R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Abohar
Nanded Express to halt at Gidderbaha: The Railways have accepted a long-pending demand to allow the halt of Sriganganagar-Abohar-Nanded Express at Gidderbaha on the Abohar-Bathinda section from January 10. The train runs thrice a week.

Fatehgarh Sahib
Cold wave claims life: The local police has recovered the body of an unidentified man, who reportedly died of cold. Assistant Sub Inspector Satiinderpal Singh said the age of the deceased person was around 42 years. He said the victim had died a natural death. Meanwhile, another unidentified person aged around 35 years found by the local police in an inebriated condition at Shaheedi Jor Mela on December 28, died at Rajindra Hospital.

Gurdaspur
Police identify bodies found in Dhariwal: The police on Wednesday identified bodies that were found in Dhariwal. SSP Sukhwant Singh Gill claimed that ever since the two bodies — one of a man and the other of a woman — were found at secluded places in Dhariwal on Tuesday, police swung into action. “The man has been identified as Dharampal of Chajjupur village. He was a rickshaw-puller and drug addict. He used to sleep in his rickshaw during night,” SP (Detective) Jagjit Singh Saroya said, adding the woman was a beggar. “Prima facie, doctors said both died of cold,” the SP said.

Ludhiana
Honoured: Anti-Corruption Crime and Investigation Cell organised a function to celebrate New Year at the office of Dot Beverages on Wednesday.@@Directors of the company Tarun Baweja and Gupreet Singh honoured the president of the anti-corruption cell, BK Baweja, and General Secretary NP Singh on the occasion. Action against Corruption also celebrated New Year at the Satsang Bhawan. ‘Mata Di Chowki’ was organised to mark the occasion.

Nawanshahr
NGO distributes blankets to poor: A non-government organisation (NGO) Awaz celebrated the New Year by distributing blankets among 40 poor people at Pandora Mohalla here on Wednesday.

Patiala
Youth run over by bus: Farooq Ahmed (20) was crushed to death by a PRTC bus near Fuwara Chowk in Patiala on Tuesday. He along with a friend was travelling on a motorbike. Deceased's brother Mehfoos Ahmed said Farooq' motorcycle collided with the bus in front, when it suddenly took a u-turn. His friend fell a distance away while Farooq got crushed under the rear wheels of the bus, he said. The bus driver fled from the spot. A case has been registered.