MC removes encroachment

The building branch of the Municipal Corporation, (MC), Bathinda, removed an encroachment in Model Town Phase-I. A team of the civic body headed by SDO Rajinder Kumar and building inspector Ankush Kumar reached with a JCB machine and removed a gate installed on a road in the area. The MC has received a number of complaints from the residents regarding the encroachment. It has started a drive against the illegal buildings in the city. MC Commissioner Anil Garg has issued a notice to all officials of the building branch seeking a report on the illegal buildings built in their area and action taken by them.

Maur residents protest

Residents of Maur Mandi protested against the delay in the arrest of the accused in the January 31 blast, in which six persons were killed. Local leaders and residents said the blast was politically motivated and demanded an investigation. “Had it been the handiwork of a terrorist group, it would have immediately taken responsibility for the blast. If probed thoroughly, the investigators will find out that the blast was politically motivated,” said Parveen Kumar, one of the 25 members of the Sangharsh Committee.

Murder case solved, two arrested

The police claimed to have solved a murder case with the arrest of two persons. Baljeet Singh Khuddu (36) was killed on February 9 night at Malkana village. The accused — Birbal Singh (22) and Somvir Singh (18) — both Dalits, were also residents of the same village. Birbal is married and was residing with his wife and a child in the village. Birbal had a land dispute with Khuddu, who had allegedly encroached on two-three yards along the boundary wall of the house of the accused.

Safai worker cremated

The safai worker, who was found murdered at his house on the night of February 4, was finally cremated at Rampura. Jiwan Ram Mamu was allegedly killed with sharp-edged weapons, as observed from the injury marks found on his body. A large number of members of the Safai Workers Associations registered their protest against the delay in the arrest of the accused in the past week. The protesters took out protest marches and held a dharna in Rampura.

I-T officials raid two shops

Income tax officials raided two school uniform shops — Vardhman Uniforms and Mahavir Dresses — in the Nai Basti area in the city. The officials refused to give any details about the raids. Sources in the Income Tax Department said these raids were conducted following reports of tax evasion by traders in the city.

Trucks collide, two dead

Two trucks collided with each other near Pathrala village on the Dabwali road around 8 am, killing a driver and cleaner of one of the trucks. Policemen said the driver and cleaner of the truck, coming to Bathinda from Dabwali, were killed while two persons, including the driver of the truck on way to Dabwali, got seriously injured. The identity of the deceased could not be ascertained while the injured have been identified as Harjeet Singh and Sukhdarshan Singh, both residents of Malla village in Faridkot.

Fire destroys house

The house of a poor labourer was gutted following a short-circuit and a leakage from an LPG cylinder. No casualties were reported. The incident occurred in the area of 25-yard houses in Dhobiana Basti. Panic gripped the area when the rooftop of the house burst due to the fire. Fortunately, Rajinder Mandal and Ranjana Devi, who reside with their daughter in the one-room hut, were not present in the house when the fire broke out. Residents said a small fire tender reached the place and helped in dousing the flames.

Four held with stolen items

Four persons involved in stealing motorbikes and snatching cell phones landed in police net. As many as 13 cell phones and nine stolen motorbikes were recovered from their possession. Civil Lines SHO Robin Singh said the accused had been identified as Gurwinder Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Jagdeep Singh and Sukhpreet Singh, all residents of Bangi Deepa village. Police officials said the accused were residing in houses situated close to each other. Besides stolen bikes and cell phones, dismantled material of a bike was also recovered from their possession.

MC Commissioner orders probe into defunct motors

MC Commissioner Anil Garg ordered a probe into the issue of defunct motors installed at the Canal Colony pumping station. The Commissioner also pulled up officials of Triveni Company and the Sewerage Board and asked them to work carefully. After receiving complaints of sewage overflow in the low-lying area, Senior Deputy Mayor Tarsem Goyal visited the pumping station where he came to know that the four motors installed at the station were lying defunct.

MC begins renovation of theatre

The Municipal Corporation, Bathinda, has finally started the renovation of the dilapidated Balwant Gargi Open Air Theatre, located at Rose Garden in the city. It will give theatre groups and art lovers a shot in the arm. As per information, the MC has planned to incur a cost of Rs 6-7 lakh on the project. MC Commissioner Anil Garg said for the last few years, theatre festivals had been organised at the theatre and not only local residents but also those from nearby towns have been visiting the place.