06052025-JTR-01.qxd 5/5/2025 11:03 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune TRANSFORMER DISPUTE STALLS 'SCHOOL OF HAPPINESS' PROJECT AI BOOSTS CREATIVITY, DRIVES PRODUCTIVITY PARTH SAMTHAAN FROM FAN BOY TO CID’S NEW FACE A 100 kVA transformer on the premises of Govt Elementary School, Dhaliwal Dona, has become center of a dispute. P3 Dr Manoj Kumar, VC of DAV University, explains how AI is reshaping education and why students must embrace it. P3 Parth Samthaan’s emotional comeback transforms him from a fan to forensic sleuth. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.10 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:37 AM » TUESDAY | 6 MAY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF EIGHT BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Andhra youth held for robbing, killing elderly woman Rain worries farmers Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked eight persons for assaulting a Shahkot resident. The accused has been identified as Lovpreet, alias Lovi, a resident of Malrri village, and his seven accomplices. Prabhjit Singh of Saidpur Jirri village in Shahkot complained to the police that he was working in a finance company and was going to his office after collecting instalments on April 24 when the accused waylaid him near a clinic and attacked and seriously injured him. A case has been registered against the accused and his seven accomplices. OC Tribune News Service 3 HELD UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested two 'drug peddlers' on the charge of selling poppy husk. The police said 55.6 kg poppy husk was recovered from the possession of the accused, identified as Jaswindar Singh, alias Saba, of Kania Khas village, Moga district, and Harpreet Singh, alias Peeta, of Dosanjh Road, Model Colony, Moga. The contraband was packed in two bags kept in the toll box of the truck. A case under Sections 15-C/61/85 of the NDPS Act had been registered against the accused. The Bilga police arrested a drug peddler Jaspal Singh of Bute Dian Chhana village under Mehatpur police station with 12 gram heroin. OC After two days of inclement weather, a farmer checks wheat packed in sacks in Jalandhar on Monday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH ‘Smuggler’ injured in Hoshiarpur encounter, held Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, May 5 In an encounter with the police, a smuggling accused today suffered a gunshot injury in his leg after the police party retaliated. SHO of Garhdiwala police station Satpal Singh said he had received the secret information that drug smuggling accused Lovedeep Singh, alias Sunny, a resident of village Ramdaspur, was roaming around village Keshopur. The police party planned to arrest the accused. Mean- BOOKED FOR STEALING CASH Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have booked unidentified persons on the charge of stealing cash and jewellery from a house. Jarnail Singh of Basti village complained to the police that thieves barged into his house on April 27 and stole Rs 1 lakh, some Canadian dollars and gold jewellery. A case under Sections 331(4) (lurking house trespass) and 305 (theft in dwelling house) of the BNS has been registered against unidentified accused. oc ASSI IS DPRO, HOSHIARPUR Hoshiarpur: Hardev Singh Assi, a 2011 batch Public Relations Officer posted in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, took charge as Hoshiarpur District Public Relations Officer today. Earlier, he had rendered services in Hoshiarpur from August 18, 2022, to September 6, 2024. Assi said his main priority would be to make residents of the district aware of the welfare schemes of the government and these would reach everybody at the grassroots level. He said he would work as a bridge between the district administration and the media and contribute to the progress of the district. oc a bullet hit Lovedeep in the leg after which he fell and was arrested. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital, Dasuya. The SHO said five criminal cases have been registered against the accused earlier. He said a case has been registered against the accused. scious and later did not regain consciousness”, he said, adding that after committing the crime, he fled with the jewellery and phone, which was later found switched off inside the house. When questioned about the background of the accused, the DCP said the boy had been repeatedly changing his statements — first claiming to be a student and later saying he was in the city for a job. The police are currently verifying all his details. An FIR was registered at Division No. 6 police station under Section 103(1), BNS. The DCP said the arrest was made possible through swift and coordinated efforts by the CIA staff. “Criminals have no escape in Jalandhar,” said CP Dhanpreet Kaur, reaffirming the police’s commitment to solving crimes and