Amritsar, December 30
The Amritsar Rural Police has booked the SHO of Lopoke Police Station along with chowki in charge of Jasraur police post and others for murder of Sukha Singh of Sarangdev Chhanna village.

The family of deceased, who held a demonstration against the police by keeping the body in middle of the road in Ajnala, alleged that Sukha died due to police torture. The villagers and family members raised slogans demanding strict action against police officers allegedly responsible for his death.

The dharna was lifted only when local MLA Amarpal Singh Bonny reached the spot and assured to take action against the policemen.

Those booked are Rashpal Singh, SHO, Sikandar Singh, in charge police post Jasraur, Constable Harjinder Singh, Nirmal Singh and Bittu, both resident of Bhindi Saida.

A judicial inquiry, headed by Bagicha Singh, JMIC Amritsar, has also been initiated.

According to details, Amarjit Singh, a resident of Bhindia Saida village, and brother-in-law of Sukha, had a quarrel with his in-laws. After the quarrel, Amarjit returned his native village in anguish and died in a road accident when his motorcycle slipped, informed Ajnala DSP Tilak Raj. However, his family suspected hand of Sukha in his killing, he added. On the statement of Nirmal Singh and Bittu, both brothers of Amarjit, the Lopoke police registered a case against Sukha, who was arrested on December 26 and later sent on police remand till December 29.

But during police custody his conditions deteriorated. Seeing his bad health conditions, the Lopoke police again presented him in the court on very next day, which granted him bail. He was immediately admitted to a private hospital which then referred him to the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here. However, he died on his way.

Suspecting police atrocities and torture, the family members supported villagers today took to roads and blocked the main Ajnala road.

Confirming the registration of a murder case, the DSP Ajnala said the accused official have been suspended with immediate effect. He said though there were no marks of torture on his body, anything concrete could be said only after seeing the post-mortem report.

Phillaur, December 30
Prominent BJP leader of the town Dr Pran Nath Sharma (71) was killed when a car hit his scooter near the main road here last night. He was first admitted in a local hospital and then rushed to Ludhiana hospital but he succumbed to his injuries on the way. The police has registered a case. The driver sped away in his car.

Amritsar: Three persons, including a woman, was killed, while a four-year-old girl was injured in two separate road accidents here.

Baldev Singh (35) and his wife Kulwinder Kaur (32) of Dharmuchak village were killed while their daughter Prabhjit Kaur (4) was injured when the scooter (PB-O2-H-3235) they were riding was hit by a car (PB-18-P-0064) driven by Satnam Singh of Gandeke. While the husband and wife died on the spot, the seriously injured girl was admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here.

The Mehta police has registered a case under sections 304-A, 337, 427 and 279, IPC, against Satnam on the statement of Jagir Singh, an eyewitness to the accident, who was coming on his motorcycle. Jagir alleged that the car was coming from wrong side which resulted in the mishap. No arrest has been made so far.

In another road mishap a migrant labourer, identified as Markanda, originally hailing from Dusaipur, Gorakhpur (UP), was killed when a vehicle hit him near Manawala. He was crossing the road when the incident took place. A case has been registered.

Batala: Arshdeep Kaur (32), wife of Sandy Gill, office in charge of a vernacular newspaper group here, died on the spot when their car met with an accident near the Batala Cooperative Sugar Mills, 5 km from here, today. The couple had gone to Pathankot last night and when they were returning to Batala this morning, their white Accent car (PB-18E-0099) went out of control and dashed against a tree resulting in the death of Arshdeep on the spot. Many prominent persons attended the funeral.

Hoshiarpur, December 30
The district police launched a drive against narcotics smugglers during 2009 as a result of which 180 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and 210 smugglers arrested during the year.

Claiming this here today, SSP Parmod Ban said that 9.6 kg of opium, 25.35 quintals of poppy husk, 1 kg of heroin, 701 gm of charas, 654.20 gm of smack, 30.130 kg of ganja, 23,684 intoxicated capsules, 16,892 intoxicated pills, 313 intoxicated injections and 450 intoxicated medicines were seized. A de-addiction campaign was launched under which 21 de-addiction camps were held.

As many as 120 proclaimed offenders were arrested, properties of 12 were attached and proceedings for attachment of property of 23 proclaimed offenders were initiated in 2009.

Out of 39 murder cases, including 12 blind murders, were traced whereas all the 31 kindnapping/abduction cases had been solved. Three cases of dacoity were registered and solved. Out of 69 cases of snatching, 48 were traced and Rs 18,81,660 of the snatched money was recovered. Besides, 69 theft cases were also traced and stolen property worth Rs 25,95,406 was recovered. Fourteen cases against the stolen goods sellers and purchasers were registered and stolen goods worth Rs 22,61,500 recovered from them.

