08082024-JTR-01.qxd 8/7/2024 10:45 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune UNABLE TO PAY FEE, MEDICAL COLLEGE PUPILS DROP OUT NAWAZUDDIN ALL SET TO PLAY THE NOTORIOUS JUDGE IN NEXT FILM CELEBRITIES PRAISE WRESTLER VINESH PHOGAT’S RESILIENCE An NGO comes to the help of two poor students, arranges funds to pay their MBBS course fee. P2 Nawazuddin Siddiqui is all set to play the notorious Assamese judge Upendra Nath Rajkhowa in his next film. P4 Vinesh Phogat might have been disqualified from the Olympics, but celebrities praise her resilience, determination & spirit. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.17 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:49 AM THURSDAY | 8 AUGUST 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF MAN HELD FOR DRUG PEDDLING Phagwara: The police have arrested a ‘drug peddler’ on the charge of selling heroin. The police said 5 gram of heroin was seized from the possession of Karam Singh of Lattian Wala village, Kapurthala. A case under Sections 21 /61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused and a car used by the accused impounded. OC 4 ARRESTED FOR ATTACKING VILLAGER Phagwara: The police have arrested four Kapurthala villagers on the charge of assaulting a co-villager. The accused have been identified as Shinder Pal, alias Sodhi, Prabhjeet Singh, Pannu, alias Sahil, and Lovepreet Singh, all residents of Doda Wajir village. Navdeep Singh had complained to the police that the accused waylaid him on August 3 in front of a nursing college and attacked. OC CAR FALLS INTO DRAIN, ONE KILLED Phagwara: One person was killed and two seriously injured when a car fell into the Bhangi drain.Car driver Jagdeep Singh said they were returning to his village Hardokhanpur in his car around 1 am. When they reached near the Bhangi drain, suddenly a stray cattle came in front of the car. While trying to save it, the car went out of control and fell into the drain. Harjeet Singh died on the spot. OC 30% drop in visa applications as students ‘lose interest’ in Canada Uncertainty over work permit rules to blame PUPILS STILL HOPEFUL Students pursuing IELTS and have plans to move to Canada say that several factors, including strong social security system, comprehensive health and life coverage, quality of life and competitive wages, attracted them to move to Canada. They anticipate that once the Canadian polls are concluded and new regulations are clarified, the picture may change and the number of students aspiring to move to Canada may increase. Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 7 Students’ interest in studying in Canada has declined with immigration firms reporting a 25 to 30 per cent drop in visa applications from January to July as compared to the same period in 2023. This decrease is attributed to recent changes in the Canadian immigration regulations, which have introduced uncertainty for prospective students and their families. The new regulations from the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have restricted Spousal Open Work Permits to spouses of students enrolled in specific professional degree programmes at institutions. Additionally, the elimination of work permits for international students attending public-private partnership institutions has complicated job prospects, leaving many students uncertain about their work authorisation status. STUDY PERMITS FOR STUDENTS Delegates from Canadian colleges during a press conference in Jalandhar on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Gaurav Soni, manager of the Recruitment and Business Development at Cambrian College, Canada, addressed these concerns during a recent event with students and media at an immigration firm centre. He explained that while the previous measures such as raising the Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) requirement from $10,000 to $20,635, capping study permits at 3,60,000 for 2024 and the introduction of Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) were understandable and beneficial for both international students as well the Canadian government in the long run, the recent regulatory changes Cop attacked near Narinder Cinema, 3 held Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 7 In a shocking incident near Narinder Cinema, Munshi Satpal of Police Station 6 was attacked by three persons in a car. The incident occurred last evening as Satpal was riding his motorcycle toward Narinder Cinema. According to Satpal’s complaint, the car in front of him abruptly stopped, forcing him to swerve to avoid a collision. The car was being driven recklessly and the driver seemed intoxicated. When Satpal confronted the driver about the sudden braking and reckless driving, the situation escalated into a violent confrontation. Two men got down the car and began assaulting Satpal. They called a third accomplice to the scene and the three of them proceeded to beat him. Satpal sustained injuries and was quickly taken to the hospital for treatment. Following the attack, the police promptly