R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
Assailants booked: Over two dozen persons have been booked under various sections of the IPC by the city police in connection with the attempt that was allegedly made on Thursday on BJP councillor Ravi Makkar’s life outside the sub-divisional complex here. Makkar had escaped the attack. In the case registered on the basis of Jagsir Singh’s statement, who sustained injuries while rescuing the councillor, four suspects have been identified as Puppy Brar, Avtar Singh, Lucky and Nishan Singh. However, a cross case has also been registered against the MC’s four supporters on Sukhminder Singh’s statement. He also had sustained injuries in the clash. No arrest has been made so far. 

Devotees throng temple: Hundreds of devotees thronged the Sankat Mochan Khatu Shyam temple, located on the outskirts of the town, as the managing committee observed the sixth death anniversary of its founder Nand Lal Beharwala. The statue of Beharwala was tastefully decorated with rose flowers before performing of rituals by head priest Sanjay Misra on the occasion. President Vinod Gupta was joined by Rakesh Khatri, Satpal Jasuja, Raj Kumar Goyal and other members in welcoming the visitors who were served langar till afternoon. 

Abducted kid freed for ransom: One Aman Kumar of village Daulatpura, who had been allegedly kidnapped on Wednesday, has been freed after the miscreant was paid Rs 70,000 as ransom. Pawan Kumar informed the police that his brother Aman had gone missing. Later, he was contacted over the cell phone by a person, who claimed that he had kidnapped Aman from Seetogunno bypass crossing. The complainant said the suspect was identified during the payment of money and has disclosed his identity before the police. A case under Section 364-A has been registered and the investigation is in progress, the police confirmed. 

NGO honours students: A local NGO ‘AGREED’’ honoured all those meritorious students of the district, who were placed in the merit list of the Punjab State Education Board (PSEB) exams. Dr Satinder Singh, project director, said around 35 students of class VIII, X and XII were given the award. Besides, 18 other students, who had excelled in the field of sports, culture and other literary activities at the national level, were also awarded. 

Ludhiana
3 mobiles stolen : Thieves struck at a mobile store located near the Cheema Chowk and decamped with three mobile phones, a laptop and Rs 25 cash. The incident came to light here today when the owner of the shop saw the shutter uprooted. 

HARYANA

BALLABHGARH
Villagers block road: Residents of Tigaon village on Thursday blocked Tigaon Chowk connecting several villages and Ballabgarh city for almost four hours in protest against the erratic power supply. Residents of nearby Arua village also joined the agitation and locked the entrance door to the office of the Badrola power substation. The residents lifted the blockade after department officials reached the spot and assured them that the steps would be taken to improve the situation. The officials pointed out that the supply was erratic on account of tripping due to overloading of the system. 

HISAR
Freedom fighters to honour CM: The Freedom Fighters Sammaan Samiti will honour Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda at a function here on Saturday. Hari Ram Arya, chairman of the samiti, said the state had extended the maximum benefits to freedom fighters and their families. In Haryana, freedom fighters are entitled to a grant of Rs 51,000 for the marriage of their daughter or granddaughter, free travel, free medical treatment at their doorsteps, pension of Rs 11,000 and state funeral on death. Besides, next of kin of freedom fighters are given Rs 5,000 for funeral. Scholarships and fee concession are given to children and grandchildren of freedom fighters in educational institutions. 

Rewar
Hotel raided in Rewarii: The police raided Mewar Hotel on Bawal Road here on Thursday night and apprehended 10 persons, including a woman, for allegedly indulging in flesh trade. However, hotelier Manjit managed to flee with two assistants. The police produced the arrested persons in a local court on Friday, which remanded them in judicial custody.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

CHAMBA
Steps against ragging: A meeting of the district level anti-ragging committee was held here under the chairmanship of Chamba DC Sharab Chhopal Negi to review the proceedings of the earlier meeting and the action taken report. In the meeting, the DC impressed upon officers and heads of educational institutions for taking measures against the menace of ragging in educational institutions. 

NURPUR
HPSEB staff flay babus: The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) Employees’ Union has taken a strong exception over the alleged violation of the clauses of the agreement signed on May 24 last year between the state government and employees’ and engineers’ unions before re-structuring the board. Addressing a press meet here on Friday, state president of the union Kuldeep Kharbara alleged the board bureaucracy was not even adhering to directions of Chief Minister PK Dhumal and invading the rights of the board employees. “Contrary to the agreement clauses HP Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) has declared 250 out of total 956 board employees as surplus and tried to shift them in other government board but following HC order this process was stayed. 

