15072025-JTR-01.qxd 7/14/2025 11:14 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune BIANNUAL EXAMS FOR CLASS X GETS A THUMBS DOWN SCHOOL IN BOLINA SEES 28% HIKE IN STUDENT ENROLMENT RANDEEP HOODA HAS FOUND A NEW CREATIVE CALLING Teachers and principals are apprehensive that this could further cut down working days for the batch. P3 The school has AC and colour coded classrooms, in-house infirmary, table tennis and football coaches. P3 He says while acting remains his first love, writing has emerged as most rewarding part of his creative process. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.33 PM » SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:34 AM TUESDAY | 15 JULY 2025 | JALANDHAR INBRIEF MAN HELD FOR STEALING GOODS Phagwara: The police have arrested a man for stealing household goods. The accused has been identified as Som Nath of Saidpur Jhirri village. Rakesh Kumar of the same village had complained to the police that the accused and his accomplices stole an LCD and two gas cylinders from his house and valuables from the house of Asha, wife of Lovpreet Singh. A case was registered against the accused, and his one accomplice was arrested earlier. The third accused, Jagdeep is absconding. OC 7 BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked seven miscreants on the charge of assaulting a young man with a pistol butt. The accused have been identified as Sahil of Saidpur village, Balli of Mehmuwal Yusafpur village, Dulla of Sarangwal village, and their four accomplices. Jagir Singh of Killi village complained to the police that the accused waylaid his nephew and attacked him and used a pistol butt in the crime and threatened him with dire consequences. A case under the Arms Act has been registered against the accused. The Lohian Khas police booked two villagers for assaulting Ram Amar Singh of Mandala village. OC MAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Lohian Khas police have arrested a villager on the charge of brewing and selling illegal liquor. As many as 20 bottles of illegally made liquor and 120 kg of lahan (raw liquor) were recovered from the possession of the accused Satpal, alias Pappu, a resident of Chachowal village. A case under Section 61/1/14 of the Excise Act has been registered against the accused. OC MAN HELD UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested a man on the charge of selling intoxicant tablets. As many as 45 intoxicating tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Gurjit Singh, a resident of Burj Hassan village. A case under Sections 22/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. oc Youth killed in Bhargo Camp, cousins injured in attack 2 arrested, one on the run Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 14 A youth was killed while his two cousins got injured in a brawl which turned violent at Bhargo Camp here late last night. Varun, along with his cousins Lokesh and Vishal, was walking through the streets in the locality when they were reportedly attacked by individuals armed with sharp-edged weapons. Within a few hours, the police arrested Dhruv Kumar (18) and Sunil Kumar (25), both residents of the Bhargo Camp locality. The third accused Sonu Pandit is still on the run. The operation was executed under the supervision of Manpreet Singh Dhillon (DCP Investigation), Harinder Singh Gill (ADCP–II City), Sarwanjit Singh (ACP West Jalandhar), and Sukhjit Singh (SHO Bhargo Camp). Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said an FIR has been registered as per the statement given by the father of victim Vipan Kumar. Two accused involved in murder at Bhargo Camp in the Jalandhar police custody. PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH The complainant has stated that he and his son-in-law too were present at the spot and tried to intervene but were assaulted. Varun got seriously injured during the attack and was immediately taken to Shri Ram Neuro Centre, where the doctors declared him brought dead. The police used technical surveillance, analysed CCTV footage and carried out investigation to identify and appre- hend the accused. The CP further revealed that the accused Dhruv Kumar already had one FIR registered against him at Bhargo Camp, while the accused Sunil Kumar, alias Bhindi, also had two FIRs registered against him — one at Division No. 6 and another at Bhargo Camp. She said further investigation is ongoing to identify and arrest other individuals who may have been involved in the incident. Varun, the deceased Our Correrspondent Phagwara, July 14 In a revelation that indicates the rising menace of fraudulent immigration practices in Punjab, two major visa scams have come to light involving a combined financial loss of over ?37 lakh. Victims from Jalandhar and Kapurthala districts were allegedly duped by unscrupulous agents who exploited their aspirations of securing better futures abroad for their children. In the first case, Sohan Lal, a resident of Bhallowal village near Noormahal, lodged a complaint against two individuals hailing from Pandori village in Hoshiarpur and operating from Mohali. The duo, allegedly operated under the name Providers Overseas Consultants, promised to arrange a UK work visa for Lal’s son Mulk Raj. According to Lal’s statement, the accused took Rs 26.88 lakh under the pretext of facilitating visa processing and travel arrangements. Despite receiving the payment, the accused failed to deliver any valid documents and soon became