06102025-JTR-01.qxd 05-10-2025 22:46 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune NAWANSHAHR FARMERS URGED TO SHUN STUBBLE BURNING PHAGWARA SCHOOL STUDENTS SHINE AT BOXING C’SHIP SARA & IBRAHIM WALK THE RAMP FOR ABHINAV MISHRA DC Ankurjeet Singh educates farmers on ill effects, urge adoption of sustainable straw management methods. P2 Bharati, Jaina secure silver, bronze medals in their respective categories bringing pride to Kapurthala. P3 Star siblings turned showstoppers for designer Abhinav Mishra, turning runway into a spectacular show. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 24°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.06 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:25 AM » MONDAY | 6 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Survived for a month only on water, girl rescued from Oman HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. MP Seechewal’s efforts expose human trafficking networks in Cambodia, Myanmar Our Correspondent INBRIEF MAN CONSUMES POISON, DIES Phagwara: A villager was killed after consuming a poisonous substance. The deceased has been identified as Upkar Singh, a resident of Mureedwal village. Sukhraj Singh told the police that his father had consumed a poisonous substance and died. The police, acting under Section 194 of the BNNS, handed over the body to the family after postmortem. OC DRUG ADDICT ARRESTED Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested a person on the charge of consuming heroin. The accused has been identified as Ravi Kumar, a resident of Sangowal village. A case has been registered under Sections 27/ 61/ 85 of the NDPS Act against the accused. OC GANGSTER HELD FOR EXTORTION Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested a 'gangster' on the charges of extortion, criminal intimidation and rioting. The accused has been identified as Papalpreet Singh of Marari Kalan village under Majitha police station, Amritsar. A case was registered against the accused on a statement from Ranjit Singh of Nangal Ambian Khurd village. OC MAN HELD FOR SELLING LIQUOR Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have arrested a villager on the charge of selling country-made illicit liquor. As many as 24 bottles of illicit liquor were seized from the possession of the accused identified as Gurjit Singh of Shamshadbad village. A case under Sections 61/1/14 of the Punjab Excise Act has been registered against the accused. oc TWO 'DRUG PEDDLERS' HELD Phagwara: The Nakodar Sadar police have arrested a 'drug peddler' on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. Twelve tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Sukhwindar Singh, alias Sukha, a resident of Uggi village. A case has been registered under Sections 22/ 61/ 85 of the NDPS Act against the accused. The Lohian Khas police arrested 'drug peddler' Gurpreet Singh, alias Mithu, a resident of Ghuduwal village with 35 intoxicating tablets. oc Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra visits the flood-affected Kapurthala and disburses relief material. Union MoS visits flood-hit areas, assures of all help Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 5 Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra visited the flood-hit areas of Kapurthala today. He visited Sheikh Manga and Takia villages in Kapurthala and applauded medical teams for essential healthcare services. He also interacted with local villagers, listened to their grievances and assured them of all possible support from the Modi government. The minister chaired a meeting with the district administration in Kapurthala to assess the flood situation and review the relief efforts to the affected communities. The minister stated that his visit is the initiative of the Modi government’s commitment and support for those affected by the recent floods. Ranjeet Singh Deol, BJP district president, Kapurthala, accompanied the minister during his visit. Malhotra met with senior officials, including the Additional Deputy Magistrate (ADM), SDM, and heads of department of Health, Veterinary, Education and other departments to review the current situation and the measures being taken to mitigate the effects of the floods, and highlighted areas that require immediate attention. In addition to relief measures, he also reviewed the condition of national highways in Kapurthala and adjoining areas that have been affected by the floods along with officials from the PWD, NHAI, and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and directed the authorities to ensure that the national highways are restored to normalcy at the earliest. The minister reiterated Centre’s support stressing on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s September 9 visit to Gurdaspur and subsequent announcements for financial assistance of Rs 1,600 crore for Punjab, apart from Rs 12,000 crore already in the SDRF . Phagwara, October 5 A young girl from Jalandhar district, who had gone to Oman dreaming of improving her family’s financial condition, endured months of exploitation before being rescued and brought home safely by the intervention of MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. Her painful account has shed light on the alarming rise of human trafficking networks exploiting Indians abroad. The girl, who had gone to Muscat on June 15, on the assurance of a friend, said she realised soon after arrival