26042025-JTR-01.qxd 4/25/2025 10:53 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MEMORIAL SERVICE HELD FOR POPE AT ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL SINGER ARIJIT ANNOUNCES CANCELLATION OF HIS CONCERT Arijit Singh announced cancellation of his Chennai concert as a mark of respect for Pahalgam terrorist attack victims. P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 38°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 18°C SELENA GOMEZ OPENS UP ON HER MENTAL HEALTH JOURNEY Priests and nuns from Catholic churches, Christian community, bureaucrats, political leaders participate in service. P2 FORECAST Actress and singer Selena Gomez opened up about her mental health journey and said she must advocate for the same. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.03 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:46 AM » SATURDAY | 26 APRIL 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF BIKER KILLED IN ACCIDENT Phagwara: A 40-year-old man lost his life late Thursday night following a road accident near the Chahal Nagar bridge on the Jalandhar-Phagwara road. The deceased has been identified as Boota Singh of Lakhsia village in Hoshiarpur district. The chain of Boota Singh's motorcycle reportedly broke while he was riding, causing the vehicle to slow down abruptly. A vehicle coming from behind hit him, causing him to fall onto the road and sustain serious injuries. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital but was declared brought dead. OC YOUTH ATTACKED, 6 BOOKED Phagwara: Around half a dozen armed assailants attacked and seriously wounded a Balmiki Mohalla youth with sharp-edged weapons in the city on Thursday night.The injured was admitted to the local Civil Hospital. The police have registered a case against six persons Himanshu, Vijay, Pankaj, Harman and two unidentified accomplices. Personal enmity was said to be the cause of attack. OC Illegal de-addiction centre raided atoperators in police net | Huge quantity103 rescued Samrai village, of drugs seized, claims DC Five Ashok Kaura PHAGWARA, APRIL 25 In a major crackdown under the government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, the district and police administration have taken a firm action against an unauthorised drug de-addiction centre operating illegally at village Samrai on the Phagwara-Nakodar road. Receiving information on the phone, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal directed the health and police departments to raid the facility, resulting in swift and effective action by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police. Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal said 103 individuals, who were unlawfully detained under the guise of treatment, have been rescued from the premises. The joint operation led by the health and police departments also uncovered a significant stock of scheduled drugs, including 67 packets of alprazolam tablets and 100 packets of panadol, totalling 2,005 tablets. An FIR has been registered against the operators Sukhjeet Singh of Nakodar, Varinder Kumar of Hardofrala, Ashish Mehra of Lud- hiana, Maninder Singh of Tarn Taran and Malkeet Singh of Bathinda. All accused have been taken into custody after failing to produce any authorisation or documents supporting the legal operation of the centre or the possession of such prohibited drugs in bulk quantity. Dr Aggarwal stated that after being rescued, all individuals were shifted to the Jalandhar Civil Hospital for proper treatment at Government De-Addiction Centre. He reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy against drug abuse, adding that the district administra- tion remains committed to uprooting the drug menace with full force. Under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ initiative, the administration is not only taking strict action against illegal centres, but also focusing on rehabilitating drug-affected individuals. He also stated that the continuous monitoring to be held across the district to curb operation of illegal drug de-addiction centres in the district. The DC urged the public to utilize the district’s de-addiction helpline (0181-2911960) for assistance or information. Further, residents have been Two mauled to death by stray dogs, villagers take up issue with DC Aakanksha N Bhardwaj THREE ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ HELD Phagwara: The Phagwara police have arrested three 'drug peddlers'. The police recovered 7 gm heroin from the Anil Kumar of Preet Nagar, Phagwara while 45 tablets were recovered from Shaurav Kumar of Subhash Nagar and 37 tablets along with drug money was recovered from Manjit Kaler of village Ranipur near Phagwara. OC FIVE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have booked five miscreants for assaulting a villager. The accused have been identified as Karanbir, alias Abhi, of Nurpur Bedi in Rupnagar district and presently