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‘Hefty’ benefits infuriate Jallianwala martyrs’ kin Riot victims disrupt rail services in state
Angry Sikh protesters in Delhi try to break a police barricade as they march towards the Prime Minister’s house to protest against the aquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 riots case on Sunday. Tribune photo: Manas Ranjan Bhui
Bajwa demands bonus on wheat
ZP Poll
Influential Fatehgarh Sahib family joins SAD before poll Congress workers too shift loyalty
Dwindling Coal Reserves
Sidhwan Expressway DEOs sending wrong data to be suspended: Maluka
Fee hike by pvt schools
Retired HC judge to head panel for denotified tribes
Moga policemen at it again
Woman duped of Rs 52 lakh
2 killed in train-tractor collision
Undertrial injured during brawl in Sangrur jail
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Anti-Pak protest by BJP at Attari
Amritsar, May 5 The police had to resort to the use of mild force and water cannons to disperse the saffron brigade. Several leaders, including Sharma, Cabinet Ministers Anil Joshi and Chuni Lal Bhagat, state general secretary Tarun Chugh and vice-president Rajinder Mohan Chinna, were taken into custody and detained for two hours at Gharinda police station.
Earlier, the protesters raised anti-Pakistan slogans and also burnt an effigy of its intelligence agency ISI and its President. Sharma said their motive was to send a message across the border that the common man in India was hurt at the inhuman behaviour meted out to Sarabjit. “We had no intentions to create a ruckus and it was a peaceful protest till the police used water canons on us. Still, we succeeded in our mission,” he said. Chhina condemned Pakistan for disrespecting human rights and asked the neighbouring country to stop sheltering terrorists. He claimed the large gathering at the protest was enough to gauge how hurt the Indians were at Sarabjit’s killing at the Kot Lakhpat jail. “India will never tolerate such kind of brutalities on its citizens,” he said. He also hit out at the Congress-led UPA government for its “failure” in handling its hostile neighbours. Among others who spoke on the occasion were Joshi, Chugh, Manoranjan Kalia, Tikshan Sud, KD Bhandari, Rajinder Bhandari and Renu Thapur.
Tarn Taran: The ashes of Sarabjit Singh were immersed in the Beas at Gurdwara Patalpuri Sahib on Sunday. Virsa Singh Valtoha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, led a convoy from Bhikhiwind to Goindwal Sahib. The convoy comprised Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur, wife Sukhpreet Kaur, daughters Swapandeep and Poonam, and a number of Bhikhiwind residents. Meanwhile, Manpreet Badal, president, People's Party of Punjab, today visited Sarabjit's house and expressed grief with the bereaved family. — OC
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Govt duty-bound to help Sarabjit’s family: Badal
Jalandhar, May 5 Badal said every promise made by the government to Sarabjit’s family would be honoured. He claimed that because of the “pro-people and growth-oriented” policies of his government, the SAD-BJP alliance would register a spectacular win in the zila parishad, block samiti and panchayat elections. Underlining the government’s commitment to developing kandi areas, Badal said major initiatives would place the belt on a high growth trajectory. Efforts were afoot to provide potable and regular drinking water to residents.
