R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Anandpur Sahib
Ambala teenager gang-raped: A 16-year-old girl belonging to Ambala in Haryana was allegedly raped by three youths, one of them a minor. The accused, Balraj (22), Rajinder Singh (21) and the 17-year-old minor, have been arrested on the victim’s complaint, said Ropar Senior Superintendent of Police Inder Mohan Singh Bhatti. The victim alleged that during her visit to Anandpur Sahib and Naina Devi a few months ago, she came in contact with Balraj Singh of Lodhipur village. On October 5, she came to meet Balraj. The latter along with Rajinder took her to a temporary structure near the cremation ground on a motorcycle where they raped her. A minor also joined them.

Bathinda
Gas agency owner, staff held for pilferage: Taking a serious note of the reports about underweight domestic LPG cylinders being supplied to customers, the Mansa police has arrested the owner of a gas agency and 10 employees for diverting pilfered gas to commercial customers. The accused also filled cylinders supplied in far-off places like Ludhiana. So far, the police has confiscated 959 cylinders, both empty and of varying weights. A case has been registered.

Kapurthala
Bid to break into MLA’s house: At least six unidentified youths allegedly made an attempt to enter into the house of Congress MLA Navtej Singh Cheema at Pandori Mohalla in Sultanpur Lodhi on Sunday evening. Sources said at 9 pm, six persons in the 18-20 age group with their faces covered tried to enter into Cheema's residence from the rear side. At the time of incident, Cheema's mother Harsharan Kaur (73) and his younger son were at home. Cheema had gone to drop his elder son in Shimla. Eyewitnesses said pet dogs at Cheema's neighbour raised an alarm following which the accused fled. “I have brought the matter to notice of Kapurthala SSP Inderbir Singh,” said Cheema.

Patiala
2 arrested with 10 kg of opium: The Patiala police has arrested two smugglers and seized 10 kg of opium from their possession. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against them. Senior Superintendent of Police Hardyal Singh Mann said Jaswinder Singh and Gurjit Singh, both of Haryana, were arrested from a naka at the Tepla road, Shambhu. “We have also impounded the car in which they were travelling,” he said.

Sangrur
Man kills orchestra dancer, arrested: A 40-year-old orchestra dancer was allegedly murdered here on Sunday. Station House Officer Harinder Singh said following a tiff, Jaspreet Kaur was strangled to death by Balbir Singh (42) at Kartarpura Basti, Harerri road. Both had been living together for the past 10 years. Balbir had been arrested and a case under Section 302 of the IPC had been registered against him.

Prosthetic, ENT examination camp
Fazilka: As many as 268 patients were examined during a prosthetic and ENT examination camp organised jointly by the Social Welfare Society and the Bala Ji Dham Managing Committee at the local Balaji Dham on Sunday. Deputy Commissioner Dr Basant Garg was the chief guest while Civil Surgeon Dr Baldev Raj presided over the function. — OC