27082026-JTR-01.qxd 8/26/2026 10:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ANEESH, MANYA CLINCH SINGLES TITLES AT BADMINTON C’SHIP ‘BREAST CANCER TREATMENT NEED NOT ALWAYS END IN MASTECTOMY’ One of the biggest myths about breast cancer is that every patient requires complete removal of the breast(mastectomy).P3 RAINY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C CELEBS MOURN THE DEMISE OF SINGER DOLLY PARTON Both singles winners were presented the Pullela Gopichand and PV Sindhu trophies and a cash prize of Rs 21,000 each. P2 FORECAST Hollywood and the music world are mourning the country music legend, who died in Nashville at the age of 80. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.57 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:01 AM » THURSDAY | 27 AUGUST 2026 | JALANDHAR The Tribune has started 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. Govt services may take hit as staff go on strike today Protest over delay in DA release, restoration of OPS |No plan to block roads Tribune News Service INBRIEF GANJA SEIZED FROM YOUTH Phagwara: The police arrested a youth, Krishan Mohan Kumar, living at Kapurthala after recovering a substantial quantity of contraband. SSP Gaurav Toora said here on Wednesday that the arrest took place near Sukh Sagar Colony, Subhanpur Road, when the police noticed a suspicious young man walking through a vacant plot. On being stopped and questioned, the accused disclosed his identity. A thorough search led to the recovery of 1.720 kg of ganja from his possession. OC YOUTH HELD WITH HEROIN, PILLS Phagwara: During routine patrolling in Jalandhar, the police intercepted a suspect on grounds of suspicion and conducted a search. The accused, identified as Himanshu, resident of Mithapur, was found carrying narcotic substances. From his possession, the police recovered 15 intoxicating tablets and 4.75 gram of heroin wrapped in a polythene packet. The recovery was made in the presence of witnesses and the accused was immediately taken into custody. The authorities are probing whether the tablets and heroin were intended for local distribution. OC WOMAN ARRESTED WITH HEROIN Phagwara: Acting on specific inputs, the Nurmahal police arrested a woman Rani Bai, alias Raj, resident of Sirsa, presently living in Rajasthan. The arrest was made near Kandola Kalan, where the police recovered 201 gram of heroin from her possession. A case has been registered. OC MAN, SON BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked father-son duo on the charge of outraging a woman’s modesty. The accused have been identified as Jaswant Singh of Raully village and his son Akashdeep. The victim complained to the police that the accused and their four accomplices barged into her house and assaulted her. oc CM LIKELY TO MEET PROTESTERS Jalandhar, August 26 A statewide ‘Maha Hartal’ called by government employees and pensioners is likely to disrupt public services on Thursday, with schools, colleges, revenue offices, PSPCL establishments, transport services and several other government offices expected to remain affected. The protest has been called over pending demands, including the release of DA, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, revision of pay scales and other service-related issues. In Jalandhar, employees’ unions affiliated with the Joint Coordination Committee are scheduled to assemble outside the DC’s office Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is likely to disburse appointment letters to the new recruits at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters here, is also expected to meet the protesting employees’ unions tomorrow. He will then head for Kahlwan village near Kartarpur for a Lok Milni. and stage a sit-in from 11 am. Joint Coordination Committee leader Tajinder Singh Nangal said employees from various departments would participate in the protest. Government health institutions are expected to provide only emergency services, while state-run transport services may remain off the road. However, no road or highway blockades have been planned. Private educational institutions, commercial estab- MAN BOOKED FOR SCOOTER THEFT Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have booked a person for stealing a scooter. Stefan Singh of Sagarpur village complained to the police that someone stole his scooter on August 25 from near his village. oc and go on mass casual leave for their financial rights reflects the insensitivity of the Mann government. The government should resolve their issues immediately.” He said the delay in complying with the court’s directions has resulted in the government facing contempt of court proceedings, which raises serious questions about the functioning of the state government. Tribune Reporters Jalandhar, August 26 The BJP Jalandhar unit has extended its support to the call for a strike and mass casual leave by government employees and pensioners on August 27 in protest against the AAP government’s failure to release their pending Dearness Allowance (DA). BJP Jalandhar president Ashok Sareen said despite repeatedly raising their demands, employees and pensioners continue to be denied their dues, leaving them with no option but to resort to