|
|
|
|
|
Badal counters Sidhu, says no invites sent for Modi rally
Summoned in drug case, minister’s son off to Dubai
|
|
|
No to more MD seats in ‘ill-equipped’ Patiala college
Rural healthcare in disarray in Moga
SAD candidate Kulwant kicks off campaign
SAD, BJP leaders spar over CM’s function
22 injured as protesters clash with police
Centre approves 3 projects for state
Martyrs’ remains to be taken out of Ajnala well on February 28
Former Jathedar ‘thrashes’ riot victim
Association of physicians conference
Farm unions opposing GM crops to protest
Sukhoi comes too close to two civilian planes
Protest by nurses in Lambi enters Day 4
Ferozepur-Chandigarh train on anvil: MLA
Ferozepur college brings laurels
Farmers to protest police lathicharge from today
‘Sanskritpedia’ need of the hour, says PU VC
Lovers end life after ‘marriage’
HC declines petitions on Ashutosh
Don't give dishonest advice: HC to lawyers
Sniffer dogs to check drugs in jails, HC told
Heroin worth Rs 50 crore seized near Amritsar
Suicide: Cong leader’s son among 6 booked
|
Badal counters Sidhu, says no invites sent for Modi rally
Amritsar, February 24 Talking to mediapersons after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple, Badal said, “It was a joint effort of the SAD-BJP alliance. We did not invite anybody. Those occupying responsible positions came on their own. They also brought along a large number of supporters and thus made the rally a success.” On allegations that the SAD was interfering in the BJP's selection process for Lok Sabha candidates, he said the saffron party was a major political entity that took decisions on its own. “We don’t interfere in the internal issues of other parties and also don’t allow them to meddle in ours,” he said. Badal said the Akali Dal would support whosoever was fielded by the BJP from Amritsar. He refused to comment on the police lathicharge on the farmers in Amritsar last week, arguing that it was a law and order problem. Sidhu had not attended the Modi rally claiming he had not received an invite. The three-time BJP parliamentarian has been at loggerheads with the SAD, and also the Punjab BJP leaders, for the past sometime after he accused the state government of scuttling his pet projects.
|
|
Summoned in drug case, minister’s son off to Dubai
Chandigarh/Jalandhar,February 24 ED sources said Damanvir and Goraya-based business man Chunni Lal Gaba had been issued summons for questioning in the Rs 6,000 crore synthetic drug racket allegedly run by Jagdish Bhola. Denying that his son had received ED summons, the minister accepted that he had gone to Dubai. “This was a pre-planned trip and has nothing to do with the allegations made against him. We have neither been questioned by the ED, nor have we received any summons,” Phillaur told mediapersons here. Drug lord Jagdish Bhola, during interrogation by the ED last week, had said that Damanvir had introduced a Delhi-based synthetic drug supplier, now lodged in the Patiala jail, to the minister's confidant, Chunni Lal Gaba. Phillaur maintained that Gaba was a close associate and he had known him for the past 50 years. “However, he is not a business partner.” The minister said he was not aware of Gaba’s whereabouts now. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal said: ‘I have read in the newspapers that the ED is investigating the case without any interference. Let the law take its own course." A diary seized by the Income Tax Department from the business premises of Chuni Lal Gaba, a Goraya-based business man and confidant of the Minister for Jails Sarwan Singh Phillaur, during a raid on February 18 may prove useful to Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths to nail down bigwigs. Gaba's name figures in the Rs-6,000 crore synthetic drug trade racket allegedly run by dismissed DSP Jagdish Bhola. Gaba, who has a humble background, is a real estate tycoon and owner of a chain of cold stores and a pharmaceutical factory in Himachal Pradesh. One of his sons, Gurmej Gaba, is vice-president of the Goraya Nagar Council. Bhola, in a signed statement to the ED, has said that Varinder alias Raja, a resident of Delhi, procured pseudo ephedrine from the owner of Chuni Lal Gaba Cold Storage, Goraya. He has said that Raja was introduced to Gaba by Damanvir Singh, son of Punjab minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur. The ED, it is learnt, has shot off a letter to the IT top brass for copies of the seized documents so that more information is included in the probe report to be placed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court during the next hearing of the Bhola case in the first week of March. Highly placed sources said the ED sleuths were particularly looking for a diary with names of influential persons and Gaba's business associates. — Varinder Singh About suspect Gaba
|
||
|
No to more MD seats in ‘ill-equipped’ Patiala college
Patiala, February 24 The decision comes a day after Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad launched a project to upgrade Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital at a cost of Rs 150 crore. The MCI has also decided to ask the Central Government to disapprove the schemes pertaining to increase in MD seats. The Central Government had allocated Rs 46 crore to the college for infrastructure development. A sum of Rs 3 crore was released, but the development might affect release of the remaining grant. The college, which at present has 133 PG seats, had sought an increase of 72 PG seats in eight departments - biochemistry, forensic medicine, pathology, pharmacology, anaesthesia, radio-diagnosis, general medicine and dermatology, venereology and leprosy. Various teams of the MCI had inspected all the 16 departments of the college. The report, a