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Congress 'forced' to shift rally venue
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Sukhbir: Internal discord will kill Cong
Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Tuesday. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal is on his right. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Pak frees 48 Gujarat fishermen
Committee to monitor PSEB’s secrecy fund
Yuvraj’s victory against cancer gives hope to many in Malwa
Dispute delays opening of Morinda railway overbridge
Marriage palaces: Govt forms panel
‘Phillora Day’ observed
Soon, no escape from water bill
Punjab set to implement Rent Control Act
Campaigning in full swing
Local Bodies Minister calls media to say he is well
Health Dept purchases ‘deficient’ delivery kits, patients suffer
Taxes: Left parties to hold protest on Sept 12
World-class grain market to come up in Mohali
Doctor’s Murder: Probe dropping of material witnesses, says High Court
Now, Doraha SHO booked in graft case
Couple commits suicide in Moga
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Congress 'forced' to shift rally venue
Amritsar, September 11 Top Congress leaders, including PCC chief Amarinder Singh and Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar, alleged that Majithia had warned the owners of a marriage palace and tent house against providing facilities to the Congress in Majitha town. Amarinder told mediapersons that Majithia “did not allow us to hire a marriage palace or a ‘shamiana’ by pressuring the palace owners into cancelling the booking. This is childish behaviour. I have held rallies in the CM’s constituency but not faced any problem.” Amarinder alleged that Majithia has lodged 500 false FIRs against Congress workers in the Majitha constituency in the past six months. To a query, he said he wanted all like-minded parties, including the Congress, the BSP, the PPP and the Left, to share a common platform on issues like taxation. He said he would certainly join the protest staged by other parties on the issue, if invited. On future alliances, he said it was premature to comment on any tie-up for the Lok Sabha poll. On the move to replace him, he said: “I will quit the day the party high command asks me to do so.” The PCC chief said Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike must be tried for allegedly misappropriating the Border Area Development Fund. Later, addressing a rally organised by Congress leader Sukhjinder Raj Singh Lalli, Jakhar said the Centre had given 115 crore litres of kerosene to the state in the last five years, but it did not reach the poor. He alleged misappropriation of lakhs of quintals of wheat meant for the BPL (below poverty line) families. Amarinder claimed the ruling alliance would be defeated in the Lok Sabha elections. Amloh MLA lashes out at Amarinder Nabha: Irked at not being invited to the PCC rally here on September 13, Congress MLA from Amloh Randeep Singh today lashed out at Amarinder Singh, calling him a politician without leadership qualities. Claiming that Amarinder wanted to harm me politically, he said the latter’s style of functioning was “not acceptable.”
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Sukhbir: Internal discord will kill Cong
Amritsar, September 11 He dared Amarinder to hold a dharna against the Centre against the proposed hike in petrol, diesel and LPG prices. He ridiculed the PCC chief, saying he was “on the ventilator” and was struggling for political survival. Sukhbir said his government had fulfilled its promise on lowering VAT on sugar and it was now up to the traders to bring down the prices. Sukhbir accused the Centre of deliberately delaying Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections as it feared the Congress-backed Sarna brothers would face defeat. He said it was a sad chapter in the history of the DSGMC that the Union Home Ministry was “directly interfering in the religious affairs of the Sikh community”. Earlier, accompanied by Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Animal Husbandry Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and District Planning Committee chairman Veer Singh Lopoke, Sukhbir paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. Mandi Gobindgarh: Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal welcomed former PCC state treasurer Joginder Pal Singla into the party fold at a function here this afternoon. He said the Congress workers’ decision to join the SAD was testimony to the confidence that people had in the SAD and its pro-people policies. Prominent among those present at the function were Prem Sing Chandumajra, Justice Nirmal Singh, MLA, Jagdeep Singh Cheema, district president, SAD, and Didar Singh Bhatti, former MLA. The District Congress president, Harinder Singh Bhambri, said Singla’s joining the SAD would not affect the party.