protest. Sareen said the government can no longer evade its responsibility by citing excuses or administrative difficulties in the matter of pending DA. He said the judiciary has already made its position clear in the matter, and directions have been issued to the state government to release the pending DA. Despite this, the continued neglect of the interests of employees and pensioners is unfortunate. He said the government had also appealed against the court’s decision, but the earlier judgment was upheld. The government’s failure to comply with the court’s orders is a matter of serious concern. Sareen said, “Forcing employees and pensioners, who have served Punjab for years, to take to the streets Hoshiarpur: The BJP district unit has extended support to the strike and mass casual leave by government employees and pensioners on August 27 over pending Dearness Allowance (DA). District BJP president Nitin Gupta Nannu said employees and pensioners were being denied their legitimate dues despite repeatedly raising the issue. He said the Punjab Government had failed to comply with court directions on release of the pending DA. Agenda passed forcibly in NHM staff demand equal work, equal pay MC House, alleges Cong Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 26 The Congress on Wednesday accused the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation of pushing through several agenda items without adequate discussion during Tuesday’s House meeting and alleged large-scale irregularities in civic works. Addressing a press conference, former minister and MLA Pargat Singh, Jalandhar North MLA Avtar Singh Junior, District Congress president Rajinder Beri, Jalandhar West constituency in-charge Surinder Kaur, along with councillors and party leaders, claimed that multiple agenda items were passed forcibly and without due consideration. The party leaders alleged that the agenda approved during the meeting raised serious questions about the functioning of the Municipal Corporation and the spending of public funds. They claimed that large-scale corruption was taking place in sewer-cleaning works being MLA Pargat Singh and MLA Bawa Henry along with Congress councillors during a press meet in Jalandhar. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH. carried out through supersuction machines. They also alleged that several illegal buildings were being constructed in the city under political patronage, while the civic administration had failed to act against such violations. Raising concerns over the allotment of advertising-related works, the Congress leaders alleged irregularities in the process. Criticising the city’s sanitation arrangements, they 80 hand dryers sans ISI mark seized 15 KG OF POPPY HUSK SEIZED Phagwara: In a major recovery, the Shahkot police seized 15 kilogram of poppy husk from a car bearing registration number PB-10-ES-8282 near Flyover, Kotli Gujran. The accused managed to flee, leaving the vehicle behind. The police registered a case under Section 15 of the NDPS Act. oc lishments, shopping malls and private transport operators are expected to function normally. Among the prominent officers present were Satinder Singh, Commissioner of Police, Varjeet Walia, Deputy Commissioner, Navdeep Singh Bhogal, District Revenue Officer, Swapandeep Kaur, Tehsildar Jalandhar-1 and Pawan Jit Singh, Deputy Commissioner State Tax, along with other officers. A large number of employee leaders from the dis- trict unit and various departments also participated in this religious event. There has rather been a mixed reaction among teaching and non-teaching staff, some of whom do not want to avail a leave tomorrow. As a result, not all government schools will be completely off even though the student attendance could be minimal. Schools with a stronger presence of employee union members are likely to witness higher participation in the strike, while others may continue functioning with limited staff and student attendance. Primary schools are likely to see greater disruption as primary teachers’ unions have extended stronger support to the protest. BJP supports staff protest FILE HEALTH & WELLNESS pointed to recent instances of garbage accumulation at various locations and questioned the utilisation of taxpayers’ money on civic services. The leaders said municipal funds belonged to the public and asserted that any alleged misuse or unnecessary expenditure would be opposed. Councillors Balraj Thakur, Pawan Kumar, Gurwinderpal Singh Bunty Neelkanth and others were also present at the press conference. Goyal opens ~14 cr irrigation project for 55 Banga villages Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 26 Swooping down on a unit violating quality control standards in the manufacture of hand dryers, a team of the Bureau of Indian Standards raided a manufacturer in Jalandhar, seizing 80 hand dryers. A team of officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards, Jammu & Kashmir branch office, conducted an enforcement raid at a manufacturing unit near Pathankot Road, near Reru Pind Gate in Jalandhar. During the raid, hand dryers without the mandatory ISI mark were found onthe premises. The dryers were found to have details such as the brand name, name