03072026-JTR-01.qxd 7/2/2026 11:15 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MAJOR RELIEF FOR JCT WORKERS, ~81 CRORE EPF CLEARED SATINDER SINGH APPOINTED PATRON OF HOCKEY SOCIETY KANGANA RANAUT SCHOOLS RAM KAPOOR ON LOCK UPP 2 10 beneficiaries having superannuation amounts below Rs 3 lakh got their cheques during a function. P2 He assured of full support from the police administration for the development of the organisation and sport. P3 Kangana entered Lock Upp 2as Janta Ki Awaaz and called out contestant Ram Kapoor over his conduct. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.35 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:28 AM FRIDAY | 3 JULY 2026 | 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 TWO HELD FOR EX-COP’S SUICIDE Phagwara: The Shahkot police arrested two persons on the charge of abetting a retired police officer's suicide. SHO Aman Saini identified the accused as Baljinder Singh Kandi, a former sarpanch of Kang Wale Bille village under Mehatpur police station, and Subeg Singh of Dharmiwal village under Shahkot police station. Kulwant Kaur, wife of Harbhajan Singh and resident of Kania Kalan village, told the police that her daughter-in-law Navdeep Kaur, along with her parents and relatives, had allegedly harassed her husband, a retired police officer, to such an extent that he consumed sulphas and later died on the way to hospital. OC MAN BOOKED FOR RASH DRIVING Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked a man for alleged rash and negligent driving. Investigating Officer Janak Raj identified the accused as Tarsem Singh, a resident of Bhangwan village under Lohian Khas police station. According to complainant Jaspal Chand of Udhowal village, the accused was allegedly driving his Tata Ace vehicle recklessly on June 27. The vehicle hit his motorcycle, seriously injuring Jaspal Chand, his wife, son and daughter. OC EXPIRED MEDICINE PROVES FATAL Phagwara: A villager died after taking expired medicine. The deceased has been identified as Sukhman Preet Singh of Gorsian Peeran village. Tara Wati, mother of the deceased, informed the police that her son fell ill and consumed an expired medicine and died. Subash Chandar said the police have handed over the body to the family after postmortem. OC Lightning damages gadgets, hits power supply in Phagwara Ashok Kaura Phagwara, July 2 A powerful thunderstorm accompanied by intense lightning early on Thursday caused widespread damage across Phagwara, burning electrical appliances in hundreds of homes, government offices and commercial establishments and leaving residents counting heavy losses. The city witnessed two lightning strikes within a short span, triggering severe voltage fluctuations in the electricity distribution network. The sudden surge reportedly burnt a large number of electronic appliances, forcing residents to spend a sleepless night amid repeated thunderclaps, heavy rain and intermittent power disruptions. As dawn broke, reports of damaged electrical equipment began pouring in from almost every part of the city. Residents complained that expensive household appliances stopped functioning after the lightning strikes, while several commercial establishments also reported extensive damage to office equipment. Among the appliances reportedly damaged were LCD and LED sets, ACs, refrigerators, inverters, desktop computers, laptops, CCTV surveillance systems, Wi-Fi routers, printers, and other gadgets. Child Development Project Officer Rajwinder Kaur said computers, the office inverter and other electrical equipment had been damaged during the lightning strikes, disrupting normal functioning. Several business establishments also reported malfunctioning CCTV cameras, computers and electronic equipment, disrupting commercial activities and adding to the financial burden of traders. Residents recalled being awakened by deafening thunder and dazzling flashes of lightning that lit up the sky. Within seconds, many heard loud popping sounds from electrical appliances, while others noticed sparks, smoke and the smell of burnt circuits inside their homes. The thunderstorm also led to temporary power outages in several parts of the city. Although electricity supply was restored in most areas after some time, many consumers discovered that their electrical appliances had already suffered irreparable damage. Rain brings relief, exposes Jalandhar’s drainage woes Lamma Pind Chowk, Prem Nagar and Kasturba Nagar among worst-hit Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 2 Residents of Jalandhar heaved a sigh of relief after overnight showers brought respite from the oppressive heat and humidity. Rain, which began on Wednesday night, continued until the early hours of Thursday. The rainfall came amid concerns over an erratic monsoon after earlier forecasts of rain had failed to materialise. Temperatures, which had hovered between 36°C and 38°C over the past few days amid high humidity, dipped significantly. The maximum temperature settled around 34°C on Wednesday, while the minimum touched 24°C. Although sunny conditions returned on Thursday morning, the Meteorological Department has forecast more thunderstorms and rain over the next two days. Temperatures are expected to remain between 36°C and 37°C from July 4. Meanwhile, for low-lying areas of the city, the rain spelled misery as many areas Class XII student attacked near Phagwara, 4 booked Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 2 The police have registered a case against four persons, including one unidentified accused, for allegedly attacking a 16-year-old student with sharp-edged weapons and assaulting him on a road near Jalandhar. According to the complaint lodged by Neetish Bangar (16), son of Tirath Ram and resident of Gohawar village, he is a Class XII student at the Government