Amritsar, May 24
In another dowry death, a newly married woman ended her life by hanging herself as she could not take the mental torture of the in-laws anymore.

Harjinder Kaur (23) got married to Jaspal Singh, a resident of Jathuwal, on November 2008 and at the time of marriage her father Bishan Singh gave enough dowry.

Bishan Singh in his complaint lodged with the Kathunangal police, falling under Amritsar Rural police district, alleged that though he gave dowry, a few days after marriage, her in-laws, including mother-in-law Kartar Kaur, brother-in-law Sukhdev Singh and his wife Raji, started harassing her for bringing less dowry.

He alleged that they were demanding a motorcycle from him. Unable to cope up with the harassment, she committed suicide yesterday evening, added the father.

A case under sections 306, 498-A and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the three accused but no arrest has been made so far.

Hoshiarpur: Balwinder Kaur, wife of Amandeep Singh of Kurala village, committed suicide by consuming some poisonous substance on Saturday.

According to police sources, Jaswant Singh of Bakarpur under Hariana police station, in his complaint said his sister Balwinder Kaur was married to Amandeep Singh about 10 years ago from which she had two children. He alleged that her father-in-law Amrik Singh and mother-in-law Devinder Kaur used to torture and maltreat her for money which compelled Balwinder to commit suicide. Unable to bear the continuous harassment, Balwinder consumed some poisonous substance. She was rushed to the Civil Hospital where she died.

The police has booked Amrik Singh and his wife Devinder Kaur under sections 306 and 34 of the IPC.

Jalandhar, May 24
Intermittent rain in and around the city brought temporary respite for the residents from the scorching heat today.

Strong winds blew for about half an hour followed by intermittent rain.

The residents of the cities especially children of different localities were seen enjoying in the rain. This rain also brought smile on the faces of farmers as it is beneficial for different crops including sunflower and menthe, said Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Kulbir Singh.

The rain also provided some relief to Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) authorities as several residents chose not to use ACs in such a pleasant weather.

Amritsar, May 24
The Punjab and Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) today urged the Chief Minister to implement the revised pay scales in about 160 aided colleges in the state as notified by the Central Government and the University Grants Commission.

A delegation of the PCCTU, led by its general secretary H.S. Walia, today met Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla and apprised her of the long-pending demands of teachers working in the non-government aided colleges.

The delegation submitted a memorandum of their demands to the Health Minister to be forwarded to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.

The demands include career advancement scheme for DPEs and librarians, restoration of security of service for teachers not covered under the grant-in-aid scheme, extension of time period required for completing refresher courses, lifting of ban on recruitments, payment of arrears pertaining to 50 per cent DA merger with basic pay, etc.

Walia said a meeting of the office-bearers of the PCCTU is scheduled to be held on May 28 in Chandigarh wherein they would chalk out the strategy for fulfilling their genuine demands.

Jalandhar, May 24
A state-level seminar on the legal aspects of medical practice was organised by the local chapter of the Indian Medical Association here today. The seminar aimed at educating the medicos about the legal tactics, while practising.

Various topics on consumer forum, documentation in medical practice, important judgements and legal aspects of poisoning and abortions were discussed during the seminar. It was attended by more than 400 delegates from all over the state.

A high drama was witnessed at the venue when Naveen Saxena of Kewal Vihar Colony in Model Town distributed pamphlets among the delegates to express his resentment against the alleged high-handedness of private hospitals and gross negligence by medicos.

Saxena, father of Vishvas (17), who died in Patel Hospital, while undergoing treatment for dengue on September 14 last year, also gave a representation to Vice-Chancellor of Baba Farid University Dr S.S. Gill who was the chief guest.

He alleged that his son died due to the negligence of hospital authorities but the government passed an ordinance to protect the medicos and their property.

Earlier, FOGSI president-elect Dr Sanjay Gupte said a good record could be of great help in acquittal from a legal case to a doctor, while 
Dr Nikhil Datar talked on legal scenario in abortions.

Advocate Amit Karkhani focused on the latest judgements which a practising doctor should know. Dr Jagjiv Sharma from the CMC, Ludhiana, stressed on the legal aspect in injuries and poisoning. Dr Alex Franklin gave a lecture on professional protection scheme by the IMA.

Among others, Dr J.P. Singh, Director of Family and Health Welfare, Punjab, Dr S.S. Walia, Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, Dr B.S. Aulakh and Dr Malti Thapar, MCI members, were present.

IMA President Dr Yash Sharma said the academic programme would be of help to the members both in private health care and in-service wing.