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‘Hefty’ benefits infuriate Jallianwala martyrs’ kin
Amritsar, May 5 Sarabjit, Indian prisoner on death row in Pakistan, had died in a Lahore jail after being brutally assaulted by fellow inmates. The state government had conferred the title of ‘shaheed’ (martyr) on Sarabjit. The government also announced an aid of Rs 1 crore to his family and jobs to his daughter. A few relatives of the Jallianwala massacre martyrs today said they were still struggling for the “true” ‘shaheed’ title for their forefathers who had laid down their lives during the freedom struggle on April 13, 1919. After a struggle spanning several decades, the Jallianwala martyrs got the freedom fighter status in 2008. However, the government refused to treat them on a par with other freedom fighters and, therefore, benefits like reservation in jobs, free bus and train travel and priority in gas or petrol pump dealership were denied to them. Though the state government had formed a committee headed by the Chief Secretary to make recommendations on this front to the Centre, the move failed to yield any results. Bhushan Behl, whose grandfather advocate Hari Ram Behl was among those killed in the 1919 massacre, said the then Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil had in 2007 pursued the case and the Centre had declared the Jallianwala martyrs equivalent to other freedom fighters. He said the matter was then referred to the state government for verification. “No headway has been reached after that,” he claimed. Behl claimed his grandfather had led a jatha to the Jallianwala Bagh. “At the time of his death, my father, Jagdish Chander, was only a year old. Our family had a tough time eking out a livelihood after his death,” he claimed. Nand Lal Arora’s grandfather Fakir Chand was also killed while his father Wazir Chand was badly injured in the stampede. “We are not against extending any support to Sarabjit’s family. Our only question to the government is how it defines a freedom fighter?” he said. Kamal Podar, whose great-grandfather Luxmi Chand Podar had also died in the firing by British soldiers at Jallianwala, said, “Ninetyfour years have passed since the massacre but the government is yet to sort out the discrepancies in the list of martyrs. On the other hand, help to Sarabjit’s family came instantly. Why the double standards?”
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Riot victims disrupt rail services in state
Ludhiana, May 5
Owing to heavy police deployment and adroit handling of the situation by senior police and Railway officials, the protesters were prevented from reaching the local railway station. More than a dozen main route trains, including Shane-Punjab, Shatabdi Express, Jalandhar-New Delhi Intercity, Amritsar-New Delhi Intercity, Amritsar-Chandigarh Intercity, Chhattisgarh Express, Malwa Express, Garib Rath, Sachkhand Express, Pashchim Express and Amritsar-Haridwar Janshatabdi were delayed, some for five hours. PHAGWARA: Riot victims and activists of the Sikh students Federation , demanding action against Congress leaders Jagdish Tytler and Sajjan Kumar disrupted rail movement at various sections. Amritsar mail, Andaman express and a goods train were stopped near Ludhiana, New Delhi-bound Shatabdi Express at the Phagwara railway station , Garib Rath Express at the Phillaur railway station, Amritsar-Chandigarh Superfast Express at the Jalandhar railway station, Nanded Sahib-bound Sachkhand Express at the Beas railway station and Ravi Express at the Batala railway station during the protest. Railway Sources said the trains were stopped by the authorities only at main railway stations to prevent harassment to commuters. Activists of the Janta Jal Sewa Samiti, Phagwara, led by Vipin Khurana and former Nagar Council president Malkiat Singh Ragbotra served sweet water to stranded passengers. New Delhi: A scuffle broke out between Sikh protesters and the Delhi Police while the former were on their way to the Prime Minister’s residence to submit a memorandum seeking Sajjan Kumar’s speedy trial in the High Court. Sajjan Kumar was last week acquitted by a Karkardooma court in a 1984 riots case. At least 90 protestors were arrested and seven members of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), including Manjinder Singh Sirsa, SAD’s general secretary, president of Youth Akali Dal, Kuldeep Singh Bhogal, and Onkar Singh Thapar, received minor injuries. At least nine policemen were injured too. While the protesters claimed that the police had hit them with lathis, the Delhi Police denied the same. “We wanted to submit a memorandum in support of Nirpreet Kaur and others on fast at Janat Mantar. We proceeded towards the PM’s house but were stopped and hit with lathis even though the march was peaceful. Three of our members suffered injuries and were hospitalised,” said Manjit Singh GK, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president. He said he and his colleague Avtar singh Hit were taken into custody. Deputy Commissioner SBS Tyagi refuted the allegations. “Police barricades were damaged. We had to detain 90 protesters who were later let off. Those injured were admitted to RML Hospital.” At 2 pm as the protesters, including Aam Aadmi Party and BJP activists, marched from Jantar Mantar towards the PM’s residence, they crossed two barricades at Parliament Street even as the police personnel tried