Hisar, May 9
In a shocking incident, a Dalit man was lynched and another injured seriously when a group of villagers thrashed them for hours, mistaking them for poachers, in Kalwas village of the district yesterday.

Rajbir (40) and his cousin Ram Avtar (26) of Gangwa village went on a motorcycle to the fields in Kalwas village yesterday afternoon to made enquiries about rates and availability of fodder for cattle.

They were waylaid by four youths, who termed them as poachers. They alleged that the two men were poaching tailed lizard (uromastyx), deer and rabbits. The Bishnoi community does not allow poaching.

The infuriated youths tied the hands of the two men and started beating them up with sticks and iron rods. Rajbir died on the spot and Ram Avtar was admitted to the Civil Hospital with serious injuries.

Ram Avtar today said they kept explaining the reason for their visit, but it fell on deaf ears. He said more persons joined the youths and they thrashed the two men for over three hours.

Relatives of the victims and Dalit organisations protested against the incident and demanded immediate arrest of the accused. This delayed the postmortem for four hours. They met the Deputy Commissioner in this regard.

Superintendent of Police Sibhash Kaviraj said no animal was recovered from the victims when the police reached the spot. He said the police would arrest the accused soon.

The police registered a case of murder. Three of the assailants, belonging to the Bishnoi community, were identified as Vinod Kumar, Anil Kumar and Amar Singh.

Jind, May 9
Women locked a liquor vend at Kinana village of this district this morning. “Women residents of our village have been facing serious problems due to this vend as drunk men always create nuisance here,” said a woman resident of Kinana village. “Drunk men pass lewd remarks when we cross this vend,” alleged a girl.

It’s not the first incident of this type. Women damaged a vend on May 2 in Kabracha village and threw the entire liquor stock on the road when their repeated requests to close it fell on deaf ears.

Another vend was set on fire in Bibipur village by some villagers on May 3. On May 7, women set liquor stock on fire at Garhwali village when Excise and Taxation Department officers refused to listen to their genuine grievances.

Satya Bala, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Jind, refused comment, saying that she was in a meeting. 

Jind, May 9
After womenfolk burnt down a liquor vend in Garhwali village, the district administration came into action and directed the liquor contractors to remove their illegal vends. The women had been demanding the removal of the liquor vend.

While presiding over a meeting of the liquor contractors and officials of the district here yesterday, Deputy Commissioner Rajiv Rattan directed them to remove their all illegal vends. He said strict action would be taken against the violators.

“Remove all illegal vends immediately. Illegal sale of liquor is not possible without the involvement of liquor contractors,” he said.

The administration has also decided to form special teams to check illegal sale of liquor. These teams will directly report to the DC.

“There may be some problems in the past. But now, no one will face any problem due to the sale of illegal liquor,” the DC said. — TNS

Sirsa, May 9
Labourers at the Kalanwali grain market blocked vehicular traffic on the Dabwali road today after two workers returning home after work were beaten up by two policemen and a home guard jawan on patrol last night.

The labourers raised slogans against the police and sat on a dharna till the home guard jawan apologised for his conduct and the two policemen were shifted to the Police Lines.

Labourers Bajrang and Mangu, working at 'arhtiya' Raldu Ram Jain's shop, were returning home around 11 pm last night when two policemen and a home guard jawan who on patrol stopped and questioned them.

When the labourers told the trio that they had to work till late due to the procurement season, the policemen, who were allegedly drunk, beat them up and abused them.

The labourers brought the matter to the notice of Mukesh Kumar, president of the Kacha Arhtiya Labour Union, who called a meeting of all labourers, after which they decided to block vehicular traffic.

The road blockade continued for nearly five hours, with labourers demanding that some senior official should come to the spot and order the suspension of the two policemen.

Subhash Bishnoi, SHO of the Kalanwali police station, met the agitating labourers with the home guard jawan, who apologised for the conduct of the policemen.

The agitating labourers remained firm on the demand for suspension of the two policemen. A DSP went to the dharna site and informed the protesters that the guilty policemen were sent to the Police Lines.

Kurukshetra, May 9
Doctors at private hospitals in Kurukshetra went on strike, demanding action against those who threw stones at Dr Suresh Bhola’s hospital after Ishandeep’s death, allegedly due to negligence, during surgery on April 24.

