18072025-JTR-01.qxd 7/17/2025 11:42 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune TRADE CHIEF PROMISES QUICK SOLUTIONS OF TRADERS’ ISSUES LIONS CLUB KEEPS PUNJABI SPIRIT ALIVE IN AUSTRALIA ISHAAN’S HOMEBOUND SET FOR TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL Chairman Anil Thakur says that open dialogue is ongoing with trader associations throughout the state. P2 A group of Punjabi expatriates has come together in Australia to preserve their sporting heritage. P3 Director Neeraj Ghaywan described film as a deeply personal story about friendship, dignity and survival. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 29°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.31 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:35 AM FRIDAY | 18 JULY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF SNATCHERS’ GANG BUSTED, 4 HELD Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have claimed to have busted a gang of snatchers with the arrest of its four members. Four motorcycles were recovered from their possession. The accused have been identified as Rajesh Kumar, Vishal of Gorsianpeeran village and Nitin, all residents of Kot Badal Khan village. The police said he was on patrol duty when they got information that the accused had formed a gang and was indulging in snatching and looting. He was selling snatched two-wheelers at low prices to purchase drugs. OC SHAHKOT PANEL GETS LAND Phagwara: The Shahkot market committee has got possession of land measuring 30 acres, four kanals, and 12 marla in Kotli Gajran village for the construction of a new grain market. Committee secretary Tejindar Kumar said the government had acquired land in 2011 for a new grain market owned by 30 farmers. OC TWO HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a villager on the charge of selling illegal liquor. Fifty bottles of illegal liquor were recovered from the possession of the accused Bajit singh, a resident of Baupur village. A case under Sections 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the accused. The Bilga police arrested Mukesh Kumar of Talwann village with nine bottles of hooch. OC VILLAGER DIES MYSTERIOUSLY Phagwara: A Mehatpur resident died under mysterious circumstances on Wednesday. The deceased has been identified as Ashok Kumar, a resident of Ismailpur village. The father informed the police that his son had expired, but he does not know the reason for his death. The police have initiated proceedings under the BNNS and handed over the body to the family after the postmortem. oc ANTI-DRUG DRIVE HELD AT PIMS Jalandhar: An event was held at the Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences to observe International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and to support the government’s ongoing antidrug campaign - Yudh Nashiyan Virudh. TNS Captivity to freedom Kapurthala man survives 5-month ordeal in Colombia Rescued following intervention of MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 17 Balwinder Singh, a young man from Baz village in Kapurthala district, returned home after enduring five months of captivity, torture and life-threatening conditions in the dense jungles of Colombia. He thanked environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal for safely bringing him back. Returning from the shadow of death in Columbia, Balwinder Singh shares a truly chilling story. He recounted witnessing death firsthand and enduring the harrowing sight of his companions being brutally tortured. Balwinder remembered that when the donkers inflicted savage torment on his fellow captives, he began to fear that his own death was imminent. One of his companions was slashed with a blade until he bled profusely, while another was stripped naked and Five arrested with drugs, illicit liquor Phagwara, July17 The police arrested five persons last night and recovered a stolen motorcycle, a large quantity of intoxicating tablets, drug money and illicit liquor. SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, while talking to media here today, said a motorcycle without registration number was recovered from Lavgaan, a resident of Mehtan village near Phagwara. He was booked for suspected vehicle theft, the SP said. In a separate operation, the police seized 1,335 tablets along with Rs 1,03,000 drug money from Sonu Kumar, a resident of Onkar Nagar, Phagwara. He was booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Two other suspects, Sagar Sandhu of Hadiabad and Kamal of Behram, were also arrested with 50 and 25 intoxicating tablets. They too were booked under the NDPS Act. In another incident, 12 bottles of illicit liquor were recovered from Harwinder Walia of Phagwara. He was booked under the Punjab Excise Act. The police were intensifying efforts to curb drug trafficking and illegal trade in the region. — OC burned with molten plastic and heated rods, he said. The donkers filmed these acts of brutality and sent the videos to the victims’ families in India to demand ransom. One of the donkers even threatened Balwinder, saying, “You’ll be shot in the morning.” That night, he couldn’t sleep at all. Balwinder arrived at Nirmal Kutiya, Sultanpur Lodhi, with his family to express gratitude. In the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, Balwinder recounted how, after being threatened with death, he decided to attempt an escape. That same night, he somehow managed to flee from the donkers’ grip. His escape proved successful when he eventually reached the main road, where a biker helped him get to a safe location. Balwinder said he left India for