Rs 16 lakh seized from two cars in Tanda

Tanda (Hoshiarpur): The Election Commission's static surveillance team with the help of the police seized currency worth Rs 16.32 lakh from two cars at a checkpoint in Tanda. The amount was in denomination of Rs 2,000 notes. One of the cars belonged to Tarn Taran and other was from Dhariwal in Gurdaspur. The car drivers - Gurjinder Singh of Jhabal and Deepak Kumar of Dhariwal - could not give any satisfactory reply and could not produce any document explaining the source of money. Both said they were carrying the amount for their personal use. The police took the cash in custody and it was handed over to the Income Tax Department. OC

41,000-litre illegal liquor seized 

Abohar: The Excise Department officials along with the Abohar police on Monday seized 41,000 litres of lahan (raw liquor) in raids conducted on the banks of a sub-canal (pic). Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) Rajinder Tanwer said the seizure was made near Chanankhera village located near the Abohar-Malout stretch of the national highway. The team found that "lahan" packed in polythene bags was dumped in a pit dug near the sub-canal. Some material used to manufacture liquor has also been seized. It is believed that raw material was being stacked for use during the election campaign. Deputy Commissioner Isha Kalia on a tip-off directed the officials concerned to take action. OC

UAD calls voters to vote out SAD govt 

Jalandhar: The United Akali Dal (UAD) led by Mohkam Singh on Monday called upon Punjab voters to vote out the SAD-BJP government. "The SAD-BJP government has been the worst the state has ever had. Instead of arresting the accused in connection with sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib, the police shot Sikhs, who were protesting peacefully," he told the media here. The UAD urged voters choose candidates with a clean image. The party announced support to nominees Simranjit Singh Mann, Jaskaran Singh, Surjit Singh Kalabula, Master Karnail Singh Narike and Avtar Singh Karimpuri. It also extended support to AAP's Bhagwant Mann.” TNS

Doda’s brother joins BJP roadshow   

Abohar: Liquor baron and Bhim Tank murder accused Shiv Lal Doda's brother Avinash here on Monday took part in a roadshow held in support of BJP candidate Arun Narang. Doda, who is lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail, had initially filed his nomination from Abohar constituency as an Independent. Later, he decided to back the BJP candidate. However, he failed to withdraw the nomination on technical grounds. OC

Ex-MLA pledges support to Warring 

Gidderbaha: Former local MLA Raghubir Singh Pardhan on Monday announced to support Indian Youth Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who is contesting from Gidderbaha. Raghubir had opposed Warring in the 2012 Assembly elections. During a press conference, Warring said, “Raghubir is like my father. I had approached him, and he agreed to back me.” TNS

Congress leaders switch over to SAD 

Ropar: Punjab Congress general secretary and former district Congress committee president Harbhag Singh Saini joined the SAD on Monday. Saini is also the president of Saini Samaj Punjab. His confidants Ajit Paul Singh Naphrey, chairman of SC wing of district Congress, and Amritpal Singh, a general secretary of the district Congress, too joined the SAD. Saini had revolted against the Congress after the party declared Brinder Singh Dhillon its nominee from Ropar. The three leaders after joining SAD said the decision of the Congress party to field an outsider from Ropar was an insult to the local party cadre. TNS

SAD MP’s brother joins Cong campaign 

Fazilka: SAD MP Sher Singh Ghubaya’s brother Munsha Singh has joined the Congress campaign against SAD president and Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal in Jalalabad on Monday. He appealed to the electorates to vote in favour of Congress candidate Ravneet Singh Bittu in an election meeting held at Mannewala village in Jalalabad segment. Sher Singh's son Davinder Singh and his brother Munsha Singh joined the Congress on December 21, 2016. Munsha Singh alleged that the ruling SAD had ignored the interests of the Rai Sikh community, which has a major chunk of votes in Jalalabad and Fazilka. OC