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Double blow leaves cotton growers in dire straits
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Ex-CM’s properties attached
Ignored for Modi meeting, BJP leaders sulk
Mid-term review of
SAD-BJP govt: Law & Order
A protesting lineman being lathicharged. File photo
12 HC judges to take oath today
online lottery
State, Centre lock horns over local bodies’ poll
500 pvt buses to carry supporters to INLD rally
Strike called off, Indo-Pak trade back on track
Trucks loaded with tomatoes at the Attari integrated check-post on Wednesday. Photo: Vishal Kumar
Govt launches ‘Sohna School’ campaign
Return land acquired for firm, farmers ask Patiala MP
Religious groups protest animal slaughter
Activists try to block the railway track in Patiala on Wednesday. Tribune photo: Rajesh Sachar
12 Lehragaga residents down with diarrhoea
Four killed, 2 hurt in Dhuri road mishap
Fazilka farmers protest, seek compensation for crop loss
Farmers protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Fazilka. Tribune photo
Abohar leads in skill training scheme
Day after exposing infested grain, activist assaulted
Rs 2 cr missing from ATMs, security firm staff booked
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Double blow leaves cotton growers in dire straits
Mansa, September 24
The father-son duo had sown cotton crop in 26 acres. They had taken 15 acres on annual lease by paying Rs 4.5 lakh in advance. They spent Rs 80,000 on seeds and Rs 50,000 on diesel to irrigate the crop to counter the effect of dry spell before heavy rain inundated their fields. They had also spent Rs 15,000 on fertilisers etc. "We have already spent Rs 40,000 on sprays to save our crop, but the effort seems to be going in vain," Krishan Singh said. "In August, on seeing plants laden with cotton bolls, we were expecting yield of around 12-15 quintals per acre. But now, it will not be more than 3-4 quintals," said Mangal Singh. "The loss to the cotton crop in our village is up to 80 per cent. Of the 1,800 acres, farmers have sown cotton in around 1,200 acres in Jherianwali village," he added. Mangal Singh and his son are not the only ones to tell this story. There is a visible distress among farmers in almost the entire cotton belt — Mansa, Muktsar, Abohar and Fazilka. Bogha Singh Nambardar of Raipur village has so many stories to tell about the hardship being faced by farmers in his village due to damage to the cotton crop. Maghar Singh of Raipur village, who preferred to sow Punjab varieties because of their resistance to pest attacks, said, "What has happened to my crop, I am unable to decode." Of the total 6,000 acres, about 80 per cent is under cotton crop in Raipur village. Bhola Singh of Autanwali village also appears to be in shock due to damage to his crop. "I have sprayed the costliest pesticide purchased at Rs 3,200 per litre, but I could not protect my crop from bacterial blight," he said. "The debt burden on farmers will go up manifold this year due to damage to cotton crop," he added. As the quality of cotton has deteriorated due to heavy rain and other reasons, the picking cost has gone up to Rs 200 per day. "Earlier, cotton pickers used to charge Rs 5-6 per kg, but now the rate has gone up to Rs 10 per kg. In fact, no one is prepared to pick the crop on quantity basis because it has become difficult due to damage to the crop. Labourers prefer to work on daily-wage basis," said Bhola Singh. "Even the commission agents have stopped advancing money because they know the crop has suffered damage in most part of the cotton belt," he added. In Makha village, Jangir Singh's cotton crop in 13 acres has been almost completely destroyed. Jagraj Singh, who had taken land on lease for Rs 40,000 per acre, has the same story to tell. Around 2,200 acres of land is under cotton crop in this village. Farmers complain of no fiscal help from the government. "The state government has not provided us any help so far. We need financial help right away. There is no point giving compensation to farmers six months or a year from now," said Jugraj Singh of Makha village. Director (Research), PAU, Dr SS Gosal said there were reports of bacterial diseases affecting the cotton crop in some parts of the cotton belt. The farmers had been told to use pesticides recommended by PAU and the Agriculture Department. "Because of heavy rain, the crop was deprived of nutritional content that seeped deep into the soil due to waterlogging. This led to weakening of cotton plants and their immunity level also suffered, causing damage to crop in various forms," Gosal said. Chief Agricultural Officer, Mansa, Guraditta Singh Sidhu said cotton crop suffered more damage in the Sardulgar-Jhanir area as compared to Budhlada due to waterlogging. The farmers had been advised to take measures to minimise the yield loss, he said. The failure of cotton crop has been a major reason behind increasing stress among farmers in the cotton belt. Because of this reason, the suicide rate among farmers is also high in these areas.