the US in July 2024. Agents routed him from Delhi to Mumbai, then through the Netherlands, Sierra Leone, Ghana, and the Amazon jungle to Brazil. From there, he was taken through Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador, eventually ending up in Colombia’s forests, where he was handed over to the traffickers. Upon arrival, they confiscated his passport and phone and locked him in a room. Dozens of other young men from Punjab, Haryana, and various countries were also imprisoned in groups. He claimed that some Nepali girls were also held captive nearby. After escaping from the donkers, Balwinder finally reached a safe place and, five months later, was able to contact his family and tell them everything. During that time, his mother and sister approached the office of Seechewal. In Canada that time, Seechewal coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy to initiate Balwinder’s rescue and return. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July17 Staging a protest against the Congress over allegations of politicising sacrilege issue on Thursday, Shiromani Akali Dal workers gatecrashed into Congress Bhawan and partly damaged its entrance. Even as it was a planned protest, the Jalandhar police had not taken adequate measures to prevent the vandalism. SAD leaders, led by newly appointed Jalandhar district president (urban) Iqbal Singh Dhindsa, Jalandhar district president (rural) Bachitar Singh Kohar, SAD youth president Sarabjeet Singh Jhinjher, ex-MLA Baldev Khaira, ex-councillor Kuldeep Oberoi, Sukhminder Rajpal and circle in-charge, Jalandhar Cantonment, Harjaap Singh Sangha crossed the baricades, forced open the gates of Congress Bhawan and went inside. Since there was no Congress worker or leader inside the premises at that time, no confrontation occurred. Police personnel had hard time to bring them all out of Congress Bhawan as they kept raising slogans against the party and its leaders. The SAD workers had brought along an effigy which had pictures of party leaders New track to come up in Nakodar to reduce load Minister Mohinder Bhagat during a visit to driving test track. that applicants are managed systematically. Bhagat spoke to senior officials in the State Transport Balwinder’s mother Shinder Kaur, who reached Nirmal Kutiya, tearfully thanked Seechewal, saying, “This is like my son’s second birth.” She revealed that agents had already made them sell off their land and house. Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service jALANDHAR, July 17 The results of the Centre’s annual cleanliness survey, Swachh Survekshan, were released today, with Jalandhar securing the 82nd national rank in the category of cities with a population between 3 lakh and 10 lakh. This marks a significant improvement from last year’s position of 239. Jalandhar has also been awarded the ‘Water Plus’ certification in the survey, indicating progress in the waste water management and sanitation. However, despite the upward trend at the national level, the city continues to face challenges in key areas. According to the survey, the city got 15 per cent in the source segregation, while only 19 per cent in processing. Also, no star has been given to Jalandhar in Garbage-Free City (GFC) category. At the state level, Jalandhar got 96th rank. SAD workers gatecrash into Cong Bhawan, damage entrance pasted on it, including those of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, LoP Partap Bajwa and PCC chief Amarinder S Raja Warring. The leaders burnt the effigy outside Congress Bhawan while making statements against the Congress, especially targeting MLA Pargat Singh. The SAD leaders said Pargat Singh had admitted it in the floor of the Assembly that some Congress leaders, in its previous regime, had deliberately delayed justice in the sacrilege case for political gain. Kohar said, “The Congress MLA should tell people who was the leader in their government who politicised the issue of sacrilege for five years.” The SAD leaders termed the Congress anti-Sikh. “From the 1984 Sikh massacre to Operation Bluestar, and then to taking oath on the sacred Gutka Sahib to form the government, the party has consistently toyed with Sikh sentiments. Now, the admission by Pargat Singh that the Congress government deliberately delayed justice in the sacrilege cases for political gain confirms our stand that the party harbours deep hatred towards the Sikh community,” said Dhindsa. Jhinjer said the Akali gov- Token system for driving test soon Jalandhar, July17 Punjab Horticulture Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Thursday announced the token system for Jalandhar driving test in the Punjab Roadways workshop to facilitate applicants amid a technical glitch in the server. The move will allow applicants to wait for their turn comfortably in the waiting room instead of standing in long queues under the sun. Accompanied by Regional Transport Officer Amanpal Singh, the minister reviewed the problems faced by applicants due to the server issues on the track. He said while the technical repairs are underway, the token system will ensure Kapurthala man Balwinder Singh with Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal at Nirmal Kutiya, Sultanpur Lodhi. Jalandhar rises in cleanliness rankings, secures 82nd rank Department to address the issue of manpower shortage and revealed that data entry operators would soon be appointed to streamline operations. He emphasised that the government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is committed to delivering transparent and smooth public services. To