12022025-JTR-01.qxd 2/11/2025 10:41 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ADMN LAUNCHES FUTURE TYCOONS PROJECT IN CITY 611 TB DEATHS OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, CASES ON THE RISE ARATI KADAV'S MRS STRIKES A CHORD WITH AUDIENCE Future Tycoons, launched to encourage entrepreneurship, is being promoted through awareness activities. P2 The number of TB cases in Jalandhar has seen a sharp increase, from 4,509 cases in 2020 to 5,265 cases in 2024. P3 With her latest movie, the engineerturned-filmmaker has exposed deeply rooted patriarchal value system. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 23°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.12 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:11 AM » WEDNESDAY | 12 FEBRUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF TWO 'DRUG PEDDLERS' HELD Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested two 'drug peddlers' on the charge of selling heroin. Ten gram heroin was seized from the possession of the accused Prince and Rajdeep, alias Raja, of Kotla Suraj Mal village. A case under the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused. OC 2 BOOKED FOR SNATCHING CASH Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked two miscreants for snatching cash and a smart phone from a woman. The accused have been identified as Titu and Lovi of Nagal Ambian village. Sandeep Kaur of Dhandhowal village complained to the police that the accused snatched Rs 10,000 and a smart phone from her. A case has been registered against the accused. OC Only electric crematorium in city defunct for 3 years Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 11 Set up in Covid times under a special grant, the only electric crematorium in the city in the Guru Nanakpura area has not been working for the past three years. Residents said it was in proper condition when it was set up. It is learnt that while the locals were not in favour of its use because it did not conform to their deep-rooted cultural and religious beliefs, families of about three NRIs had used it for the last rites. “It was set up in 2021 but it has not been used since 2022. No one from the area opted for its use and hence it is lying defunct”, said Dolly Saini, ex-councillor of the area. Environmentalists in the city are of the opinion that such a facility which helps take care of pollution issues should not be allowed to go unused and must be maintained. “If people are not using it, the authorities need to create awareness on the issue and get people to use it. Agree that there are emotions, grief and custom issues that take over at such turbulent times but a change has to be started at some point. It is high time that we move on to greener solutions and incineration of bodies can be one major step”, said Gurmeet Singh, an activist. Superintending Engineer (B&R) Rajnish Dogra said the electric crematorium had been installed under a special grant but we do hear that it has not found acceptance with the people. Former Mayor Jagdish Raja said the installation had taken place during his tenure but he was not aware of its status. Former BJP minister and ex-MLA of the area Manoranjan Kalia said, “The electric funeral machine was installed at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh. A committee too had been set up to handle it but it had not worked. I have been told that the committee had not even paid the electricity dues to PSPCL and hence it could not be used for the last three years. Had it been in proper working condition, I am sure that some people would have certainly opted for it”. JCT Fila directors booked for not paying salaries, PF Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, February 11 Following a complaint by the Enforcement Officer of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), the Sadar police have registered a case against the directors of JCT for not paying salaries and provident fund to the employees of JCT Limited Filament Division. Sukhwant Singh, Enforcement Officer of the Regional Office of Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation, Jalandhar, wrote a letter on April 4 last year and complained in this regard. On the basis of the complaint, the Sadar police have registered a case against GCT Limited Filament Division’s Chairman, Managing Director and Director under Section 409 and 418 of the IPC. The investigating officer in the case, Sub-inspector Somnath, said that in the said letter, the officials have been accused of making the employees work but not paying their salaries and PF. Further probe is on in the matter. Co-op society ex-secy booked for embezzlement Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, February 11 Hajipur police have registered a case against a former secretary of Sahakari Savane Society for alleged embezzlement of Rs 27 lakh 58 thousand 413. As per the information received, the Assistant Registrar has lodged a complaint with the police. He said that former secretary Balveer Singh, a resident of village Jakharwal, has allegedly embezzled the amount from the society’s fund. Police have initiated further action after registering a case. Shobha Yatra marks Guru Ravidas’ birth anniv Tribune News Service WOMAN BOOKED FOR LIQUOR SALE Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked a woman on the charge of selling illicit liquor. Ten bottles of hooch were recovered from the house of the accused Jaswinder Kaur, alias Pinki, of Meanyewal Moulvian village. A case has been registered against the accused. OC THREE ARRESTED FOR SNATCHING Phagwara: The police have arrested three 'snatchers' and recovered a stolen bike from their possession on Monday night. Phagwara SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti said here that the accused were identified as Amit Arora, Bhupinder Singh and Vikram Verma, all residents of Jalandhar. The arrested accused have confessed to their involvements in different snatching cases. oc MAN RUN OVER BY TRAIN Phagwara: An unidentified man lost his life after being hit by Shatabdi Express near Chaheru on Monday night. The deceased was crossing the railway lines. GRP in-charge Gurbez Singh stated that the deceased appeared to be around 50-year-old and was clean-shaven. His body has been kept at the Civil Hospital mortuary for 72 hours for identification purposes. oc DRUG OVERDOSE KILLS YOUTH Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked a Shahkot villager on the charge of killing a youth by giving him drug overdose. The accused has been identified as Vija of Sadikpur village. Mukhtiar Singh, alias Kalu, of the same village complained to the police that the accused administrated a drug overdose to his brother Jagtar Singh in Mehatpur, which killed him on Sunday. OC THEFT ACCUSED PO ARRESTED Phagwara: The police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) absconding for the last few days. The accused has been identified as Mandeep Singh, alias Manni, of Aalowal village. The accused is wanted in a case of theft and house trespass registered in March 2021 and was declared PO on February 3, 2025. OC Two arrested by the police with 310 gram of heroin. Man, wife arrested with 310 gm heroin Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 11 The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has arrested a man and a woman with 310 gram of heroin, officials said on Tuesday. The operation was led by Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma. According to the police, the arrests took place during a routine checking at a naka on the Jandiala-Phagwara road. Officers noticed the suspicious movement of a man and a woman and stopped them for questioning. A search of their belongings led to the recovery of 310 gram of heroin. The suspects have been identified as Bulla and Harpreet Kaur, alias Preety, wife of Bulla. Both are residents of village Lakhanpal in Sadar, Jalandhar. An FIR has been registered against them under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Sadar, Jalandhar. The police said further investigation in the case was underway, with teams probing its links, including their possible involvement in other drug smuggling cases. “We are also investigating their supply chain — where they procured the drugs from and to whom they intended to sell them”, said officials, adding that more details would be shared as the case progressed. “We have intensified efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region and urged the public to report any suspicious activity”, they further added. Jalandhar, February 11 The city came alive on Tuesday as hundreds of devotees took part in Shobha Yatra, marking the 648th birth anniversary of Sri Guru Ravidas. The procession, which began at Guru Ravidas Dham in Bootan Mandi, passed through key locations, including Nakodar Chowk, Valmiki Chowk, Mahavir Marg, BMC Chowk, Mahiran Gate and Ram Chowk, before concluding in a massive gathering of followers. The Shobha Yatra featured beautifully decorated palanquins and intricate tableaux showcasing significant events from Guru Ravidas’ life and teachings. As the procession moved through the city, devotees paid their respects, chanted hymns, and participated in religious ceremonies. Langar stalls lined the route, offering free meals to all, reinforcing the saint’s message of unity and equality. The event drew participation from political leaders, social groups and religious organisations. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal, along with senior AAP leaders Deepak Bali, Rajwinder Kaur Thiara and Pawan Kumar Tinu, joined devotees in the yatra. Additional Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh also took part, visiting various tableaux and addressing gatherings. DC Aggarwal expressed his honour in participating, calling it a Devotees participate in Shobha Yatra to celebrate the birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas in Jalandhar on Tuesday. PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH. deeply spiritual experience. The BJP was also marked its presence, with former minister and state BJP president Manoranjan Kalia leading a delegation that included leaders Manoj Aggarwal, Rajat Mohindru, Baljeet Singh and Manjit Singh Mita. Former MP Sushil Rinku not only walked in the procession but also showered flowers along the route in a show of reverence. Earlier, he visited Satguru Ravidas Dham in