10112024-JTR-01.qxd 11/9/2024 10:22 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DC ASSURES ADEQUATE FERTILISER SUPPLY IN K’THALA DISTRICT SAVI KAHLON HAS SHIFTED BASE FROM NEW ZEALAND TO INDIA Deputy Commissioner has assured that Kapurthala district has sufficient supply of DAP and other fertilisers. P2 Savi Kahlon, who became a sensation after Apa Phir Milange, has shifted base to India to focus on singing career. P4 » RICKY KEJ EARNS NOMINATION FOR 67TH GRAMMY AWARDS Kej earned his fourth nomination for Break of Dawn in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category. P4 » » FORECAST SHALLOW FOG MAX 27°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:51 AM SUNDAY | 10 NOVEMBER 2024 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF THIEVES DECAMP WITH CASH, GOLD Phagwara: A house at Miherru village near Phagwara, owned by an NRI Gurmukh Singh, was reportedly burgled on Friday night. Burglars entered the house after breaking open the locks and took away ~60,000 in cash and gold ornaments including a gold bracelet, two gold rings and a gold chain after ransacking the bedroom when family members were away. The police have registered a case in this connection. OC Man held for brutal murder after three-month long hunt FINALLY IN POLICE NET ■ Absconding since August 2024 ■ Seven criminal cases registered ■ Criminal history spans over 12 yrs ■ Known for violent crimes ■ Active in Jalandhar-Hoshiarpur belt PAST CRIMINAL RECORD ■ FIR 23 (21-03-2012) registered FOUR BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: Following a complaint lodged by Harjinder Singh, a resident of Nasirabad village, the police have registered a case against four youths on the charges of attacking and injuring family members of the complainant on Friday night. The suspects were identified as Ajay, Amandeep Singh and Sukha, residents of Narur Panchhat village. No arrest has been made so far. OC Former minister Arora’s WhatsApp number hacked Hoshiarpur, November 9 Former minister Sunder Sham Arora’s WhatsApp number has been hacked. The hacker has demanded money from people in Arora’s contact list while citing that he needs help. Arora has filed a complaint in this connection at the cyber cell police station. He appealed to his acquaintances to be cautious of those who ask for money in the name of help. Arora said if anyone received such message, he should be contacted so that no one gets defrauded in the name of help. — OC Nepali youth arrested for raping minor girl Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 The police have arrested a Nepali youth for allegedly raping a girl from Himachal Pradesh and impregnating her. The incident came to light when the victim’s family noticed changes in her behaviour and sought medical attention, revealing she was five months pregnant. The suspect, identified as Jamil Khan Pathan from Nepal, has been taken into custody by the Rama Mandi police station under Sections 64 and 351(1) of the BNS. The victim disclosed the ordeal to her mother after initial suspicions. The family then approached the Nangal Shama police post under the Rama Mandi police station and filed a written complaint. Sub-Inspector Parminder Kaur, investigating officer (IO), registered an FIR, following which the suspect was arrested. The girl underwent medical examination at the Jalandhar Civil Hospital. The results of her medical report are awaited. The police confirmed that being less than 18-year-old, the victim was a minor at the time of the incident. However, she was now 18. The suspect was produced in a court which remanded him to police custody for further questioning. The police said the suspect would be sent to jail following interrogation. under NDPS Act, Mehtiana ■ FIR 49 (26-02-2015) registered under NDPS Act, Nakodar ■ FIR 201 (27-08-2015) registered The prime suspect in custody of the Jalandhar (Rural) police on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 The Jalandhar (Rural) police have arrested a prime shooter in connection with the brutal murder that took place in August this year. The suspect was arrested during a special operation launched against criminal elements in the district. The arrested suspect was identified as Sukhwinder Singh, alias Sukha Commando, a resident of Rasulpur village under the Nakodar Sadar police station. The suspect was wanted in seven criminal cases, including those registered under the NDPS Act. Sukhwinder had been absconding since August 2024. Sharing details with mediapersons, Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, Senior Superin- tendent of Police (SSP), Jalandhar, said following reliable intelligence inputs, a special operation was launched to nab the suspect, who had been evading arrest in a murder case since August this year. The SSP said, “When our teams cornered the suspect, he attempted to escape by jumping from the motor room located on the road heading from Chuhar village to Nakodar. While escaping, the suspect sustained a fracture on his left leg. Our alert teams immediately apprehended him.” The case dates back to August 20, 2024, when a man identified as Kulwinder Kindi was murdered on a road leading to Kang Sabu village. Following the incident, an FIR (No. 99) was registered on August 21, 2024, under Sections 103, 191(3), and 190 of the BNS, and Sections 25, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act at the Nakodar Sadar police station. The operation culminated with the arrest of Sukhwinder Singh on November 8 after meticulous planning and surveillance, the SSP said. Four other suspects involved in the murder — Gurpal Singh, alias Gopa, Balkar Singh, alias Balla, Nazir Singh and Jatinder Kumar, alias Gholi — were arrested earlier, the SSP added. The operation to arrest the suspect was carried out by a special police team led by Jasrup Kaur Bath, SP (Investigation), along with Sukhpal Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Nakodar sub-division, and Sub-Inspector Baljinder Singh, the SSP said. The joint operation involved officials from Nakodar Sadar police station and for violations of the IPC ■ FIR 188 (21-05-2014) registered under the NDPS Act ■ FIR 10 (15-01-2020) registered for assault and rioting ■ FIR 21 (05-03-2021) registered for criminal trespass ■ Present FIR 99 (21-08-2024) registered for murder the CIA staff, Jalandhar (Rural), the SSP added. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect had a long criminal history with cases registered against him at various police stations, the SSP said. These include three cases registered under the NDPS Act, multiple cases of assault and rioting, cases involving criminal trespass and previous arrests in Hoshiarpur and Nakodar, the SSP added. He said the suspect would be produced in a local court and his remand sought for further investigation and recovery of the weapon used in the crime. “We have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against heinous and organised crime. This arrest is a clear message to all criminal elements that they will not be spared,” the SSP said. Goods worth lakhs gutted in cosmetic shop Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 A fire broke out on the third floor of a shop near Panj Peer Chowk, reducing goods worth lakhs stored in the establishment to ashes. The incident occurred while the shop was closed in the morning. No casualties were reported in the incident. Fire brigade teams promptly arrived at the spot and controlled the blaze using two fire engines. According to shop owner Varun, who deals in cosmetics, the fire was first noticed by his daughter. Upon entering the shop, she saw smoke billowing from the third floor. As she ventured upstairs, she discovered that flames had engulfed the area. Despite initial attempts to extinguish the fire with water, it intensified, prompting a call to the fire brigade. A fire brigade officer, confirmed that their teams acted swiftly to contain the fire. “We received information in the morning about a fire in shop near the transformer at Panj Peer Chowk. Using two fire engines, we managed to control the blaze,” the fire brigade officer said, while adding that preliminary investigation suggested a short circuit as the probable cause of fire, with no evidence of negligence found at the spot. The fire brigade officer said the police were updated about the incident. He further said the police had begun a detailed investigation into the matter. He said a detailed report of the incident was expected soon. Two suspects in custody of the police in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO Two held for bid to murderafter2years Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 The Jalandhar (Rural) police have apprehended two absconding suspects involved in an attempt to murder case that had remained unresolved for over two years. The arrested suspects were identified as Sulaiman and Sandeep Singh, both residents of Butra village in Bhogpur sub-tehsil. Speaking to mediapersons, Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jalandhar, said, “These individuals were wanted in a serious crime and had been on the run for an extended period. The Jalandhar (Rural) police remains committed to bring such fugitives from justice,” the SSP said. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Jasrup Kaur Bath, SP (Investigation), and Kulwant Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Adampur subdivision, the SSP said. The team was led by Inspector Sikander Singh Virk, Station House Officer (SHO), Bhogpur police station, the SSP added. The attempt to murder case dates back to August 2022, when Gurnam Singh, a resident of Ladoi village, reported an attack on himself and his nephew Maninder Singh. The incident occurred near their haveli at Ladoi village in evening. Four unidentified men with covered faces arrived at the haveli on a black Pulsar motorcycle, assaulted the complainant with the handle of a hand pump, inflicting serious injuries on him. After evading arrest for over two years by frequently changing locations, the two suspects were tracked down and apprehended in a planned operation by the Bhogpur police team on Friday. An FIR No. 100 was registered on August 20, 2022, at the Bhogpur police station under Sections 307, 326, 342, 201, 148, 149 and 120-B of the IPC. A preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested individuals had a history of violent behaviour and were avoiding law enforcement agencies by changing hideouts. The arrested suspects would be produced in a court to seek their remand for further probe in the case and verify any criminal connections. Busoverturns,allpassengers safe Miscreants demand ~50L ransom from