22042025-JTR-01.qxd 4/21/2025 10:42 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune VILLAGERS BLOCK ROAD OVER ‘POLICE INACTION’ TWILIGHT STAR KRISTEN STEWART MARRIES DYLAN MEYER CELEBS UNDERLINE THE NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE WAYS People protested against the violation of the DC's orders to fix time for vehicles carrying sand and gravel. P2 This development comes over three years after Stewart confirmed her engagement to Meyer. P4 On World Earth Day, they talk about what can be done to save the planet from pollution and plastic. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 37°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 37°C | MIN 22°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.00 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:50 AM » TUESDAY | 22 APRIL 2025 | JALANDHAR ‘Drug peddler’ dies in encounter, two accomplices held Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 21 A ‘drug smuggler’ died in an encounter with the Shahkot police in Jalandhar yesterday. Identified as Gurpreet, alias Gopi, the smuggler, a resident of village Kutbewal in Shahkot, was injured in an encounter with the police on Sunday and succumbed to his injuries last night. The encounter happened during the Jalandhar Rural Police’s chase to nab three smugglers who had a heroin consignment in their possession. The three smugglers were identified as Rohit, alias Rohi, resident of village Mandala, Lovepreet Singh, alias Labba, resident of village Kutbewal, and Gurpreet, alias Gopi, resident of Kutbewal. SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said, “The CIA staff of the rural police got information that certain gangsters were active in the Lohian area of Shahkot.” The police team intercepted the smugglers at Kutbewal village while they were riding a bike. He said, “When the police team was chasing them, Gurpreet fired a shot at ASI Mandeep Singh. The ASI saved himself by ducking.” This resulted in a cross-fir- MLA opens ~1.11 cr projects in four schools Hoshiarpur, April 21 MLA Brahm Shankar Jimpa said the government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is ensuring the proper use of students’ time in studies and sports by bringing revolutionary changes in government schools through the Punjab Shiksha Kranti, so that the children of government schools can also bring glory to the state by appearing in competitive examinations. He was addressing residents of the area on the inauguration of development works at a cost of Rs 1.11 crore in four schools in Hoshiarpur today. Jimpa inaugurated various development works in Government Senior Secondary School, Chauhal, and Government Elementary School, Chauhal, which include work of two classrooms, two sheds, one security guard room, one medical room, four walls and interlock tiles. He also inaugurated classrooms built at a cost of Rs 34 lakh in Government Middle School, Basi Jana, and Government Elementary School, Basi Jana. MLA Jimpa said along with providing modern education in schools, the government is also making special efforts to connect students with sports, so that students can achieve achievements in sports as well. He said to improve the infrastructure in these schools, the construction of new classrooms, boundary walls of schools, repair works as well as a science laboratory are being set up. The main objective of the government is to make the children skilled and skill training is also being given in schools. — OC Allottees meet new JIT chief, seek refund Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 21 Allottees of three residential schemes under the Jalandhar Improvement Trust (JIT) met the newly appointed JIT Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara and Executive Officer Rajesh Chaudhary on Monday and urged immediate action on long-pending refund amounting to Rs 55 crore. They raised concerns over the non-compliance with court orders and the years long delay in payments ordered by various consumer dispute redressal commissions. The pending dues pertain to three JIT housing schemes — Indra Puram Master Gurbanta Singh Enclave (2006), Bibi Bhani Complex (2010), and Surya Enclave Extension (2011, relaunched in 2016) — which have collectively drawn JIT allottees meet Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, JIT Chairperson, regarding the non-payment of their pending dues of Rs 54 crore in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH hundreds of consumer complaints over the years. Many allottees, especially senior citizens, say they have been left in financial hardships due to the unresolved refunds. ML Sehgal, a retired SDO and allottee under the Surya