registered a case against them for obstructing duty and assaulting a police official. SHO Sahil Chaudhary confirmed the arrest of three suspects Azad, Sukhwinder Singh and Vikramjit Singh. Further investigation is on. Sumit Jain, a member of the IRCC and owner of the firm, confirmed a decline in enquiries and applications due to the regulatory changes. He said he had observed a 20 to 25 per cent reduction in study visa applications from January to July 2024 as compared to the previous year. Jain emphasised that there’s a need for clearer communication and more detailed guidance from the IRCC to help students and their families navigate these changes effectively. Bhavnoor Bedi, owner of another immigration firm, said there was confusion among the aspiring students related to work permits and job market, therefore, the number of applications had gone down. He said the elimination of work permits for international students at public-private partnership institutions and the extension of spousal open work permits to spouses of students in specific professional programs at designated institutions is effective since May, however, there are no changes in work permit rules for undergraduate and postgraduate programs in public colleges or universities. “These measures actually aim to reduce student enrollments, which have decreased now, and address Canada's job market and housing crisis ahead of the upcoming elections”, he added. Students injured in school bus mishap Tribune News Service Kapurthala, August 7 Several students sustained injuries in a head-on collision between two buses at Subhanpur here today. One of the buses belonged to a private school while the other was of a private company. While children in the school bus sustained minor injuries, the conductor and a woman caretaker were admitted to a local hospital in Subhanpur for treatment. The accident happened near Boot village on Subhanpur Road. Badshahpur police post in-charge Manpreet Singh said the driver of one of the buses, Manjit Singh, had been rounded up for questioning. As per information received, the school bus (PB-08-KF2453) and a private bus (PB-08CW-0717) collided near Boot village, after which both buses crashed into roadside trees. Police said a detailed probe had been ordered into the incident. The police have also seized both the vehicles. The condition of those injured is said to be stable. A day before, a school bus rammed into trees on Raikot road near Jagraon in Ludhiana in which a child had died and five others were injured. 3 held during drive against drug peddlers YOUTH MISSING, CASE REGISTERED Phagwara: A 17-year-old youth of Sango Wal village has been missing for the last two days. The victim has been identified as Vikramjit Singh, alias Viki. He left from his house on July 5 night and did not return home. A missing report has been registered. OC regarding work permits had created significant confusion. Soni pointed out that the increased GIC amount was actually aimed at reducing financial strain on students who struggle in their initial days while managing both college and work, however, the lack of clarity regarding work permit regulations had led to widespread uncertainty. “Students, who have recently moved to Canada, are still eligible for work permits. However, the ambiguity surrounding the new regulations and their effective dates has resulted in a surge of enquiries and created a negative perception in the minds of aspiring students,” Soni said. In 2023, Canada issued 6,82,430 study permits, with Indian students receiving 2,78,335 of these. As of mid-2024, Canada has issued 2,16,620 study permits, with Indian students accounting for 91,510 as per data available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on their website The school bus that collided with a private bus in Subhanpur at Kapurthala on Wednesday. A TRIBUNE PHOTO OPERATION EAGLE-V 4 gm heroin, 305 intoxicating tablets, 27,000 ml illicit liquor seized Tribune News Service The injured at the Civil Hospital in Kapurthala. Man, daughter die in accident, 2 hurt Jalandhar, August 7 A man and his daughter died when a vehicle hit their bike near village Tashpur in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala, today. The deceased's wife and another daughter were injured. The injured were admitted to the Civil Hospital, Sultanpur Lodhi, by sewadars of MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. The doctor at the hospital declared the bike driver dead. Investigating officer Major Singh said seeing the condition of the injured, they were referred from Kapurthala Civil Hospital to the Medical College. However, a 7-year-old girl Kohinoor succumbed to injury. The injured have been identified as Jagandeep Kaur, wife of Sandeep Singh, and his second daughter Harleen. According to Mandeep Kaur, their relative, Sandeep was going to his in-laws' house on a bike with his wife Jagandeep Kaur and two daughters. When he reached near village Tashpur on Sultanpur LodhiLohia Khas road, a speeding vehicle hit him during which all of