02082026-JTR-01.qxd 8/1/2026 10:43 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune YOUTH’S MORTAL REMAINS BROUGHT BACK FROM ARMENIA PSPCL OUTSOURCED EMPLOYEES MEET GULAB CHAND KATARIA ON FRIENDSHIP DAY, CELEBS TALK ABOUT BOND THAT MATTERS Mortal remains of Jaswinder Singh were brought back from Armenia to India through Seechewal’s efforts. P2 Power utility staff meet Governor & seek his intervention to bring them under direct departmental contracts.P2 “I’ve always believed that quality matters more than quantity when it comes to friendships,” says Amal Sehrawat . P4 » » » FORECAST CLOUDY/RAIN MAX 32°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.23 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.45 AM SUNDAY | 2 AUGUST 2026 | JALANDHAR Shahkot man arrested for attacking police Our Correspondent underscannerfor Four arrested in police raid at Nineschoolsbus safety norms violation of spa centre; case registered Our Correspondent Phagwara, August 1 A local man has been arrested for allegedly attacking police personnel, vandalising the Shahkot police station and damaging vehicles. Station House Officer (SHO) Aman Saini said the accused was identified as Gagan Deep Singh, a resident of Mohalla Kartar Nagar, Shahkot. According to the SHO, the accused and his accomplices allegedly pelted stones at police personnel, including the SHO, causing serious injuries. They also allegedly ransacked the police station and damaged vehicles parked inside and outside the premises. The SHO said a case was registered against Gagan Deep Singh and four others in connection with the incident. They were arrested and further investigation was underway. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 1 Three women and a youth were arrested after the police raided a spa centre in Jalandhar on Saturday. Teams from Division No. 7 police station conducted the raid at the spa, located in a busy city market, on Saturday afternoon. During the operation, the police allegedly found objectionable activities being carried out at the premises and took the suspects into custody. A case has been registered under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act. Police officials said they acted after social media posts raised concerns about alleged illegal activities at the spa. Following the raid, a video of the police inspection inside the premises went viral on social media. Three women and a youth in custody of the police in Jalandhar on Saturday. This is not the first time the spa has come under police scrutiny. The same premises were raided in 2024 over similar allegations. Videos of Saturday’s operation showed police searching the blue-lit interiors of the spa. Three women, their faces covered, and a youth were seen being escorted by the police. Officials also claimed to have recovered objectionable material from the premises. Besides the three women and the youth, the spa owner has also been named in the FIR. The police said the establishment would be closed, citing the recurrence of similar alleged activities that had previously led to a raid at the same location in 2024. Ravinder Kumar, SHO, Division No. 7 police station, said all necessary legal formalities had been completed following the raid and further investigation was underway. Kapurthala, August 1 The district administration has taken serious note of the practice adopted by some schools of picking up and dropping off students outside their campuses and has directed all school managements to strictly adhere to student safety guidelines. It has also issued warnings to nine private schools for violating road safety norms governing the operation of school buses. Emphasising that student safety must remain the highest priority, the administration said no negligence would be tolerated. The schools issued warnings include Christ The King Convent Senior Secondary School, MGN Public School, Bawa Lalwani Public School, GTB School, Prita Lee Lesson School, Cambridge International School, Paramjot School, Shri Harkrishan School and Anand Public School. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Akash Bansal said inspections revealed that despite repeated directions, buses belonging to these schools were continuing to pick up and drop off students outside school premises. Instead of entering the campuses, buses were found parked along public roads while students boarded and disembarked. He said the practice exposed children to unnecessary risks and increased the likelihood of road accidents. It also contributed to traffic congestion, causing inconvenience to commuters and local residents. “The safety of schoolchildren is our foremost priority. Schools must follow the instructions in letter and spirit and ensure that all boarding and alighting of students takes place within CHOs stage statewide hunger strike, Gymkhana Club committee dissolved at warn of indefinite stir if Aug 4 talks fail AGM; new panel set up ahead of elections Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 1 Community Health Officers (CHOs) across Punjab on Saturday observed a symbolic statewide hunger strike outside district hospitals, escalating their long-running agitation over service conditions. They warned of launching an indefinite protest if the Punjab Government failed to address their demands during a scheduled