Mansa, November 14
Over 350 farmers belonging to various Kissan organizations were today arrested here on the first day of rail roko agitation.

The police that was deployed in strength throughout the district did not allow the rail traffic to be disrupted.

The rail roko call was given by seven farmer organizations including the Punjab Kissan Union, Bhartiya Kissan Union (Dakoda), Bhartiya Kissan Union (Sidhupur), Kirti Kissan Union, Bhartiya Kissan Union (Krantikari), Jamhoori Kissan Sabha and Kissan Sangarsh Committee (Amritsar). Rail roko was planned at two places, Mansa and Khanna.

The police had last night also lifted several kissan leaders from various parts of the town while they were arriving here for the rail roko agitation.

The jathas that were sent to squat on the railway lines were arrested from the rail tracks and other places in the town. Two jathas of Punjab Kissan Union were arrested from the railway track when they tried to stop a train. Gurnam Singh Bhikhi, district president of Punjab Kissan Union, Karnail Singh, Gamdur Singh Kotdharmu, Bhola Singh Sammaon and Ranjit Singh, led these jathas. A jatha of BKU (Dakoda) was led by state general secretary Butta Singh Burjgill and District president Gora Singh Bhaini Bagha. Another jatha which came from Sangrur under the leadership of Jagroop Singh was also arrested. Farmer leaders have been demanding fixation of minimum paddy price of Rs. 1050 and cotton price at Rs. 5000.

Kissan leaders demanded that price of diesel and petrol should also be reduced following the fall in price of crude oil. The shortage of DAP fertilizer must be removed in view of wheat sowing season, they added. The kissan unions criticized the Punjab government for arresting the farmers. President of Punjab Kissan Union Ruldu Singh Mansa and district president of BKU Gora Singh Bhainibagha said that today's police action showed the anti-farmers attitude of the Punjab government.

Meanwhile SSP Mansa, Manwinder Singh, denied that force was used against the agitating farmers. They were only removed from the rail tracks to prevent harassment to the rail passengers. He said that over 350 farmers were arrested and sent in different police stations.

Ferozepur, November 14
Chaos prevailed in the railways division headquarters here due to rail roko agitation staged by various groups of farmers’ union. Several trains had to be cancelled while many had to be diverted.

Although, the railways officials remained busy throughout the day combating the situation by looking for alternative routes and making substitute arrangements as they even requested the roadways department to bail them out by providing buses for the stranded passengers. However, all was in vain.

According to the information, at least 12 trains originating from Ludhiana, Jammu, Jalandhar, Amritsar had to be cancelled due to protest by the farmers’ unions. Passengers with reserved seats had to bear the brunt due to cancellation of the trains at the eleventh hour. Railways officials estimate that the losses incurred on account of refunds will go into lakhs of rupees especially in Ludhiana and Jalandhar.

In all, 46 trains were diverted. However, shortage of locomotives, drivers and alternative routes made the things tougher for the rail officials. The trains which were cancelled include that at Ludhiana (4), Phagwara (1), Jalandhar (3), Dasuya (1), Mukerian (1), Amritsar (2), Jammu (2) besides several others.

The railway officials refused to provide further details saying they were not authorised at this moment. — OC

Faridkot/Bathinda, November 14
The secretary of a cooperative society was today placed under suspension following seizure of 200 bags of the highly scarce di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser at the residence of two members of the society at Tehna village in Faridkot.

The deputy commissioner of Faridkot, V.K.Meena, said that 100 bags each of DAP were seized from the houses of Pritam Singh, a member of the society, and Gurmail Singh, head master of a school. These bags should have been stored in the godown for distribution to farmers. He said the secretary of the society, Angrez Singh, has been placed under suspension.

DAP is in short supply these days resulting in lots of problems to the farmers engaged in sowing of wheat.

Meena has ordered Nirbhay Singh, assistant registrar of cooperatives, to investigate the matter and submit a report to him for further action.

He said that 8,600 bags of DAP had so far been supplied to farmers in the district where about 1.17 lakh hectares of area would be sown under wheat.

Sriganganagar/Abohar, November 14
Mahesh Budania, president of the district unit of BJP Yuva Morcha, was among the seven candidates who filed nomination papers on Friday in Sriganganagar. He submitted papers as an independent candidate from Sadulshehar Assembly segment. He is going to convene "Save Worker Conference" tomorrow at Public Park in Sriganganagar.

Notably dissident Congress legislator Radhey Shyam had also organised such conference using this venue before defecting to the BJP. Budania while blaming some leaders for cheating the grassroot workers had alleged that MNCs were controlling the affairs of the saffron party. He along with other activists toured Mirzewala, Sangat Pura, Sujawalpur, Kalian, Keri and Hindumalkot areas to mobilise attendance in the proposed conference.