SHIMLA
Monitoring panel: The government has constituted a high-level monitoring committee to approve the shelf of schemes and monitor their overall implementation. Headed by the Chief Secretary, the committee will have Principal Secretary (Finance & Planning) and Principal Secretary (Rural Development) as members and Adviser (Planning) will be the Member Secretary. The Committee will meet twice a year. 

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Srinagar
Grand Mufti meets Governor: A five-member delegation led by Moulana Mufti Mohammad Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad, Mufti Azam (Grand Mufti) of Jammu and Kashmir, called on Governor NN Vohra here on Friday. During the meeting, the Grand Mufti discussed with the Governor the security situation in the state, problems of governance, corruption, growing erosion of ethical values and other issues, which needed urgent attention. 

“Chhari Pujan” performed: The annual “Chhari Pujan” was performed with traditional fervour amid the chanting of mantras in the historic Dashnami Akhara Temple by the head of the Dashnami Akhara, Mahant Dipender Giri, here on Thursday.

DEHRADUN

DEHRADUN
Appeal to Mayor, minister: The CPM on Friday appealed to the Mayor and the Minister of the Disaster Management to take measures for the safety of people living close to Bindal and Respana rivers. Anant Akash of the party said the programmes and policies formulated by the government, the district administration and the MC to provide sufficient assistance to people in these areas were not being implemented, which had led to a widespread anger among the people of these localities. He demanded a quick action from the authorities concerned in this regard. 

Audit under way at hospital: The Institute of Public Auditors of India (Society) is conducting the audit at Doon District Hospital ( Male and Female), that is expected to be completed by Saturday. A three-member team that arrived from New Delhi began the audit on July 27. It would also conduct the audits at the Chief Medical Office, Rishikesh Hospital and the DG Office. 

HARIDWAR
Prayers for Sonia Gandhi’s well-being: Activists of the Congress prayed for Sonia Gandhi’s well-being here on Friday. They gathered at the Alaknanda ghat and offered milk to the Ganga. Founder of the Gandhi Vadi Ekta Manch Sanjay Chopra said Sonia Gandhi had been working diligently for the country. With Sonia Gandhi scheduled to visit the state on a political tour in the coming months in the wake of the state Assembly elections, Congress workers feel that she should stay in some hill station in the state so that she could recover soon. 

Kumaon Briefs

Residents seek regular power supply: Residents of the Saleri area, Bhimtal block, are agitated over the failure of the Power Department to restore regular power supply to their area. According to reports, residents of the area are managing without power for four days. They said there had been a sudden high-voltage supply on August 1 following which a large number of electrical appliances had burnt. Since then, there had been no power supply. The agitated villagers have threatened to launch an agitation if immediate steps were not taken to restore power supply to their respective areas.

Vehicle thefts: Cops pulled up: Police personnel working in Nainital district have been pulled up for not being able to check instances of auto thefts and carrying out regular checks in hotels. At a crime review meeting at Haldwani on Thursday, SSP Mohan Singh Bangyal asked his subordinates to be more responsible in their conduct.

Freedom fighter dead: Veteran freedom fighter Amba Datt Dhaundiyal died in Haldwani on Thursday. He was 89-year-old. He had been unwell for over a long period of time. He was cremated with full state honours in Ranibagh. Born in Anwalkot village of the Kotabagh area, he had been an active participant in the freedom struggle since the age of 14.

Labourer killed in mishap: A labourer was killed when a beam on him while dismantling a dilapidated building of a primary school in the Nanakmatta area of Udham Singh Nagar district. The victim, Rajendra (32), belonged to UP. His brother Shish Pal also sustained injuries. A probe against the contractor has been initiated by the authorities.

Traffic cop ‘thrashed’ by miscreants: Some miscreants allegedly thrashed a traffic policeman in Udham Singh Nagar district. According to information, while performing his duty at Guru Angad Dev crossroads on Thursday, the victim, Subhash Rayal, saw a speeding car approaching towards him. He stopped the car and asked the driver to park it on one side, following which six car occupants allegedly thrashed him. The accused managed to flee. A case has been registered.

(Compiled by Rajeev Khanna)