living at Dhak Pandori village in Phagwara and his four accomplices. Jaspreet of Pabwan village complained to the police that he was coming to his village on his motorcycle and at Chuheki village turning point, the accused hit his twowheeler with their car on April 10 night and he fell on road. They attacked and seriously injured him. oc TWO HELD FOR DRUG PEDDLING Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested two 'drug peddlers' on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. As many as 203 tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Jindar Singh and Makhan Singh of Dharme Dian Chhana village. Jindar told the police during interrogation that he had purchased tablets from Makhan. oc STOLEN ACTIVA, BIKE RECOVERED Garhshankar: The police have arrested a person along with stolen motorcycle and an Activa. ASI Rachpal Singh had registered a case against Baljit Singh, alias Ajay, of Sadhowal on April 22 on the statement of his Rajesh Kumar of Kukdan. On the basis of the FIR, the police arrested Baljit Singh, alias Ajay, and recovered a Splendor motorcycle (PB-07-BL5632) and Activa (PB-07-AB3541). oc Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 25 Four gram panchayats from Nakodar met Jalandhar DC today seeking help from the menace of stray dogs in villages. Villagers said the stray dogs had mauled two men to death in the last two day and it had created an environment of fear. Gram Panchayats of Kang Sabu, Khun Khun, Mirapur and Singha were present at the District Administrative Complex and also handed over the memorandum to the DC, asking for immediate action in this case. The complainants said a man identified as Sukhwinder Singh from Kang Sabu village, who had gone to Khun Khun village to have a look at his fields, was attacked by wild dogs. “He died on the spot and his body was in such a bad shape that a person couldn’t even look at it. Another man from Mirapur village was also Residents and sarpanches from villages of Nakodar meet the DC, Jalandhar, over stray dog menace. mauled to death by dogs in a similar manner,” they told the DC. Ravinder Singh from Kang Sabu village told The Tribune that nobody was able to roam freely in their own villages. “Children are afraid to go to their schools. They have been avoiding going and the parents are also worried. Even the elderly are living in fear,” he further added. The members of the pan- chayat said they had put up the demand to act fast in this case. “It is a serious issue and cannot be overlooked and ignored. Strict action must be taken so that such incidents do not happen again,” they said. encouraged to report any drugrelated activity to the government’s dedicated WhatsApp helpline (9779-100-200). Dr Aggarwal said all information will be kept confidential. Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said no one will be allowed to take law in their hands, therefore, stern action to be ensured against those involved in illegal activities. Earlier this month, the Jalandhar administration had successfully rescued over 34 youths from an illegal de-addiction centre in Jamsher, under the same campaign. A child carries a banner conveying a message to shun drugs before the anti-drug walkathon at Guru Nanak Stadium, Kapurthala. P2 Staff, pensioners burn govt’s effigy Our Correspondent Garhshankar, April 25 On the call of Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front, hundreds of workers of employees and pensioners of Garhshankar, under the leadership of Makhan Singh Wahidpuri, Jathedar Amrik Singh, Sham Sundar Kapoor and Sharmila Rani, blocked the Garhshankar-Anandpur Sahib road and burnt the effigy of the government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and raised strong slogans against the government. The speakers strongly condemned the Chief Minister for repeatedly giving time to the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Front for talks and not holding a meeting after that. He said the front has been on the path of struggle for a long time to get its demands fulfilled. After a big protest by the front, the officials arrange a meeting with the Chief Minister, but as the date of the meeting approaches, the meeting is postponed on one pretext or the other. Employees and pensioners are feeling cheated by this behaviour of the government and they have a lot of anger towards the government. He said on May 1, the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation and the joint platform of public organisations will celebrate Labour Day in Garhshankar in which labourers and employees will participate in large numbers. Teachers burn effigy of CM, edu minister Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 25 The Democratic Teacher Front burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister and Education Minister today, condemning the alleged beating up of teachers recruited in the 5994 ETT (backlog) by the police in Anandpur Sahib. Members said