The Region

Chief Wildlife Warden,Punjab,Gurbaz Singh and District Forest Officer (wildlife) Satnam Singh said that they conducted the inquiries and found that the accused — Pyare Lal,Gurdial and Tarsem,all residents of Khnagwari village in the Dholbaha range of the district — had laid the snares to trap wild animals. The leopard,which had strayed from the jungles of Himachal Pradesh,got entangled in it and died of exhaustion and stress.

‘Make Punjabi first language in Chandigarh’

AMRITSAR: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee chief Avtar Singh Makkar on Saturday shot off a letter to Punjab Governor and Administrator,Chandigarh,Shivraj Patil,demanding that the Punjabi be made the first language in the Union Territory (UT). He said that Chandigarh has a majority of Punjabi population and the city is associated closely with the psyche of the Punjabis. “The language should be primarily used in the all official work of the UT. It should be made the first language”,demanded Makkar.

100 taken ill after drinking impure water

KAPURTHALA: Around 100 persons were taken ill in the Kesri Bagh area after they drank the contaminated water supplied by the municipal corporation in the locality on Saturday.

Most of those taken ill were vomiting and complained about stomach pain and diarrhoea. Three patients were referred to Jalandhar hospitals while another 15 were admitted to Civil Hospital Kapurthala. Civil Hospital,SMO,Dr Guriqbal Singh said that a door-to-door survey was being conducted and teams of the doctors have been deputed in the area. Also chlorine tablets were being distributed among the residents.

PPCB to survey pollution at Golden Temple

AMRITSAR: Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) chairman Kahan Singh Pannu on Saturday announced to fund a special survey to studies the effect of pollution on Golden Temple. He held a meeting with local officials and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee functionaries and said that PPCB in association with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has been continuously monitoring the pollution level here. “The study shows that SO2 and NO2 are within the prescribed limit but the level of RSPM have been found to be on the higher side,” he added.

Teachers’ union plans protest rallies

AMRITSAR: Punjab-Chandigarh College Teachers Union (PCCTU) has chalked out a plan to launch protests against the ‘indifferent and callous attitude’ of the government towards the long pending demands of teachers working in the non-government,affiliated colleges. PCCTU general secretary Prof HS Walia said that district-wise rallies would be organised from July 25 to August 11. The first rally will be held at DAV College,Amritsar. “The teachers will cease work after the second period and hold rallies at the venue decided by our district councils. Thereafter a memorandum will be submitted to the deputy commissioner of the respective district,” he said.

Cong questions ILND silence

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Congress President Phool Chand Mullana on Saturday questioned the INLD leader Om Parkash Chautala’s silnece on the issue of Punjab Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon threatening a Haryana officer in the name of the Chautala family. In a statement issued here,Mullana said Chautala must clarify his stand on the issue and dissociate himself from the Punjab minister,who had threatened to file a criminal case against the officer once Chautala came to power.

Convicted youths in UAE to return soon

AMRITSAR: THE 17 Punjab youths on death row in UAE for killing a Pakistani national would return home soon said Gursharan Singh,a Congress leader. He added that of the total amount agreed,Rs 10 lakh have already been paid as ‘blood money’ to the aggrieved family. Arrangements are being made to bring home the youths. Arbitrating members of the Indian community had recently reached a preliminary understanding with victim’s family over payment of around Rs 4 crore (Pakistani Rupees 8 crore) as blood money.

Punjab to aid of ailing singer Manak

BHATINDA: The Punjab government on Saturday announced decided to bear the treatment cost of noted Punjabi singer Kuldeep Manak,undergoing treatment at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) for numerous ailments. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal called up Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tewari telling him that state government would bear the expenses of treatment of Manak. Tewari,when contacted,said he had sent official to DMCH to do the needful. Manak had also attempted to run as member of parliament but lost the parliamentary poll.