Bathinda, November 6
Despite hundreds of ‘nakas’ set up by the police on the entry points of Bathinda, suppliers continue to earn profits by selling the narcotics in the city.

The rise in the incidents of snatching, theft and burglaries are only a fallout of the drug menace.

“With the easy availability of poppy husk in the city, addicted youth resort to snatching and other crimes to procure the drug,” a police officer revealed on the condition of anonymity.

Enquiries made by TNS revealed that the major supply centres of poppy husk and other narcotics to the city are the adjoining districts and villages.

Poppy husk is mainly produced in Rajasthan from where it is routed via Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh to the city and other areas of Punjab.

The dhabas (eateries) located on the National Highway in Bathinda are also being used to smuggle the contraband.

Semi-literate and unemployed youths from the migrant colonies are the major buyers of poppy husk in the city.

“The poppy husk addicts resort to burglary and snatching to buy their daily quota. The mushrooming of slums and the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the problems being faced by these people adds to the growth of crime in the state,” the officer added.

Sources said that over the past few years, addicts in Bathinda, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga and some other pockets of Punjab had been frequenting the poppy husk shops located in Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan to buy their fix.

These shops had also developed into a major source for large-scale smuggling of poppy husk into Punjab as peddlers and addicts continued to smuggle it in small quantities.

The smugglers had also been using light vehicles to transport the narcotics from one place to the other.

When the police authorities of different districts of Punjab, where the smuggling was rampant, started campaigns to check the menace, the smugglers started hiring women for transporting the narcotic consignments from Rajasthan to various places in Punjab.

However, over the past three to four years, the police authorities managed to thwart this new modus operandi of the smugglers by arresting hundreds of women smuggling narcotics in these districts.

When contacted, Jitendra Jain, DIG, Faridkot range, said that during the past two months, the Bathinda police had arrested a dozen drug addicts and recovered poppy husk from their possession.

The police will not relent and carry on its drive against the drug peddlers in the state, Jain added.

Bathinda, November 6
The Shree Gaushala Committee, Bathinda today organised a function to mark the Gopashtmi. Devotees performed yagya and gau-pujan on the occasion.

Dignitaries, including deputy commissioner Rahul Tiwari, SSP Ashish Chaudhary and others participated in the function. The ritual of purna-ahuti was performed by Vinod Somani and his family members.

After lighting the lamp, the students recited bhajans and a dance competition on spiritual songs was also organised on the occasion. Students from different schools participated in the competition.

The students of Arya High School topped in the bhajan competition. In the dance and singing competition, the students of Moti Ram Kanya School stood first.

Gopaashtami (Gopal Ashtami) falls in the month of Kartik. Devotees observe fast and perform ritual practices.

Several rituals, including holy bath of Lord Krishna with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar and holy water, panchmitra abhishek are performed on the occasion. They apply tilak on the forehead of the cow.

They touch the feet of the cows. The cow has a great importance in Hindu religion and is worshipped as a mother.

Fasting is an important aspect of Gopa-ashtami. It is believed that observing fast and chanting of the holy mantra removes all the sins and fulfils all the desires.

Devotees break their fast in the evening after taking the prasada and panchmrit made of the cow's milk, sugar, honey, holy water, curd and the leaves of basil. Devotees offer alms to the poor.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, November 6
The district collectors-cum-district returning officers of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts today announced stringent measures to check violation of the model code of conduct for Rajasthan elections.

Sriganganagar DC Bhawani Singh Detha said the VIPs having Z-plus security cover could enjoy lodging and boarding facility in the state government rest houses subject to the condition that they won't indulge in any kind of political activities during their stay.

The members of the central and state cabinets, members of the Parliament, legislators and political leaders will not be permitted to stay in the rest houses till completion of the ensuing elections in the state.

The divisional commissioner will be having a joint meeting of election officers of Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts in the district collectorate on Friday at Sriganganagar.

No nomination papers will be accepted on November 13 due to Guru Nanak Jyanti holiday, the DC informed.

He has warned political parties against releasing any advertisement through local cable TV network without having approval of the administration. The cable operators will also face strict action if they violate the directions, he added.

Hanumangarh DC Mugdha Sinha has banned use of loudspeakers for any purpose to check political publicity through vehicles fitted with amplifiers etc.

The loud speakers can be used only from 6 am to 10 pm with valid permission from the administration.

The district collector while exercising the powers conferred under Rule 47 of the Arms Act 1962 and 1959 also directed the licensees to deposit their weapons in the nearest police station within next two days.

The orders will remain in force till December 20. The DC informed that training for using EVMs would be started tomorrow and is to be completed by November 9.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, November 6
The dissidence over the candidature of Raj Kumar Gaur as Congress nominee from Sriganganagar constituency got subdued as he returned home from New Delhi by the morning train on Thursday.

