Sunday, June 20, 1999
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Sunday, June 20, 1999 |
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Chandumajra, Thekedar
expelled from SAD CHANDIGARH, June 19 — The split in the legislative wing of the SAD headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal is imminent as its Political Affairs Committee today decided to serve a show cause notice on pro-Tohra MLAs for their alleged anti-party activities. Amarinder for forming core group PATIALA, June 19 — PPCC President Amarinder Singh today said he had sent a proposal to the party high command recommending inclusion of four former state unit presidents in the election committee. |
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Widespread protests against Pak NANGAL, June 19 — The Citizen Welfare Society, organised an anti-Pakistan rally here today. At least 300 volunteers of the society took out a march when started from the BBMB Park and ended at the local bus stand. The volunteers raised slogans against the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif.
Paddy
sowing-operation Tohra
holds talks with BSP Doctors
attacked with swords One
arrested for murder Probe
sought into employee's death Give
three-phase supply in border, PSEB told |
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Chandumajra, Thekedar expelled CHANDIGARH, June 19 — The split in the legislative wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Parkash Singh Badal is imminent as the SAD's Political Affairs Committee (PAC) today decided to serve a show cause notice on pro-Tohra MLAs for their alleged anti-party activities. The PAC also decided to expel Mr Surjan Singh Thekedar, Senior Vice-President of the SAD, and Mr Prem Singh Chandumajra, General Secretary of the SAD, from the party for six years. Asked that Mr Thekedar and Mr Chandumajra had already resigned from the SAD, Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Secretary General of the SAD, said the party never received their resignations in writing. They had just given statements to the print media about their resigning from the offices held by them. Mr Dhindsa said Mr Thekedar and Mr Chandumajra had joined the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal headed by Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra and due to this they had been expelled from the party. The joining of another political party was a clear case of anti-SAD activity of Mr Thekedar and Mr Chandumajra. Apart from issuing show-cause notice to 10 pro-Tohra MLAs, one member of the Rajya Sabha, Mr Sukhdev Singh Libra, has also been served with a show-cause notice. In the ongoing political war between Mr Badal and former SGPC Chief, Mr Tohra, as many as 10 MLAs and one member of the Rajya Sabha belonging to the SAD have sided with Mr Tohra. Of a total 76 MLAs belonging to the SAD in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, 65 are with Mr Badal. Sources in the Tohra camp said the MLAs would not reply the show-cause notice. "As the MLAs belonging to the Tohra camp do not accept Mr Badal as their leader, there was no question of replying a show-cause notice served on them", sources added. But the sources further said that after receiving the show-cause notice, legal experts would be consulted for an appropriate action. The MLAs who would be served show cause notice are Mr Manjit Singh Calcutta, Mr Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Mr Inderjit Singh Zira, Mr Surjit Singh Kohli, Mr Harmel Singh, Mr Bikramjit Singh Khalsa, Mr Hira Singh Gabaria, Mr Gurdev Sidhu, Mr Jagtar Singh Rajla and Mrs Daljit Kaur. They will be asked to submit their replies to the show-cause notice within 15 days, Mr Dhindsa added. Apart from these 10 MLAs, Mr Tohra has also the support of Mr Prem Singh Lalpura, who was elected on the SAD ticket but he was expelled from the party when he had refused to vacate his MLA seat following his election as a member of the Lok Sabha in the last election. Mr Dhindsa said in due course other party leaders, including district Jathedars, who have joined hands with Mr Tohra would also be shunted out. He said certain leaders in the Tohra camp were sending their feelers to SAD leadership. At least three district jathedars have joined the party headed by Mr Tohra. Mr Dhindsa claimed that Mr Chajju Ram Sofat has made it clear that he had not joined the party headed by Mr Tohra. Mr Sofat, belonging to Patiala district, had been taken on the working committee of the party headed by Mr Tohra. Mr Dhindsa said Mr Sofat had taken part in the recently held delegation session of the SAD at Amritsar where he made his position clear about not joining Mr Tohra's group. At today's meeting three resolution were passed. The meeting was presided over by Mr Badal. Attacking the Congress in a resolution, the PAC said the Congress Party was out to mortgage the country to foreigners. The resolution said the coming elections were a big challenge to the patriotism of the countrymen. In another resolution the PAC warned political elements not to create unnecessary controversies when the country and its jawans were engaged in protecting the territorial integrity. The resolution said the SAD would be on the forefront to protect the unity and integrity of the country and stood by the armed forces. In another resolution,