ensuring public safety. Crackdown on drug networks, four arrested GANG OF THIEVES BUSTED Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have busted a gang of thieves and arrested its three members. The accused have been identified as Jogindar Ram, alias Babla, Balram Mahe and Kuldeep Ram, all residents of Bhandal Buta village. Kashmir Dass of the same village complained to the police that the accused barged into Dera Baba Jiwan Dass on March 22 and stole an AC and an inverter and a battery. A case under has been registered against the accused. OC while, when the police reached the spot, the accused Lovedeep Singh fled in his car and in a hurry, the car hit a tree. After this, the accused got out of the car and fired three rounds at the police party. Meanwhile, during the retaliatory firing by the police, Jalandhar, May 5 A 21-year-old boy has been arrested for the murder of 69year-old Vinod Kumari Duggal, who was found dead in her home in Mota Singh Nagar on Thursday afternoon. The police said the murder was committed during a robbery attempt. The accused, Kartik Wallabh Reddy, a native of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, who was studying in a private university in Phagwara, was arrested on May 4 by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police after an intensive investigation involving CCTV footage and technical surveillance. Vinod Kumari’s husband Bhimsen Duggal had left his home around 12.30 pm on May 1 to buy items for a religious function planned for their grandson’s birthday. When he returned around 2 pm, he found the door latched from inside. With no response to repeated knocking, a neighbour’s son jumped over the wall to unlock the door. Inside, they found Vinod Kumari lying unconscious in a room. Initially believed to be a heart attack, they soon confirmed it was a case of murder and robbery. Her gold bangles, three rings and mobile phone were missing, while the house appeared ransacked. DCP investigation, Man, preet Singh, during a press conference held today, said the accused had confessed that he noticed Duggal leaving the house and saw an opportunity to rob the elderly woman left alone. “He jumped over the wall and entered the house. During the robbery, he allegedly pressed Vinod Kumari’s mouth shut to silence her, causing her difficulty in breathing. She fell uncon- Tribune News Service Manjit Singh Rai, state president of the Bharatiya Kisan Union (Doaba), during his house arrest. On protest eve, BKU (D) chief placed under house arrest Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, May 5 The district police placed Bhartiya Kisan Union Doaba state president Manjit Singh Rai under house arrest. Rai said on May 6, farmers were to hold a peaceful protest in front of Shambhu police station and to stop them, the police have started detaining leaders of farm organisations at their homes on the instigation of the government. Rai said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also tweeted that if anyone holds a protest, legal action will be taken against them. He said the voice of the farmers cannot be suppressed by placing them under house arrest. He said the struggle of the farmers for their legitimate demands will continue. Jalandhar, May 5 As part of its intensified campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ against drug trafficking, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police conducted a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) across key areas of the city, leading to the arrest of four persons and seizure of narcotic substances. Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said the effort was strategically planned and executed under the close supervision of Assistant Commissioners of Police (ACPs). Police teams from several stations were mobilised to carry out coordinated raids at locations known for drugrelated activities, particularly those often used as transit points by traffickers. The operation involved door-to-door searches in targeted localities and included strict identity verification of residents through official ID proofs. Police personnel searched residential premises, open areas and suspected hideouts to locate hidden contraband. Special emphasis was laid on seizing narcotic substances and identifying persons involved in the illegal trade. During the operation, three FIRs were registered — one each at Police Station Division No. 7, Division No. 8 and Rama Mandi. A total of 155 intoxicant tablets and 5.30 gram of heroin were recovered. Four persons were arrested in connection with the FIRs. Additionally, one person, identified as a drug addict, was referred to a drug deaddiction centre for rehabilitation and medical care. Commissioner Kaur emphasised that such operations are essential in dismantling the supply chains of drug networks that operate within urban neighborhoods. “Our objective