It’s Peepli Live near Murthal
Murthal: It’s a scene straight out of Bollywood movie Peepli Live. Six OB (outside broadcasting) vans of electronic media houses line NH-1 near Murthal to get "breaking news" on the alleged rape during the Jat agitation. But journalists do not have it easy. "It's strange that almost all residents, whom we spoke to on Saturday, have spoken in one voice. It appears that they have been tutored to speak with the media," said a reporter. Another journalist said, "A majority of residents come to us dressed after seeing the OB vans. When we ask them about any information, they reply in the negative. And when we refuse to record their statements, they abuse us." People, too, have complaints against the media. Amit from Karnal says: “I do not know why the electronic media has created a circus here. Everyone knows no policeman was present on NH-1 during the night of February22. Anything could have happened to women. Journalists should go to villages to trace the injured and victims rather than troubling commuters on NH-1.”
Youth takes on mob to prevent bank robbery
Bhiwani: Virender Nehra (32), who singlehandedly tried to prevent a mob from looting the State Bank of Patiala (SBP) branch in Dighawa Mandi village of the district on the night of February 20 continues to battle for life at a hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Virender, who runs a weighing machine shop (dharm kanta) opposite the SBP branch was asleep when a mob armed with sharp-edged weapons and sticks attacked the bank. "After hearing the noise he rushed to the spot. As he tried to chase the looters away, they thrashed him with sticks on his head and neck," said Kanshi Ram, ex-sarpanch of Dighawa Mandi. As the roads were blocked, Virender, who sustained serious head injuries, was taken to a hospital in Pilani, Rajasthan. Later, he was shifted to a Jaipur-based hospital where his condition remains critical. Virender's father, Bhagwan Ram, who retired from Haryana School Education Board recently, said he had spent Rs 5 lakh to foot the medical expenses without any state help. Meanwhile, Manoj Sahu, bank manager, said Virender's timely intervention prevented a big loss though looters vandalised the ATM machine.
Jat stir costs Jind over 5,000 trees
Jind: More than 5,000 trees were axed during the Jat agitation in the district. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ranvir Singh Dhull claimed nearly 5,136 trees were felled in different areas of the district. The DFO said: "The agitators felled the trees for blocking roads." Eucalyptus (safeda) trees were cut, dealing a major blow to the environment. The department found that more than 3,000 trees were axed in Jind range and the rest in Narwana and Safidon. The DFO said complaints had been lodged against the accused. Deputy Commissioner Vinay Singh said the Forest Department had been asked to launch an extensive plantation drive to make good the loss. "We will surely take strict action if the miscreants were identified," the DC added.