the PAC appreciated the foresight shown by the Prime
Minister, Mr A B Vajpayee to deal with the Kargil crisis,
and through another resolution criticised Mr Tohra for
his alleged pro-Congress statements. |
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Amarinder for forming core group PATIALA, June 19 — The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh, today said he had sent a proposal to the party high command recommending inclusion of four former state unit presidents in the election committee besides appointing a 21-member core group from within the campaign committee to oversee election strategy. Addressing a press conference here, Capt Amarinder Singh said he had recommended that the four former PPCC Presidents — Mr Santokh Singh Randhawa, Mr Virender Kataria, Mr Hansraj Sharma and Mr Harcharan Singh Hero — be included in the election committee as special invitees. He said he had also recommended the formation of a 21-member core group from within the campaign committee which, including the election committee and heads of frontal organisations, had swelled to 56 members. He said the core group would oversee the election campaign as well as ensure better coordination, adding that it had been formed only to oversee the election campaign and would not oversee the affairs of the state unit as had been conveyed by some sources in the state Congress. When asked about the members of the core group, he said he would make the list public once it had been duly approved by party President Sonia Gandhi. He, however, made it clear that he had a say in the formation of the core group by saying that the core group comprised not only of senior leaders in age but those who had seniority in contribution towards the party. There had been criticism from dissidents earlier that leaders with insufficient experience had been included in both the election and campaign committees. Capt Amarinder Singh claimed there was complete unanimity in the party now and that all senior leaders, including former PPCC chiefs and former MPs, had given their commitment to work for party candidates in the Lok Sabha elections according to the wishes of the high command. He said it had also been made clear to them that they should not rush to Delhi with their grievances in future. The PPCC chief while answering questions ruled out any change in the Congress Legislature Party leadership following a demand in this regard by 10 of the 14 legislators, saying that Choudhary Jagjit Singh was Ms Gandhi's choice. He said moreover Choudhary Jagjit Singh was the only Dalit CLP leader in northern India and his appointment had sent out positive signals to the Dalits. Answering questions about his style of functioning which has been made an issue by the dissidents, he said his style had remained the same since the past 31 years. He said the same style had resulted in the Adampur byelection victory for the party and had improved the party's morale. Capt Amarinder Singh when asked whether not taking any action against former minister Lal Singh for his alleged indictment by the Lok Pal would harm the party's chances in Patiala since a majority of the district Congress leaders had made the demand said action could be taken against Mr Lal Singh only if he was prosecuted in the cases. Speaking about his
speech made in Chandigarh which is being used as a handle
by the dissidents, he said he had said he would take
disciplinary action against rebels by using a metaphor
which was being taken out of context. He also said the
party disciplinary committee was considering taking
action against those who had gone to the Press recently. |
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Lottery tickets worth 2 cr
