22082025-JTR-01.qxd 8/21/2025 11:28 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MC’S ANTI-POLYBAG CAMPAIGN NETS ~32,000 IN FINE PUNJAB OUT, HARYANA & ODISHA TO VIE FOR HOCKEY NAT’L FINAL IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, PAPA IS HERE: ARYAN KHAN The Phagwara MC intensifies its ongoing campaign against the use of banned plastic carry bags. P2 The 15th Hockey India championship has reached its final stage, with Odisha & Haryana set to clash for the title. P3 Shah Rukh Khan’s son feels ‘very nervous’ during The Ba***ds of Bollywood event. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.03 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:57 AM » FRIDAY | 22 AUGUST 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF Sandeep Rishi, who will take charge as Jalandhar MC Commissioner on Friday. BJP leaders detained for over 4 hours from outreach camps Sampla tears into AAP govt over leaders’ detention Bhandari, Rinku, Makkar among detainees |Workers stage dharna Tribune News Service Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service MAN HELD WITH STOLEN BIKE Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a miscreant with a stolen motorcycle. The accused has been identified as Jaspreet Singh, a resident of Beetalan village. A stolen motorcycle has been recovered from his possession, and a case has been registered against him. OC MAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have arrested a villager on charge of selling illicit liquor. Twenty bottles of illicit liquor were recovered from the house of the accused, identified as Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Nihaluwal village. A case has been registered under the Punjab Excise Act. OC MAN BOOKED FOR STEALING RODS Phagwara: The Bilga police have booked a person on the charge of stealing iron rods from an under-construction bridge on the Sutlej. Sarwan Kumar of MKC company at Poadarra village complained to the police that a person stole two quintals of iron rods meant for use in a bridge on the Sutlej. OC 8 BOOKED FOR SNATCHING, LOOT Jalandhar, August 21 Prominent BJP leaders of Jalandhar, including former MP Sushil Rinku and former MLAs KD Bhandari and Sarabjit Makkar, were detained by the police for over four hours from the venues of outreach camps that were organised by the party on Thursday. This led to furore among party workers who slammed the Aam Aadmi Party government for its alleged highhandedness in stopping the saffron party’s ongoing mega outreach programme ‘BJP De Sewadar, Aa Gaye Ne Tuhade Dwar’. They staged a dharna outside the office of Jalandhar Rural Police headquarters, demanding immediate release of the leaders. AAP yesterday issued orders to stop the ongoing camps as the government claimed that private operators were being allowed to take data of villagers from these camps. But the BJP leaders alleged that government was feeling insecure after the villagers were welcoming the party with open arms and getting enrolled under 18 Central schemes in large numbers. Ex-MLA KD Bhandari and Shahkot leader Rana Hardeep Singh were detained from Shahkot around 11 am while they were presiding over a camp being organised at the Roopewal village grain market. The gunman of the Bhandari intervened to ensure safety of the leader but the police team dragged both of them to their police vehicle. “There already were about 125 women waiting to get onthe-spot registration with us to take Centre schemes, including Ayushman health insurance scheme, PM Kisan Samaan Niti, etc. About 18 Central schemes were being offered at the camps for the past four months. They also lifted computers from the camp and brought them to the police station. They snatched our phones, kept us on the move for about an hour after which they confined us at Bilga police station till 4:15 pm”, said Bhandari. At Guru Ravidas Temple in Khurdpur village of Adampur, ex-MP Sushil Rinku was attending to visitors when a police team landed around 12 noon. He too was detained with two other BJP workers till 3:15 pm. “The villagers were welcoming our camps. They even organised langar for our teams. AAP leaders perhaps could not tolerate how we were making inroads into the rural belt and hence started using all such means and tactics to stall our campaign. But we shall not dither. Our camps will continue”, he said. In Punjab, about 90 camps are being organised on a daily basis for the past nearly four months. Garhshankarbased leader Nimisha Mehta was detained in her own office as she was set to leave Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked eight members of a gang. The accused were residents of Mehatpur and of Aadramann village. Ajay Chauhan of Mehatpur complained to the police that the accused snatched Rs 9,000 from him, barged into his house, molested women and indulged in loot. oc 2 ARRESTED FOR SELLING PISTOLS Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested two miscreants on the charge of selling illicit country-made pistols. The accused has been identified as Vishal of Mohalla Sonia