07092023-JTR-01.qxd 9/7/2023 12:51 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune INDIA’S G20 PRESIDENCY: AKASHVANI HOLDS TRILINGUAL KAVI DARBAR WASHINGTON ALMOST WALKED AWAY FROM THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN PITCH AFTER WINNING ~1 CR, JASKARAN FAILS TO ANSWER ~7 CR QUESTION Akashvani Jalandhar organised a trilingual kavi darbar on its premises here on Wednesday. P2 Hollywood star Denzel Washington almost rejected action film The Magnificent Seven. P3 Jaskaran, who became the first crorepati on the Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 15, could not win ~7 crore. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 36°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.44 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:07 AM THURSDAY | 7 SEPTEMBER 2023 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF BIKE STOLEN FROM DERA Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked an unidentified person on the charge of stealing a motorcycle. Robin Singh, a resident of Mein Wal Molviyan village, complained to the police that he had parked his motorcycle (bearing registration No. PB-67-D-4401739) outside a dera at his village on August 17 from where it was stolen. Investigating officer Balkar Singh said a case under Section 379 (theft) of the IPC was registered against unidentified persons in this connection. OC MAN BOOKED FOR DESTROYING CROPS Nakodar: The Nakodar Sadar police have booked a villager on the charge of destroying a woman farmer’s standing crops and threatening her family. Uggi police post-incharge Pardeep Kumar said the suspect had been identified as Charanjit Singh. A resident of Uggi village complained to the police that the suspect forcibly ploughed his mother’s standing crops on August 3 with an intention to encroach her land and threatened their family with dire consequences. The police said a case under Sections 447 (criminal trespass), 427 (mischief) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC had been registered against the suspect. OC Emotions run high as Jashanbir’s mortal remains consigned to flames BROTHERS’ SUICIDE Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 6 The air rent by piercing wails as the last rites of Jashanbir Singh, the younger of the Dhillon siblings, were performed here today. His kin had earlier been reluctant to perform his last rites until three cops who were involved in harassing the siblings arrested and dismissed. The decision to finally hold Jashanbir’s cremation was taken after SHO Navdeep Singh’s dismissal. Jashanbir’s body was found on September 2. Jatinder Pal Singh (70) had not told his 90-year-old-ailing father for over a fortnight that his grandsons were missing. The emotions ran high as relatives and family members bade a tearful adieu to Jashanbir today. Jatinder Pal said the last words his younger son spoke to him were, “I love you Papa,” while he stood at the Jatinder Pal Singh (black turban) during last rites of his son Jashanbir Dhillon in Jalandhar. MALKIAT SINGH Goindwal bridge on the Beas river on August 17, where his elder brother Manavjit met him after his release from police custody that day. If it wasn’t for cousin Manavdeep Singh Uppal’s testimony that the duo had jumped off the bridge and subsequent complaint to the Talwandi Chaudhrian police regarding the same, the fate of the Dhillon brothers might have remained a mystery. In the past 20 days the fam- ily — father Jatinder Pal Singh, Manavdeep Singh Uppal and friend Advocate Sarabjit Singh — fiercely pursued for justice for the duo. It was through their relentless efforts that the brothers’ plight finally received enough attention for the issue to be taken up by politicial parties. After Opposition leaders started frequently visiting the aggrieved family, the police intensified investigations and action. Cousins and friends like Man- Our Correspondent The cops who were awarded DGP Commendation Disc, in Jalandhar on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO 6 cops get DGP Commendation Disc Tribune News Service Ekta Kapoor case: HC adjourns hearing to February 2024 Phagwara, September 6 The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday adjourned the hearing to February 15, 2024, on a petition filed by film and television serial producer Ekta Kapoor in connection with a case registered against her and others by the Nakodar police in 2013. The case was listed before a Bench headed by Justice Rajbir Sehrawat who adjourned the hearing to February 15, 2024. Producer Ekta Kapoor, her mother Shobha Kapoor and four members of her team involved in the production of the serial Pavitra Rishta, and the Zee TV owner had been booked by the police for hurting the religious sentiments of Valmiki community. The case was lodged after Rauni Gill, president of Bharatiya Valmiki Sarav Dharam Samaj and a resident of Shankar, complained to the police that the August 5, 2013, episode of the serial had made derogatory and objectionable references towards Maharishi Valmiki which hurt the religious sentiments of the community. The case was registered on August 16, 2013, and the petition was filed in 2014. The court had directed the state not to take coercive steps against the petitioners. — TNS Jalandhar, September 6 In a series of measures to check stubble burning in the upcoming