28082025-JTR-01.qxd 8/27/2025 11:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MC COMMISSIONER HOLDS MEETING TO PROMOTE OTS POLICY VILLAGERS SEEK DESILTING OF RIVERS IN FLOOD-HIT REGION BAAGHI 4: A STORY OF FURY, ROMANCE AND RHYTHM The Commissioner inform property owners that the payment process under the scheme has been made easy. P2 The demand for urgent desilting in floodplain areas has emerged as a key concern among residents. P2 Baaghi 4 brings back the raw intensity and explosive drama that fans of the franchise has come to love. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.56 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:01 AM » THURSDAY | 28 AUGUST 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF GUN GOES OFF, YOUTH HURT Phagwara: A youth was seriously injured after an accidental gunshot from his own licensed revolver in Kapurthala. The injured has been identified as Sanjeev Kumar of Shekhupur. The incident occurred when Kumar was returning home from a function. As he entered his house, his licensed revolver went off accidentally, and the bullet pierced through his left leg. Family members rushed him to the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, where doctors referred him to Amritsar Medical College for advanced treatment. OC MOBILE PHONE FOUND IN JAIL Phagwara: A mobile phone was recovered during a routine search at Kapurthala Central Jail. The recovery was made in Ward No. 02 where inmate Malkeet Singh, also known as Nawab, is currently lodged. During the search operation, the authorities reported that an inmate disclosed the presence of a mobile phone with Malkeet. He allegedly attempted to destroy the device by setting it on fire. The partially burnt mobile phone was later found outside the ward premises. The incident was recorded by the jail staff and the matter has been communicated to the local police station for further inquiry. OC 2 WRESTLERS WIN MEDALS IN NAT’LS Phagwara: Phagwara wrestlers Suraj and Justin Sidhu have brought laurels to the city by winning bronze medals at the National Senior U-23 Wrestling Championship, held in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from August 22 to 24. Suraj clinched the bronze medal in the 70 kg freestyle category, while Justin Sidhu secured his medal in the 130 kg Greco-Roman category. Both athletes represent the Raipur Dabba Olympic Wrestling Academy, Phagwara, which has been nurturing young wrestling talent under the guidance of renowned international coach PR Sondhi. OC Youth held with heroin, cash in Kapurthala Phagwara, August 27 The Kapurthala police on patrol duty arrested a young man allegedly involved in drug trafficking after a chase near Talwandi Mehma in the Subhanpur area. According to officials, the police party was conducting a routine vehicle check when they received a tip-off that a suspect Arshpreet Singh of Boota village was approaching from the Talwandi Mehma side on a black motorcycle (PB-08-CC-3853). The informer claimed the suspect was carrying heroin. The police signalled the motorcyclist to stop, but he allegedly attempted to turn back and flee. During the attempt, his motorcycle skidded, and the police managed to catch him. A transparent packet recovered from his possession was found to contain 60 gram of heroin. In addition, during a search of the motorcycle’s document compartment, the police recovered Rs 40,000. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and the seized narcotics, cash, and motorcycle.— OC Admn, MP’s followers rescue 100 persons from flood-hit villages Water level in Beas rises | Breach in temporary bundh widens to 500 feet Ashok Kaura/Sanjeev Bakshi Phagwara, August 27 The district administration and followers of MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal rescued more than 100 flood-affected persons, including women and children, from villages in the mand areas of Sultanpur Lodhi. The state disaster and response team and followers of Seechewal are spearheading the rescue operations in Baupur Jadid, Baupur Kadim, Sangra, Rampur Gora and Ahlikalan. Meanwhile, the breach in temporary bundh has further widened to 500 feet according official sources. The incessant rain for the past more than four days have further worsened the flood situation in Kapurthala, Sultanpur Lodhi and Bholath, inundating more than 56 villages under 5 to 8 feet of water, according to official sources . Revenue Minister Minister Hardip Singh Mundiya, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, SSP Gaurav Toora, Seechewal and Drainage Department officers today visited flood-affected villages and appealed to farmers to leave their houses and shift to safer places as water level is rising. Seechewal announced five motor boats for five village panchayats from his MP funds. Meanwhile, the Beas is flowing at 1.88 lakh cusecs at Dhilwan and city surrounding areas have experienced rainfall since early morning and low-lying areas are filled with water. Village vacated as roads under flood water TALWARA: Due to the possibility of flooding of Patti Naven Ghar village under Hajipur block of Mukerian, residents of this village have been shifted from their homes. Cabinet Minister Hardeep Mundian with MP Balbir Singh Seechewal in flood-hit Sultanpur Lodhi. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Farmers to get relief: Mundian Our Correspondent Villagers use a boat to move to a safer place from the flood-hit area in Sultanpur Lodhi. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH The information regarding the evacuation of residents of Patti Naven Ghar villager situated on the banks of the Beas was given by Sarpanch Gurmeet Kaur. The Sarpanch said all roads leading to the village have been closed due to the flooding of the Beas. At present, Patti Naven Ghar has lost contact with cities like Talwara, Hajipur and Mukerian. Not only this, the village has also lost contact with the surrounding villages. On Wednesday morning, the administration had asked them to vacate the village. There are about 50 houses in the village. He said the local administration had assured the villagers that arrangements would be made for the accommodation and food in the nearby village Handwal. But till the filing of the report, no help was received from the administration and the villagers were forced to go to their relatives’ houses. Man drowns in Beas TANDA URMAR(Hoshiarpur): A man drowned in the Beas in Salempur Mand on Wednesday. Jalalpur resident Jaila entered the water with his two companions to help some people trapped in the flood but he drowned this morning. His body was taken out