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Ex-CM’s properties attached
Chandigarh, September 24 The family had promoted Hargobind Milktech Pvt Ltd at Sarainaga in Muktsar to manufacture indigenous milk products. Harsimranjit Brar, grandson of the late Chief Minister, is chairman and managing director of the firm. The firm, which was floated a couple of years ago, owes Rs 2.28 crore to the State Bank of India. The defaulters include Harsimranjit Brar and his mother and Congress MLA from Muktsar Karan Kaur Brar. Harsimranjit's father Adesh Kanwarjit Singh (Sunny) died two years ago. The company had availed a term loan of Rs 1.90 crore in 2006 with a cash credit limit of Rs 12 lakh. The account was declared a non-performing asset (NPA) and legal proceedings were initiated against the defaulters. The defaulters failed to reply to notices by the bank and also did not respond to such measures by the tribunal. Following this, the tribunal allowed the recovery of the amount by selling mortgaged properties. It said if the loan amount was not fully recovered, personal assets of the defendants shall be attached. The counsel for the bank said the defendants owned 449 kanal of land. The land is owned jointly by Kanwarjit Singh, Kanwarjit Kaur and late Harcharan Singh Brar at Sarainaga village in Muktsar. The Bench also took serious note of the "connivance" of bank officials wherein instead of encashing securities worth Rs 7.08 crore, the latter tried to bail out the defaulters by way of one-time settlement. Recovery of debt n The Brar family-owned Hargobind Milktech in Muktsar defaulted on a term loan taken in 2006 n
The defaulters include former CM's grandson Harsimranjit Brar and his mother and Congress MLA Karan Kaur Brar n
Their account was declared a non-performing asset and legal proceedings were initiated against them n
The Debt Recovery Tribunal allowed the recovery of loan by selling their mortgaged properties
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Ignored for Modi meeting, BJP leaders sulk
Chandigarh, September 24 After Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley turned down Punjab's demand for a special package, the Chief Minister and Deputy CM met the Prime Minister on Monday, reiterating their demand. However, they did not take along any state BJP leader, minister or BJP Member of Parliament from the state. Talking to The Tribune, BJP's Hoshiarpur Member of Parliament Vijay Sampla said had he been contacted, he would have definitely played a role in getting "special assistance" for Punjab. Expressing similar views, Harjit Singh Grewal, former national secretary, said it would have been better if state BJP leaders had been taken along. "During the Vajpayee government, BJP leaders were taken along when any demand for the state was to be raised," he said. This is not the first time that the SAD and BJP have clashed on denial of special assistance to Punjab by the Modi government. Earlier too, Industry minister Madan Mohan Mittal had said that assistance had been denied as state Finance Minister had not presented Punjab's case emphatically. " Had the CM gone, the state would have definitely got some assistance," he had said.
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Mid-term review of
SAD-BJP govt: Law & Order
Chandigarh, September 24 Shortage of funds has affected basic policing too. The police executed a massive anti-drugs drive, placing more than 27,000 “drug peddlers” behind bars. But it failed to catch any big fish, inviting criticism. Sensational claims by druglord Jagdish Bhola, a former policeman, soiled the police image. Bhola alleged that he had enjoyed the patronage of influential politicians. The role of the police in the Nishan Singh case came as another embarrassment. More recently, the role of senior police officials in a
land investment deal has rocked the people’s faith in the police. Incidents of snatching and ATM theft are yet to be contained. The drive for online police records, inter-connectivity of police stations and availability of FIRs on the website has not been implemented uniformly. Attacks on khaki Attacks on policemen have been on the rise. From 401 in 2011, their number rose to 427 in 2012, 452 in 2013 and 2,336 (till August 31) this year. The police crackdown on families owing allegiance to the Congress in Mann village, “victimisation” of Congress workers, death of a child during an agitation by teachers, the role of police officials in a rape case in Patiala, the murder of an ASI in Amritsar and the beating up of a woman in Tarn Taran were incidents that gave a bad name to the police. The police busted several criminal gangs and shot dead gangster Gursewak Singh in Bathinda. Two undertrials, who escaped from police custody, were killed in an encounter near Bathinda. Their third accomplice, however, escaped. Gangster Rajiv Raja managed to flee despite tight security. The police foiled several attempts to revive terrorism. It busted a module of pro-Khalistan organisation supported by the Pakistan-based Ranjit Singh Neeta group. Three members of the gang, including Pintu, were arrested. Rattandeep Singh of
the Bhindranwale Tiger Force of Khalistan was nabbed recently.