seized, JALANDHAR, June 19 — The local police in a massive crackdown on the sale of lotteries, declared illegal and unauthorised by the Director, Punjab State Lotteries, has seized lottery tickets worth Rs 2 crore. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, said here today special campaign was launched after the Directorate, Punjab State Lotteries, issued government orders banning lotteries due to non-fulfilment of conditions under Section 4 of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act, 1998. The Supreme Court vide an order dated May 7, 1999, had upheld the constitutional validity of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998, and in pursuance of the orders of the court the Punjab Government had issued a letter dated May 16 this year to the Chief Secretaries in the country asking them that their state lotteries must satisfy the Director, Punjab State Lotteries, about whether the provisions of the Lotteries (Regulation) Act 1998, particularly Section 4 were being complied with before selling such lottery tickets in Punjab. Subsequent to the issue of this letter, the Director, Punjab State Lotteries, vide public notice dated June 18 published in various newspapers had intimated that the Governments of Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pardesh, Himachal Pradesh and other states had not satisfied his office about the compliance of the Act and hence the sale of such lottery tickets was declared illegal and unauthorised. During the police raids,
lottery tickets worth Rs 2 crore were seized and 16
persons arrested. Six different cases have been
registered. The arrested are Manoj Pal Singh Walia,
Joginder Singh Walia, Ramesh Satti, Dharam Pal, Dharm
Pal, Raju Rawat, Ashok Bansal, Makhan Singh, Rajiv Kumar,
Bharat Sri, Sanjay Vajpayee, Prem Sagar alias Bittu,
Rakesh Kumar, Amarjit, Balram Sharma, Rajiv Kumar alias
Raju. |
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Widespread protests against Pak NANGAL, June 19 — The Citizen Welfare Society, organised an anti-Pakistan rally here today. At least 300 volunteers of the society took out a march when started from the BBMB Park and ended at the local bus stand. The volunteers raised slogans against the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif. The president of the society, Mr Paramjit Singh, said they were trying to contact the Army authorities for organising a blood donation camp for the soldiers injured in Kargil. The volunteers have also written to the Defence Ministry offering their services for the Army, he added. MOGA: An effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was burnt today in chowk Dr Shyam Lall Thapar in the main market by various political parties. These parties were protesting against Pak-backed intruders in Jammu and Kashmir and also Pakistan Government's inhuman treatment of the 'Indian Army men captured by it during operations. Demonstrators raised slogans against the Pakistan Government and urged it to withdraw its forces immediately from Jammu and Kashmir. Leaders of the parties also expressed their support to the Indian forces fighting against the intruders on Line of Control. They also paid tributes to Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the motherland. Large number of persons also announced donations for the Indian forces and for the martyrs. FEROZEPORE: Activists of the BJP units in Locoshed and Basti Tankanwali yesterday burnt Pakistani flag and an effigy of Nawaz Sharif to protest against Pakistan's involvement in the Kargil intrusion and torture of Indian soldiers captured by their army. They raised slogans against Pakistan and observed two-minute silence to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who laid down their lives while fighting the intruders. Earlier, they organised a protest march which was led by Mr Ashok Joshi, Mr Ashwani Dhingra, Mr Krishan Baldev and Mr Gobind Ram. LUDHIANA: Expressing solidarity with the families of those who have laid down their lives fighting Pakistani infiltrators in the Kargil, Dras and Batalik sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, 11 MLAs and two of Rajya Sabha MPs, of the All-India Shiromani Akali Dal have decided to donate their one-month's salary to these bereaved families. This information was given by Mr Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, MLA, He said they would also organised blood donation camps for the injured. PATIALA: The district unit of the Indian Ex-Services League (Punjab and Chandigarh) paid homage to Kargil martyrs yesterday. The president of the league, Mr Prabhjot Singh lauded the role played by Indian soldiers in keeping the enemy away from Indian soil. The ex-servicemen fully endorsed the steps taken by Centre in the Kargil sector and offered their services as and when required. Mr Prabhjot Singh advised the office-bearers of different blocks of the league in the district to be in a state of readiness to help the kin of soldiers making the supreme sacrifice. AMRITSAR: Mr
Parduman Singh, national vice-president of the AITUC and
Mr Amarjit Singh Asal, secretary Punjab AITUC and Mr Des
Raj, all leaders of the Textile Mazdoor Ekta Union, in a
joint statement condemned Pakistani aggression in the
Kargil sector and demanded that Pakistan must withdraw
from there soon. They paid homage to the officers and
soldiers of Indian armed forces who had laid down their
lives for their country. They condemned Pakistan for
killing prisoners of war and mutilating their bodies. |