His supporters, however, avoided according any political reception to him at the railway station. Hundreds thronged his palatial house to greet him.

Members of his family led in offering sweets to Gaur who had emerged as “Mr Clean” during three years working as chairman of the Urban Improvement Trust during the Congress regime.

Speaking on the occasion, Gaur said, "The former chief minister Ashok Gehlot had reposed faith in me for the second time with a confidence that the party would succeed in wresting the Sriganganagar seat from BJP. Pitch is ready and we know how to bold the saffron party cleanly. Resentment on denial of Congress ticket to former MLA Radhey Shyam is obvious but this would be momentary. I am confident of winning support from all senior and seasoned functionaries."

Interestingly, Naresh Aggarwal who was put up as representative of the Aggarwal community and included in the final panel of prospective candidates accompanied Raj Kumar Gaur. He said all should forget the race that was for the Congress ticket and must work together.

Moga, November 6
Dr N. Ganesh, head of the department of research at Jawahar Lal Nehru Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Bhopal, said drugs made from herbal base were most effective in the treatment of cancer and other diseases with minimum side affects.

He was delivering a lecture on 'Animal Models and Herbal Drugs Evaluation' to the post-graduation students, research scholars, faculty members and students of Indo-Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy here, today.

He deliberated on various laboratory practices which were ought to be followed for reproducible types of results, which specifically includes the implantation of tumours in animal models and their regression on chemotherapy. It later becomes the activity marker of anti-cancer drugs.

He emphasised the role of lab practices and lab conditions on ultimate evaluation of drugs. He deliberated and discussed various lab methods which were being used in cancer research.

He was of the view that an herbal drug with the help of nano-technology in a minute quantity as a nano particle destroys the molecular and bio-chemical pathways of tumour cells of cancer patients.

Earlier, he was welcomed by Praveen Garg Chairman of the managing committee of the college.

Bathinda, November 6
The bhangra team of the SSD School, Faridkot, picked up the top prize in folk dance (seniors category) on the final day of the region-level competitions being held at Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School here.

The competitions were organised by the Punjab School Education Board, in which the students from different schools of Mansa, Bathinda, Faridkot, Sangrur and Muktsar districts took part.

Today’s results: Folk dance: (1) SSD School, Faridkot (2) Major Ajaib Singh Senior Secondary School, Jiwanwala, district Faridkot (3) Government Senior Secondary School, Ubha Burj, Dhilwan.

Declamation: (1) Jindpreet Kaur Mann of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Muktsar (2) Kirandeep Kaur of Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School, Bathinda (3) Charanjit Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Riaund Kalan, district Mansa.

Handwriting competition: (1) Kirandeep Kaur of Major Ajaib Singh Senior Secondary School, Jiwanwala, district Faridkot (2) Gagandeep Singh of Bhai Feru Khalsa Senior Secondary School, Faridkot (3) Lakhvir Kaur of SD Public Senior Secondary School, Faridkot.

Poem recitation: (1) Sukhdeep Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Amargarh, district Sangrur (2) Simarjeet Kaur of Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Goniana Mandi, Bathinda (3) Paramjit Kaur of Government Senior Secondary School, Bhagta Bhaika, district Bathinda.

Painting: (1) Harjot Kaur Sangha of Modern Secular School, Dhuri (2) Lovpreet Singh of Dr. Hari Singh School, Kotkapura (3) Gamdooor Singh of Sada Ram Bansal Senior Secondary School, Kotkapura.

Students of Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School won the first position in Shabad singing contest.

Pradeep Kaura, prinicipal, Baba Farid Public Senior Secondary School, and Paramjeet Kaur Dhaliwal, director (administration), Baba Farid Institute, gave away the prizes to the winners.

Bathinda, November 6
The Bathinda district unit of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) will launch a special campaign against rabies and worming by organising four camps for the vaccination of 12,000 stray and pet dogs.

This was decided at a meeting of the society held under the presidentship of Raman Aggarwal here today.

The camps will be organised at Bhucho, Rampura, Talwandi Sabo and Goniana with the help of the local units of the SPCA and other non-government organisations (NGOs). Medicines for the purpose will be made available by the district unit.

In another important decision, the district unit of the SPCA also chalked out a plan to start birth control campaign for stray dogs.

The plan will be implemented in a phased manner with the active cooperation of gram panchayats and municipal councils of the areas concerned.

Aggarwal said the Animal Welfare Board of India had provided a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the district unit for such projects.

The board would release more funds in the near future to the society to complete these projects, he added.

He further stated that the society would also set up an exhibition-cum-study centre against cruelty to animals in Bathinda.