Senior Secondary School, Gohawar. The complainant stated that after attending a fair organised at a religious shrine in his village, he left on his motorcycle to visit his aunt, Beena Kumari, at Basant Nagar in Phagwara. When he reached near Sampoorna Factory on the Jalandhar-Ludhiana road, four youths, identified as Sumit, Bagga, Rinku, all residents of Gohawar village, along with another unidentified youth, allegedly intercepted him. According to the complainant, the accused began abusing him and threatened to kill him. Suddenly, Bagga allegedly attacked him twice with a kirpan, causing injuries to his left elbow and left arm. Sumit allegedly struck him on the back with a baseball bat, while the remaining accused allegedly threw him to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched him, causing multiple injuries. After the assault, the accused allegedly fled the spot. The police said a video of the incident has been obtained and linked with the investigation. The case is being investigated by ASI Paramjit Singh, and further inquiries are underway to ascertain the motive behind the attack. Sultanpur Lodhi farmer reaps rich rewards from polyhouse farming Tribune News Service Kapurthala, July 2 Ajit Singh Aujla, a progressive farmer from Fauji Colony in Sultanpur Lodhi, Kapurthala district, has emerged as a role model for innovative and profitable farming practices. Cultivating nearly 12 acres of land, he has successfully grown wheat, paddy, maize, sugarcane, potatoes, and several other crops over the years. Ajit Singh’s family has a strong agricultural background. While one of his sons is settled in Canada, the other actively supports him in managing the farm. Driven by a forward-looking approach, Ajit Singh decided to diversify his farming methods by adopting protected cultivation. After attending a three-day training programme at the Centre of Excellence for Veg- Even in June, when capsicum cultivation in open fields becomes difficult, the polyhouse continues to yield high-quality coloured capsicum—green, red and yellow. etables, Kartarpur, and with support under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, he established a one-kanal demonstration polyhouse in 2022. The objective was not only to improve farm income, but also to encourage other farmers to adopt modern farming techniques. The polyhouse project has proved to be successful. Even during June, when open-field cultivation of capsicum is difficult, the polyhouse continues to produce high-quality coloured capsicum (green, red and yellow). By selling the off-season produce directly in the market, Ajit Singh said he has earned an income from just one kanal that is comparable to the returns from one acre of conventional farming. Encouraged by the success of the demonstration unit, he now plans to expand polyhouse cultivation to one acre. Deputy Director of Horticulture, Kapurthala, Dr Daljit Singh Gill, said the department is promoting polyhouse and net-house cultivation across the district. They advised farmers to begin with one or two kanals before gradually expanding their area under protected cultivation. The officials also highlighted that the Centre of Excellence for Vegetables, Kartarpur, regularly conducts three-day training programmes where farmers receive practical guidance on polyhouse and shade-net cultivation, drip irrigation, fertigation, crop protection, and modern horticultural practices. Farmers also get the opportunity to visit the demonstration unit and interact with successful growers. The Horticulture Department has also encouraged farmers across Kapurthala district to visit Ajit Singh Aujla’s farm, learn from his experience and adopt small-scale polyhouse models to enhance productivity and improve farm income through modern, sustainable agriculture. c m y b The waterlogged road at Lamma Pind Chowk after the rain in Jalandhar. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH witnessed severe waterlogging, restricting the movement of traffic. Areas, including Lamma Pind Chowk, Prem Nagar, the 120-Foot Road, Domoria Bridge and Kasturba Nagar in Jalandhar Cantonment, remained waterlogged. In many localities, roads turned into a quagmire, while motorists were forced to navigate through pools of stagnant water. Lamma Pind Chowk was among the worst affected. A large stretch of the road remained submerged, creating difficulties for commuters, particularly two-wheeler riders who had to wade through waist-deep water. “This is a perennial problem for which no lasting solution has been found. Last year too, heavy rain caused extensive problems across the city. Just one night of rain has again forced residents to wade through dirty water. Where is the city’s storm-water drainage system?” asked resident Anushka Chauhan. Kasturba Nagar residents raise civic concerns Meanwhile, residents of Kasturba Nagar in Jalandhar Cantonment expressed concern over persistent drainage, sewerage and water supply issues in the locality. Residents said the lane comprising house no. 69 to 80 was the worst hit, with recurring waterlogging and rainwater carrying garbage into the area. They claimed that despite submitting a representation to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cantonment Board on May 4, no permanent solution has been found. After the recent rain, stagnant water reportedly entered nearby houses, creating inconvenience and raising concerns over hygiene and public health. Residents also pointed out that a damaged boundary wall at the end of the lane allows garbage from an adjoining public area to enter the residential locality. This has led to the accumulation of waste, foul smell, mosquito breeding and unhygienic conditions. Residents also alleged that when they approached the Cantonment Board office, responsibility was shifted between departments.