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Lance Naik cremated with full
honours GURDASPUR, June 19 — Lance Naik Harish Pal (28) of Chroli village, near Bamial in the district, made his village proud by sacrificing his life while fighting the enemy in Dras sector in Jammu & Kashmir on June 15. The deceased belonged to 13 J.A.K. Rifles. His body was brought by the Army authorities to his native village from Srinagar, yesterday. The funeral took place today. The villagers, including women and children, besides a large number of Army officials and civilian officers bid a tearful farewell to the young hero. The body was cremated with full military honours. An Army contingent reversed their arms and bugles were sounded after which the brother of the deceased lit the pyre. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, and Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, along with Col Sawra from 21 Sub Area, paid their condolences to the family and laid wreaths on the body of the soldier on behalf of Punjab Governor, Army and Police. Mr Ram Lal, local MLA, placed a wreath on behalf of the Chief Minister. The Deputy Commissioner,
while consoling the widow of the hero and his brother
said all benefits announced by the Punjab Government
would be provided to them. The village school would be
named after the brave soldier. |
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ISI behind Kargil
aggression: KPS Gill PHAGWARA, June 19 — Former DGP of Punjab KPS Gill said here today that event though Pak-based ISI agents were still present yet terrorism would not resurface in the state. Talking to reporters, Mr Gill, primarily responsible for curbing terrorism during his tenure as state DGP, flayed the ISI for its sinister designs to foment trouble in the country. He said the ISI had waged an undeclared war against India and the Kargil aggression was a part of its gameplan. Mr Gill also addressed a function held to observe the 11th barsi of Ramakant Jalota, Slain Sena President and his associate Vinod Gupta. The day was observed as Rashtriya Ekta Divas. Mr Gill said "our Army is unparalleled and will give a befitting reply to Pakistan aggression in Kargil". Accusing Pakistan of indulging in petty disputes, Mr Gill maintained that if India, Bangladesh and Pakistan joined hands they could become a formidable economic power in the world. Mr Gill also honoured 21 families of policemen, who were gunned down by terrorists. Shiv Sena blood donors were also honoured. Aid was given to needy families and dependants of victims of terrorism. Shiv Sena leaders Swami
Pushpinder Swaroop, Surinder Dogra and Pawan Parbhakar,
also addressed the gathering. |
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Control room set up to dispel
rumours BATHINDA, June 19 — The district administration has set up a control room in the office complex of the Deputy Commissioner to make the people vigilant regarding the rumours being floated about the "impending" war. In a press note issued here today, Mr S.R. Ladhar, Deputy Commissioner, said in the control room with telephone number 220420 and 100 one military, one civil and one police official would be available for providing information to the public regarding rumours. Mr Ladhar said keeping in view the possibility of war after the conflict in the Kargil area between Indian Army and Pakistan troops, civil defence officials had been instructed to train the people for self-protection and to assist the administration. He added that in the
city about 160 sector wardens had been deployed and the
city had been divided into 35 wards. He said people had
been urged to bring those persons who were responsible
for spreading rumours to the notice of district
administration. |
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Badal visits martyr's family MALERKOTLA, June 19 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, visited Bhanboura village, 10 km from here, yesterday to express his sympathies with the family of Bahadur Singh who laid down his life fighting Pakistan-backed intruders in Kargil recently. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, MP and Secretary General, Shiromani Akali Dal. Mr Badal gave a cheque for Rs 2 lakh to the family,besides announcing Rs 5 lakh for the purchase of a house. He also gave a cheque
for Rs 5 lakh to the village panchayat for the
development of the village. The Chief Minister announced
that a memorial of martyr Bahadur Singh would be built in
Sangrur district at a suitable place. Mr Dhindsa also
announced Rs 1 lakh for the memorial of Bahadur Singh. Mr
Badal said so far 19 jawans from Punjab had sacrificed
their lives in Kargil. He promised all help to the
families of the martyrs. |
