22102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/21/2025 11:26 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune CONFUSION OVER DATES FAILS TO DAMPEN DIWALI CELEBRATIONS PADDY PROCUREMENT CROSSES 3.64 LAKH MT IN KAPURTHALA The festival of lights, Diwali, was celebrated across Phagwara and adjoining towns with devotion and enthusiasm. P2 Mandi officials said payments amounting to ~790.04 crore had already been credited into farmers' accounts.P3 » » SHOLAY JAILER GAVE US REASONS TO LAUGH FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.48 PM Asrani, one of the industry’s most respected character artiste, passed away at the age of 84. P4 SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:36 AM » WEDNESDAY | 22 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. INBRIEF SEVEN BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked seven persons, including two women, on the charge of outraging woman's modesty. The accused have been identified as Nachhtar Singh, his wife Sarabjit Kaur, of Mallian Khurd village, his brothers Lehmbar Singh and Surjit Singh, his sister-in-law Manjit Kaur and nephews Jagga and Sarabjit Singh and Reeta of the same village. The complainant told the police that the accused barged into her house on October 14 late evening assaulted her and tore her clothes and threatened her with dire consequences. No arrests have been made, and raids are being conducted to nab the absconding accused. OC FOUR DRUG PEDDLERS HELD Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a drug peddler on charge of selling poppy husk.As much as 1.5 kg poppy husk was recovered from the possession of the accused Munnsha Singh, alias Surjit. A case under the NDPS Act have been registered against the accused. The Nakodar police arrested two drug peddlers, Gurcharanjit Singh of Billi Warraich village and Gursharan Singh of Talwandi Salem village, with 62 intoxicating tablets. The Nakodar police arrested drug peddler Mewa Singh of Malarri village with 28 tablets. oc SIX DRUG ADDICTS ARRESTED Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested four 'drug addicts' on the charge of consuming heroin. The accused have been identified as Sushil Kumar of Masian village, Davindar Singh of Koli Gajran village, Avtar Singh and Jagga of Shahkot. Cases under Sections 27/ 61/ 85 of the NDPS Act have been registered against the accused. The Bilga police have arrested two drug addicts Bahadar Ali and Sukhminder Singh of Gumlala village. oc MAN ARRESTED UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The police have arrested a man on charge of selling intoxicant tablets. As many as 215 intoxicating tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Gurjant Singh, alias Janta, of Burj Hassan village.A case under the NDPS Act have been registered against the accused. OC UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have found an unidentified body of an old man. A police team found body lying near the grain market, Bundala village, and sent it to the Civil Hospital, Phillaur, for post-mortem. OC Diwali celebrated over 2 nights, AQI touches 247 ~30 cr go up in smoke in celebration Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 21 Owing to confusion over the exact date of celebrating Diwali, the festival celebrations were spread into two days - Monday and Tuesday evening. Even as exchange of greetings continued for both days, most of the people celebrated the Festival of Lights on Monday night as it was also a holiday in the government and most private offices. But since several religious priests had declared that Diwali was on Tuesday, the gurdwaras and even the prestigious Devi Talab Mandir also had more footfall on the second day. “More devotees are turning up today than on Monday for lighting up candles and offering sweets for the auspicious occasion”, noted a sewadar of Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Model Town. Since the celebrations were held on both days, the crackers too were burst over two days. The president of the crackers association in Jalandhar, Vikas Bhandari, said crackers worth Residents burst firecrackers in Jalandhar on Diwali night. SARABJIT SINGH over Rs 30 crore had been sold and he expected the sales to cross Rs 40 crore by the evening. “While earlier, our market remained set up for eight days, this time we got just two days to sell crackers. Had we got a proper space in time with proper parking pro- vision, we could have been in a position to register three times more sale”, he rued. The AQI of Jalandhar spiked to 247 on Tuesday against 196 on Monday morning. As per the Punjab Pollution Control Board, it was a switch from ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ category. This morning as people had got out of their places to work, there was a visible smog and commuters faced slight visibility issues. Sukriti, mother of a fourmonth infant, said, “It was not safe to take my daughter out of the house the whole day as the air was too bad. It seems that the confusion about the date regarding