Dr Ajay Agarwal, president of the Kurukshetra chapter of the Indian Medical Association, said, “We met Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Gajraj and Superintendent of Police Y Puran Kumar. We asked them to take strict action against the family of the deceased and others who damaged hospital property.” He said, “The police have CCTV footage of people throwing stones and damaging hospital property. Attacking a doctor and damaging hospital property is a non-bailable offence. Doctors will not resume work unless the accused are arrested.” He added, “What happened to the boy needs to be looked into, but making allegations of negligence against the doctor is condemnable. A medical board should be constituted to probe the case and no action should be taken against the doctor on the basis of baseless allegations.”

Doctors of private hospitals went on strike last evening and doctors of adjoining areas joined them today. The doctors demanded better security for medical practitioners. Doctors gathered around 6 pm to discuss the future course of action and decided to continue the strike.

Ishandeep’s relatives and members of the Sangharsh Samiti ended their dharna in front of the hospital where the boy died. They were on a dharna since Wednesday.

Gurcharan Singh Khalsa, a member of the samiti, ended his fast. Ishandeep’s father Gurmeet Singh said, “The dharna has been lifted following an assurance by the district administration that proper action will be taken after the receipt of the viscera report.”

Chandigarh, May 9
Just two days before the second stage of the National Talent Search Examination, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the process.

The stay orders by Justice GS Sandhawalia came this evening on a petition filed by Arundhati Dixit and six other candidates. The petitioners, through counsel Sameer Sachdeva, are seeking directions for quashing the first stage result of the examination conducted by the Haryana State Council of Educational Research and Training.

Directions have also been sought for “immediate re-conduct” of the examination as “widespread manipulations and bungling” were apparent.

One of the prestigious examinations in India, approximately 1,5 lakh students appear in the scholarship examination every year and 1,000 scholarships are awarded.

In the petition, Sachdeva asserted that 85 matriculation students in Haryana state pool, selected in the stage one examination, were now to compete further during the stage two examinations for all states to be conducted by the NCERT on May 11.

But the result declared on February 20 on official website by the SCERT, a handful of students from the same school and the same examination centre hijacked 53 slots out of 85 in the entire Haryana state pool.

After the declaration of the result, many parents, students and faculty members tried to contact official respondents personally and telephonically. But the authorities concerned did not pay heed to “valid queries”.

He added earlier also in 2012 fingers were pointed at the Haryana SCERT for “same very practices”. The respondents were deliberately trying to gain time as once the stage two examination was held on May 11, the matter would fizzle out automatically. 

Chandigarh, May 9
Concerned over the high transmission losses, the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) has ordered the discoms to introduce the incentive-based franchisee system.

In its recent order, the HERC asked the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) and the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) to go for the franchisee system for taking meter readings, preparation of bills, distribution of bills and collection of money. “Instead of paying a fixed amount to the franchisee every month, there shall be an incentive scheme based on the improvement shown in the area selected by the franchisee,” the order said.

Allaying fears of retrenchment after the introduction of the franchisee system, the commission argued that the activities with regard to taking of meter reading, preparation of bills, distribution of bills and the collection of cash had already been outsourced by the discoms and the new system would not result in any layoff .

Stressing the need for introduction of the franchisee system, the commission claimed that the employees of outsourced agencies connived with consumers and power staff. “This was the main reason for under-assessment of power sold and poor collection,” the order asserted.

Senior power officials claimed during a hearing before the commission that since power meters were installed inside the houses, the owners resisted checking their meters. The pillar box scheme, aimed at checking power theft, could not be forced on the consumers as it was voluntary.

As many as 23.35 per cent of the feeders were having transmission losses of above 50 per cent in the jurisdiction of the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam.

Similarly,13.29 per cent feeders in the jurisdiction of the Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam were having transmission losses of over 50 per cent.

Rohtak leads in losses

Rohtak circle was among the areas where the transmission losses were comparatively higher with 31% feeders having losses of over 50% .This was only second to Jind where 35% feeders were having losses of over 50%.

Chandigarh, May 9
The Haryana State Election Commission has issued show-cause notices to 17 candidates of the Municipal Committee, Sampla, Rohtak district , for not submitting their election expenditure statements within the prescribed time.

Haryana State Election Commissioner Dharam Vir said the election to the Municipal Committee, Sampla, was held on February 23

The show-cause notices had been issued to M Kamal of ward 1, Munish Kumar of ward 1, Mukesh Kumar of ward 2, Kamlesh of ward 4, Mukesh of ward 4, Dilbag of ward 5, Krishan of ward No. 6, Deepak of ward 6, Meer Singh of ward 6, Mahabir of ward 7, Raj Kumar of ward 8, Rajbir of ward 8, Hari Mohan of ward 8, Rani of ward 9, Savitri of ward 10, Ashok of ward 12 and Raj Kumar of ward 13.

