Tarn Taran, November 19
The district police, under the preventive strategy plan, has arrested 12 inter-state criminals from different nakas installed in the area last night. A gang of five criminals opened fire at the police party, however, all members of the police party had a narrow escape.

Fake Indian currency worth Rs 12.10 lakh, one revolver, one rifle, some cartridges, four cars, three motorcycles, intoxicant injections, a printer and some other things have been recovered from their possession.

Five of these criminals are of Dhotian village, falling under police station Sarhali.

Sukhdev Singh Brar, district police chief, while addressing mediapersons here today, said the criminals Rashpal Singh, Harpal Singh, Sarabjit Singh (residents of Dhotian), Satnam Singh of Tur and Ranjit Singh of Mohawa (Gharinda) have been arrested by a police party headed by inspector Rashpal Singh of CIA staff.

The gang members opened fire at the police party but the party members escaped.

The police party recovered fake Indian currency worth Rs. 12.10 lakh besides an Indica car, a .32 bore pistol, one DBBL gun and some live cartridges. The criminals had already been facing criminal cases previously.

The SSP added that a police party, installing naka near the town, arrested a Congress leader Jagwant Singh AB of the town and recovered two Indica cars. One car bore the number PB-02 AK, 3941 and the second had been stolen from Delhi by the accused.

The police party also arrested his associate Harjinder Singh, alias Maghi, of Jogal Dhai Wala.

A third party of the district police of Verowal police station arrested Satnam Singh Pindian, Malkiat Singh of Jathaul (Ghatinda) and Satnam Singh of Munda Pind, from whose possession an Accent car (No. DL-03-C -7658), 10 gm heroin, 67 intoxicant injections and 300 gm drug powder have been recovered. The criminals have criminal family backward, said district police chief.

The city police party arrested Navjot Singh and Lovepreet Singh (both of Dhotian) with a stolen motorcycle and 50 gm drug powder.

The SSP said further interrogation of the accused has been initiated and more exposures are expected. The district head has issued instructions to all the SHOs to carry on their move against anti-social elements.

Hoshiarpur, November 19
Irresponsible statements regarding his apprehension of further enhancement in the prices of essential commodities by Union Agriculture and Food Supply Minister Sharad Pawar, and lack of inclination to reduce prices among the Union and state governments are the main reason for their failure in controlling skyrocketing prices, which have hit the common man hard.

Alleging this while talking to mediapersons here today, former MP and President of the Bahujan Samaj Morcha, Satnam Singh Kainth said members of the middle and poor classes of the society had limited sources of income and it was very difficult for them to run their kitchens.

Pulses, vegetables, fruits and rice had become beyond their reach and they had been taking their meals with salt or pickles etc. Even a cup of tea was being sold at the rate of Rs 5 to 6.

Kainth urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to immediately sack Pawar from his cabinet and take stern action against the black marketers and hoarders.

He further urged the Punjab government to take necessary steps to check price hike and make arrangements for the supply of wheat flour at Rs 13.90 per kg, pulses and edible oils on subsidised rates. In case no action was taken by the Union or state governments, the Bahujan Samaj Morcha would launch a statewide agitation, he warned.

Amritsar, November 19
The district unit of the Anti-Terrorist Front (ATF), Punjab, paid tributes to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on her birth anniversary here today.

Senior vice-president, ATF, Punjab, Mohinder Singh Sidhu was the chief guest and the programme was held under the leadership of its district unit head T.R Bhogal.

Sidhu said the late Prime Minister had taken part in the freedom struggle movement along with her father. He said in her leadership the country had defeated Pakistan. Besides, she always devised ways to ameliorate suffering of the downtrodden.

Members of the District Congress Committee (Urban) paid tributes to Indira Gandhi on her 92nd birth anniversary here today. Chairman of the SC/ST Cell of the DCC Satpal Singh Sahota paid tributes to the former Congress leader.

Hoshiarpur: The 92nd birth anniversary of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was celebrated by the District Mahila Congress on the occasion of the National Integration Day here today.

A function led by the District President of the Mahila Congress, Taranjit Kaur Sethi, was organised here in which women workers from all over the district participated. All the workers garlanded the portrait of Indira Gandhi.

A function was also organised by the City Congress Committee here under the chairmanship of City President Pt. Onkar Nath. All the speakers highlighted the events of the life of Indira Gandhi.

Nawanshahr, November 19
The students of the local Tara Singh Kahma Red Cross School for Special Children have brought laurels to the district by excelling in basketball and athletics in the 12th Punjab State Special Olympics held recently in Jalandhar.

Giving details, Jiya Lal Sharma, secretary, District Red Cross Society, said the basketball team comprising Suraj Arora, Surinder Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Davinder Singh, Harvinder Singh and Sukhjinder Singh won the championship. Besides, as many as four students - Bharti Arora, Nishant Khurana, Iqbal Singh, Harpreet Singh won three silver and two bronze medals in different athletic events.

Harvinder Singh (basketball), Davinder Singh (volleyball) and the athletes would take part in the selection trials for representing the national team.