copy of which is in possession of The Tribune, has pointed out a number of shortcomings in various departments of the college. Meanwhile, members of the State Medical and Dental Teachers Association have blamed the Punjab Government for the shortage of faculty in the college. Association chairperson JPS Walia and general secretary BS Sohal said they had apprised the government of the situation several times, but to no avail. They said senior faculty members should be retained and their retirement age should be increased to 65. By December, at least 28 senior doctors and associate professors would retire, which would lead to further crisis, they added. Sources said the proposal to increase MBBS seats in the college might also be disapproved. Dr KD Singh, principal of the college, said they would take up the case for a review. "We were supposed to get Rs 46 crore for infrastructure development while we got only Rs 3 crore. We need funds to upgrade our departments. We will review the MCI report once we receive it for all 16 departments and then prepare a case for representation. We will work towards removing the deficiencies as cited by the MCI," he added. MCI team points out anomalies Forensic medicine department: No central research laboratory and equipment is available for post-mortem and other investigations. The mortuary is in a dilapidated condition. Paramedical staff is inadequate Radio-diagnosis and pathology: Promotions were given out of the way to three associate professors. Non-availability of Indian or foreign pathology journals Anaesthesia: There has been a decrease in the number of major surgeries over the past three years. Shortage of faculty is another problem Dermatology, venereology and leprosy: Books in the library are old. There is no publication from the department for the past three years. The bed occupancy is only 10 per cent
|
||
|
Rural healthcare in disarray in Moga
Moga, February 24 Mandeep Kaur, a resident of Dhalleke village near the district headquarters, visited the village dispensary run by Zila Parishad, only to be prescribed medicines by a pharmacist in the absence of a doctor. She also did not get any medicines from the dispensary. Ram Singh, another resident of the village, said, “Having a dispensary at a stone’s throw from our house is a good thing but we hardly get any medicines here. We have to buy all the medicines from the market at higher rates.” The pharmacist of this dispensary, Avtar Singh, said the post of doctor at the dispensary was lying vacant for many months. “A doctor has been given the additional charge of this dispensary but he rarely comes to see patients due to his busy schedule,” he said. When questioned about medicines, he said the last consignment of medicines was received on March 15, 2013. He said the government had approved 87 kinds of medicine for supply to rural dispensaries but these were not being delivered. An official of the Zila Parishad said 24 out of 52 posts of doctor in rural dispensaries were lying vacant for over a year. Despite repeated requests to the directorate of rural development and panchayats, the state government had not taken any steps to fill the vacant posts, he added. Similarly, a visit to the dispensaries at Jaimalwala, Safuwala, Ajitwal, Chugawan and Mehna villages on working days revealed that the doctors posted there hardly visited the dispensaries. Villagers alleged that they came once or twice a week just to mark their attendance. Mostly, pharmacists were prescribing medicines to patients in these villages. Villagers said there was no proper system to monitor the working of these dispensaries. They rued that the government was focusing on big hospitals and primary health care centres, leaving the rural healthcare units in the heartland of this Malwa belt in a state of neglect. Problems galore
|
||
SAD candidate Kulwant kicks off campaign
Fatehgarh Sahib, February 24 Talking to mediapersons, Kulwant Singh said the SAD-BJP combine would contest the elections on development plank, but he would concentrate on employment. He said his priority would be to bring some industry here so as to generate more jobs for the local youth. He alleged incumbent MP Sukhdev Singh Libra had failed to fulfill the aspirations of people as he could not bring any mega project to the reserved constituency. On being termed an "outsider", Kulwant said he was a native of Punjab and he could contest the elections from any part of the state. He said a majority of his relatives and friends were residing in the district and he was confident that people would vote for him and the party. On "infighting" among Akali cadres in three assembly segments of the district, Kulwant Singh said like other mainstream parties, the SAD was a big party and there were different groups within. He said there could be a difference of opinion among such groups, but the SAD cadres were united and would work for the party's victory. He said a meeting of the party workers would soon be convened to devise poll strategy. SAD general secretary Prem Singh Chandumajra said even though he was contesting elections from Anandpur Sahib, he would also campaign for Kulwant Singh to ensure his victory. SAD (A) names four candidates Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) on Monday declared four candidates for the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Addressing a press conference here, party president Simranjit singh Mann said Dhyan Singh would contest from Ferozepur, Jaswant Singh Mann from Anandpur Sahib, Prof Ajit Kahlon from Karnal and Prof Mohinder Pal Singh from Patiala. The party appointed a parliamentary board under Mann to select candidates for the remaining seats. The party has already earlier decided to contest the Lok Sabha poll from 20 constituencies.
