19062024-TTC-01.qxd 6/19/2024 12:40 AM Page 1 13 CHANDIGARH | GURUGRAM | JALANDHAR | BATHINDA | VOL. 8 NO. 169 | 14 PAGES | ~5.00 | REGD. NO. CHD/0006/2024-2026 ESTABLISHED IN 1881 AIRSTRIKES KILL 17 AS ISRAEL PUSHES DEEPER INTO RAFAH WORLD /thetribunechd ‘A’ CATEGORY TERRORIST KILLED IN UT WAS ACTIVE SINCE 2018 J&K SENSEX CLOSES ABOVE US CITIZENSHIP FOR 5 LAKH 77,000-MARK FOR LIKELY UNDER NEW BIDEN FIRST TIME BUSINESS PLAN BACK PAGE wednesday | 19 june 2024 /thetribunechd www.tribuneindia.com Even if there’s 0.001% negligence, it must be dealt with: SC on NEET Tells NTA to own up if there’s been any mistake, calls for remedial measures New Delhi, June 18 The Supreme Court on Tuesday said even if there was “0.001 per cent negligence” on the part of anyone in the conduct of the NEET-UG 2024 examination, it should be thoroughly dealt with. Observing that students have to labour hard while preparing for these examinations, the apex court said the litigation pertaining to the National Eligibility-cumEntrance Test (Undergraduate)-2024 examination ought not be treated as adversarial litigation. “Even if there is 0.001 per cent negligence on the part of anyone, it should be thoroughly dealt with,” a Vacation Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and SVN Bhatti told the advocates appearing for the Centre and the National Testing Agency (NTA). The NTA conducts the all-India premedical entrance test. The Bench was hearing two separate petitions raising grievances, including on grace marks given to students in the examination held on May 5. “We all know Members of student unions protest over the NEET irregularities in Hyderabad. PTI SEEKING CLEAN-UP SURGERY FRAUD DOCTOR WILL PROVE LETHAL centres where NEETed late at some centres Imagine a person who UG was held on May 5 students scored perfect has played fraud on the 720, this is unprecedented lakh candidates (approxisystem becomes a doctor, in NTA’s history mately) appeared for it he is more deleterious to from one examination centre students given grace society. SC Bench in Haryana too figured on list marks as exam startNCERT NOT AT FAULT FOR NEET FIASCO: SAKLANI INSIDE SC says NEET ought not to be treated as adversarial litigation 4,750 24 1,573 the labour which the children undergo, especially in preparing for these exams… Imagine a person who has 67 6 played fraud on the system becomes a doctor, he is more deleterious to the society,” the Bench said. Mystery shrouds death of Sirsa girl, honour killing suspected No post-mortem | Cremated in hurry | Activist takes up case Geetanjali Gayatri Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 18 In a suspected case of “honour killing”, Saravjeet Kaur (27) died under mysterious circumstances at her residence in Nejadela Kalan village of Sirsa on June 3 morning and the family allegedly cremated her in a hurry. The incident came into focus after social activist Kartar Singh moved an application with the police over the suspicious death. Sirsa Superintendent of Police Vikrant Bhushan said he had formed a team to look into Saravjeet’s death after the matter was brought to his notice. “The team, headed by a gazetted officer, also included the SHO of the police station concerned and the SHO of the women’s police station, among others. It will look at all angles since FATHER’S DEFENCE The death took place at home. There was no need for a post-mortem. She died of a heart attack. Villagers were also present at the cremation... Questions are being raised only because of political rivalry. Jagdish, GIRL’S FATHER ❝ doubts are being raised over the death,” he said. Since the family maintained that Saravjeet did not have any phone, the police have taken into possession the mobile phones of her family members for investigation. Girl’s father Jagdish claimed his daughter died due to a post-midnight heart attack. “There was a storm that night and the family was awake. Around 2 am, we were picking up our belongings that had been lying in the open. Meanwhile, my daughter fell off the bed on which she was asleep and died instantly,” he said. Asked why a post-mortem examination was not conducted despite it being an “unnatural death” and why the cremation was performed hurriedly, Jagdish, an agriculturist, said, “The death took place at home. There was no need for that. She died of a heart attack on June 3. We informed our relatives about the death. Villagers were also present at the cremation.” However, Kartar Singh said the death was “very suspicious” and that the girl was cremated in a hurry. This could be a case of “honour killing, he maintained. “Jagdish’s relatives also expressed apprehensions