Bathinda, September 20
That the urban and rural units of the district Congress do not see eye to eye again came to the fore as instead of attending the Youth Congress meeting presided by Raninder Singh alias Tikku, son of former chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, local MLA Harminder Singh Jassi held a separate meeting with his own supporters present.

On being asked, Jassi clearly said that he was not intimated about Raninder's meeting, otherwise, he would have deferred his meeting, that was held here today. Addressing the rural meeting, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu, MLA from Talwandi Sabo could not resist saying, "In all the rallies, activists of the rural Congress mark their presence in large numbers but the urban wing is lagging behind and needs to be more active." However, to contain factionalism, Raninder Singh, while talking to TNS, denied any rift in the party.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, called to rejuvenate the youth wing of the Congress, Raninder said every worker had been requested to ask the common man to join the party. He also exhorted party workers to cross the hurdles created by SAD and reach in large numbers to hear the speeches of Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary, who would arrive in Bathinda district on September 22.

Throughout the meeting, party workers kept praising Amarinder Singh and Raninder Singh and the names of CLP leader Rajinder Kaur Bhattal and party's officiating president Mohinder Singh Kaypee were rarely mentioned. Some of them even said that "There is no one else in the party other than Amarinder who can take a stand against the Badals and confront them over the atrocities committed by them and their throttling of democracy in the state."

Lashing out at the police, Raninder said all policemen in the state have become puppets in the hands of the Badals, but a time would come when they would be made to stand in the court of the people and they would have to pay back for the atrocities committed at SAD's behest.

"It is a time to stand up to the high-handedness of the ruling Badals, but let the time come. I assure all you that the favour would be returned to the Akalis in a ratio of 1:4," Raninder added.

When asked about his willingness to contest from the Bathinda parliamentary seat, he said, "I shall abide by all orders of the party high command. If I am ordered, then I shall not give a second thought to it."

Inderjeet Singh Sahni, K.K. Sharma, Ramesh Singla, Narender Bhaleria and Paramveer Singh were the speakers, amongst others, at the rural wing's meeting.

Meanwhile, it may be mentioned that seeing the large number of elderly Congress workers, Inderjeet Singh Sahni, PPCC general secretary, said in his speech said that whereever a meeting is called upon, it is the elderly Congmen who throng the place rather than the youth.

Faridkot/Bathinda, September 20
The Baba Farid Memorial Society, Faridkot, organised a seminar on secularism, religious tolerance and Indian polity in K.K. Marwah Girls’ College today.

B.S. Sudan, commissioner, Ferozepur and Faridkot division, was the chief guest. Bhupinder Brar of political science department of Panjab University presided over the seminar while Maharani Deepinder Kaur Mehtab was the guest of honour.

Sudan said that one should equally respect other religions because all religions were equal and gave the message of love and goodwill. Rekha Jhanji of Chandigarh said, “We should not lead a dual life in society. Instead of finding fault in others, we should correct ourselves.”

Kuljeet Shelly claimed that Baba Farid raised the status of women in society and they became capable of taking decisions for themselves.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) held a heritage rally on Saturday in which NSS unit of Govt Brijindra College, Dashmesh Dental College, Abnoor Polytechnic, Aadesh Engineering College and Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Senior Secondary School participated. Snake charmers, devotional folk singers passed through the city giving their performances. It started from Qila Mubarik and culminated at Darbar Ganj. The function was presided over by deputy commissioner V.K. Meena and Maharani Deepinder Kaur Mehtab was the chief guest. An exhibition showcasing old utensils, phulkari, old coins and other things related to the vanishing culture of Punjab was organised.

Sucha Singh Langah, agricultural minister, inaugurated the Sheikh Farid National Punjabi Drama Festival at local Darbar Ganj complex on Saturday. Several bureaucrats and political leaders graced the occasion. Langah said that drama contributed in eradicating social evils from society. He announced a grant of Rs 50, 000 to the cultural society. Five plays were enacted on the first night of the fest. The plays were related to social problems, which were keenly enjoyed by the audience.

Bathinda, September 20
"We are least bothered about the visit of Rahul Gandhi to Punjab. Moreover, it is not a wedding that some celebrity will come for a day and win the hearts of the people," said Kiranbir Singh Kang, president of the Youth Akali Dal, here today.

Answering a query, Kang said he had suggested to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his son Sukhbir Badal, who is the president of the ruling SAD, to restart students union elections in the state.

"It would be a democratic way of providing a platform to the young generation for raising their voice and listing their grievances. But the CM and the party high command would have to consider the hurdles that may come in the way as student union elections should not be have a harmful effect in any way on the young generation," he added.

He disclosed his plans to rejuvenate the youth wing of the SAD (B) and also the Students Organization of India (SOI). He said that after forming the block and district level committees, the process would be streamlined.