to stop them. The 2,000-strong crowd then tried to break the third barricade but were stopped. “The Delhi Police lathicharged the protesters for demanding justice but they failed to do anything against those responsible for the 1984 massacre,” said the DSGMC chief. On being released, the protesters resumed their protest at Jantar Mantar. Amritsar: The 1984 Sikh Katle-am Pirit Pariwar Sangharsh Committee held a protest rally against the acquittal of senior Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a 1984 riots case. The protesters raised slogans against the UPA Government. Committee president Kashmir Singh Saggu alleged that the Congress and the CBI had colluded to ensure that Sajjan Kumar was acquitted. — TNS Amritsar: Avtar Singh Makkar, SGPC chief, has flayed the “lathi charge” on DSGMC office-bearers and SAD leaders in New Delhi. He said the UPA Government should deliver justice to the Sikhs by putting all those behind the 1984 riots behind bars. “The government should listen to the voice of the community rather than resorting to oppressive measures,” he added. — TNS
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Bajwa demands bonus on wheat
Chandigarh, May 5 He claimed due to timely efforts by the PPCC, the Centre decided to withdraw wealth tax on farmers. He said earlier, the Congress forced the SAD-BJP government to review property tax. In a statement issued here, Bajwa said the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab was a major issue in the panchayat elections and if the government allowed a free and fair poll, the people would show their mood. Farmers were upset with a delay in the payment of wheat procured by government agencies, he said, adding farmers were getting irregular power supply these days despite being a lean period. The PPCC president said the Congress had appointed observers at the block level to check “illegal means” adopted by the ruling party to influence the voters and polling staff.
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ZP Poll
Muktsar, May 5 Lakhvir Kaur, 35, wife of the Jathedar’s elder son, Manjinder Singh Bittu, will file her nomination papers at the Sub-Divisinal Magistrate’s (SDM) office here tomorrow. Talking to The Tribune, Manjinder Singh, sarpanch of Chak Baja Marar village and chief of SAD’s Muktsar circle (rural), said the Harike Kalan zone, comprising 26 villages, was reserved for women. The Congress has yet to decide on a candidate against Lakhvir Kaur. Sources in the Congress said the party was planning to field somebody from a high-profile family to give her a tough fight. Lakhvir Kaur said: “I belong to a simple family of Balochkera village in Lambi. My father retired as Inspector with Punjab Roadways. Though politics is not in my blood, I have strong desire to serve the people. I have learnt the basics of politics from mr husband.” Lakhvir Kaur said she would address a gathering at a private resort near the District Administrative Complex tomorrow and thereafter file her papers. The SAD has fielded Malout legislator Harpreet Singh’s wife Avneet Kaur from Malout village zone. Gurcharan Singh, chairman, Market Committee, Malout, Basant Singh Kang and a large number of Akali leaders offered a siropa to Avneet Kaur and announced her candidature today.
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Influential Fatehgarh Sahib family joins SAD before poll
Mohali, May 5 Badal was in the city to meet the family of late Harminder Singh Harji, a senior leader and close aide of GS Tohra, at their residence in Phase 9. He said nobody was secure in the country.
"Everyone is aware about the latest developments related to Pakistan and China and the state of our internal security, too, is in a mess. This is a result of wrong policies of the Congress-led UPA government," he said. On recent differences between the BJP and the SAD units in Mohali district, Badal said it was unfortunate. "I am aware of it and it will be resolved very soon but at a higher level, there is no difference in the two parties. There is a top-class coordination between us (SAD and BJP)," he said. Badal said people would wipe out the Congress in the upcoming parliamentary elections. Condemning the bribery scam involving a family member of Union minister Pawan Kumar Bansal, Badal said it was nothing new but a new addition to the list of scams involving Congress leaders. Earlier, the SAD unit of Fatehgarh Sahib got a boost when family members of Harji, who was an influential leader of the area, announced to join the party in the presence of the Chief Minister today. Badal welcomed the development, saying it would strengthen the party in the area. Amanpreet Kaur, Harji's daughter, said it was just like a homecoming for them. "During the last elections, we had supported Congress legislator Kuljit Singh Nagra as a person but we had never joined the Congress. Now, we are again with the SAD," she said. Harji had a large base of supporters in Fatehgarh Sahib. He used his influence to ensure victory of Congress legislator Kuljit Singh Nagra in the last elections. Amanpreet said they had taken the decision to join the SAD after consulting their supporters in Fatehgarh Sahib district. Prem Singh Chandumajra, who was instrumental in bringing back the family to the party, claimed that with the support of Harji's family, it would be easier to win all the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti seats in the area.