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12 HC judges to take oath today
Chandigarh, September 24 The list of judges, in for elevation, was cleared a fortnight ago. The judges to be administered oath by the acting Chief Justice Ashutosh Mohunta are Bawa Singh Walia, Raj Mohan Singh, Jaishree Thakur, Amit Rawal, Deepak Sibal, Hari Pal Verma, Anupinder Singh Grewal, Raj Rahul Garg, Gurmit Ram, Sneh Prashar, Darshan Singh and Shekher Kumar Dhawan. Five of them are District and Sessions Judges and seven advocates. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at 10 am at the high court auditorium. The list is unique as it is perhaps the last to be cleared under the old collegium system from the high court here. The list is the longest so far. Prior to this, 10 judges were administered oath in one day in March 1991.
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online lottery
Chandigarh, September 24 Opposition leaders have ridiculed the state's attempts to earn money by starting online lotteries and establishing turf clubs for betting on horses. The Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Sunil Jakhar, says it is sad that a state like Punjab, beset with several social ills, including drug and liquor addiction, should now opt for gambling and betting to earn money. "Do they want to make Punjab another Las Vegas," he asked. The state Cabinet has approved 24 daily draws of online lottery. So far, the government has allowed operations of online lotteries for three states — Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland. These are being run by 11,00 retailers across the state. These 48 draws of online lotteries yield a revenue of Rs 105 crore per annum. The state government runs only paper lotteries, which are bumper draws, and not the daily lotteries. These yield Rs 15 crore per annum as revenue. The daily paper lottery was stopped in March 2010. Officials in the Lottery department said they were all set to float the tender and invite applications from bidders to start the government's online lottery at 3,000 locations. "We expect to earn Rs 150 crore as revenue from the state's online lottery. Together, we are hopeful that the online lottery will yield Rs 255 crore per annum" said a senior official. He said technical and financial bids of companies willing to operate the online lottery would be finalised by the year-end. The bidder will be required to design, operate and maintain the lottery system. This is the third time that the state has tried to introduce its own online lottery. The previous two attempts had failed as " the process for selection of bidder was unrealistic". Companies in the lottery business still feel that online lottery in Punjab can be successful only if the government had a more industry-friendly criteria for operating the system. Rahul Tangri, president of Pan India Network, said that recently the Punjab government had increased the tax on online lotteries for Mizoram, Sikkim and Nagaland from Rs 55,000 per draw to "As a result, all online lottery business in Punjab is closed since September 1 and the state is losing revenue. Even if it starts its own online lottery and take arbitrary decisions on tax, it will be difficult to yield the desired revenue. Moreover, we were running 48 draws daily and then getting a revenue of Rs 105 crore per annum for Punjab. By running just 24 draws they are unrealistic in expecting that the revenue will be Rs 150 crore," he said.
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State, Centre lock horns over local bodies’ poll
Chandigarh, September 24 The Centre has claimed that there was no laxity on its part in providing the state necessary support, including election machinery, census figures and electronic voting machines for holding the elections last year. The Punjab Government has claimed that its decision to hold the elections to all local bodies, which had outlived their term, could not be implemented due to non-availability of election machinery and essential data. The state also claimed that the decision to hold the elections was taken by the government in May last year. The claims and counter-claims were made before the Punjab and Haryana High Court during the hearing of a petition filed by Beant Kumar against his removal from the Malerkotla Municipal Councillor’s post. Appearing before Justice Rajan Gupta on behalf of the Union Government on September 12, Assistant Solicitor-General of India denied slackness on the part of the department concerned. Prior to this, Punjab Advocate-General on May 26 had submitted that on May 28, 2013, the government had taken a conscious decision to hold elections to all local bodies which had outlived their term. “However, this decision could not be implemented due to non-availability of population figures on the basis of last census, consequent delimitation of wards, intervening parliamentary elections, non-availability of EVMs and other election machinery,” he claimed. Taking up the matter, Justice Gupta asserted: “It is apparent there is contradiction in the stand taken by the state government and Centre.” Justice Gupta directed the treating of the matter as “court on its own motion” case as “the petitioner was not interested in the larger issue”. The court also appointed Anupam Gupta, Bhavnik Mehta and Gautam Pathania as amicus curiae or the friends of the court for assisting the Bench in the matter.
