J A L A N D H A R    E D I T I O N

Defence Minister assures a delegation
Border area youth may get 5% quota in Armed forces
Gurdaspur, June 4
Thousands of unemployed youth in the four border districts of the state - Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Ferozepur - have got a shot in the arm with the Defence Minister assuring a Congress-led delegation that he was actively considering their demand to reserve 5 per cent quota in Armed forces for the youth of border districts.

Centre to train 20,000 youths to educate people against social evils
Tarn Taran, June 4
As many as 20,000 youths would be trained to aware people against social evils and to educate regarding the social welfare schemes of the Union Government, said Manohar Singh Gill, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare while addressing the camp organised for the volunteers taking training under National Volunteer Corps (NVC) here today. 

Toll plaza murder: Three arrested
Hoshiarpur, June 4
Out of the 14 accused - allegedly involved in the murder case of Shiv Lal, alias Bawa, son of Darshan of Philahi - the Sadar police has arrested Balroop Singh, son of Sohan Singh of local Purhiran under sections 302, 148 and 149 of the IPC and sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act.

Heavy downpour gave respite from the heat wave in Jalandhar on Friday. Tribune photo: Malkiat Singh

Under-trial dies after complaining of uneasiness
Jalandhar, June 4
Lodged in the Central Jail, Jalandhar, a resident of Dakoha village today died at the local Civil Hospital after his health deteriorated suddenly.Davinder Singh, an under-trial, was lodged in the jail for attempting to murder his wife in want of dowry in April 2009.Surinder Singh Saini, Jail Superintendent, informed that Davinder complained of uneasiness at about 1 pm and was examined by the jail doctor. He was referred to the local civil hospital after his health deteriorated.

Partially burnt body found
Hoshiarpur, June 4
The partially burnt body of a youth aged about 22 years, was found on the Langeri-Dandewal katcha road today.

Defence Minister assures a delegation
Border area youth may get 5% quota in Armed forces
Ravi Dhaliwal
Tribune News Service

Gurdaspur, June 4
Thousands of unemployed youth in the four border districts of the state - Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Amritsar and Ferozepur - have got a shot in the arm with the Defence Minister assuring a Congress-led delegation that he was actively considering their demand to reserve 5 per cent quota in Armed forces for the youth of border districts.

Former Punjab Minister and Chief Spokesman of the PPCC Ashwani Sekhri led a delegation of Congressmen representing the four bo der districts to New Delhi, where the leaders met Defence Minister A.K. Antony early this month. On his part, Antony has now written to Sekhri that he is looking into the matter and would come out with a policy soon to ensure that the youth of border districts get five per cent jobs in the army.

The delegation appraised the minister about the growing unemployment of youth in the border area, which was leading to social tensions in the area, including the rise of drug use among youngsters.

“The magnitude and political significance of youth unemployment poses a latent risk of instability in the border areas of Punjab which are struggling to consolidate peace and stimulate development in the area,” said Sekhri, who is also a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).

In his representation to the Defence Minister, Sekhri said “The border districts are badly affected due to their proximity to the Pakistan border. Amritsar, which used to be the number one trading centre of central Asia before the partition, has now lost that position. Batala, once regarded as the number one industrial city in the region, has lost its sheen. No major projects have been allotted to either of the four border districts of Punjab. Then came militancy, which damaged the social fabric and economy of Punjab. The frustration level among the youth is increasing with every passing day. It is high time that proper representation be given to the youth in the armed forces.” Sekhri claimed that he would follow up the matter with the Defence Minister and would meet him again soon to follow up the matter to its logical conclusion.

The delegation included former Parliamentary Secretary Sukhjinder Randhawa, former minister Tripit Rajinder Singh Bajwa, former President of the Gurdaspur Municipal Council Raman Behal, former MLAs SS Kathunanagal and Harpartap Singh Ajnala.

Centre to train 20,000 youths to educate people against social evils
Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, June 4
As many as 20,000 youths would be trained to aware people against social evils and to educate regarding the social welfare schemes of the Union Government, said Manohar Singh Gill, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare while addressing the camp organised for the volunteers taking training under National Volunteer Corps (NVC) here today. Gill said the trained youths would not only work to aware the people but also work for educating the general people for their rights like taking job under MGNREGA, National Rural Health Mission, National Horticulture Mission, National Food Security Mission, Welfare for Schedule Casts and Backward classes etc.

The Minister also said the government would make the youths to be self dependent and make efforts to create jobs. He told that grants worth Rs. 12 Crore have been released by him from MPLAD fund for the betterment of the educational institutions. Amandeep Singh Cheema, Vice Chairman of the Nehru Yuva Kendra said the department was establishing youths clubs in all the villages to create zeal among the youths for doing social activities. 

Toll plaza murder: Three arrested
Our Correspondent

Under-trial dies after complaining of uneasiness
Tribune News Service

Partially burnt body found

Hoshiarpur, June 4
The partially burnt body of a youth aged about 22 years, was found on the Langeri-Dandewal katcha road today.

According to police sources, a mark of injury was found on the forehead of the body. The police also seized a scooter spanner, scooter keys, one screwdriver and a plastic pipe from near the dead body.

Mahilpur police has taken the body in its custody and sent it to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, for postmortem examination and identification. A case has been registered in this connection. — OC