Bathinda, November 6
The National Fertilizers Limited (NFL) here observed Vigilance Awareness Week that commenced on November 3.

K.S. Gill, chief general manager, administered pledge to employees that they would not indulge in corruption and avoid misusing office while discharging the public duty.

To spread awareness against corruption, banners carrying slogans were displayed in the factory as well as in NFL township.

Mukhtiar Singh, manager (Vigilance), delivered a lecture on the government of India’s resolution on ‘Public Interest Disclosure and Protection of Informer’.

Bathinda, November 6
St. Joseph Convent Secondary School, Bathinda, annexed the overall trophy in the under-17 (girls) and under-14 (girls and boys) Punjab State Zonal-level Sports meet held at the local Sports Stadium today.

Aina Singh won the under-17 (girls) 100-m race while Nandita Rana stood third. Aina picked up the first prize under-17 (girls) long jump category also.

In under-14 (girls) 100-m race Aman stood second and Davileen third. Harman won the under-14 (girls) 600-m race and Jannat stood third. Navkaran Singh secured the third prize of the under-14 (boys) long jump event.

Avneet Kaur won the top slot of under-17 (girls) 400-m race while under-14 (boys) 100-m race was won by Manmeet Singh.

Mansa, November 6
A woman, who was allegedly set on fire by her in-laws at Ubha village under Joga police station on November 3, died in the civil hospital, Mansa, yesterday.

According to police sources, Sarabjeet Kaur, wife of Bagga Singh, had sustained 90 per cent burn after she was allegedly set on fire by her husband and brother-in-law, Sagar Singh.

The victim had admitted before the police that her husband and her brother-in-law were torturing her for dowry.

Police had registered a case against Bagga Singh and Sagar Singh under section 307, 498A and 341 of the IPC.

SHO Deepak Singh said that the victim's body had been handed over to her parents at village Kotla after the post mortem.

Ferozepur, November 6
The Ferozepur police has reportedly arrested a person and recovered sophisticated firearms along with ammunition from his possession.

Though the police department is tightlipped about the incident and none of the senior officials was ready to say anything on record, sources said the arrested person has been identified as Jasmit Singh, a resident of Gumtala. His accomplice, who managed to flee, was Harmit Singh, the sources added.

According to information available, the police had received an intelligence input regarding smuggling of lethal arms and ammunition.

Acting on the tip-off, the police laid a barrier near Makhu and signalled a green Maruti van going towards Amritsar to stop.

Unconfirmed reports said that two AK 47 rifles and six magazines were found in the van. The police succeeded in nabbing one person on board the van. However, the other fled from the spot.

It is pertinent to mention that Makhu area had remained a hotbed of subversive activities during the dark days of insurgency in the state.

Hanumangarh/Abohar, November 6
In an exemplary act, ex-serviceman Ram Avtar Singh Shakya today handed over a number of bank cheques amounting to Rs 48.19 lakh to the district collector Mugdha Sinha at Hanumangarh.

Shakya told the DC that he found a packet that contained these cheques while passing under the flyover that had been constructed near the junction roadways depot.

The DC said that the nation needs such honest citizens who keep up values even during the period of turmoil.

Shakya belongs originally to farmers' family. He had joined the Army in March 1982 as Naik in the Bengal Engineers unit at Roorkee.

After his retirement in April 1999, he got a job as security guard in a private spinning mill at Hanumangarh.

Mansa, November 6
Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, said the state government was committed to development of every region and sector of Punjab.

For this purpose Rs five crore were being provided to every constituency.

She was talking to media persons at the house of Akali worker Hani Mansahia in village Mansa Khurd today.

She said that to ensure safe drinking water, reverse osmosis (RO) systems were being setup in villages.

She said that people of Punjab were being motivated for visiting Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar through organising meetings in villages.

Surinder Kaur Badal also addressed a meeting of party worker at Joga.

Moga, November 6
The local Lala Lajpat Rai Institute of Engineering and Technology bagged the overall trophy in the zonal youth festival of the Punjab Technical University, which concluded at the Indo-Soviet Friendship College of Pharmacy, here, last night.

The colleges of Moga, Bathinda, Faridkot and Muktsar districts had participated in the two-day festival.

Satwant Singh Johal District Magistrate of Moga handed over the prizes to the winners.

The deputy registrar-cum-coordinator of the youth activities of the technical university, Jaspal Singh, was the special guest of honour on this occasion.

He stressed upon the need of extra-curricular activities among the students particularly of the professional institutes, which according to him helps in developing multi-facet personality among human beings.

Earlier, Praveen Garg, chairman of the management committee of the college, welcomed all the guests and gave a brief account of the activities of his college.