kharif season, the district administration has appointed 189 nodal officers and 54 cluster co-ordinators in Jalandhar district to control the menace. Varinder Pal Singh Bajwa, Additional Deputy Commissioner (RD), while presiding over a meeting of the district environment committee, said the administration had appointed 243 officers to prevent stubble burning incidents. He said that these officers had to share daily action taken reports through a mobile application called the ATR (Action Taken Report) developed by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) after physical verification of the stubble burning incidents. He said that the PRSC would send them latitude and longitude of the location where stubble was burnt. Bajwa said that the PPCB had already identified stubble burning hotspots and shared their details with departments concerned. He said as per details, officers need to focus on Shahkot, Phillaur and Nakodar villages. He said that the SDMs of sub-divisions concerned would closely monitor the functioning of nodal officers and cluster coordinators. Further, the ADC also asked officials of the Agriculture Department and the PPCB to form joint teams to ensure that all brick kilns mandatorily used 20 per cent paddy stubble as fuel. Moreover, he told the municipal corporation and councils to ensure that treated water was used for sprinkling and irrigation purposes. He also reviewed the functioning of the solid waste management plant, including door-to-door garbage collection and segregation, and other activities. Prominent amongst those present on the occasion include Joint Municipal Commissioner Puneet Sharma, Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Jaswant Rai, PPCB Executive Engineer Sandeep Kumar and others. — TNS Anti-encroachment drive launched in Phagwara PROCLAIMED OFFENDER HELD Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have arrested a travel agent, a proclaimed offender (PO), who had been absconding for the last four years. SHO Yadwinder Singh said the suspect had been identified as Varinder Kherra, a resident of Lohian Khas, who is presently living in Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The SHO said a case under Sections 406 (breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the IPC and the Immigration Act was registered against the suspect in 2016 and he was declared a PO in 2019. OC avdeep Singh Uppal and Sarabjit Singh, who stood by the family like in its pursuit of justice, did their bit by writing to everyone, right from the CM to DGP , Chief Justice and the Human Rights Commission. Notably, Manavjit worked as manager for a pharma company and had returned from England some years ago. The Dhillon brothers were running charitable institutions and a horticulture farm of the family at Goind- wal. They were also overseeing the construction of a mall — named after them — at Goindwal. The family of the victims said they were known for charity and social work and also stood up for their friends. The cremation of Jashanbir saw the presence of senior leaders and cops. Kapurthala SSP Rajpal Singh, Sultanpur Lodhi DSP Babbandeep Singh and Talwandi Chaudhrian police station SHO Jaspal Singh attended his last rites, among others. Congress’s Rajinder Beri, BJP’s Sarabjit Singh Makkar and SAD leaders were also present on the occasion. Jalandhar range DIG Swapan Sharma called on the siblings’ father Jatinder Pal at his residence today. Notably, BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhpal Khaira, and activist Mandeep Singh Manna had called on the family in August and September to extend their support. 243officialstokeeptabon stubble burning in district Jalandhar, September 6 Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Victor Masih, currently serving as the Fatehpur (Pratapura) chowki incharge, has been bestowed with the DGP Commendation Disc award. The honour was presented by Commissioner of Police Kuldeep Chahal and Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan for Masih’s efforts in rescuing over 200 young individuals from the clutches of drug addiction. This is the third time that Masih has received the DGP Commendation Disc underlining his consistent efforts in combating drugrelated issues. His active role in apprehending smugglers and facilitating the admission of youngsters to rehabilitation centres was appreciated by Chahal. Notably, he was previously honoured by the state government during the Independence Day celebrations for his contributions to society. What sets ASI Victor Masih apart from other policemen is his compassionate approach towards those addicted to drugs. Rather than simply invoking the NDPS Act for punitive measures, he has consistently laid stress on addicts’ well-being by ensuring their access to treatment at de-addiction centres in the district. As a result of his efforts, a significant number of individuals upon their recovery have been able to secure jobs and get a fresh start in their life. Other policemen, who have received the DGP Commendation Disc, include ASI Bachittar Singh, ASI Kashmir Singh and constables Jasbir Singh, Sukhwant Singh and Munish Kumar. They also received appreciation from the police chief for their commitment and efforts in curbing the drug menace in their respective areas and arresting notorious smugglers. While honouring policemen, Chahal