R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Jalandhar
Mid-day meal staff to hold protest: Members of the Mid-Day Meal Workers Union have opposed the state government’s move to start mid-day meals on a contractual basis in Jalandhar, Patiala and Kapurthala districts from November 1. They said they would hold protests at the block level across the state on October 22 and 23. The government has roped in a West Bengal-based NGO to provide meals in government schools. Initially, the scheme will be implemented in urban schools of the said districts.

Patiala
Services at Rajindra Hospital hit as staff strike work:In a major setback to Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, the contractual staff nurses and paramedical staff today boycotted evening and night duties. They will continue to strike work if their demand for regularisation is not met. They have threatened to boycott morning duties, including that of emergency, from October 21 onwards.

Phagwara
Youth booked for sodomising boy: The police has booked Narinder alias Happy of Apra village on the charges of sodomising a five-year-old boy at the nearby Samradi village on Tuesday. Balbir Chand, a mason, told the police that his son was playing near his house when the accused took him to a nearby school and sodomised him. The victim was later found lying unconscious. No arrest has been made so far.

8 injured in two road mishaps: Eight persons were injured in two different road mishaps around Phagwara and Goraya on Tuesday night. A motorcycle, an Activa scooter, a car and a bus involved in these mishaps were damaged. The injured were admitted to various hospitals in Phagwara, Goraya and Phillaur.

Tarn Taran
Mystery shrouds Patti youth’s death: The body of a youth, Karanjit Singh (25), a resident of Patti area who was employed in a factory in Gujarat, was found wrapped in a blanket at Piddi village, 6 km from here. Assistant Sub-Inspector Paramjit Singh said the body bore injury marks with a sharp-edged weapon. A case has been registered under Indian Penal Code Sections 302 and 201.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Shimla
2-member judges panel formed: To monitor the computerisation programme of the city civil courts in the state capital, Chief Justice AM Khanwilkar has constituted a two-member judges committee. As per the notification issued by the Registrar General, the Project Monitoring Committee will consist of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Governor has no Secret Fund: Spokesman: A Raj Bhavan spokesman, referring to the assertion of a Member of the Legislative Assembly that the Governor has a Secret Fund, as reported in a section of the media, rejected the statement as incorrect and baseless. The spokesman clarified that as per the Constitution, grants for the Raj Bhavan are passed by the Legislature and are open to public scrutiny.

Srinagar
Foreign militant killed in Kupwara: An unidentified foreign militant was today killed in an encounter with security forces in Kupwara district. Police and Army launched a joint operation in Diver area of Lolab in Kupwara, 120 km from here, following information about presence of militants in the area, a police spokesman said.