04092023-JTR-01.qxd 9/4/2023 12:28 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune NO TEAM FROM FLOOD-HIT VILLAGES OF LOHIAN ZENDAYA THANKS FANS & FRIENDS ON HER BIRTHDAY RAFTAAR, BADSHAH TAKE A CRYPTIC DIG AT YO YO No training held due to inundated school grounds and homes of players in flood-hit villages in Lohian block .P2 American actor and singer Zendaya uploaded an old snapshot of herself on Instagram to mark her birthday. P3 A video from the grand finale has surfaced online and fans claim that the dig was Yo Yo Honey Singh. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 36°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET MONDAY 6:42 PM » SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:01 AM MONDAY | 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF MAN BOOKED FOR CONFINING WOMAN Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked a person on the charge of confining a woman. Investigating officer (IO) and Malsian police postin-charge Gurnam Singh said the suspect had been identified as Santokh Singh, a resident of Pati Shahla Nagar, Malsian village. In her complaint to the police, Baljit Kaur, a resident of Sadik Pur village, said the suspect confined her inside the boundary wall of her farmhouse at Pati Shala Nagar, Malsian village. The IO said a case under Section 342 (wrongful confinement) of the IPC had been registered against the suspect. OC 4 RURAL TELEPHONE EXCHANGES CLOSED Phagwara: The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) has decided to close all rural telephone exchanges serving only less than 20 telephone connections. Sub-Division Officer (SDO), Telephones, Jaswinderpal said here today that merely 650 landline telephones are operational in Phagwara city at present. He said that four out of a total of 13 rural telephone exchanges have been closed permanently which include the telephone exchange at village Ranipur, Rampur Sunrra, Wahid and Panchhat. The SDO said that the remaining nine telephone exchanges would also be closed by March 31 next year. He said that due to largescale theft of copper wires, the BSNL is working to replace landline service with fibre service in this era of modern technology in which landline connection could work with Wi-Fi. OC 4 armed robbers strike at chemist shop, attack owner Rob him of ~1 lakh; efforts on to arrest suspects, say cops Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 3 Armed miscreants attacked a chemist shop and robbed its owner of around ~1 lakh on the Basti Peer Daad Road here last night. The shop owner, identified as Vicky, suffered injuries in the attack. The incident, which shocked the business community here, took place around 9:15 pm here. The unidentified robbers targeted GS Medicos situated near the canal culvert on the Basti Peer Daad Road. Vicky was closing his shop when a group of armed persons attacked him. The suspects fled the spot after looting cash, estimated to be close to Rs 1 lakh, from the shop owner. Vicky was rushed to a hospital, where he shared the ordeal. He recounted how four robbers, riding two motorcycles and concealing their identities, ambushed him while he was closing the shop. The suspects, who were carrying sharp weapons, Victim's kin, who also suffered injuries in the attack, shopkeepers and AAP MLA Sheetal Angural hold a protest demanding the arrest of the suspects in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO robbed him of ~1 lakh. The police scrutinised the footage of CCTV cameras installed at a dairy adjacent to the chemist shop. The CCTV footage revealed one of the robbers wearing a red turban and a face mask. Local shopkeepers and area leader Pradeep Khullar raised concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in the area. Khullar raised questions over the effectiveness of the police administration in the region. Neighbouring shopkeepers held a protest on the road late last night, demanding the arrest of the suspects. They alleged that despite repeated attempts, the SHO of the Basti Bawa Khel police station failed to reach the spot. MLA (West) Sheetal Angural reached the spot last night and reassured the shopkeepers of appropriate action against the perpetrators. He also called police officers to the spot and assured timely action in the case. Police officials from Basti Bawa Khel said they had registered a case against the suspects and were making efforts to identity them. The police said they were scrutinising the footage of CCTV cameras to gather vital leads. They assured the shopkeepers that those involved in the robbery would be arrested soon. Punjabi Assn writes to US Secy of State over hate crime against Sikhs Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 3 The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Sunday raised concerns about the growing fear and insecurity faced by the Sikh community in North America in wake of increasing hate crimes. The organisation said recent events had raised alarming questions about the safety and well-being of Sikh Americans, who have long been an integral part of the fabric of the USA. In a letter sent to Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), said that in recent years, the Sikh community has faced numerous challenges, including hate crimes, discrimination and bias-motivated incidents. NAPA believes that it is essential to address these issues promptly and comprehen- sively to ensure the safety and security of Sikh Americans and all minority communities. Chahal further said that the Sikh community is renowned for its values of peace, inclusivity and service to humanity. Sikhs have made significant contributions to the economic, cultural and social development of North America and they continue to be proud citizens who cherish the ideals of freedom and equality upon which this nation was founded. However, the recent surge in hate crimes against Sikh individuals and institutions is deeply troubling. Sikhs have been mistaken for individuals of other ethnicity, largely due to their distinct appearance, including turbans and beards, which are religious articles of faith. This misconception has led to tragic consequences, including violence and harassment, he said. Chahal stated that NAPA firmly believes that diversity is one of the strengths of the United States and every individual should be able to practice their faith and live without fear of persecution or discrimination. “We call upon all Americans to stand in solidarity with the Sikh community and all minority groups, fostering