03062025-JTR-01.qxd 6/2/2025 11:26 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune NCC CADETS CONDUCT MOCK DRILL AT ITI MEHR CHAND CONTROVERSY ERUPTS OVER BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION KUSHAL’S WILDCARD COMEBACK SEALS VICTORY IN MTV ROADIES The Indian Army is continuously raising awareness among citizens under Operation Shield. P2 The bridge was built for student safety, but now there’s a dispute over legal approvals. P3 Rannvijay Singha-hosted ‘MTV Roadies Double Cross’ has concluded with Kushal emerging as the winner. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.20 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:21 AM TUESDAY | 3 JUNE 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF BIKE RIDER SHOT AT, ROBBED Phagwara: Two unidentified assailants attacked and robbed two youth near the canal on the ShekhupurDandupur road near Kapurthala last night. The assailants opened fire, injuring one of the victims before fleeing with cash and a motorcycle. According to the family of the injured youth, Lovepreet, a resident of Bhawanipur, the incident occurred while he was returning home from Shekhupur along with his friend Karandeep. As they approached the canal near Dandupur, two men on a motorcycle approached them from behind and kicked their bike, causing both to fall to the ground. A scuffle ensued, during which one of the assailants allegedly fired a shot that struck Lovepreet in the leg. The attackers then made off with the victims’ motorcycle and an undisclosed amount of cash. Lovepreet sustained a gunshot wound in his leg and was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. His condition is reported to be stable. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora confirmed the incident and stated that statements from both victims have been recorded. “A case has been registered, and investigations are underway. We are pursuing all leads, and the culprits will be apprehended soon,” he said. — OC Defiling of Ambedkar’s statue sparks outrage Parties call for maintaining calm; Dalit leader denounces targeting, threatens to stage protest if culprits not arrested Deepkamal Kaur/ Ashok Kaura A MATTER OF CONCERN Tribune Reporters ■ Statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was ■ The SFJ alleges that Article Phagwara, June 2 A wave of anger and anguish swept through the region early on Monday morning after a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar was found desecrated in Nangal village near Phillaur in Jalandhar district. The statue was defaced with black spray paint, and nearby, a Khalsa Raj was hoisted. The banned secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has claimed responsibility for the act, citing it as part of a broader campaign leading up to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. CCTV footage retrieved from the area showed a masked man, wearing a cap and concealing his face with a cloth, approaching the statue and defacing it with paint. This is the second such incident in the same village in recent months — the earlier act of vandalism occurred on March 31, when another Ambedkar statue, encased in glass, was targeted. Local residents were shocked and distressed by the latest defilement, which occurred around 12:27 am, and immediately informed the authorities. Shortly after the footage surfaced, SFJ leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun found desecrated in Nangal village near Phillaur in Punjab's Jalandhar district. The statue of the Indian Constitution’s framer, was defaced with black spray paint. ■ Banned secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has claimed responsibility for the act, citing it as part of a broader campaign leading up to the anniversary of Operation Blue Star. ■ This is the second such incident in the same village in recent months — the earlier act of vandalism occurred on March 31, when another Ambedkar statue, encased in glass, was targeted. 25(b) of the Indian Constitution — which, under Ambedkar's leadership, categorised Sikhs under the broader umbrella of Hindu personal laws — remains a source of constitutional betrayal, which they hold responsible for long-standing grievances. ■ Incident has highlighted the vulnerability of public monuments, especially those representing figures from the marginalised communities. ■ Legal experts have warned that it carries not only criminal implications but risk of stoking caste conflict in a state coping with communal dynamics. released a video at 9:15 am, claiming that the attack was deliberate and strategically timed ahead of June 6, the 41st anniversary of Operation Blue Star. The group alleges that Article 25(b) of the Indian Constitution — which, under Ambedkar’s leadership, categorised Sikhs under the broader umbrella of Hindu personal laws — remains a source of constitutional betrayal, which they hold responsible for long-standing grievances. The desecration has drawn fierce condemnation from across the political spectrum. Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaud- hary, who visited the site immediately after the news broke, called the act “a shameful and cowardly attack, not only on a revered national figure, but on the soul of India’s Constitution”. Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary stressed that such provocations were intended to incite communal tension, particularly between Dalit and Sikh communities — both of whom share legacies of struggle against social oppression. “This is not merely the defacement of a statue — it is an attack on the values of equality, justice and democracy that Dr BR Ambedkar ATTACK ON VALUES ❝ This is not merely the defacement of a statue — it is an attack on the values of equality, justice and democracy that Dr BR Ambedkar stood for. We will not allow foreign-funded separatist elements to destroy the social harmony of Punjab. The people of Phillaur — Dalits, Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims alike — reject this divisive propaganda. — Vikramjit Chaudhary, MLA, PHILLAUR NOT A RANDOM ACT ❞ acts of desecration ❝Thesecalculated efforts to are not random. They are provoke, to insult and to destabilise. The fact that such incidents are happening repeatedly, and with impunity, suggests a dangerous breakdown in law and order. It is a conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace in Punjab — Amritpal Bhonsle, DALIT LEADER ❞ stood for,” Chaudhary said. “We will not allow foreignfunded separatist elements to destroy the social harmony of Punjab. The people of Phillaur — Dalits, Sikhs, Hindus and Muslims alike — reject this divisive propaganda.” Echoing these sentiments, prominent Dalit leader Amritpal Bhonsle issued a scathing statement, denouncing the repeated targeting of Ambedkar’s statues as part of a larger conspiracy aimed at disturbing peace in Punjab. Bhonsle held the state government and intelligence agencies accountable for failing to prevent the Maahin Sethi gets AIR 999 in JEE Advanced Gurnoor (1,976th rank), Arpit (1,979), Ekambir (2,445) other achievers from city Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 2 A student of St Soldier Divine Public School, Master Gurbanta Singh Marg, Maahin Sethi has scored All India Rank (AIR) of 999 in JEE Advanced 2025 exam this year, the results of which were declared today. He had scored 99.91 percentile in JEE Main, getting an AIR of 1,422. He had scored 93.4 per cent in Plus Two. Maahin’s mother Poonam Sethi is a professor of engineering at DAV Institute of Engineering and Technology. His father Gaurav Sethi too is in the faculty of Lovely Professional University here. “It is a proud moment for Student Maahin Sethi of St Soldier Group of Institutions scored AIR 999 in JEE Advanced 2025; Innocent Hearts School’s Arpit Gupta secured 1,979 rank whereas Ekambir Singh, who is also from the same school, secured 2,445 rank in the examination. us as Maahin’s hard work has finally borne results. He did it mostly by self-study. As choice filling for IITs starts tomorrow, he shall be preferring computer sci- ence engineering course. We are enjoying this moment but our focus is currently on getting the best seat for him.” School Chairman Anil Chopra and vice-chairperson Sangeeta Chopra have congratulated Maahin and their parents, and wished him a bright future. A student of Police DAV Public School, Jalandhar Cantt, Gurnoor Singh too has secured 1,976th rank. He had secured 99.92 percentile in JEE Main and had secured 96.6 per cent marks in Class 12 Board exams. Principal Dr Rashmi Vij and the teachers congratulated him and his parents on his success. Innocent Hearts School student Arpit Gupta has also secured 1,979 AIR. Ekambir Singh from the same school got a rank of 2445. Dr Anup Bowry, Chairman of Innocent Hearts, congratulated the students and the staff members on their success. Principal Rajeev Paliwal appreciated the efforts of the students and wished them all the best for their bright future. PCMS exam may keep Mohalla Clinic docs away Sanjiv Kumar Bakshi Hoshiarpur, June 2 If someone is ill and wants to see a doctor and take medicines at the Aam Aadmi Clinic (Ayushman Arogya Kendra) on Tuesday, then they will have to wait for another 24 hours, because the doctors at almost every Ayushman Arogya Kendra (Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinic) will not be available. Interestingly, neither the Punjab government has announced any holiday for doctors nor is there any strike by doctors. But despite this, doctors will not be present in Mohalla Clinics on Tuesday, because the question concerns mostly their own future. A view of the Ayushman Arogya Kendra whose doctors are slated to appear in PCMS exam. In fact, the Punjab government has scheduled an exam for doctors for the recruitment to Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) on Tuesday, June 3. Almost all the doctors posted in Mohalla Clinics of Punjab have applied for these posts, due to which almost all the doctors have taken leave tomorrow, so c m y b that they can appear in the said exam. Due to this, there will be pharmacists, paramedical staff in the Mohalla Clinics, but there will be no doctors. Because of such a large number of doctors taking leave, it does not seem possible to make any alternative arrangements, due to which the patients will have to wait at least till Wednesday to see the doctors in Mohalla Clinics. Civil Surgeon Dr Pawan Kumar Shagotra told reporters that alternative arrangements are being made to deal with the situation arising due to the doctors of the Mohalla Clinics going on leave so that the patients do not face any problem. incident, and demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Home Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. He warned that if the culprits are not arrested within 24 hours, the Dalit community would be “compelled to take to the streets”. “These acts of desecration are not random,” Bhonsle said. “They are calculated efforts to provoke, to insult, and to destabilise. The fact that such incidents are happening repeatedly, and with impunity, suggests a dangerous breakdown in law and order.” The outrage was not limited to the ruling party or the opposition. BJP leaders, including former Union Ministers Vijay