R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Fatehgarh Sahib
Power supply to 28 water tanks snapped:The power corporation disconnected connections to around 28 overhead water tanks in various villages of the district, alleged Pradesh Congress Committee executive member Gursatinder Singh Jalla on Monday. He alleged the power supply was snapped as the bills had not been paid. Jalla said people were not getting drinking water for the past several days as groundwater level was too low. He said the party would launch an agitation if power supply was not resumed.

Traffic awareness drive launched:In a traffic awareness drive launched on Monday, Sarbat Da Bhalla Trust and state traffic police would donate 50 lakh radium stickers to vehicle owners. Over 1 lakh stickers were handed over to Fatehgarh Sahib Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh Chauhan at a function organised to launch the campaign in the state.

LUDHIANA
Gang of thieves busted:The city police has nabbed three persons and claimed to have busted a gang of thieves. The kingpin of the gang was identified as Sher Mohammad alias Bunty has committed nearly 60 thefts across the state. Addressing the press conference, ACP (Central) Deepak Hillori said Bunty, who had spent nearly 18 months in jail, was released from prison on December 26. Soon after coming out of jail he formed a gang and involved two drug addicts Ravipal and Anand Yadav. They had started committed thefts in and around the city. Last night, police received a tip off that the trio were planning to commit theft in the old city area. The police nabbed the trio and seized the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in. Besides, valuables were also recovered from their possession.

Shop burgled:Thieves struck at a paint shop near Samrala Chowk and decamped with cash and valuables worth lakhs of rupees. According to Satnam Singh, owner of the shop, the incident came to light when he arrived at the shop and was shocked to find it ransacked. He said the thieves tired to break the shutters of his shop but failed in their attempt. They reached the roof and entered the shop by creating a hole in the roof. Satnam said the thieves took away Rs 70,000 cash, mobile recharge coupons worth Rs 7,000 and important documents.

Banks launch Smart Stage Money Back Plan:Canara Bank, HSBC, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Life Insurance on Tuesday announced the launch of its Smart Stage Money Back Plan (a traditional participating product) which provides regular guaranteed money back, guaranteed maturity benefit plus all added bonuses to the customer during the term of the policy along with financial protection to the family by way of life cover. The smart stage money back is an ideal plan to be financially ready for a child’s education and other related needs or fulfilling the aspiration needs like purchasing a house or a family vacation.

Samsung launches premium ultrasound 5D technology:Samsung Electronics has launched the UGEO WS80A, its first premium ultrasound with 5D technology in India. With stylish Samsung design and innovative features, including the 5D technologies, MPI and ElastoScan providing superior image performance along with the UGEO WS80A redefining premium ultrasound for women’s health. Dinesh Lodha, vice-president, Health and Medical Equipment Business, Samsung India said, “Samsung will continue to put its best efforts towards developing medical devices that deliver true-to-life images and features that provide faster diagnosis.”

HCIL launches fourth generation Honda City:Honda Cars India Limited, leading manufacturer of premium cars in the country, launched all new 4th Generation Honda City for Indian market on Tuesday. First introduced in India in January 1998, Honda City has brought joy to over 4.3 lakh customers across India and has been country’s most successful sedan. The all new City embodies the best of Honda’s technologies to deliver. Advanced sporty design, best comfort and best fuel efficiency will exceed customers’ expectations and would now be available in both diesel and petrol fuel options.

Mansa
Sardulgarh MLA keen to contest from Bathinda: Congress MLA from Sardulgarh Ajit Inder Singh Mofar is willing to contest from Bathinda in the coming Lok Sabha elections. The parliamentary constituency is represented by Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The party high command on Monday asked Mofar whether or not he was willing to contesting from Bathinda. Mofar on Tuesday said he was keen to accept any challenge for the party.

Muktsar
Man held with 1.5 kg opium:The Muktsar police on Tuesday arrested two drug smugglers and seized nearly 1.5 kg of opium and 3 quintals of poppy husk from their possession. Surjit Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said a police party nabbed a motorcyclist carrying 1.5 kg of opium near Lambi village. Another police party seized 14 bags of poppy husk weighing 2.8 quintal of poppy husk from Jagjit Singh of Sirsa district in Haryana, he added.

PPP seeks removal of ‘illegal’ SAD hoardings: People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) district president Jagjit Singh ‘Honey Fattanwala’ on Tuesday sought legal action against SAD leaders for installing hoardings of Maghi Mela on government buildings. He demanded the administration should remove “illegal” hoardings and initiate action against people who installed them.

Tarn Taran
Two women among four booked for fraud:Four persons, including two women, were booked for duping local residents on the pretext of sending them abroad. The accused have been identified as Narinder Kaur, Shervinder Singh, Hardev Singh and his sister Rajwant Kaur. A case has been registered.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Bilaspur
Truck driver held on smuggling charge: The Suharghat police on Tuesday arrested Arjun, driver of the truck UP-11T-5544, for carrying 36 buffaloes in his truck. The 30-year-old hails from Shyamla Begampur in Saharanpur. Reports said the police led by ASI Ashwini Kumar set up a naka on National Highway 21 this morning. They stopped a truck for checking. The animals had been huddled in a bad condition. The driver was arrested and his truck impounded. The police registered a case under the animal cruelty Act.

Man found dead in pit: Brahm Dut (49) of Vaah village under Gaahar gram panchayat near Ghumarwin was found dead in a deep depression. Reports said Brahm was a daily-wage earner. Villagers suspected that as it was dark he might have slipped and fallen down into a 22-foot-deep pit, injuring him grievously.

Hamirpur
Hike in LPG refill prices flayed: District BJP president Vijay Agnihotri has strongly criticised the Central government for increasing the price of LPG refills. Agnihotri said consumers were already paying through their nose to buy LPG refills and this further hike would add to the woes of commoners. He asked the government to reduce its price to give relief to consumers.

Attack on CPM member condemned: The CPM has condemned alleged attack on the party’s district committee member and state vice-president of the DYFI Anil Mankotia in the district recently and demanded immediate arrest of his attackers. State secretariat member of the CPM Kashmir Singh Thakur said Mankotia, who had contested the last Assembly election on a CPM ticket from Hamirpur against former CM PK Dhumal, was being targeted by BJP activists for quite some time. He said since Mankotia had played a significant role in building the SFI in Hamirpur, several cases were being registered against him to demoralise the students’ leader.

Kangra
HRTC man suffers burn injuries: A 46-year-old HRTC employee, Amit Kumar, on Sunday received burn injuries at Baijnath and was admitted to the DRPGMC, Tanda, the police said here.The police said Amit was severely burnt when his clothes caught fire.