R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Amritsar
MAN ROBBED: Ajay Kumar Arora of West Delhi was allegedly robbed on gunpoint by three unidentified persons wearing police uniform here on the night of Friday. He was returning to Delhi after collecting payments from here. In a complaint lodged with the Sultanwind police here, he alleged that the three accused who were in a car intercepted him near the Manawala area. They took away the bag containing Rs 5.50 lakh.

Barnala
UGC SEMINAR: Sant Baba Attar Singh Khalsa College, Sandaur, about 30 km from here, will host a University Grants Commission sponsored seminar on “Dangers in privatisation of public sector” in the college auditorium on November 27. More than 100 delegates, including principals, academicians and senators from Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjabi University, Patiala and Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, would take part in this seminar.

Bathinda
Awwa function: More than 60 children of the cantonment here participated in wallpaper activity organised by the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) at Takshila Auditorium here on Saturday. Children between four to 18 years, who participated in the activity, prepared wall hangings of various shapes, sizes and colours. Ms Kiran Nandrajog, president, AWWA complimented the young artists for their skilful demonstration.

BODY FOUND: Volunteers of Sahara Jan Sewa, an NGO, on Thursday found the body of a man near the office of the local Municipal Corporation. The body was handed over to the police. The deceased was suspected to have died of excessive drinking. The body was cremated by volunteers of Sahara.

Hoshiarpur
TRADERS’ GRIEVANCES: Resentment prevails among the local traders and shopkeepers over the alleged harassment meted to them by the octroi contractor and the municipal authorities. They alleged that a fruit merchant was recently beaten up by the octroi contractor and his staff. They also alleged that the contractor in connivance with the municipal authorities was charging extra. They urged the state government to stop octroi collection through contractors.

PATIALA
BEREAVED: Mrs Baldev Kaur mother of lawyer Satnam Singh Kler died here after a brief illness. The Baba Ala Singh Club has mourned the death of Mrs Baldev Kaur. Club President Dr D S Bhullar said the city had lost a social personality in her death.

CM THANKED: The Aided-School Teachers union on Saturday thanked Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for approving 15 per cent house rent of employees of Aided School in the state. Union President Upjit Singh Brar and Secretary Mahesh Bhalla appealed to the government to accept remaining demands like revival of the pension scheme for employees of aided schools by reviving decision passed in the Assembly session, and merger of 50 per cent DA in the Basic Pay of these employees.

Sangrur
MEDICAL CAMP: More than 200 persons, suffering from various chest diseases, were examined at the local Civil Hospital at a tuberculosis awareness-cum-free medical check-up camp, which concluded at Duggan village, near here, on Friday. 

HARYANA

AMBALA
Skating rink: An international level skating rink will soon be constructed by the Haryana Roller Skating Sangh in Ambala. Haryana Roller Skating Sangh president T.C. Gupta said the rink would help Ambala skaters to do regular practice and it would enable them organise national and international level championships. Mr Gupta, inaugurated the three-day state level roller skating championship. He said 12 district teams were participating in the championship. A sum of Rs 5 lakh had been given for skating. He added that the national games would be held from December 7 to 12 at Faridabad.

Scholarships: The local Saini Sabha has decided to grant scholarships to two deserving students for higher education. Mr D.S. Punia, said a Saini Sammelan would be held on November 21, in Ambala. While, Dr Ram Prasad Saini, would preside over the function, Dr Roopchand Saini, would be the chief guest. 

Selected: Dr Vivek Aggarwal, has stood second in MDS entrance examination of All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Dr Aggarwal hails from Babyal village. He did his BDS from Yamunanagar. 

DRIVER HURT: An altercation took place between a maxi cab driver and a bullock cart rider near Kalpi chowk on Saturday. The incident took place when the maxi cab driver, an ex-serviceman, sought pass from the slow-moving bullock cart rider. That led to an altercation between the driver and the rider and the maxi cab driver sustained injuries in the incident. The bullock cart rider fled. The maxi cab union members arrived at the place and threatened to block traffic if prompt action was not taken against the bullock cart rider. A case has been registered.

VIKAS PARISHAD: A number of activists from different political parties joined the Vikas Parishad on Friday. Those who have joined the parishad include five ex-servicemen. The activists were from Ward No 13, Ward No 14 and Ward No 15.

INDER PAL CHESS CHAMP: Inderpal, a student of Indian Public School, Mohra won the district level chess championship organised by NIIT Mind Championship Academy here on Saturday. Students of six public schools took part in the championship.

Fire in sugar mill: A fire broke out in the Naraingarh Sugar Mill on Friday. Nobody was injured in the incident. Mill workers spotted smoke billowing out of the generator room located within the mill complex. The fire brigade was informed and they managed to control it within an hour. The exact cause of the fire is not known. 

Eye camp: A free eye check-up camp was organised at Bhanokher village on Friday. About 500 patients were examined by Dr Raj Kumar Gupta. 

Hisar
VETERINARY HOSPITAL: Congress MLA from Hisar Om Prakash Jindal inaugurated a veterinary hospital on the premises of Viashnav Agarsain gaushala, Agroha, near here on Friday. The gaushala trust had organised a function to celebrate Gopashtami on the gaushala premises. Mr Subhash Agarwal, chairman of the action group, inaugurated the administrative block of the gaushala on the occasion. The managing director of Zee group, Mr Lakshmi Naryana Goenka, was a guest of honour.

Kaithal
CHARGESHEETED: Dr M.L. Ranga, Health Minister, Haryana, while presiding over the monthly District Grievances Committee meeting here on Friday, ordered to chargesheet Dr Ram Kumar Singla, Veterinary Surgeon, Kalayat, for dereliction of duty. A villager had complained that his buffalo died due to negligence of the said doctor. He also disposed of all 11 complaints put up in the meeting.

BLOOD DONATED: A total of 270 units of blood was donated by students of Haryana College of Technology and Management (HCTM) at a camp organised by the District Red Cross Society and inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner at the college campus here on Thursday.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Chamba
BOOKED: Arun Dogra, a resident of Chowari township, has been booked for using criminal force to deter Ms Rekhi, secretary, Nagar Panchayat, Chowari, in Chamba district from discharging her official duties. According to a press note, Arun Dogra has been booked under Sections 353 and 294 of the IPC. It was alleged by the complainant, Ms Rekhi, that the accused had also done obscene acts, causing annoyance to her.

TEACHER ASSAULTED: Kishan Chand, a teacher of Government Primary School, Bhadsar, was beaten up by two persons, Lal Chand and Devi Ram, both residents of Bhadsar. The accused allegedly entered in the school complex while Kishan Chand was teaching Class II. The teacher was injured in the incident.

Kumarhatti
CATTLE BOARD: Mr Harsh Mahajan, Animal Husbandry Minister, has said that a Cattle Wealth Development Board will be constituted in state under the Cattle Welfare Programme. The board will plan to supplement farmers’ income from cattle wealth. He was addressing a public gathering at Takaryana village after inaugurating an animal dispensary building here on Friday.

PROTEST: The Central Research Institute (CRI), Kasauli, employees on Friday evening staged protest over the delay to implementing the 15-point demand charter. They also opposed efforts to transfer the institute and any of its departments from Kasauli. Around 5 pm, hundreds of employees gathered outside the main gate and raised slogans against the CRI authorities and the Health Ministry.