near Bhagat Singh Chowk furniture bazar, Kartarpur, and a 16-yearold youth of Samipur village. They brought firearms from MP and sold these in Punjab and were coming to Nakodar for the supply of pistols. oc DEED WRITER HELD FOR FRAUD Phagwara: The police have arrested a Nakodar deed writer for cheating. Ashwani Kumar of Khurampur village had complained to the police that Ranjit Singh Ranna of Kular village cheated him of Rs 5 lakh on the pretext of installing a solar system. oc for a camp that was to be organised at Basiala village. “The camp was to be held at a private venue. But the police did not let us open the gates. I was still contacting the senior police officials for intervention from my own office, when DSP Jaspreet Singh came over and told me that I was under house arrest. For five hours, I was confined in my own office. We shall continue with our camps from tomorrow”, she said. BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill termed the move AAP government’s “undeclared emergency”. The state government cannot stop the Punjabis from taking benefit of the Centre’s schemes, he said. “It is a blatant display of murder of democracy, federalism and misuse of power”, he wrote on his ‘X’ account. UNDECLARED EMERGENCY: SHERGILL ■ BJP leaders are holding outreach camps under the party's flagship campaign 'BJP de Sewadar Aa Gaye Ne Tuhade Dwaar'. ■ The campaign, which has been running for the past nearly four months, aims to spread awareness about the Central government welfare schemes in rural areas, claim BJP leaders. ■ BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill termed the move AAP government's "undeclared emergency". the government. He said instead of supporting the Centre’s schemes to empower the people and youth, the government had misused the police force to stop them. This act not only deprived people of information on schemes, but also exposed anti-development mentality of the government, he said. Sampla said it exposed the panic of the AAP government, and proved that the government has failed to deliver for the welfare of people. He said BJP would not be swayed by this and party workers would ensure welfare schemes reach every household. Asked about Congress MLA Pargat Singh terming BJP the B team of the Aam Admi Party in the state, Sampla said, “He has nothing else to do so he may say anything. He is just making statements without reaching out to any people on ground. If the Congress government had implemented the schemes during its tenure, he wouldn’t have to make such statements.” ~2 cr released for flood-hit in Kapurthala: Minister Tribune News Sevice 1 HELD FOR SELLING ILLICIT LIQUOR Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested a person for selling illicit country-made liquor. Asmany as 15 bottles of hooch were recovered from the possession of the accused identified as Jasveer Singh, a resident of Sarihn village. A case has been registered against the accused. oc BJP ex-MP Sushil Rinku; and (below) ex-MLA KD Bhandari detained by the police in Jalandhar. Jalandhar, August 21 The arrest of several BJP leaders, while holding awareness camps regarding welfare schemes of the Centre today, drew condemnation from the senior BJP leadership in Jalandhar. The BJP termed it anti-people and dictatorial action of the Bhagwant Maan-led Aam Aadmi Party government. BJP former Union Minister Vijay Sampla said the government stopped the campaign to deprive poor and needy of getting information about the welfare schemes of the Centre. BJP national executive member and former minister Manoranjan Kalia also lashed out at the government, saying detaining BJP leaders in Punjab was a cowardly act. Among the key leaders detained in Jalandhar this morning included former MP Sushil Rinku, who was taken to Adampur police station, while former MLA and CPS KD Bhandari was taken to the Bilga police station. Until later afternoon, BJP leader Sarabjit Singh Makkar was also detained. BJP leaders Sushil Sharma, Ashok Sareen Hikki and Rakesh Kapoor were among them. Makkar and mandal president Kuldip Manak had been released by the police. Holding a press conference this afternoon, BJP leader Vijay Sampla alleged that the campaign to create awareness about various schemes and help the needy to register was deliberately halted by Women bikers return after 6-day ride to border areas on Thursday. 