13042025-JTR-01.qxd 4/12/2025 10:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ALUMNI MEET HELD AT DAV COLLEGE LADY GAGA BRINGS ‘MAYHEM’ TO THE MASSES AT COACHELLA DAV College, Hoshiarpur, hosted an alumni meet, bringing together former students from various batches. P2 Singer Lady Gaga returned to a massive audience to headline the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Fest. P4 » » PAMMI BAI ANNOUNCES THE WORLD BHANGRA LEAGUE FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 33°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.55 PM Introducing bhangra as a sport, the aim is to have the same format — making teams & auction of artistes.P4 » SUNRISE MONDAY 6:00 AM SUNDAY | 13 APRIL 2025 | JALANDHAR Kapurthala, Phagwara police intensify Four snatchers arrested, night surveillance under Operation Satark cash, 2 vehicles recovered Checkpoints laid, patrolling enhanced; Anti-social elements under scanner Our Correspondent Phagwara, April 12 In a coordinated effort to enhance public safety and maintain law and order, the Kapurthala and Phagwara police conducted an extensive night domination exercise across the district under the banner of “Operation Satark”. The operation, carried out from 10 pm on April 11 to 4 am on April 12, was aimed at curbing unlawful activities, reinforcing police visibility and building public confidence. Under the direct supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora, the Kapurthala district police laid vehicle checkposts at key entry and exit points, including Beas Bridge and Dhilwan, where high-tech surveillance systems and live CCTV monitoring were actively employed. Toora personally reviewed operations on the ground, inspected CCTV control rooms and ensured Five arrested with intoxicating tablets Our Correspondent Phagwara, April 12 The Nakodar police have arrested two drug peddlers on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sukhpal Singh said 110 intoxicating tablets (loose) were recovered from the possession of the accused identified as Tirath of Mohalla Bhalia, Nakodar, and Tarsem Singh of Mohalla Guru Nanak Pura, Nakodar. The DSP said the Nakodar Sadar police arrested Amandeep Pal, alias Rauki, of Khiva village after recovering 62 intoxicating tablets form him. The DSP said cases under Sections 22/61/85 of the NDPS Act were registered against the accused. The Shahkot police arrested Pawitar Singh, alias Pitar, of Kania Kalan village and Gagan Deep Singh, alias Gagan, of Mohalla New Kartar Nagar, Shahkot, with 103 (50+53) intoxicating tablets (loose) said Station House Officer Balwindar Singh Bhullar. Police personnel check a vehicle during Operation Satark in Phagwara. optimal coordination among field units. Simultaneously, focused inspections were carried out at bus stands and railway stations in Kapurthala and Phagwara, with an emphasis on identifying suspicious activities and safeguarding public spaces. SSP Toora while talking to The Tribune here today said that the operation’s primary objective was to instil a sense of security among citizens and crackdown on anti-social elements. He urged the public to extend cooperation to the police and assured that the identity of informants would be kept confidential. In Phagwara, the night operation was led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, with multiple teams deployed across sensitive zones. Seven permanent nakas were laid and five patrolling parties, led by SHOs, PP in-charges and unit officers were deputed during the operation. Inspector Aman Kumar Daveshwar ensured that the operation was a success. SP Bhatti told The Tribune on Saturday that 249 The accused in custody of the commissionerate police in Jalandhar. on the complaint, a police team initiated a detailed investigation, which included technical surveillance and groundlevel inquiries. Based on the evidence gathered, four of the five accused were identified and arrested on April 10. They were identified as Rahul, a resident of Gulab Devi Road; Chetan, a resident of Valmiki Mohalla in Garha; Inderjit Singh and Vansh Bhardwaj, both residents of New Ratan Nagar. All four were taken into custody and interrogated. During course of the investigation, the police recovered Rs 2,200 in cash from the accused, along with a black Splendor motorcycle bearing registration number PB08-FH-4584 and a white Activa scooter with registration number PB08-DX3554. Both vehicles were being used by the accused without valid documents. The mobile phone snatched during the incident was also traced. The fifth accused, who is still at large, has been identified and efforts are underway to arrest him at the earliest. Police teams were dispatched to multiple locations based on the inputs received during questioning of the arrested accused, officials said. — TNS RTI activist alleges misuse of power, Seven booked for murder bid, criminal intimidation questions ban on his entry to MC office Our Correspondent Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 12 An RTI activist Simranjit Singh has accused Mayor Vineet Dhir of misusing his authority by arbitrarily banning him from entering the Municipal Corporation (MC) office. In a letter addressed to the government authorities in Chandigarh, Mayor and MC Commissioner, Singh not only denied the allegations against him, but also questioned the legal basis of the entry ban, claiming it was issued to shield corruption within the civic body. The controversy arose after an order dated April 4 (Order No. 9, the copy of which is in possession of Jalandhar Tribune) issued by the Mayor barred Singh from entering the MC premises. The order, which was circulated on social media, accuses Singh of capturing photographs inside the MC building without permission. However, Singh firmly denied the charge, calling it a baseless allegation meant to silence his efforts in exposing corruption. “I vehemently refute the allegation of unauthorised photography,” Singh stated in his letter. “There is no inquiry, no evidence and no opportunity of being heard. This order appears to be a result of a complaint filed by a clerk against whom I had already submitted a complaint to the MC office.” Simranjit Singh said in his complaint against the clerk, he accused him of taking bribes from architects in exchange for clearing layout plans. “Instead of ordering an investigation into this serious allegation of bribery, the Mayor chose to act against me, by banning my entry into a public office,” he added. He also challenged the legal authority