R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Chandigarh
Meeting on metro project: A meeting to discuss the Ludhiana metro project will be held in New Delhi on August 22 between state government officials and the managing director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation.

Hoshiarpur
Forest cover to be increased: To tackle pollution blues, the area under forest cover would be increased from 7 per cent to 33 per cent in Punjab, said Surjit Kumar Jiani, Punjab Forest and Wild Life Protection Minister, at a gathering after planting saplings at District Jail Complex. He said with the help of NGOs, 15 per cent of the area in Punjab would be covered under forest growth. As many as 300 saplings of various trees were planted in the jail complex here today. Later, he along with officials of the forest department planted 3,000 saplings at Power Colony, PSPCL office, Civil Hospital, BDPO Office and Animal Husbandry office at Hajipur. 

Ludhiana
Post office staff seek action: Coming to the rescue of Pavittar Singh, a postman, who was allegedly beaten up by Amarjit Singh, president, Model Town Market Shopkeepers' Association here yesterday, the employees of the Punjab Circle, Post Office met the DCP, Gurpreet Singh Toor, today and demanded registerataion of a case against the guilty. 

PHAGWARA
One held for theft: The police has arrested Dalip Kumar of Nawanshahar for vehicle theft on Friday. The police has also recovered a stolen motorcycle from him, Goraya SHO Sarabjit Singh Rai said. 

Man robbed of cash: Three motorcycle-borne robbers snatched Rs 10,500 and two mobile phones from Jasbir Singh of Hardo-Shikh village near Bhangala on Friday. The victim Jasbir is husband of village Sarpanch Balwinder Kaur and was on his way to Noormahal on a motorcycle when the robbers stopped him, snatched valuables and fled. 

CHANDIGARH

Man held with 500-gm charas: During a special checking drive at Kishangarh Chowk village by Manimajra police station and PCR Special Technical Operation Cell (STOC) team, headed by Inspector Ranjit Singh Dhillon, a pedestrian identified as Naresh was arrested with 500 gm of charas. According to the police, the accused was crossing the nakka holding a polythene bag. 

Gold chain snatched: Two motorcycle-borne youths snatched a gold chain from a woman at Sector 39 today. Kanta Katyal, a resident of Sector 39-B, alleged that the youths sped away after snatching her gold chain. A case under Sections 379, 356 IPC has been registered.

HARYANA

Kurukshetra
Govt effigy burnt: Members of various organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, ABVP, Bajrang Dal, Vidya Bharti and Sanatan Dharm Mandir, burnt an effigy of the Congress government here on Saturday. 

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Hamirpur
BJP activists burn PM’s effigy: Activists of the BJP today held a protest demonstration and burnt an effigy of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for the alleged “coal scam”. They assembled at the Mridul Chowk and marched to the Gandhi Chowk carrying the effigy. The activists also raised slogans against the Prime Minister and the UPA government.

NIT holds orientation session: Students of NIT, Hamirpur, yesterday organised an orientation session in the NIT auditorium on the 25th foundation day of the “Hill Fair”, an annual cultural function organised by students. Director of the institute Prof Rajneesh Shrivastav congratulated students for organising such shows.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Poonch
Poonch police revives iftar party: After a long gap, the Poonch police has revived the iftar party at the residence of the SP at Poonch on Friday. The party was attended by over 40 prominent persons, including vice chairman, Bashir Naz, Gujjar and Bakkarwal advisory board; MK Mago, Commander Poonch Brigade; and retired and serving officers from police and civil departments.