Bathinda, December 5
In a sequence to the country-wide protests, the intelligentsia of the city assembled at the Fire Brigade chowk late in the evening today and carried out a protest march through the main markets to exhibit their resentment against politicians and express solidarity with the Mumbai terror attack victims.

The protesters demanded special honours for the security person who sustained bullet injuries to catch a terrorist alive.

The assemblage running over 500 carrying placards and shouting slogans like ‘Pakistan Murdabad’, ‘Declare Pakistan a terrorist state’ and ‘Down with lazy politicians’ returned to the chowk and lit candles to pay homage to the martyrs.

The march led by the local Indian Medical Association (IMA) was attended by the office-bearers of NGOs, religious, social and voluntary organisations active in the city besides engineers, lawyers, professors and bank officials.

Local IMA president Shiv Dutt Gupta said while the politicians get Z-plus security, the commoners were left on their own.

“If politicians cannot contain terrorism, they must resign. It is really annoying that we come to know about the foreign miscreants only after they inflict an irreparable damage on us,” he said.

Dr H.S. Narang, state organising secretary, IMA, Punjab, said the top priority of a leadership was to take care of the security needs of the public but in India, it was not so.

“The security personnel make their presence felt only when the country is facing some internal or external aggression. It is time that their needs were paid due attention,” Narang added.

Rajinder Bawa, member of a religious organisation, said, “It is the seventh attack in the current year and our politicians are yet to awake from their slumber.”

Bansi Lal, president of an NGO, said it was a pity that the security forces were ill-equipped while the terrorists carried sophisticated automatic weapons.

Criticising politicians, Dr Ikhtiar Singh Gill said “Corruption brings resentment among public, especially youth. So politicians, just wake up!”

Chiranji Lal Garg, former minister, said the attack reflected the failure of the government besides the Indian intelligence agencies. There was a need to strengthen the security system in the country, he added.

Bathinda, December 5
Besides others, the dogs race and competitions for donkeys, ducks, turkeys and cocks remained the main attractions on the second day of the animal fair, Punjab Raj Khetri Pashudhan Show-2008, held at Goniana road in Bathinda. In the dogs race, as many as 50 greyhounds participated.

Being a day when competition for only small animals was held, the entire ground presented a colourful picture as the animals decorated in various ways could be seen moving around.

A cultural programme was also arranged to entertain the visitors. Jagtar Singh’s party from village Bhokhra performed Malwai Gidha.

Children of Government Senior Secondary School, Jhumba, presented a play, “Sharapi Hoyi Soch” and Veer Sukhwant, a singer, entertained crowd with songs.

It was observed that the owners of animals displayed great attachment for their pets. Some of them even disclosed that the pets were their source of livelihood.

After winning the first prize in the competition for ducks, Subhash Kumar of village Jhanda Kurd village, said, “I have come to participate for the first time in the competition. I have a couple of ducks which provide me enough money.”

One duck gives birth to 20-25 ducklings in a year and each of them can be sold at around Rs 500-600.

During the fair, owners of cocks, which grabbed titles in the breed competition,
said that despite the ban imposed over cock-fighting, they participate in such
fight competitions.

Raghbir Singh of Mehmuana (Faridkot), whose cock won the fourth prize in the breed competition, said he had seven cocks and all of them were fighters.

“In our district, there are two groups which rears cocks for fighting. So, within the group, cocks have been given free of cost,” he said.

In the competition for donkeys, there were only two participants. Giving details about the traits keeping in mind while adjudging a winner, veterinary officer H.S. Kahlon said that in the case of donkeys, they had to consider the body configuration, legs, health and load bearing capacity of the animals.

Jagdeep Singh Nakai, chief parliamentary secretary and Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, Talwandi Sabo constituency in-charge of SAD (B), were special guests on the day. They addressed gathering and urged all to adopt animal husbandry as occupation.

Bathinda, December 5
Lyricist Bhinder Dabwali released a music album titled ‘Yaarian’, sung by Punjabi folk singer Veer Davinder and Miss Pooja, at the Public Library here today.

The album comprises 10 songs. While nine of them, including the title track ‘Yaarian’, are written by Dabwali, one song is penned by Harjeet Hongkong.

Music has been composed by Lal Kamal. Dabwali said all the songs in the album were decent and can be heard by one and all.

