R E G I O N A L   B R I E F S

PUNJAB

Bathinda
PSEB engineer-in-chief: K.D. Chaudhary has assumed the charge of engineer-in-chief, distribution, West Zone, Bathinda on Wednesday. He holds a vast experience in the construction of thermal plant at Bathinda as well as in distribution. After taking over charge, Chaudhary said that his first and foremost priority was to solve the problems of consumers as well as that of officers. He emphasised upon the need for teamwork.

Mansa
Foundation stones laid: SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal laid foundation stones for two canals distributries at Bakshwala and Kishangarh villages on Mansa on Thursday. Around Rs 12 crore would be spent on these distributries. He also laid stones for RO systems at Datewas and Govindpura villages.

CHANDIGARH

‘Goonj’ from today: University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, going to organise a three-day annual fest ‘Goonj’ from tomorrow. This is the fourth edition of their fest, which started in 2005. A spokesperson revealed that this year colleges from Assam, Meghalaya are going to participate in various cultural events with a new concept based theme "Vastness" of joy, freedom, creativity, intelligence, thought, celebration and participation.

Ajay technical officer for games
Tribune News Service@@Chandigarh, January 15@@Former international wrestler and national coach Ajay Pathak of Mohali police has been appointed as technical officer by the Wrestling Federation of India for the 34th National Games to be held in Jharkhand from February 15 to 28. Ajay Pathak had earlier officiated in more than 30 national competitions. He is a qualified FILA/WFI technical official. 

HARYANA

SIRSA
Demonstration staged: Not satisfied with the transfer to the police lines of two cops in connection with the alleged torture of a Dalit woman, members of the Balmiki community held a demonstration against the police here on Thursday. Demanding the registration of criminal cases under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Shish Ram, SHO of the CIA police station, Shamsher Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector, and Anita Rani, a woman constable, the members of the Balmiki community marched to the SP’s office and submitted a memorandum to him. District police chief Subhash Yadav, who has already shifted Shamsher Singh and Anita Rani to the police lines, told the agitating members of the community that their allegations would be probed by DSP, Ellenabad, Balbir Singh. The agitators were irked over the alleged torture of a Balmiki woman, Asha, at the local CIA police station on Tuesday.

HIMACHAL PRADESH

Bilaspur
7-yr jail for 3: Additional Sessions Judge of the Fast Track Court, Ghumarwin, AK Sharma convicted three youths after finding them guilty of beating a person and fleeing away with his vehicle, here today. Ashok Kumar , Atul Sood and Sunil Kumar were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for seven years along with a fine of Rs 2,000.

JAMMU & KASHMIR

Jammu
Mechanic killed in factory: A mechanic hailing from Bihar died while working on a motor in a factory at Samba Industrial area here, official sources on Thursday said. The deceased, identified as Dayanand Prasad (52) died on the spot on Wednesday after his clothes got stuck in a motor following which he was killed, sources said. Prasad was working on the machine in the industrial unit when the incident occurred, sources said.

Businessman’s house raided: Income Tax sleuths on Thursday raided the residence of businessman Subhash Gupta, one of the partners of luxurious City Square shopping mall here. Official sources said a team headed by an assistant director of the Income Tax Department raided Gupta’s 21 B/D residence in posh Gandhi Nagar locality here. Gupta was present at the time of raid. The IT sleuths seized some records pertaining to financial transactions of the businessman.

Oil conservation fortnight: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand inaugurated the oil and gas conservation fortnight here on Thursday. The oil industry is celebrating the fortnight under the banner of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association till January 31. According to a press note, Tara Chand said, “Oil conservation is very important and each one of us should know about its significance.” 

Jalil is economic adviser: Former IAS officer Jalil Ahmed Khan was appointed economic adviser to the state government on Thursday. The term of the advisor will be for a period of three years, a spokesman said.

Srinagar
2 hurt, house gutted: Two persons were injured while a house was gutted in the Kashmir valley on Wednesday night, official sources said. Two persons were injured when a vehicle hit their motorcycle at Kakpora in south Kashmir district of Anantnag. The injured were hospitalised. In another incident, fire broke out in the house of Mohammad Sultan Sheikh at Dudi village in Machil sector reducing it to ashes.

Veterinary camp: The Animal Husbandry Department treated more than 7 lakh animals and birds in North Kashmir where the Kilo Force also set up a veterinary camp. Sources said the daily milk production had been recorded at 3.40 lakh litres in Baramulla district where the Animal Husbandry Department had treated 80,869 contagious and non-contagious cases and given dosing to 78,272 animals against liver fluke and intestinal worms.

DEHRADUN

Revert to old timings, schools told: The district administration has directed the schools in the city to revert to their old timings from January 16. Earlier, District Magistrate Amit Negi had directed the schools to open at 9 am due to extreme winter conditions.