Enclave Extension Scheme, recounted his years-long efforts to recover his invest- ment. “This endless struggle has been exhausting. Neither the previous government, nor the present administration has taken steps to resolve this mess. Our demands are simple: Release our dues and compensate us for the mental agony we’ve endured,” he said. Sehgal added that they were hopeful the new leadership would escalate the matter with senior government officials and ensure timely disbursement of the refunds. Chairperson Rajwinder Kaur Thiara acknowledged the meeting and said while the allottees had come to offer their congratulations and the matter of delayed refunds was also discussed. “Their issues were brought to our attention and I have assured them that steps will be taken soon to resolve the matter,” she said. Remand of grenade Biker dies in mishap, wife injured case accused extended Our Correspondent The motorcycle that was used by drug smuggler. ing between the police and gangsters in which Gopi was injured, while two others have been arrested. The police said Gopi was taken to the Civil Hospital, Lohian, but later succumbed to his injuries. The SSP said the police have recovered 100 gm heroin, .30 bore pistol, three rounds and a motorbike from their possession and an empty shell was also recovered. He also said the trio were hardened criminals and had various previous cases registered against them. The police said Gurpreet had six, Lovepreet had three and Rohit had four cases against him. Jalandhar, April 21 Having remained in police custody for a week, the key accused in the grenade attack case in the house of BJP leader Manoranjan Kalia Saidul Amin has been remanded again for eight more days. The police will have to produce him in the local court next Monday. Sleuths from the (NIA), Intelligence Bureau and Punjab Police have been interrogating him in custody. He is being probed for his links with gangsters and other youths. Hailing from Amroha district of UP Saidul’s close aide , Imran too is being brought to Jalandhar. The police are also planning to bring Abhijot, who had sent Rs 3,500 via UPI from Kurukshetra, to coaccused Harry in Jalandhar on production remand. Meanwhile, Army man Sepoy Sukhcharan Singh, who had been training some youths in handling and hurling of grenades on Instagram, too is being probed by the Central agencies. Military Intelligence teams are also learnt to have been quizzing him. His police remand too has been extended by three days. — TNS Talwara, April 21 A motorcyclist died on the spot in a collision with a car on Monday in village Nangal Bihalan on the HajipurDasuya road. The motorcyclist’s wife was seriously injured in the accident. Motorcyclist Balkar Singh of village Jakhrawal was going to village Nangal Bihalan on his motorcycle with his wife. When Balkar reached near the government school of the village, a car coming from Hajipur collided with his motorcycle. In this accident, Balkar The car and motorcycle damaged in the accident near Hajipur Singh and his wife fell on the road and hedied on the spot. The wife of the deceased, who was seriously injured in the accident, was admitted to the government hospital of Dasuya. The police reached the spot and took the body and the car in their custody and started further action. Asst Town Planner, architect Punjab Police win title four times on trot caught taking ~50,000 bribe ALL-INDIA POLICE GAMES Tribune News Service Our Correspondent PHAGWARA, APRIL 21 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing campaign against corruption in the state, on Monday apprehended Raj Kumar, Assistant Town Planner (ATP), MC, Phagwara, and Rajesh Kumar, an architect for accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused have been arrested on a complaint lodged by a resident of Phagwara. He further added that the complainant had approached the VB and alleged that the architect had demanded a bribe of Rs 1,50,000 for getting approval of the map plan for his house from the Town Planner but the deal was struck at Rs 50,000. The spokesperson said after a preliminary verifica- The arrested accused in Vigilance custody in Phagwara. tion of this complaint, a VB team from the Jalandhar range laid a trap during which the architect and ATP were arrested, receiving the bribe of Rs 50,000 in the presence of two official witnesses. A case under the Preven- tion of Corruption Act has been registered against both accused at VB police station, Jalandhar range. They would be produced before the court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said. Youth murdered over ~20 Hoshiarpur, April 21 A dispute over just Rs 20 in the street vendor market took