14012025-JTR-01.qxd 1/13/2025 11:13 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune UNIONS BURN DRAFT COPIES OF NEW AGRI MKTG POLICY EXTENDING A HELPING HAND FOR WILDFIRE VICTIMS FIGHTING CHILD MARRIAGE WITH FOOTBALL Leader says the Centre wanted to enforce black laws that were repealed during 2021 after year-long farm stir. P2 Celebrities donate generously to families and workers impacted by the Los Angeles fires. P4 Kicking Balls adjudged Best Documentary Short at the New York International Film Festival. P4 » » FORECAST FOGGY MAX 15°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 5°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5.46 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:26 AM » TUESDAY | 14 JANUARY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF Despite AAP’s majority, Goraya MC awaits chief HAND GRENADE FOUND IN VILLAGE Jalandhar: A hand grenade, found at Padhiana village in Adampur, Jalandhar, caused panic in the village on Lohri evening. The police cordoned off the area. A bomb disposal squad from the PAP has also been called to the spot to avert any possible threat. Meanwhile, officials said the hand grenade was a rusted device possibly left over from a previous Army exercise and there was no need for concern. The hand grenade was found by children playing in the area at a ground near the local school. TNS MAN HELD FOR BURGLARY Phagwara: The police have arrested a 'thief', identified as Bikram Kumar, a resident of Khalwara Gate in Phagwara on Sunday night. Superintendent of Police Rupinder Bhatti said the accused arrested has confessed before the police of his involvement in two theft incidents at the house of Harish Parmar in Hargobind Nagar, Phagwara, and on the premises of Randhir Singh in Green Valley, Phagwara. A large battery, inverter, cylinder and gold ornaments were stolen from the house of Harish Parmar while a laptop and inverter were stolen from the house of Randip Singh. The cops are investigating the matter. OC JAKHU ELECTED BILGA NP CHIEF Phagwara: Gurnam Singh Jakhu of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was elected president of the Bilga Nagar Panchayat (NP) here on Monday while Sandeep Singh was elected the senior vicepresident and Parwindar Singh vice-president. All three councilors got 10 votes each to win. The AAP has the majority in a house of 10 members. All newly elected councillors were sworn in at a council meeting. Nakodar SDM Lal Vishwas Bains conducted the proceedings. Nakodar MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann was present at the meeting. OC NURMAHAL MURDER ACCUSED FLEEING Phagwara: More than two years after the crime, the Nurmahal police have failed to arrest the accused of murdering a resident. Rohit (22) of Mohalla Khatikan was shot dead on August 10, 2022, by Jaswinder Singh Bunty of Lohar village. SHO Palwindar Singh said raids were being conducted to nab the accused. OC TWO ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ HELD Phagwara: The police force headed by Superintendent of Police Rupinder Kaur Bhatti have arrested two drug smugglers and recovered 1.44 kg of opium from their possession last night. SP Bhatti said the arrested accuseds were identified as migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Arif and Feroze. The accused were nabbed at a check-point when they were coming in a car bearing the registration number UP-25DN-3991 near Khotrra Road, Phagwara. The police have also impounded the car of the accused. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the arrested accused, said SP Bhatti. OC Our Correspondent A leopard died after being trapped in a net at village Birampur Leopard trapped in net, dies; farm owner booked Our Correspondent Garhshankar, January 13 The police have registered a case against the death of a leopard that got trapped in a net placed in the fields in the forest of village Birampur. The Wildlife Department has taken the leopard’s body in its custody and got an FIR lodged against land owner by complaining to the police. According to information, the villagers saw a dead leopard in the forest in the morning and informed the depart- ment. After which department employees reached the spot and took the leopard into their custody. Ramanpreet Kaur, guard of the Wildlife Department, said the leopard seemed to have died after getting trapped in the wire under the net placed in the fields to protect it from wild animals in the forest. The post-mortem of the leopard has been done. The real reasons will be known after the report comes but an FIR has been lodged against the landowner. PHAGWARA, JANUARY 13 Despite having a clear majority, AAP fails to elect president for the Municipal Council, Goraya. The Municipal Council consist of 13 wards. The ruling party won 10 wards, one BJP and two independents.Congress lost all wards. The elections for the president and his team were held today at Municipal Council office, Goraya. Despite having 10 members, the name proposed by AAP leaders secured only three votes. Independent candidate Rishu Pahwa secured 4 only votes. Seven votes went in favour of Manoj Gogna, who won on AAP ticket but was not handpicked by Phillaur AAP incharge Prem Kumar. Rajni Devi of the BJP was elected senior vice-president and Sudesh Billa vice-president. After the humiliating outcome of the election, the Tehsildar-cum-convener Satinderpal Singh, EO, Goraya, vanished from the council office on the direction of the higher authorities Objecting to this, MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary said the entire election process was videographed. Every elected member administered the oath followed by the voting. MLA Vikramjit said everyone involved in this malpractice would be dealt legally. Streets overrun by banners as waste crisis deepens Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 13 The city’s streets have become a glaring reflection of misplaced priorities, with banners and hoardings displaying everywhere since the municipal corporation elections were announced. From campaign posters, seeking votes, to thank-you banners after the results, and now massive congratulatory hoardings for the newly elected Mayor, public spaces are drowning in visual clutter. Residents are questioning why elected representatives, who promised to address pressing civic issues, are adding to the city’s already dire waste problem. Residents are voicing their anger over the issue, questioning the insensitivity of those in power. “Why do people need to put up huge banners, congratulating the Mayor? Everyone already knows who won – it’s in the news everywhere. This isn’t a celebration; it’s pollution,” said Kavita Sharma, a local resident. She emphasized that such displays not only tarnished the city’s appearance, but also contributed