them were badly injured. The driver fled the scene after the accident. — TNS Jalandhar, August 7 As much as 4 gm of heroin, 305 intoxicating tablets, stolen mobile phones, 27,000 ml illicit liquor and 30 kg of lahan were recovered during the operation Eagle-V launched by the Jalandhar rural police against drug traffickers here today. Four FIRs were registered and three persons arrested during the operation. Launched in keeping with CM Bhagwant Mann and the DGP’s vision to eradicate drug trafficking and related crimes, the operation was carried out from 10 am to 2 pm today. It included comprehensive searches of drug hotspots. Led by DIG, Jalandhar Range, Naveen Singla and SSP of Jalandhar Rural Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, it was aimed to con- Police officers during a search operation in Phagwara on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO duct searches in areas known for drug activities. Advanced technology was used to enhance detection and seizure efforts. Khakh said the objective of Operation Eagle-V was to root out drug menace. As many as 12 police parties were deputed, 40 check- points were established and 12 hotspots were checked. The operation led to the search of 106 suspicious persons, registration of four FIRs and the arrest of three persons. Recoveries included 4 gm heroin, 305 tablets, stolen mobile phones, 27,000 ml illic- it liquor and 30 kg lahan. A contingent of 120 police personnel was deployed under the leadership of Manpreet Singh, SP special , branch; Manjit Kaur, SP PBI; , Swarnjit Singh, DSP Phillaur; , Kulwinder Singh, DSP Nako, dar; Sumit Sood, DSP , Adampur and Vijay Kanwarpal, DSP Shahkot, SHOs , and extensive support staff. The rigorous searches led to the identification and scrutiny of several suspicious individuals and activities. Vehicles were checked at prominent nakas, ensuring thorough inspections and verifications. SSP Khakh highlighted the critical role of public cooperation in the success of such operations and encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities. Hoshiarpur: During the operation, 148 persons were checked and four were arrested and cases were registered against them. During this, 300 bottles of smuggled beer and more than 500 bottles of liquor were seized by the police. Apart from this, 104 grams of heroin and 150 gram of narcotic powder were also recovered. — OC Night patrolling beefed up to check traffic violations Gang of bike thieves Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 7 In a bid to curb crime and enforce traffic regulations, the Commissionerate Police has intensified night patrolling. Initiated under the guidance of Swapan Sharma, Commissioner of Police, the operation is specially targeting violators between 7pm and 9pm every day. The drive is being spearheaded by Aditya, ADCP City2, and Aatish Bhatia, ACPTraffic. The operation focused on key points throughout the city, including Model Town, PPR Mall, Urban Estate Phase-2 and BMC Chowk. “This initiative aimed to prevent criminal activities, ensure a smooth flow of traffic and enhance road safety for all citizens. During the operation, police teams, including SHOs and traffic and emergency response squads, carried out rigorous inspections”, said Aatish Bhatia, ACP traffic. He said the drive on Tuesday resulted in the issuance of 30 traffic challans for various offences such as drink and drive, helmetless riding, triple riding, underage driving, jumping red lights and modified silencers on motorcycles. Additionally, several vehicles were impounded for lacking necessary documents. “This night patrolling underscores the Commissionerate Police’s commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety on roads”, he added. busted, 4 nabbed A policeman removes the black film from the windowpane of a car during a special drive against traffic violators in Jalandhar on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO c m y b Hoshiarpur, August 7 The police have arrested four members of a vehicle theft gang under and recovered five stolen bikes from them. DSP (R) Narinder Singh said the police had set up a special naka near Nasrala after receiving a secret information and stopped three youths passing on a bike near Mandiala and questioned them, but they could not produce any documents related to the bike. He said when the police interrogated them strictly, the accused told the police that they had stolen the bike from Adampur and had come to this area to sell it. He said the police registered a case and arrested the three accused. He said after presenting the accused in the court and taking them on remand, the police interrogated them and the accused said Surjeet Singh, alias Karan of Gignowal was also their member. Surjeet was immediately arrested. Four more stolen bikes have been recovered on the information given by the accused. The DSP said during interrogation the accused disclosed that they had stolen the bikes from the Civil Hospital, Army Canteen, SBI branch located in Bullowal as well as Sonalika Factory. — OC