BJP demands a memorial for militancy victims

Chandigarh: A public interest litigation (PIL) was filed on Friday in the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the decision of Punjab government to construct a operation Bluestar memorial. Petitioner,Baljit Singh,stated that the memorial would only revive militancy in Punjab and disturb the peace in the state. The petitioner sought directions to stop the preparation of blue prints regarding construction of the memorial. The petitioner has been directed to file a representation before the government for their response.

Adviser to PM backs retail FDI

Jalandhar: At the sidelines of the 3rd Bhartiya Vigyan Sammelan organised at Lovely Professional University (LPU) on Friday,TKA Nair – adviser to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and chief guest at the event – said he backed FDI in retail and added that it would be a great help to farmers who will get good profit for their produce. He also said that farmers will have access to better storage and transport facilities after implementation of FDI in retail.

Former Kerala Guv Kang cremated

Chandigarh: Sukhdev Singh Kang,former Governor of Kerala and former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court,who passed away on Friday morning,was cremated in Chandigarh with full state honour. His son,NS Kang,Punjab Revenue Financial Commissioner,performed his last rites. Minister from across the state paid their tribute.

Ranike rip-off: HC seeks probe report

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday granted the Punjab government one month time to submit the status of the probe being carried out in the alleged embezzlement of funds issued from the discretionary funds of former animal husbandry minister Gulzar Singh Ranike. The court will then decide whether or not to hand over the probe to an independent agency. Meanwhile,Ranike’s former personal assistant Sarabdyal Singh,main accused in the scam,moved the court seeking anticipatory bail.

Villagers claim illegal mining in Sutlej

Nawanshahr: Despite an ban on illegal mining placed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court,illegal sand mining has been allegedly going on in river Sutlej,near Ratnana and Jalwaha villages in Nawanshahr. Villagers claimed that JCB machines were brought at night to excavate land close to the river. The complainants stated that they informed the District Mining Department and police administration,but to no avail. Rahon Police station SHO Surinder Chand said he visited the spot,but did not find any truck.

Minor girl kidnap: Peaceful bandh

Faridkot: The day-long bandh called by the Goondagardi Virodhi Saanjhi Action Committee (GVSAC) in Faridkot to protest against police failure in recovering a minor girl who was allegedly kidnapped on September 24,passed off peacefully on Friday. While the town turned into a police,all schools and business remained shut in adjoining Kotkapura and Jaitu also. A large number of people alongwith the parents and relatives of the ‘kidnapped’ girl gathered at the mini secretariat complex and raised slogans. Tarun Arora,a senior member of the GVSAC,demanded a CBI inquiry into the case. “All those police officials who have been sheltering elements like (alleged kidnapper) Nishan Singh should be tried under law,” he added.