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Pak frees 48 Gujarat fishermen
Amritsar, September 11 A repatriated prisoner, Haider, said he spent six months in jail after he unknowingly crossed into Pakistan territory while fishing. He demanded that both the countries should adopt a lenient view in case of mistaken trespassing by fishermen. Amir Saida and Allah Rakha said while fishing, fishermen often get pushed towards other country's territory because of unfavorable water currents. They said even though they had been released, they would not be compensated for the losses suffered in view of their boats being confiscated by Pakistani officials. "As we take boats on rent, we will have to pay the contractor for the loss when we reach home," said Allah Rakha. Today's repatriation was the first step taken by the Pakistan Government to strengthen ties after Indian Foreign Minister SM Krishna held a meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Hina Rabbani Khar on September 8.
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Committee to monitor PSEB’s secrecy fund
Chandigarh, September 11 During the resumed hearing of a PIL filed by advocate HC Arora for appropriate instructions to the Government and to the Punjab School Education Board to evolve satisfactory method of auditing the “secrecy fund”, an affidavit was filed by Hussan Lal, Secretary, School Education. In the affidavit placed before the Bench of Acting Chief Justice Jasbir Singh and Justice Rakesh Kumar Jain, he stated that the state government was proposing to constitute a high-level committee; Education Board chairman shall also be its member. The proposal was likely to be finalised within two months.
Women commission
The Punjab Government has agreed to appoint chairperson and four non-official members of the Punjab State Commission for Women. In an affidavit, Principal Secretary (Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development) TR Sarangal said that the government would issue an advertisement for inviting applications within a month. It was stated that a selection committee under the chairpersonship of Minister for Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development, with Punjab Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary as its members, shall be constituted for the selection.
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Yuvraj’s victory against cancer gives hope to many in Malwa
Bathinda, September 11 Down with cancer, a number of patients, many among them being teenagers, now want to imitate their favourite star, who staged a comeback to international cricket arena recently, and win over the lethal disease. Though they have limited resources as compared to Yuvraj, doctors feel positive attitude can work wonders for cancer patients. Sixteen-year-old Vishal Kumar is one such example. Excited at the cricketer's re-entry into the game, he says, "Yuvraj's survival tale has made me forget the pain of chemotherapy. Of the eight chemotherapies prescribed for me, I have already undergone three. My condition is improving with each passing day." Suffering from round cell tumour, Vishal had to quit studies after Class X. A cricket buff himself too, he says, "I used to play cricket in school… I want to play again… If Yuvi can (beat cancer), why can't I." Dr Vandana Shukla, an oncologist at the Civil Hospital, says Yuvraj's case is motivating cancer patients, especially the youth, to keep a positive mindset during treatment. "Half the battle is won if a patient is optimistic. A doctor can also hope of a positive outcome then," she avers. Citing Yuvraj's example, she convinced a patient for a throat surgery, she says. Kamla Devi, a Srinagar resident who is in her late 20s, relates herself with the cricket star in a different manner: "While Yuvraj defeated a tumour in his lungs, I overcame cervix cancer, though mine case was detected in the last stage. Alike Yuvraj, I too need to return to my fields now — my apple orchards in Kashmir." District Health Officer RS Randhawa says ever since Yuvraj recovered from cancer, he has been quoting the cricketer to inspire his patients. "The fight against any disease begins from the mind. Treatment works better only if a patient is determined to be cured," he says.
