Activists move UN over Hawara

Moga: A delegation of Sikh activists from North America and Europe met UN officials from Special Rapporteurs on Torture and Religious Freedom in Geneva (Switzerland) on Monday and lodged a complaint against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh for allegedly subjecting Jagtar Singh Hawara to “inhuman treatment”. Hawara is lodged in Delhi’s Tihar jail in the case of former Chief Minister Beant Singh’s assassination. In November 2015, he was ‘nominated’ parallel Jathedar of the Akal Takht by a Sarbat Khalsa, but the SGPC did not acknowledge his appointment. TNS

Militant tip-off: High alert in two districts 
Muktsar: Security agencies in Fazilka and Muktsar districts were put on high alert on Wednesday evening following an input about the presence of militant(s) in the area. Cops conducted a search operation in villages. Nakas were laid on the national highway connecting Malout, Abohar and Fazilka. MS Chhina, IGP, Bathinda zone, said, “We are verifying the information received.” The police also beefed up security in fugitive gangster Vicky Gounder’s native village Sarawan Bodla in Lambi Assembly segment. TNS

Review all Cabinet decisions, says SAD 
Chandigarh: Welcoming the HC order setting aside Suresh Kumar’s appointment, the SAD on Wednesday said the decision had put a question mark on all Cabinet decisions as the officer's presence in the meetings was illegal. Party spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said the very fact that the officer had knowledge of all Cabinet decisions and even had a role in influencing them had made the said decisions illegal. "All these decisions should be reviewed now," he added. tns

Honourable of Rana to quit: Manpreet 
New Delhi: Finance Minister Manpreet Badal on Wednesday defended Rana Gurjit Singh saying he did an honourable thing to resign even after an inquiry had given him a clean chit. "I don't remember any leader who has resigned after a clean chit by a judicial inquiry. It is an honourable thing to do. He has resigned six months ago also and the resignation was pending. It is for the CM and the Congress leadership to take a call on this matter," he said. TNS

Capt has accepted his ‘culpability’: AAP 
Chandigarh: AAP on Wednesday flayed the CM for "trying to save” Rana Gurjit Singh by not accepting his resignation. Bhagwant Mann, state AAP convener and co-convener Aman Arora claimed that public pressure and AAP’s commitment to root out corruption resulted in the minister’s fall. TNS

Web portal for students launched 
Chandigarh: A new web portal has been launched for Punjabi students aspiring to pursue higher studies abroad. The aim is to save them from exploitation by fraudulent agents. The web portal — Punjabvisahub.com — will guide students with requisite information. A spokesperson for the Punjab Government said (retd) Brig CS Harika called on Capt Amarinder Singh and apprised him about the new website. TNS

Five drug addicts nabbed
Abohar: Five drug consumers from Muktsar and Fazilka districts were nabbed near Hanumangarh on Wednesday. The police claimed to have seized 19 kg of poppy husk from them. The police said these persons were intercepted near the bypass terminal of the roads that connect Hanumangarh with Abohar and Chautala. Their search led to the seizure of contraband. Jagjit Singh and Rajpal Singh of Kauni village of Muktsar, Jagmeet Singh alias Gurbhej Singh of Saidon village of Fazilka, Cheena Singh and Shammi Singh of Gurusar village of Gidderbaha were remanded by a court in police custody till January 22. oc