15072024-JTR-01.qxd 7/14/2024 10:22 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune INNER WHEEL CLUB ELECTS OFFICE-BEARERS ANANT & RADHIKA WEDDING GALA BEDAZZLED WORLD FOR DAYS Cannesredcarpetlookedpaleincomparison astheAnantAmbani&RadhikaMerchant weddinggalabedazzledworldfordays.P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 29°C AISHWARYA, KIM KARDASHIAN GO VIRAL ON INSTAGRAM Dr Monika Gupta elected president of the Tarn Taran chapter of Inner Wheel Club for the year 2024-25. P2 FORECAST International star Kim Kardashian shared a delightful moment with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on her Instagram account. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 7.33 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:34 AM » MONDAY | 15 JULY 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF DRUG PEDDLER ARRESTED Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested a drug peddler on the charge of selling intoxicant tablets.Investigating officer (IO) Nirwair Singh said 45 intoxicant tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused identified as Manpreet Kumar, alias Manna, of Mohalla Joshian, Talwann village.A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against him. OC SEVEN BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Bilga police have booked seven persons on the charge of assault, criminal intimidation and rioting. Ranjit Singh of Nagra village, complained to the police that he was to his field on the July 10 evening when the accused riding on motorcycles came there and attacked him with weapons, injuring and threatening him with dire consequences. OC ONE BOOKED FOR ATTACKING WOMAN Phagwara: On a complaint lodged by Mandip Kumar, a resident of Palahai village near Phagwara, the Sadar police have registered a case under Sections 115(2), 333 and 74, BNS Act against Khalwara village resident Gurpreet, alias Gora, on the charge of attacking the wife of the complainant. She was attacked when she was going to give feed to cattle on Saturday night. OC FIVE HELD FOR TREE FELLING Talwara: The Talwara police have arrested five persons on the charge of illegal felling of khair trees from the forest. On receiving information that some miscreants were felling trees, Forest officials Ajay Kumar and Mandeep Singh reached the spot with their team, but the accused fled after seeing them. The team caught them and also recovered the wood. OC Woman duped of ~9L, three travel agents booked Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 14 The Shahkot police have registered a case against three travel agents, including two women, for allegedly duping a woman of ~9 lakh on the pretext of sending her brother abroad. Shahkot DSP Amandeep Singh said the accused have been identified as Sukhjinder Singh, a resident of Sher Pur village under the Bilga police station, his wife Simranjit Kaur, and Parminder Kaur, wife of Resham Singh, a resident of Sohal Jagir village. Harpreet Kaur, wife of Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Sohal Jagir village, had complained to the police that she had paid ~9 lakh to the accused for facilitating her brother's migration abroad. However, neither did he was send abroad nor did they return the money. The DSP said a case under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (breach of trust) of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 13 of the Punjab Travel Professions Regulation Act, 2014, had been registered against the accused after an inquiry. In Mohinder Bhagat, AAP Byelection win to impact mandate in 2027: Bhagat shows its Midas touch Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Party backed by enthusiastic cadres resurrected careers of leaders Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 14 With the impressive win of AAP leader Mohinder Bhagat in the Jalandhar West Assembly bypoll, the Aam Aadmi Party has taken its pride of place as a party with a Midas touch — which could be banked upon to redeem the failing careers of leaders who were sidelined in their former parties. Though a mere bypoll, the party’s win is significant and will leave its mark in the coming state elections. While AAP cadres had been angst-ridden at the Sushil Rinku-Sheetal Angural duo for leaving the party in the lurch right ahead of the 2024 Jalandhar Lok Sabha elections, the win has been cathartic for the party and its workers who had been awaiting to exact a revenge on them ever since. It has repeatedly been said during the polls that the AAP has made tall leaders out of people whose careers were in their twilight years. The AAP had also resurrected the careers of both Sushil Rinku (in the 2023 bypoll) when he was brought in from the Congress and Sheetal Angural (in the 2022 Assembly elections) when he defected Mohinder Bhagat along with AAP leaders celebrates victory in Jalandhar. FILE PHOTO from the BJP. This was part of the reason for the workers’ ire. In the 2023 bypoll, the Congress had chosen Karamjit Chaudhary as its candidate. And Sheetal Angural could not have imagined contesting elections as an MLA from the BJP. But they became prominent leaders and voices to reckon with in Doaba politics after bagging AAP ticket and won, backed by energetic cadres of the Aam Aadmi Party. While Rinku came in second to Congress’ Charanjit Singh Channi in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha poll, leaving the AAP at number three, in the Jalandhar West bypoll, the AAP has found its moment. Mohinder Bhagat, former BJP leader who was disillusioned with the party, hadn’t registered a win against these