Jalandhar, March 9
Armed assailants struck at two places and robbed two persons, including a woman, of cash and valuables in past 48 hours. The miscreants also left a victim injured before fleeing.

A gang of armed snatchers targeted Kulwinder Singh in Isha Nagar area last evening when he went there to see his sister. In a complaint to the police, injured Kulwinder Singh, undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, alleged that over 15 armed youths surrounded him and snatched a bag containing Rs 1 lakh from him. They even pulled a gold chain from his neck. The assailants attacked him and left injured before fleeing.

The police has registered a case against unidentified assailants. No arrest has been made so far, said the police.

In another incident, armed motorcycle-borne youths intercepted a woman in Kabir Nagar area and snatched her gold chain in broad daylight today. In her complaint to the police, the victim, Surjit Kaur, said the incident took place when she along with her daughter-in-law were walking on Street No. 8 when the youths on a motorcycle intercepted them around 1 pm.

As she stopped, a youth riding pillion took out a pistol and put it on her temple while the other snatched the chain. The police has launched a hunt to nab the miscreants.

Jalandhar, March 9
Purchasing a chunk of land from his hard-earned money proved costly to a Bihari migrant last afternoon.

Balister Mohanto, a small-time contractor, was allegedly beaten to death by his three neighbours, identified as Prabhu, Ashok and Manoj, who were putting up with the victim in the same house in Nurpur for the past couple of years.

Dharam Pal, station house officer (SHO), Maqsudan, revealed that Mohanto, his son Subhash and the accused were putting up in the same house and even were operating a common kitchen.

Mohanto purchased a chunk of land in his native village Butali in Motihari district of Bihar which irked family members of one of the accused and they allegedly asked them to kill the Mohanto, the SHO said.

Following heated arguments between the victim and the accused over some issue on Wednesday afternoon, the trio allegedly thrashed him to death. They also beat up Mohanto's son, leaving him seriously injured, the SHO added.

The police has registered case of murder against Prabhu, Ashok and Manoj, all residents of Butali village in Motihari district, under Section 302 of the IPC at the Maqsudan police station and a hunt has been launched to nab them.

The police has handed over the body to the family after post-mortem. The SHO said police parties had been dispatched to suspected hideouts of the accused to nab them.

Jalandhar, March 9
An elderly man was charged to death when he was alone at his house in Guru Ram Das Colony here on Thursday night.

The incident took place at 9 pm when 70-year-old Munshi Ram was asleep and his clothes caught fire from an earthen lamp. The flames spread to his bed.

The police did not rule out the possibility that the victim was under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident. The police said that Munshi Ram's son was living separately. His wife was away to their son's house to attend a function.

Noticing the smoke coming out of the house, neighbours raised the alarm, but it was too late by then.

Receiving the information, a police team from the Basti Bawa Khel police station reached the spot, but found Munshi Ram dead.

The police has initiated inquest proceedings.

Jalandhar, March 9
A major attraction for children and youngsters, the 'Vajra Go-Karting' - a fun and amusement destination in Jalandhar Cantonment - is these days nothing shot of disappointment for them.

Reason: Only one out of the four karts is functional. Even the one, which is functional, is single seater. 'Vajra Go-Karting' is being managed by a team from 7011 EME battalion of Vajra Corps.

Sources claimed that the karts needed change of tyres and the same would be brought soon from Chennai following which even the other three karts would also become functional.

Such is the craze for this adventure sport that people from the cantonment, city and the periphery usually throng this place in a large number, especially on the weekends. While racing enthusiasts say it has been more than a month since the karts are non-functional, the operators maintained that it has been just a few days since tyres of three karts need replacement.

"We came along with our family friends and children to enjoy go-karting, but had to wait for a long time due to huge rush yesterday," said a racing enthusiast.

Another family said that even the one kart, which was functional, was in a bad shape. "It is a single seater and it fails to pick up speed. Children love coming to this destination due to speed, thrill and fun attached with this sport," said another couple who had come with their children.

The amusement destination was started by the 7011 EME battalion in 2008 and had become an immediate success due to its serene surroundings and ample place to drive in the cantonment.

Jalandhar, March 9
Rising name in the cricket, leg spinner Rahul Sharma was today honoured by Dr AS Brar, the Vice-chancellor of Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, for his stupendous performance in the international cricket. The young cricketer was honoured on the varsity campus.

A student of the local DAV College, Rahul, had gone to the university along with Principal of the college BB Sharma and Head of the Department of Physical Education and Sports Dr Manu Sood.

At an informal function Rahul Sharma was honoured with a university shield and a memento for his excelling performance in the international cricket series held recently. An invitation in this regard was sent by the Director, Sports, GND University, Dr Kanwaljit Singh, to the DAV College authorities.

Rahul was invited for this special honour as he would not have been able to make it to the annual sports function of the varsity to be held on March 15. “It was indeed an honour as the varsity especially invited me owing to my busy schedule ahead. Dr Brar congratulated me for my rising cricket career and wished me good luck for the Asia Cup ahead,” he added.

The leg spinner would be leaving for Bangladesh tomorrow for the four-nation Asia Cup beginning March 11. “This would be followed by Indian Premier League (IPL) season-5 and then another T-20 cricket series in South Africa,” he said.

Rahul made his foray in the international cricket with two one-day internationals against England. But, he played his debut match against West Indies. His career witnessed an upward trend during the recently held cricket series against Australia.

Rahul hogged limelight with his impressive bowling performance in the IPL, 2011, for Pune Warriors. He had played under the captaincy of star cricketer Yuvraj Singh. He has been the member of Punjab team since 2006.

Jalandhar, March 9
Following the news regarding a unanimous decision by the BJP legislators on appointment of Bhagat Chunni Lal as the Leader of the BJP Legislature Party, local leaders and his supporters celebrated the occasion at his residence at JP Nagar here today.

District BJP president Subhash Sood and youth leader Sheetal Angural were among those who visited his residence, danced on the beats of dhols and exchanged sweets. Former ministers Manoranjan Kalia and Tikshan Sood had been on the post during the previous tenure. Today, Bhagat Chunni Lal and his son Mahinder Bhagat were away to Chandigarh to attend a meeting.

The octogenarian has been elected as the MLA for the third time from the Jalandhar (West) constituency. Hailing from the Bhagat community dominating the constituency, he has defeated Congress MP Mahinder Singh Kaypee’s wife Suman Kaypee with 11,343 votes. He had won Assembly polls earlier in 1997 and 2007. He was elevated to the post of Deputy Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha in June last year.

Jalandhar, March 9
Col Sudhanshu Arya has joined as the new Principal of Sainik School, Kapurthala. He has succeeded Col Satbir Singh, who retired recently.

An Army Education Corps (AEC) officer, Col Sudhanshu, has held several prestigious staff appointments. He remained an instructor of computer science at the National Defence Academy (NDA) Khadagwasla, Pune. Col Sudhanshu also remained the Principal of the prestigious Belgaum Military School.

These days, he is writing “Vision-2020” for AEC.

Jalandhar, March 9
A two-day international conference on “English language and literary studies” organised by the Department of English of Hans Raj Mahila Maha Vidyalaya (HMV) began today.

Lt-Governor of Puducherry Dr Iqbal Singh was the chief guest at the inaugural session of the conference.

Dr Satish Sharma, Director (Colleges) of the DAV College Managing Committee, New Delhi, was the guest of honour.

Addressing the gathering, Dr Iqbal Singh said Indian English literature was blooming and had carved a niche for itself in the literary world. English language and literature had become an integral part of Indian multilingual and multicultural ethos.