R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda
Rally on environment awareness: To create awareness about ernvionment and health,the Forest Department, along with the Bathinda Cycling Group organised a 20-km cycle rally from Kanahiya Chowk to Bir Talab mini zoo. The rally was flagged off by Sanjeev Tiwari, Divisional Forest Officer, Bathinda.

Fazilka
2 held in hawala racket: The CIA staff have arrested two Gujarat residents for indulging in hawala transactions and seized Rs 35 lakh. The accused, Desai Rajesh Bhai and Babu Chauhan, both residents of Gujarat, were nabbed at a naka near Sayadanwali village. They were travelling in a government bus.

Patiala
Prisoner dies, kin protest: A prisoner of Patiala Central Jail died on his way to Rajindra Hospital on Saturday. Bikramjeet Singh (42) of Balla Kalan in Ropar district was suffering from diabetes. He had been sent to judicial remand for four days in an NDPS case. The family of the deceased alleged Bikramjeet died due to police torture.

Furniture shop gutted: Property worth Rs 2 crore was gutted in a fire at a furniture shop in Nabha on Saturday. A short circuit in one of the air conditioners at the shop, Vinod Furniture House, led to the fire. There was no loss of life. It took the fire tenders over five hours to douse the fire.

Samrala
Train develops snag: An Amritsar-bound inter-city train on Saturday was stuck at Lal Kalan village station for three hours after having developed a snag. Station Superintendent Ram Gopal said the train had to halt at Lal Kalan at 8.20 am due to a technical problem. The train left the station after the engine was replaced.

Sangrur
Farmers block road: In protest against erratic power supply, farmers of Sindran village and Dirba blocked Sangrur-Patran highway in Dirba, about 25 km from here, on Saturday. They raised slogans against the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). They lifted the blockade on receiving an assurance from Avinash Garg, Sub-Divisional Officer (rural) of the PSPCL.

Tikshan visits Vidhu’s kin: Tikshan Sud, political adviser to the CM, on Saturday visited close relatives of Vidhu Jain (12) at Malerkotla. Vidhu was allegedly burnt alive in broad daylight on September 30, 2013, in Malerkotla. Vidhu’s uncle Prem Jain complained of not having got justice even though Vidhu died eight months ago.

CHANDIGARH

DEHRADUN

didihatKailash pilgrims reach Tibet: The first batch of 55 Kailash Mansarowar pilgrims crossed over to Tibet from the 16,500 feet high Lipulekh Pass on Saturday. The batch reached the pass amid light snowfall and reported to Chinese officials, who were waiting for them there. "Three batches are en route to Kailash Mansarowar at present. While the first batch has entered Tibet, the second has reached Gunji and the third has reached the base camp on Saturday," said DK Sharma, a KMVN officer.

champawatMining banned: With the monsoon nearing, the Champawat administration has banned mining of sub-minerals in the district. "We will take strong action against any leaseholder who mines minerals during the monsoon months," said Dhirendra Chaudhari, District Magistrate, Champawat.

haldwani
Monsoon arrives in 4 days: The south west monsoon, which is weak and delayed this year, will reach Uttarakhand in four days from now. According to Dr HS Kushwaha, head of weather department at Pantnagar University, the monsoon clouds have reached some parts of Uttar Pradesh. "Farmers will not get much benefit from delayed rains as it will affect the growth of paddy," said Dr Kushwaha.