04112024-JTR-01.qxd 03-11-2024 22:31 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ENVIRONMENTAL DEBATE NEEDS CONCRETE ACTION, EFFORTS EXPLOSION ON AMRITSARHOWRAH MAIL INJURES 4 SALMAN KHAN IN HYDERABAD TO SHOOT FOR SIKANDAR Checking air pollution calls for sustainable development plans, proper strategy and rules, say residents. P2 Passengers panic and jump from the train as it approaches the Sirhind railway station. P3 It marks the reunion of Salman Khan with Sajid Nadiadwala after Kick, which was released in 2014. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 32°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.35 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:46 AM MONDAY | 4 NOVEMBER 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF MAN BOOKED FOR KIDNAPPING Shahkot: The police have booked a migrant on the charge of kidnapping a minor girl. DSP Onkar Singh Brar said the accused had been identified as Sanjit Tanti, a native of Bihar and presently living at Aadarsh Nagar near Dhandho Wal Chowk, Shahkot. Sawitary, also a native of Bihar, and presently living near Ram Mandir, Shahkot, complained to the police that the accused kidnapped her minor daughter on October 29 on the pretext of marriage. The SHO said a case under Sections 137(2) and 96 of the BNS has been registered against the accused, and further investigation is on. OC VILLAGERS BOOKED FOR FARM FIRES Shahkot/Nakodar: The Shahkot police have booked two villagers for burning paddy stubble in the fields. DSP, Shahkot, Onkar Singh Brar said the suspects had been identified as Paramjit Singh, a resident of Shahkot and Sital Singh, a resident of Dharmiwal. The DSP said Executive Officer of Shahkot Nagar Panchayatcum-Cluster Officer Brij Mohan and Panchayat Secretary reported that the suspects burnt paddy stubble. In another case, the police have also booked two villagers for burning paddy stubble in Kania Khurd village and Mohariwal village. OC 10 BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: On a complaint lodged by a villager Pardeep Singh, the police have booked six persons on the charges of attacking and injuring the complainant in village Bhularai on Saturday night. Personal rivalry is said to be the cause of attack. The assailants were identified as Ajit Singh, Harpreet Singh, Vipin, Gopi and two unknown persons. In another case, on a complaint lodged by Azadwinder Singh, a resident of village Pandori, the police have booked four identified persons Ravinder Singh, Gursharan, Kulwant and Gurkamal on the charges of assaulting the complainant. No arrest has been made so far. OC ‘DRUG PEDDLER’ ARRESTED Phagwara: The police arrested a drug peddler and recovered 220 intoxicating tablets from his possession on Saturday night. The accused was identified as Naresh, alias Beera, a resident of Subhash Nagar, Phagwara. The accused was nabbed at a check-point in the city. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the peddler. OC PROTEST AGAINST 1984 RIOTS Jalandhar: The Kirti Kisan Union and Istri Jagriti Manch held a demonstration at Mehatpur against the massacre of Sikhs in 1984. The demonstration was started from the Christian Community Hall in Mehatpur where activists marched to the city. A large number of labourers also participated. Addressing people, Kirti Kisan Union leaders Gurkamal Singh and Rajinder Singh Mand said even after 40 years, the victims neither did get justice, and nor did the government change it's attitude regarding the treatement meted out to minorities. TNS Who will clean Hoshiarpur? Despite MC’s tall claims, garbage heaps dot city Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Hoshiarpur, November 3 Despite tall claims of the municipal corporation to clean the city under the ongoing cleanliness drive, the city is yet to get rid of garbage scattered at several places for which residents of the city are also responsible. They keep on throwing garbage at the corners of the streets, on the roadside and even outside the garbage dump yards. Not only this, hundreds of plots are turned into garbage spots. For a population of around 3 lakh spread across 50 wards, the city has only around 400 sanitation workers with only half of them (around 250) on regular job. Some time ago, 196 sanitation workers were hired but 22 of them have left the job. No regular recruitment of sanitation workers has been done since 2012. The sanitation workers were suffering as there was much workload with many wards having 3 or 4 workers only. As the hired workers are getting a meagre salary of around Rs 11,000 only, they are leaving the job. Despite working to their full capacity, the corporation finds it difficult to keep the city clean. There were four garbage dump yards in the city Bahadurpur opposite to Ganja School, second one at Chandigarh road opposite DAV College, third at the Food Street and fourth in Model Town. More than a Garbage thrown outside a trash dump yard at Chandigarh road in Hoshiarpur. year ago, the corporation had planned to remove the dump yards, but even after a year only two of these could be removed from Model Town and Food Street. Although corporation officials say that these two dump yards are emptied regularly and there is no garbage scattered outside these dump yards, the situation on the ground is quite different. Residents of these areas keep complaining of the problems caused by the garbage scattered on road and the foul smell emanating out of these dump yards, making them suffer continuously. A resident of Ganja School area, Dr Manmohan Singh, secretary Shiv Sena (UBT), said, “We have