New Delhi, June 25
The Haryana BJP seems to have decided to go it alone in October’s Assembly elections. Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) president Kuldeep Bishnoi’s decision to project himself as the alliance’s chief ministerial candidate is being seen by the BJP as “against the maryada” of the alliance.

Though party state president Ram Bilas Sharma, who is scheduled to meet national president Rajnath Singh “on issues concerning the elections most likely on Thursday” did not say as much, but his guarded reaction to Bishnoi’s upping the ante was indicative of the state leadership’s mindset.

Sharma said the central leadership would take a call in three-four days. “The HJC is not following the maryada of the alliance. But such a serious issue can only be decided by the central leadership,” he said.

“In the Lok Sabha polls, the people’s mandate was in favour of the BJP. They also want the BJP to form the next government in the state. This has been conveyed to the central leadership,” Sharma told The Tribune.

Sharma, who is among the frontrunners for the top job in the state, said this was also among the key conclusions in the recent two-day meeting of the party at Kurukshetra.

The views expressed by leaders and workers about the “behavior and attitude” of “sathis and sahyogis” (read alliance partner HJC) have been conveyed to the top brass by central leaders who attended the meeting — general secretary JP Nadda, general secretary (organisation) Ramlal, and Haryana in-charge Jagdish Mukhi.

Rajnath was told the party was capable of individually winning 60 to 65 seats in the 90-member Assembly, given the rousing mandate.

“Our partner (HJC) has failed to understand that the country’s politics has undergone a change. People do not want a political party to pursue its agenda, but their agenda. The Lok Sabha election results made that very clear. The BJP came first on 52 out of 72 Assembly constituencies in the eight Lok Sabha seats it fought,” Sharma said.

While the BJP is riding high on figures, the HJC’s political rhetoric has not made matters any easier for the alliance. Sources say the central leadership is giving Bishnoi a long rope and “allowing him to hang himself by it” because they do not want the BJP to be perceived as a party that initiated the break-off.

According to a top central leader, the BJP will make all efforts to ensure the alliance continues, but if Bishnoi wants to walk away, they will not stop him.

Despite raging speculation that senior Congress leader Birender Singh, a long-time aspirant for the chief minister’s post, may join the BJP to fulfill its aspirations, the central leadership is clear the post will be filled by a BJP candidate. “There are leaders who have been with the party for decades,” they say. State leaders have expressed anguish over both the issues.

The party has, meanwhile, also formed a committee that includes Union minister Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria, former presidents Atam Prakash Manchanda and Ganeshi Lal and state general secretary Suresh Bhatt to whet new entries into the BJP.

“After the BJP’s success, many are making a beeline for the party. The committee will ensure those who join, fit into the party’s ethics,” Sharma said.

On whether the alliance was not mutually beneficial to both in the Lok Sabha elections (the HJC vote bank must have been transferred to the BJP in the eight seats it fought), Sharma says Bishnoi also benefitted from the BJP votebank in Hisar and Sirsa (where HJC lost).

In other words, the fact that HJC lost despite a “Modi wave and BJP votebank” was indicative of its contribution to the alliance. “We requested him (Bishnoi) to share platform with top leaders Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh and Sushma Swaraj when they came to Haryana, but…” he trails off. 

Fatehabad, June 25
Conceding to a longstanding demand of Bhakra oustee families living in the state, the state government today decided to issue "Hindu Dogra Community Certificate" to their children, to help them during recruitment in the armed forced and the central paramilitary forces.

State Congress President Ashok Tanwar, who was instrumental in taking up the cause of Bhakra oustees settled in Sirsa, said they (Bhakra oustees) would be issued a certificate of "Hindu Dogra Community" by the SDM or the DC.

This certificate would be valid for the purpose of recruitment in Indian Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, where members of Dogra community get relaxation in height and some other physical parameters, he added.