Claim, counter-claim "There was no laxity on our part in providing the necessary support, including election machinery, to the Punjab Government."
— Central Government
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500 pvt buses to carry supporters to INLD rally
Mansa, September 24 These buses have not been issued any temporary permit. Buses from schools and Baba Farid College in Bathinda have also been pressed into service. Sources said that Baba Farid institute had provided 60 buses for the INLD rally on the directions of Akali leaders. At least 150 buses from Bathinda, 90 from Mansa, and those from Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar and Moga were seen parked at the Killianwali border this evening on the instructions of district transport officers, said sources. A private transporter said: "We don’t have a temporary permit and in case of an accident, we will not get insurance claim. Also, Haryana could tax us." Talking on the phone, Jind Returning Officer Ashok Kumar Meena said they were keeping a watch and buses from other states arriving at the poll rally would be taxed as per the rules. The INLD is organising the rally on the birth anniversary of Chaudhary Devi Lal. Akali leaders will be reaching Jind tomorrow to canvass for the INLD. Punjab BJP leaders are camping in Haryana too. Mansa District Transport Officer Pyara Singh said: “Buses have been sent to Haryana but I do not know their number. These buses have not been issued any temporary permit.”
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Strike called off, Indo-Pak trade back on track
Amritsar, September 24 Exporter Rajdeep Uppal said though the issues regarding the infrastructure development had been referred to the higher authorities, some of their major demands had been met. "Now, safe custody of the cargo, from the time it enters the Indian territory to the time it is handed over to the importer, will be the responsibility of the CWC. In case of failure of the CWC to load goods, which have been cleared by the customs officials on the same day, due to labour shortage or any other reason, refund shall be paid by the CWC on the same day," he said. All pending claims of the traders on account of damage caused to their goods at the ICP were also settled, he said. Uppal said the officials concerned were asked to ensure that the loose cargo area was not waterlogged. Moreover, they were assured that the loose cargo area would have concrete flooring before the next monsoon. He said the authorities had also agreed to issue identity cards to all recognised importers and exporters. He said the issue of full-truck scanners was also taken up strongly and it was decided to send a joint representation to Home and Commerce ministries. He said it was also decided to convert export godowns, while lying unused, into import cargo areas. Referring to the "exorbitant tariff hike" by traders, Customs Commissioner SK Sawhney, who chaired the meeting, suggested that a tariff regulatory body should be set up so that excessive tariff could not be imposed. About the labour contractor not loading goods on "first in, first out" basis, the commissioner directed the customs officials to ensure that the norm was maintained for both imports and exports even in loading of the trucks. Sawhney directed the CWC to procure containers to prevent deterioration of goods stacked outside. The commissioner cautioned the CWC that in case of any failure, strict action would be initiated against them. Uppal said most of their basic problems had been taken care of for which he expressed gratitude to the commissioner. The meeting also redressed some of the issues of transporters. It was decided to set up a Special Suvidha Centre for faster movement of trucks, besides facilitating movement of truck owners/drivers/mechanics as and when required.
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Govt launches ‘Sohna School’ campaign
Bathinda, September 24 The office of the Director-General School Education (DGSE) has sent a formal communication to school heads and district and block education officers in this regard. DGSE GK Singh said, "We have formed a detailed action plan for cleaning all schools in line with a communication from the office of the Cabinet Secretary to the Punjab Government. Besides academic exercises highlighting importance of cleanliness, the programme will lay stress on cleanliness activities, on ground." Keeping in line with the PM's agenda of changing work environment, the schools are expected to take up cleaning of classrooms, laboratories, playgrounds, decorating schools and even school roofs. A special mention has been made with regard to keeping the toilets clean. He said, "We will carry out on-the-ground assessment after the drive with reports on standards of cleanliness in classes, school environment, toilets, libraries and laboratories. The schools, then, will be expected to maintain a follow-up record on the standard of cleanliness achieved under the drive." Schools have been given a work schedule, specifying dates. The programme will conclude with a prize-distribution function.
