14072025-JTR-01.qxd 7/13/2025 10:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune NGT OFFICIAL LAUDS GLOBAL RECOGNITION OF KALI BEIN REFORM LAND POLICY AND BUILD AFFORDABLE UNITS HEARTBREAK, HOPE AND A STORY STRAIGHT FROM SOUL Dr Afroz Ahmad said that Sant Seechewal’s revival of the Kali Bein is being recognised on a global scale. P2 Survey current status of vacant plots and build new townships on less fertile land to save farmland. P3 An eternal romantic, director Mohit Suri has often made hearts ache with his stories of heartbreaking love. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.33 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:33 AM » MONDAY | 14 JULY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF FOUR ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ HELD Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested a 'drug peddler' on the charge of selling heroin. Six gram of heroin was recovered from the possession of the accused Gurnek Singh, alias Neki, a resident of Hairan village. A case under Sections 21-B/ 61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. In another case, the police have arrested a 'drug peddler' Harmesh Kumar, alias Raghu, a resident of Tehsil Bazar Nakodar, with 111intoxicating tablets. In the third case, the Mehatpur police arrested a drug peddler Bagicha Singh of Ramuwal colony with 18 intoxicating tablets. In the fourth case, the Nurmahal police arrested a 'drug peddler' Jiwan, alias Polo, of Kandola Kalan village with 24 tablets. OC SUICIDE: H’PUR MAN ARRESTED Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a Hoshiarpur resident on the charge of abetting suicide. The accused has been identified as Ashok Kumar, a resident of Kirti Nagar, Hoshiarpur. Sukhjit Kaur, wife of the deceased Sukhwindar Singh, a resident of Model Town, Shahkot, had complained to the police that her husband was working as a clerk in Indian Overseas Bank, Nakodar, and the accused Ashok Kumar had taken Rs 2,40 lakh from him. She said whenever they demanded money back, they were insulted and this became a headache for her husband, who committed suicide by consuming sulphone tablets on July 3, and wrote a suicide note blaming the accused for his death. oc 4 BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked four persons, including a couple, on the charges of assaulting a woman and criminal intimidation. The accused have been identified as Pipal Singh of Gulaba village in Ferozepur, his wife Kailash Rani, Harprit of Rajapur village, Ludhiana, and Channa, also of the same village. Jagiro Bai of Thamuwal village complained to the police that the accused waylaid and attacked her with weapons on June 6 in the village and injuring her. OC MAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have arrested a villager on the charges of brewing and selling illegal liquor. As many as 30 bottles of illegally made liquor and 60 litres of lahan were recovered from the possession of the accused Vajit Singh, a resident of Beetlan village. A case under Sections 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the accused. OC 109 snakebite cases since May, one dies in Jalandhar Last year 70 were reported, most cases come from rural areas Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 13 Amid the early onset on monsoon this year, there has been a sharp rise in the number of snakebite cases being reported in Jalandhar this year. As many as 126 cases of bite have been reported so far, of which over 109 cases reported in the past three months alone. As many as 21 cases of snakebite were reported in May, 62 were in June and 26 cases have been reported in the first 12 days of July alone (the latest case reported last night). One person has also died in Jalandhar from a snakebite three days ago. Majority of the cases are from villages. Until June, 100 bite cases were reported, of which 55 were in rural areas and 44 in urban. Compared to this, last year, until July, only 70 cases had been reported in the district — of which 22 were reported in July. The increase in cases has begun from May onwards and peaked in June with July also witnessing 2 to 4 cases on an average per day. Department sources said bites from the common krait and cobra are most common, occasionally bites from the pit viper are also reported. A snakebite patient gets treatment at the Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, on Sunday. PHOTO SARABJIT SINGH Snakebite patients from Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Begowal, Bhogpur, and in urban areas from Basti Danishmandan and Peerdaad as well as industrial areas are flooding the the Civil Hospital. The case of a 45-year-old resident of Randhawa Masandan village, Jalandhar, reported to the Civil Hospital 24 hours after the snakebite. He had a cardiac arrest moments after he was brought. A week ago, a 60-year-old woman from Saifabad in Phillaur was bitten by a snake wait for symptoms as it could be fatal. Sizeable number of patients have been critical.” Medical Superintendent, Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, Dr Rajkumar Baddhan said, “Due to monsoon arriving early, there has been an increase in the number of snakebite cases. The paddy season coinciding with monsoon has also given a rise to such cases. Many patients are also being reported with neurotoxins (fatal snakebites). We have adequate anti-venom to treat our patients.” Tribune Reporters Jalandhar/Phagwara, July 13 A group of armed assailants stormed the emergency ward of the Kapurthala Civil Hospital on Saturday evening and attacked a young man. The incident left patients and healthcare staff in a state of panic, forcing medical personnel to hide themselves behind doors to save their lives. This is the second incident in the emergency in the past two days. According to police sources, the incident was an extension of an altercation that began earlier in the evening yesterday near a social media influencer’s office located on Mall Road. The confrontation, reportedly triggered by a parking dispute, left one individual injured. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital. Sometime later, a group of weapon-wielding men barged into the emergency ward and assaulted a youth on the premises. Honey, undergoing treatment at the Civil Hospital, said he was at his office in Mall Road, when the parking dispute began. Someone crashed into a standing bike outside the office and fell . Later, the bike owner and the accident victim picked up a quarrel, abusing each other. The dispute escalated and the two came to his office and beat and injured him without any reason, following which he was A clash between two groups at the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala. taken to the hospital. One of the injured in the case later attacked the other party by barging into the Civil Hospital. Dr Siddharth Bindra, posted at the emergency ward, Civil Hospital, said following a fight between the two persons on Mall Road, both rushed to the emergency ward. Soon some supporters of an injured reached the ward, brandishing sharp weapons and began beating up the other, vandalising the hospital. He informed the police after which the feud was settled and fighting factions pacified. Teams from City Police Station and PCR, led by incharge Charanjit Singh Khera, arrived at the hospital. Kapurthala SSP Gaurav Toora confirmed that two suspects have been taken into custody. “We are pursuing all leads and strict action will be taken against those involved. No one is above the law, especially when the sanctity of a hospital is compromised,” said the SSP . This incident comes barely 500g heroin, 120kg All-woman snatching gang busted, poppy husk seized five of Malerkotla in police custody Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 13 In a breakthrough in a fight against drug trafficking, the Kapurthala police arrested a suspected smuggler and recovered 500 gram of heroin during a late-night operation near Dhilwan, while a separate raid led to the seizure of 120 kg of poppy husk from an abandoned vehicle near Khusropur. According to SSP Gaurav Toora, the incident near Dhilwan unfolded when a police team, acting on specific intelligence, set up a checkpoint to intercept suspected drug traffickers. Two individuals, identified as Rajpreet Singh and Mehnga Singh — both residents of Ajanala— approached the check-point on a motorcycle bearing registration number PB-02EF0774. On noticing the police presence, Mehnga Singh managed to flee the scene, while his accomplice, Rajpreet Singh, was apprehended on the spot. Upon searching him, officials recovered 500 gram of heroin. The motorcycle used in the crime has been impounded, and a case has been registered under the NDPS Act. Efforts are ongoing to trace and arrest the absconding accused. In a parallel operation, the district police, acting on a tipoff, discovered an SUV (PB13BT-0847) parked in an abandoned state near village Khusropur. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 120 kilogram of poppy husk. Although no arrests have been made in this case, the police have registered another FIR under the NDPS Act and launched a manhunt to identify and apprehend those responsible. SSP Toora affirmed that the police remain committed to maintaining pressure on drug syndicates operating in the region, and more such operations can be expected in the coming days. The swift and coordinated action highlights the district police’s ongoing efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking and safeguard the youth from the grip of narcotic substances. Citing pro-farmer policies as inspiration, Pabbi joins AAP Phagwara, July 13 Kulwant Rai Pabbi, vice-president of the Arhtiya Association Punjab, joined AAP today, citing the government’s progressive policies under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as the key reason for his decision. Pabbi was welcomed into the party by Phagwara constituency in-charge Harnoor while she was sleeping. At least four persons undergo treatment at the Civil Hospital. Two are serious and are on ventilators. With the arrival of the paddy harvest season, the snakebite cases are expected to further increase in the region. Medical officer and anasthesiologist Dr Kamlesh said, “During the paddy season, many farmers sleep in the fields at night to water crops hence majority of the cases come from villages. We also request people to come immediately after the bite and not to Panic grips patients, staff as violence erupts in hospital Singh (Harji) Mann and MP Dr Rajkumar Chabbewal, who specially visited Phagwara to attend the event. They stated that Pabbi’s inclusion would strengthen the party’s grassroots connect, particularly among farmers, commission agents, and mandi labourers. Dr Chabbewal said, “AAP has always stood firm against antifarmer and anti-labour policies imposed by the Centre. We have supported arhtiyas in their struggles. Pabbi’s joining us is a strong endorsement of our commitment to the agricultural community.” Pabbi expressed admiration for the AAP government’s focus on revamping agricultural markets and ensuring prosperity for farmers and commission agents. — OC No let-up in theft cases, three vehicles stolen Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 13 The Phagwara police have arrested five women of snatching gold bangles from local women in separate daylight incidents. The development comes as part of a broader investigation into a series of thefts and snatching cases reported across the city in recent days. The arrested women Raj Rani, Kirandeep, Shinderpal, Shinder, and Rani, all residents of village Bagrian near Malerkotla, were booked under Section 379B of the Indian Penal Code. According to the police, the group operated as a coordinated gang and targeted women walking alone in residential areas. Two victims, Sarandeep Kaur of village Wahid and Promila Taneja of Model Town, were robbed of their gold bangles in separate incidents. The arrests followed focused surveillance and swift police response, bringing temporary relief to residents alarmed by the recent crime wave. Phagwara SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti termed the arrests a significant success, stating, “This was a wellorganised group of women who had become habitual offenders. Their arrest is a major