Bhakra oustees were displaced from several villages of Himachal Pradesh when the Bhakra Dam was being constructed during the sixties. They resettled in 31 villages then falling under Hisar district.

Now, 17 of these villages fall in Fatehabad, 13 in Sirsa and one in Hisar district. For the last six decades, the Bhakra oustees have been raising this demand before successive governments, but to no avail.

"While our brethren living in Himachal Pradesh get the benefit of being Dogra Hindus during recruitment in armed forces and paramilitary forces, we 
were denied the same facility as the state government did not issue us the requisite certificates," said Bhawani Singh, a leader of Bhakra oustees.

Tanwar raised this demand before CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda during Ratia assembly bypoll in 2011 and also before Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda when he visited the region after the bypoll.

Who are the oustees?

Bhakra oustees were displaced from several villages of Himachal Pradesh when the Bhakra Dam was being constructed during the sixties. They resettled in 31 villages then falling under Hisar district

How will certificates benefit them?

Certificate will be valid for recruitment in Indian Defence Forces and Central Armed Police Forces, where members of Dogra community get relaxation in height and some other physical parameters

Jhajjar, June 25
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the inter-state fake arms licence racket has found out that several gunhouse owners are involved in this illegal trade.

They violated the Arms Act by selling weapons to retainers of arms licences procured from Nagaland without any verification.

Apart from private gunhouses in Haryana and Delhi, the retainers of arms licences managed to buy firearms from Government Arms Factory in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). Moreover, some gun shops issued bullets to the retainers more than the prescribed limit.

“The SIT investigation has revealed that significant number of retainers of arms licences obtained from the Nagaland authorities have purchased weapons of various sorts from Government Arms Factory, Kanpur,” said Anil Rao, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Rohtak range.

He further said that the SIT had been preparing a list of arms licence retainers who managed to get the firearms from the government factory by hoodwinking employees of the factory as the retainer had no legal right to purchase weapons against the retainership card.

“Once the list is prepared, the SIT will visit Kanpur to verify the record and collect other documents pertaining to the retainers,” the IGP said, adding that two gun shops at Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district had been raided in this regard. “In all, 31 such firearms of various sorts were seized from one of the gunhouses. The retainers had deposited the weapons to escape police action.”

As per rules, Rao said, “gunhouse operators have to verify the arms licence before issuing ammunition to the licensees. They cannot issue weapons and ammunition to the retainers. But in this case, the operators sold the firearms against the retainership cards and made the entries on the cards,” the IGP said.

He maintained that the gunhouse operators were bound to inform the licence-issuing authorities about the weapons sold to customers through a communique. The record of such shops were being checked and matched with the police record to find out other retainers of Nagaland arms licences.

“All licensees are bound to deposit their firearms at the time of elections, but most of such retainers did not deposit the ammunition in the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections in spite of several warnings by the police authorities,” Rao added.

The rulebook

Gunhouse operators have to verify the arms licence before issuing ammunition to the licensees. They cannot issue weapons and ammunition to the retainers.

Madhosinghana (Sirsa), June 25
Senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala today compared the Congress to a sinking ship and said the regime’s days in the state were numbered.

Addressing a series of meetings in villages under his Ellenabad Assembly segment in Sirsa today, Abhay exhorted villagers to get ready for the Assembly elections. “The end of our 10-year wait for power is quite imminent now.”

Abhay said the manner in which senior Congress leaders were fighting and blaming each other for the party’s defeat in the parliamentary polls had made it clear that the Hooda government was on its way out. He said the Congress was a sinking ship and several of its leaders were looking for shelter in the INLD and other parties.

He promised adequate jobs and development of the segment once the party comes to power. “I am leaving my election to you as I have to tour the state and may not be able to come to see you again before the polls,” Abhay told his constituents, exhorting them to ensure the party wins by an even better margin.

“Wait for three more months and the focus of development and jobs will shift from Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s Kiloi to Ellenabad,” he promised.

