Cong veteran passes away

Moga: Ailing senior Congress leader and writer Dr Tara Singh Sandhu passed away at a hospital in Ludhiana on Wednesday. His body was cremated at Bhinder Khurd village in the presence of many local party leaders, friends and relatives. Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh mourned his death saying the Congress had lost an honest, wise and learned man. TNS

EC to launch e-EPIC plan

Chandigarh: In a historic initiative, the e-EPIC (electronic electoral photo identity card) programme will be formally launched by the Election Commission (EC) on January 25, marking the occasion of National Voters’ Day. Voters can now view and print the digital voter card on their registered mobiles. TNS

45 kg poppy husk seized

Abohar: The police on Wednesday seized 45 kg of poppy husk by intercepting a car that had Haryana registration number and was using the flag of a farmers’ organisation. The accused belonged to Fazilka and Ferozepur districts. Driver Darshan Singh (42) from Fazilka, Sher Singh (36) of Jalla Lakhe Ke Hithar village in Jalalabad and Kala Singh (33) of Tharasingh Wala Hithar in Ferozepur were arrested. OC

Two phones found in jail

Ferozepur: Two mobile phones were recovered from the Central Jail premises which were probably tossed over the outer wall from the roadside. Sukhwant Singh, Assistant Jail Superintendent, said during routine checking, a packet was recovered near the garden area on Tuesday night. “When checked, two phones (keypad mobiles without SIM cards) were found in the packet. Besides, a packet of tobacco was also recovered. Possibly, someone from outside threw the packet inside the jail premises,” he said. OC

Two die in accidents

Abohar: Two persons died in two separate incidents here. Arun Kumar (50) of Gobind Nagari, who was working as a labourer in the wholesale vegetable market near Fazilka Road, was attacked by a stray bull. He was taken to the Civil Hospital, but he succumbed to injuries. A farm worker, Kirpal Singh (75), died on the spot when an unidentified vehicle reportedly hit his cycle when he was going back to Panjkosi village on Tuesday evening after collecting labour charges from a cotton grower. OC

5 held for killing fruit seller

Ferozepur: The police have arrested five accused in a blind murder case that occurred on January 4. In the incident, a few unidentified assailants had shot a fruit seller, Chetan Doomra (35), in front of his wife and children. Doomra and his family were returning to their house in a car when the assailants, who were driving a Fortuner, struck. They fired 12 rounds, killing the victim on the spot. SSP Bhupinder Singh said a special team led by SP(H) Balbir Singh was constituted to investigate the matter. OC