Sources said that the Congress candidate Daulat Raj submitted papers in Raisinghnagar, BSP nominee Bal Ram and an independent Charanjit Singh in Suratgarh, Congress nominee Santosh Saharan and CPI (M) candidate Het Ram Beniwal in Sadulshehar while Puran Ram submitted papers as an independent in Sriganganagar constituency. No nomination has so far been received in Anoopgarh and Shri Karanpur constituencies, official sources added.

The BJP has announced candidature of Surinder Pal Singh, minister for agriculture, as its candidate for Shri Karanpur in the fresh list. Radhey Shyam who had defected to the BJP claimed that "ticket is in my pocket" even if the BJP has not announced it officially. On return from New Delhi, he was received by his traditional supporters. BJP workers abstained from the reception.

Meanwhile, DC Bhawani Singh Detha informed that there will be public holiday on December 4 to ensure smooth polling. There will be no deduction in salary of employees by any commercial institutions even for this day. 

Hanumangarh/Abohar, November 14
"Aa gaye bhai aa gaye, Abohar wale aa gaye" slogan rented the air as a cavalcade carrying hundreds of Congress workers led by Abohar legislator Sunil Jakhar stormed the grain market in Hanumangarh on Friday in the very first rally to boost the election campaign of sitting MLA Vinod Kumar, who is again locked in a poll battle with arch BJP rival Ram Partap. A procession was also taken out as he went to the collectorate to submit the nomination papers to returning officer Ajay Pal Jyani. His son Bhupinder Chaudhary filed nominations as covering candidate. Both submitted double set of the papers.

Notably Vinod Kumar has his in-laws in village Katehra near Abohar and many prominent faces from Abohar are always seen for days together as and when he contests the election from home constituency Hanumangarh.

BJP workers too had been camping at Hanumangarh to mobilise support for their candidate and Ram Partap was the party's nominee most of the times in the past.

Yesterday being a holiday, the filing of nominations was resumed today.

District Collector cum District Returning Officer Mugdha Sinha informed in the evening that 9 candidates filed 12 set of nominations on day four.

There will be no nominations on November 16 and Monday is the last day. In all 13 candidates had so far submitted their papers in the district.

Gaurav Goyal, returning officer (RO) for Peelibanga constituency said Aad Ram (Congress) and Dharminder Kumar (BJP) filed nominations today.

In Sangaria, CPI (M) candidate Om Parkash Jangu and Rajasthan Vikas Party nominee Dharampal submitted nominations before RO Kulwant Rai Sharma.

BJP candidate Abhishek Matoria filed his nominations from Nohar, RO Jiwan Dass Dagla said.

BSP candidate Malu Ram Goswami besides Jago Party nominee Ramesh Kumar submitted papers with Ajay Prashar, RO at Bhadra.

Meanwhile, Shobha Lal Mundra, chief executive officer of Hanumangarh Zila Parishad, has been appointed as nodal officer for nominating the Micro observers in the ensuing polls.

Abohar, November 14
All the four accused in a twin murder case have been remanded in police custody by a court here till Saturday, sources said. The sadar police arrested them yesterday. They were identified as Raghubir of village Bahawalbassi, his brother Dharamvir, friends Jeeta and Kala.

Some days back, Sunita of village Bahawalbassi and taxi driver Sham Lal of village Koyalkhera had gone missing. Later, Sunita’s body was found in the Rajasthan canal whereas Sham Lal’s body was recovered from the tailend of a sub-canal near village Usmankhera in this sub-division after stray dogs mauled nearly half of it.

The police had registered a case on the basis of the statement of village Khuikhera resident, Hari Krishan, who stated that his sister Sunita was married to Raghubir of village Bahawalbassi. Sunita’s in-laws recently alleged that she had objectionable relations with a taxi driver, Sham Lal of border village Koyalkhera. However, Hari Krishan when visited Bahawalbassi he was allegedly informed that Sunita had fled with Sham Lal.

After two days, Hari Krishan (the complainant) found the body of his sister in a canal in Rajasthan area.

It was alleged that Sunita and Sham Lal were kidnapped and their bodies were thrown in the canal after their murder.

The Khuyiansarwar police had separately registered a case on the basis of a complaint lodged by the family of Sham Lal alleging his abduction and subsequent killing. 

Bathinda, November 14
Not much happened on the occasion of Children’s Day here today. The day is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, first prime minister of India. Normally, on the day, schools organise cultural events, fun games, quiz competition, fancy dress competitions. However, most schools in the city carried on with the normal routine thereby ignoring the importance of the day.

The only saving grace was some private schools and institutions in the city, which celebrated the day.

Neelam Verma, principal of Silver Oaks School, said, “We organised fun games for kids. A special assembly was organised by the teachers, who also performed a skit, in which they enacted how children behaved in classrooms.”

