Agitated over irregular and short supply, residents of the Naggal Assembly constituency, led by the Indian National Lok Dal Youth wing state general secretary Sucha Singh Baknaur, laid blockade on the Hisar road at Matheri Jatan Chowk, 25 km from here today. The people raised slogans against the HVPN authorities for their failure to supply power for 24-hours, despite the Chief Minister's announcement.

The blockade lasted for over two hours. The demonstrating people wanted assurance from the Deputy Commissioner, the Superintending Engineer and the executive engineer, that power would be supplied regularly. However, they lifted the blockade when SDM Jagdeep Singh and HVPN officers assured that the supply would improve by Monday. Sucha Singh alleged that the non-cooperative attitude adopted by the HVPN authorities indicated that the power board was not serious about keeping the promises made to the people.

Meanwhile, the ADM held a meeting with the residents of Ambala Cantonment who had blocked the Jagadhri road last night. The police lathicharged the agitating people, leaving five persons, including a blind person and a woman, injured. The residents are demanding suspension of the erring policemen who resorted to lathi-charge under the influence of liquor. The SDM has asked the residents to identity of erring cops so that further action could be initiated.

Petrol pump looted
Ambala: Two young men, in their twenties, snatched a scooter and looted cash from a petrol pump in Ambala City last night. According to reports, the two came to Shiv Shakti filling station, near new Anaj Mandi, Ambala City, and asked the salesman for petrol. When the salesman asked for payment. They reportedly beat him up and escaped after snatching the bag containing cash from him. The police have registered a case.