|
||
|
SAD, BJP leaders spar over CM’s function
Dinanagar, February 24 Langah fell out with Dinananagar halqa chief BD Dhuppar over the appointment of the Dorangla Block Samiti chairperson in November last year. Dhuppar managed to appoint a BJP man as samiti chairman with the support of Dinanagar MLA Aruna Chowdhury. This infuriated Akali leaders, especially Langah. A truce was brokered by state BJP chief Kamal Shar on February 10. Dhuppar was asked to make his man resign. But he went back on his commitment. Langah has dared him to hold the CM's programme. Sources claim the CM will preside over the programme only with Langah's consent. With elections round the corner, he cannot afford to annoy him.
|
|
22 injured as protesters clash with police
Sunam, February 24 More than 15 persons were reportedly injured. The protesters retaliated with stones. Seven police personnel were admitted to the local Civil Hospital with injuries. More than 200 police personnel have been deployed in the Sitasar Dham area to prevent further trouble, said official sources. Rajinder Singh Kaifee, president, Gurdwara Patshahi Pehli Managing Committee, claimed the temple committee had raised the poles on the gurdwara land. He said talks were on to sort out the matter amicably when the police resorted to a lathi charge, injuring 15 persons. Manjit Singh, an advocate who has been handling cases related to Sitasar Sarovar on behalf of the Sikh community, demanded a probe into the lathi charge. Member of the temple committee Sumer Garg said uprooting poles erected in connection with Shivaratri celebrations on February 18, had hurt religious sentiments. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Sangrur, Mandeep Singh Sidhu, said at least 20 persons had been arrested and a case registered against them under Sections 353, 186, 148, 149, 342 and 332 of the Indian Penal Code. He said seven police personnel, two of them women, had sustained injuries.
|
||
|
Centre approves 3 projects for state
New Delhi, February 24 The total approved cost of the sewerage project in Amritsar is Rs 8,927 crore. The Centre will bear 50 per cent of the cost (Rs 4,463.50 crore), said an official of the Urban Development Ministry. “The project will ensure cent per cent sewage treatment in Amritsar city. It will improve the existing sewerage facilities and create quality-oriented services in the city,” he said. The total cost of the water supply project in Amritsar is Rs 8,913 crore. The Centre will bear 50 per cent of the cost (Rs 4,456.5 crore). “The availability of potable disinfected water will eradicate the problem of gastroenteritis and other water-borne diseases. On completion of the project, about 1.2 lakh persons will be benefited,” the official said. The cost of the Ludhiana waste management facilities project is Rs 9,785 crore. The Centre will bear 50 per cent of the cost (Rs 4,892.5 crore). Whereas the two projects in Amritsar are expected to be completed in 36 months, the Ludhiana project will take 24 months. The Centre will sanction the first installment of funds to the state government on completion of 25 per cent of the work. Amritsar 2, Ludhiana 1 Rs
8,927 cr sewerage project for Amritsar Rs 8,913 cr water supply project for Amritsar Rs
9,785 cr waste management facilities for Ludhiana
|
||
|
Martyrs’ remains to be taken out of Ajnala well on February 28
Amritsar, February 24 Surinder Kochhar, who is associated with the excavation work at the site, said this in a statement released to the media here today. The committee members claim that around 500 soldiers raised a banner of revolt at Mian Mir Cantonment in Lahore as part of the 1857 uprising and swam across the Ravi to reach Ajnala. Of them, 218 were killed by the British at Dadian Sofian village, near here, while the remaining 282 were incarcerated in a cage-like room where many of them died of asphyxiation. The rest were shot dead before their bodies were thrown in a well, which later came to be known as Kalianwala Khu, as the British used to call Indians ‘Kale’ (black). The management committee had started the construction work of a new gurdwara premises last year so as to pave the way for unearthing the historic well. The gurdwara was earlier situated atop the well, which was unearthed when the committee tried to locate the well by excavating the area in December 2012. Now, the gurdwara will be shifted to new premises while the historic well will be preserved so that the countrymen could pay tribute to the martyrs.
