24032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/23/2026 10:47 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune SEECHEWAL DONATES 25 WATER TANKS TO KAPURTHALA VILLAGES UILS HOLDS MOOT COURT COMPETITION IN HOSHIARPUR Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal has donated 25 water tanks to villages in Kapurthala district. P2 The University Institute of Legal Studies organised its 4th Internal Moot Court Competition in Hoshiarpur. P3 » THE CURTAIN FALLS ON LAKME FASHION WEEK MAINLY CLEAR MAX 26°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.41 PM Gen Z face Aneet Padda’s ensemble, designed by Aneeth Arora, captured a refined yet playful narrative. P4 » FORECAST SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:25 AM » TUESDAY | 24 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR Randhawa ‘suicide’: Congress leaders hold candlelight march Our Correspondent Phagwara, March 23 The alleged suicide of Warehouse Corporation district manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa has triggered widespread concern in the region. Highlighting the gravity of the incident and extending support to the bereaved family, the Congress organised a candlelight march on Monday, asserting that justice must be ensured through strict legal action against all those named in connection with the case. The march was led by Kapurthala District Congress Committee president and Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, who, along with party leaders and workers, gathered earlier at his residence. Before commencing the march, the leaders paid tributes to Shaheed-eAzam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev, marking their martyrdom day. Subsequently, the march began from Dr Ambedkar Park in Guru Hargobind Nagar, drawing participation from a large number of Congress 40 years on, city to host Nat’l Badminton Championship Jalandhar, March 23 In a major boost to badminton, Jalandhar is set to host a national championship after 40 years. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has allotted the 38th Sub-Junior National Badminton Championship to Punjab. The last national badminton championship in Punjab was held in 1987, also in Jalandhar. Punjab Badminton Association honorary secretary Ritin Khanna said the championship will be held from December 9-12 at Raizada Hansraj Badminton Stadium in Jalandhar. Around 350 players from 33 states and union territories are expected to participate. Khanna said the PBA had been in continuous touch with the BAI for hosting rights, which were granted after the federation reviewed the upgraded infrastructure at the venue. He added that a total cash prize of Rs 10 lakh would be given to the winners. The championship will feature singles and doubles events in the under-13 boys’ and girls’ categories, with matches conducting under the supervision of BAI officials. The PBA will arrange boarding and lodging for players, coaches, managers and officials. Khanna said the event is expected to provide a major boost to budding shuttlers in the state by giving them an opportunity to witness and compete alongside top young talent. — TNS 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. Seek strict action against accused Congressmen led by former minister Sunder Sham Arora hold a candlelight march. seeking justice for Gagandeep, at Hoshiarpur on Monday. workers and supporters. Addressing the media during the march, MLA Dhaliwal stated that merely seeking the resignation or arrest of Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar would not deliver justice to the victim’s family. He emphasized that all individuals whose names were mentioned in the video clip, reportedly recorded by the deceased prior to his death, must be brought under the ambit of law and face strict legal consequences. He alleged that the state government was attempting to suppress the matter, adding that the delay in the minister’s arrest raises serious questions about the intent of the administration. Demanding an impartial probe, Dhaliwal called for the investigation to be handed over to central agencies to ensure that the truth is uncovered without any political interference. He described the case as extremely serious and cautioned against any attempt to dilute its significance. The Congress leader also targeted the state government, alleging that officials are unable to function independently under the current regime, undermining the governance system. He urged the authorities to ensure accountability rather than shielding those accused and to extend full cooperation to the investigating agencies. Hoshiarpur: Workers and office-bearers of the Congress held a candlelight march in Hoshiarpur following the alleged suicide of Gagandeep Randhawa, demanding justice and a high-level probe into the incident. The march commenced from Kamalpur Chowk and culminated at Ghanta Ghar Chowk, with participants raising slogans against the government. A large number of people joined the march in the evening, carrying candles and paying homage to the deceased. The participants also expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and urged authorities to ensure that justice is delivered at the earliest. Former minister Sunder Sham Arora supported the demand for an impartial inquiry, stating that the truth must come out and the guilty must be held accountable. Drunk cop lays illegal barricade; thrashed, nabbed Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 23 A drunk constable posted with the Punjab Armed Police on Sunday late evening reportedly put up an illegal barricade on the Nakodar road and was found extorting money from commuters. After his ‘smartness’ was exposed, the commuters caught him, beat him up and even dragged him by his hair. They called up the Lambra police team, who reportedly handed him over to Partappura Police Post for action. Constable Sukhdev was in civvies but still managed to make a quick buck. He checked several vehicles crossing from the checkpoint. A migrant labourer said he demanded Rs 700 from him to cross over from the point. The matter was exposed when a man donning the attire of a Nihang was stopped by the accused and the same demand was made from him even though all his documents were complete. HOW HE WAS EXPOSED The constable was exposed when a man donning the attire of a Nihang was stopped by the accused and the same demand was made from him even though all his documents were complete. The Nihang called the Lambra police. The Nihang called the Lambra police after which the constable started feeling repentant and apologised to him and others at the site. His accomplice quickly left the site. He confessed that he was not authorised to lay the barricade at the site. The entire matter got recorded on video wherein he accepted that he had made a mistake by doing so. SHO Gurmeet Ram of Lambra Police Station said, “When our team reached the spot, we found that he was a PAP constable but was badly drunk. He was in a semi-conscious state. Since the spot did not fall under our jurisdiction, we handed him over to Partappura Police Post team to deal with the case”. Goraya ex-MC chief among 3 held with drugs Our Correspondent Goraya, March 23 Former Goraya Municipal Council president Kamaldeep Singh Bittu and two others were arrested after the police recovered 11 gram of heroin from their possession. The recovery was made The police recover 11 gram of heroin during a raid conducted at his office located on the GT Road, where all three accused were apprehended on the spot. DSP Phillaur Bharat Masih Laddar said SHO Goraya Parminder Singh Thind, along with a police team, carried out the operation and arrested Kamaldeep Singh Bittu, a resident of Goraya, Raman Deep Singh, a resident of Bara Pind and Sumit Kumar, a resident of Dilbag Colony, Goraya. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. On duty, bank Youth conference, bike rally at Khatkar Kalan gunman hurt as rifle in memory of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev goes off in Talwara Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Talwara, March 23 A gunman posted at a bank in Talwara was critically injured after his rifle accidentally went off while he was cleaning it this afternoon. The incident occurred around 1:30 pm at the main branch of Punjab National Bank located in Sector-2 of the town. The injured has been identified as Gurmel Singh, son of Mahinder Singh, who was on duty as a security gunman at the bank. It was told to the police that Gurmel was cleaning his double-barrel rifle when it suddenly went off. The bullet hit him directly, leaving him severely injured and bleeding profusely on the bank premises. Bank officials and the staff acted promptly and rushed the injured gunman to BBMB Hospital in Talwara. After providing first-aid, doctors referred him to a hospital in Jalandhar due to his critical condition. Meanwhile, a team from the Talwara police reached the spot soon after receiving information about the incident. The police have initiated a detailed investigation to ascertain the exact circumstances that led to the accidental firing. Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses. Nawanshahr, March 23 A state-level youth conference was held at Khatkar Kalan to mark the martyrdom day of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha. Hundreds of youths from all over the state participated enthusiastically. Tributes were paid to the martyrs by observing silence at the beginning of the rally. State president of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha Manga Azad, general secretary Karamjit Manuke and state vice-president Mangaljit Pandori said even today the dreams of the martyrs remain unfulfilled. The country is still suffering from the slavery of foreign imperialists and is not capable of taking any decisions on its own. They said the Mann government wants to create terror by making Punjab a police state and fake police encounters are being conducted in Punjab. A blood donation camp was also organised by the Jalandhar district committee. A book stall was also set up by Chintan Prakashan. Meanwhile, the All-India Youth Federation, Jalandhar district, organised a motorcycle rally to celebrate the AntiDrug and Anti-Imperialism Day dedicated to the martyrs of March 23. It started from the Mehatpur Grain Market under the leadership of president Mandeep Sidhu and Members of the Naujawan Bharat Sabha take out a march on the martyrdom day of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev at Khatkar Kalan in Nawanshahr on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH ended with a call to stop drug trafficking. This motorcycle rally, with slogans raised against the government, imperialism and drug smug- glers, passed through the Sangowal toll plaza, Beetlan, Gonsuwal, Bangiwal, Lohgarh Adra Maan, Baloki, Udhowal and Chotiyan Par- jian and ended at the Vaddiyan Parjiyan village where tea and water service was arranged by the family of Comrade Rura Ram. Dhameli Block Samiti member, Armed group sparks panic 50 others join AAP in Phagwara in Phagwara’s Chhaj Colony Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Phagwara,March 23 In a significant political development from the Dhameli zone, Block Samiti member Balbir Kaur severed her ties with the Shiromani Akali Dal and joined the Aam Aadmi Party along with nearly 50 other members, marking a notable shift in local political alignments. Balbir Kaur, who has been an active grassroots representative, said that her decision to switch allegiance was influenced by the policies and governance model of the Aam Aadmi Party, which she described as people-centric and development-oriented. The collective joining of multiple families indicates growing support for AAP at the village and block level in the region. Block Samiti member Balbir Kaur, along with 50 others, joins AAP in Phagwara. Welcoming the new entrants, constituency incharge Harnur Singh Mann said it was a matter of pride that individuals and families were reposing faith in the party and choosing to become part of what he termed as a progressive polit- ical movement. He added that such developments strengthen the party’s organizational base and reflect increasing public trust. Mann further expressed confidence that the newly inducted members would actively contribute to c m y b strengthening the party at the grassroots level and play a constructive role in expanding its reach. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to all those who joined, emphasizing unity and collective efforts as key to future political success in the constituency. Phagwara, March 23 A sense of fear gripped Chhaj Colony in Phagwara last evening after a group of individuals, allegedly armed with sharp-edged weapons, created a nuisance on the main road, damaging property and threatening residents. The incident occurred when the accused Sukha of Kultham in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Bugga of Plahi in Kapurthala along with 6-7 persons, gathered in the locality and began raising slogans and issuing threats. The group reportedly damaged items lying outside a house and engaged in aggressive behaviour, causing panic among residents. Hearing the commotion, several locals came out of their homes, but refrained from intervening due to the accused being SP Madhvi Sharma during checking in Eastwood village. armed. Witnesses stated that the group also issued threats and used abusive language, further intensifying the tense atmosphere and disrupting public peace in the area. Based on the statement pro- vided by a complainant, a case has been registered by Assistant Sub-Inspector Jatinder Pal under Sections 160, 427, 148, 149, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is underway.