7 women bikers spread anti-drug awareness Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 21 DC Himanshu Aggarwal on Thursday welcomed back allwomen biker group ‘Panj-Aab Riders’ after the completion of their adventurous “Ride for Peace,” an initiative launched to mark Independence Day and spread the message of patriotism, peace, and a drugfree society. The seven-member team, led by founder Ambika Sonia, had been flagged off from the DC’s residence on August 12. Their journey spanned Attari, Hussainiwala, Fazilka, Sriganganagar, Bikaner, Pokhran, Jaisalmer and Longewala where they carried the Tricolour to honour India’s brave soldiers and spread awareness against drug abuse under Punjab’s Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign. The other six women in the contingent were Manmeet Gupta, Ruchi Vij, Ankita Manvani, Jyoti Tiwari, Bhupinder Kaur and Dr Ruchi Gaur Singh. On their return, the riders shared highlights of their tour with Dr Aggarwal, who praised their grit and determination. “The courage displayed by these women riders reflects both patriotism and empowerment. By hoisting the Tricolour at historic locations, they have sent a powerful message of unity, peace, and resilience against drug menace,” he said. The DC further said, “When women lead such missions, the message of social awareness becomes stronger and more inspiring,” he added. Founder Ambika Sonia said the ride was dedicated to the soldiers guarding India’s borders and to building a safe, drug-free Punjab. Chandigarh/Kapurthala, Aug 21 Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian today announced that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government has issued orders for special girdawari to compensate farmers for crop damage and other losses caused by rising water levels in rivers. During his visit to the floodaffected villages of Baupur Jadid and Sangra in Sultanpur Lodhi, where he met the affected families, Hardeep Singh Mundian said the government has initiated the compensation process. He said DCs have been instructed to complete the special girdawari as soon as water levels recede and submit their reports promptly, so that compensation can be provided to the affected people. He further said Rs 2 crore Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian travels by boat to assess flood situation in Sultanpur Lodhi. has been released for relief operations in Kapurthala district to ensure that distribution of ration, drinking water, medicines and livestock healthcare services. Responding to a query, the minister said under flood prevention measures, a special campaign will be launched across Punjab to further strengthen dhussi and advanced bundhs. He reached the affected people by boat and listened to their difficulties. Based on public demand, he also asked to deploy additional State Two booked for raping girl Phagwara, August 21 The Nurmahal police have booked two persons on the charges of raping a girl, giving her intoxicants, and making video of the crime and making it viral on social media. Nakodar DSP Sukhpal Singh said the accused have been identified as Prabhjit Singh of Taj City colony, Nakodar, and Inderjit Singh, a resident of Kanganniwal c m y b village, under Sadar Jalandhar police station. The victim complained to the police that the accused had given her some intoxicants and raped her and made videos. They repeatedly raped her by threatening to make her videos viral on social media and posted these on social media. DSP said a case under Sections 64(2) (rape), 61(2)(crimi- nal conspiracy), 351(2(criminal intimidation) of the BNS and Sections 67 and 67(a) of the Information Technology Act has been registered against the accused, and raids are being conducted to nab them. The Punjab State Women’s Commission had issued a notice to the SSP Jalandhar , (rural), in this regard and directed to take action against the accused. — OC Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams to ensure relief operations face no obstacles. He distributed dry rations, medicines and drinking water to the affected people. He instructed administrative officers to ensure continuous fogging in the areas. Besides this, department teams should conduct regular health check-ups while raising awareness among people about skin diseases and waterborne disease prevention. Stressing special attention to livestock healthcare, Mundian ordered veterinary doctors to visit affected villages to examine livestock. Mundian assured them that the government stands with them in the difficult time and will provide all possible assistance. Earlier, during a meeting with administrative officers, he obtained information about water release from dams and river flow conditions. Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, Chairman of Kapurthala Municipal Improvement Trust and AAP constituency in-charge Sajjan Singh Cheema, SSP Gaurav Toora and officers from other departments were also present on this occasion. 2 held with 256 gm heroin Phagwara, August 21 The CIA staff in Kapurthala have arrested two alleged drug traffickers and seized 256 gram of heroin from their possession. The accused had come from Tarn Taran to supply the contraband in Kapurthala. The operation was carried out near village Lakhhan Kalan. Inspector Jarnail Singh, in charge of the CIA unit, was patrolling the area with his team when they noticed a car (PB-46-S-0752) approaching at a high speed. On spotting the police, occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee, but were quickly intercepted and taken into custody. The suspects were later identified as Arshdeep Singh and Manpreet Singh, both residents of Khadoor Sahib in Tarn Taran district. A thorough search of the car led to the recovery of heroin.— OC