12102025-JTR-01.qxd 10/11/2025 11:26 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune 158 CONSTABLES INDUCTED IN BSF AFTER PASSING OUT PARADE MINISTER MOHINDER BHAGAT ACCUSES BJP OF ANTI-DALIT BIAS BOLLYWOOD STAR AMITABH BACHCHAN TURNS 83 The recruits, representing the nation’s rich diversity, are now ready to take up the responsibility of national service. P2 He asserted that the BJP’s silence on these incidents had exposed its antiDalit stance to the entire nation. P3 A look at some of the finest performances by the timeless legend who redefined Indian cinema. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.55 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:23 AM » SUNDAY | 12 OCTOBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Floods threaten to dim Diwali lights for families that lost homes, crops Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 11 With the festival of lights just around the corner, darkness looms large over the floodravaged villages of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district as families grapple with the loss of homes, fields and hope as well. Pargat Singh, a marginal farmer from Rampur Gaura who owned 1.5 acres of land, had built a small two-room house with hard work, but then floods came and his home was washed away. He had dreamed of celebrating Diwali with his family after harvesting his paddy crop. He had even fixed a plan on Diwali to call his relatives home for celebrations. "All that's left are the remains of my house. I Punjab SC panel seeks report from Chandigarh police in Haryana ADGP death case Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 11 The Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the suicide of Haryana ADGP Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh and has sought a detailed report from the Chandigarh Director General of Police. Commission Chairman Sardar Jasvir Singh Garhi said the matter came to his attention through media reports, following which the Commission immediately initiated action. In a directive issued to the Chandigarh DGP the Com, mission has asked for a comprehensive report through an officer not below the rank of ADGP . The report is to cover the progress of the investigation into the officer’s death, the contents of his alleged suicide note, and the status of the complaint submitted by his wife, Amneet Kaur, to the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission. The Commission’s action underscores its concern over the circumstances surrounding the death of a senior Scheduled Caste officer and its commitment to ensuring that justice and accountability are upheld. Chairman Garhi further informed that he will personally visit the bereaved family on Monday, October 13, to offer condolences and to understand their grievances directly. He said the Commission would closely monitor the case and take appropriate measures to safeguard the interests and dignity of the deceased officer’s family. The intervention by the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission comes amid rising questions about the factors that may have led to the senior officer’s tragic decision. The move is being seen as a step toward transparency and an affirmation of the Commission’s resolve to ensure that no injustice is done to any member of the Scheduled Castes community, particularly those serving in high-ranking positions within the administrative framework. Villagers who lost their homes in floods at Rampur Gaura village of Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district share their ordeal; floods left a trail of destruction in the area. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH have three daughters. Every year, I bring them sweets, crackers and new clothes. This time, they don't ask for anything - they know we are homeless now. No one can imagine what a father goes through when he sees that sadness in his children's eyes," he said, holding back his tears. Pargat's story echoes throughout the village. Nine families in Rampur Gaura lost their homes in floodwaters. One of them is Major Singh, who used to celebrate Diwali with his children, no matter how limited the resources. "My younger one asked what I would get him for Diwali this year. What do I say to him? We've lost our home, our acre of land — everything is gone," said Major Singh, standing amid the ruins of his house. In Mandala Channa village in Shahkot, four more families have been displaced. Their homes, built close to the embankment, were reduced to rubble. They now live in temporary shelters. Swaran Kaur, a resident of Mandala Channa, described the trauma of seeing everything disappear. "There is no sign that our houses ever existed. Water took away everything. There will be no Diwali for us this year," she said, her voice heavy with grief. Police demolish house of drug offenders in Sechan Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 11 Under the Punjab government’s ongoing “War Against Drugs” campaign, the police have demolished a house illegally constructed on panchayat land in Sechan village, Sultanpur Lodhi. The target of the police action was Sarabjit Singh, also known as Babbi and his wife Jaspal Kaur, alias Suman, who are facing a total of 17 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act — 10 against the husband and seven against the wife. The action follows repeat- ed notices issued by the gram panchayat under Section 34 of the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, instructing the couple to vacate the land. Despite three notices, the property remained unlawfully occupied, prompting the authorities to take strict action. Police, providing security as requested by the panchayat, executed the sealing under orders from the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Sultanpur Lodhi. SSP Kapurthala, Gaurav , Toora emphasised that the crackdown is part of a sustained effort to target drug traffickers and dismantle properties acquired through illicit proceeds. He warned that action against those involved in drugrelated activities would continue unabated. SSP Toora stated that the Kapurthala police are following a dual strategy — curbing drug trafficking while simultaneously facilitating rehabilitation of addicts. Efforts include vocational training and support to reintegrate recovering addicts into the mainstream of society, aiming to reduce the social impact of drug abuse. Demolition being carried out by the police at the house belonging to drug traders in Sultanpur Lodhi. >> Jalandhar : 679, Model Town, Near Masand Chowk. Mob : 99158-30662 Hoshiarpur : 570, Near Govt. College Chowk, Phagwara Road. Mob : 73552-14504 c m y b