Muktsar, December 5
A two-member team of the 13th Finance Commission of India including its chairman Vijay Kelkar and member Atul Sharma, along with Punjab finance minister Manpreet Badal and officials of various departments today visited Muktsar, the home district of the chief minister, to take first-hand information about the two major problems: waterlogging and salinity of drinking water.

The team, reportedly on the request of the state government, toured the district to get an account of the magnitude of the problems which have been affecting adversely the normal life of the people.

The state government had demanded substantial financial help to get rid of the two festering problems.

Talking to the media, Chairman Vijay Kelkar said that after analysing the proposal and getting a first-hand account, they would submit their recommendations to the Union government for a final decision.

The team, after landing in the CM’s chopper, reached the Rajasthan and Sirhind feeders on the Malout-Dabwali national highway in a large cavalcade.

There, it had an interaction with the farmers whose land is among the worst affected due to seepage from the canals.

Inspecting the inundated fields, adjoining the feeders, the team expressed concern over their plight.

Before leaving the spot, the team appeared to be surprised seeing the number of motor pumps running to drain out the water accumulated in the fields.

The team then moved to village Channu in Lambi assembly constituency, where out of the total 5000 acres of land, 2000 acres have been affected by waterlogging.

Interacting with the farmers gathered there, the team assured its due support.

Manpreet Badal, speaking at the venue, apprised the farmers that the state government had submitted a proposal to the Finance Commission, in which it has been recommended that the feeders should be covered with polythene at the base, so that the seepage could be stopped.

For this, money in crores was required and the Finance Commission, after going through the details, would recommend the Union government to take action.

The team then surveyed the drinking water problem in the district. It halted at village Kotbhai, where the officials inspected a reverse osmosis (RO) plant set up to treat the groundwater.

The team quizzed the local officials about the salinity level of the groundwater.

Officials of the district administration submitted detailed reports of a recent survey conducted by an IAS officer, Mohammad Tayyab.

However, due to some communication gap, villagers, who had gathered there to express their grievances, could not get the chance to speak.

Manpreet Badal presented traditional phulkari to the visiting members of the
Finance Commission and the bureaucrats of the public health, water supply and
irrigation departments.

The team was accompanied by Commissioner, Ferozepur division, B.K. Sudan, DIG R.P. Mittal, DC Muktsar Rajat Aggarwal and SSP Gurpreet Singh Gill.

Muktsar, December 5
The 13th Finance Commission appeared to be a bit reticent towards the demands of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for more fiscal benefits and special economic package for towns and villages in the border areas.

During a visit to Muktsar, the home district of the CM, an official who was part of the team told TNS, “Every state demands the maximum benefits. But the Centre finds a number of reasons to restrict the grants. So, we have to analyse both the aspects and only after due process are the recommendations considered.”

When asked about Punjab’s demand to retain 50 per cent of the gross Central receipts from taxes and other resources with itself, Vijay Kelkar, chairman of the commission, said, “We have received the demand but we have to keep all 28 states in mind before taking any step.”

About the decrease in petrol and diesel prices, Kelkar opted to remain tightlipped saying, “The government of India can better answer it.”

Replying to a query regarding the state government’s recently launched project for canal revamping, team officials said, “In the proposal submitted, the state government has mentioned it and we will definitely consider all aspects of that project before recommending any monetary support to solve the seepage problem in the Rajasthan canal and Sirhind canal feeders.”

Fazilka, December 5
An unidentified Pak intruder was shot dead in cross-firing at the border check-post Roopnagar in Fazilka sector late on Thursday evening.

The firing took place between Pak Rangers and jawans of 199 Bn BSF. According to FIR lodged with Khui Khera police of Fazilka sub-division, an unidentified person from Pakistan side entered into Indian territory after crossing the barbed wire fencing.

As soon as the intruder entered Indian territory, Pak Rangers began firing which was returned by BSF jawans.

The firing continued for about 10 minutes in which the intruder, aged about 25 years, was shot dead.

It is stated that a cigarette box and a matchstick box was recovered from the possession of the deceased.

According to Khui Khera police station in-charge Tirlok Singh, police had registered a case under section 307 of the IPC and Passport Act.

Tension mounted in the sensitive border sector of Fazilka following cross-firing.