Rohtak, May 9
A local INLD leader has been arrested on the charge of raping a backward class woman luring her with a job. Davinder Saini (30), who contested the municipal elections from ward 13 here last year, took the victim to a factory on Hisar Road on the pretext of getting her a job and allegedly raped her on Wednesday evening. He later abandoned her after threatening her of dire consequences in case she revealed the matter.

The woman, however, reported the matter to the police. Another youth who acted as the link between the woman and Saini is still at large.

Meanwhile, the police have arrested two persons for allegedly killing their friend, Narender Kumar(30) hailing from Bhali Anandpur village in the district, over a monetary dispute.

Deepak and Mohan allegedly strangled Narender tand burnt his body after sprinkling petrol on it at Kot village in Jhajjar district.

Narender’s family members got a missing complaint lodged on February 24.

While the local police were looking for the accused, the Rajasthan police arrested them in Sikar district in connection with a kidnapping case.

During interrogation, they confessed their involvement in Narender’s murder following which the Rajasthan police informed the Rohtak police.

Karnal, May 9
Pawan Kumar of Rohtak has been booked for raping a married woman at the PWD Rest House in Gharaunda. The victim reported that she came in contact with him through a woman social worker of Panipat a few days ago.

The victim said he claimed to be a minister’s nephew and promised to get her husband a job. She added that he called her up on Thursday and asked her to come to Gharaunda with her husband’s documents.

She claimed that Pawan came in a car with a blue beacon atop. She further stated that he took her to the Rest House and raped her. The police registered a case.

DSP Raj Kumar said efforts were on to arrest the accused. He said the case was being inquired as there was no entry by the name of Pawan at the Rest House.

Mahendragarh, May 9
The police have recovered a minor girl, who was allegedly kidnapped on April 28, from Narnaul town in the district last night. While giving her statement before the duty magistrate, the girl, a resident of Bucholi village, said she was having an affair with Praveen, the main accused, for the last four years.

As her parents were opposed to their relationship, she had gone out of her house on her own, she said.

The girl is a school student while Praveen, a resident of Meganvaas village, has been pursuing the BCA course from a local institute.

When the girl refused to go home, she was sent to Nari Niketan, while Praveen was produced before a local court which sent him in police custody for 10 days.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Simardeep Singh said four police teams were working round-the-clock to trace the girl and the boy for the last one week but were not getting success.

“On Thursday, we traced their location to Rajgarh in Rajasthan. When a police team started chasing them from Rajgarh, they then moved towards Narnaul via Loharu. They were using both train and bus services to reach their destination hence the police had to face some difficulties in tracing them,” said the SP.

He said the police finally managed to catch them in Narnaul as soon as they alighted from a bus.

She was then produced before the duty magistrate, who questioned her and ordered that she be sent to the Nari Niketan after she turned down to join her family.

The girl’s father had lodged a complaint against three youths of Meganvaas village for kidnapping his daughter when she was alone in the house on April 28.

Karnal, May 9
The court of Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Sharda today convicted businessman Ram Kumar Kalyan and acquitted his wife Om Lata, the co-accused, in a murder and attempt-to-murder case. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on May 12.

Prosecution counsel Navjot Singh Sawney and Ranbir Singh said Kalyan’s son Nabheet Kalyan and his brother-in-law Sramveer were shot dead and Nabheet’s wife Renuka was seriously injured at Kalyan’s residence at Sector 14 on April 22, 2008.

They said Renuka, who was an eyewitness in the case, had charged her in-laws with killing her brother and shooting at her.

They said she had alleged in her complaint that her husband tried to strangulate her. They added that Renuka survived bullet injuries.

Timeline

 April 22, 2008: Nabheet Kalyan and Sramveer shot, Renuka seriously injured

 April 23: Police register case of murder against Sramveer

 February 18, 2009: Renuka sends complaint against in-laws to Chief Minister

 May 9: Renuka files criminal complaint in Karnal court

 May 3, 2010: Court issues notice to Ram Kumar Kalyan & Om Lata

 October 14: Kalyan surrenders in court

 November 3: Court grants bail to Kalyan

Fatehabad, May 9
Over a hundred sheep were burnt alive in Thobria village of Ellenabad in Sirsa, three buffaloes were killed in a Fatehabad village, several trees uprooted and dry wheat stubble burnt in several areas of the district due to heavy dust storm that hit the area last evening.

The sheep were grazing in the fields and were trapped in the fire that spread after the storm struck the area.

Two shepherds who wwere accompanying the sheep somehow managed to save their lives.

Also, several quintal of dry fodder was burnt at Dhir and Ayalki village in Fatehabad today.

