09052026-JTR-01.qxd 08-05-2026 23:01 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune POLICE RECOVER LAND ENCROACHED BY DRUG SMUGGLER DECOR STUDIOS, LIFESTYLE STORES REDEFINE MODERN LIVING SPACES SHAKIRA UNVEILS OFFICIAL SONG FOR FIFA WORLD CUP The police cleared 15 marlas of panchayat land unlawfully occupied by drug smuggler Parwinder Singh in Toti village. P2 Homeowners are increasingly investing in decor accents to create “Instagramworthy” corners inside homes. P3 Colombian pop star Shakira is back with a new anthem. She unveiled her official song for the 2026 WC. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.12 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:35 AM » SATURDAY | 9 MAY 2026 | JALANDHAR BJP slams CM Mann for blast remarks, seeks FIR for sedition 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. Leaders protest in city, allege his statements tarnish party’s image Tribune News Service INBRIEF MAN ARRESTED IN THEFT CASE Phagwara: The police have registered a theft case on the complaint of Kanhaiya Lal of Shalimar Avenue, Kapurthala. The complainant alleged that while he was away in Uttar Pradesh with his family for a wedding function from April 13 to May 1, unidentified persons stole cash, an LED unit, gas cylinders, utensils and other goods from his shop and godown. Following an inquiry, police arrested Navjot Singh Randhawa while raids were underway to nab the second accused Vicky. OC MAN HELD FOR THEFT IN SALON Phagwara: The police have registered a case after salon equipment and bridal accessories were allegedly stolen from a house in village Chuhar. Complainant Sonia alleged that two salon chairs, a trolley, a facial kit and bridal accessories were stolen during the night of May 5. The police named Gurpreet Singh and Gurtej Singh in the case. Gurtej has been arrested while Gurpreet is absconding. OC 23 INTOXICATING TABLETS SEIZED Phagwara: The Mehatpur police arrested a man during a patrol and recovered 23 intoxicating tablets from his possession. The accused has been identified as Hari Ram and resident of Shamshabad. According to police officials, SI Kashmir Singh and his team were on routine area patrol when they intercepted the accused and recovered 23 loose tablets from his possession. Meanwhile, the Nakodar police arrested a man and with 25 tablets in village Shankar. OC Delivery boy Gurpreet Singh recovers from blast injuries. Sahney to give blast victim new bike Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 8 A day after Gurpreet Singh (22), a delivery boy injured in the May 5 Jalandhar blast, appealed through the media expressing concern over his livelihood after his scooter was damaged, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney stepped in to provide relief. Sahney, who was among the seven MPs to switch sides from AAP to the BJP on Fri, day extended support to Gurpreet. Dr Sahney spoke to his father, retired BSF man Kashmir Singh, and enquired about Gurpreet’s health. Expressing concern over the financial hardship faced by the family after Gurpreet’s scooter was destroyed in the blast, Dr Sahney said he would provide a new bike worth Rs 1.25 lakh to help Gurpreet resume his livelihood at the earliest. Gurpreet told the media yesterday that more than his injuries and hearing loss in one ear, he was worried over Victim had expressed concern over his livelihood after his scooter was damaged having lost his scooter. “How will I resume my delivery work without a conveyance? I am the only earning hand to feed. Both my parents have health issues and cannot earn. More than any trauma or pain because of injuries on my back, I am worried as we do not have means to buy a new conveyance”, he had said. Gurpreet had barely managed to escape the blast in the nick of time and run back towards the gate of the BSF where he had halted to receive the return of a parcel. He was detained for interrogation as the first finger of suspicion had got pointed towards him. He had been quizzed for several hours and was allowed to go home only after the police and the BSF had established that he was only a victim. Jalandhar, May 8 BJP leaders, led by Jalandhar district BJP president Sushil Sharma, on Friday staged a protest outside the office of the Commissioner of Police against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over his statements blaming the BJP for recent blasts in Jalandhar and Amritsar. The party also submitted a complaint to the Police Commissioner, demanding the registration of an FIR against the Chief Minister on charges of sedition, alleging that his remarks were unsubstantiated, jeopardised the state’s security and defamed the BJP . BJP leaders with banners and party flags gathered at the DAC Complex in Jalandhar after a march from the Kachehri Chowk to the complex, and protested outside the CP office, indulging in intense sloganeering against the CM and state government. Leaders Sushil Sharma, Manoranjan Kalia, KD Bhandari, Sushil Rinku, Rakesh Rathour, Sarabjit Makkar, Karamjit Kaur, Ramesh Pabbi, among others, held the protest. In their complaint, the BJP demanded action against the Chief Minister for what it described as “false, inflammatory and defamatory statements” that promote public BJP workers stage a protest in Jalandhar against CM Bhagwant Mann’s statement regarding blasts. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH. mischief, communal disharmony and political hostility, and disturb public order. Addressing the media, senior BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia said the statements made by the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police on the blasts were contradictory. “If the CM’s statement is correct, an FIR should be registered against position he holds. The CM should’ve consulted the DGP . The CM must either prove the BJP’s hand (in blasts) and lodge an FIR against the party or apologise to people of Punjab and country.” The complaint, signed by 13 BJP leaders, alleged that the Chief Minister’s remarks amounted to criminal defamation, spreading misinforma- tion and disturbing communal harmony. It further stated that the statements of the Chief Minister and the DGP on the May 5 blasts at the BSF Frontier Headquarters in Jalandhar and Amritsar were contradictory, indicating lack of coordination and alleged that the statement absolved Pakistan’s ISI, which the police had held responsible. 20 Jalandhar teachers face termination after recast of merit list Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 8 Twenty government school teachers in Jalandhar district, recruited under the 4161 master cadre, have been served show-cause notices, proposing termination of their services after the Punjab School Education Department recast merit list released in May 2023 following court proceedings. According to official records, the affected teachers include eight of mathematics, five Punjabi, five social science and two science teachers posted in schools across the district. The notices were issued after the Directorate of School Education (Secondary), Punjab, ordered the district authorities to serve notices on employees, who had allegedly fallen outside the “selection zone” following the recasting of merit lists for various subjects under the 4161 master cadre recruitment. In a communication dated May 6, the directorate informed district education authorities that some currently serving teachers were found to be below the revised cut-off marks and were proposed to be removed from service. Subsequently, the District Education Officer (Secondary), Jalandhar, on May 7 Unions protest, say teachers can’t be punished instructed school heads to immediately serve showcause notices on the affected teachers. The department also directed that the probation period of these teachers should not be cleared while the notices remain pending Under-17 tourney puts Sawal village on cricket map Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Kapurthala, May 8 What began as a modest effort by village youths a few years ago has grown into a keenly awaited annual sporting event in Sawal village of Kapurthala district. This year, children aged between 13 and 16 organised a spirited under17 cricket tournament, drawing teams, families and villagers from across the region. The one-day six-over cricket tournament, held with the support of their cousins settled abroad, saw enthusiastic participation from nearby villages, including Tibba, Naula, Sarai Jatta, Talwandi Chaudhariya and Sujo Kalia. The team from Sujo Kalia emerged victorious, while the host village team finished runner-up. Interestingly, the excitement was not limited to youngsters alone. Elderly residents of the village also gathered on the ground to cheer for the children, turning the event into a celebration of community spirit. The tournament tradition was first started in 2023 by vil- the BJP If the DGP’s version . is true, then the Chief Minister must be booked,” he said. Leader Sushil Rinku said, “The CM has levelled serious charges against the BJP A par. ty which took bold and decisive action against Pakistan in Operation Sindoor is being blamed for blasts in the state. It’s an irresponsible statement, which lowers the dignity of the The winning team of the cricket tournament that was organised at a village in Kapurthala. lage youths, who would organise friendly “show matches” for local children every year. When many of them later moved abroad, the younger boys of the village decided not to let the tradition fade away. “We started playing cricket after watching our elder brothers in the village. Sports became an important part of our