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Congress workers too shift loyalty
Fatehgarh Sahib, May 5 Chandumajra presented them siropas and assured them that they would be given due respect in the party. Addressing the gathering, Chandumajra said there was a race among Congress workers to join the SAD(B) and if this trend continued, the Congress will be eradicated from Fatehgarh Sahib completely. He said the SAD(B) government led by Parkash Singh Badal had initiated various people-oriented schemes, which was why people were coming into the party fold.
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Teachers protest near Dhindsa’s house
Sangrur, May 5 The protesters had come to gherao the residence of the minister, but they could not do so due to the deployment of a heavy police force. Earlier, the sakhar preraks gathered at the Banasar Garden. They then marched towards the Dhindsa’s residence, raising slogans against the state government and in favour of their demands, which include reinstatement of all 4,602 sakhar preraks and payment of arrears of salary. Dalelgarh said they were recruited to provide basic education to persons aged above 15 years, but on November 6, 2012, their services were terminated on the plea that the state government did not have requisite funds to run the central scheme. He said as per the scheme, the Centre gave 75 per cent of the funds while the state contributed the remaining 25 per cent. Later, an 11-member deputation of the union met Rajya Sabha member Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, who assured the former that he would take up the matter in a meeting of the core committee to be held tomorrow.
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Dwindling Coal Reserves
Chandigarh, May 5 The government is now devising a way to iron out “differences” with Panem, Coal Mines Limited, the main supplier. The government is thinking of augmenting its supplies from Coal India Limited (CIL), which is said to be “slightly” costlier. Confirming that the Lehra Mohabbat plant had coal reserves for only 12 days and the Bathinda plant for about eight days, SK Puri, Chief Engineer, Lehra Mohabbat, said: “Coal shortage is nothing new. We have aptly worked out alternative solutions”. The Punjab Government has constituted a special committee to handle the crisis and suggest remedial action. The Jharkhand-based Panem mines is said to have expressed its anger over the mode of quality checks of its supplies. Sources said at least 60 per cent of coal requirement for the three thermal plants in Punjab was met by Panem. In case of Lehra Mohabatt, Panem met at least 85 per cent of coal requirement. The Bathinda and Lehra Mohabbat thermal power plants have seen some of its units shut down since the last week of April. But official sources denied that this had been done on account of coal shortage. To a question on the Ropar plant having reserves for at least 31 days, the Chief Engineer said: “The Ropar thermal plant has alternative sources of supply from Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) and Coal India Limited (CIL).” Purchase Pact
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Sidhwan Expressway
Ludhiana, May 5 PWD officials claim around 50 per cent of the drawings of both the ROBs had been received at Ludhiana. These would be handed over to the contractor on Monday to enable him to start work. Interestingly, ramps on both sides of both the ROBs are ready while the part to be constructed on top of the railway tracks is incomplete. The foundation stone of the expressway was laid in 2009. The Rs 328.16-crore project involves the construction of 26.9-km four-lane road with a carriageway on each side from Doraha to Ludhiana-Ferozepur road, providing a bypass for traffic going to Ferozepur. There are a total of nine bridges, comprising five canal bridges, two rail over-bridges (ROBs) and two flyovers. Initially, the state government had set February 2012 as the deadline for the completion of the project. It was later extended to October 2012. In August last year, the deadline was extended to March 2013. The latest deadline is June. Speaking to The Tribune, Harinder Singh Dhillon, SDO, PWD, said the department had received 50 per cent of drawings of both the ROBs. “These drawings will be handed over to the contractor on Monday. The remaining drawings will be received in the next few days,” he sadi. Pardeep Kumar, project manager of the company executing the project, said after receiving the drawings, both the ROBs would be ready in the next five to six months. “The bridge under construction on the Ferozepur Road will be thrown open to vehicular traffic before May 20,” he claimed.
