R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Jalandhar
Ex-councillor passes away: Former councillor Chaman Lal Dada died after brain haemorrhage here this afternoon. Dada was admitted to Satyam Hospital where he breathed his last. He had remained councillor for single term. In 2002, his wife Indra Dada served as the councillor. She too had passed away some time back.

Moga
3 FCI officials booked: Three Inspectors of the Food and Civil Supplies Department were booked for allegedly beating a few employees of the local rice mills on Saturday. They had a dispute over stacking custom milled rice at a FCI storehouse in Ajitwal. The accused are Rajwant Walia of Kokri Kalan village, Pritpal Singh of Dhudike village, Rupinder Singh of Moga and five unknown persons. No one has been arrested so far.

Peshawar
Pak Sikhs protest: Pakistani Sikhs held a protest against the killing of a 'hakeem' (medical practitioner) from the minority community in the country's restive northwestern Khyber - Pakhtunkhwa province. "Incidents like abduction and killing of community members are part of the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa," said protest leader Sardar Charanjeet.

DEHRADUN

Almora
Steps to check forest fires: Over 138 crew stations, including 20 master crew stations, have been set up to save Almora from forest fires that are common occurrences in the district during summer months.The district which has over 84,000 hectares of forests, including reserved and panchayat forests. “We have also started preparing the villagers for the alternative use of pine leaves as the district has 62 per cent pine forests,” said Prem Kumar, DFO in the district.

Bageswar
Leopard menace: Village women in Liti village of Kapkot subdivision of the distrct are in no position to attend Holi festival in nearby hamlets as a leopard has been attacking villagers for the last 15 days. “The leopard has created panic amongst women and children. We have demanded a cage to catch the animal, but Forest Department officials have not paid any heed to our plight,” said Laxman Singh Koranga, a villager.

Haldwani
Beware of poachers: Keeping suspected activities of wildlife poachers during Holi festivities under check, Forest Department in Terai region has sounded a high alert on the matter and forest guards and concerning workers have been instructed to keep a strict vigil on the activities of poachers. “We held a training meet on the subject and have instructed that special care be taken of Rajaji Park forest area, western and southern divisions of Terai, besides the Pithoragarh division,” said Dr Parag Madhukar Dhakate.

Pithoragarh
Holi for their canvassing: Political leaders have started using Holi for their canvassing as some of them have organised Holi Milan at their residences. Speaker of state Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal, former MLA Ranjit Singh Rawat and former state minister Prakash Pant have organised Holi festivals at their residences today. “It is the chance to meet people who are members of our community from generations and greet them on the occasion,” said Govind Singh Kunjwal.

(Complied by BD Kasniyal)