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Dispute delays opening of Morinda railway overbridge
Chandigarh, September 11 The latest dispute is over which agency will join the bridge with the National Highway linking Chandigarh with Ludhiana. The agency that undertook the work awarded by the Punjab Public Works Department says that the joinery between the National Highway and the bridge was not in the scope of the work allotted to it. The matter has been reported to the disputes resolving authority with the state claiming that the joinery was within the scope of the work. “Though only two small portions of joining roads are to be made on either side of the bridge, the dispute may take a couple of months to be resolved, thus delaying the opening of this rail over-bridge,” says Mr Paramjit Singh Aujla, Secretary, Public Works Department. “We have completed the roof slabs. Almost all scaffoldings have been removed. Some joinery work on the new slabs, the railing and the footpaths would take us another 15 to 20 days before we pack up,” says a senior railways official. Started more than 10 years ago to facilitate the smooth movement of traffic on the high-volume Chandigarh-Ludhiana road, construction of this railway over-bridge (ROB) remained mired in various controversies and disputes. In the absence of the ROB, there are big traffic hold ups at the site whenever a train passed on the Morinda-Chandigarh and Morinda-Rajpura sections.Though the incomplete Morinda bypass, with only one of two ROBs completed, was thrown open to traffic on August 1, 2006, work on the second ROB encountered various hurdles. Oficial sources say that a dispute between the Indian Railway and the civil contractor and the delay in lowering the high-tension overhead power cable has delayed the completion of the second ROB. Originally, the Chandigarh-Ludhiana rail link was not planned to be electrified. Since the track had already been electrified, laying of roof slabs had been held up for technical clearances, the sources said. Besides, minor misunderstandings between the Punjab Government and the Indian Railway have rendered the approach ramps, completed in 2006, useless, wasting crores of rupees. Both the railways and the Punjab Government admit delay in the completion of the second ROB. They cite several reasons for the inordinate delay. After a new contractor was roped in, the railways experienced several difficulties in regulating traffic on the high-volume traffic road. Its initial attempts to prevent heavy vehicles and slow down other vehicles met with little success. Ultimately, the railways had to seek the help of the state government as well as the police before work on laying roof slabs could start in April this year. “We tried constructing speed barriers and putting up steel barricades to prevent the movement of commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses, but without any success. Commuters would dismantle all such structure, forcing us to delay the cable work. “Finally we had to take police help. The police raised barriers on either side of the bypass 1.5 ft below the proposed joining slab. We brought down the high-tension (HT) cable in early April. Under safety rules, the HT cable has to be 1.5 ft below an overhead bridge and from the roof of the rail coach. “We also had a dispute with the earlier contractor. After a settlement, we engaged a new contractor. All the old scaffoldings were replaced.Till the joining slab is laid, we have to observe all safety norms, allowing trains to move at a speed of 20 km an hour,” says BK Narang of the Indian Railways.
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Marriage palaces: Govt forms panel
Chandigarh, September 11 A delegation of the the Punjab Marriage Palace and Resorts Association had met the Chief Minister and sought more time for the requisite sanction from the pollution control board, the town and country planning department and the fire department. The committee will also be looking at the legal aspect of granting more time to marriage palace owners for compliance. Last month, the Punjab and Haryana High Court had directed the Patiala Municipal Corporation to seal all commercial establishments that have come in violation of building norms in residential areas. Following the order, the Patiala MC sealed 85 marriage palaces. The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) issued closure notices to 106 marriage palaces. Several commercial establishments have come up without getting the building plans approved or getting the no-dues certificate from the Pollution Control Board. Many of these buildings do not have a no-objection certificate from the fire department. Also, marriage palaces located outside the zoning plan requires permission from the town and country planning department and they have to pay change in land use charges (in case the construction has been done on land meant for purposes other than commercial). The marriage palace owners were given a month’s time to comply with all regulations and get their palaces approved. Sahil Sood, secretary of the Punjab Marriage Palace and Resorts Association, said it was not possible for the owners to comply with all the norms within a month. “We have sought a three-month time from the Chief Minister to comply with all rules and regulations. He has assured us that a policy on regularising marriage palaces will be framed soon in accordance with the directions of Punjab and Haryana High Court,” he said.
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‘Phillora Day’ observed
Patiala, September 11 In September 1965, Phillora was reclaimed by the Indian Army and since then, the day is commemorated as "Phillora Day" by the Black Elephant Division. A total of 165 enemy tanks were destroyed by the Army. Lt Col AB Tarapore of the division was awarded the Param Vir Chakra (posthumously).