untraceable. Acting on the complaint, the police registered a case under Sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code, alongside relevant provisions of the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act. The authorities have launched investigation to trace the culprits and recover the embezzled amount. In a similar incident, a woman from Mudowal village in Kapurthala district was reportedly fleeced of Rs10.75 lakh. Kulvinder Kaur, mother of Simranjit Singh, filed a complaint stating that Harpinder Singh and Kulvinder Kaur, residents of Bal Mishra Mohalla near the Banga bus stand in Nawanshahr, misled her with false promises of securing a UK visa for her son. The complaint, originally submitted on May 13, 2024, led to the registration of an FIR following an inquiry conducted by Sub-Inspector Bhupinder Singh. As with the Phagwara case, the accused in Kapurthala neither arranged the promised travel documents, nor returned the funds, prompting the police to register FIR. The matter remains under investigation. “These are serious cases of financial and emotional exploitation,” said DSP Bharat Bhushan. “Families invest their life savings in hopes of a better future for their children”, he said. Woman dies by suicide after ‘harassment’ Our Correspondent Phagwara, July 14 A 20-year-old woman from Butala village near Kapurthala died after allegedly consuming a poisonous substance, reportedly due to persistent harassment. The accused, identified as Akash, a resident of the same village, has been arrested and remanded to judicial custody. According to police sources, the incident occurred on July 8 when the woman, distressed by repeated acts of harassment, consumed a toxic substance at her home. She was initially rushed to the Civil Hospital in Kapurthala but was later referred to the Amritsar Medical College due to the severity of her condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed during treatment last night. The victim’s mother Asha Rani filed a complaint with the police, alleging that Akash had been harassing her daughter for some time. Acting on the complaint, the police registered an FIR and launched a manhunt. The accused was apprehended during a raid led by SHO Dalwinder Singh. Following his arrest, Akash was presented before a local magistrate, who sent him to judicial custody. Police officials confirmed that investigation is underway. Mechanic’s bike stolen Sainik School Nat’l Games open at Kapurthala from customer’s house Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Nakodar, July 14 Two miscreants stole a mechanic’s motorcycle parked outside a house where he was repairing a refrigerator here. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed in the neighborhood. Tejinder Singh, a resident of Arjan Nagar, reported that he had gone to a house in the Kalia locality to carry out a refrigerator repair. He parked his motorcycle outside the residence and went inside. On returning a shortwhile later, he discovered that his vehicle had vanished. Upon checking the CCTV footage from the locality, two young men were seen fleeing with the motorcycle. Singh Over four days, six such incidents have been reported has filed a complaint with the police. Over the past four days, six such incidents have been reported, raising serious concerns about public safety and law enforcement. Among the reported cases are thefts at Gaba General Store near the Southern Gate, a break-in at an NRI’s bungalow in Sunder Nagar, a robbery at a general store near the bus stand and snatching of a phone and cash from Surinder Book Store’s owner. Another case involved a shopkeeper being robbed of cash at Ambedkar Chowk. Kapurthala, July 14 The opening ceremony of the six-day All-India Sainik Schools National Games (Group-A) 2025 was held on Monday at Sainik School, Kapurthala. The event will continue till July 19. Seven Sainik Schools are participating in the competition, including the host Sainik School, Kapurthala, Sainik School, Nagrota (J&K), Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira (HP), Sainik School, Kunjpura (Haryana), Sainik School, Khara Kheri, Fatehabad (Haryana), Dayanand Sainik School, Nabha (Punjab), and RS Gurukulam Sainik School, Nalagarh (HP). The event has witnessed the participation of approximately 290 cadets. The competition features events such as volley- The All-India Sainik Schools National Games (Group-A) 2025 begins at Sainik School, Kapurthala. ball, basketball, track and field (races and jumps), along with cultural performances. The chief guest at the event was Capt Sukhchain Singh Pannu, who is also an alumnus of Sainik School, Kapurthala. In his address to Rain compounds city residents’ sewage problems Tribune News Service Jalandhar, July 14 Persistent sewage issues have already troubled city residents and the recent rain has further exacerbated the situation. With inadequate drainage and overflowing sewage, many streets across various localities are now waterlogged, causing inconvenience to the public. The problem is particularly severe in low-lying areas where stagnant water has made movement extremely difficult. Children and the elderly are especially affected as navigating through flooded streets poses safety risks. The Municipal Corporation (MC) continues to receive a high volume of complaints for urgent resolution. Residents have been consistently urging the authorities to take immediate action. The growing number of grievances highlights the urgent need