In Bothan Kalan, two woman received burn injuries in an effort to save their buffaloes from the fire.

The women, Kamlesh and Suman, have been admitted to the General Hospital for treatment.

Fire was also witnessed in Phoolan and Bija Lamba villages.

The fires seemed to have been started by farmers to burn their wheat stubble but spread due to winds.

Several electricity poles fell on the Bighar road, disrupting the supply of the town for several hours last night.

Karnal, May 9
To resolve the fee hike issue prevailing in the district since a few days, District Education Officer (DEO) Asha Munjal held a meeting with the representatives of private school managements and Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh.

After hearing views of both the sides, the DEO directed school managements not to harass students for fee and asked both the sides to resolve the issue till May 21, otherwise she would make a report of it and send it to the higher authorities.

As per the decision of the meeting, held on Thursday by the DEO and the DEEO, five representatives each of the private school managements and the Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh attended a meeting at the DEO office today.

Sangh president Dinesh Narula and Naveen Agarwal raised the issue of 
fee hike by various schools managements and alleged that “Schools are breaking rules and also not following the order of the DEEO, which was given last month.” They demanded roll back of fee hike decision.

Asha Munjal said, “I have heard the views of the representatives of school managements and Abhibhavak Ekta Sangh and I direct them to resolve the issue till May 21. After that I will hold a meeting of both the parties and if the matter is not settled, I will make a report and send it to higher authority.”

“I also direct the school managements not to harass students for depositing fee,” she added.

Sonepat, May 9
On the occasion of World Water Day today, around 2,000 students were administered the oath as 'jal mitra' (water friend) at a programme jointly organised by the Sai Janseva Samiti and Pani Bachao Jan Chetana Abhiyan Samiti at DAV Multipurpose school.

The oath was administered by school principal V K Mittal, samiti president Mukesh Jain and convener Satpal Singh Ahlawat. Mittal was honoured with the 'jal yodha' award for his outstanding contribution in rain water harvesting, water conservation and sanitation.

In the programme, it was decided that seminars, rallies and water panchayats will be organised and water friends will be enrolled in educational institutes, resident welfare associations and religious organisations thoughout the year.

Sirsa, May 9
Residents of Chattargarh Patti, a slum in Sirsa, today protested against shortage of drinking water. They held a demonstration under the banner of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Students Federation of India (SFI).

The residents submitted a memorandum to the Executive Engineer of the Public Health and Engineering Department. They alleged that the residents had met the authorities several times, but their representations had failed to move officials concerned.

Rahul Sharma, district secretary of the DYFI, and Manjit Singh, secretary of the SFI, said residents of Chattargarh Patti and Jhopra road had been facing drinking water shortage for several days. Sharma threatened that they would intensify their agitation if the department did not solve the problem.

Pradeep Punia, Executive Engineer, could not be contacted. Angad Bishnoi, Superintending Engineer, said the problem had not been brought to his notice.

Kaithal, May 9
A team of the State Vigilance Bureau has arrested a multi-purpose health worker (MPHW) of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) at Karora village while accepting a bribe of ~ 3,000 from a villager.

The accused will be produced in a court tomorrow. An official said Manoj, a resident of Karora village, lodged a complaint with the Vigilance Bureau that MPHW Pardeep Kumar had demanded Rs 3,000 for issuing a birth certificate.

He had visited the PHC for several times, but failed to get the certificate. Following the complaint, a Vigilance team led by Inspector Prem Chand laid a trap and arrested the accused while accepting the bribe.

Sonepat, May 9
Two children - Bijender (6) and his sister Sujata (4)-- were allegedly murdered in broad daylight at Jakholi village. The boy was found murdered in the house whereas the girl's body was found in a heap of dry cow dung outside the village.

The victims' father, Durag Pal of Badaun in UP curently residing in Jakholi village, and his wife were out of the house and their other two elder children were in school at the time of the incident.

Sources said when the children's mother returned to the house, she found Sujata missing and Bijender's body lying in a room.

The accused had used a sharp-edged weapon to murder the two.

The police reached the spot and started searching for the girl.

After around three hours of search, Sujata's body was found lying in a heap of dried cow dung outside the village.

On Durag Pal's complaint, a case of murder has been registered. 

Faridabad, May 9
A 10-year-old son of a local businessman was today kidnapped from the NIT area of the city. Sources said the incident took place around 2.30pm when Yuvraj Sehgal, a student of Class V, was going towards his house along with his grandmother after alighting from his school bus.

The kidnappers pushed aside the grandmother before pulling the boy inside a van. ''We have registered a case and further investigations are on,” said a police official.— TNS