The initiative * The drive will be undertaken from September 26 to October 31 *
It will be part of "Savachh Bharat" drive to be launched by the PM on Gandhi
Jayanti
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Return land acquired for firm, farmers ask Patiala MP
Patiala, September 24 Led by All India Kissan Federation
(AIKF) president Prem Singh Bhangu and Trade Union leader Prem Singh Nanwa, the deputation submitted a memorandum to Dr Gandhi. They told Gandhi that the state government in 1994 had allegedly acquired forcefully 1,119 acres of fertile land in eight villages,
Bhadak, Sardargarh, Pabri, Khaduli, Damanheri, Kheri Gandian, Jakhran, and Badhouli
Gujran. Bhangu said the land was acquired at a throwaway price of Rs 1.45 lakh per acre for private firm Sri Ram Group. He claimed that the price of land had now shot up to Rs 10 lakh per acre because of its proximity to Rajpura town and the Patiala-Rajpura highway. They rued that neither the ousted farmers had been rehabilitated, nor had they been employed.
Bhangu said as per the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between state government and the company in 1993, the company had promised to establish an industrial estate and set up a thermal plant, providing 40,000 jobs to the residents of the area. He alleged none of the promises had been fulfilled. It was also stipulated in the MoU that if the company failed to utilise the land in 10 years, then the government would return the land to the villagers without compensating the company.
Nanwa said, "Due to the agitation launched by farmers in 1994, the government had to denotify 488 acres. But out of the remaining 631 acres, the company has been able to utilise only 98 acres. Nearly 533 acres has not been utilised even 20 years after the acquisition."
The matter at hand * Nearly 533 acres have not been utilised by the firm even 20 years after acquisition *
The New Land Acquisition Act, 2014 states the land that remained unutilised after 5 years of acquisition will be returned to owners
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Religious groups protest animal slaughter
Patiala, September 24 Hundreds of protestors gathered at Valmiki Temple near Lahori Gate and raised slogans against the state government and the police department for causing delay in arresting the “real culprits” alleging that the police has arrested
few Bihari migrants just to misguide the Hindu community. These workers led by President of Shiv Sena Hindustan, Pawan Kumar Sharma, Ravikant, chairman of Hindu Welfare Board, Lakhwinder Sareem, vice president of Hindu Kranti Dal and Rajesh Kehar, senior vice president of Akhil Bhartiya Hindu Suraksha Samiti, were marching from Lahori Gate to the railway station. But the police detained them and arrested
more than 100 persons to prevent any untoward incident. Rajpura protest Meanwhile, at least 40 persons were detained in Rajpura. They were led by Satish Kumar Sharma, president of the Gau Rakhsha Dal. They too were released later.
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12 Lehragaga residents down with diarrhoea
Sangrur, September 24 Residents of Lehragaga said the number of patients might rise in the future as they had been drinking contaminated water. They claimed that sewage leaking from the pipelines had mixed with drinking water. Sangrur Assistant Civil Surgeon (ACS) Dr Pardeep Chawla and Sunam Sub-Divisional Magistrate Parneet Shergill today visited Lehragaga. Chawla said all the patients were out of danger. He said six teams of the health staff had been conducting door-to-door survey in the affected areas. The teams had been distributing ORS packets to the patients. Besides, chlorine tablets were also being distributed to purify the water. He said water samples from the area would be sent to State Bacteriological Laboratory for tests.
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Four killed, 2 hurt in Dhuri road mishap
Benra (Sangrur), September 24 The mishap reportedly took place when the driver of the tractor-trailer, loaded with paddy, tried to overtake a 16-tyre truck-trailer parked on the roadside. The two vehicles collided when the truck-trailer hit the tractor-trailer. Thereafter, the two vehicles rammed into a house on the roadside. The occupants of the house escaped unhurt. Three of the deceased persons were occupants of the truck. They have been identified as Jagroop Singh of Khai village in Moga, Karam Singh of Mallan village in Muktsar and CRPF jawan Gurjant Singh of Modi Kherra village in Abohar. Tractor driver Makhan Singh of Benra village also died. Three cranes and a JCB machine extracted the two vehicles out of the damaged house. Station House Officer Dhuri Parminder Singh Bath said on the complaint of house owner Jagtar Singh, the police had registered a case against drivers of both the vehicles.