Addressing the meeting, Kang condemned the atrocities on the minorities irrespective of the parties ruling the states concerned. But he parried the query when asked about the alleged grievances of the Dera Sacha Sauda followers, saying people were just expressing their hatred for the "wrong" done by them.

He hailed the step Sukhbir Badal's baptism, but did not give a clear answer about the Maryada of Sikhism which requires that both husband and wife should be baptised together. "It is the people who will raise questions in all possible ways," he said.

Kang was quite confident about the popularity of the youth wing of SAD but when asked about their reported questionable actions during the recent PRI elections, including the local bodies polls, he changed the topic.

"When someone has been the loser, then it the best time to criticise and accuse the ruler. Moreover, it is the history of Punjab that murders take place in every elections but only if the guilt stands proved in a court of law should it be a matter of concern," Kang said.

Bathinda, September 20
The Right to Information Act, much touted as a step forward in India's maturing democracy, came up for discussion at a seminar held here at the Swami Vivekananda Girls' College today. Speaking on the occasion, state information commissioner P.P.S. Gill, who was the chief guest on the occasion, sounded a word of caution, saying, "The Right to Information (RTI) Act is not a remedy for all our problems some of which are ingrained in the system of governance."

Many eminent speakers also spoke on various aspects of the RTI Act. A poster on 'Save the girl child' was also released on the occasion. Mayor Baljeet Singh Bir Behman also graced the occasion. Speakers at the seminar threw light on female foeticide prevailing in society.

Gill said one could speak only if one had access to information and this Act empowered every individual to such an access. The RTI Act has introduced transparency and openness to governance, which was earlier a secret affair. The government is accountable even to a commoner now, he said.

"The State Information Commission is an enabling instrument for openness. Let us work together for making this Act achieve its purpose. It was not easy to introduce this Act but it did come into being after having its share of inbuilt resistance within the government," added Gill.

Speakers at the seminar said the RTI Act has enabled citizens to know every detail by simply submitting an application on plain paper to a public authority and if the authority fails to respond back, then it has to pay a fine.

He informed that the commission received hundreds of applications sent by the villagers asking how much grant was being given to their village and what channel was being used to send it.

Gill also said that the media had an important role in spreading awareness about the RTI Act and it had a major responsibility in its implementation. 

Bathinda, September 20
Students of the Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) No. 5, Bathinda Military Station, clinched the top awards in the junior and senior sections in the inter-school Hindi poem recitation competition held at KV No. 1, Bathinda cantonment today.

Uma Pandey of KV No. 5, bagged top prize in junior section while Pooja Kumari also of KV No. 5, got first prize in the senior section in the contest, which was organised to mark the birth centenary of the noted poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar. The contestants recited Dinkar's poems with great enthusiasm.

Students of altogether four schools of Bathinda Military Station took part in the competition.

Speaking on the occasion, principal of KV No. 1, T.D. Garg, threw light on the life of Dinkar and shared some interesting facts about the poet.

Winners:

Junior section: 1. Uma Pandey - KV No. 5; 2. Shilpi Pandey - Army School; 3. Ragini - KV No. 1.

Senior section: 1. Pooja Kumari - KV No. 5; 2. Ankita Kumari - KV No. 5; 3. Manish Kumar - KV No. 4.

Bathinda, September 20
With a close margin of two points, Nathana team, after getting five minutes of extra time recorded a win over the Bhagta team in Kabaddi (U-16 girls), in the preliminary matches of the district (Inter block) rural sports competitions (under-16 boys/girls) and District Panchayat Tournament (Men), at the sports stadium, here today.

At the end of the match, both the teams were locked at 33 points each. To declare a clear winner, the match was allowed into extra time in which Nathan girls bagged 10 points leaving eight to their opponents. The match ended after Nathana beat Bhagta 43-41.

Meanwhile, talking to TNS, deputy director, sports, Patiala division, Harpal Singh Kanwar and district sports officer, Bathinda, S.S. Buttar, said despite all arrangements, spectator interest was low. They expressed regret saying that despite the advertisement and letters sent to all schools, block development and panchayat officers, sarpanches, members of Zila Parishad and Block Samitis, the event remained a low-key affair.

It was also noticed that deputy commissioner, Bathinda, Rahul Tewari and commissioner of the BMC, K.K. Yadav, who were to be the chief guests at the opening ceremony of the District (inter-block) rural sports competitions (under-16 boys/girls) and district panchayat tournament (men), could not mark their presence at the event.Even a number of teams from some blocks did not participate on the opening day. The reason given was the ongoing examinations.

In reply to the query, Harpal Singh Kanwar said that the event was scheduled earlier but due to the national boxing championship, it was delayed and now players are busy in their academic pursuits also.

Results of other matches:

Kho Kho (boys): Nathana bt Bhagta, Talwandi bt Maur, Rampura and Phul both teams absent.