underscored the importance of a compassionate and proactive approach in tackling addiction issues within communities and motivated other policemen to follow in footsteps of dedicated officials. Phagwara, September 6 The Phagwara Municipal Corporation (MC) has launched a campaign against encroachments in the city. Talking to media here today, Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal said shopkeepers and hawkers should not keep their goods outside the prescribed limits in markets. He advised vendors to sell their goods while moving and not stand at one place as rehris (hand-drawn carts) were meant for doing busi- Staff of the MC makes vendors aware of violations in Phagwara. ness on wheels. He clarified that “teh bazari” teams would check encroachments at Sarai Road, Baazar Bansanwala, Gaushala Bazaar and Har- gobind Nagar. He said “teh bazari” could be charged only for one time violation. Panchal said the removal of encroachments would reduce inconvenience faced by pedestrians and customers while moving around in markets for shopping. Panchal appealed to presidents of market associations to cooperate with the administration so that no trader kept goods outside his shop. Panchal further said that the antiencroachment drive would continue in future and necessary action would be taken against violators as per rules. 6 peddlers held, 280-gm heroin seized 2 held with drug, intoxicant tablets Tribune News Service Phagwara, September 6 The Satnampura police arrested two drug peddlers and recovered 11 grams of heroin and 255 intoxicant tablets from them last night. SP Gurpreet Singh said the arrested suspects were identified as Bhupinder Kumar of Hardasspur village near Phagwara and Shekher Hans of Jalandhar. The SP said both suspects were nabbed at two different check-points. The police recovered 120 intoxicant tablets and 8 gm of heroin from Bhupinder while 135 intoxicant tablets and 3 gm of heroin were recovered from Shekher. Both were booked under the NDPS Act. — OC Jalandhar, September 6 The police have arrested six smugglers in two separate cases and recovered 280 gm of heroin from their possession. Those arrested have been identified as Rajesh Kumar, Harjinder Kumar, Anuj Kumar, Yogesh Chahal, Inderjeet and Shivam, all residents of Jalandhar. As per police, the suspects were arrested at different check-points and nakas that were laid as part of a special drive launched against drug smuggling. Rajesh was arrested near Santoshi Nagar Y-point and Harjinder and Six suspects in custody of the Jalandhar police. TRIBUNE PHOTO Anuj were arrested from Nangalshama Chowk. In another case, Inderjeet, Yogesh and Shivam were arrested from New Dashmesh Nagar. The police said the suspects were habitual offenders. “The suspects have been booked under Sections 21 and 22 of the NDPS Act. They are being interrogated to find their role in smuggling cases reported recently. Besides, they are being questioned about their suppliers and customers,” the police said. KMSC seeks ~50,000 per acre compensation for crop loss Jalandhar, September 6 The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) during its meeting held at Raiwal village today demanded Rs 50,000 per acre crop loss for the flood-hit farmers. Farmers termed the present Rs 6,800 compensation given by the government as inappropriate. During the meeting, the farmers discussed various issues like flood-relief package for North India, 200 days continuous MNREGA for labourers, guaranteed MSP law and cancellation of cases registered during the Delhi Kisan Andolan among other serious issues. The meeting was led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee state president, Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra. Addressing the farmers, Sabhra said North India had been affected by severe floods. He said the Chief Minister should have done more. Rather than coming earnestly to the help of flood victims, the Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee at a meeting in a village of Jalandhar district on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO c m y b exact opposite was being done. Sabhra said the Punjab Government had announced a compensation of Rs 6,800 for crop damages which was like rubbing salt on the wounds of farmers. He said during the meeting on August 18 with the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and BKU Azad, the Chief Minister had promised Rs 15,000 per acre crop compensation. He said the government should immediately release a flood relief package of Rs 50,000 crore for North India. The other demands raised at the meeting were — cancellation of cases registered against farmers during the Delhi agitation, Rs 50,000 per acre be given for crop damage, Rs 1 lakh for the farmers whose livestock had died, Rs 5 lakh for the farmer whose house had been destroyed. Sabhra demanded that the mining rights should be given to farmers in whose fields soil had accumulated, installation of chip meters should be stopped and settlers should be given permanent ownership rights. State leader Salwinder Singh Janian, district president Gurmail Singh Rehrwan, district secretary Jarnail Singh Rame, district press secretary Harpreet Singh Kotli Gajran, district treasurer Jagdish Pal Singh Chak Bahmani and district vice-president Satnam Singh Raiwal, were present at the meeting. — TNS