R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda,
Traffic chaos prevails as truck overturns: A truck carrying rice husk overturned near the Ghorewala Chowk, leading to traffic chaos on the Power House Road. Failure of the traffic police to remove the vehicle led to more accidents on the road.

Class XII student commits suicide:A Class XII student committed suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan at his residence here today. The victim, Ashiq Sharma, was a student of Lord Mahavir School. It is likely that the fear of examination forced him to take the extreme step. The matter came to light when Sharma did not come out of his room. His mother spotted his body hanging from the ceiling fan. The police was immediately informed. “The body has been sent for post mortem. We are investigating,” said the police.

Faridkot

Murder accused escapes: A murder accused escaped from police custody here on Saturday. Raj Sharma was admitted to the local Civil Hospital after he had allegedly attempted suicide at the Central Jail, Faridkot, two days ago. He was arrested by the railway police in March 2012. The police have booked jail warder Balwinder Singh for dereliction of duty.

Fazilka

Train tragedy averted: A major tragedy was averted after the vacuum brake system of a moving train failed. The Ferozepur-Fazilka DMU passenger train hit a cow between Jiva Arain and Jalalabad railway stations on Friday night. Following this, the vacuum brakes failed and the train could not be halted at the Jalalabad railway station. The train's driver slowed down the speed considerably. Thereafter, the train stopped at some distance as the power of the engine was shut down by the driver.

Patiala

Dhalla to help NRI brides: Former Canadian MP Ruby Dhalla on Saturday said cases of fraudulent marriages, in the garb of taking women abroad, was increasing in the state. She said she would set up a charity organisation, "Dreams for You", to provide counselling and legal and financial assistance to victims of "fraud marriages". She said to check such cases, a website would be created which would give details about people committing such frauds.

Tarn Taran

Youth booked on rape charge: The Sadar police have booked Bikramjit Singh, a resident of Dao village, for allegedly raping his sister-in-law. The victim alleged that the accused forcibly entered her room on Saturday evening and raped her. Her husband was lodged in a jail. However, he was released on bail and reached home when the accused was committing the crime.

Class VIII student abducted: The Khemkaran police have booked a Class X student for allegedly abducting a Class VIII girl student. The victim's father alleged that Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Mianwala village, had abducted his daughter from his house when his family members were sleeping on Friday night. He alleged the accused had lured her to marry him.

DEHRADUN

Dehradun

Sainik sangathan celebrates founder’s day: The 20th Founder’s Day of the Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Evam Ardh Sainik Sangathan was celebrated at Jhajra village, near here, yesterday. A large number of ex-servicemen and veer naris attended the function. Lt Col Ganga Singh Rawat said 45 veer naris were honoured and  presented with shawls at  the function.

Kashipur

6 injured in accident: Six members of a marriage party returning to Haldwani from Kashipur were injured, four of them seriously, when a truck coming from the opposite direction collided with their car near Kashipur town on Saturday. According to the police, the truck was coming from Kashipur to Haldwani when the accident occurred. "The truck driver has been charged with negligent driving and injured passengers, including four women, have been admitted to a Haldwani hospital," said Sonu khan, the complainant.

Kapkot

Goats struck by lightning: Lightning struck remote Pothing village in Bageshwar district killing 30 goats on Friday evening. "The goats, which were grazing at Purkuni jungle near Pothing village, were killed after they were hit by sudden lightning. The affected villagers have sought compensation from the government," said Rahendra Singh Garia, a resident of Pothing village in Kapkot subdivision of Bageshwar district.

Kichcha

Subdivision status: Women activists of the Congress have demanded the subdivision status for Kichcha town, besides a polytechnic and degree college there. "We have also demanded linking of the town with every major town of the country by buses and the development of industry there," said Sudha Joshi, leader of the women Congress in the town.

Pithoragarh

Tamta, Dhami honoured: The Anwal community honoured Pradeep Tamta, MP, Almora, and Harish Dhami, MLA, Dharchula, at Munsiyari for their efforts in getting the Backward Caste status for the community in the state. The Anwal community, which has been demanding the BC status for long, will now be able to avail of educational and employment opportunities in future," said Tamta.

Ramnagar 

Illegally cut wood seized: The Forest Department has impounded two trucks full of wood illegally cut from a garden. "The owner of the garden has taken permission to cut only 16 trees while he cut down over 50 trees in the garden," said Rahul, DFO, near Terai region.

Rudrapur

Traffic management plan: The SSP, Nainital, has prepared a detailed plan for Rudrapur town to tackle traffic chaos at the thana level. It gives the full responsibility of traffic control to the police station in charges of respective areas. "Under the plan the police station in charge of a particular locality will have to make constables and one sub-inspector available for controlling traffic. The circle officers will have the responsibility to appoint traffic inspectors from their areas.