R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Lucky escape  : Former cabinet minister Gurkanwal Kaur escaped unhurt when the car in which she was coming from Chandigarh was hit by a truck near Rama Mandi Chowk on the national highway on Tuesday night. Gurkanwal Kaur sustained minor bruises. The police has arrested the driver and impounded the truck.

Saplings planted : Punjab medical education minister Tikshan Sood celebrated his birthday by planting saplings of “bil”, “amla” and silver oak at his residence on Wednesday. Sud said these three trees had deep symbolic significance for Indians. “Bil” symbolises Lord Shiva, “amla” Lord Vishnu and silver oak strength and vitality.

Patiala
Journalism lecture: Prof Avinash Singh, executive director of Massco Media, New Delhi, and former journalist, in an interface with the students of the Journalism and Mass Communication Department of Punjabi University, stated here on Wednesday, "The media and entertainment industry is poised for a big leap.” Focusing mainly on media management, Prof Singh talked about the importance of such disciplines as web content management, content analysis, advertising designing and motion pictures. Head of the department Dr Gurmeet Maan urged the students to make their potential and capabilities compatible with the newer areas in the contemporary period of convergence. 

SANGRUR
Manhandling case: The local police has arrested five persons, Goldy, Vijay Kumar, Darshan Singh, Jagga, and Jaspal Singh,who were already in jail in a criminal case, for allegedly manhandling head constable Karnail Singh and injuring him at the gate of district jail here on Wednesday. A case under under Sections 353, 186, 332, 148 and 149, IPC, has been registered. Karnail Singh was being examined medically at the local Civil Hospital.

Tarn Taran
Bike-truck crash: Nirvail Singh (40) of Pindian village died on the spot when his motorcycle had a collision with a truck on the Jandiala Guru-Nagoke road, 30 km from here, last evening. The Verowal police has registered a case under sections 304-A and 427 of the IPC against the truck driver, who has not yet been identified. The deceased was going back to his village after delivering sweet boxes to his relatives. He was on his motorcycle when the truck hit him.

CHANDIGARH

Panchkula
2 arrested for fraud: The police arrested two youths for trying to dupe a woman into parting with some gold here on Tuesday. Usha Devi, a resident of Sector 18 complained to the police that Anandi and Subodh, both hailing from Bihar, approached her, saying they could shine all utensils and jewellery at a nominal cost. Usha Devi brought out a copper jug, which they dipped in a chemical. It started shining after they took it out from the liquid they had dipped it in. Impressed with their work Usha Devi gave them her gold bangles to restore the shine. They dipped these bangles and took them out within a minute and handed these back to her. She realised that her bangles was suddenly weighing less. After she paid them she went to a jeweller in the market and found that her gold bangles had become light in weight. She immediately called the police and the two youths, still in the neighbourhood were arrested. A case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against them. 

Mohali
PSEB engineers protest: Members of the Punjab State Electricity Board Engineer’s Association of Mohali and Ropar circles held a protest meeting at the 220 KV substation guesthouse here on Tuesday. In a press note issued by regional secretary of the association, N.S. Mangat, the members condemned the alleged manhandling of additional superintending engineer, East Division, Patiala, Gurpal Singh by members of the Technical Services Union. The engineers association has demanded from the board’s management the arrest and termination of those responsible for the incident. The association has also demanded police protection for the field officers in the future. 

Panchkula
H.S. Bangar case hearing : A local court on Tuesday fixed October 1 as the date of hearing in the H.S. Bangar case. It may be recalled that Haryana Vigilance Department had filed a case against the former chairman of the Haryana Public Service Commission, H.S. Bangar, for sidelining terms and conditions laid down in an advertisement and selecting overage candidates for the post of engineer at the Haryana Pollution Control Board.

HARYANA

Ambala
New PR panel member: Haryana government nominated Usha Jain, a resident of Ambala, as a non-official member of District Public Relations and Grievances Committee. She is the granddaughter of a freedom fighter. Usha is associated with a several organisations. The Digamber Jain Sabha expressed happiness over her appointment. 

LPG safety discussed: A programme on safety and conservation was organised by Baldev Gas Agency along with NCC and NSS wings at GMN College, Ambala Cantt, on Wednesday. Dinesh Malik of Bharat Petroleum gave important safety tips about using liquid petroleum gas (LPG). Students in the audience asked questions and Arushi and Ravinder Kaur won prizes.

Chetna Yatra: A chetna yatra, organised by Haryana Pradesh Yuva Vaishya Mahasammelan, reached Ambala from Chandigarh on Wednesday. The yatra will pass through Ambala, Barara, Shahbad and Kurukshetra. An organiser said the main objective of the yatra is to generate awareness among Vaishya community and to encourage participation in an upcoming mahasammelan in Gurgaon. 

Diarrhoea patients: A decline was registered in the number of diarrhoea patients in the city on Wednesday, SMO Dr Vinod Gupta said. Ten persons, who complained of diarrhoea, were admitted in Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt, on Wednesday. While the total number of diarrhoea patients stands at 220, 30 persons are now undergoing treatment at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Cattle census : A door to door cattle census is being conducted in all villages of Bilaspur district since September 15 and will continue till October 15, 2007. Deputy director Animal Health and Husbandry Department A N Sharma said here today the census was very important for formulation of all future cattle development plans.

HAMIRPUR
Illicit Liquor: The police has arrested a person for selling illicit liquor in his shop. According to police sources, Tilak Raj, son of Manohar Lal, who runs a grocery shop at Do-Sarka, was selling illicit liquor to customers through peg system. On information, the police raided the premises of Tilak Raj on Sunday and recovered 12 bottles of Lal Qila brand of liquor which were being sold without a license. The police has booked Tilak Raj under the Excise Act.

Conference : Ex-servicemen are preparing to make their conference being held at Hamirpur on 21st September a success. President of the Ex-Servicememen Association Squadron Leader (retired) Brij Lal Dhiman said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had also been invited. The conference would also discus various problems faced by ex-servicemen in the state.