a bloody turn when one party allegedly murdered a 25-yearold youth. Due to this, the street vendor market remained closed on Monday and everyone along with the victim’s family staged a sit-in outside the market gate. Giving information at the local Civil Hospital, the deceased youth’s brother Rakesh Kumar said his brother Sanjeet had a contract for cleaning and watchman duty in the vegetable market in return he had collected Rs 20 per day as wages from the street vendor shopkeepers. He said a few days ago, there was an argument and a petty quarrel with a party working in the market over Rs 20, after which on Sunday around 11 pm, the accused party attacked his brother Sanjit with knives and other deadly weapons, leaving him seriously injured. He was taken to various hospitals in Hoshiarpur, but seeing his condition critical, he was referred to DMC Ludhiana but he died during treatment late last night. In a statement given to the police, Rakesh Kumar said three persons were involved in the murder. Model Town Police Station SHO Gursahib Singh said on the basis of the complaint, the police have booked Sonu, Pritam and Santokh and arrested Sonu. He said raids are being conducted to arrest the absconding accused in the case. — OC c m y b Jalandhar, April 21 The Punjab Police hockey team has emerged as the champion of the 73rd All India Police Games, securing the title for the fourth consecutive year. The tournament, hosted by the All-India Police Control Board in Odisha, saw participation from 26 state police and paramilitary teams, with Punjab Police displaying unmatched dominance throughout the competition. On their return to Jalandhar on Monday, the victorious team received a warm welcome and was honoured by ADGP MF Farooqui at the PAP headquarters. IG Rajpal Singh Sandhu and PAP Sports Secretary DCP Naresh Kumar Dogra were also present for the felicitation ceremony. The Punjab Police remained undefeated through the tournament, securing a 7-0 win over Kar- Schools under Diocese closed today Jalandhar, April 21 The Diocese of Jalandhar on Monday condoled the demise of Pope Francis, remembering him for spending his life in the service of humanity. All schools falling under the Diocese will be closed tomorrow as a mark of respect. Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese, Bishop Agnelo Gracias issued a statement that read, “Pope Francis will be remembered, especially for his initiatives in favour of the poor and maginalised.” — TNS Former Indian hockey team captain Manpreet Singh, now Punjab Police team captain, along with team members shows the gold medal to ADGP MF Farooqui. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH nataka Police in the quarterfinals, followed by a 7-2 triumph against the ITBP in the semi-finals where Hardeep Singh was named man of the match. In a closely contested final, the Punjab Police overcame the CRPF with a 2-1 scoreline. Goals by Hardeep Singh and Pawandeep Singh sealed the victory, with Dilpreet Singh earning the man of the match title and Manpreet Singh declared player of the tournament. Shamsher Singh was recognized as the youngest player. The squad includes Olympians and seasoned players such as DSP Manpreet Singh, Dilpreet Singh, Akashdeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Dharamveer Singh and Shamsher Singh, along with Saurav Sharma, Hardeep Singh, Varinder Singh, Davinder Singh, Balwinder Singh, Navpreet Singh, Pawandeep Singh, Jagmeet Singh, Karanbir Singh, Sarbjit Singh, Kanwaljit Singh and manager Suchha Singh. Dr Gumtala honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award Jalandhar, April 21 Octogenarian Punjabi writer and columnist Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala was conferred with Lifetime Achievements Award by Punjabi Kalamnavees Pattarkar Manch in Phagwara for his outstanding contribution to Punjabi language and literature. According to manch president Gurmit Singh Palahi, the award carried a trophy, a cita- tion and a shawl. It was presented to Dr Gumtala by the function presidium comprising senior journalists and columnists Satnam Singh Manak, Prof Jaswant Singh Gandam, Dr Sukhdev Singh, Gian Singh and Gurmit Palahi. Dr Gumtala, now settled in the USA, has written and edited 14 books and over 300 articles published in various Punjabi newspapers of Punjab and abroad. He has won various awards in the US, Pakistan and India for his stellar contribution to Punjabi. An open discussion was held on the burning issues confronting Punjab and the country. In their keynote addresses, social scientist Dr Sukhdev Singh and senior journalist Satnam Singh Manak called the Punjab crisis an expansion of agri-crisis. — TNS