reduce the load on the Jalandhar track, a new driving test track will soon be established in Nakodar, catering to applicants from Nakodar, Shahkot, Mehatpur and Malsian, he added. The minister said the department is identifying suitable land for this project. He told officials to ensure proper seating arrangements and drinking water facilities in the waiting room, ensuring that applicants do not face inconvenience. — TNS c m y b Stage protest over ‘politicisation’ of sacrilege issue Swachh Survekshan is conducted annually by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to evaluate sanitation and cleanliness standards across Indian cities. MC Phagwara gets 'Water+' certification The Municipal Corporation, Phagwara, has been awarded the prestigious Water+ Certification, the highest recognition under the Open Defecation Free (ODF) framework of Swachh Survekshan 2024-25. This accolade reaffirms Phagwara’s rising stature as a model city for sustainable urban development and environmental leadership. Dr Akshita Gupta, Commissioner, MC, Phagwara, said the Water+ certification reflects the city’s steadfast commitment to scientific waste water treatment, promotion of biodiversity, and active citizen participation in sanitation efforts. The city has ensured 100 per cent treatment and reuse of sewage water, with zero discharge of untreated waste water into environment. — OC Man carrying drugs gives cop the slip Our Correspondent The police try to stop SAD leaders from entering Congress Bhawan in Jalandhar. MALKIAT SINGH SAD IN ACTIVE MODE Unlike their previous demonstration when there were just about a handful of leaders who lodged protest over the arrest of Bikram S Majithia, party workers seemed quite charged up today. Ever since the new committee presidents have been formed and more members have been added in the core committee of the party, the workers seem to have got into an active mode. ernment had handed over the sacrilege case to the CBI for investigation, but when the Congress government came to power, they took back the case from the CBI. He alleged that the Congress has only politicised the issue of sacrilege and deliberately delayed justice. He asked Warringl MP Charnjit Singh Channi and Pargat Singh why they are silent on the issue of sacrilege. District Congress committee chief Rajinder Beri said, “Such kind of an unruly scene created by SAD was uncalled for. The police did not deploy adequate security. Had there been any worker of our party inside the bhawan, the situation could have taken an ugly turn. They have broken the pillars at the entrance of our gates while crashing inside. We shall lodge a complaint against the SAD leaders tomorrow with the police”. Phagwara, July 17 A person carrying multiple packets of brega medicine managed to escape from the Sabzi Mandi area in Phagwara on Tuesday evening, following a brief confrontation with a police constable in civvies. Head Constable Gurwinder Singh, posted at Satnampura police station, was on a personal visit to Phagwara from Kharar (Mohali) when the incident occurred around 5 pm. While passing through the busy vegetable market along with a friend, Singh noticed an unidentified man in possession of four or five packets of brega medicine, which aroused his suspicion. Acting on instincts, Singh, though not in uniform, attempted to apprehend the individual with the help of his friend. However, as the constable moved to detain the suspect, some local bystanders — unaware of Singh’s identity — intervened and began shouting at him. Taking advantage of this, the suspect fled the spot. Traders flag GST raids issue during meeting Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 17 A meeting of the Khel Udyog Sangh Punjab Sangharsh Samiti was held today under the title ‘Karobari milni’. The meeting focused on the current business environment, especially the challenges being faced by traders and manufacturers in the state. Prominent business leader Ravinder Dhir raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing series of GST raids in the city and discussed strategies to oppose these actions. He said although Cabinet Minister Also seek one-time settlement scheme Mohinder Bhagat and his associates have assured them that they will soon raise this issue with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, urgent resolution is still awaited. “Bhagat has reportedly instructed senior local GST officials to put a hold on the raids and has assured the Traders’ Forum that the matter will be resolved,” the traders said in a meeting. Additionally, it was announced that if any trader faces difficulty, they may immediately contact the Khel Udyog Sangh Punjab helpline number for support. Dhir also appealed to the business community to stay united during these testing times. He reminded that the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to end the “Inspector Raj” in the state, but, contrary to that promise, traders are being excessively harassed by officials from various departments. This is making it increasingly difficult to run businesses smoothly in Punjab. The meeting also discussed several other issues, including the demand for the prompt announcement of the one-time settlement scheme. Traders also requested amendments to the recently passed Punjab State Development Tax in the Assembly, specifically seeking relief on backdated tax payments. They highlighted that expecting businesses to pay taxes for the past 7–8 years is impractical, especially when neither the previous government collected them, nor has the current government taken steps to resolve this.