to a growing garbage problem that showed no sign of resolution. The city already generates over 500 tonnes of waste every Banners congratulating Mayor Vaneet Dhir in front of the MC office Jalandhar. PHOTO SARABJIT SINGH day and dumping sites across neighbourhoods are overwhelmed. These spaces have become breeding grounds for diseases, with surrounding areas turning into complete wastelands. “Leaders promised to tackle the city’s problems, yet they’re busy glorifying themselves with unnecessary posters. Do they realise how many lives this mounting waste is affecting?” asked Rajesh Ahuja, another resident. Despite some councillors making an effort to remove banners after the elections, the lack of a proper disposal system has created an even bigger challenge. Election materials, largely made of plastic and non-biodegradable materials, continue to choke dumping grounds with no recycling plans in place. “It’s not enough to just take them down. Where will all this waste go? We need stricter laws to ban these banners altogether,” said Aarti Verma, a school teacher. Residents have urged the newly elected Mayor to take immediate steps to address the problem, starting with banning hoardings and promoting sustainable practices. “Congratulate the Mayor personally or use social media – why does the city need to suffer for someone’s vanity?” said Deepak Malhotra, a shop owner. Many residents are calling for a shift to digital campaigning, eco-friendly materials and stricter enforcement of waste management policies to prevent further deterioration. Special search operations by police for public safety ahead of R-Day Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 13 In an effort to bolster public safety ahead of the Republic Day celebrations on January 26 and the upcoming festive season, the Commissionerate Police Jalandhar conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at the Jalandhar bus stand and nearby areas. The operation, overseen by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), involved a team of 100 police personnel executing comprehensive security measures. Anti-sabotage teams established specialised checkpoints to meticulously examine all areas of the bus stand, while the PAIS system was deployed to enhance the efficiency of searches. Buses and passengers were subjected to thorough inspections for any suspicious activities or illegal items, with particular attention to identifying and seizing prohibited plastic kite threads. Surveillance teams monitored the premises via advanced CCTV systems, ensuring real-time situational awareness. Sniffer dogs were deployed to detect The Jalandhar police arrest one person with 900 gattus of China dor on Tuesday. FILE Chinese string claims man’s life in Adampur The Commissionerate Police Jalandhar conducts a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at the Jalandhar bus stand and nearby areas on Monday. explosives or other potentially harmful materials. Passenger luggage was scanned to ensure commuter safety and identity verification checks were conducted to validate proper documentation. Crowd control meas- ures were implemented to manage the heavy influx of travellers during peak hours and seamless coordination with the transport authorities was maintained to uphold security protocols and facilitate smooth operations. The Commissionerate Police emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for residents and visitors during the festive season, reinforcing their dedication to proactive security management. Jalandhar, January 13 In a shocking incident, 45year-old Harpreet Singh from Adampur died on Sunday after undergoing treatment for two days at the PGI, Chandigarh. He was admitted to the PGI following injury from Chinese dor. His family, including his two children, are in a shock. While his elder daughter is 13-year-old, his son is 11-yearold and both study in a government school. Amarjeet Singh, relative of deceased Harpreet Singh, said the family was not in a Harpreet Singh good position financially. “The family wants help and action against those who are still selling the Chinese dor so that no one else suffers the way we have suffered,” he said. He was working as a daily wager. Last year, a 13-year-old Jasveer Singh from Adampur had lost his life. Jasveer Singh, son of Jatinder Singh, was going home with his brother on a scooter, when suddenly a Chinese string got entangled around his neck, causing a deep cut in his throat. He fell from the vehicle, getting injured seriously. The boy died on the way to the Civil Hospital here. His brother too had sustained injuries. Chinese dor continue to be sold despite ban. TNS Nawanshahr live-in partners end lives by suicide, one after another Our Correspondent PHAGWARA,JANUARY 13 A live-in couple from Nawanshahr has met a tragic end following domestic disputes, with both partners ending their own lives within a day. Richa Bhardwaj, a 33-yearold woman, reportedly ended her life by hanging her- self on January 10 at her home in Mandhali village near Phagwara. Kapil, brother of the deceased, said his sister was married to Delhi resident Raghav and had a 11-yearold son but later she developed extra-marital relations with Sunil Kumar and was living in village Madhali near Phagwara. Kapil, resident of Delhi, told the police that his sister had been living with Sunil Kumar, alias Sunny, in a livein relationship for the past five years. The relationship, however, turned sour due to frequent arguments and allegations of abuse. Local residents revealed that disputes between the couple had escalated over c m y b the past year. Efforts by the community and relatives to reconcile them proved futile. On the fateful day, Richa’s mother received a call informing her about the tragedy. The day after Richa’s death, Sunny also ended his life by hanging himself in a hotel room on the BangaMukerian road. The hotel staff discovered his body hanging in the room on January 11. Hotel owner Gaurav told the police that Sunil Vij hailed from 70 DDA Flats, Jahangirpuri, New Delhi, and was currently residing in Mandhali village, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. He arrived at the hotel late Sunday evening in his car. In the morning, the hotel staff knocked at his door but received no response. Repeated attempts to elicit a reaction went unanswered, prompting them to forcibly open the door. To their shock, they found him hanging in the room. Police investigations revealed that Sunny had convinced Richa to leave her marital home five-year-ago, bringing her and her son to Mandali village. Despite purchasing a house together, their relationship was fraught with conflicts. This incident has sent shock waves through the local community, highlighting the need for greater awareness of mental health issues.