Bootan Mandi, offering prayers and extending his best wishes to the public. “Guru Ravidas ji’s teachings of love, equality, and social justice remain timeless. It is our duty to uphold them in today’s society,” Rinku said. The celebrations also saw active participation from educational institutions and social organisations. The St Soldier Group of Institutions organised prayers, readings of Guru Ravidas teachings and devotional singing, followed by a langar where sweet rice was served. Meanwhile, the Ex-Employees Parivar Welfare Association set up a large stage on Nakodar Road, using the occasion to highlight key demands, including an increase in old-age and widow pensions, clearance of SC community job backlogs and the construction of an underpass at the Ram Nagar/Gandhi Nagar railway crossing. In anticipation of the large crowds, the police authorities implemented extensive traffic arrangements, with diversions on Nakodar Road and additional police personnel deployed at key intersections to ensure smooth movement and security. The celebrations will continue at Guru Ravidas Dham on Wednesday, as devotees gather for prayers and further commemorations of the revered saint’s legacy. Superfast ‘Razia’& tallest ‘Rafi’ attraction at PAP Villagers accuse cops of Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 11 Superfast and very particular! ‘Razia’, a 22-year-old mare, is participating at the national-level tent pegging championship that is going to be held at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex, Jalandhar, from February 15. When Razia, an indigenous breed, galloped in from afar, she caught everyone’s attention because of her speed and strength at this age. “She is probably the oldest horse to be participating at the championship,” DIG Inderbir Singh told The Tribune. According to expert riders at the PAP a horse can , participate up to 18 years of age, but the participation above 20 years is rare. “Eh beginner nu baithan nai dindi’ (She is very particular because she doesn’t let an inexperienced rider sit on her), “ Inspector Youngbir Singh said. Youngbir first inaction, hold protest met Razia in 2010 when she was just five. He said while other horses let beginners sit on them and they keep on walking, but Razia is different. “She knows that you are a beginner and she can sense the fear and anxiety of the rider,” he said. “I won seven medals, including gold and silver, with Razia. Our association remained for six years and she still has the same energy that she had then,” he told The Tribune. CASTEIST SLURS Rafi stands tall among all Meet ‘Rafi’, standing tall at 68-inch height, the tallest among all. This five-year old has been brought from Jaipur. As many as 26 horses worth Rs 75 lakh have been brought by the PAP and Rafi is the costliest one. Rafi’s height and built is an attraction for everyone. Other five-year-olds are ‘ Kavita’ and ‘Naughty boy’. Now, the horses are being ‘Rafi’ with DIG Inderbir Singh in the PAP complex, Jalandhar. trained. As the DIG was feeding Rafi jaggery and then massaging him with love, he said, “It takes one or two years for a horse to get trained. Apart from this, we keep a check on their diet, massage, their overall health c m y b TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH and wellbeing.” There are other 3-year-old horses as well and right now deworming of these horses are being done. DSP Ram Pal, one of the experienced horse riders (has an experience of 35 years) at the PAP , said it was great to welcome the new horses. “One must be responsible to know how to coordinate with the horse, and with love, affection and care, the bond can be developed with this intelligent animal,” he said. Phagwara, February 11 Residents of village Baghana staged a protest today at the village Dharamshala against the Rawalpindi police, accusing them of inaction under political pressure in a casteist slur case. The protesters raised slogans against the government and Phagwara police, demanding justice in the case. Speaking during the protest, former Sarpanch Desraj Mehta, Amarjeet Pabbi, Nirmala Devi, Ram Lubhaya Panch, Sachin Kumar Panch, Amarjeet Kumar, Raman Deep Mehta, Ram Lal, Kishan Singh Fauji and Raman Kumar alleged that the police were acting unfairly. They pointed out that while the police registered a case against a councillor and journalist without proper investigation based on a woman’s complaint, they have been delaying action on another complaint filed by the sitting village sarpanch. Sarpanch Balwinder Kumar Baghana stated that on February 2, he had lodged a complaint against Gurpreet Singh Cheema of Baghana for using casteist slurs and abusing him. He claimed to have evidence to support his complaint, which he had submitted to the police and SP Phagwara. However, , he alleged that no FIR had been registered against the accused so far, who continues to issue threats. The villagers warned that if immediate action was not taken against the accused, they would escalate the matter by involving Dalit organisations and gherao police officials. SHO, Rawalpindi police station, Ashok Kumar, stated that the DSP Phagwara, was , investigating the complaint filed by the sarpanch.— OC