Sampla and Som Parkash, BJP Kisan Morcha leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal and Phagwara MLA Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, also condemned the act. In a rare display of political unity, leaders across party lines emphasised the need to uphold Ambedkar’s legacy and protect symbols of national significance from such attacks. Meanwhile, security has been tightened in and around Phillaur, especially in areas deemed sensitive. Police have launched an investigation and are working to identify the perpetrator captured on video. Though the desecrated statue was cleaned shortly after the incident, traces of damage remain visible, intensifying local resentment. Leaders from the Ambedkar Sena of India, including Dr Harjinder Jakhu, Rajinder Kajle, Tara Chand Jakhu, and several others, joined Bhonsle in a press conference calling for justice. They also criticised the lack of protective measures around important statues despite previous incidents, highlighting that while the earlier vandalised statue was protected by a glass enclosure, the SC leader calls for unity, blames admn for incident Our Correspondent Phagwara, June 2 The defacement of a statue of Dr BR Ambedkar in Phillaur has sparked sharp condemnation from members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, with Harbhajan Suman, president of Ambedkar Sena Moolnivasi, issuing a statement calling for unity and accountability. Suman criticised the government and administration for failing to protect public memorials of Dr Ambedkar. He called upon the SC community to take proactive responsibility in safeguard- ing such symbols of social justice and equality. He emphasised that the SC community has consistently supported the Sikh struggle, particularly in the demand for the release of “Bandi Sikhs”, Suman urged for continued intercommunity harmony. He described as shared systemic challenges that both communities must resist collectively. Highlighting past solidarity in regions like Phagwara — where SC, Sikh and Muslim communities have stood united in times of social and political unres, he urged for continued solidarity. Police apprehend 14 POs in month of May Tribune News Service Jalandhar, June 2 In a major stride towards reinforcing law and order in the city, the Commissionerate Police Jalandhar apprehended 14 proclaimed offenders (POs) in May. The police said it was part of an ongoing crackdown on absconding criminals. Divulging the details, Police Commissioner Jalandhar Dhanpreet Kaur said that the PO Staff and police station teams carried out a series of well-coordinated raids, backed by advanced surveillance technology, tech- Enforcing law and order in the district nical support, and strategic planning. The Jalandhar police reiterated their commitment to continue these efforts in the coming months. “The arrest of 14 Proclaimed Offenders in just 30 days highlights the dedicated efforts of our Commissionerate Police Jalandhar. We are sending a strong message that evading the law is not an option—those attempting to avoid legal proceedings will be held accountable,” the CP said. recently targeted one was not. The incident has once again spotlighted the persistent vulnerability of public monuments, especially those representing figures from the marginalised communities. Dr BR Ambedkar, a jurist, social reformer and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, is deeply revered across India — particularly by Dalits — as a symbol of resistance to caste-based oppression and a guardian of democratic ideals. Legal experts and civil society organisations have warned that the desecration of Ambedkar’s image carries not only criminal implications but the risk of stoking caste conflict in a state already coping with delicate communal dynamics. While the political establishment has uniformly condemned the act, community leaders stress that true justice will only be served through visible, timely accountability. As Punjab braces for June 6, authorities have urged calm and unity. “Let us not respond with anger,” MLA Chaudhary said. “Let us respond with unity and an unshakable commitment to the values Ambedkar gave his life for — justice, equality and the dignity of all.” Safai karamchari unions plan to go on strike on Friday Jalandhar, June 2 Several safai karamchari unions of the Municipal Corporation held a meeting in the MC office and unanimously decided to go on strike on Friday. Chairing the meeting, general secretary of Safai Mazdoor Federation, Punjab, Sunny Sahota said that the attitude of MC officials regarding the demands of the unions has been disappointing from the beginning. The union members have been asking that JCB operators working in different departments in the workshop of the Municipal Corporation for 1520 years should be made permanent soon and the vacant posts of Safai Karamchari, sewerman, gardener, beldar, chowkidar etc in the Municipal Corporation should be filled as soon as possible. — TNS Halqa in-charge Kohli holds meeting at MC Jalandhar, June 2 Nitin Kohli, the newly appointed halqa in-charge of the Jalandhar Central constituency held an introductory meeting in the Municipal Corporation which was attended by the Mayor, MC Commissioner and all the department heads. In the meeting, Kohli discussed several issues with the officials from the town planning department and asked them to act according to bylaws. Notably, after the arrest of ATP Sukhdev Vashisht, VB officials said the complainants had alleged that the accused had been deliberately delaying file approvals and extorting money. After the ATP MLA Raman Arora was , also arrested. — TNS