Interacting with villagers in the Bagri dialect, Abhay started by asking villagers about their wellbeing and the condition of their crops.

“There is neither any water in the ‘naali’ (canal coming out of Ghaggar river) nor is there sufficient electricity,” villagers told Abhay at Jamal.

At Maghosinghana, farmers said the condition of their crop was good. Abhay wanted to know how their crops had survived at a time when farmers in other villages had so many complaints. He was told timely rains had saved the crop.

Abhay announced a grant of Rs 11 lakh for the gaushala at Jamal, Rs 8 lakh for Madhosinghana and Rs 11 lakh for Baruwali. “I am giving this amount though the INLD has not yet come to power. Once we form our government, your village will witness a plethora of development activities,” he said.

Hisar, June 25
The prediction of a weak and delayed monsoon in the northern region is a cause for concern among agricultural experts and farmers alike.

The experts opined that the delay of a few days could push back the sowing of kharif crops such as guar and bajra in Hisar and Bhiwani districts, while less than average monsoon could have adverse impact on the cotton and paddy crops later on.

Monsoon is likely to hit the northern region a week behind schedule. Similarly, rainfall is expected to fall short by 15 per cent of the average monsoon rainfall.

Experts of the agro meteorology department at Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) said pre-monsoon showers helped in sowing kharif crops in certain pockets. “A good monsoon rain will prove a boon in the sowing season. In case of delay, the farmers can hold back sowing of guar and bajra by the mid-July,” an agro meteorologist said.

The HAU expert said though paddy sowing would not be affected in Haryana’s eastern part, a rice-growing area, the crops could be affected later due to less than required rainfall and this would escalate input cost.

Atma Ram, Deputy Director (Agriculture) Bhiwani, however, said around 50 per cent of guar and bajra sowing had been completed in the pre-monsoon showers, while the remaining area awaited monsoon to hit the region. “A delayed sowing of these crops will not yield grain, forcing farmers to use unripe standing crop as green fodder for cattle,” he added.

• Delay of a few days can push back the sowing of guar and bajra in Hisar and Bhiwani districts
• Less than average monsoon can have adverse impact on cotton and paddy crops later on
• Monsoon is likely to hit the northern region a week behind schedule. Similarly, rainfall is expected to fall short by 15 per cent of the average monsoon rainfall
• An expert says though paddy sowing will not be affected in Haryana's eastern part, a rice-growing area, the crops can be affected later due to less than required rainfall 

Karnal, June 25
Before the initiation of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbhandhak Committee (HSGPC), the row over the number of members of the committee has intensified.

With the demand for a 21-member committee instead of the proposed five members, a group of HSGPC (ad hoc) members led by Amrinder Singh Arora met Shakeel Ahmed, state Congress convener, and Ashok Tanwar, state Congress president, in Delhi today. They handed over a memorandum to them in this regard.

Amrinder said: “The HSGPC is a long-pending demand of the Sikhs in Haryana and the community has sacrificed a lot for this.”

“It is unfortunate that only five members were taken in the committee. All sections of the Sikh community should be part of the management body,” he said.

If voted to power, separate panel in 7 days: Kanda

Kurukshetra: Haryana Lokhit Party (HLP) chief Gopal Kanda today said, “A separate gurdwara parbandhak committee will be formed within seven days if the HLP is voted to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.” He was here to inaugurate a party office on Pipli road.

Karnal, June 25
Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Krishan Pal Gurjar today reviewed the progress of the six-laning project of the Panipat-Jalandhar national highway.

The minister directed officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to complete the project within time, as it has become a threat to the commuters. The deadline to complete the project is March 2015.

Chander Parkash Kathuria, BJP state general secretary, told the minister that on the entire 12-km stretch in the city, there were no entry and exit slip roads. “In all, 10 slip entry-exit points should be made on both sides of the GT Road,” Kathuria said. On his demand, Gurjar directed officials to construct the slip roads. Besides Kathuria, former union minister ID Swami, former minister Shashipal Mehta and district president Ashok Sukhija accompanied the minister to the site of construction.

