Tributes paid to ex-PM

Mandi Ahmedgarh: Led by office-bearers and activists of various wings of saffron outfits, people from all walks of life paid rich tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at a condolence meet held at MGMN Senior Secondary School here on Friday. Speakers, including BJP leaders, recollected the contribution and sacrifices made by Vajpayee for preserving the Indian democracy. Speakers appreciated that Vajpayee stood for democratic values. A two-minute silence was observed during the meeting. OC

Agriculture officers’ protest

Ludhiana: The Agriculture Officers’ Association, Punjab, protested by wearing black badges at Punjab Agricultural University on Friday. Dr Rashpal Singh, president of the association, said out of 53 posts of Deputy Director cadre, 40 were lying vacant and each Deputy Director had been given the charge of three stations. “It is affecting the working of the department and farmers. A charge sheet has been issued against some employees and they also demand to take it back,” he said. Director, Agriculture, Dr Jasbir Singh, assured the protesting employees that their demands would be accepted. TNS

1 held with 4-kg poppy husk

Samrala: The Samrala police have arrested one person with 4-kg poppy husk. The accused has been identified as Kulwinder Singh, a resident of Mustfabad village in Fathegrah Sahib district. Samrala SHO Bhupinder Singh said a police party laid a naka near ITI Samrala on Friday morning. During the naka, the police signaled an Innova car to stop but the driver tried to escape. However, the police intercepted the vehicle and recovered 4-kg poppy husk from the car during checking. The SHO said a case under the NDPS Act has been registered in this regard against the accused. He said the accused will soon be presented in a local court. OC