Kho Kho (girls): Rampura bt Bathinda, Maur bt Bhagta, Talwandi bt Phul (walkover), Natha bt Sangat.

Kabaddi (girls): Nathana bt Talwandi, Bhagta bt Maur (walkover), Nathana bt Bhagta; Kabaddi (boys): Phul bt Talwandi Sabo

Kabaddi (men) open: Sangat bt Maur, Nathan bt Bathinda

1500 meters (boys): 1 Sukhwant of Bathinda, 2 Harpreet Singh of Talwandi Sabo, 3 Manpreet Singh of Talwandi Sabo.

800 meters (girls): 1 Manpreet Kaur of Talwandi Sabo, 2 Kulwinder Kaur of Talwandi Sabo, 3 Sukhjeet Kaur of Nathana.

Bathinda, September 20
Members of the ETT Teachers' Union staged a protest in the city today. The protesters blocked traffic near bus stand and burnt an effigy of the state government.

Teachers from five districts of the Malwa region took part in the protest, which was led by Jagseer Singh Sahota and Swarnjeet Singh of the union. Teachers raised anti-government slogans and criticised the alleged anti-teachers policy of the state government.

"The protest is being staged against the false cases registered against teachers who were participating in a peaceful protests in Chandigarh and the long pending demands of the teachers. If the government fails to fulfil its promises, we will intensify our stir," Sahota said. — TNS

Abohar, September 20
Hundreds of panicky citizens including women and children were found running for shelter as a dozen persons, carrying unsheathed swords, allegedly rocked the taxi stand inside the municipal bus terminal late at night.

As per the available information, the miscreants not only injured and cut down the right arm of a person but also chased those who were taking him to the civil hospital at about 8.30 pm.

The victim Jagraj Singh said the group led by Hardip Singh alias Geja Pehalwan of Thakur Abadi attacked him due to old enmity.

On the other hand, Geja Pehalwan, Ranjit Singh and Lakhwinder Singh who also got them admitted to the hospital, alleged that they were attacked by Jagraj Singh, a resident of Kandhwala Road when they approached him for refunding Rs 5,000 which he had borrowed from the Pehalwan.

Utter chaos prevailed as the Pehalwan and his accomplices were seen chasing Jagraj when the latter were going to the hospital through the sadar thana road. The inmates in the hospital and staff also rushed for safety. Later, the police reached and brought the situation under control. No arrests have been made and the investigation was in progress, the officials said.

Mansa, September 20
A situation that could have serious repercussions today when workers of the SAD (Amritsar) raised the ‘Nishan Sahib’ at the Sah Satnam chowk here, which was built in the name of the previous Dera Sacha Sauda chief, was controlled by the timely intervention of the district authorities. Earlier, the workers of the SAD (Amritsar) staged a dharna and demanded that the Dera construction at Mansa should be stopped.

Leader of the party Gursewak Singh Jawaharke said according to the Hukamnama (edict) of the Akal Takht, all the Deras should be sealed. He blamed that the state government was not doing anything to resolve the Dera row.

As the activists raised the Nishan Sahib, some Dera followers reached there. The situation that could have become serious was contained by DC Kumar Rahul and SSP Manminder Singh, who reached the spot and pacified both the groups.

Some activists of the SAD (Amritsar) were arrested.

Meanwhile, the dharna by Sikh organisations is still on at Koatdharmu village on the Mansa-Sirsa road.

The leader of the SAD Panch Pardhani, Daljit Singh Bittu, said they had been staging the dharna peacefully and wanted a solution through peaceful means only. But the government was not paying any attention in this regard.

Some Dera followers today submitted a memorandum to the DC and demanded that proper action should be taken against those who were trying to vitiate the atmosphere. They said people were facing harassment following the dharna and demanded that the administration should take steps to control the situation.

Mansa, September 20
The Bar Association held a strike and a dharna here today against alleged diversion of the Rs 5 lakh grant provided by the government for the construction of approaching road to the district courts.

President of the association Ajit Singh Bhangu alleged that the grant that the association received for the approaching road was diverted by MP Paramjeet Kaur Gulshan for some other work. He said the association was not informed about it and added that the strike would continue till the grant was not provided to them.

Meanwhile, Gulshan admitted that the grant was diverted for some development work as the association had not utilised it for a long time.

She further said the grant was given out of the MP quota, adding that it would be provided to the association as and when required. — OC

Mansa, September 20
A man murdered his wife with a sharp-edged weapon here on Friday morning following a dispute.

According to the police, Baldev Singh allegedly murdered his wife Rani Kaur with a sharp-edged weapon. They had a strained relationship, it is learnt.

The police believed that the husband allegedly had an extra-marital affair which led to the dispute between the couple.

A case has been registered against Baldev Singh on the basis of the statement of his son Preet Singh. The police has arrested Baldev and was investigating the case.