25042026-JTR-01.qxd 4/24/2026 11:12 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune NAWANSHAHR CONDUCTS CIVIL DEFENCE MOCK DRILL VARSITY HONOURS DR RAI FOR RESEARCH WORK TRIBAL ART EXHIBITION AT SHIMLA’S GAIETY THEATRE The exercise was aimed at assessing preparedness to handle emergency situations. P2 Dr Rai also delivered keynote lecture titled “Babu Mangu Ram Mugowalia’s Aadi Dharm Movement in Punjab”.P3 Art lovers can witness tribal art at an exhibition at the Gaiety Theatre in Shimla open till tomorrow. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 40°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 41°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.02 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:48 AM » SATURDAY | 25 APRIL 2026 | JALANDHAR Exit of Mittal, Harbhajan weakens party structure; leaders downplay impact Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 24 The defection of seven Rajya Sabha (RS) MPs from AAP to the BJP is set to have a significant impact on the politics of Jalandhar, too. The mass shift of the MPs, especially two prominent Jalandhar-based leaders Ashok Mittal and cricketer Harbhajan Singh, is set to weaken the party structurally and cause some dent in the party in this region. The AAP leaders, however, contradict, saying that they were all RS members with no strong local backing and hence their departure will not make much of a difference to the party’s vote bank. Mittal had a good say in the party and been very close to Jalandhar Central halqa incharge Nitin Kohli. Kohli, who too is a businessman like Mittal, has been dominating the party circles locally. Following the Vigilance Bureau case against Jalandhar Central MLA Raman Arora, the Car hits tree, driver dies Mahilpur, April 24 A car went out of control and hit a tree, killing the driver on the spot, while another youth was seriously injured. The mishap took place on the Mahilpur-Hoshiarpur road near village Mukhomajara, According to information, 22-year-old Jaskaran Singh, alias Jassa, from village Jaitpur, was travelling towards Hoshiarpur in his car along with his friend Karan, also a resident of Jaitpur. When they reached near Mukhomajara village, their car went out of control and hit a roadside tree. Both were seriously injured and taken to the Civil Hospital, Mahilpur, where doctors declared Jaskaran Singh dead. Jaskaran had returned from Italy about a month ago. The police reached the spot and started investigation. — OC AAP MP Ashok Mittal (first from left) with BJP president Nitin Nabin in New Delhi. party had sidelined him, with Kohli being tasked to inaugurate most development projects in the constituency. Party sources said AAP may revisit its existing strategy in the wake of Mittal’s exit. Mittal’s closeness with the top brass in AAP was obvious when he had offered the house allotted to him as MP on 5, Ferozeshah Road, New Delhi, to national convener Arvind Kejriwal. Post the Enforcement Directorate raids at Mittal’s place, Kejriwal vacated the house last Sunday. The raids at Mittal’s place came itself as a surprise as he had also been in good terms with the top BJP leadership. The ED, however, did not issue any press release on the searches that its teams conducted for three days. Ashok Mittal, his elder brother Ramesh Mittal and Ashok’s son Pratham Mittal met BJP national president Nitin Nabin and general secretary Tarun Chugh upon his joining. Cricketer Bhajji had been made the overall in-charge to handle the construction of Rs 77 crore sports hub at Burlton Park in Jalandhar and get it launched by August this year. His decision to back out from AAP months ahead of the Assembly poll too can have a detrimental impact on the party and its local sportsrelated projects. Reactions came fast from all corners after the development. Former BJP minister Manoranjan Kalia said, “This was just a trailor by the party. More is yet to happen in the days to come. The BJP will emerge much stronger in Punjab”. Former Education Minister and Congress MLA Pargat Singh criticised the political developments, saying ideology had taken a back seat to power politics. “Those who were part of the BJP’s B-team have returned to the main team. There is nothing surprising in this,” he said, adding that AAP had selectively appointed affluent MPs who had now deserted the party. Consumers protest outside gas agency over locked office Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 24 Amid the district authorities’ tall claims of smooth LPG supply, residents of Jalandhar’s West constituency took to the streets on Friday, blocking the bustling 120 feet road in protest against the alleged failure of Daman Gas Agency, which allegedly failed to deliver cylinders on time. The agency office was found locked, triggering public outrage as several consumers, many of whom had been waiting for their LPG delivery for weeks, demanded immediate supply and