Charges framed against Samresh
Dhanbad: A city court on Monday charged Samresh Singh, former science and technology minister and Jharkhand Vananchal Congress (JVC) chief, with ?causing breach of public peace and injuring a worker of a rival political party?. The court of judicial magistrate S.K. Singh booked Samresh Singh, along with former Sindri legislator Phoolchand Mandal and BJP leader Brajraj Singh, under Sections 323, 337 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The BJP had led a political agitation demanding formation of a separate state of Vananchal in the year 1992. Samresh, Mandal and Brajraj, who were then in the BJP, were leading the agitation outside the deputy commissioner?s office in Dhanbad while another demonstration was being carried out at the same place by the members of Janata Dal. The demonstrations took a violent turn when members started pelting stones at their rival camps. Janata Dal activist R.S. Akela was seriously injured in the incident. Akela had filed a case against the three accused in 1992 and hearing in the case started in July, 2004, when Samresh surrendered in Dhanbad.
However, charges in a 1991 case of violation of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) could not be framed on Monday. Samresh Singh had led a rally of BJP party workers from Tetultalla Ground to the deputy commissioner?s office in Dhanbad in violation of the prevention of unlawful assembling provisions.
Samresh was a co-accused in this case along with other BJP stalwarts like former state secretary Vijay Jha, Subash Chatterjee and former Chandankiari MLA Gaur Harijan. Charges could not be framed on Monday as Harijan failed to appear before the court.
Highway robbery
Chandil: Seven criminals looted three hotels located on National Highway 33 on the eve of Holi. Police said the criminals were armed and one hurled a bomb towards a hotel owner Phulchand Mandal, who sustained severe injuries in the incident. Mandal filed an FIR at the Chandil police station.
According to eyewitnesses, the robbers reached the hotel after parking their vehicle at a distance. They were armed with countrymade pistols, swords and knives, sources said. The police have launched a probe in this regard.
Fashion fest
Chaibasa: Unique Album Creations will organise a three-day fashion festival from April 27 on the Singhbhum Sports Association premises in Chaibasa. The organisers said they will also organise a special programme on Chhau dance on the first day of the festival. A fashion show will be organised on the second day and the programme will conclude on April 29 with the adjudication of Mr Singhbum and Miss Singhbhum.
Power concern
Chakulia: Residents of Chakulia have approached Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) officials demanding uninterrupted power supply. According to the residents, erratic electricity supply not only affects students, it also hampers work of business houses and small-scale industries. The people believe that junior officials of the board are responsible for organised power theft at Chakulia.
Ambulance
Giridih: Former chief minister Babulal Marandi handed over an ambulance to the Red Cross society from his MPLAD fund on Monday. The BJP member of Parliament also inaugurated an X-Ray unit in presence of society president and deputy commissioner Rakesh Ranjan and secretary M.L. Sharma. Marandi emphasised on the need for changing ?our work habits to reach out to the needy? and upgrade healthcare facilities in the state.
Cricket camp
Hazaribagh: Hazaribagh district cricket association will organise a training camp for members of the under-16, under-17 and under-19 teams. Association spokesperson, Suman Lal said 40 cricketers will be shortlisted for forthcoming tournaments during the camp. He added that Ranjeet Sinha and Banti Tiwary were made incharge of the camp scheduled to start on April 3.