07052025-JTR-01.qxd 06-05-2025 22:37 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune WHEAT PROCUREMENT NEARS END AT 3,33,468 MT FOUR HOSPITALS SET UP BY NRI PHILANTHROPIST DILJIT DOSANJH MAKES A REGAL DEBUT AT MET GALA The entire process has been carried out smoothly and without significant issues. P2 Kulwant S Dhaliwal retired early from his business to devote himself to his humanitarian work. P3 Diljit made a regal debut at Met Gala 2025, winning the Kerala-woven blue carpet hands down and how!. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 20°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.11 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5:36 AM » WEDNESDAY | 7 MAY 2025 | JALANDHAR Mock Drill Cantt residents observe one-hour blackout INBRIEF 'DRUG ADDICT' ARRESTED Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a 'drug addict' on the charge of consuming heroin. The accused has been identified as Suraj, alias Chhotu, a resident of Tagarr village. A lighter, a silver paper and a plastic pipe used for consuming contraband were recovered from his possession. A case under Sections 27/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. OC VILLAGER ENDS LIFE BY SUICIDE Phagwara: A villager ended his life by suicide on Monday. The deceased has been identified as Shatru Kumar (30), a resident of Lasurri village. Shambu, brother of the deceased, told the police that Shatru consumed a poisonous substance to end his life. The police, acting under Section 194 of the BNNS, handed over the body to the family after the post-mortem. OC VILLAGER HELD FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The police have arrested a Nakodar villager for assaulting a Shahkot resident. The accused has been identified as Lovpreet, alias Lovi, a resident of Malrri village. Prabhjit Singh, a resident of Saidpur village in Shahkot, has complained to the police that the accused and his accomplices waylaid him near a Nakodar clinic and attacked and seriously injured him on April 24. A case under the BNS was registered against the accused and his seven unidentified accomplices. OC MAN ARRESTED FOR SNATCHING Phagwara: The police have arrested a miscreant for snatching a gold bangle and ring from a Bilga resident. The accused has been identified as Mandeep Singh, alias Bhura, a resident of Pati Neelowal, Bilga. Nirmal Singh Sanghera, a resident of Patidunia Mansoor Bilga village, had complained to the police that the accused and his accomplices attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon and snatched his gold karra and ring near Bilga Saran in February. A case under the BNS was registered against the accused and two others. The police have also nominated Jaswindar Singh of Pati Bhatti Bilga in this case. oc House burgled in Phagwara village Phagwara, May 6 A case of theft has been reported from Tada Bhagana village under Phagwara in Kapurthala district where burglars broke into a house in the early hours on May 3. The thieves made their entry by breaking the wall of the store room while the family was asleep. The house owner, Gurjeet Singh, stated that he heard some noises around 2:30 am but chose to ignore them, assuming it was nothing unusual. It was only in the morning that the family discovered their house ransacked. Upon checking, they found that Rs 12,000, a 1.5 tola gold chain and several brass utensils were missing from the cupboard. Cops reached the spot soon after receiving the complaint and launched an investigation. — OC Another exercise from 8 pm in city, cantt, Hoshiarpur today Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service A guard checks the gun after accidental firing at Punjab National Bank in Jalandhar on Tuesday. Bank guard’s gun falls, goes off, two injured Panic in Old Rly Road area, police begin investigation Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 6 Chaos erupted outside a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch near Laxmi Cinema on Old Railway Road here after a security guard’s double-barrel gun accidentally discharged, firing two bullets and causing minor injuries to two persons. The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, was captured on CCTV camera and has since raised serious concerns about the firearm safety protocols among security personnel. According to witnesses and CCTV footage, the security guard was preparing to get into a vehicle along with other bank employees when the incident occurred. As the group began to sit in the car, the guard’s firearm suddenly slipped of his hands. The double-barrel gun hit the ground and discharged two rounds in quick succession, sending people into a panic. Sharpnel from the discharged bullets struck one of the bank workers and another person who had come to the bank for personal work. While both sustained minor injuries, the sudden gunfire caused widespread alarm among people in the area, many of whom rushed back into the bank or nearby buildings for safety. One of the injured persons, recounting the terrifying moment, said, “The guard was just getting down from the car when the gun fell and went off. I was passing by when I heard two loud bangs. The next moment, I felt something hit me. Luckily, it was not serious, but it could have been much worse.” The CCTV footage clearly shows the moment the gun falls and discharges, followed by confusion and fear as people react to the unexpected shots. Soon after the incident, the local police were informed and arrived at the scene to assess the situation. They cordoned off the area, reviewed the CCTV footage and began recording statements from witnesses and bank staff. A police official on the scene said, “It appears to be an accidental discharge. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. We are examining whether the firearm was properly secured and if any negligence was involved. Further action will be taken after a detailed investigation.” Jalandhar, May 6 Following an announcement by the Army for conducting a one-hour mock drill of blackout, almost a complete adherence was observed in Jalandhar Cantonment from 8 pm to 9 pm on this evening. All shopkeepers had started pulling down their shutters by 7.45 pm and began leaving for their places. By 8 pm, all streets had gone dark even as no siren was blared. Streetlights were switched off. Residents kept all lights off. However, some movement of vehicles was seen on the main roads. The Army vehicles kept shuttling in the market. Brig Sunil Kumar Sohal took rounds in the market areas and urged all passersby to huddle to corners under some shed or along the walls. He told them not to panic as it was just a practice exercise that the Army was getting conducted. As the blackout happened, Army choppers kept taking round in the area as a part of the security drill. Announcements were made in open jeeps using public address system. Some BJP activists were seen asking the vehicle owners to stop for a while or keep their lights off even if they had to move in emergency. Vipan Lahoria, one such activist, said, “Most houses in 32 mohallas of the cantonment area have invert- Blackout in Jalandhar Cantonment on Tuesday night. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH ers and generators but still no one had kept the light on. We are happy that they are following the Army orders. We believe that this participation in the preparedness exercise is a kind of a tribute to the 26 innocent tourists killed in Pahalgam two weeks back.” Shopkeepers in the Sadar Market said, “The call for blackout was made by Army officials this morning. They came to the market and announced that we have to shut shops and reach home before 8 pm. We assured them of total compliance. They also told us that if they had any tenant whose ID is not registered with the police, it should be immediately done or else the house owner would face consequences. They had told us to keep an eye on any unscrupulous element in the area and keep the police informed. We have also been warned against sharing any pictures or details of any sensitive areas or installations with anyone to avoid action.” In some localities, men and women came out of their places to discuss the situation. The residents said they knew that it was just a drill and there was no panic-like situation being felt. “We are not going for any panic buying or stocking up of groceries”, said Shilpa, a resident. Elderly residents said they saw blackout today after the 1971 war. Even as blackout was observed only in the cantonment area, a complete blackout would be observed in the city and Cantt areas tomorrow from 8 pm to 9 pm, said Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal. He said a siren would be heard after which all lights have to be shut. Meanwhile, Hoshiarpur DC Ashika Jain said a mock drill is being conducted on Wednesday. A siren will sound off at 7 pm and the blackout will be observed from 8 pm to 8.10 pm, which will symbolise the indication of an air strike. Traffic snarls leave residents fuming Anti-drug Drive 4 nabbed Sarvahit Parishad chief writes to CM Mann, blames e-rickshaws for chaos Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, May 6 City residents have voiced their frustration over the worsening traffic conditions that continue to disrupt daily life across key junctions, with little sign of relief. The issue was also recently raised in the Vidhan Sabha by Jalandhar North MLA Bawa Henry, who urged the government to take concrete steps to control the chaos on roads. Despite several traffic management initiatives introduced by the police last year such as dividing the city into four traffic zones, declaring some roads as one-way and launching encroachment clearance drives, congestion still remains a persistent issue. Key areas like Nakodar Chowk, Jyoti Chowk near the Civil Hospital, Jail Road, Urban Estate Phase-I and II, Balmiki Gate, Tanda crossing, Adda Hoshiarpur railway crossing, Kishanpura Chowk, Mai Hiran Gate and underpasses near Focal Point and Verka Milk Plant are notorious for frequent traffic jams, especially during evening hours. The root causes are dysfunctional traffic lights, rampant encroachments by shopkeepers and vendors, lack of parking infrastructure, pothole-ridden roads, illegal parking and poor coordination among departments. Auto-rickshaws and cars are often blamed for reckless driving and poor discipline on roads. Shopkeepers occupying