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Soon, no escape from water bill
The water supply department had recently announced the meter project for all water connections, particularly in villages, under a Centre-sponsored scheme. On the other hand, the Department of Local Government is ready with a draft notification on revised user charges in towns and cities, which awaits a formal clearance from the state government. So far, households in rural Punjab were paying average monthly charges between Rs 70 and Rs 100. Residents in several urban areas, too, were not paying as per their actual usage. The authorities concerned had cited reduction in wastage of water, increase in revenue and greater availability of funds from the Centre and funding agencies as the major reasons for introducing meters. Confirming the development, Suresh Kumar, Secretary of Local Government, said, “We are consulting all parties, including Mayors, councillors and members of other local bodies, which will be affected by the decision.” The draft of the “Policy for Metered Water Connection” read: “At present, at least 88 per cent of the urban population has access to piped water supply. But around 98 per cent of these connections are not metered, thus, resulting in wastage of water. Due to this aspect, Punjab has not been able to tap related projects that have been sponsored by the Centre and the World Bank.” A consumer will be responsible for the installation of a meter on his premises after getting it tested from the local body concerned. The department will charge Rs 2 per kilolitre for the first 10 kilolitres, Rs 4 per kilolitre from 10 to 25 kilolitres, Rs 6 per kilolitre from 25 to 50 kilolitres and Rs 8 per kilolitre for those using above 50 kilolitres. Commercial establishments and government departments will be charged Rs 12 per kilolitre. The draft policy has mentioned an increase of 5 per cent in tariff each year. The draft also has mentioned a technique to deal with defaulters. In case a water meter is found tampered with, the owner shall be charged five times the sum of his previous three bills. The Department of Water Supply and Sanitation recently announced 158 schemes for various parts of Punjab, including 125 for rural areas in Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Pathankot, Kapurthala and Muktsar districts. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, said all new schemes will have metered connections.
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Punjab set to implement Rent Control Act
Chandigarh, September 11 In fact, the Punjab Rent Control Act was passed by the Vidhan Sabha in 1995 and the President had accorded its assent to it in 1997. However, the requisite notification for its implementation in the state was not issued because of objections by vested interests. Sources said as the sub-committee had given its approval to the new Act, it would now be placed before the Cabinet for its approval for issuing the requisite notification to implement it. This would be applicable to all tenants and landlords in the state. Since the Act would be implemented with prospective effect, those who had taken shops or houses on rent before its enforcement would not come within its purview and probably there would be no hullabaloo against its implementation, they said. The sources said the East Punjab Rent Restrictions Act was loaded in favour of tenants. It was enacted after the Partition of the country with the objective of helping those who had migrated from Pakistan to India. Under this Act, protection was provided to tenants with regard to the shops and houses taken by them on rent. Getting the rented accommodation vacated under this Act was a bit difficult. Owing to this reason, people had stopped giving their shops and spare accommodation in homes on rent. Under the new Act, the landlord and the tenant will have to sign an agreement and it will have to be registered by both the parties in the court of the officials designated by the state government. The agreement will be having the legal backing and both the parties signatory to it will have to abide by it. In case of any dispute, the designated official will have the powers to intervene to settle the dispute. The proposed implementation of the new Act is part of the reforms to be carried out in the urban areas in the state. The Centre had been pressing the state government to implement the new Act and the Property Act to become eligible for grants under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
Urban reforms * It will be placed before the Cabinet for its approval * The Act, which had been hanging fire since 1997, will replace the East Punjab Rent Restrictions Act, 1949 * The new Act makes it compulsory for the landlord and the tenant to sign an agreement and get it registered * In case of dispute, the designated official will have the powers to intervene to settle the dispute
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Teachers’ body poll
Patiala, September 11 All the contestants are promising the teachers an early release of their revised pay scale arrears. Other promises include special leave for study and for attending seminars and conferences abroad. The manifesto released by the Punjabi University Teachers' Coordination Committee focuses on getting the child care leave sanctioned for female staff, construction of new houses on the university campus, setting up of regional centres and neighbourhood campuses and cashless medical insurance policy for teachers. However, the Teachers for Intervention in Education (TIE) have made restoration of the highest academic standards in the university as its poll plank. The group claims that the overall standard of education is falling and the students are being deprived of meaningful education. It says its priority will be to ensure that teachers are dedicated to works relating to academics and other contructive purposes.