step forward in dismantling a network of petty criminals operating in the region. Investigations are ongoing to identify any accomplices and to trace their involvement in other unsolved cases.” While the arrest of the women snatchers marks a notable win for local law enforcement agencies, other theft cases continue to trouble the region. In a separate incident reported from village Miherru, Shahid Alam, a resident of a paying guest facility, returned from his native village in Bihar to discover his motorcycle (bearing registration number BR-01HB-8055) missing. The police have registered a case under Section 379, IPC, and identified the accused as Sharanjit Singh of village Plahai and RD Sujal of Prayagraj. Meanwhile, in Khalwara Colony, another case of motorcycle theft was registered on the complaint of local resident Kulbir Ram, whose two-wheeler (PB-36L3305) was stolen from outside his residence. The case has been booked under Sections 480 and 357, IPC, though no arrests have been made yet. In Chahal Nagar, two unidentified motorcycleborne youths snatched a purse from a woman Pooja, a resident of Jalandhar. The victim was returning from the Civil Hospital when she was targeted. The stolen purse contained Rs4,000 along with documents. A case under Section 379, IPC, has been registered and police are analyzing CCTV footage from the area. Adding to the growing list of property crimes, a Hyundai Verna car (PB10CL-0015) was stolen late last night from outside Varinder Park. The car owner, Kuldip Singh of village Raipur, lodged a complaint, following which the police registered a case under Section 379, IPC. No suspects have been identified so far. SP Bhatti said all cases are being investigated thoroughly and that the police teams have been directed to intensify patrolling and surveillance in vulnerable areas. She also urged the public to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to help curb the rising tide of thefts and snatchings. As the investigation continues, the arrest of the five women has provided a muchneeded breakthrough for the police and a sense of reassurance for the community. DC adopts 10-km stretch on Phagwara road Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 13 Taking a significant step towards ensuring clean and well-maintained roads, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal along with senior officials of the district has adopted road stretches up to 10 km each under the ‘Punjab Road Cleanliness Mission’, aimed at transforming the condition of roads across the district. c m y b The Deputy Commissioner has adopted the Jalandhar-Phagwara road falling in the jurisdiction of Jalandhar district and will look after this road and will take steps to remove black spots, engineering errors for public convenience and ensure cleanliness through the Municipal Corporation and NHAI. Likewise, senior officers from various departments have also adopted 10 km stretch of road. Dr Aggarwal said the mission is launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab one of the cleanest and most liveable states. “The objective is to maintain high standards of road cleanliness and civic infrastructure by assigning direct responsibility to officials for stretches of up to 10 km,” he said. The Deputy Commissioner further said each officer will take responsibility for the upkeep of their assigned road stretch, which will include daily inspections, timely pothole repairs, clear road markings, maintenance of footpaths, functional streetlights, regular waste collection and overall civic cleanliness. Dr Aggarwal stated, “Officers are also expected to analyse the root causes of recurring problems and suggest preventive measures to ensure long-term solutions,” he added. 24 hours after a similar scuffle erupted between two rival groups inside the same emergency ward, raising serious questions about the adequacy of security measures at the hospital. Meanwhile, in another case of old rivalry, some youths attacked two youths at different places and injured them. Later the associates of one of the victims began a fight at the Civil Hospital. In the first case, under treatment Himanshu, a resident of Jattapura, said he was going to buy household goods when some youths surrounded him near the City Hall and attacked and injured him. In another case, assailants attacked Goldie, a resident of Seinpura, near Seinpura Chowk and also injured him. The injured Goldie said the assailants allegedly took away his purse, mobile phone and other belongings. Both injured were treated in the emergency ward by duty doctor Navdeep Singh and MLR in both cases was also filed. Village heads unite to form panchayat union Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 13 In a significant move aimed at addressing the growing challenges faced by village heads (sarpanches), representatives from 24 panchayats of Phagwara block convened a high-level meeting today at the local rest house. The gathering focused on key issues, hindering rural development and the lack of respect accorded to the elected representatives in government offices. During the meeting, sarpanches expressed concern over stalled development projects and the continued neglect of their roles in various administrative dealings. A unanimous decision was made to constitute the Phagwara block panchayat union in the upcoming meeting, scheduled for Saturday, again at the Phagwara Rest House. Addressing mediapersons after the session, Sarpanch Balwinder Kumar (Baghana), Balwinder Kaur (Hardaspur), Reshmo (Sunnra Rajputan), Palwinder Singh (Ramgarh), Manjeet Kumar (Gandhwan), and Meena Kumari (Kirpalpur) emphasised the need for a collective platform to voice their concerns and ensure the smooth execution of rural development initiatives. The leaders urged the government to immediately release the long-pending honorarium for sarpanches, stating that village heads are often forced to use personal resources to fulfil the needs of their constituents. They also demanded respectful treatment at offices of the BDPO, police stations and other government departments, highlighting the erosion of dignity experienced by grassroots leaders. — OC