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School to be named after martyr BATALA, June 19 (PTI) — The Government High School at Bujjianwali in the district and link road from Bujjianwali to Jalandhar-Batala road would be named after Lance Naik Dalbir Singh, who was killed in a landmine blast near Kangan on Leh-Kargil road on June 8. This was announced by Hargobindpur MLA Captain Balbir Singh Bathon at the bhog ceremony of the soldier at native Bujjianwali village near here yesterday. Paying tributes to martyr Dalbir Singh, SDM Ajoy Kumar Sinha, said the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia grant, Rs 5 lakh for house and job to his widow Kulwinder Kaur. Mr Sinha also announced
free treatment for the mentally retarded son of the
martyr. |
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Tohra against UN intervention
in Kargil PHAGWARA, June 19 — The All-India Shiromani Akali Dal president, Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, today opposed third party mediator or UN intervention in the Kargil conflict. Talking to mediapersons at the residence of Mr Rajwant Singh Jhikka, District President, Youth Akali Dal (T), here, he said the UN could only intervene in a dispute but Kashmir was an indisputable part of India. If infiltrators were not flushed out, they could disturb peace in Punjab, Gujarat and other states bordering Pakistan. When told that SAD (Democratic) President Kuldip Singh Wadala had advocated UN intervention to settle the Kargil imbroglio, Mr Tohra said Mr Wadala was free to have his own views. Mr Tohra ruled out
electoral truck with those Akali factions who had a
separatist agenda. The pact with the BSP was based on
principle and would be finalised at the party's working
committee meeting at Gurdwara Akalgarh Ludhiana, on June
23, Mr Tohra said the Opposition leaders like Mr Mulayam
Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party and Mr P.A. Sangma of
the Nationalist Congress party have been in touch with
me", he said. |
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Paddy sowing-operation AMRITSAR, June 19 — The Chairman of the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) Mr SK Tuteja, yesterday announced that power supply for sowing paddy in the border villages, both inside the fence and beyond, would be increased by two hours daily. Mr Tuteja who was speaking to newspersons here after touring border villages in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts said uninterrupted power supply would be maintained so that paddy sowing operations were completed smoothly. The Chairman said the board had decided to release 25,000 more tubewell connections in the current financial year while 10,000 connections had been released in the past two years. Mr Tuteja who listened to the grievances of a large number of farmers of the border villages said he had directed the local engineers to replace the burnt out transformers and feeder on a war footing and ensure the speedy redress of their complaints. The PSEB Chief pointed that he had ordered the restoration of supply to those farmers who had not paid the previous bills up to February, 1997 when the Punjab Government had decided to supply power free of cost to the agriculture sector, after the payment of their dues. He also directed the PSEB officials to issue temporary tubewell connections with immediate effect which would remain in operation till October, 1999 to facilitate the supply of water for paddy sowing. Mr Tuteja said the loss due to supply of power free of cost to the agriculture sector amounted to about Rs 300 crore only which, he claimed, was not a burden on the board. The board during the last financial year had made a profit of Rs 50 crore after wiping out previous losses to the extent of Rs 700 crore and during the current year the profit was likely to soar to Rs 150 crore, he said. Answering queries about the progress at Thein Dam Mr Tuteja expressed the hope that the initial generation of 150 MW power would be achieved by the end of July. The board achieved a major landmark yesterday when in one day alone it supplied 125.50 million units to its consumers in the state which was an record for any single day. He was hopeful that the supply would be kept at this level during summer. Commenting on the
transmission losses, Mr Tuteja pointed out that it would
be the endeavour of the board to follow the golden rule
of spending 50 per cent of its revenue on generation and
the remaining on distribution and transmission as the
later segment had remained in poor state. He would accord
top priority to reduce the losses and improve the
functioning of the board in the coming years. |