very leaders (Rinku and Angural) in the 2017 and 2021 but is now all set to be a minister. He is the latest leader from Doaba to ride into glory backed by the AAP’s massive support base. Bhagat’s stroke of fortune started with Sheetal Angural’s resignation from the post of MLA (now termed by many as a political suicide) after he joined the BJP with Rinku. Had the bypoll not been necessitated, Bhagat would have had to wait longer. Apart from being the AAP candidate in the bypoll, the fondness of the cadres towards Bhagat was also evident. He stood smiling behind the CM during his speeches and greeted workers with hugs when he won the bypoll yesterday. His loyalty and “honesty” has been the key poll plank for the AAP to contest with. He is reportedly being considered for the state ministry of sports with his family having a long association with the business which is one of the backbones of trade in Jalandhar West. His son Atul Bhagat also runs sports goods manufacturing units. Jalandhar, July 14 “All right things converged at the right place at the right time which yielded good results for us,” says Mohinder Bhagat, the AAP victorious candidate from Jalandhar West on his bypoll win on Sunday as he returned home yesterday to the beat of dhols, bursting of crackers and a house full of supporters (room doors had to be shut as more people could not be accommodated). The former BJP veteran whose maiden AAP debut yielded historic results in Jalandhar West, on Saturday first sought blessings of his father Chunni Lal Bhagat, former state cabinet minister (in Akali-BJP government). Then he prioritised informality and offered generous hugs to party workers who were waiting eagerly in the drawing room. He said the Jalandhar bypoll result will definitely impact the mandate in 2027, in favour of AAP . Since yesterday, Bhagat has also been on a whirlwind tour of religious shrines, visiting a Valmiki temple, Kabir and Guru Ravidass temples and the Laxmi Narayan temple and paying obeisance at the Gurdwara Chevi Patshahi today, also flagging off a bus to Amarnath. Speaking to The Tribune on his victory, Bhagat said, “I thank voters and CM Punjab Bhagwant Mann who himself sent good ❝It hasto theapublic. message People feel good with CM’s presence here. Rather than going to Chandigarh, work will be done here. Doaba and Majha people will hugely benefit. ❞ Mohinder Bhagat, MLA along with his family worked hard for the party and its candidate. Also ministers, chairmen and volunteers worked hard. Teamwork yields good results. Due to CM Sahib’s hard work and service, people have placed their trust in us. Mann Sahib has issued a message, he’s a good CM. This will have lasting results in time to come.” While a Bhagat household member has won from the constituency for the first time after 2012, the winning candidate himself said, “There was a seven-year gap, as my father remained an MLA from 2012 until 2017. It’s all a part of change. Time comes full circle. All right things converged at the right place at the right time. The party got a good candidate. The party’s works benefited it in polls. On the other hand, people were bad and not doing well. All these factors favoured us.” Responding to the ire of AAP leaders directed at the BJP and its candidate Sheetal Angural after bypoll win, Bhagat said, “A new candidate has won with over 37,000 votes. I want to talk about myself and improve myself. I don’t want to find fault with others.” On the reversal of voting pattern in Jalandhar West within a month, compared to Lok Sabha poll, he said, “It’s evident that Lok Sabha and assembly polls are different and can’t be compared. This vote is for the government’s works. The public clearly hoped for an MLA from the government.” On CM’s Jalandhar shift, Bhagat said, “It has sent a good message to people. People feel good with his presence here. Rather than going to Chandigarh, work will be done here. Doaba and Majha people will hugely benefit.” On speculations of a ministerial berth, he says, “I did my duty and fought with honesty. The result is also favourable. The rest is the prerogative of the honourable CM. If he has publicly declared it already, nothing’s left to ask or do.” 5 of Landa gang nabbed, weapons seized Turncoats, aggressive campaigns Belong to Tarn Taran | Were involved in contract killings and extortion made bypoll a cakewalk for AAP Jalandhar, July 14 The Jalandhar Police Commissionerate has made further progress in its crackdown on the notorious Lakhbir Landa gang, arresting five more persons associated with the group. The arrested persons were involved in various contract killings and extortion activities. The police have also seized weapons, including three pistols and several cartridges. Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, in a press conference, revealed that the latest arrests were made following the ongoing investigations into an extortion case, targeting a local industrialist. The arrested persons were identified as Simranjit Singh, alias Simma, Paramjit Singh, alias Pamma, Dilbagh Singh, alias Baga, Dilpreet Singh and Sajandeep Singh, alias Sajan, all from Tarn Taran. The accused have been charged under Sections 2554-59 of the Arms Act. The Commissioner disclosed that during the investigation, Paramjit admitted to possessing a .30-bore pistol and one cartridge. Another accused Simranjit Singh confessed to having a .32-bore pistol and one cartridge, while Dilpreet Singh, a close associate of Lakhbir Singh, alias Landa, was found to be threatening traders and shop- keepers in Tarn Taran and Amritsar at Landa’s behest. He