R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Students form a red ribbon (symbol of AIDS) on the occasion of World AIDS Day at a school in Patiala on Saturday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar

amritsar
Dera courts another row: At a time when the dust was settling down over the recent clash between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda followers, the dera appears to be courting another controversy. This became evident today when SGPC president Avtar Singh Makkar reacted to the dera allegedly distorting Gurbani in an advertisement published in a newspaper a few days ago.

faridkot
Boy attacks 3, ends life: An 18-year-old boy allegedly attacked two girls, including his sister, and a boy with a sharp-edged weapon at Mehmuana village in Faridkot on Saturday before himself “committing suicide” by comsuming a poisonous substance. The injured have been admitted to a hosptial where their condition was stated to be critical. Residents claimed the deceased was suffering from depression.

Shruti case: Memo to IG: The Joint Action Committee formed to seek "justice" for Shruti Sachdeva, who was allegedly kidnapped by Nishan Singh, has submitted a memorandum of demands to the Inspector General of Police. The panel members alleged that the chargesheet filed by the police in the case was allegedly soft on prime accused Nishan. They have demanded handing over the case to the CBI.

khanna
Congress leader booked: The police has booked Gurmukh Singh Chahal, Khanna unit Youth Congress president, and 10 others for replacing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal’s photograph with that of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 108 Ambulance at Issru on Thursday. The police has charged the Youth Congress leaders of damaging public property. Chahal alleged that it was a case of political vendetta and that the state government was gaining political mileage from these ambulances.

Ludhiana
Advisory panels meet: Monthly meetings of District-level advisory committees were held here yesterday which were addressed by Rishipal Singh, ADC (D). He told the SC/BC and social security department's advisory committee, that people should come forward and help those in needs by making them aware of the different welfare schemes .

Muktsar
One held with poppy husk: The district police on Saturday claimed to have nabbed narcotics smuggler Gurcharan Singh alias Charna of Guri Sanghar village and seized 3 quintals of poppy husk from his possession. The police said it intercepted a Verna car and upon searching the vehicle, it found 15 bags of poppy husk.

sangrur
Gang of robbers busted: The district police today claimed to have busted a five-member gang of robbers. SSP Harcharan Singh Bhullar said the Dhuri police had arrested Gurpreet Singh, Balraj Singh, Harmesh Kumar, Raj Kumar and Kuldip Singh and seized three pistols, cartridges and two iron rods.

Cancer survey boycotted: Over 200 accredited social health activists (ASHA) workers from various parts of the district boycotted the cancer survey from 11 am to 3 pm, which started across the state on Saturday. The workers have been demanding Rs 100 per day instead of being paid a meagre Rs 200 for surveying 200 houses. Similar campaigns were kicked off in other parts of the state as well.

Tarn Taran
Two murdered in district: In separate incidents, two persons have been murdered in the district. Police has booked five persons in this regard. The Bhikhiwind police recovered a body from Srusing village on Friday. The deceased Varinder Singh (20) was stabbed to death at his native village. Yugraj Singh, his mother Shindo and another youth Sonu has been booked. In another incident, Balkar Singh (45), a resident of Uppal village was killed in Nagoke village after he was hit with a brick. Migrant Manna Bhahia and Komaljit Singh has been booked.

HARYANA

Three hippopotamus bask in the sunshine at Chaudhary Surender Singh Memorial Zoo in Bhiwani on Saturday. Photo: Manoj Dhaka

chandigarh
New school timings: Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal has announced a change in the timings of all government and government aided schools from December 3 during the winter season. She said the new schools timings from December 3 to February 28 next year would be 9 am to 3.30 pm.

2 HCS officers posted: The government has issued the transfer and posting orders of two HCS officers. Virat, City Magistrate, Jind, has been posted as Joint Director (Administration), Information, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs Department, against a vacant post. Dalbir Singh, SDO (Civil), Jind, and Estate Officer, HUDA, Jind, will also look after the work of City Magistrate, Jind.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Mandi
Case registered: The police recently registered a case of criminal trespass and damage to public property. According to complainant Hukum Singh of Gutkar, Satpal Sharma, running a Santro and Honda showroom at Gutkar, dumped stones on the left bank of the Jain irrigation pipeline and caused damage to the pipeline with the use of a JCB machine. The police has begun an investigation into the case.