accountability. Residents also raised concerns of black marketing of LPG cylinders, stating that the agency is selling one LPG cylinder at Rs 3,000, making it difficult to afford it. Protesters alleged that despite booking LPG cylinders, deliveries have been delayed far beyond the stipulated time, leaving households struggling, especially amid soaring temperatures. Raj Kumar, a local consumer said, “We have been running from pillar to post for weeks, FILE AAP MPs’ defection may hit party’s prospects in Doaba Anger over delayed LPG supply spills onto streets waiting for more than a month to receive our cylinder after booking. First, we were told supply trucks had not arrived. Then they stopped answering our calls. When we came here, the office was locked. How are we supposed to manage when there is no one addressing our concerns.” Echoing similar concerns, Ramandeep Kaur, another resident, said, “Despite the administration’s claims of normal supply, we are struggling to get our LPG cylinders. It had been more than a month, there has been no cylinder, no response and now a locked office. This is harassment.” The protest soon escalated into a road blockade, disrupting traffic and leading to heat- ed exchanges between commuters and demonstrators. After the police intervention, the protesters cleared the road. District Food Supply Controller Narinder Singh said the agency was facing a backlog of 14 days. “We have taken up the matter with the agency and directed it to rationalise supply. LPG companies are currently supplying only about 80 per cent of the cylinders compared to bookings during the same period last year, leading to a buildup of backlog,” he said. On allegations of black marketing, Singh said, “We have initiated an inquiry. Any resident who has faced such issues can report their concerns to the department and appropriate action will be taken.” 3 identified for Kapurthala Youth’s death in open trench: Contractor youth’s abduction, murder booked, PWD officials set to face action 5 booked, hunt on to nab accused Our Correspondent Kapurthala, April 24 In a major breakthrough, the Kapurthala police have identified three accused in the case of a youth, who was kidnapped at gunpoint from outside a gas agency on Aujla Road and later murdered. A case has been registered against the three men, along with two unidentified accomplices, and raids are underway to arrest them. The deceased has been identified as Deepak. His body is being subjected to post-mortem examination by a board of three doctors to determine whether the deep injury on his leg was caused by a bullet or another weapon. SP (D) Harinder Singh said the FIR was registered at the city police station on the complaint of the victim’s father Jaspal, a resident of village Varian Dona. He said police teams are conducting raids and all accused would be arrested soon. According to the complaint, on the morning of April 23, Jaspal was present near a gas company on the Aujla road when he saw several assailants beating up his son Deepak outside the gas agency. The attackers allegedly forced Deepak into a car bearing registration number PB-08-FM-4042 at pistol point and sped away towards the railway crossing. Jaspal, along with his brother Sukhpal, chased the accused on a scooter. The police said the kidnappers fled towards Kartarpur and threw Deepak out of the car near village Dayalpur in a seriously injured state before escaping. The injured youth was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Kartarpur, in a 108 ambulance, where doctors later declared him dead during treatment. Police officials said preliminary investigation suggests the murder was linked to an old rivalry. Around six months ago, Deepak and two of his associates had allegedly seriously injured a youth, a friend of the accused, and the present case is suspected to be a revenge attack. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 24 Taking serious note of the alleged negligence leading to the death of a youth who fell into a 20-foot-deep trench dug for the construction of a bridge on the Lamma Pind–Jandu Sangha Road on the night of March 1, the Punjab State Road Safety Council (PSRSC) has recommended action against PWD officials and the contractor concerned. The PSRSC operates under the Department of Transport and serves as the lead agency for road safety in the state. Victim Vikas Jassar hailed from Phillaur and had fallen into the trench with his bike. He reportedly sustained fatal injuries after iron rods inside Departmental action announced in a recent accident at Lamma Pind road in Jalandhar wherein a bike had fallen into a deep pit. the pit pierced his eyes. The PSRSC has reported that the life was lost as the vehicle had fallen into an unprotected deep pit at the construction site. During inspection, the teams had observed that essential safety arrangements such as warning signs, diversion boards and proper barricading were not