After the incident, a flag meeting between Wing Commander of Pakistan Rangers and Commandant, 199 Bn BSF, was held here today.

It is stated the Pak officials were "keen" to get back body of intruder.

DIG BSF V.K. Sharma told The Tribune over telephone that if Pak Rangers demand the body of the intruder, they could hand over the same to them.

Abohar, December 5
Having gunned down a Pakistani national last night, the Border Security Force apprehends a spurt in the activities of intruders and smugglers, during the ensuing winter season and all ranks of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been asked to maintain extra vigil, BSF DIG V. K. Sharma said.

Talking to newsmen on the sidelines of the 44th Raising Day celebrations at the sector headquarters here this afternoon, Sharma said that all border observation posts would be put on alert throughout the day as there had been some attempts for intrusion in broad daylight also in the neighbouring sectors.

Ex-servicemen from neighbouring areas were invited and their services were acknowledged on the eve of Raising Day today.

Families of some jawans also attended the function and discussed their problems with the officials.

The Raising Day is celebrated on December 1, but this time the function was delayed due to the demise of the former Prime Minister V.P. Singh.

Skits, folk and patriotic songs entertained jawans and officers besides a grand performance by the BSF band.

Hanumangarh/Sriganganagar/Abohar, December 5
More than 93 per cent of the electorate had used their photo identity cards in the Hanumangarh district while exercising franchise yesterday, DC Mugdha Sinha informed on Thursday.

Villagers appeared to be more enthusiastic, an analysis of polling reports indicated.

Giving details, she said 82.81 per cent polling was recorded in Sangria segment where 75,974 male and 66,580 female voters cast votes.

Village Jandwala Sikhan topped with 92.63 per cent at booth number 32, the lowest was 67.48 per cent in ward number 24 in urban area.

In Hanumangarh segment, 85,302 men and 72,439 women contributed in recording the polling at 78.52 per cent.

In Bijarniowali Dhaani, 93.38 per cent of electorates turned up to cast votes but Sureshia village recorded only 54.76 per cent.

In Peelibanga, 1,53,780 lakh voters used their rights to make the tally 77.20 per cent. Poll percentage of men was 79.43 compared to 74.66 of women.

92.27 per cent polling was recorded in village 13-LGW, lowest was 57.70 at polling booth 99 in city area.

Nohar recorded 80.34 per cent with 81.47 per cent of men and 79.04 per cent of women exercising franchise.

Here too highest polling was in village Chanderi as 91.99 per cent; lowest was 62.76 per cent in booth number 82 of urban area.

76.47 per cent polling in Bhadra constituency had contribution of 81849 men and 71651 women. Percentage was 75.98 and 77.03 respectively.

89.42 per cent was the highest figure received from village Sardarpura Bass. Again in urban area lowest it was 55.97 per cent in booth number 104.

Sinha further informed that more than 80 per cent polling was recorded in 534 of the 1023 booths all over the district.

Preparations for counting of votes on December 8 have been started, she added.

Sriganganagar DC Bhawani Singh Detha informed that 74.91 per cent of the electorate had polled votes in the district.

It was 79.09 in Sadulshehar, 70.84 in Sriganganagar, 77.19 in Srikaranpur, 75.71 in Suratgarh, 74.57 in Raisinghnagar and 70.63 per cent in Anoopgarh constituency.

Moga, December 5
A Red Cross fair was organised to mark the 13 years of the formation of Moga district on town hall premises here, today.

The senior SAD leader and former education minister Jathedar Tota Singh was the chief guest during the inaugural function.

The chief parliamentary secretary Sheetal Singh was also present.

District magistrate Satwant Singh Johal said that this one-day annual fair had
proved to be of great help in raising funds which were utilised to aid the poor
and the needy.

For today's fair, the district administration had collected more than Rs 10 lakh from the donors, it was said.

The DM said that the administration on behalf of the Red Cross Society was constructing a building of the drug de-addiction centre at village Janer near here.

The total cost of this project has been estimated at Rs 1.5 crore and at least Rs 80 lakh had already been spent on it.

Various competitions for kids like healthy baby show, cultural items, tri-cycle race, fancy dress and rangoli contests were held in this fair.

A lucky draw was also organised in which the first prize winner got a motorbike.

The district administration also honoured many officials of the state government for their outstanding contribution and dedication to their work.