Ravinder Kumar Nanda, principal of Indian Public School, said they paid tributes to Pandit Nehru and organised a cultural programme. A workshop was conducted to teach the students about the importance of November 14.

The Nehru Yuva Kendra celebrated its foundation day at Mata Sahib Kaur Public School. Flower Valley Public School also organised a cultural programme and informed the kids about the importance of the day. Baba Farid Public School conducted a debate and singing competitions. Children put up an impressive cultural show later.

Ironically, government schools in the suburbs of the city witnessed a seminar on career counselling for over 900 kids from eight schools thereby depriving them of the enjoyment they deserved on their day. And, government schools in the city donned an isolated appearance. There were a few kids seen at the Government Primary School on the Mall Road here.

That the day is of no relevance to the kids who don’t go to school is something that the authorities concerned ought to think about.

Rekha, 15, who works as a domestic help in Green Avenue, said, “What is Children’s Day? I have never heard of it. I work in four houses and have to return home to look after my three-year-old brother as my mother works as a labourer.”

Pawan (10), who fills up air at a petrol pump, said, “I came from Bihar in search of work and am happy with whatever I earn. I have not been to a school so I don’t know what ‘Bal Diwas’ is. I hope it is something good only.”

Children’s Day is meant to celebrate the innocence of childhood. But unfortunately, the government’s job appears to have been confined to inserting advertisements in newspapers. 

Abohar, November 14
The birthday of the first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was celebrated by many institutions here and in the neighboring areas of Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts.

At Hanumangarh the students in the Holy Dream School cut a cake amidst heavy applause whereas science exhibition was organised in the Nehru Memorial Children School. NSS students in Saraswati Senior Secondary School for Girls participated in the Mehandi competition and took out anti-drug rally carrying banners and placards to motivate the citizens against the drug menace. Rangoli competition was held by the students who decorated each corner of the Beopar Mandal Senior Secondary School for Girls.

The Maharishi Dayanand College of Education in Ahohar celebrated the children day by organizing kho kho, Badminton and Volleyball matches. Sunita, Gurpreet Kaur, Suman, Raj Bala and Pardeep were the winners in different categories.

Sachkhand Convent School also celebrated the day by organizing annual sports meet. Lovdeep Singh and Aditi were declared the best athletes in senior boys and girls category respectively.

The day was celebrated in a unique way in Jhamku Devi Senior Secondary School located near village Dhora Mehrajpur as the principal Kuriakose VK announced to celebrate it differently.

The students acted like teachers and the teachers attended the classes with students and took a note of whatever was taught.

Even the charge of principal and vice principal was also given to the students. 

Bathinda, November 14
Making the city Paris of India may be a distant dream but it would surely be branded as ‘the city of beggars’ if begging in the city went on unchecked.

An entirely new breed of aggressive beggars is emerging in the city, which has become a nuisance for the residents. Gandhi Market, Amrik Singh Road market, Dhobi Bazaar, Sirki Bazaar, Mall Road and Model Town markets are the hot spots of the thriving trade. Market goers are mercilessly followed and harassed by these professionals.

Navneet, a 17-year-old student, narrated his miserable experience as, “I had stopped my Zen car at the traffic light signal near V-Mart. Soon, beggars started pestering me. When I refused to give them anything, to my horror, they started pelting pebbles on me. I had to speed away to avoid damage.”

Beggars pester everyone who passes by them or whom they pass by, be it shopkeepers or shoppers. Their favourite targets are ‘sahebs’ and ‘memsaabs’ who come in sleek cars. “Usually, they begin with blessings, like — “bhagwan tujhe duniya bhar ki daulat de; tujhe chand si bahu mile; tu first class mein pass ho.” But if you ignore them, they let loose a tirade of abuses on you — “gareeb ki hai lage; kide parein tujhe; tumhara kuchh na bache; aag lage tumhare ghar parivaar ko,” said Rachna, a housewife.

Sometimes, the beggars turn vindictive and resort to violence. Recently, a middle-aged housewife was pounced upon by a bunch of persistent beggars who followed her as she got out of a shop on the Mall Road market. “As I was about to shut the door of my car, several hands obstructed my way by holding the door. Some tugged at my clothes. Finally, I had to give them some money,” she said.

Anurag said, “Once when I tried to shoo the beggars away, they deflated the tyre of my scooter.” He added that the civic authorities should do something about the menace as the beggars were disrupting the peace of the city.

Bathinda, November 14
To mark the World Diabetes Day, the Apollo Hospital here today organised a series of events to create awareness about the disease among the public. In a lecture on ill-effects of diabetes and the need to take preventive steps, Dr Jaspreet Singh, a cardiologist, said people with diabetes were more likely to develop heart disease.

He observed that the heart disease was the leading cause of diabetes-related deaths. Adults with diabetes had cardiovascular death rates about two to four times higher than others.