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Fazilka farmers protest, seek compensation for crop loss
Fazilka, September 24 The farmers, led by office-bearer of the body Wazir Chand and Diwan Chand, raised slogans against the state government. The leaders alleged
that due to “anti-farmer” policies of the government, farmers had been facing financial crisis and were being driven towards
committing suicide. The farmers also demanded the implementation of the Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations in letter and spirit, expenditure of 10 per cent of the Gross Domestic Products on agriculture, withdrawal of tax on
agriculture machinery, resolution of farmers’ issues in the kandi area and Rs 3,000 per month for senior citizens.
Their demand They demanded ~30,000 per acre for the cotton crop washed away in floods. They said due to “anti-farmer” policies of the government, farmers were being driven to commit suicide
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Abohar leads in skill training scheme
Abohar, September 24 At a function organised here today, Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar said there were only 1,450 beneficiaries in the state due to the lack of interest among the officials concerned. In Abohar, several training camps were organised with the help of North India Technical Consultancy Organisation and the local Municipal Council in the residential colonies having more than 50 per cent below poverty line population. — OC
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Day after exposing infested grain, activist assaulted
Hoshiarpur, September 24 He was reportedly on
his way to Laksihan village on his motorbike on the Mahilpur-Phagwara road when the
incident took place. Dhiman alleged that some motorbike-borne masked men came from behind. “They punched me on my back and tried to push me off my bike, before fleeing. My clothes got torn during the incident,” said Dhiman. He said the assaulters had sharp-edged weapons and at some distance, they tried to stop him again after parking their bike in the middle of the road. He said he dodged them by taking an off-road route. They allegedly chased him but he escaped. Dhiman said he called the police but no officer came even after a long time. He has filed a complaint with the police.
About the activist Social Democratic Party president Jai Gopal Dhiman and other party
workers had on Tuesday demanded that the supply of ‘infested’ food grain be stopped and strict action be taken against the supplier firm and food inspectors concerned
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Rs 2 cr missing from ATMs, security firm staff booked
Muktsar, September 24 The accused are identified as Jagsir Singh, Mukesh Kumar of Khuikhera village of Fazilka and Gurcharan Singh of Khemakhera village of Muktsar. Surjeet Singh, Deputy Manager, ISS SDB Security Services Limited, Mohali, told The Tribune over the phone that three employees of their company had been missing since September 19. “The matter was reported to the police as the trio was seen in seven ATM booths in Muktsar, Malout and Fazilka between 9 pm and 10 pm the same day. Though the footage did not clearly show them taking away cash from ATMs, they did try to disconnect CCTV cameras,” he said. He said two ATMs of ICICI Bank in Muktsar, three of SBI in Malout and one each of ICICI Bank and Central Bank of India in Fazilka had been sealed. “The exact amount stolen would be ascertained tomorrow,” he said. Kuldeep Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Muktsar, said a case had been registered.
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A few weeks ago, there was a broad smile on the faces of Krishan Singh and his father Mangal Singh of Jherianwali village, 20 km from here. The reason: The cotton crop standing in their fields had given them a hope of handsome returns, good enough to solemnise the marriage of their daughter in a grand manner later this year.
Transporters and traders called off their strike at the Attari integrated check-post
(ICP) after some of their demands were accepted during a meeting with the LPAI, the CWC and customs officials today. The bilateral trade returned to normal on the Attari-Wagah land route as 86 trucks arrived from Pakistan, while 74 truckloads of goods were exported by 6 pm.
Patiala police today detained around 150 members of various Hindu organisations in Rajpura and Patiala as they were marching towards the respective railway stations for scheduled train blockade against the recent alleged cow slaughter in Malerkotla town of
Sangrur. They were detained in Julkan police station for few hours and
later released.
Four persons were killed and another got injured when a tractor-trailer collided with a truck-trailer on Dhuri-Sangrur road in Benra village, about 5 km from
Dhuri, today morning. The injured person, Amrik Singh of Benra village, was admitted to DMC Hospital, Ludhiana.
Activists of Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, Fazilka district unit, staged a protest in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here today. They were demanding compensation for the crops damaged during the recent rain. They demanded Rs 30,000 per acre for the cotton crop washed away by the flood water.
That smile has vanished and dejection is now writ large on their faces. First, untimely heavy rain played havoc with their cotton crop some days ago and now bacterial diseases have devastated whatever was left in the name of crop in their fields.
Catching gangsters