Two families lose ~37L in visa fraud A waterlogged road near Chugitti in Jalandhar. for systematic sewerage upgrades and improved storm water management. Officials have acknowledged the situation and said response teams are being mobilised to address the worst-affected areas. However, residents await swift and lasting solutions to this ongoing civic challenge. PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH. In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the monsoon, a high-level coordination meeting was convened by the Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar. The meeting focused on addressing public grievances related to sewage overflows, waterlogging, and inadequate drainage conditions across various residential colonies. Taking serious note of the situation, the Commissioner issued strict directives to all departments, mandating that each complaint be resolved within 24 hours of receipt. Officers were cautioned that any delay or negligence would result in disciplinary action under applicable service rules. Acting swiftly, the MC has intensified field operations across all zones. As a result, 60 out of 72 complaints were resolved within the stipulated time-frame. On-ground teams have been deployed for continuous inspections, urgent repairs, and real-time updates, all monitored via a centralised dashboard by senior officials. In anticipation of further rainfall, the corporation has ramped up preparedness measures. Super suction machines and jetting units have been stationed at floodprone locations to swiftly man- c m y b age sewer blockages. Extensive desilting drives have been carried out across primary, secondary, and tertiary drains to improve stormwater management capacity. Additionally, 24x7 mobile rapid-response teams are on standby, especially in lowlying areas. Streetlighting audits have been completed, with repairs underway to eliminate dark spots and enhance visibility during heavy rain. “Flood-mapping assessments have helped identify critical catchment zones. Engineering teams have been instructed to inspect and reinforce vulnerable manholes and stormwater inlets, with slab-raising works initiated where necessary,” the officials said. The Health and Sanitation Wing has also intensified fogging and chlorination efforts in waterlogged areas to curb the spread of vector-borne diseases. the participants, Capt Pannu encouraged cadets to maintain momentum and stay focused on their goals. He also announced a contribution of Rs 1 lakh towards the development of the school. Prior to the ceremony, he paid floral tribute at Smriti Sthal, honouring the bravehearts with reverence. Earlier in the ceremony, Principal Group Captain Madhu Sengar warmly welcomed the chief guest and expressed heartfelt gratitude for his presence. Also present were Vice Principal Commander Sandeep Singh Virk and Administrative Officer Lieut Col Umesh Mole. Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira, won the first position in 400 m sub-junior girls race, followed by Sainik School, Khara Kheri, and Sainik School, Nagrota. Host Sainik School, Kapurthala, won the first place in 400 m junior girls race, followed by Sainik School, Khara Kheri, and Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira. In 400 m sub-junior boys race, Sainik School, Kunjpura, was the winner followed by Sainik School, Nagrota, and Sainik School Khara Kheri. In basketball boys, Sainik School Kapurthala won against Sainik School Sujanpur Tira. In volleyball, Sainik School Nagrota was the winner. Varsity students develop drone detection system Ashok Kaura Phagwara, July 14 Students from Lovely Professional University (LPU) have developed a cutting-edge, AIpowered drone detection system designed to tackle the rising misuse of drones for cross-border smuggling, surveillance and unauthoried intrusion. The pioneering project was led by Lakshit Gupta, Vansh Sharma, and Riya Singh, students from the School of Computer Science and Engineering (Machine Learning Domain). The trio worked under the guidance of Dr Mohit Arora, HoD of the Machine Learning Domain, to build a system that detects drones in real time using only a simple camera and artificial intelligence — offering a lowcost alternative to expensive radar and RF-based systems. “We were driven by the constant reports of drones being used for illegal cross-border activities,” said Lakshit Gupta. “We realised there was a need for an accessible solution that didn’t require high-end, military-grade hardware.” The system uses live video feeds processed through state-of-the-art AI models such as YOLOv8s, RetinaNet, and One-Class SVM. These models are trained to accurately recognise drones across different environ- ments and lighting conditions. Once a drone is detected, the system can instantly trigger alerts, making it highly effective for real-time monitoring. Further enhancements are in progress to estimate the drone’s position, speed, and altitude. Though initially designed for defence and border control, the team emphasised that the system has wide-reaching potential. It can be used at airports, public events, industrial facilities, and even in agriculture field — where drone intrusion poses a risk. “This is a shining example of how LPU students are solving real-world problems using emerging technologies,” said Dr Arora. “The project demonstrates the power of AI to deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions for both security forces and civilians.”