Regional Beat — Chandigarh

Scribe attackedJalandhar: A city-based scribe, Jatinder Pannu, known for his strong anti-Khalistan and pro-Left views, was today attacked...

Scribe attacked
Jalandhar: A city-based scribe, Jatinder Pannu, known for his strong anti-Khalistan and pro-Left views, was today attacked in Toronto by activists of International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) and Babbar Khalsa, both separatist organisations, while addressing a gathering there. Pannu was attacked when he launched a broadside against Khalistani elements at a function organised by a weekly newspaper, sources said.Pannu escaped unhurt in the attack which left Gurdev Singh Mann, president of North Youk Gurdwara badly injured.

Run for Fun
Kasauli: An infantry brigade of the Army organised a "Run for Fun" to commemorate the 49th Republic Day, here today. Brigadier B.C. Rana, Commander of the Brigade, flagged off the run in which officers, junior commissioned officers, jawans and school children participated. Most participants carried the national flags.Addressing the gathering, Brig B.C. Rana exhorted all the participants to work with full dedication to uphold the integrity and unity of the nation.

DCC postpones dharna
Patiala: The Patiala District Congress Committee (Urban) has decided to postpone its proposed protest dharna in front of the municipal corporation office here on January 28.In a statement here today, the president of the committee Parkash Gupta said this decision had been taken keeping in mind the proposed meeting of PPCC at Chandigarh on that day. He said that the dharna would now be organised in the first week of February. The committee has also decide to celebrate Republic Day in Patiala in a big way. The main function would be organised at Qila Chowk whereas the Block Congres Committee would organise separate functions in their respective areas, added Gupta.

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Prof N.K. Sharma dead
Solan: Dr Naval Kishore Sharma, Professor and Head, Department of Entomology of Dr Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, near here died following a massive heart attack on the campus yesterday. He was 50. Dr Sharma was a resident of Chamba and was a renowned scientist of nematology. Vice-Chancellor L.R. Verma has expressed sympathies to the bereaved family.

Kisan credit cards
Chandigarh: The Chief General Manager of the local State Bank of India branch K.K. Narula today announced that the bank would soon issue 9,000 kisan credit cards in Himachal Pradesh. Earlier, Narula visited the specialised personal segment branch in New Shimla which was opened to provide high-tech specialised customer service to the residents of the area for housing finance and other personal needs. Narula said the bank was committed to all-round development of the state and was making special efforts for uplift of weaker sections. The SBI’s deposits in Himachal will cross Rs 1,500 crore and advances will reach Rs 300 crore by March-end.Under Community Services Banking Scheme launched in HP, the bank has organised 922 various social programmes which include blood donation, medical check-up veterinary, tree plantation and family welfare camps.

Office-bearers
Patiala: The following have been elected office-bearers of Patiala Ex-servicemen Club. Patrons: Lt Col (retd) Mohinder Singh Sandhu, Dr Raj Kumar Gupta and Capt (retd) K.K. Moudgill, president Prabhjot Singh, vice- president S.P. Singh, secretary general, S.C. Sharma and secretary (finance) Kuldeep Singh and S.C. Chopra as secretary publicity. Meanwhile, the club also honoured Sudesh Syel, a national award winner teacher, and a student Amar Singh.

Politics
Patiala: The Patiala district BJP leaders Krishna Gupta, Pawan Gupta and R.K. Mahindru today said that there was no move to replace state BJP chief Daya Singh Sodhi and rumours in this regard were being spread by mischievous elements. In a statement, they said that certain leaders opposed to Sodhi were behind the reports and called upon the Bharatiya Janata Party president Kushabahu Thakre to take action against them.

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No clues to looting incident
Abohar: No breakthrough has been achieved in the looting incident, which took place near Qabarwal village at Abohar-Malout road couple of days ago. Four unidentified armed persons had looted a bus, usually boarded by cloth merchents, on its way to Amritsar near Qabarwala village. The robbers, who had reportedly boarded the bus from Abohar, forced the bus driver to a halt. After looting the cash they drove off in a Tata Sumo.