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Local Bodies Minister calls media to say he is well
Jalandhar, September 11 The minister, perhaps well-aware that his appointment as leader of the BJP Legislature Party is being eyed by many in the party, clarified that he was hale and hearty and had visited the hospital for a routine checkup. Asked as to why he did had not lodged a complaint against Congress leaders who had tried to gherao his car during the stone laying function near here on Saturday, the minister replied: “Why should I complain? The SHO did it on his own. I did not tell him to do so.” Asked as to who would be considered for the post of Mayor, the minister saud it was for the party high command to decide but hinted that it could be Ravi Mahendru. The latter also sat by him during the conference The other two contenders, Sunil Jyoti and Bhagwant Prabhakar, were also at the minister’s residence. Over the imposition of property tax, Bhagat said: “There are no funds to run the civic bodies.” Asked if he would ask the Chief Minister to slash subsidies to farmers, especially those with big land-holdings, he said: “To my knowledge, there are no large holdings left.
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Health Dept purchases ‘deficient’ delivery kits, patients suffer
This belies the claims of the Punjab Government of providing free medical care to pregnant women and sick neonates under the Janani- Shishu Suraksha Karyakram. The kits provided by the department to the hospital have many important items missing. Though the health authorities claim that they have directed the hospital to provide the remaining items from the user charges, the directions are not being followed. "We were provided certain items by the hospital, but there are many other things which we have to buy from the market," says Darshana Devi, a patient at the hospital. "We had decided to get our child delivered at this hospital after we were told that institutional deliveries are done free of cost. Now, we are forced to spend money on medicines," added Sukhchain Singh. The medical superintendent of the hospital has already written to the Patiala Civil Surgeon regarding lack of medicines and other items required to conduct c-section. There are many items like pentazocine lactate and promethazine injections and few other medicines which have been given in excess, but several important items are either short or not included in the kits. These include I/V dextrose injections, vein flows, urine bags etc. Sources in the department say it is a sheer wastage of resources as certain items are provided in excess and the ones required have not been included in the kits. They claim the department had not sought any requirement from the hospital before buying these kits. Patiala Civil Surgeon Usha Bansal confirmed that she had received a letter from the medical superintendent in this regard. She said she had already marked an enquiry into the matter. "I have asked the hospital to buy medicines from user charges for the time being so that patients do not have to spend their own money," she added.
ailing scheme *
Patients are forced to buy medicines and other items not provided in the delivery kits
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Taxes: Left parties to hold protest on Sept 12
Dera Bassi, September 11 Addressing party workers at a meeting at Dappar village here, Brar said both the communist parties, the CPI and the CPM, would holddharnas in all district headquarters of the state on
September 12. He said the Left parties would also press upon the Central Government to come up with a universal food security Act to cover the entire population of the country. "We will ask the government to provide 35 kg of foodgrain at the rate of Rs 2 per kg to each family. The Sanjha morcha will also organise a 'jail bharo' agitation on September 21 at all district headquarters," he said. Local CPI leaders Avtar Singh Dappar, Karm Chand Gholumajra and Jaspal Singh Dappar also addressed the workers.
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World-class grain market to come up in Mohali
Lakhowal said the vegetable market would be of great help for both the wholesalers and retailers. All the facilities like electricity, sanitation, water supply etc have been provided. He said 13 such state-of-the-art mandis were being constructed in Punjab. Five of these were nearing completion while work was in progress for the remaining mandis, he said. Lakhowal said the Punjab Mandi Board link roads of about 57,200 km length were being constructed by the board and the PWD. He alleged the Union Government had been exploiting Punjab's natural resources and now when draught compensation was to be provided to the farmers in Punjab, it backed out. Those present on the occasion included Indermohan Singh Kadiyan, Madan Lal Bagga, Surinder Pal Singh, Sukhminder Singh, Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal and RP Singh.