Jagmohan Anand, party’s state spokesperson, apprised the minister of the project details. The project commenced on May 2009 and was to be completed by November 11, 2011. Following delays, the project’s deadline was extended to March 2012, but the project is still hanging fire. Two months ago, the Supreme Court had ordered Soma company, the concessionaire, to start construction and complete it within a year, but no work has been done so far.

“On the demand of the BJP’ local unit, I am here to visit the project site. I have directed officials concerned to complete the project within time and construct slip points for entry/exit on the GT Road, one of the demands of the BJP unit,” Gujjar said. 

Kurukshetra June 25
The BJP has formed a five-member screening committee to scrutinise applicants who want to join the party.

“There was too much pressure on party leaders, as every day, several people and leaders from other political parties were approaching them to join the BJP. Hence, BJP state chief Ram Bilas Sharma has formed the committee with a purpose to induct people with clean image into the party,” BJP former state chief Atam Prakash Manchanda told the media here today.

The committee comprises Union Minister of State Krishan Pal Gurjar, Ratan Lal Katariya, Atam Prakash Manchanda, Ganeshi Lal and Suresh Bhat. Of these, four are former BJP state presidents.

“The applications will be moved to the committee and its report will be submitted to the BJP state chief. If the state chief agrees to applicants’ names, they can join the party,” Manchanda said, adding that five to six leaders of big groups had approached him. He made it clear there would be no privileged post for anyone in the party anymore. “Modi is a hard taskmaster. Ministers who have been enjoying privileged posts and doing nothing to better society may come under the scanner.”

Meanwhile, the Aarop Patra Samiti that is preparing a “chargesheet” against the Haryana Government held a meeting in Panchkula yesterday. “All members of the samiti have been assigned topics to collect data about the irregularities and scams of the Hooda regime,” a BJP leader present at the press meet told The Tribune on the condition of anonymity. 

Kurukshetra June 25
As the situation worsens back in Iraq, there was some good news when three youths from Kurukshetra returned home late last night. All three swear they will never return after spending a week in deplorable conditions.

Talking to The Tribune, Dharmveer, one of the youth, said, “After what we went through, there is no question of returning to Iraq. Our agent cheated us and we lost a huge amount of money, but we are thankful to god and feel fortunate that we returned home safely.”

Dharamveer, 28, Satish, 20, and Nisar, 30, returned home on Tuesday night. Dharmveer, who studied till Class VIII, said, “As I wasn’t well educated, there was no scope of earning a good liveing in India. I thought once I reach Iraq, I will earn enough money to support my family.”

He added, “It was our first visit and we got a three months visa, but the agent gave it to us when there were only a couple of weeks left for it to get expired. The agent said the company you would work for would get the visa extended. We were promised $500 per month for a 9-hour work shift and food, all provided by the company.”

He said, “Since we had invested the money, we thought of availing the opportunity and left for Iraq on June 16. We were told that once we reach Basra, a company representative would pick us up and take us to Erbil city where we would be engaged in Offshore Marble Tower Ltd Co. When we landed there, we got to know about the turmoil in Iraq and the person who picked us up was an agent and not the company’s representative.

Dharmveer added that they were not engaged in any company, but all 17 Indians from different states, who reached Basra, were kept in a room.

Narrating his story, Satish said, “No one helped us at all. The Indian Embassy in Baghdad made fun of us and questioned us why we had come to Iraq, when we called them for help. Later, when we contacted the Indian Embassy in New Delhi, instead of helping us, they asked us to contact the Embassy in Baghdad.” He added that due to the language barrier they faced more problems. Satish said, “Seven other Indians and I returned as our families arranged our air tickets, but 10 others are still stuck as their families cannot afford the air tickets. I request our government to take strict measures to help the people stranded in Iraq.”