to fellow villagers continued on page 8 ❝ “Representing an agency which is responsible for conducting the examination, you must stand firm. If there is a mistake, yes this is a mistake and this is the action we are going to take. At least that inspires confidence in your performance,” the Bench told the NTA’s counsel. Stressing on timely action by the authority, the top court said the pleas would come up for hearing on July 8 along with other pending petitions, including those which have sought a direction to conduct the exam afresh. It said the NTA and the Centre would file their responses on these fresh petitions within two weeks. When one of the advocates appearing for some petitioners raised the issue pertaining to a question asked in the exam, the Bench said, “They (NTA and Centre) will respond to it. Let us understand the purpose of your submissions. In these matters, we are prepared to sit up to evening,” it observed. While hearing separate petitions raising grievances over the NEET-UG 2024, the apex court had last week sought responses from the continued on page 8 Edit: NCERT row PM Narendra Modi being felicitated by Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Varanasi on Tuesday. PTI LS mandate shows strength of democracy: PM in Kashi Reiterates commitment to farmers, women, poor, youth Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, June 18 In his first public remarks after forming the government at the Centre for the third time in a row, PM Narendra Modi termed the 2024 Lok Sabha poll verdict as “extraordinary” and said the 18th General Election mirrored the majesty of Indian democracy to the world. Describing the poll results as an affirmation of the people’s trust in the BJP-led dispensation, he said, “The people have delivered an extraordinary mandate in SEWAK FOR THIRD TIME With the blessings of Baba Vishwanath and Maa Ganga and the affection of Kashi’s voters, I have got a chance to become Pradhan Sewak of India for the third time. I am indebted. ❝ Narendra Modi, PRIME MINISTER these elections. This mandate has scripted a new history. Across the world’s democracies, it is rare to have an incumbent government voted back to power for the Punjab cracks whip on cops aiding drug peddlers,10K shifted in 3 days Guilty face dismissal, smugglers’ property to be confiscated within week THE TRIBUNE IMPACT Ruchika M Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, June 18 Days after The Tribune reported 14 deaths in 14 days in Punjab due to drug overdose, the state government has cracked the whip on “low-ranking” police officials, accused of being in cahoots with peddlers, by transferring them from their present places of posting to the police stations in different police ranges. As many as 10,000 “lowranking” officials have been transferred over the past three days. The policemen found guilty will be dismissed from the service and the drug peddlers’ property confiscated within a week. Instructions were given to all SSPs and CM Bhagwant Mann holds a meeting with police officers in Chandigarh. INSTRUCTIONS TO SSPs ■ Accord respect to people visiting police stations; SSPs to be accountable for any harassment senior officials during a meeting called by the CM today. Mann narrated various incidents highlighting the nexus between police offi- ■ Give respect to MLAs and oth- er elected representatives ■ The govt to have zero toler- ance policy towards corruption cials and peddlers. “I have received complaints about how a raiding police party would raise the alarm while still away from the place where drugs were sold, so as to help the peddlers escape in time. Things cannot continue like this. We cannot sit and see these people wipe out generations of Punjabis,” the CM added. Women voters had raised the issue of drug abuse during the Lok Sabha campaign, especially among children as young as 11-12 years. The political establishment seems to have taken note of that. Mann said during the LS poll campaign, he remained on the ground, where he got feedback from the people. “Punjab had the longest period of model code of conduct for the poll. During that period, we came to know how drugs and cash were being pushed into the state, especially from Gujarat, Maharashtra and across the continued on page 8 Cong’s pick: ‘Dehra ki beti’ who is CMSukhu’s wife Addicts being treated Party hopes to break 25-year jinx in this Himachal segment by fielding Kamlesh Thakur ‘PARTY BRASS DECISION’ DEHRA With BJP crying hoarse about the Congress being a party of dynasts, CM Sukhvinder Sukhu made it amply clear that the decision to field his wife was that of the high command and not