of the water around 3 pm. People present on the spot said despite informing the administration on time, the administration team reached the spot after several hours. They have demanded compensation from the government for the family of the deceased person. Road connecting village Patti Naven Ghar near Talwara was damaged due to flood water. Relentless rain disrupts life in Phagwara Our Correspondent Phagwara, August 27 Relentless rain over the past several days has thrown normal life out of gear in Phagwara, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and spreading fear among residents. Roads across the town have suffered heavy damage, with broken stretches and gaping potholes, making commuting increasingly hazardous. The low-lying areas remain waterlogged, leaving entire localities marooned in stagnant rainwater and raising concerns about health risks. The downpour has also crippled power supply in several nearby areas. Loose electric cables, some of them dangerously close to the ground, were found propped up with wooden poles as temporary fixes. In Central Town’s Guru Hargobind Nagar, live wires collapsed onto the road, bringing traffic to a standstill and forcing emergency teams to rush in and prevent any major mishap. The incident left residents shaken and underscored the urgent need for permanent repair work. In Nigaha Mohalla, rain Bajwa visits flood-hit villages, seeks ~51,000 relief for farmers Tribune News Service The road has turned into river in Phagwara after heavy rain. took a more destructive turn when the roof of a house caved in under the persistent pressure of water. Though no casualties were reported, the collapse has heightened anxieties across the town, where many structures remain vulnerable after days of heavy showers. With rain showing no signs of abating, residents have appealed to the administration to initiate immediate c m y b relief measures. Demands include urgent repair of broken roads, restoration of safe power supply, and efficient drainage of accumulated water to safeguard lives and prevent further damage. Phagwara, August 27 Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian has assured farmers affected by the floods that they will receive full compensation for crop loss, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The minister was in Sultanpur Lodhi to assess the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in the flood-affected areas. During his visit, Mundian emphasised that the government is committed to standing by its citizens during this natural calamity. “This is a time of crisis and the government is doing everything in its capacity to ensure timely relief and rehabilitation for all those affected,” he stated. To facilitate a speedy and transparent damage assessment, the minister said a special girdawari (revenue assessment of crop loss) has already been ordered. District Revenue Officers and Naib Tehsildars have been appointed solely for this purpose. They will focus exclusively on the special girdawari, which will commence immediately after the water levels recede, allowing the swift disbursal of compensation to the affected farmers. As part of his ground assessment, Mundian visited the flood-hit villages of Ahli Kalan, Ahli Khurd, Baupur, and San- gra. In Ahli Kalan, villagers expressed concerns over significant agricultural damage caused by the breach of a temporary bundh (embankment), resulting in thousands of acres of crops being submerged. The local panchayat also submitted a memorandum of demands to the minister. Travelling by boat, the minister reached Sangra village, where he interacted with affected families, distributed ration, and enquired about their immediate needs. He reassured the residents that the government is actively working to ensure that no family is left unaided during this difficult time. Highlighting the government’s proactive approach, Mundian said boats are being provided to every floodaffected village to ensure safe evacuation and aid delivery. He also appealed to residents living in low-lying “mand” areas to voluntarily relocate to safer locations as a precautionary measure. To coordinate rescue and relief efforts, flood control rooms have been set up across the region. In addition to food supplies, the state government is also distributing medicines, fodder for livestock, and clean drinking water to ensure that essential needs are met without delay. Earlier in the day, Minister Mundian held a high-level meeting with officials to review the flood response. Jalandhar, August 27 Congress leader Partap Bajwa today demanded Rs 51,000 compensation for farmers of the flood-hit areas of Sultanpur Lodhi. Bajwa visited flood-affected families and farmlands and met villagers and farmers, who have lost everything and called out the AAP government for its failure to protect Punjab from yet another devastating flood. Accompanied by former MLA and Congress leader Natvej Singh Cheema, Bajwa surveyed villages, laying out his demands. Bajwa said, “The government must immediately release Rs 51,000 per acre for farmers who have suffered the total crop loss and Rs 31,000 per acre for partial damage. At least 60 per cent compensation should be given right away without waiting for any approvals. The compensation for livestock and property damages must also be delivered without any delay. Enough of hollow announcements, people need real support.” Speaking to the media, Bajwa said, “I saw the pain and destruction with my own eyes. Fields are under water, homes are destroyed, and thousands have been displaced. Yet, the government is busy issuing press releases instead of delivering real relief.” Bajwa also targeted Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, saying, “The minister claimed Rs 276 crore spent on 1,220 projects, GISmapped sandbags, check dams, etc. But I saw no protection, no preparedness, and no relief for the victims. These were hollow claims made to mislead the people.” BAJWA IN VERBAL DUEL WITH MLA RANA ■ As LoP Partap Bajwa along with Congress leaders, including ex-MLA Navtej Cheema, were set to start their ride, their amphibious vehicle slightly hit Independent MLA Rana Inder Partap, who too was standing on the Baupur Mand bridge. ■ Rana became little furious saying, “Chachaji, do you want this vehicle to cross over me?” Bajwa’s visit with Cheema was not to his liking. They are from the opposite camp of the MLA’s father and Congress leader Rana Gurjeet Singh. ■ Bajwa asked him to position himself away from the vehicle. Supporters of both sides tried to intervene after which cops had to clear the way for Bajwa’s vehicle.