Dharmveer, who worked as an electrician to earn his livelihood before going to Iraq, said, “I have already wasted Rs 2 lakh, I will once again start work as an electrician here.”

Kaithal, June 25
The family members of Mastan Singh, a resident of Katiour Majra village, who is stranded in Iraq, have lost their sleep and are anxiously waiting for the safe return of their family member.

On June 20, Mastan informed his family that he had got a ticket and would reach the village in a day or two. But today morning, he called back to inform the family that his company had refused to return his passports and papers.

“We were expecting the return of my uncle from Basra on June 23. Today morning he called to say that his company had refused to return his passport and he had been forced to stay in his rooms since June 20,” said a tense Sukhchain Singh, Mastan’s 21-year-old nephew.

Mastan, who worked as a mason in his village left for Basra, two months ago. The family members said a Chandigarh-based travel agent had taken Rs 2 lakh from the family for arranging a year’s work permit for Mastan. He was also promised a handsome salary of more than Rs 35,000 per month in the Basra-based company.

Mastan last had a word with his wife, Jasbir Kaur, for around two minutes, and alleged that his company had asked all workers to stay in their rooms. He added on June 19, the company lied to all workers including the Punjabis, saying that everyone would be sent back. But, on June 20, the firm went back on its word and refused to send anyone back to their country. They also directed the staff members to continue till their work permit did not end.

Jind, June 25
As many as 24 Jind Nagar Parishad councillors today served an ultimatum on Deputy Commissioner (DC) Rajiv Rattan and threatened an agitation if developmental works halted 14 days ago were not restarted.

Rattan had stalled developmental works of more than ~1 crore in the town and marked an inquiry to the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) after reports of irregularities.

“The city has already suffered a lot due to delayed developmental works. We do not want to trouble the residents more. The DC must conduct investigations at a fast pace and restart work within two days or we will launch an agitation,” said Mukesh Devi, Jind Nagar Parishad president.

Councillors led by Mukesh Devi met Rattan in his office today and submitted a written request to restart stalled works. They said if projects were not completed in the next two to three months, implementation of the model code of conduct ahead of the Assembly elections would cause further delay.

The Jind DC had on June 10 stalled all developmental works in Jind city and marked an inquiry to the ADC after getting reports of irregularities. The next day, he ordered the transfer of Rs 5.5 crore from the Nagar Parishad’s account to the Public Works Department.

Though the councillors alleged the DC worked under the pressure of Congress leaders, Rattan, showing official records, said the councillors did not have the sanction but they proposed developmental works of around ~2.25 crore, which was against norms. He said he had to stall works to maintain transparency. “The ADC is unwell and not able to conduct investigations at the required pace. He has completed investigations of some projects and I will allow work to restart after checking the ADC’s report,” Rattan said.

Sirsa, June 25
Three members of a family, including an infant, are feared dead after the jeep in which the family was travelling fell into the Rajasthan canal near Jandwala Bishnoian village of Sirsa.

The divers located the ill-fated jeep, but there is no clue about the victims — a couple in their twenties and their one-and-a-half-year-old son.

Ami Lal (28), a resident of Kishanpura village from Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan, was going in a jeep towards his in-laws’ house in Darewala village falling under Dabwali subdivision of Sirsa, with his wife Suman (26) and son Harsh.

When his jeep reached near Jandwala Bishnoian, it suddenly fell into the Rajasthan canal. Some villagers noticed the jeep falling into the canal and informed the police.

Suresh Pal, SHO of Dabwali Sadar police station, said the divers managed to pull out the jeep, but they were unable to trace the victims.

The SHO said prima facie, it did not appear to be an accident, but a deliberate act. He said the eyewitnesses told him that Ami Lal did not take the road going towards his destination, but turned the jeep on the pathway along the canal bank that went towards Rajasthan.