lives,” said 16-year-old Armaan Singh, a Class 12 stu- dent from Sawal village. “Around 15 of us thought we should continue the tournament in their absence. We contacted our cousins abroad and asked if they could help us financially, and they supported us.” Armaan said the tournament is not just about winning matches. “It is a great source of entertainment for us. We also get to meet chil- dren from other villages and make new friendships and contacts,” he added. Thirteen-year-old Ashwinjot Singh, a Class VIII student, said participating in the tournament was a memorable experience. “It felt great to play this time. Everyone enjoyed it a lot,” he said with excitement. The organisers arranged prize money of Rs 2,100 along with a trophy for the winning c m y b team, while the runners-up received Rs 1,500 and a trophy. Refreshments were also distributed among players and visitors. The young organisers used social media platforms to spread information about the tournament in neighbouring villages, helping attract teams and spectators. For many villagers, however, the tournament symbolised something far bigger than cricket. Gajan Singh, an elderly farmer who attended the matches, said seeing children engaged in sports gave him hope. “The biggest satisfaction is that if children stay involved in sports, they will remain away from drugs,” he said. Apart from cricket, the children of Sawal village also regularly play volleyball in the evenings, spending their free time on playgrounds rather than indoors. In a time when rural Punjab continues to battle concerns over drug abuse among the youth, the children of Sawal village have created their own answer — cricket practice daily. and that compliance reports be submitted. The affected teachers have been given 21 days to submit replies or clarifications before any final decision is taken. The notices state that if no response is received within the stipulated period, the department may proceed further on the basis of available records. The development has triggered strong opposition from 5 arrested with 10 kg poppy husk, weapon Phillaur, May 8 The police arrested five persons during a raid in Bilga and recovered a large quantity of narcotics along with an illegal firearm and ammunition. Phillaur DSP Bharat Masih stated that the accused have been identified as Aladdin, Anuj Kumar, a resident of Ludhiana but residing in Bhamian near Jamalpur, Rishabh Mishra of Giaspura, Ludhiana, Ritik of Ludhiana and Aftab of village Kukkar, Jalandhar. All five accused were arrested last night, the DSP said. Masih said a police team was conducting checking near Gummatwali Road, Bilga, when they received information regarding drug trade being carried out from the residence of one of the accused. The team conducted a raid at the house of accused Aladdin in Gummatwala Colony and recovered 10 kg of poppy husk, one pistol along with a magazine and six 7.65 mm cartridges from the accused. — OC teacher unions, including the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), 6635 ETT Teachers Union and 4161 Master Cadre Union, which termed the move unjust and demanded immediate withdrawal of the notices. Kulwinder Singh, district president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said, “The teachers were recruited through a government process and have been serv- ing for years. They should not be forced to suffer because of administrative revisions and prolonged legal disputes arising after recruitment.” The unions have also protested outside the Education Department on Friday in Chandigarh, warning that the issue has created panic among 300 teachers across the state who now fear losing their jobs years after appointment. Haryana youth arrested with 205 gm heroin Our Correspondent Phagwara, May 8 The police arrested a youth and recovered 205 gram of heroin from his possession during an operation near a PG accommodation in Phagwara. SP Madhvi Sharma stated that the accused has been identified as Jony, a resident of Paniwala Mota in Sirsa district of Haryana and residing at K-House PG in Mehdu, Phagwara. According to Madhvi, a police party reached near KHouse PG and a general store during routine checking when they noticed a young man approaching on foot from the opposite direction. On spotting the police team, the suspect allegedly attempted to turn back and enter the PG premises in a suspicious manner. The police party immediately intercepted and questioned him. During the search, cops recovered 205 gram of heroin from his possession, packed in a polythene packet. Following the recovery, the police registered a case against the accused under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The accused was taken into custody and further investigation is underway to ascertain the source and intended supply network of the contraband.