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Doctor’s Murder: Probe dropping of material witnesses, says High Court
Chandigarh, September 11 In its unique order, the High Court has also directed the Patiala Sessions Judge to summon and examine victim Dr Dinesh Kumar Bishwas’s wife Nandita Bishwas and other relatives. The directions came nearly five years after the pronouncement of the verdict in the case. The Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice RP Nagrath also asked the Trial Court to record the supplementary statement of the convict-appellant “to enable him to explain the circumstances that may appear in the additional evidence and provide him an opportunity to produce defence, if any.” For the purpose, the Bench has set a four-month deadline for the Trial Court. The convict, Pranab Bishwas, was sentenced to life imprisonment in August 2007 under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for intentionally causing the death of Dr Dinesh Kumar Bishwas in April 2006. Taking up an appeal filed by Pranab against the verdict, the Bench noticed that “material witnesses” in the case, including Dr Bishwas’s wife, were given up by the prosecution during the trial. Speaking for the Bench, Justice Nagrath asserted: “One cannot visualise how the examination of these witnesses was considered unnecessary by the Public Prosecutor whose duty was aimed at showing that the appellant was known to the deceased and to connect him with the crime.” Describing it as a “matter of serious concern as the Public Prosecutor holds the brief on the state’s behalf”, Justice Nagrath asserted: “The material witnesses, closely related to the deceased and meant to throw light on relevant issues in this case have not been examined and simply given up as unnecessary at the sweet will of the prosecutor conducting the case. Was it a careless action or actuated with extraneous consideration?” Ordering a probe, the Bench said the Principal Secretary (Home), Punjab, would comply with the directions and fix responsibility for the lapse. “ A compliance report be placed on record.” The Bench directed that “some methodology” should be devised by the state government and other stake-holders so that “such uncontrolled exercise of discretion by the Public Prosecutor was not misused.” The Bench said such a tendency not only defeated the criminal justice delivery system, but also adversely affected the rights of the appellant, “who is in custody since long.”
the case files *
Trial Court told to record supplementary statement of convict-appellant
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Now, Doraha SHO booked in graft case
Ludhiana , September 11 The SHO was nabbed following a complaint by Ranjodh Singh facing a criminal case. He alleged that the SHO had demanded Rs 2.5 lakh for helping him get anticipatory bail. He said he was told to hand over the money to Gurjit Singh and Jatinder Singh, who were operating as middlemen. In a raid late last night, Vigilance sleuths nabbed Gurjit Singh and Jatinder Singh, while the SHO managed to escape. Meanwhile, the VB has stepped up probe against DSP Gurcharan Singh who was booked for graft yesterday. Joint Director (Internal Vigilance) Harsh Bansal late last night reportedly collected more evidence against the DSP. Sources said the DSP had been on the VB radar for past few months. Gurcharan Singh was recently appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police,Gill, and had taken charge a fortnight ago. He was to be promoted as Superintendent of Police (SP soon).
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Couple commits suicide in Moga
Moga, September 11 The deceased have been identified as Ranjit Singh (22) of Daulat Pura village and Paramjit Kaur (19), a resident of the Chuhar Chak village. Station House Officer Balwinder Singh of the General Railway Police (GRP) said the bodies were brought to the district hospital for post-mortem. The police said Ranjit was married and had a daughter.
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Amritsar, September 11
Youth Congress leader Shailenderjeet Singh Shally and his supporters stopped Amarinder’s cavalcade near Gopalpura village to lodge his protest against the “indiscipline in the party and the indifferent approach towards Youth Congress workers”. They squatted on the road and resorted to sloganeering. The blockade was lifted after Amarinder pacified Shally, assuring him that the party workers would be given due importance in future programmes.
It’s About Joineries
Chandigarh, September 11
Patiala, September 11
Ludhiana, September 11