13092025-JTR-01.qxd 12-09-2025 23:26 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ADMN AND LOCAL GROUPS RAMP UP FLOOD RELIEF EFFORTS RAMLILA BEGINS EARLY, BREAKING AGE-OLD CONVENTION AMANDA SEYFRIED’S ‘SACRIFICE’ FOR THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE Coordinated relief and rehabilitation operations are underway in full swing across Kapurthala district. P2 Jai Shree Ram Mahabir Club has already begun organising Ramlila at the Dussehra ground in the Basti Sheikh locality. P3 The movie stars Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee, the 18th-century founder of the Christian sect, the Shakers. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.30 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:06 AM » SATURDAY | 13 SEPTEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. INBRIEF MOBILES SEIZED AT CENTRAL JAIL Phagwara: Authorities at Central Jail, Kapurthala, conducted a surprise inspection on Tuesday, leading to the recovery of multiple mobile phones from two inmates. During a search of Ward No. 7, Room No. 9, prison staff recovered mobile phones from inmates, identified as Pawan Kumar alias Ratan alias Kanu, son of Surinder Kumar, resident of Jalandhar, and Baljinder Singh alias Rock alias Rohit, son of Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Ludhiana. According to officials, two Vivo smartphones with SIM cards and batteries, one Samsung keypad phone without a SIM card, and one Kachawa company keypad phone without a SIM card were seized. Some items were also recovered from a concealed spot in the bathroom pipe behind the ward. A case has been registered. — OC ARMED MEN ASSAULT YOUTH Phagwara: A 28-year-old man from Kot Karar Kha village in Kapurthala district was allegedly assaulted by a group of youths carrying sharpedged weapons and sticks. Police have registered a case following the victim’s complaint. According to the FIR, complainant Gopi Chand, was returning home on his motorcycle after work when his vehicle was intercepted near the village bus stand by a Bullet motorcycle, two other bikes, and a white scooter, each carrying three youths. The assailants allegedly blocked his path and forced him to stop. The complaint states that Mohit of Khusropur village in Jalandhar, attacked the victim with a sharp-edged weapon, striking him on the head. Two others also assaulted him, while the remaining youths reportedly beat him up, hurled abuses and issued threats to kill him. During the scuffle, the victim’s silver chain and a purse containing Rs 1,900 went missing. Police have booked the accused under Sections 323, 341, 506, 148 and 149 of the IPC at Kapurthala Sadar police station. — OC TWO HELD WITH OPIUM Phagwara: Police arrested two men under the NDPS Act after seizing 462 grams of opium from their possession during a raid near village Kajli. According to officials, the accused have been identified as Nasr Khan, a resident of Tigri under Seesgarh police station in Bareilly district, and Mohammad Hasan alias Raju, a resident of Bareilly. Acting on a tip-off, a police team led by ASI Manjit Singh reached the picnic spot near Kajli where the suspects were allegedly waiting in a Mahindra XUV300 bearing the registration number CH-01-BW2959 to sell narcotics. On spotting the police, the duo attempted to flee but were overpowered by the team. — OC Farmer turns home into shelter for flood-hit Paramjit Singh of Baupur village offers temporary refuge to victims, shows that basic necessities & humanity matter Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Sultanpur Lodhi, Sept 12 In a corner of flood-ravaged Kapurthala, where water swallowed homes, hopes and harvests, one man has become a lifeline for many. Paramjit Singh, a farmer from Baupur village in Sultanpur Lodhi has turned his home into a shelter for those who have lost everything. As The Tribune visited his residence, the signs of tragedy—and compassion— were impossible to miss. The entrance of Paramjit’s home was lined with everyday items that now carry stories of despair and survival — table fans, atta containers, television sets, steel almirahs, coolers— belongings hastily gathered by families as they fled the rising waters. Inside his verandah, elders and women sipped tea. “This is all we have for now,” one of the women whispered, her eyes welling up. “But we are here, alive. Thanks to Paramjit.” When the floodwaters surged into villages, it was Paramjit who first launched a rescue effort. “I didn’t wait for anyone, and rescued people on boats. “Ajj eh loha lagg rahi hai payi hoyi, par BMW toh vo zyada zaruri si eh jado paani aaya” (Today, thee boats may look like scrap, but when the water came, it was more valuable than a BMW). His words echo a stark truth: when disaster