the Diwali celebration is leading to more crackers being burst. I expect the air to be even bad tomorrow. We may have to go in for some air purifier if this continues for more days. I am really scared, especially when I recall how bad it turned out to be last year.” An elderly man Suresh Talwar said, “There is so much stress laid on selling only green crackers. But clearly these are not green crackers that are being burst all around. There is so much smoke billowing from them. Government officials are not making any checks. Also when the Supreme Court has given just two hours time between 8 pm and 10 pm for bursting crackers, why is the local administration or the police not checking anyone?” A good thing about Diwali this time was that there were neither any major fires reported, nor any grievous burn injuries in the handling of crackers. A homeless family from flood-hit villages in Sultanpur Lodhi. Less enthusiasm, no festivities in flood-hit villages on Diwali Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 21 Diwali, the festival of lights, remained less joyful in the flood-affected villages of Sultanpur Lodhi this year. With farmlands destroyed, celebrations were replaced by silence in villages like Ahli Kalan, Baupur, and Rampur Gaura. In previous years, local markets would be vibrant with shops selling diyas, sweets, and decorative items. This time, however, it was different. “Earlier, there would be small stalls for Diwali. This time, koi khaas utsah nahee si (there was no special enthusiasm),” said Rashpal Singh, a resident of Ahli Kalan. BLACK DIWALI a ❝It wasusblackwe Diwali for and hope that the next year, it will not be the same. A farmer leader ❞ Villagers gathered at local gurdwaras where langars were organised, providing some comfort in difficult times. Paramjit Singh, a farmer leader from Baupur village, described the emotional toll the floods have taken. “It was not a happy Diwali for us. Less people celebrated this time. A displaced family is staying with me, and today the children were asking for crackers. We got them some toys,” he said. Manjit Kaur from Rampur Gaura, who lost her home, is staying at the village Sarpanch’s residence. She recalled last year’s celebrations. “It is a sad Diwali for us now. Last year, we were in our own home, celebrating with joy. This time, it’s gloomy.” Others who went back to their homes also celebrated a little, whatever they could. “It was a black Diwali for the affected people and they hoped that the next year, it will not be the same anymore and there will happiness all around,” a farmer leader said. Row over move to Kin of police martyrs honoured on commemoration day install statue in PUDA green belt tyrs. The family members were also honoured while the DIG listened to their issues as well as assuring for redressal. Earlier, DSP Raj Kumar read out the names of the officers and jawans of the forces of various states remembering their sacrifices. SP Head, quarters, Iqbal Singh, SP (Investigation) Sarabjit Singh Bahia, SP Jashandeep Singh Gill, Parade Commander Jaspreet Singh and senior police officers were present. Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 21 A feud has started over the recent proposal to install the statue of founder of Ramgarhia Misl Jassa Singh Ramgarhia in a green belt of PUDA Complex on Ladowali Road. While a stone for installation of the statue has already been laid, shopkeepers of the area have come together to oppose the decision and have submitted a memorandum to the Jalandhar Development Authority (JDA) against the move. The installation of the statue was attended by Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur among others. Kamlesh Rani, who owns a dhaba in the market, says, “I specifically bought the cor- ner shop in the market on a higher bid as I was told that there was a green belt. I had been maintaining this green belt and had got planted expensive ornamental plants and fruit trees here for beautification. But two days ago, some digging was done and we got to know that a statue is being installed. The plan of the JDA for the market area cannot be changed at anyone’s whims and fancies”. The shopkeepers have written in a memorandum given to the JDA, “We have no objection to the laying of the statue. We are only opposing the selection of the site”. Shopkeepers Ashwin Kumar, Mohan Lal, Ashok Kumar and others have also cited the orders of the Supreme Court prohibiting the installation of statues in public utility spaces. Nawanshahr, October 21 Paying rich tributes to martyrs of the Punjab Police and other forces to mark Police Commemoration Day here at ITI Ground in Nawanshar, Ludhiana Range DIG Satinder Singh said the supreme sacrifices of the martyred officers and soldiers could never be overlooked as these are a golden history to strengthen the unity and integrity of the country. Accompanied by family members of the police martyrs, Satinder Singh said it is a matter of pride for the police that hundreds of officials laid down their lives to safeguard the