After travelling on the pathway for a few hundred metres, the jeep fell into the canal. He said the victims’ kin, who came from Kishanpura and Darewala informed the police that Ami Lal was a qualified and a rich farmer with over 80 acres of land and a bachelors degree in agriculture. He said the family members were surprised how he could take such an extreme step.

Rohtak, June 25
Residents of Sanghi village in the district tried to restore the electricity supply to the village today. They thrashed the power corporation employees and threatened them with dire consequences.

According to the available information, some employees of the state power corporation were working on a 11 kv line at the village yesterday.

Even as the employees were on the job, nearly 20 people, including Richpal, husband of the sarpanch, approached them and asked them restore the supply.

The employees told them that work was going on and the power supply would be restored in a short while.

However, the villagers reportedly tried to restore the supply themselves by switching on the circuit switch. When the employees tried to prevent them from doing so, they were thrashed.

The villagers also “threatened the employees with dire consequences” and fled the scene.

The employees then informed their senior officials and the police of the matter.

The police have booked 20 people, including the husband of the sarpanch, on the basis of a complaint filed by the officials concerned.

The power corporation employees have demanded immediate arrest and prompt action against the accused.

They have threatened to disconnect the power supply to the Jasia subdivision, under which the village falls, if action is not taken in two days.

The police officers said they had registered a case and were examining the facts and identifying the accused, following which they would be arrested.

Sanghi happens to be the ancestral village of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Bhiwani, June 25
Congress leader Birender Singh says he has full faith in the policies of the party and termed speculations of his joining the BJP “baseless rumours”.

He revolted against the state Congress by announcing not to contest under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Singh said he had sought time to meet party high command Sonia Gandhi.

“At present, Soniaji is abroad. I hope to meet her after she returns. I will provide inputs and chalk out a strategy for the Haryana elections,” he told the media at the house of his supporter Rajju Ahlawat at Charki Dadri in the district today.

Seeking to put an end to the speculations of his quitting the party to join the BJP, the Rajya Sabha MP maintained that his meeting with BJP president and Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh was a courtesy call. “It was not a political meeting. The rumours surrounding my meeting with him have no base, as I have no intentions to join the BJP,” he clarified.

The Congress leader said party workers were the backbone of a political outfit and the elections were contested and won with their hard work. “I will not let party workers down and continue to strive for their due honour,” he added.

Jind, June 25
The Jind Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) has busted a gang of robbers and arrested its six members. The police claimed to have solved 13 cases of robbery and theft with their latest catch.

Jind SP Anil Dhawan said the CIA police received a secret information that some unidentified youngsters were sitting in the forest area on the outskirts of city. The CIA team led by in charge Dalip Singh raided the place and, in retaliation, the unidentified youths opened fire from the forest.

After cross-firing, the police succeeded in nabbing six youths identified as Ajay Yadav, Rakes, Deepak, Vikas, Deepak alias Jony and Naveen. The police have seized a pistol and two cartridges from them.

“During questioning kingpin of the gang Ajay Yadav has confessed of their involvement in Rs 13.71 lakh robbery from Jind on May 6, and in 12 other cases,” the SP said. — TNS

Sirsa, June 25
Nine persons were injured when three vehicles collided on the Hisar road today. The incident occurred when a cow suddenly came in front of a vehicle, which was carrying members of a wedding party.

Eye witnesses said the vehicle was going at a high speed.

In an effort to avert the accident, the driver took a sharp turn.

In the process, collided with an Alto car and a tractor-trolley loaded with bricks.

All the injured perons were shifted to the local General Hospital for treatment.

Investigations were on in the case.

Sonepat, June 25
In an alleged beating of a security guard, the police today registered a case against three police personnel, ASI Hari Prakash and Suresh and Head Constable Pradeep at the Kundli police station. According to information, Vikki, a resident of Kundli village was working as security guard in a company at Kundli industrial complex. In his complaint to the police he said he was on duty when three persons came in car and forcibly put him in the car.