said the police seized .30 bore rounds from Dilpreet Singh. “Dilbagh Singh, also in contact with Landa, was involved in demanding extortion from traders and shopkeepers in Tarn Taran and Amritsar. A .30-bore pistol was seized from him. Sajandeep Singh, alias Sajan, was similarly booked for seeking extortion from traders, arhtiyas, and shopkeepers in Tarn Taran and Amritsar”, revealed Sharma. He further said while Dilbagh Singh had a case pending against him, no previous criminal records have been found against four other gang members. Meanwhile, with these recent arrests, the total number of individuals apprehended in connection with the extortion case has risen to 13. “The city police continue to investigate and pursue further leads in an effort to dismantle the Landa gang’s operations and bring all involved to justice”, he added. This gang was also involved in the extortion-related shooting incident that occurred at Chohla Sahib in Tarn Taran on July 2. According to Tarn Taran police, the arrested gang members would be brought to the district on a production warrant for investigation into this case. — TNS Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 14 The Aam Aadmi Party has secured a convincing win in the Jalandhar West bypoll with Mohinder Bhagat becoming an MLA from the constituency. While the high command dedicated itself entirely to the constituency and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has started living here with the family, party men had worked a lot on the ground and adopted every strategy to make the party win. The party left no chance to woo voters. While the state leadership was making its presence felt through roadshows, local leaders were aggressively holding door-todoor campaigns and meetings to establish a personal connect with the electorate to convince them to press the button of their symbol on the D-day. One of the strategies was to get councillors from other parties to make the base strong in AAP In the last . week before the bypoll, Jagdish Samrai and Kamaljit of the BJP and Onkar Tikka of the Congress joined AAP . Considered the Congress loyalist, Jagdish Samrai, a former councillor from Ward No. 78, had first joined the BJP and then AAP He changed . the party within a month. “Those who left their own parties and joined AAP were given several assurances for future,” a source from the party added. Samrai said the doorto-door campaign was being launched on a daily basis. “Such campaigning was never witnessed before,” he claimed. Nirmal Singh Nimma, another party leader, said the support for AAP started when senior leader Pawan Tinu resolved the issue of Hadda Rori (where animals are skinned) in the Buta Mandi area of the Jalandhar West constituency. “He has a great contribution to making the party win,” Nimma said. Waterlogging at Chandan Nagar RUB, Ikehri Pulli hassles commuters Association shoots off letter to Guv, CM for its redressal Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 14 Residents of various localities in the Sodal area under the banner of the Bharatiya Sarvahit Parishad have raised the alarm over severe waterlogging at key points in their neighbourhoods. In a letter addressed to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other officers, the residents highlighted the persistent waterlogging issues at Chandan Nagar railway underbridge (RUB), Ikehri Pulli and Gazigulla. They said despite the repeated complaints to the Municipal Corporation (MC), the problems remain unresolved. Rajan Sharda, president of the Bharatiya Sarvahit Parishad, said he met the MC Commissioner on July 5 to discuss the issue on behalf of the affected residents, but all in vain. Sharda explained that the accumulated rainwater at the Chandan Nagar RUB had been causing commuting problems for hundreds of residents. He said during the recent rain, the area experienced heavy flooding, affecting commuting for two days. “The public was harassed as this is the main road connecting both parts of the city,” he said. The residents also pointed WILL MEET CM ❝With Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann now promised to stay in Jalandhar for two days a week even after the byeletion , we have decided to take up this matter to ensure that the waterlogging at these important junctions, which causes significant commuting problems, is addressed on a priority basis. Commuters drive through a waterlogged road after rainfall in Jalandhar. FILE PHOTO out that two water storage tanks, each with a capacity of one lakh litre, were installed to drain out water accumulat- c m y b ed at the Chandan Nagar RUB. However, due to the negligence by the MC and the sewerage department, the tanks were filled with sand and garbage and were not being utilised for their intended purpose. ❞ Sodal area residents They said BJP leader and former CPS KD Bhandari had met MC officials for cleaning the tankers before the onset of the monsoon. However, the officials allegedly refused to address the issue, citing their engagement on the Jalandhar West bypoll work. The situation is equally dire at the Ikehri Pulli underpass and in Mohalla Gazigulla where waterlogging has made life miserable for residents. No action has been taken to address these issues, claim Suraj Prajapati, a resident. “With the CM now promised to be in Jalandhar for two days a week, we have decided to take up this matter to ensure that the waterlogging at these important junctions, which causes significant commuting problems, is addressed on a priority basis,” the residents added.
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