23052024-JTR-01.qxd 5/23/2024 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune EXCISE OFFICIALS SEIZE STILLS; DESTROY LAHAN DANIEL LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW HARRY POTTERADAPTATION ACTOR MATTHEW PERRY’S DEATH BEING INVESTIGATED The Excise Department conducted a massive joint search operation with Dasuya police on Wednesday. P2 Actor Daniel Radcliffe expressed his anticipation for upcoming Harry Potter series being developed at Max. P4 When the authorities arrived at his Los Angeles home, they found the actor unconscious in a hot tub. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 45°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 45°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7:14 PM » SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:24 AM THURSDAY | 23 MAY 2024 | JALANDHAR Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have booked a motorcyclist on the charge of rash driving and causing hurt by an act endangering life. Investigating officer (IO) Avtar Singh said the suspect had been identified as Baljit Singh, a resident of Chak Bundala village. Sarabjit Singh, a resident of the same village, told the police that while he was going to Nerby village on his motorcycle on May 11, the suspect came from the Lohian side on his Bullet and hit his motorcycle. He suffered serious injuries in the mishap. A case under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the IPC has been registered against the suspect. OC TWO HELD WITH ILLICIT LIQUOR Phagwara: The police have arrested two persons on the charge of selling illicit liquor. Shahkot investigating officer Sulinder Singh said the suspect had been identified as Shambu, a resident of Mohalla Bagh Wala, Shahkot. As many as 15 bottles of hooch were recovered from his possession. A case under the Punjab Excise Act has been registered against the suspect. In another case, the Nurmahal police arrested Kulwant Singh, a resident of Nahal village, with 11 bottles of hooch. OC TWO BOOKED ON ASSAULT CHARGE Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have booked two persons on the charge of assaulting a woman. Investigating officer (IO) Jagjit Singh said the suspects had been identified as Davinder, alias Toni, and Daljit Singh residents of Mithrra village. Kulwinder Kaur, a resident of the same village, told the police that while she was going to her house with her husband on May 17, the suspects waylaid them. The duo attacked them and also threatened them. The IO said a case under Sections 323, 341 and 506 of the IPC has been registered against the suspects. No arrest had been made so far. OC MAN NABBED WITH 750 GM GANJA Homeless after demolition drive, Latifpura residents to boycott poll Say continue to live in tents, no leader cared to find a solution to their problems Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 22 With the city engulfed in election fever, there is a poignant silence in Latifpura, a once thriving neighbourhood in the posh Model Town area. Here, echoes of political promises are conspicuously absent. No candidate has ventured into this area to seek votes. Latifpura, devastated by a massive demolition drive in December 2022, now stands as a haunting reminder of forgotten citizens. The residents, displaced by the state’s action, have declared a boycott of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. They say their protest is a cry for help that has gone unanswered for nearly a year and a half. Living under makeshift tents in the blistering heat, they feel abandoned by every political party and leader. In December 2022, around 50 permanent homes were razed, leaving families to fend for themselves. While some managed to find rented accommodations nearby and attempted to rebuild their lives, about 18 to 20 families, whose homes and livelihoods were obliterated, continue to live in tents. They hold onto a fragile hope that one day the government will remember them. Latifpura, which consists of nearly 150 to 200 voters, has collectively decided to abstain from voting. Their resolve stems from their deep-seated belief that no political figure or party has addressed their suffering. “Opposition parties flocked to us when our houses were demolished, posing for pictures and promising to ensure justice. But it seems like it was all just a publicity Clockwise from top: Tents set up in Latifpura area; and Kulwant Kaur and Baljinder Kaur narrate their ordeals in Jalandhar. 25 PEOPLE SHARE 2 PORTABLE TOILETS ❝ The situation deteriorates daily, with essential supplies getting scarce. Twentyfive people share two portable toilets, and they bathe in a nearby gurdwara. The land where our houses once stood has wild grass and debris, creating health hazards. 