R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Chandigarh
Former hockey  player passes away: Former national hockey player Devinder Singh Benipal died of cancer on Monday. After completing a degree in engineering, Singh had joined the erstwhile Punjab State Electricity Board. He resigned as the Executive Engineer.  He had set up a public school for students of rural area  near Samrala.

LUDHIANA
High drama at District Courts complex: Tension prevailed in the District Courts complex here on Monday when the supporters of Jatinderpal Singh Ghalotra and tainted Youth Akali Dal leader Baljinder Singh Jindu hurled abuses at each other. Jindu, who shot at Jatinderpal Singh Ghalotra on Friday following a row over holding a top post in a gurdwara at Model Gram, was arrested on Saturday. Jindu was produced before the court. In the meantime, the supporters of Ghalotra also reached there to witness the court proceedings. Then, both the groups hurled abuses at each other. Later during the day, SAD MLA from Dakha and SAD candidate for the Lok Sabha seat Manpreet Singh Ayali visited the CMC Hospital to enquire about the health of Akali leader Jatinder Singh Ghalotra. Speaking on the occasion, Ayali said the SAD and the BJP combine would not let anti-social elements spread their tentacles.

Student thrashed, principal denies charge: In yet another case of corporal punishment in schools, a principal thrashed a child for taking a holiday on Saturday. The boy, identified as Vishal, a resident of Baggi stand, who studies in a private school near Mat Di Chakki in Shimlapuri, was rushed to a hospital after he fell unconscious. The boy's kin said the school principal, Harjinder Kaur, thrashed Vishal for not coming to the school on Saturday. Harjinder termed the allegations as baseless. She said Vishal was poor in studies and was reprimanded. Investigating officer Kammal Dutt said the probe was on and appropriate action would be taken.

Tipsy cop creates ruckus: A tipsy policeman, who was allegedly hurling abuses at commuters near the Gill Chowk, was brought to the Civil Hospital for medical examination here on Monday. The policeman, Mahinder Singh, was deployed in the traffic wing of the city police. Sources in the traffic police said some commuter had complained about the policeman being drunk on duty. Mahinder's medical report will be sent to his parent cadre for appropriate action.

Acid attack case: Court adjourns hearing: Additional Sessions Judge HS Grewal on Monday adjourned the Harpreet Kaur acid attack case for consideration on framing of charges to March 11. The police had filed the charge sheet on February 12. Harpreet of Barnala had become a victim of an acid attack on December 7, 2013, in a beauty saloon in the Sarabha Nagar area of the city. She had died in a Mumbai hospital on December 27.

Patiala
Three-day meet on  nuclear energy begins: As part of its nationwide outreach programme, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, in association with Thapar University, Patiala, kicked off a three-day seminar-cum-scientific exhibition on the university premises here on Monday. Organised for the first time in the state, the outreach programme is being conducted by scientists from the BARC.

Ropar
Gurdwara priest among  3 convicted of rape: The Sessions Judge Amarjot Bhatti on Monday convicted three youths for raping a 17-year-old girl. The convicts have been identified as Harinder Singh (24), Mandeep Singh (27), and Rashpal Singh (28). Mandeep, a priest at a gurdwara, is a native of Ropar, while other two belong to Gurdaspur district. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on Tuesday.

Sangrur
Anganwari workers clash with police: After talks with MP Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa ended in a stalemate, anganwari workers and helpers started a relay fast near Finance Minister Parminder Dhindsa’s house here on Monday. They demand monthly honorarium on the lines of Haryana — Rs 7,500 to anganwari workers and Rs 5,000 to anganwari helpers. The Punjab Government has been paying ~5,000 to anganwari worker and Rs 2,500 to helpers.

Tarn Taran
Agricultural labourer crushed by car: A farm labourer, Kewal Singh (60), of Nabipur village, 35 km from here, was crushed by a car when he was returning to home on a bicycle on Sunday evening. The police have registered a case under Section 304-A, 279 and 427 of the IPC against the car driver. The car hit him from the front. He died on the way to Civil Hospital, Patti. Samrala.

Man found murdered in Harike: A man was found murdered at his home in Harike, 32 km from here. The police have registered a case under Section 302 of the IPC. The deceased have been identified as Nazar Singh (70).