|
||
|
Former Jathedar ‘thrashes’ riot victim
Amritsar, February 24 Kashmir Singh, 1984 Sikh Riot Victims Sangharsh Committee president, alleged that Harpal Singh was waylaid by the former Jathedar, his two sons and a gunman and beaten up. The victim sustained injuries on his face and had to be hospitalised. Kashmir alleged that Puran Singh and his two sons, who came in a red beacon-fitted vehicle with temporary number, first hit Harpal’s motorcycle and then thrashed him. He alleged a number of women who along with other residents came to rescue Harpal were also manhandled. The police are yet to register a case. Repeated attempts to contact the former Jathedar proved futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
|
||
|
Association of physicians conference
Ludhiana, February 24 "Our growing understanding of genetics is allowing us to provide better diagnoses, safer drug prescription, and more effective treatment of diseases," said Dr N Naithani from Armed Forces Medical College, Pune, while talking to The Tribune. He was in the city to take part in the 69th Annual Conference of the Association of Physicians of India, which concluded today. "Scientists and doctors are learning how to customise healthcare to a person's unique genetic makeup. That's the idea behind personalised medicine. After analysing genes one can know the status of the disease and about the ones a person is prone to. People got aware about this set of medicine when Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie underwent a preventative double mastectomy last year to cut the risk of developing cancer. "Women with the same faulty breast cancer gene have a higher chance of survival if they have a double mastectomy," he said. Dr Naithani said: "The practice of medicine has largely been reactive. Even today, we have to wait till the onset of the disease and then try to treat it. Since we don't fully understand the genetic and environmental factors that cause some major diseases, our efforts to treat them are often imprecise and ineffective. But now personalised medicine is beginning to transform the healthcare". "Close to personalised medicine is stratified medicine, which is based on identifying subgroups of patients with distinct mechanism of disease or particular response to disease or particular response to treatments. This allows us to identify and develop treatments that are effective for particular groups of patients. Ultimately stratified medicine will ensure that the patient gets the right treatment at the right time," Dr Naithani added. Personalised medicine
|
||
|
Farm unions opposing GM crops to protest
Chandigarh, February 24 Briefing mediapersons on the outcome of a two-day orientation workshop on GM crops and bio-safety, Rajesh Krishnan, national convener, Coalition for GM-free India, and Umendra Dutt of the Kheti Viraasat Mission, said a 21-member coordination committee of all the participating organisations had been formed to take the agitation forward. They said as a first step, a signature campaign was being launched across the state which would culminate by submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal. Punjab is one of the four states which had allowed field trials of GM crops. The others are Haryana, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. At least 13 states had opposed the move and refused to allow the field trials. Dutt said the governments were bent upon ensuring a backdoor entry of GM seed in the country.
|
||
|
Sukhoi comes too close to two civilian planes
New Delhi, February 24 As the aircraft was being launched, the air traffic was asked to be cleared at heights between 25,000 and 30,000 feet as the UFO was flying at 28,000 feet, IAF sources said. Later on, the Su-30MKI identified that the object was a weather balloon which was flying with the wind towards the border. Reports suggested that two civilian planes of Thai Airways and another foreign operator were flying around 10 nautical miles away from the IAF aircraft. The IAF denied that there was any "near-miss incident" involving its aircraft as it was under positive radar coverage and was cleared for operating in that area.— PTI
|
||
|
Protest by nurses in Lambi enters Day 4
Muktsar, February 24 One of the protesting nurses, Jagdeep Kaur, who is on an indefinite fast, has a one-month-old daughter. Jagdeep's health is said to be deteriorating as her pulse rate and blood pressure have increased. Doctors, who came to monitor her health today, offered medical assistance but the protesters refused. The nurses, who are GNM diploma holders, are demanding regularisation of jobs. "A delegation of the union, led by president Navneet Kaur, met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at his residence in Chandigarh yesterday. He agreed to triple our salary, which amounts to Rs 30,000 for freshers, but he did not give any assurance about regularising our jobs. The government has put a condition of appearing in a test for regularisation, which is unjustified as many of us are above 40 years of age and look after our families besides going for duty," said union’s vice-president Manpreet Kaur. She said, "On the other hand, the state government has agreed to regularise the services of ANM staff. We will continue our protest and go to any extent to get our demands fulfilled." Protester’s health deteriorates
|
||
|
Ferozepur-Chandigarh train on anvil: MLA
Ferozepur, February 24 He said he had taken up the matter with Union Railways Minister Mallikarjun Kharge and he had given his consent to start this special train. Pinki said the train would foster growth and economic development in the area, besides benefiting thousands of daily commuters between the two stations. The MLA said the train would start from Ferozepur at 5.30 am and reach Chandigarh at 9.30 am via Moga, Ludhiana and other stations. In the evening, the train would start from Chandigarh at 5.25 pm and reach Ferozepur by 9.30 pm, he said. One of the oldest and largest divisions of the Northern Railways, the Ferozepur division has been ignored for long when it comes to allocation of new trains. Pinki said since a satellite centre of PGI was being set up in the town, the train would facilitate the movement of doctors and other staff, who will be shuttling between these two stations. He said that the Railways had conducted a survey and the feasibility report had been prepared. Divisional Railway Manager Naresh Chander Goyal said though a proposal had been submitted to the ministry and official parleys had taken place in this regard, they were still awaiting the final consent from the ministry.