of the maker and date of manufacture, but didn’t bear the ISI mark. A total of 80 hand dryers were seized. Jalandhar, August 26 The contractual health employees, working for the past 15-20 years under the National Health Mission (NHM), took to the streets on Wednesday against the state government. The employees have been protesting since August 13 for their demands. The NHM employees first staged a protest at the Civil Surgeon’s office and raised slogans, after which a protest march was taken out to the Press Club under the leadership of Dr Pankhuri. During this, the employees of the Aam Aadmi Clinic Sanjha Front also joined the protest rally with the NHM employees, demanding the regularisation of contractual employees. During the protest march, all employees raised slogans against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister and Health Minister. Employees said the Aam Aadmi Party government was seen running away from its promises in the intoxication of power. The main spokespersons of the union said until the government accepts the demands of the Banga, August 26 Minister for Mines and Geology, Land and Water Conservation and Water Resources Brinder Kumar Goyal today inaugurated a special project costing Rs14 crore to provide irrigation water to 55 villages of the Banga constituency in Nawanshahr. The minister said the project, prepared by the Canal Administration and PWRMDC under the Bist Doab Canal and Ground Water Division, Jalandhar, has cost Rs 14.01 crore. He said under the project, 46 pucca watercourses with a total length of 79.52 kilometre and 14 underground pipelines have been laid. Farmers in 55 villages of the constituency will benefit from the project. Earlier, 3,880 acres were under canal irrigation, which has now increased to 8,770.91 acres. Thus, 4,890.91 have received access to canal water for the first time. The minister said measures taken under the project would also aid groundwater conservation. A recharge scheme at the tail-end of the Kangror Minor and a new pond at the Banga Rest House are expected to recharge about 267 cubic metres of water into the ground. He added that more than 22 villages had also been provided temporary outlets from distributaries, increasing canal irrigation coverage to 6,053.42 acres in Banga. c m y b NHM employees and Aam Aadmi Clinic staff during a protest in Kapurthala on Wednesday. employees, this strike will continue and this struggle will be intensified. On the occasion, District Programme Manager Dr Sukhwinder Kaur, Dr Sumit Kapahi, CHO Sukhpreet Kaur, Dr Yogesh Sachdeva, Paramvir Jhamat, Dr Pankaj, Kapurthala mayoral poll hearing deferred Phagwara, August 26 The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday issued a notice of motion in the petition challenging the controversial election of the Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor of the Kapurthala Municipal Corporation and fixed October 13 as the next date of hearing. The hearing had been keenly awaited by both sides, with expectations that the court might provide further clarity on the disputed election held on July 8. However, the matter was adjourned, leaving both petitioners and respondents to await till the next hearing. The case was filed by Kapurthala MLA Rana Gurjit Singh along with other Congress councillors, who have challenged the election of the three office-bearers. The petition raises serious questions over the manner in which the election process was conducted and seeks quashing of the election. The proceedings have assumed significance following the High Court’s earlier order restraining the newly elected Mayor, Senior Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayor from exercising their powers. The court had also directed the Kapurthala DC to take over the administrative functioning of the MC. — OC Dr Gaurav, Dr Silveri among others, were present. Employees said the government has not yet given any positive response to their legitimate demands. The state government has given time for a meeting with the main spokespersons of the union on September 2, they added. The employees reiterated their key demands, including equal work, equal pay; gratuity payment, etc. They said if their demands aren’t accepted, then the government will have to pay the price during the upcoming Assembly elections. Six injured as Canter hits two vehicles A damaged car in the Phagwara accident. Phagwara, August26 Six persons were injured when an uncontrolled Canter collided with two vehicles near Phagwara Sugar Mill on Wednesday. The injured were shifted to the Civil Hospital, Phagwara. The accident occurred when a Canter travelling from the Jalandhar side suddenly went out of control and crossed over to the opposite side of the road. It collided head-on with two vehicles coming from the opposite direction, leav- ing six occupants of the two vehicles injured. The drivers of the affected vehicles said they were residents of Nawanshahr and were travelling to Jalandhar to collect household goods. When they reached near the sugar mill, the Canter suddenly entered their side of the road, resulting in the collision. A team of the Road Safety Force and the police shifted the injured persons to the Civil Hospital, Phagwara. — OC