R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda
Use of Chinese string deplored: The Bathinda Vikas Manch conducted a meeting at the Powerhouse road and deplored the use of Chinese thread by kite flyers. The head of the NGO, Rakesh Narula, appreciated the ban imposed on the sale of the Chinese thread. He sought that the ban ought to continue for the safety of birds.

Ferozepur
3 sentenced to life for gang rape: Three youths were sentenced to life imprisonment in a gang rape case by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge on Thursday. A fine of Rs 10,000 was also imposed on each of them. The accused, Shamsher Singh aka Sherry, Sukhdev aka Sukha and German, all residents of Fattuwala village in the district were booked on May 15, 2009. Ashwani Dhingra, the counsel for the complainant said on the night of April 17, 2009, the accused had forcibly taken away the victim, who was minor at the time, from her house and raped her.

Blast in junk, man killed: One person was killed while a few others sustained injuries in a blast that took place in a junk dealer's shop near the CIA staff headquarters in the cantonment area on Thursday. Vibhor Kumar, DSP, said the victim who is yet to be identified had brought some discarded bombshells to the shop when the blast went off.

Sangrur
Man booked for abducting minor: The Dhuri police has registered a case under sections 363 and 366-A of the IPC against Charanveer Singh, a resident of Mangwal village. He was booked for allegedly taking a 15-years-old girl of Rajomajra village with on the pretext of solemnising marriage with her. However, he was yet to be arrested.