an environment of tolerance, respect and understanding,” he said. Chahal urged the US Secretary of State to adopt all measures needed for the safety and security of the Sikh community. The letter stated that the North American Punjabi Association remains committed to promoting the welfare and security of the Sikh community and all minority communities across North America. Together, an environment of acceptance, respect and unity for all could be created. Testing times Three drug peddlers land in police dragnet Our Correspondent Phagwara, September 3 The Nakodar Sadar police have arrested two drug peddlers on the charge of selling heroin. The suspects have been identified as Jagroop Singh, a resident of Bhikhi Wind town in Tarn Taran, and his brother Gurjant Singh. Nakodar Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukh Pal Singh said the police recovered 50 grams of heroin from their possession. The DSP said a case under Sections 21(B), 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act and Sections 379 (theft) and 411(dishonestly receiving stolen property) of the IPC had been registered against the suspects. The police impounded a car, bearing registration number DL- 06CS-8616, in which they were travelling with the contraband which was stolen by Gurjant Singh from Lawrence Road, Amritsar. The DSP said during interrogation, Gurjant told the police that he was going to sell 30 grams of heroin and a car to Gurpal, alias Pala, of Nurmahal, and 20 grams of heroin to Gurmukh Singh, alias Gora, a resident of Gan- na Pind village. His elder brother Harchand Singh gave him heroin to sell it further. They both have been nominated in this case. The DSP said the Nurmahal police also arrested a notorious drug peddler, Gurpal Ram, alias Pala (58), a resident of Mohalla Rangahrra, Nurmahal, with 5 grams of heroin and 300 intoxicant tablets. A large number of police constables come out of an examination centre after appearing for B1 exam for promotion, at the LPU near Jalandhar on Sunday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH City-based club honours Bhinder 3 vehicles collide near Goraya, catch fire for Paris-Brest-Paris cycling feat No casualties reported; pick-up vehicle, truck & car involved in pile-up Five nabbed for theft at house Tribune News Service Phagwara, September 3 The Nakodar city police have arrested five persons on the charge of stealing cash jewellery and other items from a house. Station House Officer (SHO) Satpal Sidhu said the suspects had been identified as Labh Singh Laichi of Jalandhar, Jatinder Singh, alias Viki, of Lohian Khas, Hajara Singh, Sukhdev Singh, and Manjit Singh, alias Ladda, residents of Jalandhar. In her complaint to the police, Dajit Kaur, a resident of Pandori Khas village, said the suspects, who were in Nihang’s attire and carrying sharp weapons, barged into her house late in the evening of August 1. They stole ~13,000 in cash, gold earrings, four bags of wheat and a goat from her house. The SHO said a case under Sections 454 (lurking house trespass), 380 (theft in dwelling house), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 and 149 (rioting) of the IPC had been registered against the suspects. The police recovered ~10,000, sharp weapons and a four-wheeler, bearing registration MH-04AW-9543, used in the crime from their possession. The suspects were produced in a court, which remanded them to one-day police custody. Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Jalandhar, September 3 Hawk Riders Jalandhar, a city-based cycling club in collaboration with DCJ Bikers Club, Doaba College, organised a welcome ceremony to honour and celebrate the achievement of Amarpreet Singh Bhinder, who successfully completed the gruelling Paris-BrestParis (PBP) cycling event. Bhinder, a dedicated cyclist from the city, participated in the cycling event held in Paris recently, which is one of the most challenging long-distance cycling events globally, covering a staggering 1,200 kilometers. “Amarpreet’s journey was marked by unwavering dedication, grit and sheer perseverance as he conquered the demanding terrain and unpredictable weather conditions to reach the finish line. His completion of the PBP event not only stands as a testament to his endurance but also reflects the spirit of excellence that Hawk Riders Jalandhar represents,” said Rohit Sharma, spokesperson for Hawk Riders. He said that Bhinder’s Cyclist Amarpreet Singh Bhinder. TRIBUNE PHOTO successful completion of the Paris-Brest-Paris cycling event was not just a personal victory but a source of immense pride for our cycling community. “We hope his journey will inspire many more to take up the sport and challenge themselves to achieve greatness,” he added. Bhinder, who was moved by the warm reception and support he received, shared his thoughts with the crowd. “This journey has been incredibly challenging, both physically and mentally, but it has also been profoundly rewarding. I am deeply grateful to my coach and inspiration Sunil without whose guidance I would never have accomplished this target,” he said. Phagwara, September 3 There was a panic among people when they heard a loud sound and saw three vehicles burning near Goraya on the National Highway here this morning. Phillaur Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Amanpaul Singh, who reached the site, said a pick-up vehicle carrying 12 oil drums was parked due to a technical snag on the highway just near the bus stand. A 16-tyre truck loaded with tiles heading for Phagwara rammed into it and its tyres also got burst. A car carrying four cops also rammed into the truck. All three vehicles were badly damaged in the flames that broke out after the mishap. Eyewitnesses said there were flames and smoke all around in the morning hours. However, no casualty was reported in the mishap. The cops sustained minor injuries, said SDM Amanpal Singh. Three fire tenders from Phagwara were pressed into service and it took two hours to contain the flames. Meanwhile, traffic on the National Highway was diverted via service roads. Interestingly, it has been learnt that though two fire c m y b Clockwise from top: Firefighters douse flames; damaged truck and a pick-up van; and the vehicles up in flames near Goraya on the National Highway on Sunday. tenders were provided by the government to the Phillaur Nagar Council last year, both vehicles have become waste material due to non-availability of drivers and the political tug-of-war among the Congress and AAP in Phillaur.