Nurpur
Poppy husk seized: The police arrested Prem Sagar, a resident of Mohtali Ramp, on Friday and recovered 8 kg of poppy husk from his possession. According to DSP Rajinder Jaswal, a police party led by Damtal police chowki in charge Prabhat Singh suspected the movement of the accused and after search, poppy husk was recovered from his possession. A case under Section 15-61 of the NDPS Act was registered.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Inquiry ordered: Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association president Farooq Abdullah has ordered an inquiry into the Ranji team selection fiasco, a day after JKCA treasurer Manzoor Wazir tendered his resignation for failing to end the impasse. Wazir had sent his resignation to Farooq on Friday, stating that he had made every possible effort to ease out things between the JKCA and Kashmiri players, but his efforts had went in vain.

Srinagar
CM’s remark sparks protest: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s “make-up kit” remark on Saturday sparked a protest by women panchayat members. A large number of women panchayat members from Ganderbal took out a protest march. “Omar’s remark is an insult to women who have fought the battle in the democratic process and work at the grass-roots level,” said Ayesha, a protesting panchayat member, asking the Chief Minister to  withdraw his comment.

DEHRADUN

Almora
Shortage of doctors: The health facilities in Almora district have been affected badly as only 159 doctors of the sanctioned strength of 236 are working here. “Keeping the problems of the people in mind, we have shifted doctors from the district hospital. This has affected the medical services in the district hospital,” said Dr RS Shahi, Chief Medical Officer, Almora. He said three community health centres and two primary health centres were running without doctors in the district.

Dehradun
Villagers’ stir continues: The indefinite dharna by residents of Kunao village in Rishikesh seeking the implementation of the Forest Rights Act entered the 31st day on Saturday. Akhil Bhartiya Sarvodaya Mandal leader Radha Bahan reached the site of the dharna and extended support to the protesters. She said Kunao villagers must get their due benefits as per the Act. BJP Mahila Morcha leader Kusum Kandwal also reached the spot and said she had approached the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Ajay Bhatt and the latter had assured of all support to them. Arvind Aswal, Surendra Singh Negi, Bhagirathi, Rekha Rawat and Maya participated in Saturday’s dharna.

Improving education quality: State School Education Minister Mantri Prasad Naithani has said that all 95 blocks in the state would have at least one English-medium government school. He said this was being done to improve the quality of school education in the state.

Sugarcane crushing season: Sugarcane crushing season has started at the Doiwala sugar mill in Dehradun. Sugarcane Minister Surendra Singh Negi inaugurated the start of the crushing season by performing a hawan. Negi said the incumbent Congress government in the state was sensitive towards the concerns of farmers. Local MLA Premchand Aggarwal was also present on the occasion.

Form submission date: The head of the law department, DAV (PG) College, has announced that the last date for the submission of university examination forms for LLB (semester 1) has been extended till Dec 4. He, however, said all those students who would submit the forms now would have to deposit late fee.

DGP visits Uttarkashi: DGP Satyavrat Bansal on Saturday visited Uttarkashi and inspected the SP office, the kotwali and the police lines in the district. The DGP also held a meeting to review the law and order situation. Rajeev Swaroop, SP, Uttarakashi was also present at the meeting. Later, Bansal launched SMS services of the Uttarkashi police meant to keep in direct contact with the public.

Nainital
Bhatnagar new VC: Prof Rakesh Bhatnagar from Jawaharlal University will be the new Vice-Chancellor of Kumaon University. “Prof Rakesh Bhatanagar, who will be the 21st Vice-Chancellor of the university, has many challenges ahead of him. The university is facing a financial crunch and difficulties in the implementation of the semester system at the graduation level, which has a direct bearing on the future of 85,000 regular and 64,000 private students,” said a retired teacher.

(Compiled by BD Kasniyal)