is to make Jalandhar a drug-free city. Focused operations like these allow us to target and disrupt the root of the problem,” she said, adding that the police remain fully committed to the govern- The Commissionerate Police Jalandhar conduct a focused Cordon and Search Operation targeting drug trafficking networks across key areas of the city. A TRIBUNE PHOTO ment’s broader goal of a drug-free Punjab. She further stated that similar intelligence-based operations will continue in the coming weeks as part of the sustained crackdown on narcotics. The Commissioner appealed to the public to support the police by reporting any suspicious activities related to drugs and assured that all information would be treated with confidentiality. Projects worth ~13L School with 4 students, one teacher Cong MLA meets CM over CNG plant issue opened in Mananwale Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Phagwara, May 5 Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Harnoor Singh Harji Mann today inaugurated development projects worth ~13 lakh in Mananwale village, part of the Phagwara constituency. Addressing village residents, Mann detailed that the funds would be utilized for the construction of streets and drainage systems, proper waste water management and improvements to the village cremation ground, among other civic works. He assured the gathering that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, holistic development of the village would be ensured. He also appealed to residents to actively support the government’s ongoing “War Against Drugs” campaign, stressing the importance of making Punjab a drug-free state, true to the legacy of its spiritual and cultural heritage. The village sarpanch Harjinder Kaur, along with the entire panchayat, expressed gratitude to Harji Mann, Phagwara constituency incharge Joginder Singh Mann, and the government for initiating these works. Jalandhar, May 5 A plaque was installed at Government Middle School, Dhaingarpur, in Nawanshahr under the ‘Punjab Sikhya Kranti’ movement that is going on in the state. Last year, a 20-metre boundary wall was rebuilt in the school. A grant of Rs 1 lakh was spent on it. The school has merely four students with one teacher. Lalit Mohan, vice-chairman of the State Technical Education and Industrial Training Board, had visited the school to inaugurate the plaque. ‘Navi chardiwari da kamm mukammal hon te vidyarthiya nu samarpit kitta’, c m y b read the plaque. The Tribune had highlighted how Government Middle School in the village has everything, including infrastructure that an ideal school should have. Despite this, the school strength is very less — only four students are studying in the school with just one teacher. There are three rooms, including a smart room with a projector for Class VI,VII and VIII. The school has a sprawling ground as well and a IT lab with five computers. Mid-day meal is also served here everyday. Despite having every facility, the strength is negligible. Ramanpreet Kaur, the school in-charge, is a dedicated teacher who has been trying hard to convince parents to send their children to the school. Three years ago, there was just one student left in the school and when Ramanpreet joined as teacher, the students count reached four. There are two students in Class VI, two in Class VIII and none in Class VII. All four students are girls, Dishmeet Kaur (Class VI) , Ramandeep Kaur (Class VI), Gurjot Kaur (Class VIII), Harmanpreet Kaur (Class VIII). There used to be 40 students and proper staff in the GMS a few years ago, but as teachers got transferred, the pupil strength dipped. Now, with only one teacher left, the parents avoid sending their wards to this school. Jalandhar, May 5 District Congress Chief (rural) Hardev S Laddi Sherowalia and Adampur MLA Sukhwinder Kotli met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over their demand to take back the decision of installing CNG plant at Bhogpur. They also discussed the issue of lodging of FIR against Kotli for holding a protest on the Jalandhar-Pathankot National Highway passing through Bhogpur on April 23. The MLAs said the CM assured them of re-checking both issues. An FIR has been lodged against Kotli, his Congress aide Ashwin Bhalla, 20 identified men and 100-150 unidentified people. They had been booked at Bhogpur police station under Sections 285 (obstruction in public way), 126 (2) (punishment for wrongful restraint), 326 (b) (render road less use for public), 353 (public mischief), 190 (unlawful assembly), 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy) of the BNS, Section 8 B of the National Highway Act and Section 4 of the Noise Pollution Rules. Section 326 (b) of the BNS is a non-bailable offence. The FIR copy read that the officials had tried to convince the agitators against holding the protest but they went ahead and blocked the highway.— TNS