such treatment was not acceptable at all. Speaking on this occasion, DTF district president Kulwinder Singh Josan, secretary Jasvir Singh Sandhu and senior vice-president Rajwinder Singh Dhanju alleged that during the protest of unemployed teachers, a teacher was slapped by the police and some teachers were also dragged on the road. “Pictures have also gone viral. Instead of expressing regret over the incidents of disrespect to teachers and taking action against the guilty police officers, the Education Minister and other MLAs are inaugurating works done in schools many years ago under the so-called education revolution and the educational environment of schools is being subjected to political interference,” they said. Condemn alleged thrashing of teachers by police Court recalls Jagatjit Muslims burn effigy of terrorism after prayers Club sale warrant Shiv Sena calls for Phagwara bandh today Aparna Banerji Phagwara, April 25 In response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists were reportedly massacred on Tuesday, the Shiv Sena Punjab has called for a shutdown of Phagwara tomorrow. Addressing the media after a meeting held at Shri Hanumangarhi, senior vice-president of the Shiv Sena Punjab Inderjit Karwal along with Rajesh Palta and Rajinder Singh Vicky, condemned the attack and expressed deep anguish over what they described as an “unbearable act” against the Hindus. Karwal appealed to all shopkeepers and business owners in Phagwara to observe the bandh as a mark of respect and unity during this time of mourning. “We urge the community to stand together and show solidarity against such heinous acts,” he said. He also called upon members of all organisations to gather at 9 am on Saturday at Gaushala Chowk from where a protest march will be carried out through the city. — OC Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 25 In a huge relief for heritage lovers and residents of Kapurthala, the sale warrant for the historic Jagatjit Club of Kapurthala has been recalled by the District and Sessions Judge, Kapurthala. The district and Sessions Judge on Friday has ordered the abeyance of the sale warrant for the auction of the club until May 26, the next date of hearing on the issue. Appearing on behalf of the district administration today, XEN PWD, Sanjeev Kumar Verma sought one month from the court to allow the district administration to repay the pending compensation dues of the key petitioner in the case. The auction of the club had been ordered by the court in an order issued on April 2. A notice for the club’s auction had already been put up as scheduled on April 18 and the ‘munadi’ of the club was due on April 28, while the sale of the club had been scheduled for May 9, 2025. The auction of the Jagatjit Club (scheduled for May 9, 2025) has thus been put on hold until May 26, 2025. The club's 13 kanal 14 marla property had been attached in an ongoing case - an execution filed by a Phagwara resident Nirbhail Singh, seeking enhancement of compensation for his over 8 kanal property, which was acquired in 2002, for four-laning of RoparBalachaur-NawanshahrPhagwara road. Jalandhar, April 25 Protesting against the continuous terrorist attacks and the brutal killings of innocent civilians across the country, a demonstration was held on Friday at Muslim Colony Chowk, post the Friday’s prayer. A strong message of communal harmony, unity and hatred against terrorism was conveyed as effigy of terrorism was burned, symbolising the nation’s refusal to tolerate acts of terror any longer. The protest was led by senior social activist Mohammad Kaleem Azad, former Waqf Board member and president of the Punjab Muslim Front. Speaking at the event, he stated: “The nation stands above religion. India is our motherland first – we are Indians before being followers of any religion. Our country is like a beautiful bouquet, with flowers of every colour and fragrance. Together, we preserve the beauty and unity of this nation.” He reminded the gathering of the sacrifices made by c m y b Muslim community holds protest against the terrorist attacks, at Muslim Colony Chowk in Jalandhar. ancestors during the freedom struggle against the British and declared that even today, if needed, the people of this country are ready to lay down their lives to defend its honour. Mohammad Kaleem Azad expressed deep sorrow over the killing of 27 innocent citizens and offered heartfelt condolences, stating, “In this moment of grief, we stand in solidarity with the families of the victims.” Appealing for unity against terrorism, he said: “Our only religion is nationalism and our foremost duty is the protection of the nation. The time has come to rise together and crush the poisonous head of terrorism once and for all.” Among those present during the demonstration were advocates Mohammad Rafiq Azad and Mohammad Ali Azad, Mohammad Shahzad, Akbar Ali, Mohammad Junaid Alam, Mohammad Sahibaan, and Advocate Sam.