Kin of labourers who died in sewage tank get Rs 20lakh

Bhiwani

Following directions of Haryana Human Rights Commission (HHRC), the district administration has given a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the legal heirs of migrant labourers who had died on March 25 while cleaning a sewage tank. Anil Dass (40) and Rajesh (25), two labourers from Bihar had suffocated to death after inhaling poisonous gas. On March 26, NCSK Chairperson M Shivanna had visited the spot and announced Rs.10 lakh as compensation. But the money was not paid. Following this, Munil Das and Bechanpassi of Bihar, relatives of deceased, had filed a complaint in the HHRC for getting the amount. Disposing off the complaint, HHRC said in a press release on Thursday that notice was served on Bhiwani DC and SP for speedy action. — TNS

Jind

People protest hike in power rates

Residents of four colonies on Thursday blocked the Jind-Hansi road near the local power department office to protest the hike in power rates. They lifted the blockade on the authorities’ assurance, but announced to stage an indefinite protest if the government failed to reduce power rates. The protesters went to the local office of the power department on Hansi road. When senior officials expressed their helplessness, the residents blocked the main Hansi road. — TNS

Chandigarh

6% DA hike for govt staff

The Haryana Government on Thursday released another DA instalment to its employees with effect from July 1. Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu said here on Thursday that employees would now get DA at the rate of 119 per cent of their basic pay, thus registering an increase of 6 per cent. Currently, they are getting DA at the rate of 113 per cent. The arrears from July 1 would be given in cash. He said the DA instalment would cost the state exchequer over Rs 314.39 crore annually. — TNS

Fatehabad

5-yr jail for murder bid

District and Sessions Judge AK Verma on Thursday  sentenced a person to five-year imprisonment for attempt to murder over a monetary dispute. Accused Sunder had attacked Surinder near Bhakra canal in Tohana town on February 20, 2014, after an altercation over Rs 2,500. Surinder was critically injured in the attack. The judge also imposed 

a fine of Rs 6,000 on 

Sunder. — TNS

Karnal

Highway robbers’ gang busted

The Karnal police on Thursday claimed to have busted an interstate gang of highway robbers with the arrest of five persons. The police have recovered two firearms, torch, wooden sticks and an SUV from their possession. A preliminary probe revealed that they had committed 23 robberies at gunpoint in Haryana and Punjab on the pretext of giving lift to bystanders. “Among those arrested are Gagan of Ludhiana, Harvinder of Dera Bassi, Shripal of Sirhind, Anand of Lalru and Guddu of Akroli, UP,” said Pankaj Nain, SP. — TNS

Gurgaon 

Cow shelter owner shot dead

A 35-year-old cow shelter owner was allegedly shot dead by his nephew and his four friends over a property dispute. However, his close allies blamed it on cow smugglers. Sandeep Kataria, a cow protection crusader, who ran the Radha-Krishna Cow Care Centre in Sector 9, was shot thrice from close quarters on Wednesday night. He was rushed to a hospital where he was declared brought dead. Following preliminary investigation, the police booked Kataria’s nephew, his friend and three others. They are currently absconding. — TNS

Rohtak 

Schoolgirl alleges gang rape

A schoolgirl of Chamaria village in the district has alleged that she had been raped by five youths of the village. The police have booked the youths who have not yet been arrested. As per the complaint lodged at the police station here, the schoolgirl, a Dalit , has alleged that Deepak of her village made her consume a sedative and raped her. She further alleged that Deepak also called four friends who also raped her. The youths had threatened her with dire consequences, she added. The girl’s medical examination has confirmed rape. Whether the victim is a minor or not could not be ascertained. The girl's family members apprehend attack by the youths. — TNS

Jhajjar 

2 labourers crushed to death

Two brick kiln labourers— Prasanjeet and Ravikul of West Bangal—were crushed to death by a truck near Dubaldhan Majra village here Wednesday night. The truck driver who sped away after the accident has been booked for rash and negligent driving. The two were going on foot to the brick kiln when they were knocked down by the truck. —TNS 

Chandigarh

New project

With a aim to tap alternate energy resources in the state, Bagasse Cogeneration Project of 25 Mega Watts (MW) capacity costing about Rs 119 crore was being installed at M/s Naraingarh Sugar Mills Ltd in Ambala district, Minister of State for Renewable Energy Nayab Singh Saini said. —TNS

Posting

The state government has issued transfer and posting orders of an IAS officer with immediate effect. Sangeeta Tetarwal, Assistant Commissioner (under training), Ambala, has been posted as Joint Secretary, Information, Public Relations and Cultural Affairs and Languages and Grievances Departments against vacant posts. —TNS

Ambala

2 hurt as train rams into 

JCB machine

Two persons were injured when the Ganganagar-Haridwar Express rammed into a JCB machine near the Dukheri railway station near Ambala on Thursday. The JCB machine was being driven by Devinder Singh, who was trying to cross the railway track at Sambhalka village when the train en route to Haridwar from Ambala rammed into it. The driver sustained serious injuries. Balu, who was standing near the rail track, was also injured. —OC

Yamunanagar 

Doctors take out protest 

About 200 hundred doctors of the district unit of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) took out a silent protest on main roads of Yamunanagar against the rising incidents of violence against doctors. Later, the doctors assembled at the mini secretariat and submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar through Deputy Commissioner SS Phulia. Dr Anil Aggarwal, district president of the IMA, said four such incidents had happened here in six months.—OC

Jhajjar

Patwari caught taking bribe

A team of the Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday nabbed Babu Lal, a patwari posted at Beri town, taking a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a youth in lieu of making an entry into the revenue record. In his complaint lodged with the bureau, Sandeep Ruhil of Dhaud village said Babu Lal demanded Rs 30,000 for updating his land information in the revenue record. Later, the deal was settled at Rs 10,000. — TNS

Karnal

Police to sensitise students

The Traffic and Highway Police would organise a school-level quiz competition on November 6 to make students aware of traffic rules.  This would be followed by similar contests at the block, district, range level to enhance students’ awareness about traffic laws, road regulations and driving skills, said Sibash Kabiraj, DIG, Traffic and Highway. — TNS

Jind

Peaceful protest at Jind gurdwara 

Sikhs from all Jind city on Thursday gathered at Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib Gurdwara and paid obeisance to the two persons who died during police firing in clashes on Wednesday in Kotkapura. They organised a peaceful protest near the main gate of the gurdwara and demanded action against all accused. — TNS

Fatehabad

SP opens crèche

In an initiative taken by Fatehabad SP Sangeeta Kalia, a crèche was opened at the mahila police station on Thursday. Kalia inaugurated the crèche in presence of Deputy Superintendents of Police Shamsher Singh Dahiya and Vijay Jakhar and SHO of the Sadar police station Bimla Devi. Kalia said it was the first time in the country that such a facility had been provided at a police station. — TNS

Panipat

Students seek bus service

Students of Government College on Thursday blocked National Highway-1 near the toll plaza demanding a bus service. They also protested against incidents of eve-teasing. They lifted the blockade after an assurance from tehsildar Hari Om Attri, but threatened to launch a stir if their demands were not met. — TNS