strikes, it’s not luxury, but humanity and basic neces- sities that matter. The affected families now call his home a temporary refuge. “We had no time to think. Our walls just collapsed,” said Charanjit Singh, father of three. “He came in a boat and pulled us out—me, my children, and belongings.” Paramjit said he inherited it from his late father. “We live in a flood-prone village, so he built our house on a higher ground and was always there to help others. After he passed away, I continued following his example — and now, even my son helps me carry on his legacy,” he said. He, however, brushes off the praise. “I did what any human should do,” he simply said. Farmer Paramjit Singh showing belongings of displaced families in Baupur village of Sultanpur Lodhi. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Daunting task of rebuilding lives after loss looms Special girdawari to begin today in flood-hit areas Akanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Kapurthala, September 12 A half-dried wedding album lies on the bed as a woman in her forties flips through the pages. Important documents, also laid out, are slowly drying, a grim reminder of the losses the family has endured. Three days ago, when farmer Gurpreet Singh and his family returned to their home in Baupur Jadid village, they were confused from where to start. The floods had already destroyed the standing crop in all 30 acres of land— their sole source of livelihood. “We didn’t know where to begin. Everything was under water,” says Gurpreet, his eyes scanning Farmer Gurpreet Singh’s wife looks after his belongings as the family returns home in Baupur village, Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH the belongings. Inside the house, his wife and daughter move from room to Youth climbs water tank at Civil Hospital, then relents Joga Singh atop water tank. Phagwara, September 12 Panic spread at the Civil Hospital in Kapurthala on Friday evening after a young man climbed a water tank and threatened to end his life. According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 5 pm when the youth, identified as Joga Singh, scaled the hospital’s overhead tank. Witnesses alerted the authorities, and teams from the PCR, city and Kotwali police stations rushed to the spot. Police officers immediately established contact with Joga Singh through his mobile phone in an effort to pacify him. The hospital staff also attempted to climb the structure using ladders, but Singh reportedly dangled from the grill and warned he would jump if anyone came closer. The staff then retreated. Later, at around 9.15 pm, he climbed down after assurances from the administration to address his grievances. — OC Travel agent held for Rs 12 lakh fraud Phagwara, September 12 The Nurmahal police have arrested a travel agent for allegedly duping a resident of Rs 12 lakh on the pretext of sending him abroad. Investigating Officer (IO) Gurnam Sngh said that the accused has been identified as Imran Khan, a resident of Ward No. 6, Ahmadgarh in Malerkotla. The IO said that Sandeep Singh, a resident of Bhardwajian village, had complained to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jalandhar rural, that he had paid over Rs 12 lakh to the accused for facilitating his migration abroad, but neither was he sent abroad, nor was the money, passport, school and birth certificates returned. — OC room, cleaning mudstained floors. But the absence of electricity has made even basic recovery efforts dangerous. “We don’t go inside properly. We are scared of snakes and insects. Light only comes at night,” Gurpreet’s wife says, her voice heavy with fatigue and fear. The family spread their wet clothes and bedding on the terrace. The journey ahead is uncertain. The financial blow of losing an entire crop season, combined with the damage to their home, has left the family in distress. For Gurpreet Singh, like many others in flood-hit Punjab, the road to recovery is long and steep. “We’ve lost everything. But we have to start again,” he says, standing barefoot near his paddy fields which are now damaged. Cong councillors slam MC over civic woes in city Congress councillors show a huge news poster highlighting lack of civic amenities in Jalandhar. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 12 A delegation of Congress councillors staged a strong protest against the civic conditions in Jalandhar, holding the Municipal Corporation (MC) accountable for the flood-like situation that gripped the city recently. The councillors carried a massive poster featuring various newspaper clippings highlighting the ongoing civic issues and demanded urgent action. “Mayor Te Commissioner Jawab Dena, Jimmewar Kaun,” read the poster. The protesting councillors c m y b entered the office of the Municipal Commissioner and submitted a memorandum, expressing their concern over poor drainage, waterlogging and failing sewerage infrastructure. They questioned the role of the MC and its leadership in addressing these issues, particularly the lack of preparedness ahead of the monsoon season. “Heavy rains are not the only reason for flooding in the city. The Municipal Corporation’s negligence is equally responsible,” the councillors alleged. “The situation is unacceptable, and accountability must be fixed.” In a letter addressed to Mayor Vaneet Dhir, the councillors raised questions about the repeated failure of the sewerage system and demanded who would be held responsible for the public’s sufferings and the damages incurred. Senior Congress leader Pawan Kumar added, “Jalandhar residents are struggling with multiple civic problems on a daily basis. The situation is becoming increasingly distressing and reflects a serious failure of governance.” The Congress delegation urged immediate corrective measures and ensure that such a situation does not recur. Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur/Phagwara, September 12 In wake of the recent floods that caused significant damage to standing crops across the district, the Hoshiarpur administration has initiated a special relief mechanism to support affected farmers. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain announced that a special girdawari will commence from September 13 across the district to ensure transparent and accurate evaluation of losses. Under this process, each patwari has been directed to conduct crop inspections in their respective villages within 14 days. Subsequently, the kanungos will verify at least 25 per cent of the affected areas and submit their reports within five days. In addition, tehsildars and naib tehsildars will inspect a minimum of 10 per cent of the damaged areas and send their reports to the DC within five days. Final compensation will be disbursed based on these verified reports. To maintain transparency, the draft girdawari reports will be displayed publicly for seven days, allowing farmers to raise objections or suggestions. Patwaris will respond to objections within three days, followed by a review and final decision by the tehsildar/naib tehsildar within the next three days. In case of serious discrepancies, a fresh girdawari will be ordered, and strict action will be taken against negligent officials. Highlighting the revised relief measures, DC Jain stated that the state government has enhanced compensation rates for affected farmers. Those who have suffered 2675 per cent crop loss will receive Rs 10,000 per acre, while farmers with 76-100 per cent crop loss will be compensated at Rs 20,000 per acre. For villages or areas under the Dhussi Bundh where more than 75 per cent damage has occurred, a special committee comprising the DC, Chief Agriculture Officer, District Revenue Officer, SDM con- ACTION PLAN ■ Each patwari to conduct inspection in three villages in 14 days. ■ Kanungos to verify at least 25% of area, submit report in five days. ■ Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars to inspect 10% area, report in five days. ■ Girdawari report to be publicly displayed for seven days. ■ Patwaris will respons to objections within three days. ■ Those who have suffered 26-75 per cent crop loss will receive Rs 10,000 per acre, while farmers with 76-100 per cent crop loss will be compensated at Rs 20,000 per acre. ■ Those who have suffered 2675 per cent crop loss will receive Rs 10,000 per acre ■ Farmers with 76-100 per cent crop loss will be compensated at Rs 20,000 per acre. cerned and Agriculture Development Officer will finalise the list of severely affected villages within a week. The entire process is expected to be completed within 33-45 days, and compensation will be disbursed to farmers within one week of final approval. In Kapurthala, DC Amit Kumar Panchal has announced that a special girdawari (survey of flood damages) will commence in the flood-affected areas from September 13. Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been appointed as nodal officers to oversee the process. Chairing a meeting with officials from all departments today, the Deputy Commissioner said the district administration is working on a war footing to rehabilitate people affected by the floods. Panchal directed revenue officials to ensure that no affected family is left out and to inform villagers in advance about the survey through public announcements. The DC emphasised that public health remains a top priority. Health Department teams will conduct door-todoor check-ups, distribute essential medicines, and carry out fogging operations to prevent mosquito-borne diseases .