|
||
|
Ferozepur college brings laurels
Ferozepur, February 24 DSCW principal Dr Madhu Prashar said it was a matter of pride for the region that the college had been placed above other good institutions and universities. The second on the list is Hyderabad University, which scored 3.72/4. Prashar said the college would strive to attain higher goals. She lauded the efforts of the management and teachers.
|
||
|
Farmers to protest police lathicharge from today
Amritsar, February 24 They would also be protesting the alleged politicisation of the police in rural areas, a statement issued here today said. Activists of the Kirti Kisan Union, Jamhuri Kisan Sabha, Bharatiya Kisan Union Ekta (Ugrahan), Pendu Majdoor Union and the Dehati Majdoor Sabha will stage the protest against police “repression” unleashed on the protesters here last week. They blamed the police for the death of the farmer, besides accusing them of implicating farmers in a false case. They also flayed what they termed “complete politicisation” of the police and “grave injustice” being meted out to farmers and labourers in rural areas. Farmer leaders Datar Singh and Satnam Singh Ajnala alleged that the ruling SAD-BJP alliance had turned Punjab into a “police-ruled state”. They alleged that the ruling party had appointed ‘halqa’ (constituency) in charge in every Assembly constituency and nothing happened without their wish. They criticised Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal for not initiating any action against the policemen involved in the “brutal” action against the farmers. On the other hand, the police booked around 1,000 farmers and registered a case of attempt to murder against 13 farmer leaders, they rued. They demanded that a judicial probe be ordered into the lathicharge and action initiated against the “guilty” police officials.
|
||
|
‘Sanskritpedia’ need of the hour, says PU VC
Hoshiarpur, February 24 Grover was speaking during the inaugural session of the five-day Mahrishi Vishwamitra Ved Vedanga National Workshop on the “Role of ancient phonetic works in vedic interpretation” at Panjab University Department of Sanskrit & Indology at Sadhu Ashram here. He stressed the need of preserving the vedic heritage available in Sanskrit in the institution. Sanskrit Department chairman Prof Prem Lal Sharma said job-oriented courses in astrology, vastu shastra and allied sciences should be started in the institution. He said the institution had been rendering valuable services in preserving the vedic heritage and promoting Sanskrit since 1965. Prof Raghbir Singh, in his keynote address, said the knowledge of ancient phonetics was essential for the interpretation of vedic literature and it could also enrich modern linguistics.
|
||
|
Lovers end life after ‘marriage’
Abohar, February 24 The girl was dressed up like a bride. Prima facie, it appeared that they had organised a “havan” for marriage rituals and then consumed insecticide. Sources said the deceased had reportedly left behind separate hand-written suicide notes stating that no one was to be blamed for their act. The police shifted the bodies to the Civil Hospital and initiated inquest proceedings.
|
|
HC declines petitions on Ashutosh
Chandigarh, February 24 As the matter came up for hearing, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul refused to entertain the petition urging the court to direct the State of Punjab to “immediately” take over the property and assets belonging to the Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan. The Bench made it clear that intervention was not called for as it was not “public money”. Justice MMS Bedi refused to issue directions for a post-mortem examination. He told the guru’s former driver, Puran Singh, that he could approach the police for a remedy, if he felt that the Maharaj had died an unnatural death. “Disciple” Mohinder Pal Singh and co-petitioner Dinesh Chander had earlier alleged that dera “managers” were keeping the Maharaj's body in a freezer to gain time for misappropriating dera properties worth Rs 1000 crore. Their counsel had alleged that the prime concern of the petitioners was Rs 300 crore lying with the dera. Puran Singh had contended the the Maharaj was clinically dead as per the status report of Punjab Government and doctor's certificate. He had said the guru’s sudden death because of cardiac arrest raised suspicion.
