05052025-JTR-01.qxd 5/4/2025 11:03 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune 22-YR MANIPUR GIRL CROWNED 'MEGA MISS NORTH EAST' MAKE PUBLIC CONSENT CENTRAL TO LIQUOR LICENSING DILJIT CONFIRMS MET GALA 2025 RED CARPET DEBUT Sarangthem Nirupama of CT Group of Institutions crowned the winner of 19th edition of Mega Miss North East. P2 Liquor vends should not be opened near residential areas, councillor be consulted before approving liquor vend locations.P3 Diljit Dosanjh has confirmed his much-anticipated attendance at the fashion industry’s biggest night. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.09 PM » SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:38 AM MONDAY | 5 MAY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF FOUR BOOKED FOR MURDER BID Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked four miscreants on the charge of attempted murder. The accused have been identified as Meshi of Sandhawal village, Joban Preet Singh of Chanann Windi village and their two accomplices. Karan of Saidpur Jhirri village complained to the police that the accused attacked him with weapons intending to murder and seriously injured him on the evening of April 28. A case under Sections 109 (attempt to murder) 115(2) 118(1) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), and 3(5) (committing a crime with common intention) of the BNS have been registered against the accused.OC DACOITY ACCUSED PO ARRESTED Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested a proclaimed offender (PO) who has been absconding for the last four years. Investigating officer Jagtar Singh said the accused has been identified as Chetan of Balachaur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. The accused is wanted in a case of dacoity and drug peddling registered in February 2021. OC BKU (D) to take part in Shambhu protest on May 6 Post Pahalgam attack, gate on Khusropur village road closed Properties worth ~2.5 cr seized in crackdown Path links Jalandhar Cantt |Residents stage protest, write to Rajnath, Army officers Tribune News Service Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 4 In the wake of the Pahalgam attack, the gate on the Khusropur village road has been closed by the Army, drawing the residents’ ire. The road leads to Jalandhar Cantt. Residents of Khusropur and other neighbouring villages today held a dharna outside the village barrier, protesting the closure of the village’s lifeline. The road leading to Jalandhar Cantonment has been closed since May 1. While the road is the village’s main link with the cantonment, residents said it was closed a few days ago in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, causing inconvenience to residents. While the village of Khusropur itself has a sizeable population of ex-servicemen, many fought the 1965 and 71 wars, they said they couldn’t even reach the military hospital in case of an emergency due to the road’s closure. The residents have also written to the GOC 11 Corps, General Officer Commanding-inChief, Western Command, and Union Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh, seeking their intervention on the issue. In the protest, apart from Khusropur, residents of Aladinpur, Bambianwal, Atar Singh Colony, Kehar Singh Colony, Sainik Vihar and other adjoining areas also joined in. Jalandhar Cantt MLA Pargat Singh also reached the spot to lend solidarity to the residents. In their letter to the GOCs and the minister, the residents stated that this is the only road which leads to the military hospital and other military establishments, required by the exservicemen. They said the entry to Jalandhar Cantt has never been blocked even in 1965 and 1971 wars and even during the Operation Blue Star. Khusropur resident, Colonel Gurdeeep Bhullar (retd.) said, “We’ve always been using this road but after the Pahalgam attack, the gate has been closed. We are left without alternatives and many children from this area go to Army Public School and Kendriya Vidyalayas which are at a walking distance. Now, we have to traverse through kucha tracks and cross 3-4 km to Sansarpur just to bring our wards back from the schools. Ex-servicemen have to go to military hospital at night – in an emergency which they are not permitting now. I’ve served the Army for Jalandhar, May 4 In an operation against the drug trade, the Commissionerate Police, Jalandhar, on Sunday seized illegal properties worth Rs 2.48 crore, allegedly acquired through proceeds from narcotics trafficking. The crackdown, conducted under the ongoing anti-drug campaign “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” targeted assets located in the Lakhanpal locality under the jurisdiction of Police Station Sadar. Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said the action was the result of credible intelligence inputs indicating that several properties in the area were built or purchased using drug money. She said under Section 68F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the police have the authority to freeze assets believed to be built from drug-related criminal activity. She added that this action reflects the police’s firm resolve to break the economic backbone of drug traffickers by targeting their illegally acquired wealth. The properties belong to several individuals with multiple FIRs registered against them under the NDPS Act. Residents of village Khusropur and other adjoining areas protest against the closure of the village’s main approach road (R) to Jalandhar Cantt . 33 years. It is perplexing - is this gate the only threat? Other similar gates at Deep Nagar and Garha are open.” Col Bhullar said the MLA Pargat Singh also took up the issue telephonically with Corps Commander, GOC, and assurance was given that the issue would be resolved soon. Among them is Hardeep, alias Deepa, who has seven FIRs registered under the NDPS Act. His assets include a 14-marla plot with an estimated market value of Rs 7,30,882 and a two-storey residential building valued at Rs 41,40,450. Another major seizure was made from Kuldeep Chand and his wife Nirmal Kaur, alias Nimo, both of whom are named in 11 FIRs under the NDPS Act. The police froze their 14-marla plot worth Rs 12,60,000, a house estimated at Rs 60,89,400, and a bank account containing Rs 14,87,623. Pardeep Kumar, with four FIRs under the NDPS Act, was found to be in possession of a 5.5-marla house valued at Rs 33,69,900. Jasvir Kaur, named in five FIRs, had her property seized — a house worth Rs 37,53,000. Similarly, Manjit Kaur, who also has five FIRs in her name, owned a 5marla house now frozen by the authorities, valued at Rs 39,87,450. The total worth of the frozen assets and accounts amounts to Rs 2,48,18,705. Kaur emphasized that this action was not an isolated event, but part of a sustained and strategic effort to dismantle the infrastructure supporting drug networks. Our Correspondent Phagwara, May 4 Members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba), led by state president Manjit Singh Rai and general secretary Satnam Singh Sahni, convened a meeting at Gurdwara Sukhchiana Sahib in Phagwara, to discuss the concerns raised by farm groups, including an incident involving the Punjab Police and ongoing payment issues with a local sugar mill. During the meeting, union leaders expressed concern over a reported police action that took place on March 19 at Shambhu and Khanauri borders, where several farmers were allegedly injured during a protest. The incident, according to the BKU (Doaba), involved members of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. One of those reportedly injured was Balwant Singh Behramke, a senior leader of the KMM. BKU (Doaba) leaders called for a transparent inquiry and legal action, specifically naming SHO Harpreet Singh of Shambhu Police Station. They urged the authorities to review the matter with sensitivity. These demands align with calls from the SKM (NP) and KMM, which have announced a peaceful protest outside Shambhu Police Station on May 6. As a mark of solidarity, BKU (Doaba) plans to send representatives from each of its local circles. The union stated that 2–3 vehicles from each circle, carrying 10–15 members, will assemble at Ladowal Toll Plaza, Ludhiana by 7 AM before proceeding together to the demonstration site. A group of 8–10 activists from Phagwara, led by Satnam Singh Sahni, is also expected to participate. The meeting also highlighted long-standing financial grievances concerning Golden Sandhar Sugar Mill in Phagwara, which farmers allege has not paid sugarcane dues. — OC Arrange tarpaulins at mandis to protect wheat crop: DC Tribune News Service Labourers shift sacks of drenched grains at the wholesale market in Jalandhar on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO SARABJIT SINGH Jalandhar, May 4 Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to protecting the crop of farmers from damage due to adverse weather, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal instructed officials to ensure proper arrangements such as tarpaulins in all district mandis to protect wheat from getting wet. He said since the weather has been inclement in recent days, preparations should be made promptly. He warned that any negligence would not be tolerated. The directions come amid a heavy spell of rain again and light showers in Jalandhar today as well. Dr Aggarwal said wheat procurement is continuing smoothly in district mandis and till yesterday, 4,89,586 metric tonnes of wheat had