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DEOs sending wrong data to be suspended: Maluka
Ludhiana, May 5 Talking to The Tribune, Maluka said it was wrong on the part of teachers to fool the government by sending wrong data. "I have suspended three teachers in Bathinda as they had sent us wrong information. The strength of students for a particular subject was low. However, in order to save their posts, these teachers sent data showing sufficient number of students, which is cheating and will not be tolerated. When I can get to know about their intentions, how come DEOs are not aware of such blunders being committed by teachers? The DEOs, along with teachers, will be held accountable if wrong or fake data is sent to us," he said. Some schools had been sending fake information of students to save teachers' posts. A senior teacher at a government school here, on the condition of anonymity, said, "With this strict warning given by the minister, teachers might start sending correct information." She added that teachers taught students to be truthful in life but many of them were "cheating" to save their skin. Teachers in government schools had bought time from the government to send detailed data on rationalisation as the admission process was on in schools. "The process is on till May 15 and we have asked the DEOs to send us the lists by May 25. The government wants to rationalise the system to be able to uplift the education system in the state," said Maluka.
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Fee hike by pvt schools
Patiala, May 5 Members of the association have been holding protests and have filed a complaint with the Patiala Deputy Commissioner and the Patiala District Education Officer in this regard. Association president Nardev Singh Akri said many schools had increased the fee by almost 15 to 20 per cent, which weighed heavily on the pockets of parents. "Before the beginning of this academic session, we gave a memorandum to the Patiala Deputy Commissioner. He marked an enquiry to ADC (Grievances) Inderbeer Kaur Mann but nothing concrete has come out of it yet. We have even met the District Education Officer in this regard but even she has not initiated any enquiry into the matter." Akri said they held demonstrations outside Modern Senior Secondary School, Guru Nanak Foundation and Shivalik Public School. He said, "Guru Nanak Foundation School increased the fee by 15 per cent. When we objected, the school principal assured us that there would not be any hike next year. So, we have given them a go-ahead since the school is charging comparatively lesser than many other city schools." Akri said despite the directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the schools will implement the fee structure of 2012-13 this year too, many schools had not only increased the fee but were also charging building funds and annual funds from students each year. He said these should be ideally charged only once - at the time of admissions. He said many schools had opened their own book stores and were asking them to purchase school uniforms from particular shops, which were charging exorbitant amount for the same. "There are many such issues and so, we have planned to move the court. We don't want to be at the receiving end any more," he said.
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Retired HC judge to head panel for denotified tribes
Chandigarh, May 5 A direction to this effect was given by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to the office of the Advocate-General during a meeting with a deputation of Punjab Pradesh Vimukat-Jaati Sangathan, an official spokesman said. Badal assured the deputation that the government would consider their legitimate demands sympathetically. He also directed the SC/BC Welfare Department to implement the decisions already taken during earlier meetings with the organisation pertaining to reservation in government jobs, allotment of five marla residential plots and various benefits under welfare schemes. Badal said the SAD-BJP Government had constituted a board for the welfare of the poor and backward communities. Meanwhile, the government has decided to regularise all contractual female health workers (ANMs) who have completed three years in service. The Chief Minister took this decision at a meeting with a deputation of Contract Multi-Purpose Health Workers (Female) Union at his residence yesterday. The deputation was led by union state president Narinder Kaur. The Chief Minister directed the Principal Secretary, Health, Vini Mahajan, to chalk out modalities for regularising these workers against 1,154 vacant posts in the Health Department. He said he would take up with the Union Government the issue to adjust the rest of the employees through creation of 400 additional posts. — TNS
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Moga policemen at it again
