R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda
2 cops booked:Two constables of the Central Jail, Bathinda, Manjeet Singh and Malkeet Singh, who were suspended on the charges of supplying mobile phones to jail inmates about a fortnight ago, have been booked under Section 188 of the IPC by the Civil Lines police. Ashwani Kumar, Jarnail Singh, Manjit Singh, Natha Singh, Bhupinder Singh and Manjeet Singh, the inmates from whom mobiles were recovered have been booked too. A probe ordered by the jail superintendent proved the charges levelled on the suspended cops.

HARYANA

Chandigarh
Concession to employees: Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today announced that the government had decided to count the past service of employees of the boards, corporations and municipal committees. This priovision would be extended to employees declared surplus and subsequently appointed on a transfer basis in the state government and whose pay had been protected, including grant of additional increment to Group C and D employees on completion of 8 and 18 years service and grant of higher standard pay scale to Group C and D employees on completion of 10 years or more.

Kaithal
Two killed: Two women were killed in an accident in the district on Thursday. Rani (40) and Bala Rani (38) were killed when the three-wheeler they were travelling in collided with a private bus while they were on their way from Deoban village to Kharakpandvan village.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Arms seized in Rajouri: The security forces seized arms and ammunition from the Bethan area of Rajouri district on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off, a joint column of the Infantry Battalion of the Territorial Army and the police seized one pistol with magazine, 10 rounds of pistol, 79 rounds of AK rifle, 24 rounds of PIKA gun, 14 UBGL grenades, seven Chinese hand grenades, one Icom radio set with antenna, one binocular and some other items.

Srinagar
Ration seized from godown: On specific information, the Srinagar police today raided a godown at Mominabad in Batamaloo and seized 1,000 quintals of rice, 300 bags of sugar and 500 bags of flour meant for distribution as ration through Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department outlets. These items were supplied by the FCI Department and were being fraudulently sold in the market. The police also seized stitching machines, weighing machines and 1,000 empty bags. A case under Sections 409, 460, 120-B has been registered at Sadder police station.

Labourer dies in stone quarry: A labourer, Nasir Ahmad Naik, a resident of Thathri in Banihal, was killed when a stone slide fell on him in a stone quarry at Athwajan in Srinagar on Thursday. The police has initiated proceedings under Section 174 of CrPC in this regard.

Decision on Gurez Vally : Omar: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while presiding over the meeting of the District Development Boards Ganderbal and Bandipore districts, at the Sher-i-Kashmir Conference Centre here on Thursday cautioned the district officers concerned to remain vigilant with regard to the quality of works. He said the decision regarding the beautification of the Gurez valley in Bandipore district would be taken soon either to expand the jurisdiction of the existing Tourism Development Authority, Manasbal, to cover the valley or establish a separate Tourist Development Authority for Gurez.