Thought-provoking lectures on diabetes were also given by Dr P. Mohan, consultant cardiologist, DMCH, Ludhiana, Dr Vishav Sarin, endocrinologist, Icy Hospital, Mohali.

A poster competition was also organised on the occasion, which witnessed enthusiastic participation by the hospital staff.

According to Jaspreet, the purpose of the initiatives was to create awareness among communities and groups that experienced difficulties in accessing optimal diabetes care. This was in keeping with the theme of the World Diabetes Day, which inspired to address diabetes in disadvantaged communities and vulnerable groups.

Meanwhile, nearly 200 patients were examined at a free cardiac and diabetic check-up camp. Clinical examination of patients and laboratory investigations revealed that a large number of patients were suffering from type 2 diabetes while some others were diagnosed with complication of thyroid.

A team of technicians and supporting staff conducted free ECG and blood sugar tests. A dietician advised the patients to take healthy diet. Medicines were also distributed free of cost among patients.

Bathinda, November 14
Amid allegations of using unfair means, the Indian Kabaddi team defeated their Pakistani counterparts by a margin of 35-27 in the fifth and final match of the Indo-Pak Kabaddi series here today. The Indian team won the series by capturing four of the five matches.

Indian players had been dominating from the very beginning of the match. During the first half, the hosts had scored 20 points against 16 scored by the opponents.

The lively commentary and announcement of cash rewards at every raid and stop boosted players and spectators alike.

Akhtar Pathan and Shafaqat Ali Billa, raiders of the Pakistan team, kept the Indians on toes throughout the match. On the Indian side, Seera Pitho, Motha Sarpanch, Sukhveer Jagrawan, Nirbhai Kala and Kuljeet maintained their handsome position. Akhtar, who had knee injury, bagged good points before falling on the ground when pain became unbearable.

After losing the series, Pakistani players said, “Despite sustaining injuries in the series, we did not change any player but the Indian team kept on shuffling their players throughout the series.”

Since, the chief guest on the occasion, SAD chief Sukhbir Badal, could not reach the venue, the Punjab Kabaddi Association president, Sikander Singh Maluka, gave away the award of the series— Rs 4 lakh to the winners and Rs 3 lakh to the losers.

Akhtar Pathan of Pakistan was adjudged as best raider while Seera Pitho of India was credited as best stopper.

Meanwhile, Surjan Singh Chatha of North Zone Kabaddi Academy announced Rs one lakh to the Punjab Kabaddi Association for organising the series.

While leaving the ground, team members of Pakistan and India, spoke to mediapersons and hailed the series as an attempt to develop better relations between the two countries.

Bathinda, November 14
Apparently sensing some flaws in the proceedings, the Improvement Trust authorities postponed the auction for the allotment of plots for the use of goods book agencies in the Transport Nagar Scheme, scheduled for today.

As per information available, officials of a transport company, Delhi Punjab Goods Carrier (DPGC), filed a writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the Trust officials for deleting his two applications from the list of selected applicants.A double bench of the High Court passed an order for the inclusion of the petitioner in the list of applicants and also to allow him to participate in the auction in respect of his two applications. He submitted the court order to the Trust on Friday, prior to the auction. After this, the auction was postponed.

Submitting the complaint in black and white to the media, officials of the DPGC had accused the Trust authorities of indulging in corrupt practices in plot auction. They had mentioned that the Trust had received 39 applications, out of which only 11 were selected, including two of the three DPGC applications and the notice was displayed on August 26 this year. Further, the Trust authorities, in the next list on November 4, mentioned the names of 13 applicants but deleted the two DPGC applications. They said that in the list names that were not in the primary list of 39 applicants, were also added.

Administrator, Improvement Trust, K.K. Yadav said, "Though we have not received the copy of the court order, still, on the basis of the submission by the applicant, the auction was postponed.. In the order submitted, it is nowhere mentioned that the auction be stayed. But there is a sentence stating the notice of motion for November 17. As the matter is lying before the court, we do not want to take any risk. So, the auction has been postponed for now."

Bathinda, November 14
Following the last warning issued by the DC, 10 out of the 19 “defaulter” NGOs of the city submitted the utilisation certificate today. For the remaining NGOs, the DC has recommended registering a criminal case against them.

As per the information received, Bharti Vidya Bhawan, New Friends Ekta Dramatic Club, Shaheed Sandeep Singh Sabhyacharak Club, Helpline Welfare Club, Guru Nanak Langar Committee, Bathinda, Jai Maa Chintpurani Langar Committee, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sabha, Young Blood Club, Bathinda and Vidya Saraswati Public School had been declared defaulters in the fresh list as they did not submit any record.

S.R. Kusla, assistant project officer, said, “The remaining defaulters owe Rs 1.60 lakh. The DC has forwarded the case to the SSP, who will register a case under the relevant sections of the IPC.” — TNS