthan was known as sick state but now finds place in the developed ones. As the Congress had exhausted all provincial leaders, false hopes were now pinned on Sonia Gandhi but she too would fail in doing any miracles, Scindia said.

Claiming that her government had achieved excellence in providing roads, electricity, education and health services, the CM said that for the youth, frustration had vanished.

During last four and half month, 10 lakh persons, 2 of them in private sector, were given employment. Blooming crops in Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar district were testimony to prosperity in the farming community. NREGA proved to be boon for the unemployed skilled workers in rural areas.

Sriganganagar district is being gifted with modern sugar mill which would cost Rs 115 crore. The unit will produce, besides sugar, liquor, electricity and bio compost fertilizer, she informed. Vasundhara visited Sriganganagar after about a gap of 18 months.

Mansa, September 10
A married man and a woman, who were allegedly having an illicit relationship, committed suicide by consuming poison on Tuesday.

According to information, Balour Singh, son of Beant Singh, a resident of Kheeva Kalan and Sinder Kaur, wife of Najar Singh were allegedly having relationship. Both have two and three children respectively through their marriages.

According to police, illicit relationship between the two was believed to be the reason behind the incident.

On Tuesday, when both left their houses in the morning and returned in the evening, their family members objected to their conduct. That allegedly, police said, caused them to consume poison. They were admitted to the civil hospital, Mansa, in a serious condition on Tuesday night. They died today afternoon.

After the post mortem, the bodies have been handed over to their respective families. 

Abohar, September 10
The police have booked three residents of Azeemgarh locality for allegedly abetting a married woman to commit suicide, sources said today in the evening.

As per the information available, one Krishan Lal told the police that her two nieces were married into a family. Of them, Maya Devi had been married to Radheshyam, a physically challenged son of Lilu Ram. His disability deprived him and Maya Devi of proper attention by the family of Lilu Ram who also allegedly pressed for dowry. The complainant further alleged that Maya Devi was pushed into the canal near the city bypass by her in-laws.

Lilu Ram, while refuting the allegations, said the marriage was solemnized about five years back. Maya looked frustrated and might have jumped into the canal, he lamented.

The police confirmed having booked husband Radheshyam, his brother Dharamvir and mother Kallo Bai for allegedly abetting Maya Devi to commit suicide, sources said.

Meanwhile, the body was handed over to the parents after the postmortem at the civil hospital here.