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12-year-old boy beaten up by tantrik
Amritsar, September 21
Close on the heels of the killing of a 10-year-old girl by the sarpanch of a village in Moga district in an attempt to “drive evil spirit out of her body”, a 12-year-old boy was severely beaten up by a tantrik at Bhoma Wadala village near Majitha. The victim, Rashpal Singh, was beaten up with hot iron ‘chimta’ by the tantrik, who claimed that the boy was under the influence of evil spirit due to which he was suffering from continuous fever.

Cutting of hair of Sikh man in Kuwait jail
SGPC takes strong note, writes to Union ministry
Amritsar, September 20
Taking a serious note of the incident in which jail officials of Kuwait reportedly cut the hair of a baptised Sikh hailing from Gurdaspur district, the SGPC today termed it as a violation of human rights as well as religious freedom. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today said the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs and they had written a letter in this regard to Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Kuwait Embassy in New Delhi.

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	12-year-old boy beaten up by tantrik PK Jaiswar /TNS Amritsar, September 21 Close on the heels of the killing of a 10-year-old girl by the sarpanch of a village in Moga district in an attempt to “drive evil spirit out of her body”, a 12-year-old boy was severely beaten up by a tantrik at Bhoma Wadala village near Majitha. The victim, Rashpal Singh, was beaten up with hot iron ‘chimta’ by the tantrik, who claimed that the boy was under the influence of evil spirit due to which he was suffering from continuous fever. It is learnt that the boy along with his brother had gone to a fair being held at the mazaar in the village. There, the self-styled tantrik, identified as Harpal Singh, allegedly claimed that Rashpal was under the influence of evil spirits and he needed to be cured. He kept the two boys at the mazaar and in the night ‘treated’ Rashpal with hot iron ‘chimta’. This resulted in the deep scars on the body of the boy. The news of the thrashing of the boy spread like wildfire in the village. The village elders informed activists of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee who reached the spot and freed the boy and took him to a hospital. They also beat up the tantrik and handed him over to the police along with his two followers. Anoop Singh, victim’s father, alleged that his son had scars on his waist, arms, back, stomach and lips. He has lodged a complaint with the Majitha police station. Raminder Singh, SHO, said a case is being registered against the tantrik and his two followers, identified as Tinku and Captain on the complaint of Anoop Singh. Balbir Singh, a member of the Satkar committee, alleged that the tantrik used to claim that he had mysterious powers to treat every disease. He said the villagers beat up the accused for his mindless act.
	Cutting of hair of Sikh man in Kuwait jail SGPC takes strong note, writes to Union ministry Amritsar, September 20 Taking a serious note of the incident in which jail officials of Kuwait reportedly cut the hair of a baptised Sikh hailing from Gurdaspur district, the SGPC today termed it as a violation of human rights as well as religious freedom. SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar today said the incident had hurt the religious sentiments of Sikhs and they had written a letter in this regard to Union Ministry of External Affairs and the Kuwait Embassy in New Delhi. He said the Sikh in question, Pargat Singh, had returned to India, and Additional Secretary (Parchar) of the SGPC had been asked to probe into the incident. He also had a word of caution for Punjabi youth. “They should not resort to illegal ways to go abroad and should always opt for legal route for the same,” he said. — TNS
	Four booked for molesting minor girl Our Correspondent Nawanshahr, September 21 The police has booked four persons for allegedly molesting a minor girl. The accused, identified as Bhoori, Dipa, Monu and Seema of Bains village, also allegedly made a movie of the act and distributed the clips through MMS to others. A case under Sections 354, 376 and 511 of IPC has been registered against the four. In her complaint, girl’s mother Mejar Kaur said the accused took her daughter from her house a few days ago. The accused allegedly molested her and made a video of the act. Hearing the cries of her daughter, some nearby residents came to her rescue.
	Brick-kiln workers hold protest march Tarn Taran, September 21 Workers of different brick-kilns, under the Bhatha Mazdoor Sabha (affiliated to the Hind Mazdoor Sabha), organised a protest march here against the closing of brick-kilns making workers jobless for the past more than one month. Workers from different parts of the district participated in the protest march. Kulwant Singh Bawa , chief general secretary said the latest orders of the state government regarding getting certificate from the Ministry of Environment and Forests ,Punjab, had resulted in the closure of brick-kilns, making the workers jobless. — OC