J A L A N D H A R

Cong infighting: Khaira targets Rana Gurjit
Kapurthala, February 27
After the Congress recently swept the elections for the posts of directors of the Kapurthala Central Cooperative Bank, infighting within the party surfaced today with Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a Congress leader from Bholath, who won the election, alleging that Rana Gurjit Singh, the party MP from Jalandhar, was “hand in glove with Bibi Jagir Kaur, the MLA from Bholath, and that he had left no stone unturned to ensure his (Mr Khaira’s ) defeat in the bank’s elections”.

Eunuch marriage in city after 30 years
Jalandhar, February 27
It was a marriage with a difference. Both the groom and bride were part of the baraat. The procession was led by turbaned Manu Haji, sitting in a decorated horse-driven chariot, along with a demure Reena Haji.

Eunuchs take part in a rare marriage ceremony of a couple from their own community in Jalandhar on Monday. — Photo by S. S. Chopra

Murdered man’s son alleges police inaction
Jalandhar, February 27
Its nearly three months since a local businessman, Pran Nath, was murdered by some youths in front of the Malaya House here, and today his son, Pankaj Madan, alleging police inaction in the case, announced to sit on a hunger strike along with his family members in front of the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Patiala.

Students ‘run for fun’
Jalandhar, February 27
Over 150 students suffering from hearing impairment from across the state participated in a ‘Run for Fun’ here today on the concluding day of the state-level Leadership Training Camp for the hearing-impaired students, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services, in association with the district administration and the Citizens’ Welfare and Protection Council.

• Doctor killed in road mishap
• Former DGP honoured

Cong infighting: Khaira targets Rana Gurjit
Arun Sharma
Tribune News Service

Kapurthala, February 27
After the Congress recently swept the elections for the posts of directors of the Kapurthala Central Cooperative Bank, infighting within the party surfaced today with Mr Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a Congress leader from Bholath, who won the election, alleging that Rana Gurjit Singh, the party MP from Jalandhar, was “hand in glove with Bibi Jagir Kaur, the MLA from Bholath, and that he had left no stone unturned to ensure his (Mr Khaira’s ) defeat in the bank’s elections”.

“I have ample proof in the shape of recorded voices in which both Rana Gurjit Singh and Bibi Jagir Kaur can be heard instructing party workers to ensure my defeat in the elections,” Mr Khaira claimed, adding that he would bring the issue to the notice of the Congress High Command.

Out of nine seats of the bank’s directors, Congress won eight, while the Akalis could secure only one after their candidate, Mr Bhajan Singh, defeated the Congress candidate, Mr Balwinder Singh, in zone number 2 at Talwandi Chowdhrian.

Mr Khaira, who had unsuccessfully contested two assembly elections against Bibi Jagir Kaur, alleged that Rana Gurjit Singh had been interfering in his constituency for the past one-and-a-half-years.

“Despite all their efforts to defeat me, I won, securing 11 votes out of total 16 in the Bholath zone. It clearly indicates that my work to strengthen the party in the constituency has been recognised,” Mr Khaira added.

Meanwhile, six of the eight new directors of the bank held a press conference here in the evening, claiming that there were no differences in the party.

When asked as to why Mr Khaira was absent from the conference, Mr Harjeet Singh Parmar, one of the directors and a former chairman of the bank, said that he (Mr Khaira) was invited to the press conference, but he could not make it to the venue because of some “unavoidable circumstances”.

The other directors present there included Mr Anoop Kalhan, Mr Harjit Singh Parmar, Mr Sukhjinder Singh Bobby, Mr Lal Singh, Mr Maan Singh Dhamm and Mr Baljit Singh.

However, when contacted, Mr Khaira denied having any knowledge about the press conference.

Eunuch marriage in city after 30 years
Deepkamal Kaur
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 27
It was a marriage with a difference. Both the groom and bride were part of the baraat. The procession was led by turbaned Manu Haji, sitting in a decorated horse-driven chariot, along with a demure Reena Haji. The baraat of over 200 gaudily-dressed eunuchs followed them dancing all the way from a marriage hall in Partap Bagh Colony to Gurdwara Central Town here this morning. The city was host to the marriage of an eunuch couple after 30 years. The baraatis also paid obeisance at Panj Peer before converging at Baba Lal Dyal Temple in Partap Bagh, where the marriage was solemnised. The media, of course, was kept away from the ceremony.

At the temple, over 3,000 eunuchs from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttaranchal assembled, most of them coming in big cars. Attired in designer dresses, flaunting lots of jewellery and stylish hair cuts, they seemed to be part of any other marriage.

A huge “pandal” was erected inside the park in front of the temple. There were stalls of various eatables. A hall was booked within the temple, where a shagun ceremony was performed, as eunuchs from the bride’s and groom side exchanged gifts.

The ceremony went on till late evening. A dozen-odd policemen were deployed at the spot to prevent any untoward incident. The last marriage of the sort was held in 1976, an eunuch said. An eunuch marriage is said to be held only after a Mahant passes away. Since the incumbent Mahant had expressed her desire to hold such a ritual while she was alive, the marriage was held today.

Murdered man’s son alleges police inaction
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 27
Its nearly three months since a local businessman, Pran Nath, was murdered by some youths in front of the Malaya House here, and today his son, Pankaj Madan, alleging police inaction in the case, announced to sit on a hunger strike along with his family members in front of the Punjab Chief Minister’s residence in Patiala.

Pran Nath was killed on November 27 last year after a quarrel and the three of the accused in the case, Rajinder Kumar Sodhi, a resident of Mota Singh Nagar, Joginderpal, a resident of Surjit Nagar, and Shekhar, a resident of Kotpakshian, were booked under Sections 302, 323, 324, and 34 of the IPC.

But the victim’s son alleged that the police had so far failed to take any action against the accused. The family has also announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each on the arrest of the three accused. Pankaj said that he and his father had gone to an eating outlet when the accused tried to rob them. When they opposed, the youths killed his father.

Students ‘run for fun’

Jalandhar, February 27
Over 150 students suffering from hearing impairment from across the state participated in a ‘Run for Fun’ here today on the concluding day of the state-level Leadership Training Camp for the hearing-impaired students, organised by the Directorate of Youth Services, in association with the district administration and the Citizens’ Welfare and Protection Council.

The students ran from Press Club to Guru Gobind Singh Stadium. Later, they were taken on a trip to Wonderland Amusement Park. A cricket match was also organised in which the students competed with the authorities and won. — TNS

Doctor killed in road mishap
Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, February 27
A doctor was killed after his scooter was hit by an Army vehicle near the Rama Mandi Chowk here this morning. Dr H. S. Tokhi died on the spot.

The victim, who ran a private clinic in the Rama Mandi area, was president of the district Janata Dal (United) and Rama Mandi Market Association.

Former DGP honoured
Tribune News Service