50 HOMES WERE RAZED IN 2022 In December 2022, around 50 permanent homes were razed, leaving families to fend for themselves. While some managed to find rented accommodations nearby and attempted to rebuild their lives, about 18 to 20 families, whose homes and livelihoods were obliterated, continue to live in tents. They hold onto a fragile hope that one day the government will remember them. ❞ Baljinder Kaur, A WIDOW stunt,” the residents said. Baljinder Kaur, a 42-yearold widow who lost her fivemarla home, said: “Animals in zoos and shelter homes have better lives than us. I challenge government officials and political leaders to spend even one day here in these tents in this extreme heat. Maybe then they might have some mercy on us and think of rehabilitating us.” She said the situation deteriorates daily, with essential sup- plies getting scarce. “Twentyfive people share two portable toilets, and they bathe in a nearby gurdwara. The land where our houses once stood has become overgrown with wild grass and debris, creating severe health hazards,” she said. Gurdyal Singh, 65, who has lived his entire life in Latifpura, now spends his twilight years under a tent. “We are Punjabis who have lived here all our lives. But the government treats us like enemies Beating the heat Jalandhar, May 22 A few days before the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has transferred Jalandhar Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma to non-election duties. An official press release from the Punjab Government confirmed the transfer, with a spokesperson for the office of the Chief Electoral Officer announcing the reassignment. According to sources, the directives came as a surprise, given the absence of any complaints against CP Sharma reported by district election officers. They speculate that a political party may have directly filed a complaint with the ECI, leading to the issuance of these orders. Moreover, they say neither the administration nor the Punjab Police had prior infor- Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 22 In view of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jalandhar to address a rally at PAP Ground on May 24, the Jalandhar Police Commissionerate has announced traffic diversions for heavy and commercial vehicles. These diversions will remain in effect from 3 pm to 7 pm for security reasons. Vehicles coming from Amritsar towards Ludhiana would be diverted from Subhanpur-Kapurthala-Kala Sangian-Noor MehalPhillaur and vehicles coming from Ludhiana side towards 2024 Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service A rickshaw-puller quenches his thirst on a hot summer afternoon in Jalandhar. SARABJIT SINGH Tara acquitted Candidates turn to Pentecostal churches Jalandhar, May 22 With just eight days left for campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections, candidates of all political parties are making every attempt to pull in votes. Having toured to other religious places, including temples, gurdwaras, mosques, catholic churches and deras, the next stop of the candidates is Pentecostal churches, which have been proliferating in Jalandhar. Since a majority of the followers of these churches are from the Dalit community and weaker sections, the candidates are trying their best to woo them. BJP candidate Sushil Rinku is known to be close to Pastor Ankur Narula, who runs one of the biggest churches in the region at Khambra village. Narula prayed for him in front of the gathering as Rinku praised the Pastor for not converting the masses into Christianity and just aligning them with Jesus Christ for their healing. Pastor Ankur Narula is himself a khatri Hindu. Rinku also congratulated the church functionaries over the multiplying number of followers each year. Likewise, Congress candidate Charanjit S Channi today visited Tajpur to pay obeisance at the church run by Pastor Bajinder Singh and seek his support mation about this development, especially with the elections just a week away Swapan Sharma and a scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Jalandhar on Friday. Rahul appointed Jalandhar Police Commissioner Jalandhar: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has appointed Rahul S, a 2008-batch IPS officer and currently posted as the DIGcum-Director Vigilance Bureau, Punjab, SAS Nagar, as the Jalandhar Police Commissioner. An official press release of the Punjab Government confirmed this development stating that a letter has been sent to the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, by the ECI in this regard. — TNS Ahead of PM’s visit, police announce traffic diversions INDIA VOTES UAPA CASE Jalandhar, May 22 The court of Additional Sessions Judge Dharminder Paul Singla today acquitted Jagtar Singh Tara, a convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, in a case of Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and Arms Act at the Goraya Police Station. The case dates back to 2012 and Tara appeared before the court via videoconferencing. He was represented in the court by his lawyer KS Hundal. Tara was the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force and is already undergoing life imprisonment. Hence, acquittal in the present UAPA case does not imply his release. — TNS are frustrated with the state government’s indifference. “We have endured the harsh winter and now face the scorching summer. Our children spend nights in temporary shelters, they have discontinued their studies and their dreams stand shattered along with our homes. The demolition not only took away our homes but also crushed our dreams of a dignified life, leaving us stranded on the streets,” they rued. Tribune News Service To remain in effect from 3 pm to 7 pm Amritsar will be diverted through PhagwaraMehtiana-Hoshiarpur-TandaBegowal-Nadala-Subhanpur. Vehicles coming from Ludhiana towards Himachal Pradesh/Pathankot will be diverted through PhagwaraMehtiana-Hoshiarpur-Tanda. The SSP, Kapurthala, SSP, Jalandhar Rural, and SSP, Hoshiarpur, have been appointed as incharge for the PM’s event. They would ensure smooth flow of traffic during the VVIP visit. Want jobs for our sons, say women at Cong rallies Phagwara: The police arrested a drug peddler and recovered 750 grams of ganja from his possession on Tuesday night. Superintendent of Police Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said the suspect had been identified as Debbarma, a resident of Tripura and presently residing in a PG accommodation near Law Gate, Miherru. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the suspect. OC Ex-CM’s assassin from a neighbouring country,” he laments. Kulwant Kaur, also a resident, recounts her anguish of getting her daughter married in a tent. “Living in these conditions, I realised it was not safe for my young daughter. I had to arrange her marriage in Bhogpur with just a few relatives and the groom’s family. It was humiliating to marry her off without a proper roof over our heads,” she said. Latifpura residents say they Police chief transferred to non-election duties for the upcoming elections. Bajinder is a Haryanvi Jatt and has a huge following. His church is at loggerheads with that of Narula over differences of opinion on several matters. AAP candidate Pawan Tinu too recently visited Bishop House along with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to urge the priests for their support for the state government. Pentecostal churches have been functioning just like deras of other religions and caste groups in Punjab. They, however, are luring the crowd by showing divine healing powers, which remains a controversial subject. — TNS c m y b Jalandhar, May 22 Voters gathered in large numbers during the election campaign by the Congress party today in various villages of Shahkot. This correspondent spoke to women who were present in large numbers in rallies and found that most of them wanted jobs for their sons. Mandeep Kaur, a woman from Baghela village, said that her son Sandeep had completed graduation, but he was still unemployed. “He does nothing, but sells cosmetics. He has a cart. A youngster who has completed his graduation is selling cosmetics, does it seem normal to you,” she asked. “I want to ask the parties what they are doing to provide jobs to our sons and daughters who are educated,” she said. Another woman corroborated Mandeep Kaur’s statement and said that there was a dearth of jobs which was becoming a huge problem. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH BIKER HURT IN ROAD MISHAP TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH INBRIEF Balkaur Singh, father of slain singer Sidhu Moosewala, campaigns for Congress candidate Charanjit S Channi in Shahkot on Wednesday. Women also rued that they were not getting benefits under various schemes which was disheartening. “Leaders make promises and never fulfill them. Is this why they come to us? There is no respect. This time we will not vote just by getting impressed with fake promises. Kamm karange te vote paa deyange, nai te chaddo,” said an enraged voter. Interestingly, some Anganwadi workers and mid-day meal workers were also present at Baghela village where Channi gave a speech. They had come to ‘praise’ Channi. The ex-CM also addressed the Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers. “These workers are also here, because they know what the Channi government had done for them,” he said. I stood like rock for farmers, faced Centre’s heat: Channi Jalandhar: Congress candidate and former Chief Minister Charanjit S Channi said despite facing the heat from the Centre over the farmers’ protest, he stood like a rock for them. Two days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Channi already seemed to be on the defensive. “Though I had to face an inquiry from the Centre on the PM cavalcade stoppage case of 2022 at Ferozepur, I did not let the farmers face any lathicharge or firing by security forces. I withstood all pressure and strict instructions for getting the farmers evicted during the PM’s protest. I followed the amicable path. Even after he had left, there had been a lot of pressure on me to get an FIR lodged against the farmers, but I chose to stand against any such move,” Channi said. He said the Centre had done nothing for Punjab, specifically for Jalandhar. Putting some posers for him, Channi said: “The PM is coming to Jalandhar on May 24 and he must tell as to which big industrial unit he brought in Punjab. He should also tell why his is trying to hit the farming community. He must also tell why he has not got Adampur airport named after Guru Ravidass. Why has no AIIMS like facility been granted for Jalandhar?” Channi also lashed out at Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann saying every time he visits city, the employee unionists are detained or put under house arrest. “Why is the CM scared of his own employees? This is anarchy. I want to assure the government employees that whenever the Congress will come to power, we will get them regularised. We will also restore the old pension scheme for the benefit of the employees.” — TNS
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