|
|
|
Don't give dishonest advice: HC to lawyers
Chandigarh, February 24 It has also asked all civil and executing courts to "separate wheat from chaff" and see whether the rights of successful litigants are sought to be thwarted by initiation of civil suits in manipulative manner on the basis of unethical advice given by legal professionals. The word of caution by Justice Mahesh Grover came on a petition filed by tenant Chander Bhushan Anand against landlord Devinder Kumar Singla. Justice Grover observed: "It is high time that the courts wake up to this malaise. A hard earned decree by a litigant cannot be reduced to a scrap of paper because of the attempts of mavericks who through these unfounded objections or proceedings tend to introduce an anarchic order. All pending executions of the kind be given a fresh look by the courts concerned and these be put on a fast track in light of what has been said".
|
|
|
Sniffer dogs to check drugs in jails, HC told
Chandigarh, February 24 Tenders are being invited to purchase and train such dogs. Another Rs 1.22 crore has been sanctioned to purchase five x-ray baggage scanning machines. This was told to the Punjab and Haryana High Court during the hearing of a bunch of petitions on drug menace in the state. The state was responding to suggestions given by counsel Navkiran Singh to deal with drug menace in Punjab jails. The Bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul was also told that 10 jail officials have been dismissed from service while another 10 officers had been chargesheeted under the Punjab Civil Services (Appeal and Punishment) Rules, 1970, for their alleged involvement in the drug racket. The government also claimed that proceedings were pending against eight jail officials and explanation has been sought from one official. It further claimed that the issue of deploying paramilitary forces at the outer and inner check posts of the jails was under active consideration. "The government has decided to utilise the expertise of the Punjab Police and to deploy the Indian Reserve Battalion for the outer security duty on a rotational basis after recruitment has been made." The government also claimed the issue of supplying kits for taking urine and blood samples of every new prisoner has been taken up with the Health Department.
|
|
Heroin worth Rs 50 crore seized near Amritsar
Amritsar, February 24 The seizure was made near Rajatal border outpost, 35 km from here, a BSF official said. The heroin is estimated to be around Rs 50 crore in the international market. Deputy Inspector General MF Farooqui said, “The BSF personnel observed suspicious movement of smugglers along the border security fence. The smugglers were challenged, but they did not stop their activity. The BSF fired in self-defence.” The contraband was concealed in a plastic pipe lying across the barbed fence along the India-Pakistan border. It Farooqui said the smugglers escaped taking advantage of darkness and dense fog. The recovery of contraband was made following a search operation carried out in the morning. The spot is located 300 metres inside the Indian territory, an official said. With the latest seizure, the BSF has recovered 92 kg of heroin this year, besides counterfeit Indian currency to the tune of Rs 4 lakh. Last year, it had seized 322 kg of heroin in the Punjab sector.
|
|
|
Suicide: Cong leader’s son among 6 booked
Hoshiarpur, February 24 Among those booked is the son of a Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary, Dr Raj Kumar. Kulraj Bedi (16), a Class X student at Gems Cambridge International School, allegedly ended his life by consuming a poisonous substance at his house yesterday. The victim’s father, Vishal Bedi, alleged that his son was thrashed minutes before he was to board a school bus on his way home yesterday. The case was lodged today after the victim’s family members and neighbours blocked traffic at Clock Tower and at then at Parbhat Chowk. The protesters said they would not cremate the body till the accused were arrested. “The police are dilly-dallying the arrests as the accused belong to influential families,” said the victim’s father. At Parbhat Chowk, long queues of vehicles were seen on the connecting roads as the protesters refused to life the blockade. Whereas the police sought 72 hours for the arrests, the protesters demanded the suspects be nabbed within 24 hours.
|
|
| HOME PAGE | |
Punjab | Haryana | Jammu & Kashmir |
Himachal Pradesh | Regional Briefs |
Nation | Opinions | | Business | Sports | World | Letters | Chandigarh | Ludhiana | Delhi | | Calendar | Weather | Archive | Subscribe | E-mail | |
Moga, February 24
Fatehgarh Sahib, February 24
Sunam, February 24
Muktsar, February 24
Amritsar, February 24