been complaining for long and everytime a false assurance is given but nothing happens.” President of the Municipal Corporation’s Sanitation Workers Union Karanjot Adia and Safai Mazdoor Federation president Raja Hans said there were only 427 sanitation workers in the city while the requirement was of at least 750 with 15 sanitation workers every ward. If one worker went on leave, there was no one to take care of his work. There was also a requirement of 100 sewermen. “We have given representations to recruit 200 more sanitation workers but nothing has been done,” said Karanjot. MC Joint Commissioner Sandeep Tiwari said a special cleanliness drive was on in the city and the entry points of the city, various public places, offices and other places were cleaned. Two dump yards had been removed and the remaining two were being emptied daily before afternoon and it was ensured that no garbage was scattered outside these dump yards. Mayor Surinder Kumar Shinda said there was a shortage of sanitation workers and the corporation was trying its best to meet the requirements. “We are planning to hire some more sanitation workers out of those who were on the waiting list during the last recruitment/hiring process,” said Shinda. Youth shot, friend injured in fight over gambling money Family members block road, lift dharna after arrest of culprit Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 3 In a shocking incident, a youth Rishabh, alias Badshah, was killed and his friend Ishu Kumar was seriously injured in a shooting that took place on Sunday night near Khingra Gate here. As per information, assailant Sahil Kapoor, alias Manu Kapoor Dhillon, opened fire following a dispute over gambling money between two groups. The conflict allegedly erupted during a gambling session on Diwali night. Both groups met on Sunday night to settle the dispute, but it turned violent, resulting in firing of five rounds. Rishabh, a resident of Ali Mohalla, was hit in the stomach and succumbed to his injuries at Johal Hospital in Rama Mandi. His friend, Ishu Kumar, a resident of Basti Bhurekhan, sustained critical injuries and remains under medical care. The deceased was initially rushed to Satyam Hospital, transferred to NHS Hospital and finally to Johal Hospital, where his condition deteriorated and was declared dead. The incident, meanwhile, had sparked anger among the victim’s family, who, immediately after Rishabh was declared dead, gathered outside Johal Hospital and blocked the Rama Mandi Road in protest, demanding the arrest of the accused. A heated exchange also ensued between grieving family members and the police as emotions ran high. Senior officials, including The main accused in the firing incident in police custody at Jalandhar; and (below) victim Rishabh CP Swapan Sharma, reached the spot last night to pacify the family members and assured them of the arrest of all those responsible. It was only after police informed the family that they had apprehended those responsible, the family lifted the protest. Addressing the media, DCP , Headquarters, Aditya confirmed that following the incident, the police had lodged an FIR under Sec- tions 103(1), 109, 190, 191(3) of the BNS and 25/27-54-59 of the Arms Act at PS Division 3 Jalandhar. DCP Aditya said during investigation, the police had booked Sahil Kapoor, alias Mannu Kapoor Dhillu, Saajan Sahota, Manav, Nannu Kapoor, Doctor Kohli, Chakshit Randhawa, Gaggi, Kaka and some unknown persons. He said the main accused Sahil Kapoor had been arrested with one countrymade pistol and two empty shells, adding that five criminal cases were already pending against the accused. He further said raids were being conducted to nab the other culprits too. When asked about the reason behind the firing, DCP Aditya said preliminary investigation suggested that some money matter was the reason behind it, but the true story could only be known once the investigation progressed and others involved in the case were arrested. Police claim crime NGT notice on single-use plastic to state, Jalandhar rate dips 40% in city Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 3 The ongoing drive to curb street crime launched by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, led by Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma, has achieved a success after the city witnessed a 40 per cent decline in the overall street crimes. The initiative follows the mandate of DGP Gaurav Yadav to act tough against crime. As per official crime rate statistics, the city has witnessed 137 incidents of street crimes from August 1 to October 31, which was 211 during the corresponding period the previous year. According to Swapan Sharma, the strategic setting up of nakas and enhanced patrolling across the city has proven to be a game-changer for the police. “The theft and robbery cases have been decreased by almost 50 per cent, while burglary and snatching incidents also come down by 23 per cent and 21 per cent, respectively,” said Sharma. As per information, there were 100 incidents of theft reported from August 1 to October 31, 2023, which had reduced to 53 this year, while the incidents of robbery have also been halved from six cases to three cases. Similarly, burglary incidents decreased from 57 to 44 and snatching incidents down from 48 to 37 in the same period. BURGLARY, SNATCHING ALSO DOWN ■ The city had witnessed 137 incidents of street crime from August 1 to October 31, which was 211 during the corresponding period last year ■ There were 100 incidents of theft reported from August 1 to October 31, 2023, which