NRI Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, November 9 A tourist bus going from Jaipur to Jammu overturned following an accident at Naimajara village here on Saturday morning. There were at least 22 passengers on board when the accident happened. However, none of the passengers were seriously injured DRIVER WAS TRYING TO SAVE BIKE RIDER A bike suddenly came in front of the bus. Bus driver while trying to save the bike rider from getting hit lost control over the vehicle and it overturned. though some suffered minor bruises. Bus helper Jatinder said, “The bus had just started off from a dhaba after a tea break around 6.30 am. A bike suddenly came in front of the bus on the highway from an internal road. Our driver while trying to save the bike rider from getting hit lost control over the bus. The bus overturned, but thankfully all passengers are safe.” The Nawanshahr police team reached the spot and started investigation. Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 A month after some members of a gang opened fire at a cellphone showroom in Kapurthala to extort money from its owner, another incident of extortion and threat to a Kapurthala-based NRI was reported. At 10.30 pm on Friday, some miscreants fired gunshots outside the house of NRI Balwinder Singh. The men fired nine to 10 rounds outside his house. The Kapurthala police recovered nine empty shells from outside the house of the NRI. After receiving reports of firing outside the house, Deep Karan, DSP sub-division, and officials , of the Sadar police station reached the spot and started probe. The police said suspects, who fired gunshots outside the house, had sought Rs 50 lakh ransom from Balwinder. Notably, the said NRI had returned to Kapurthala from Manila five months ago. On November 5, Balwinder Singh had facilitated weddings of five girls from poor families and had borne the expenses for the same. A video of the event was also posted on social media. It is speculated that the video drew miscre- ants attention towards the NRI and his family. ASI Pal Singh said Balwinder Singh had received a call on Friday in which suspect had threatened him and demanded Rs 50 lakh from him. The ASI said identities of callers and those who fired gunshots outside his house were yet to be ascertained. Extortion cases in Kapurthala have spread panic among people. Deliberately stayed away from farmers’ protest on Delhi borders: Arundhati Roy Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 9 The celebrated Booker Prize-winning author and activist Arundhati Roy on Saturday afternoon said she deliberately chose to stay away from the protest of farmers on the Delhi borders in 2020-21 as she did not want them to be labelled with her as “jihadi” or “naxals”. Addressing a huge gathering on the last day of Mela Gadri Babian Da at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall here, she said, “In India, anyone who revolts against the corporate or religious fundamentalism are called so. When you were protesting on the Delhi border, I was not so much involved in your andolan. But even in my absence, they did not spare you. You too were branded as they called you ‘Khalistanis’. That is their style to brand you and prosecute you.” Speaking about threats to her over imposition of the Writer Arundhati Roy addresses gathering; and (right) artistes perform on the last day of Mela Gadri Babian Da at Desh Bhagat Hall in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH UAPA, the activist said, “You all heard it when Amit Shah had said that a section of socalled intellectuals are even more dangerous than terrorists holding guns in their hands. We all know why all leftists like Umar Khalid were sent to jail. We were a sizable bunch of people including Prof SAR Geelani and Prof GN Saibaba (who are no more) and Rona Wilson (who is behind bars). We all used to stand behind one another. But now, there are just two or three of us left. Our numbers may have fallen, but we will continue to say whatever we have to. I keep on telling this to them, ‘Whatever it is, I will never be on your side’.” c m y b While equating Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the newly-elected US President Donald Trump, she said, “They are more or less the same. Both of them can speak anything. Now that Trump is back, the World War could be imminent. In such a case, we have to be clear as to which side we are on. The US can only hurl bombs, but cannot fight on the ground. So far, India has been with Israel supplying it with arms. It is only the Punjabis and the Keralites like me who have so far supported the Palestinians. I was just told that even the next generations of Gadri Babas stand against atrocities, be it anywhere. We need to stand for others. This enhances our inner strength.” About her novel “God of Small Things” that brought her fame, she said, “It touched every subject. It talked about emotions, society, government, river and soil. When my novel was released, complaints were lodged against me that my book had some vulgar points. But in reality, they were upset since it mentioned about casteism. When I got the prize, they all started praising my writing style. No one talked about the politics that I wrote about in the book. Writers don’t write with a manifesto in hand. We hunt for the truth, structure it and jot it down.”