country, which would be ever remain a source of inspiration for the entire force, instilling the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. These sacrifices would bolster the spirit of maintaining law and order in the force. He said the flame lit by the martyrs to keep the country and state safe from internal and An elderly woman watches the photos of police martyrs at PAP-Jalandhar on Tuesday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH external aggression would be kept burning, said the DIG, adding that those indulged in nefarious designs to disrupt hard-earned peace would be dealt with heavy hand. Satinder Singh said the day was annually observed on October 21. On this day in 1959, a place Hot Spring in Ladakh, a CRPF patrolling party led by Sub-Inspector Karam Singh was ambushed by Chinese troops and 10 soldiers were martyred. He said everyone should take this resolve to always maintain the honour, dignity, and pride of the country and of the Punjab Police. Satinder Singh, DC Ankurjeet Singh, SSP Dr Mehtab Singh and Additional Sessions Judge Baljinder Singh Mann paid tribute to the mar- Phagwara: The ceremony was led by SSP Gaurav Tura at the police memorial, where officers from the police, civil, and judicial departments gathered to offer floral tributes to the martyrs. The event began with a ceremonial guard of honour presented by a contingent led by officer Dharender Verma, followed by a two-minute silence in memory of the martyrs. Tura later honoured members of 43 martyr families and interacted with them to listen to their concerns. — OC Woman booked for ~10.5 lakh visa fraud Handover of 2 colonies to MC in Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 21 A case of alleged fraud involving Rs 10.5 lakh has been registered against a woman from Bholath under Sections 406 and 420 of the IPC for reportedly deceiving a family on the pretext of sending their son to the United States. SSP Kapurthala, Gaurav , Toora said the accused has been identified as Inder Kaur of Purdal village near Kapurthala. The woman has been accused of cheating Jagjit Singh, alias Jassi, a res- ident of Jalandhar. The complaint alleges that Inder Kaur took Rs 10,50,000 from Jagjit Singh’s family, promising to facilitate the overseas placement of his son Rajjit Singh, to the United States. However, after receiving the money, the accused allegedly failed to fulfil the promise and stopped responding to the complainant, leading the family to suspect fraud. Subsequently, an inquiry was initiated following two applications after which a case was registered on September 10, based on the findings of the Crime Against Women Cell and recommendations from the Kapurthala Police Investigation Unit. Police officials confirmed that the accused has not yet been arrested. Three booked for visa fraud The Kapurthala police have registered a case against three persons for allegedly defrauding a resident of Rs 10 lakh on the pretext of sending him abroad on a work permit. According to a complaint filed by Rajjeet Singh, a resident of Kartarpur — presently residing at Kapurthala — the accused promised to arrange a four-year work per- c m y b mit for Canada in exchange for Rs 10 lakh. Despite receiving the amount, the accused did not arrange the promised work permit. The accused have been identified as Harjeet Singh Virk, his wife Baljinder Kaur, residents of village Saiflabad, Kapurthala, and Tajinderpal Singh, a resident of village Mann, Gurdaspur. Based on preliminary inquiry conducted by the police and subsequent legal scrutiny by the office of the District Attorney, Kapurthala, the complaint was found to be substantiated. 10 days likely, residents elated Jalandhar, October 21 Residents of Surya Enclave and Maharaja Ranjit Singh Avenue celebrated Diwali this year with a sense of optimism, as the long-awaited transfer of both colonies to the Jalandhar MC moves closer to reality. Last week, the MC passed a resolution to accept the handover, which has now been forwarded to the Local Bodies Department for the final approval. This marks a significant step toward initiating long-pending civic develop- ment works in the area. The breakthrough follows persistent efforts by Nitin Kohli, AAP’s Jalandhar Central halka incharge, along with the intervention of Improvement Trust Chairman Ramnik Randhawa, Mayor Vaneet Dhir, and MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi. Earlier this month, Kohli requested the Jalandhar Improvement Trust to transfer the colonies to the MC to ensure the access to basic civic amenities. He later fol- lowed up with a direct appeal to the MC, urging swift action. For years, residents have faced issues such as broken roads, poor streetlighting, and inconsistent water supply. “This is a moment of relief for the residents,” said Kohli. “With the MC accepting the resolution, we expect formal approval within a week to 10 days. Once finalised, development work, including road repairs, streetlight installation, and water supply upgrades, will begin promptly.”— TNS