had reduced to 53 this year, while the incidents of robbery had also been halved from six cases to three cases ■ Similarly, burglary incidents decreased from 57 to 44 and snatching incidents down from 48 to 37 in the same period The CP said under this drive against street crime, the police have adopted multifaceted approach under which crime data is analysed at various levels to study patterns, identify hotspots and understand criminal profiles, which further helped to act strategically and avert such petty crimes. He said there are over 6,000 CCTV cameras installed across the city which have been working as a force multiplier to keep vigil around the anti-social elements. The CP said all CCTV cameras are being supervised 24x7 by the specially trained police personnel deployed at the first-of-its-kind Integrated Command and Control Centre established at Police Lines in the Jalandhar Commissionerate. Jalandhar, November 3 The National Green Tribunal has issued notice to Punjab, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, DC, Jalandhar, the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Punjab, and the Central Pollution Control Board, New Delhi, during a hearing on October 25 in a case filed by the Action Group Against Plastic Pollution, a Jalandhar NGO. Despite a ban on single-use plastic manufacture, distribution, sale and use, there has been uncontrolled use of single use plastic in dif- ferent forms, as per the NGT notice which has asked the respondents to file their replies before the next hearing in the case. Dr Pallavi Khanna, president, AGAPP working committee, expressed joy on the success of the AGAPP’s three-year-old campaign to rid Jalandhar and Punjab of the single-use plastic curse. Khanna said, “We mentioned in our NGT petition the lack of response to the AGAPP’s multiple pleas and protests to the Municipal Corporation, PPCB, and Local Bodies Ministry since 2021. We have sent letters and emails to the CM for a meet- ing to hear us but not been heard. We also mentioned in our petition about the political interference by MLAs’ which we have openly witnessed when attempting challan enforcement in our targeted areas in Jalandhar. Our plea to the NGT also demanded from the administration public notices via print and visual media to inform citizens of the harms from single use plastic, starting from its manufacture to use to disposal. We pointed to the massive solid waste management problem arising from this disposable plastic culture.” Dr Khanna appreciated lawyers who framed and argued for this petition for the AGAPP - advocate Varun Girdhar, advocate Subhagya Liberhan as well as the guidance of Kapil Arora of the Public Action Committee, Mattewara. “The health harms of nanoplastics to humans and other animals are being highlighted almost daily in scientific and Average AQI 169, air quality improves Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 3 The district logged a total of 66 farm fires so far with four fires being reported today. The district, which has been among the worst polluted zones in the country ever since Diwali, witnessed a marginally better air quality today as the average AQI returned to moderate level after the high maximum level of 500 yesterday. The average AQI registered in Jalandhar was 169 while the maximum was at the “very poor” level of 354. However, the evening witnessed a thick layer of smog over the district. c m y b Collectively, 289 farm fires have been reported in Kapurthala this paddy season so far – (223 at Kapurthala and 66 in Jalandhar). The two districts are about to surpass the 300 mark soon. Collectively, 92 farm fires had been reported in Jalandhar and Kapurthala in the first three days of November alone. This has been marked by deteriorating air quality, especially in Jalandhar, where vehicular and construction waste pollution are also the key factors in contributing pollutants to air. In Jalandhar, in November, 27 farm fires have been reported. On November 1, 15 farm fires were reported, on November 2, eight and on November 3, four farm fires were reported. Of the eight farm fires reported yesterday in Jalandhar - four were at Shahkot, two at Phillaur, one each at Nakodar and Adampur. Meanwhile at Kapurthala, 65 farm fires have been reported in the month of November alone. As many as 15 farm fires were reported in Kapurthala yesterday and seven today. On November 1, 43 farm fires were reported in Kapurthala. nature journals worldwide. This is just a start. We are ready and restless to extend this enforcement petition for the single use plastic ban beyond Punjab. We are pooling resources with our activists in Delhi as well as other environment organisations to take this litigation nationwide,” said Dr Navneet Bhullar, cofounder AGAPP who has , organised multiple protests in the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana PPCB office and Municipal Corporation office sites, Patiala (PPCB headquarters) and Chandigarh (Local Body Ministry) since November 2021 and failed to get any results. DC gets tough on fertiliser black marketing Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, November 3 In a bid to ensure fair distribution of fertilieers during the critical sowing season for wheat and other crops, DC Rajesh Dhiman has issued strict orders to the Agriculture Department in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Officials have been directed to conduct regular inspections at fertilizer sales points across the district to ensure that farmers have access to fertilizers at fair prices, free from black market practices.