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Tohra holds talks with BSP PHAGWARA, June 19 — Mr Gurcharan Singh Tohra, President, All-India Shiromani Akali Dal (AISAD), today held a closed-door meeting here for 45 minutes at the residence of Mr Rajwant Singh Jhikka, District President, Youth Akali Dal (T). Reliable sources said an emissary of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo, Mr Kanshi Ram, met Mr Tohra and discussed the issue of seat adjustment for the forthcoming Lok Sabha poll. Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Bhaur, President, Nawanshahr unit of the AISAD, was also present at the talks, according to these sources. The issue of seat adjustment with the BSP will be decided in a matter of days. The Tohra group has already declared that it will contest all the 13 seats in Punjab and the one in Chandigarh but is prepared to spare some for its likely poll ally, the BSP. The AISAD may not be
averse to accommodating other like-minded parties, even
hard-liners, who resolve to defeat the Badal group, the
Congress and the BJP. |
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Doctors attacked with swords JALANDHAR, June 19 — Assailants armed with swords wounded two doctors of Dogra Hospital on the Tanda road and chopped off the right ear of one person at the Civil Hospital here today. Dr S.P. Dogra, who was attacked in his hospital, received serious head injuries. His brother, Dr V.P. Dogra, and Ramesh Kumar were attacked in the Civil Hospital. The attack was led by Shinda and Lovely who came in a Tata Sumo (2298). The police had withdrawn
the guard posted at the Civil Hospital only a few days
ago. The SSP, Mr Gaurav Yadav, when contacted, said three
persons, Hira Lal, Rajbir Singh and Buta Ram, had been
arrested. |
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One arrested for murder GURDASPUR, June 19 — The police yesterday detected a case of murder in which a person named Ajit Singh was allegedly killed by his neighbour, Kabul Singh. Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, said here yesterday that Ajit Singh was a resident of Simble Kalan village having 7.5 acres. The wife of Ajit Singh had died long ago. Kabul Singh's out-house was adjacent to the out-house of Ajit Singh. The victim had started living with Kabul Singh who had managed to obtain the power of attorney from Ajit Singh of his land. The district police chief said the deceased had allegedly raped the wife of Kabul Singh, 18 months ago, but the suspect had kept mum. During interrogation, Kabul Singh said Ajit Singh raped his wife for the second time and this led to the murder. The SSP said Lakha Singh of Khojki Chack village contacted Swinder Singh, Ajit Singh's brother, on June 12 and asked asked him to send Ajit Singh to his out-house for helping him in some work. The suspect finding it an appropriate time murdered Ajit Singh with a sharpedged weapon. A case has been
registered under Section 302, IPC. |
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Probe sought into employee's
death PATIALA, June 19 — The Class IV Government Employees Union has demanded a probe into the death of Ashok Kumar, a class IV employee, failing which the union would launch an agitation. Darshan Singh Labana, district president of the union, in a statement issued yesterday said that Ashok Kumar had gone to Nawansher on June 11. He said the next day,
his family received a telephone call from Nawanshahr
saying that Ashok Kumar had met with an accident. When
they reached Nawanshahr, they found he was dead. They
said the marks found on Ashok Kumar's body indicated that
he had been murdered and demanded that the death be
investigated immediately. |
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Give three-phase supply in
border, PSEB told CHANDIGARH, June 19 — The Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has instructed the Punjab State Electricity Board authorities to supply three-phase power for operating tubewells in the border belt in daytime. Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Secretary-General of the Shiromani Akali Dal, said Mr Badal had directed all the senior functionaries of the PSEB to personally visit border belt to redress the grievances of the farmers as regards power supply. Mr Badal has also instructed the officials concerned to give power connections for tubewells on a priority basis to farmers in the border belt. Mr Dhindsa said most of the people migrating from border villages were preferring to stay with their relations. When his attention was
drawn that certain persons were staying at Patti station,
Mr Dhindsa said the government was prepared to organise a
camp for them. |
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2 die of heat stroke BATHINDA, June 19 —
The severe heat wave which has gripped the town for the
past many days claimed the lives of two unidentified
persons here today. According to Mr Vijay Goyal,
president of the Sahara Welfare Club, one person died due
to sun stroke on the Bibiwala road and the other died on
the railway platform. The bodies have been cremated after
completing all necessary formalities. |
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