He further stated the accused beat him mercilessly in the car and one of them was telling that he had purchased a new car and they were on the look out to arrange Rs 20,000 to pay the monthly installment of the car.

After sometimes, the alleged accused threw him near a village pond. After reaching at home, the victim along with his father went to the Kundli police station to lodge a complaint, but the police did not take any action.

Agitated over the neglecting attitude of the police, residents of the village today protested outside the Kundli police station and after that the case was registered against the accused.

The Kundli police have registered a case against the three police personnel.

Kurukshetra, June 25
Subhash Kasithal, the newly appointed chairman of the Kurukshetra Zila Sahakari Krishi Evam Gramin Bank, has been expelled from the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) following his anti-party activities. Subhash was a member of the district working committee of the INLD.

INLD state chief Ashok Arora confirmed the same by stating that Kasithal had taken the support of Congress supported directors in the bank election held on June 23 for the post of chairman.— TNS

Faridabad, June 25
An assistant sub inspector (ASI) of the Haryana Police investigating a dowry harassment case has alleged a threat to his life and his family from the accused.

Surender Kumar, in his complaint lodged with the Sector 31 police station, claimed one of the accused, a resident of NH-5 of the NIT, came to his house when he was away and threatened his wife Premlata of dire consequences if his name was not removed from the FIR registered on March 24. He also reportedly threatened to get the ASI dismissed from service.

A case was registered under sections 498-A and 406 of the IPC against the accused and three members of his family on the complaint of his daughter-in-law. She accused her in-laws, including her father-in law, mother-in-law, husband and brother-in- law, of harassing her for dowry. While the police arrested the complainant’s husband, the others got anticipatory bail.

Surender said the investigation was handed over to him by the Women Cell of the department that had originally received the complaint. Ever since, the accused had been exerting pressure to get his and his family’s names dropped from the case.

Sector 31 SHO sub-inspector Om Prakash confirmed receipt of the ASI’s June 20 complaint, but no FIR has been registered. He said the matter was under investigation. 

Chandigarh, June 25
The Haryana Government has issued the posting orders of three IAS officers with immediate effect.

CR Rana, REGISTRAR of Haryana Cooperative Societies and Managing Director of Sugarfed, Panchkula, has also been given the charge of Director-General and Secretary, Agriculture Department, and Managing Director, Agro Industries, during the training period of Brijendra Singh.

RS Kharb, Chief Administrator, Haryana Housing Board, has been posted as Chief Executive, Haryana Khadi and Village Industries Board, relieving Ashok Sangwan of the said charge.

Vinay Singh, Administrator, Haryana Urban Development Authority, Panchkula, has been given additional charge of Chief Administrator, Haryana Housing Board.

Chandigarh, June 25
The Haryana Government has enhanced the dearness allowance (DA) to the pensioner or family pensioners of former legislators of the Haryana Legislative Assembly.

The increase would be from existing 183 per cent to 200 per cent of the basic pension or family pension and dearness pension and dearness family pension with effect from January 1, 2014.

Karnal, June 25
A 47-year-old man was found murdered on the Dhakwala-Andhera road, around 10 km from here today, with two gunshots.

According to reports, the victim, identified as Padam, was a resident of Uttar Pradesh and worked as a salesman at a filling station on the Meerut road.

The police said the deceased was shot twice in the chest which led to his death. Narinder Kumar, SHO Sadar, said Padam was working here for the last eight years. He was called by someone at Dhakwala village yesterday night and had to return on duty. The police today received a message from a passerby about the body, lying on Dhakwala-Andhera road. Superintendent of Police (SP) Abhishek Garg, DSP Joginder Rathi rushed to the spot with crime investigation teams. The FSL team has collected samples from the spot.

“A case has been registered against unknown persons under Section 302 of the IPC and investigation is going on. The motive behind the murder is yet to ascertain,” said the SHO.