his. “I have had to accede to the decision of the high command to field my wife, considering the recent political developments. However, I want to make it clear that only one of us will contest the 2027 Assembly poll,” said Sukhu. BYPOLL Pratibha Chauhan Tribune News Service Shimla, June 18 The Congress today sprang a big surprise by fielding Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s wife Kamlesh Thakur for the Dehra Assembly bypoll contest slated for July 10. The party top brass opted for her, ignoring the claim of frontrunner for the ticket Rajesh Sharma, to take on the BJP’s Hoshiyar Singh, who won the seat as an Independent candidate in the << CM Sukhvinder Sukhu with his wife Kamlesh at a temple in Shimla. 2022 Assembly election. Even as Kamlesh (54) has virtually been pushed into contesting the bypoll by the Congress high command, her candidature could see the party romp home on the single slogan of “Dehra ki beti”. Daughter of a retired Army officer, Kamlesh hails from third straight time, but Indians have done that.” Modi was speaking in Varanasi, the Lok Sabha constituency from where he won for the third time, albeit with a slimmer margin than before. “Kashi deserves double congratulations for electing an MP and a PM,” he said. Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present on the occasion. Modi shared bonhomie with both despite the BJP’s embarrassing poll losses in Uttar Pradesh. continued on page 8 Narsua village in Dehra Assembly segment of Kangra district. A postgraduate in political science from Panjab University, she has always been at the forefront of her husband’s election campaigns but those who know her well would vouch for the fact that she doesn’t like to be in limelight. A homemaker, she is often seen visiting temples. “I have been compelled to contest as my husband could not decline the high command’s decision to field me. My only endeavour if I win would be to ensure that Dehra no longer lags behind in development, as has been the case in the last 25 years,” said Kamlesh on her candidature. Sources said even her daughters were vehemently opposed to her contesting the election. continued on page 8 c m y b without psychiatrist Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, June 18 Drug addicts at the Red Cross de-addiction centre here are undergoing rehabilitation without the aid of a psychiatrist as the health authorities are averse to posting one due to inexplicable reasons. Around 90 per cent of the addicts in the district are hooked on heroin. Their number is increasing by the day despite a drive launched by the Gurdaspur police against drug suppliers and consumers. Rehabilitation experts say the treatment of an addict is not at all effective if there is no psychiatrist to hold his hand. Other addictions can be EXPERTS’ OPINION ■ Rehabilitation experts say the treatment of an addict is not at all effective if there is no psychiatrist to hold his hand ■ Other addictions can be handled without the services of a psychiatrist, but treating heroin addicts is a different story altogether, they say handled without the services of a psychiatrist, but treating addicts hooked on the white powder is a different story altogether, they say. Romesh Mahajan, project director of the centre, said his institution was in danger of being shut down if the Health continued on page 8 Nancy Pelosi USpanel‘targets’ China in D’sala Dharamsala, June 18 A high-profile US Congressional delegation on a visit here and the Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, on Tuesday, “targeted” China on the issue of autonomy for Tibet. Reacting to the US delegation’s visit to Dharamsala, China said it was ‘gravely concerned’ over the development. BACK PAGE Youth shot; CRPF bus emptied, set ablaze in Manipur Imphal, June 18 A youth was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Manipur's Imphal West district on Tuesday, while a bus carrying CRPF personnel was stopped and torched by a mob in Kangpokpi district on Monday night but no one was injured in the incident, officials said. A police official said that the youth’s body was found in the Meijao Mamang Leikai area. It had a bullet wound on the back of the head. The police are probing the incident. In the second incident, the official said a CRPF bus was proceeding towards the Kangpokpi police station when it was stopped by a 200strong mob at the Kangpokpi bazaar. No one, however, was injured in the incident as the mob told CRPF men to get off the bus before burning it, the official said, adding that a case had been registered. — IANS
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).