footpaths and vendors spilling onto the main roads only worsen the situation. Rajan Sharda, president of the Bhartiya Sarvahit Parishad, has also raised the alarm over the deteriorating traffic situation, particularly pointing to the unregulated growth of e-rickshaws in the city. In a letter to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, he described the situation as “disturbing and dangerous,” saying that what was once meant to be a convenient public transport solution has now turned into a serious hazard. “The unchecked and unregulated presence of erickshaws is proving to be a major threat to public safety,” Sharda wrote. “Instead of offering convenience, they’ve become a calamity on the roads — posing risks to pedestrians, passengers and other road users alike.” He criticised the authorities for their failure to enforce rules, especially in allowing defective three-wheelers and banned tractor trolleys to continue plying on city roads, despite clear orders from the Supreme Court. “The blatant violation of the Supreme Court’s ban and the silence of local enforcement agencies is deeply concerning,” he stated. Sharda also raised the issue of misuse of power symbols by anti-social elements such as red and blue beacons and hooters on private vehicles. “Such misuse spreads fear and creates an environment of lawlessness,” he noted. He called on the Chief Minister to come out with any policies or action plans to with 392 intoxicating pills Our Correspondent Phagwara, May 6 In a continued crackdown against drug trafficking under the government’s anti-drug campaign, the Sultanpur Lodhi police arrested four youths and recovered 392 intoxicating pills from various locations across the sub-division. The operation was conducted under the supervision of DSP Gurmeet Singh as part of an intensified checking campaign throughout the region. Inspector Hargurdev Singh of Sultanpur Lodhi police station stated that ASI Harbhajan Singh and his police team, during patrolling near Mothanwala, arrested Gurnam Singhl alias Secretary, son of Pooran Singh, a resident of Secha village, and recovered 62 pills from him. In a separate case, ASI Amarjeet Singh recovered 250 pills from Mukhtiar Singh, a resident of Nasirewal village, during a check near the same village. Meanwhile, ASI Gurmeet Singh and his team nabbed Charanjit Singh Channa of Secha village at a check- point near Rampur Jagir, seizing 35 pills. In the fourth case, ASI Sukhjinder Singh, while patrolling near Gurdwara Sant Ghat, apprehended Pooran Singh, also of Secha village, with 45 pills in his possession. Police officials warned drug traffickers to abandon their illegal trade, citing the government’s declared deadline of May 31 to eliminate drugs from Punjab. The authorities have reiterated their commitment to pursuing offenders with full force under the ongoing anti-drug initiative. Many booked for demolishing under-construction toilets Our Correspondent A traffic jam at Rama Mandi Chowk in Jalandhar. PHOTO SARABJIT SINGH deal with this crisis. “People deserve to know what the government is doing to control this menace,” he asked. Jasmeen Kaur, a local resident, echoed the demand for public cooperation. “The number of vehicles on roads has skyrocketed in recent years. Nearly every family now owns multiple cars. Unless we start using public transport, car-pooling or two- c m y b wheelers for shorter distances, the situation will keep getting worse,” she said. The traffic police, on their part, say they are doing their best under challenging circumstances. “We are running daily enforcement drives, but encroachments, broken lights and lack of municipal support make things extremely difficult,” said a traffic cop. Phagwara, May 6 The police have registered a case against some persons for allegedly obstructing the construction work on public toilets on Hoshiarpur Road, demolishing a partially built structure and unlawfully disposing of construction materials. The incident has caused a disruption to a municipal project worth Rs 7,70,116 awarded under a government tender. According to a complaint filed by Municipal Corporation officials, the people owning plots adjacent to the con- The work on public toilets was in progress under MC scheme struction site allegedly created an unauthorised pathway by breaking part of the structure and installing a gate. They reportedly dismantled the ongoing construction work, removed building materials without permission and merged the toilet area into their own access route. The debris from the site was also allegedly removed. The officials emphasised that the public toilets were being constructed in an area where these were needed. Local MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal and Councillor Sanjeev Bugga met with Municipal Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta to demand immediate action against those responsible. They stressed the importance of completing the public facility and urged strict legal measures against the culprits. The police registered the case nearly a month after the complaint was first filed. Councillor Bugga has called for an impartial investigation and appropriate action against those found guilty.