Moga, May 5 Talking to The Tribune, District Magistrate Arshdeep Singh Thind said: “I am not aware of such complaints but will ask the SSP to look into it and take action against the erring policemen”. Senior Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Grewal said: “I joined duty recently after two months of medical leave. I will look into the complaints.”. On April 2, at least four policemen in mufti and two others in uniform roughed up a youth (a video clip is with The Tribune) and allegedly took him in a Bolero jeep to an ‘illegal interrogation centre’. The victim, Kuldip Kumar, whose brother runs a chemist shop, alleged: “The policemen took me to a house where they threatened to slap false cases of smuggling on me. They demanded Rs 5 lakh but a deal was struck for Rs 1.60 lakh in the presence of Vinod Kumar, a mediator, who got me released after taking Rs 50,000 from my brother. The rest of the money was to be paid on May 3 but I decided to seek legal remedy”. When contacted, Vinod denied having played a mediator but admitted that he had been in constant touch with Kuldip’s brother on the phone at the time of the incidence. “I was out of station and have nothing to do with it”, he claimed. On April 21, Dharamkot Station House officer Suraj Pal picked up a youth, Tarun Kumar, who runs a chemists shop. A deputation of local shopkeepers and chemists tried to resist, but the SHO said that a case under the NDPS Act had been registered against him for selling psychotropic drugs. The local chemists alleged that the police had registered a false case because it had failed to strike a deal with him on a ‘monthly’ payment. At least 25 pharmacy shops have been shut down in the district. As many as 80 cases of drugs smuggling against drug peddlers and chemists have been registered in the past couple of weeks. Senior Congress leader Vijay Sathi alleged that some policemen had turned extortionists. “The post of SHO is virtually auctioned. How then can the higher-ups discipline the lower ranks,” he asked. Recent cases
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Woman duped of Rs 52 lakh
Hoshiarpur, May 5 A case was registered after Harbans Kaur, a resident of Tanda, alleged that Parveen Kumar and Sarabjit Singh assured that her nephew would be employed as an Assistant Sub-Inspector in lieu of Rs 10 lakh, police said today. They also took Rs 42.50 lakhs for sending her daughter to America, but the accused did not adhere to the promises, they said. No arrests have been made in the case as yet. — PTI
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2 killed in train-tractor collision
Gurdaspur, May 5 The victims have been identified as Manpreet Singh and Sardari Lal. While Manpreet died on the spot, Sardari Lal succumbed to his injuries at the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital. The accident took place at 9.45 pm when the driver of the tractor-trailer failed to site the Pathankot-Amritsar passenger train. Joginder Singh Chhina, in charge, Dhariwal Railway Station, said traffic on this busy route remained affected for nearly four hours and the train engine was taken to Dhariwal for repairs. Dr Abhina Trikha, Deputy Commissioner, said the district administration would write to the Railway authorities about the dangers of unmanned level crossings in this district. A railway official said: “The Railways recorded about 15,000 deaths across the country in 2011-12. Experts say almost 70 per cent of these took place at unmanned crossings”. Residents living near the level crossing said the government should either shut all the unmanned level crossings or construct railway over-bridges to check such fatal accidents.
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Undertrial injured during brawl in Sangrur jail Sangrur: An undertrial, Harwinder Singh, lodged in a criminal case in the district jail here, sustained an injury on his head on Sunday. He has been admitted to the Civil Hospital. Jagwant Kumar Sharma, Jail Superintendent, said Harwinder sustained a head injury after falling on the ground during a scuffle with two other inmates. Dr Balwant Singh, Senior Medical Officer, said the injured had been shifted to the surgery ward. — TNS
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Amritsar, May 5
Ludhiana, May 5
Sangrur, May 5
Ludhiana, May 5
They were protesting against the acquittal of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in a riots case.The victims, including a large number of women, squatted on the rail track near the Jagraon bridge in the morning. They raised slogans against the Congress-led UPA Government and the judiciary and brandished swords and sticks.
The daughter-in-law of Akal Takht chief, Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh, will contest the Zila Parishad poll on the SAD ticket from Harike Kalan in Muktsar district.
The irregular coal supply to the 440 MW Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant,
Bathinda, and the 920 MW Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant (GHPT), Lehra Mohabbat, for the past several months, has had the Punjab Government worried.