of the Mayor to issue such an order. “No law gives the Mayor the right to restrict the entry of a citizen into the MC office, which is a public office dealing in public affairs. Such an order is arbitrary, ille- gal and an abuse of power,” Singh said, while adding that if this order is not cancelled, he would be forced to challenge it in the High Court. Singh said the order also comes at a time, when he filed complaint against the Mayor and raised concerns over the illegal use of red and blue beacons and police-style pilot vehicles by him, terming it a violation of rules and VIP culture norms. Meanwhile, Mayor Vineet Dhir said the order was issued because the RTI activist not only took photographs of official documents without permission in the absence of staff, but also misbehaved with clerk and used derogatory language when confronted. He said several other officials at the MC office had also come forward with similar complaints against him, alleging that the activist had using the RTI Act as a tool for blackmail. “Taking all these factors into account, the decision to issue the order has been taken,” Dhir said. Wheat harvesting through Ban on sale of Pregabalin combines at night banned capsules without licence Phagwara, April 12 In a bid to ensure public safety and environmental protection, Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner-cumDistrict Magistrate Amit Kumar Panchal has issued orders prohibiting the use of combine harvesters for wheat harvesting in the district between 7 pm and 6 am. The directive has been enforced under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. According to the official statement, the use of combine harvesters will only be permitted if these machines are equipped with super straw management system (Super SMS) to prevent the uncontrolled spread of stubble. Harvester owners have individuals were checked and eight suspicious persons were rounded up, while preventive action was taken against four. One FIR was registered under the NDPS Act, she said. Traffic police in-charge Aman Kumar said 35 challans were issued for the violation of traffic rules and four vehicles were impounded during the operation. SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti highlighted proactive efforts of the Phagwara police in ensuring a secure environment, while stressing that such surprise checks would continue in order to deter criminals from carrying out nefarious activities. SSP Gaurav Toora reiterated his commitment to uphold peace and order through sustained operations and community engagements. “Citizens have been encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity, while reaffirming the commitment of the police to make Punjab safer,” he said. Jalandhar, April 12 The commissionerate police have arrested four men involved in a snatching incident which was reported on the night of March 30. The arrests were made by the team of police station Division No. 1. The police also recovered stolen cash, a mobile phone and two vehicles used in the crime from the accused. Commissioner of Police (CP) said a case was registered following a complaint by Shankar Bhagat, a resident of Kaliya Colony, Jalandhar. In his complaint, Bhagat stated that he and his son Gautam Kumar were returning home when they were intercepted near Bharat Petrol Pump by five men. Three of them were riding a white Activa scooter, while the remaining two were on a motorcycle. The group allegedly surrounded Bhagat and his son, threatened them, and forcibly snatched Rs 3,000 in cash from Bhagat and a mobile phone from his son before fleeing from the spot. An FIR (No. 44) was registered under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Acting Our Correspondent A combine harvester used for harvesting crops. been strictly instructed not to operate their machines without the Super SMS system. In a related move, the District Magistrate also imposed a complete ban on burning of wheat stubble, straw and residue within the boundaries of Kapurthala district. These restrictions aim to reduce air pollution and promote sustainable farming practices. Both orders will remain in effect until June 2. — OC Phagwara, April 12 In a significant move to curb the misuse of prescription drugs, Kapurthala Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Amit Kumar Panchal has issued orders prohibiting the unauthorised possession and sale of Pregabalin capsules within the district. Acting under powers granted by Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and based on a request from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), the District Magistrate banned the possession, sale and purchase of Pregabalin capsules without a valid licence, beyond permissible quantities or without proper bills and records. According to the order, intelligence reports and interactions with drug addicts had revealed that Pregabalin capsules were widely being misused by individuals struggling with substance abuse. In light of this, the district administration took proactive steps to prevent illegal distribution and ensure tighter regulation of the drug. The ban will remain in effect until June 13. The authorities have warned that strict action will be taken against violators under the applicable laws. The administration has also urged medical shops and pharmaceutical dealers to ensure compliance and maintain proper documentation of all sales involving such controlled substances. c m y b Phagwara, April 12 The Nakodar city police have booked seven miscreants on the charges of attempt to murder, criminal intimidation and rioting. Investigating Officer (IO) Rajindar Kumar said the accused were identified as Momin, a resident of Rampur village under Doraha police station in Ludhiana, Mohamad Sharif, a resident of Jandiali village under the Doraha police station in Ludhiana, and Saka, a resident of Bhairon Munna village under the Koom Kalan village in Ludhiana. Their four accom- plices were yet to be unidentified, he said. Sadam Hussain a resident of Mohalla Laheywal, Nakodar city, complained to the police that the accused waylaid and attacked him with intention to kill and seriously injured him. The victim said the accused also threatened him with dire consequences. The IO said a case under Sections 109 (attempt to murder), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), 115(2)118(1) (causing grievous hurt), 191(2) (rioting), 190(unlawful assembly and 324(4) (mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against the accused.