that she had fallen prey to a fraudulent recruitment racket. She was confined to the four walls of an office-like building, where more than 10 other Indian women were being held in deplorable condition. “They made us work for 12 hours a day without rest and anyone who made even a small mistake was mercilessly beaten up,” she recounted. Food was scarce and the victim revealed she survived for an entire month on nothing, but water. “It was like living in hell,” she said, adding that her passport and mobile phone were confiscated immediately upon arrival, leaving her with no way to contact her family. She further revealed that many women were deceived with promises of high-paying jobs, only to be coerced into illegal or immoral activities after their visas expired. Those who resisted were subjected to severe physical and MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal rescued a young girl of Jalandhar district from Oman. mental abuse. The girl’s mother reached out to Seechewal, who promptly took up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Indian Embassy in Oman. After weeks of coordinated efforts, she was finally rescued and safely repatriated to India. Speaking on the incident, Seechewal expressed concern over the growing menace of human trafficking and urged people to be cautious before accepting job offers abroad. “Before travelling to Gulf or other foreign countries, always check whether the visa is a legitimate work visa or a tourist visa,” he said, warning that several agents Rain expected, won’t pose any threat to Kapurthala villages: Govt officials Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 5 In a stark contrast to a slew of alerts issued in Jalandhar in view of the heavy rain forecast, the Kapurthala administration hasn’t issued any alert or directions to farmers of the flood-affected areas in the district, regarding the upcoming IMD warnings for inclement weather. Drainage department officials said the rain isn’t expected to pose any damage to the flood-affected areas of Sultanpur Lodhi. In Jalandhar, villages around Mandala Channa breach remain on high alert. While Kapurthala farmers said the damage to houses and crops was the foremost worries on their mind in case of heavy rain, the showers on Sunday morning, however, did not have any significant bearing on the flood situation in Kapurthala. After the brief spell of rain, it was also work as usual at the two underwork bundhs – the one near Ahli Kalan and the other at Rampur Gaura. Paramjit Singh, resident of Baupur village, said, “The rain this morning was brief and didn’t leave much impact. We are already reeling under the impact of floods. The predicted rain may affect the bundh strengthening work, we are praying the spell isn’t intense. We haven’t received any alerts or directions. We continue to focus on bundh work where 50 tractors are operational to plug the nearly 1-km-long Rampur Gaura bundh breach alone.” Meanwhile, at Jalandhar, apart from the alerts issued to farmers on the banks of the Chitti Bein and Sultej for two days, the DC also directed officials to make arrangements in mandis to prevent any damage to the paddy. DC Himanshu Aggarwal said, “All our officials have been deputed in the vulnerable areas amid the rain fore- cast. The situation is being monitored constantly. The district administration has been making proactive efforts for over a month to strengthen the bundh at Mandala Channa as well, where soil sacks are being supplied and work is on a war footing to ensure strengthening of the bundh. Similar measures are also afoot at Sangowal in Phillaur. The administration is fully prepared for the coming two days as well.” SDO, Drainage Department, Khushwinder Singh said, “Water at the Dhilwan gauge flows at between 50,000 and 60,000 cusecs. There may be a marginal increase in levels but it isn’t expected to cause much damage. Since Mandala Channa is a more critical point, directions have been issued in the area. Our teams are also at work there.” DECEIVED AND ABUSED Many women were deceived with promises of high-paying jobs, only to be coerced into illegal or immoral activities after their visas expired. Those who resisted were subjected to severe physical and mental abuse. send unsuspecting women abroad on tourist visas, leading to exploitation once they reach their destination. In a related revelation, a youth from Jalandhar, who was recently rescued from Cambodia through Sant Seechewal’s efforts, disclosed that Indians there are being forced into illegal cyber-related activities. He stated that agents lure young men with promises of high-salary jobs in Thailand, but then sell them to companies in Cambo- dia, where they are made to carry out cyber frauds. “Those who refuse are beaten up brutally,” the youth reported. Seechewal’s humanitarian efforts have previously resulted in the safe return of four Indian youths from Myanmar, who had similarly fallen victim to transnational trafficking and fraud networks. Seechewal emphasised that while poverty and unemployment push many young people to seek opportunities overseas, it is crucial for the BKU (D) to torchgovt effigies over FIRs Stubble burning cases against farmers Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 5 Members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Doaba) will burn effigy of the state and Central Government at all district headquarters tomorrow over the