in place, indicating gross negligence on the part of the executing agency. Based on the inquiry, an FIR has now been lodged at Police Station Patara, Jalandhar Rural, against the contractor. Departmental action against the responsible officers is also under process, said an official. Former DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal, during whose tenure the incident had taken place, had already made it clear that strict action would be taken against any officer found negligent in ensuring safety measures at construction sites. A shared birthday, a shared bond at city’s ‘Unique Home’ Treated waste water to irrigate farms in 7 Hoshiarpur villages Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 24 In a simple yet meaningful celebration, Unique Home near Nakodar road in Jalandhar, which is a shelter for nearly 80 abandoned and orphaned girls, celebrated the annual collective birthday on Friday. The event featured musical performances, a community feast and a ceremonial cake cutting led by founder Bibi Parkash Kaur. Surrounded by the girls she has raised as her own, the moment noted the deep bond they share with her and with each other. A Padma Shri awardee, Parkash Kaur was herself abandoned as a child and raised in an orphanage. In 1993, she set up Unique Home, dedicating her life to rescuing and rehabilitating newborn girls, offering them a secure home and a chance at a better future. The birthday bash observed each year on April 24, holds special significance for the children, many of whom do not have a recorded date of birth. By marking a shared birthday, the home ensures that no child grows up without having a day to call her own. The celebration witnessed cultural performances as the children took centre stage with dance, songs and devotional hymns. Dressed in colourful attire, they performed with confidence and enthusiasm, drawing applause from the audience. Their participation remained the highlight of the event, exhibiting both their talent and nurturing environment provided by the home. Run by the Bhai Ghaniya Ji Charitable Trust, Unique Home has, over the years, emerged as a sanctuary for destitute girls, many of whom were abandoned at birth. The concept of celebrating a collective birthday underscores The annual birthday celebrations at ‘Unique Home’, a shelter home for abandoned girls. MALKIAT SINGH. sensitivity and inclusivity, ensuring that every child feels equally valued. Over the years, the home has rescued numerous abandoned girl children and provided them not just shelter but a structured environment for growth. Infants are brought in through the c m y b ‘ Panghura’ cradle facility, as well as through information shared by locals, the police and hospitals. In many cases, newborns found abandoned on roadsides, plots or near garbage bins are rescued with the help of the authorities and citizens. Once brought in, the children are given immediate medical care, registered as per legal procedures, and taken into long term care for rehabilitation. In the past month alone, 11 infant girls have been rescued and given shelter at the home. Guests from various walks of life, including members of civil society, entrepreneurs and philanthropists, attended the celebration and extended their support to the initiative. Entrepreneur Jag Cheema, present as the chief guest, announced financial assistance for the home and urged others to contribute. The celebrations concluded with a community feast, where guests and children shared a meal together, reinforcing the sense of togetherness that defines the home. Hoshiarpur, April 24 Hoshiarpur MLA Bram Shankar Jimpa on Friday inaugurated an irrigation project at the Piplanwala sewage treatment plant in Hoshiarpur. The project will utilise 30 million litre per day (MLD) of treated waste water for irrigation through an underground pipeline network. Constructed by the Soil Conservation Department at around Rs 11 crore, the project aims to provide sufficient water for irrigation to farmers while reducing dependence on natural water sources. It will help conserve water and enable farmers to adopt improved agricultural practices. MLA Jimpa said the treated water from the plant will now be supplied to farmers in seven villages. Under this ambi- tious scheme, nearly 40 km of pipeline has been laid to deliver the treated water directly to fields. He described the project as a significant step toward environmental conservation. It will not only address the issue of urban waste water disposal, but also ensures its reuse in agriculture. This will reduce pressure on groundwater and provide farmers with an alternative source of irrigation. Jimpa added that the government remains committed to farmers’ welfare and water conservation and similar projects will continue in the future. He praised the department officials, stating that the scheme will help farmers economically and improve water resource management. — OC