R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Punjab bandh today: The SAD-BJP government in Punjab has given a call for Punjab bandh on Monday to protest the recent hike in fuel prices. All shops, markets and commercial establishments across Punjab are expected to remain closed till 1 pm on July 4 to protest against the failure of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre in tackling spiralling prices, senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said here on Sunday.

HARYANA

CHANDIGARH
Software to check foeticide: The state Health Department has developed a software known as “Mother and Child Tracking” to curb the menace of female foeticide and ensure health check-up of mothers and children. A spokesman said here on Sunday that the software had already been uploaded in the computers installed at all community health centres.

LPG cylinders: As many as 87 unauthorised LPG cylinders have been confiscated under a special campaign launched by the state government in Yamunanagar district from last month to check the sale of LPG on the black market. An official spokesman said here on Sunday the cylinders confiscated in June included 20 cylinders of the IOC, 22 of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation, 17 of Hindustan Petroleum, 18 small-sized cylinders and three commercial cylinders.

Loan process simplified: Satpal Sangwan, state Minister for Cooperation and Housing, said the process of taking loan from Cooperative Societies and Banks would be simplified and made hassle free in a larger interest of farmers in the state. He said the matter was being discussed with senior officials and a decision to this effect would be taken soon.

CPS to assist Sangwan: Chief Parliamentary Secretary Jaleb Khan will assist Housing Minister Satpal Sangwan. Earlier, Khan was attached with the Chief Minister for the Housing Department. An order to this effect has been issued by Political and Parliamentary Affairs branch.

DEHRADUN

Dehradun
Plea to repair Doon roads: The president of the Uttarakhand Chapter of the All-India Consumers Council, Brig KG Behl (retd), has expressed distress over the frequent digging of roads in Dehradun, either for laying new water pipe lines, sewer lines or other purposes. In a press note issued here today, Brigadier Behl said such potholes were not only obstructing the flow of traffic but were causing accidents and damaging vehicles. He said the senior citizens were the worst sufferers. “Senior citizens are finding it difficult to even cross the roads and go out for minor purchases in streets. The splashing of dirty water whenever a vehicle hits a pothole is another problem, which is very serious for elderly people,” he pointed out.

Woman falls into Tons river: A woman in her thirties fell into the Tons river in Birupur. She was saved by locals and was admitted to the Government Doon Hospital. According to the Cantt police, the woman has been identified as Madhu, a resident of Selaqui. She had come to her parental house at Birpur. Her husband Om Bahadur has also been informed of the matter. Her condition is said to be normal and she is likely to be discharged from the hospital soon.

Woman loses leg in mishap: A woman lost one of her legs when she was run over by a train near the bypass here on Saturday. She has been admitted to the Government Doon Hospital. The police said her condition was stable now.

Kumaon Briefs
Boy run over by father’s car: In a tragic incident, a six-year-old boy was accidentally run over by a car being driven by his father in Tanakpur. According to information, Laiq Ahmed of Sitapur, along with his family, had come to visit his relatives in Workers’ Colony in Tanakpur. On Saturday afternoon, Laiq was driving his car when his son Afsan ran after the vehicle. Before he could understand anything, the boy got trapped under the vehicle. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Six stolen motorcycles recovered: On the basis of information given by auto-lifters who were arrested by the Bareilley Police recently, six motorcycles stolen by them from Rudrapur and Haldwani have been recovered from Bareilley (UP). The Bareilley police has informed their counterparts in Uttarakhand about the recovery. According to information, while five of the motorcycles recovered had been stolen from Rudrapur, one had been lifted from Haldwani.

Construction of wall demanded: Residents of Koshikhola village in the Betalghat block of Nainital have expressed their resentment over the failure of the administration to construct a retaining wall above their village. The agitated villagers said despite having reminded the administration of the need to construct a retaining wall for the safety of villagers during the monsoon, there has been no effort to resolve the issue. With the monsoon having reached again, there is a constant threat to their safety. The villagers said their village had witnessed a heavy landslide during a rain-related disaster in September last year. They have urged the administration to address their concern at the earliest.

Farmer attacked by crocodile: A farmer had a miraculous escape after he was attacked by a crocodile on the banks of the Khakhra river in the Sitarganj area. According to information available, 30-year-old Raghuvir Singh Rana of Majhaula village was attacked by the crocodile while he was answering the call of nature on the banks of the Khakhra river. He raised the alarm following which other farmers rushed to the spot and managed to get him released from the grip of the crocodile. He was rushed to the nearest health centre with the help of the 108 emergency service.

(Compiled by Rajeev Khanna)