FIRs against farmers on the issue of stubble burning. In a statement issued today, the BKU (Doaba) said it will not tolerate any notices or FIRs against farmers who set stubble on fire. While the BKU had issued sharp reactions condemning the FIR against a Jalandhar farmer, the union had made the declaration that it would oppose any action against farmers on stubble burning. BKU state president Manjit Singh Rai said, “On October 6, at all district headquarters, the effigies of the Punjab Government and the Government of India will be burnt. The district presidents, block presidents and circle presidents are requested to make an effigy in their areas and hold a protest.” Speaking to The Tribune, Rai said, “Widespread FIRs have been registered by the government after the Supreme Court’s recent observations. While farmers reel under the China Virus (Bona Rog) and other ailments and haven’t even been compensated yet for the crop losses they faced during floods, they are instead facing FIRs for stubble burning. The BKU opposes the state government’s action against the farmers. We will hold a protest at all district headquarters on Monday against this.” FIR sought against Jalandhar man for provocative remark on social media Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 5 Following communal tension between Hindu and Muslim communities in Jalandhar since Friday night, the Shiv Sena, Punjab, has demanded that the police should register an FIR against Ayub Khan, a Jalandhar resident, for allegedly posting a provocative video on social media. Senior state vice-presidents of the Shiv Sena Inderjit Karwal and Rajesh Palta along with state spokesperson Vipin Sharma and city president Ankur Bedi addressed the media today, condemning Ayub’s alleged remarks. They said at a time when Punjab’s atmosphere is already tense after the Jalandhar incident, Khan’s video has further fuelled the COMMUNAL TENSION IN CITY fire by making inflammatory statements against the Hindu community. Inderjit Karwal said Khan’s comments amounted to a direct challenge to the police, administration and government, claiming that his supporters would act as they wished without restraint. “Such provocative and threatening statements are criminal in nature. Our country runs according to the Constitution, not on the diktats of street hooligans,” Karwal asserted. Palta added that the Hindu youth in Jalandhar, who had raised the slogan of “Jai Shri Ram,” had committed no offence, yet extremist ele- c m y b ments attacked him under the guise of constitutional rights. He asked the Jalandhar police for registering an FIR to maintain law and order but urged that all named accused be swiftly arrested and dealt with according to law. Party spokesperson Vipin Sharma remarked that socalled “jehadi elements” must remember that the Par- tition happened on religious grounds. “If such elements have no faith in the Constitution, they are free to move to Pakistan — the Shiv Sena will gladly make the arrangements,” Sharma said. City president Ankur Bedi also demanded immediate action and arrest of Ayub for allegedly trying to incite the Hindu community through his social media posts. The Shiv Sena leaders declared that Lord Ram is the soul of Bharat, and any insult to him would not be tolerated. They warned the government to deal strictly with extremist forces, cautioning that any negligence could endanger peace in the border state. “Punjab must learn from the examples of Kashmir and Bengal,” they said. government to tighten regulation of travel and recruitment agents to prevent such tragedies. “We must protect our youth from being exploited by these criminal syndicates operating under the guise of foreign employment,” he said. The Muscat survivor’s return stands as both a personal triumph and a grim reminder of the dark underbelly of human trafficking that continues to trap vulnerable Indians abroad. Thanks to timely intervention and crossborder cooperation, another life has been saved — but the growing pattern of exploitation calls for urgent and coordinated action at both national and international levels. 3 nabbed with heroin in Kapurthala Phagwara, October 5 The Kapurthala police seized over 285 gram of heroin in three separate incidents and arrested multiple accused under the NDPS Act. In the largest recovery, ASI Lakhwinder Singh intercepted a motorcycle, carrying three youths approaching from the Amritsar side. The riders allegedly attempted to evade the checkpoint but were swiftly stopped by the police. They were identified as Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh, of Ida, Tarn Taran, and Gurdevpal Singh, alias Manna, of Mahalla Manjit Nagar, Ludhiana. During the search, the police recovered 275 gram of heroin from their possession. Both accused were arrested on the spot, and the motorcycle was seized as case property. A case was registered at Dhilwan. In another operation, ASI Manjit Singh, acting on a tipoff, arrested Lakhwinder Kaur, alias Babbi, of New Pind Bhattian. The police team reached the spot near a village gate where the accused was seen discarding a small blackcoloured polythene packet into nearby grass upon spotting the police. The packet was recovered and 4.94 gram of heroin was found inside. Meanwhile, ASI Juginder Singh arrested Vicky Kumar, alias Kalu, of Fera Saida village during routine patrolling. The police recovered 6 gram of heroin from his possession. — OC