R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
Ex-sarpanch killed: Fog took its toll on Sunday when a former sarpanch along with four of his close relatives was killed as the Bolero jeep by which they were traveling collided with Amritsar-Khajuwala bus owned by the state roadways. Former sarpanch Subhash Bishnoi (45) of village 4-KJD alongwith his relatives were coming to attend prayer meeting of a relative who had died in village Rohranwali near Sriganganagar.

Amritsar
5,244 held for drug-peddling: The police seized registered 449 cases and arrested 5,244 persons with narcotic substances in 2012. In 2011, the police had registered 242 cases and arrested 289 drug peddlers. The police seized around 2 kg of heroin, 5 kg of smack besides over 53 kg of narcotic powders from drug peddlers. 

Nawanshahr
Master Cadre Union: Harminder Singh Uppal has been unanimously elected district president of the Master Cadre Union, Punjab. Besides, Paramjit Singh Khalsa (Banga), Sat Pal Ratenda (Mukandpur), Narinder Singh Bharta (Aur), Didar Singh (Nawanshahr-1), Buta Lal (Nawanshahr -2), Harvinder Singh (Balachaur -1), Bakhshish Singh (Balachaur -2), Narinder Singh (Saroya) have been made the block presidents.

Phagwara
Drug peddler held: The police today arrested a drug peddler during a naka and recovered 5 gm heroin and 50 gm intoxicant powder from his possession. The accused has been identified as Rajwinder Singh, a resident of Nangal Majha village.