Sidhu rides elephant to protest against petro price hike

Amritsar, June 7 Mr Navjot Singh Sidhu, BJP MP rode an elephant through streets of the holy city today to protest against steep rise in the prices of the petroleum products by the UPA government. Mr Sidhu along with other BJP workers used this unique way to protest by riding an elephant, which was pulling a Maruti car, and other workers with scooters on horse carts. BJP MP Navjot Sidhu rides an elephant to protest against the hike in the prices of petrol and diesel in Amritsar on Wednesday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

POLITICS

SKD merges with SAD (Amritsar)

Amritsar, June 7 In a significant development, Shiromani Khalsa Dal (SKD) of Daljit Singh Bittu today merged with Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), led by Simranjit Singh Mann. This announcement was jointly made by Mann and Bittu at a press conference held at Circuit House here today. Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) president Simranjit Singh Mann and Daljit Singh Bittu of Shiromani Khalsa Dal at a press conference in Amritsar on Wednesday. — Photo by Rajiv Sharma

SAD to hold dharnas from today
Chandigarh, June 7
The Shiromani Akali Dal today decided to hold dharnas at all district headquarters in Punjab from June 8 to 11.

MLA praises Amarinder to the skies
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 7
People of the state are willing to vote Capt Amarinder Singh back to power. The Akalis can no longer fool voters in the name of the Panth. The Chief Minister gave the status of district to Mohali and Tarn Taran, said Dr Harbans Lal, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, while addressing the gathering at Balahra village after laying the foundation stones of various development projects and roads in the area.

COMMUNITY

Tubectomy death: AFDR for case against doctor
Sangrur, June 7
The district unit of the Association for Democratic Rights (AFDR), Punjab, has found woman doctor responsible for the death of Rajinder Kaur (25) of Kammo Majra Khurd village, near here. Mrs Rajinder Kaur had died after a family planning operation at the Civil Hospital here on May 29. Her condition became serious after tubectomy operation and died two to three hours later.

Dharna against ‘police excesses’ on widow
Bathinda, June 7
Residents of Jhumba Bhaika village today staged a dharna in front of the Sadar police station against the alleged police excesses on the issue of possession of a widow’s land.

SGPC to take nagar kirtan till Lahore
Amritsar, June 7
Even as the government of Pakistan and the Pakistan Evacuee Property Trust Board (PEPTB) have decided to advance the date of nagar kirtan to Lahore from June 13 to June 12, the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) today decided not to organise any procession from New Delhi to Lahore to mark the 400th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Arjan Dev.

None from admn attends soldier's funeral
Patiala, June 7
The mortal remains of veteran soldier Subedar Sher Singh, who had taken part in the World War -II and also fought on fronts in Assam Burma, Malaya and J&K, were consigned to the flames here today. Sher Singh (96) was awarded the Jangi Inam and the Mention-In-Dispatches twice .

Plea for NRI cells at Indian missions
Patiala, June 7
The NRI cell of the BJP has urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to set up separate cells in Indian missions at Canada, UK and USA to deal with people of the Indian community living in those countries without passports.

• Summer camp inaugurated

COURTS

Meeting on free legal aid held
Fatehgarh Sahib, June 7
To give free legal aid to the needy and the downtrodden, the District Free Legal Aid Services Committee held its meeting under the chairperson of Mrs Sabina, District and Sessions Judge, in the judicial complex on Monday. Various cases relating to free legal aid were decided at the meeting.

AGRICULTURE

Dala angora rabbit farm faces closure
Gurdaspur June 7
The angora rabbit farm at Dala village of Dhar block faces closure. The three-member committee formed by the Department of Animal Husbandry has recommended the closure of the farm. The Deputy Director, Animal Husbandry, Gurdaspur, when contacted, said the report of the committee had been forwarded to the higher authorities of the department who would take a final decision.

Banned pesticide sold in market
Gurdaspur, June 7
The Department of Agriculture has unearthed a scam in which the highly poisonous banned pesticides meant for government supply are being sold in the open market.

ADMINISTRATION

23 found absent from duty
Bathinda, June 7
The ADC and the Assistant Commissioner yesterday found 23 officials and other staff missing from duty during a surprise check at the mini secretariat here.

MBA/MCA results
Amritsar, June 7
Monika Sood (15478) of Nabha topped in the state-level management entrance Test (MET) with 124.25 marks, while Vipan Singla (25161) of Patiala got the first position in the MCA (PAM-CAT-2006) with 123.75 marks, conducted by Guru Nanak Dev University here. The results were declared here today.