been procured. The DC said 4,95,326 metric tonnes of wheat had arrived in the mandis, of which 4,89,586 MT was procured. Specifically, Pungrain procured 1,59,967 MT, Markfed 1,33,969 MT, Punsup 1,09,803 MT, Punjab State Warehousing Corporation 55,863 MT, FCI 25,601 MT, and private traders 4,382 MT. Dr Aggarwal added that payments were being made promptly for the procured crop and Rs 1,152 crore has already been transferred to farmers’ bank accounts. He said in addition to 79 permanent mandis, 23 temporary ones have been set up in the district to handle the bumper wheat yield smoothly and efficiently. Officials have been instructed to ensure timely lifting of the procured crop. Garbage chokes Ladowali Road, residents slam MC’s neglect Fed up with drugs, youth reaches rehab centre for treatment Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, May 4 Amid the movement under ‘ Yudh Nasheya Virudh’, a married 20-year-old youth got himself admitted to a drug de-addiction and rehabilitation centre in Nawanshahr. The youth was a drug addict since he was a teenager. While sharing how he started, he told The Tribune that his parents were separated when he was a kid and he started feeling alone. “I was living with my father. Some of my friends got him hooked to drugs and I started finding solace in it,” he said He fell unconscious two days ago due to drug overdose and now wanted to get himself admitted to the centre as he wants to leave the addiction. He was accompa- nied by his wife. “I assured her that I won’t take it anymore. I started stealing money from my grandmother’s purse,” he further said. “I also went to my mother who is in Ludhiana and started stealing it from her as well. This makes me feel guilty, but when I feel the urge to take drugs, I cannot do anything, have no option but to steal money and get drugs,” he said. When two days ago, he fell unconscious, his family members got scared. “I am afraid for my life now. I cry all night because I want to leave, but I am unable to do so,” he cried. Chaman Singh, director of the centre, said it was the responsibility of the parents to ensure that their children are safe and they must be given emotional support. Jalandhar, May 4 Ladowali Road, a key artery in the city connecting vital government offices, educational institutions and residential colonies, is reeling under unchecked garbage dumping. A vacant plot on the stretch — once the site of a fuel station — has become a dump yard, spilling waste onto the main road and raising serious health concerns. Despite repeated complaints and tall promises by the authorities, the area remains buried under waste, affecting hundreds who use the road daily. The mess has spread beyond a vacant plot and now spills over on to the road, forcing schoolchildren, office-goers and residents to cover their faces when they cross the stretch. On either side of the road lie government schools, residential colonies, a college and the offices of the Agriculture Department, yet the c m y b garbage remains untouched. “This is not just a nuisance anymore, it’s a health hazard,” said Kanwaljeet Singh, a local trader. “The Municipal Corporation talks big about smart cities, but here garbage is lying right close to the DC and SSP offices,” he said. During monsoons, the situation worsens. Plastic bags, food waste and biomedical scraps get washed onto the road, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and stray animals. The site once meant for fuel station has become a dumping ground for waste from nearby areas, with no fencing, bins or signage to regulate disposal. Children attending schools on the stretch walk past heaps of rotting waste daily. Residents of nearby colonies complain of a constant stench and fear of disease. “The filth is right on the main road adjacent to the petrol pump,” said Ravneet Kaur, a homemaker Garbage dump at Ladowali Road in front of Polytechnic college, Jalandhar. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH from P&T Colony. She said despite multiple representations to the Jalandhar MC, no meaningful steps have been taken. Locals say that waste collection trucks visit irregularly and often leave behind more trash than they collect. “Tall promises are made during every campaign but none of them reach here,” said Raj Kumar, a retired government employee. “This road is a lifeline for hundreds, yet it has been turned into a dump.” “The lack of waste segregation, absence of penalties for illegal dumping and no clear plan for garbage clearance have worsened the crisis”, he added. “While the Municipal Corporation claims to be modernising waste management, ground reality tells another story. Until concrete action is taken, the problem won’t resolve”, said another resident, Kavita.