Twenth-six members of five gangs of looters were arrested and three cars, one tractor, nine motorcycles, one pistol, one mobile phone, one pair of gold earrings, 50 kg of poppy husk and Rs 15,000 were recovered. Seven members of a dacoit gang were arrested and six swords and one khanda were seized. Seven members of a burglars’ gang were arrested and 31 stolen computers recovered from them. As many as 219 gamblers were arrested in 198 cases and Rs 2,70,922 seized from them. To settle matrimonial disputes, a special cell at mahila police station was constituted. Out of 703 matrimonial dispute applications, compromise in 571 was reached amicably. Cases against seven under the Dowry Act were registered.

Jalandhar, December 30
Violence that sparked off in the city following the killing of a baba of Dera Sachkhand in Vienna marred 2009, besides catching the police and the district administration napping. The police failed to control the situation and the Army had to be called in to bring the situation under control. The government suffered huge losses as miscreants set vehicles, trains and other properties on fire, besides ransacking various business establishments. The police, however, proved a mute spectator as the cops were not trained to tackle such a situation. The government had to clamp curfew on the city.

Snatchers and burglars had a gala time this year. As per police records 268 cases of theft and snatching and 298 cases of burglary were registered in the district. The police, however, claimed to have traced 146 cases of snatching and 98 of burglary. There were 55 cases of murder in 2009 as compared to 67 in 2008, while 32 cases of rape were registered this year against 47 cases last year. The district police registered 90 cases of kidnapping/abduction this year against 104 in the previous year.

As compared to 98 cases of attempt to murder in 2008, 130 cases were registered this year. The police registered 32 cases of robbery, 294 cases of fraud and 38 cases of assault on public servant against 13, 367 and 34, respectively, last year. There was no change in the number (366) of cases registered under the NDPS Act, while 33 cases under the Arms Act were reported in 2009 against 46 cases in 2008. The number of cases (243) registered under the Excise Act was also half than the cases registered last year. The police seized recovered 4.400 kg of opium, 231.500 kg of poppy husk, 250 gm of charas and 180 gm of snack. The police seized three pistols, two revolvers, two magazines and 38 cartridges, besides other ammunition.

Jalandhar, December 30
With New Year round the corner, city hot spots are gearing up for the much-awaited eve with special offers on the cards. The letter D is riding high with dine, drink and dance being the three words deemed fit for a perfect fun-filled evening.

The city hotels are luring the party animals with lavish buffet dinner, beverages and snacks. Some have also organised live band performances to welcome the New Year. “People generally prefer to ring in the New Year with some good memories and experiences. They are not averse to the idea of spending good amount of money for the purpose,” said an official of Country Inns and Suits. “We are holding a DJ party, shadow dancing, fire-jugglers and mega gifts etc. Charges per couple are Rs 4,500 which includes unlimited snacks, drinks and dinner. For dinner, we have arranged for specialties from all over the country,” said Veeta, owner of Country Inns and Suits.

Hotel Maya organised Elation NYE2K10, a DJ dance party for the couples, with unlimited cocktails, mocktails, snacks and international cuisines on the menu, priced at Rs 3,000 per couple.

“Hotel M-1has planned for a perfect evening for the city’s party freaks with a live DJ performance by Chandigarh-based band Sahil. Also organised are exciting couple dance and other activities for the couples to celebrate the eve in a grand style. Entry is limited to couples only, with a fee of Rs 3,500. Around 35 out of the total 75 have been sold till now,” informed O.P. Rana, General Manager, Hotel M-1.

Likewise, Hotel Residency organised Yellow Chilli Timling Night couples-only party, with per couple entry priced at Rs 1,850. The Regent Park Hotel too has planned an exciting Nirvana 2009 party with DJ, dinner, drinks, games and prizes.

The state’s first discotheque in Jalandhar has invited the enthusiasts to a snow party with unlimited snacks and complementary drinks. It is a couple’s party with passes priced at Rs 1,500 each couple.

As Walter Scott has said, ‘Each age has deemed the new-born year, the fittest time for festal cheer’, the New Year Eve is all about parties and fun and spending memorable time with family and friends. “Those away from their loved ones prefer sending bouquets and greeting cards on the eve. Our business usually witnesses a boon around this time. The sales definitely go up,” said Harinder Singh, a florist.

While the city elite have geared up for parties and a fun-filled evening, the administration is on its heels to avoid any untoward incident.