meeting on August 4. The protest was organised under the banner of the Community Health Officers Association Punjab. CHOs are posted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Health and Wellness Centres) across the state, where they provide primary healthcare services, screen patients for non-communicable diseases and implement various national health programmes. Association president Dr Sunil Targotra alleged that despite several rounds of meetings over the past few Man duped of ~3.21L in online investment fraud Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, August 1 The Cyber Crime Police have registered a case following an investigation into an alleged online fraud in which a man was duped of Rs 3.21 lakh on the pretext of making an investment. However, no accused has been named in the FIR so far. According to the police, Uma Shankar, a resident of Ajjowal, filed a complaint alleging that an unidentified caller contacted him over the phone and lured him with promises of lucrative investment opportunities. The caller allegedly defrauded him of Rs 3,21,788. The complaint was investigated by Inspector Jaipal Singh. Based on the inquiry report, a case was registered on the directions of the Senior Superintendent of Police. Further investigation is underway. Efforts are being made to identify and trace the accused. Community Health Officers hold a symbolic hunger strike in Jalandhar. years, the government had offered only assurances without taking any concrete decision. He further claimed that although the union had been scheduled to meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on July 29, the delegation returned disappointed after reaching Chandigarh as the meeting did not take place. The association is demanding that the Rs 5,000 performance-linked component be merged with the basic salary by removing the benchmark condition, the release of the loyalty bonus for all CHOs, the creation of a regular CHO cadre, the merger of salary and incentives and a revision of the incentive assessment criteria. Warning of an escalation, the association described August 4 meeting as a litmus test for the government. It said if the talks fail to yield a concrete decision, CHOs across Punjab would launch an indefinite statewide agitation, holding the government and the Health Department responsible for any disruption in healthcare services. Jalandhar, August 1 Officials announced the dissolution of the existing committee at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Jullundur Gymkhana Club held here on Saturday evening. They also announced the formation of a six-member ad hoc committee, which will include two administrative officials. Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) Additional Chief Administrator Tejdeep Saini was appointed honorary secretary, while SDM Shubhi Angra was named the Returning Officer (RO) by officials. Sharing details, Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner Ramvir Singh said, “It will be at the discretion of the RO to announce the date of polling in due course of time.” The committee members also approved the balance sheet for the financial year 2024-25. The The AGM of Jullundur Gymkhana Club in progress on Saturday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH tenure of the committee dissolved today had ended more than four months ago. The AGM, originally scheduled for March 14, was postponed as the Divisional Commissioner was engaged with the Punjab Investment Summit. Traditionally, elections at the club witness a contest between two groups — the Progressive Group and the Achievers Group. The Achievers Group enjoys the support of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) halqa incharge Nitin Kohli, who is widely regarded as an influential figure in club affairs. The group has already announced Amit Kukreja as its candidate for the post of honorary secretary. Dheeraj Seth has been named its candidate for junior vice-president, Harpreet Singh (Goldy) for joint secretary, and Saurabh Khullar for treasurer. The group and its leaders are reportedly making efforts to persuade the Progressive Group against announcing its candidates, with the aim of ensuring an uncontested election. However, sources said that Progressive Group member Anu Matta is keen to contest on the post of joint secretary. their campuses. Public roads cannot be used as designated pickup and drop-off points,” the DC said, while directing all school managements to make suitable arrangements for strict compliance with the safety norms. Bansal warned that no negligence or laxity would be tolerated. He said the administration would initiate strict action against erring schools and their vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act if violations continued. Reiterating the administration’s commitment to ensuring student safety and maintaining smooth traffic flow, he urged all educational institutions to comply fully with the prescribed safety guidelines. Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Harkaram Singh said any violation would invite action against school vehicles under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Student’s mobile phone snatched Garhshankar, August 1 A motorcycle-borne man allegedly snatched a mobile phone from a college student in broad daylight while she was returning home in Garhshankar. The incident took place on Sri Anandpur Sahib Road at around 1 pm. According to the victim’s father, Gauri Shankar, a resident of Sahungra, his daughter is a student at Khalsa College, Garhshankar. She was walking home after attending classes as usual when the incident occurred. Gauri Shankar said that when she reached near Chaudhary Sweet Shop, before Sri Anandpur Sahib Chowk, a motorcyclist approached her from behind, snatched the mobile phone from her hand and fled the spot. The victim approached the police station and lodged a complaint. However, Gauri Shankar alleged that instead of launching an immediate search for the accused, the police asked his daughter to submit a written application, causing a delay in investigation. — OC Food safety team conducts inspection drive in K’thala Kapurthala gets 14 new booths under ECI rationalisation drive Our Correspondent Kapurthala, August 1 Acting on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal, the Food Safety Wing, Kapurthala, conducted a special inspection drive across the district to ensure the availability of safe and quality food items for consumers. The drive was led by Assistant Commissioner (Food) Dr Harjot Pal Singh, along with Food Safety Officer Raman Virdi and the inspection team. During the inspection, the team collected a sample of sweets from a confectionery shop in Sultanpur Lodhi and two samples from a grocery store for laboratory analysis. The exercise was part of the district administration’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety standards and closely monitor the quality of food products being sold in the market. The team also sensitised food business operators about the importance of maintaining proper hygiene at their Tribune News Service Food safety officials collect samples from a grocery shop in Kapurthala. establishments. Shopkeepers were instructed to procure food items only against valid invoices, avoid the use of artificial or non-permitted colours in food products, and ensure that only clean and safe water was used during food preparation. Officials further advised food business operators to obtain FSSAI registration or a food licence, depending on their annual turnover. They informed traders that applications can be submitted online through the official FSSAI portal and explained the licensing requirements applicable to different categories of businesses. Deputy Commissioner Akash Bansal appealed to all c m y b food business operators to use high-quality raw materials, prepare food under hygienic conditions, and keep all prepared food items properly covered at all times. He emphasised that strict adherence to food safety norms was essential to ensure that consumers receive safe, pure and standard-quality food products. Jalandhar, August 1 The Election Commission of India (ECI) has approved an increase in the number of polling stations in Kapurthala district from 791 to 805 to ensure smoother and more convenient voting. Deputy Commissioner-cumDistrict Election Officer Akash Bansal said the approval was granted in line with the ECI’s directions to rationalise polling stations with more than 1,200 electors. The exercise involved either setting up new polling booths or redistributing electors among polling stations within the same building, wherever feasible. He said the initiative aims to improve polling station management, reduce overcrowding and enhance voter convenience during elections. With the approval of the rationalisation plan, 14 new polling booths will be established, tak- ing the district’s total number of polling stations from 791 to 805. Sharing constituency-wise details, Bansal said no additional polling booth was approved for the Bholath Assembly constituency as none of its polling stations had more than 1,200 electors. The number of polling stations there would remain unchanged at 175. In the Kapurthala Assembly constituency, seven polling stations with more than 1,200 electors were rationalised by redistributing voters within the same building. In addition, Polling Station No. 31 was bifurcated, resulting in one new polling booth and increasing the total number of polling stations from 194 to 195. Sultanpur Lodhi Assembly constituency recorded the highest increase, with 13 new polling booths approved, taking the total number of polling stations from 195 to 208. In the Phagwara (SC) Assembly constituency, four polling stations with more than 1,200 electors were rationalised through the redistribution of voters within the same building. As a result, no new polling booths were required and the total number of polling stations remains unchanged at 227. Bansal said the rationalisation exercise would significantly improve voter convenience by easing congestion at polling stations, ensuring better management on polling day and enabling polling personnel to perform their duties more efficiently. He thanked all recognised political parties for their cooperation during the exercise and reaffirmed the district administration’s commitment to conducting free, fair, transparent and voter-friendly elections. He also urged residents to contact the toll-free voter helpline 1950 or the district administration helpline at 01822-233777 for any information or assistance related to the electoral process.