01112025-JTR-01.qxd 10/31/2025 10:57 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune RESIDENTS PROTEST PROLONGED CLOSURE OF RAILWAY CROSSING RETD PRINCIPAL FINDS NEW CANVAS IN LANDSCAPES, COLOURS WORLD VEGAN DAY: GREEN PLATES, KIND HEARTS Locals claim that the railways are making life miserable for thousands of commuters without any logical reason. P2 If you want to keep depression and negativity at bay, art can prove to be a saviour, says Kuljeet Kaur. P3 As November 1 dawns, a quiet yet meaningful shift brews in Chandigarh’s kitchens and cafés. P4 » MAINLY CLEAR MAX 28°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.38 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:44 AM » » FORECAST SATURDAY | 1 NOVEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR 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. Robbery suspects still at large, cops round up kin to mount pressure PPCC chief, minister Bhagat visit showroom | Warring flays govt for ‘poor’ law, order Tribune News Service INBRIEF TWO KILLED IN BIKES' COLLISION Phagwara: Two youths were killed and two were injured last night when their motorcycle collided with each near Chuheki village. The deceased has been identified as Amandeep of Nahal village and Tuhir Aalam of Jandiala village. The accident occurred at 10 pm when their motorcycles collided with each other. Three occupants were travelling on one motorcycle, and one occupant was travelling on other motorcycle. oc 14 HELD WITH DRUGS IN 3 DAYS Jalandhar: The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police in the past three days have arrested 14 individuals and recovered 52.8 gram of heroin, 232 bottles of illicit liquor, 100 pregabalin capsules, 26 intoxicant tablets, and one scooter from their possession Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said the police apprehended two individuals red-handed while consuming drugs. A total of 14 FIRs have been registered against the arrested accused. TNS 4 ARRESTED IN ASSAULT ON COPS Phagwara: The police have arrested four accused in the October 14 attack on two Punjab Police officers near City Heart Nagar, Phagwara. SSP Gaurav Toora confirmed the arrests of Gurpreet Singh alias Happy and his associates, all residents of Phagwara. The assault occurred when Constable Jatinder Singh and SI Shiv Raj Chahal were en route to Eastwood after reports of firing. Jatinder sustained six injuries and was hospitalised, while Chahal was also hurt. The attack allegedly stemmed from a parking dispute. A case has been registered. OC MAN HELD UNDER NDPS ACT Phagwara: The police have arrested a man on the charge of selling intoxicant tablets. As many as 28 intoxicating tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused Ajay Kumar of Gohar village. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act. OC Jalandhar, October 31 Nearly 36 hours after the Rs 1 crore robbery at Vijay Jewellers in Bhargo Camp, the three identified accused Kaushal, Gagan, and Karan are still absconding. The accused reportedly live just a km away from the shop in the same colony. They looted eight jewellery sets, 12 gold chains, a man’s bracelet, two women’s bracelets, rings and earrings worth over Rs 95 lakh on Thursday morning. Besides, they had also taken away Rs 2 lakh cash from Nikhil, the son of jeweller, at gunpoint during the less than two-minute robbery. Police sources said Kaushal and Gagan have had a criminal past. Kaushal, who has a deformed left hand and was identified in the video because of his handicap, has a murder case against him since 2021 and was out on bail. He also has five other cases against him, including those under the NDPS Act. Gagan too has a case against him for liquor smuggling. To put pressure for their arrest, the police have reportedly rounded up their family members. Meanwhile, the family members of the jewellers from Bhargo Camp went to the police station today and Phagwara: The police have booked a woman farmer on the charge of burning paddy stubble. The accused has been identified as Bhupinder Kaur of Lohgarh village. The police booked farmer Sajjan Singh of Chak Bundala village for burning stubble. oc MANY BOOKED FOR STEALING GOATS Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked unidentified persons on charge of stealing goats. Shaif Ali of Khiva village complained to the police that thieves barged into his house in October 27 night and fled away with goats. oc ■ The accused reportedly live just a km away from the shop in the same colony. ■ They looted eight jewellery sets, 12 gold chains, a man’s bracelet, two women’s bracelets, rings and earrings worth over Rs 95 lakh on Thursday morning. ■ Besides, they had also taken away Rs 2 lakh cash from Nikhil, the son of jeweller, at gunpoint during the less than two-minute robbery. ■ The accused reportedly live just a km away from the shop in the same colony PPCC chief Raja Warring visits the jewellery shop, where robbery took place, on Friday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH appealed to the police to quickly arrest the robbers and recover the gold. “We have suffered such a huge loss. We shall not be able to overcome this loss all our lives if the recovery is not made”, said the family members of Deepak, the victim jeweller. The Opposition is already attacking the government and the police since the incident. PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring visited the showroom this evening. He said, “The robbers can be so fearless Unpaid rent: Panchayat locks driving test centre Phagwara, October 31 Tension prevailed at the Automated Driving Test Centre built on panchayat land in village Dusan Khurd, located between Goraya and Phillaur, after the village panchayat locked the facility on Thursday evening. The action came following non-payment of rent for nearly three years, amounting to around ?6 lakh. When the centre’s staff arrived on Friday morning, they were shocked to find the main gate locked from the inside. People who had come to take their driving tests and the employees were forced to wait outside in the heat for nearly one-and-a-half hours. According to panchayat members, the land on which the automated driving test track was constructed belongs to the village panchayat. Despite repeated reminders to the department concerned and officials, no rent had been paid for the past three years. Frustrated by the inaction, panchayat members decided to lock the centre as a last resort. Naib Tehsildar, Nurmahal, along with the BDPO-Rurka Kalan and the Panchayat Secretary, reached the spot and held talks with panchayat representatives. They assured the panchayat that if they submit a written agreement and rent details, the pending dues will be cleared within 15 days. — OC BJP leaders and workers take part in ‘Run for Unity’ in Jalandhar. BJP workers, leaders, students run for unity Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 31 BJP workers and students from various schools and colleges participated in the “Run for Unity” remembering Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on his 150th birth anniversary on Friday. BJP leaders and workers started the run from Sri Ram Chowk and concluded at Bhagat Singh Chowk. Former Union MoS Som Prakash, former Minister and national executive member Manmohan Kalia, and BJP Jalandhar urban president Sushil Sharma were present on the occasion. Som Prakash said, “Sardar Patel was a leader who laid the foundation of modern India. His vision and determination united 560 princely states, giving birth to a strong and sovereign nation.” Kalia celebrated the day as a reminder of his legacy and India’s commitment to unity in diversity. The NSS unit of Dr BR Ambedkar National Institute of Technology (NIT) organised the “Run for Unity and Unity Pledge” commencing at 7:30 am from in front of the administrative block of the campus. The event was held under the Sardar@150 Campaign to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Iron Man of India and the architect of national integration. The run symbolised the collective commitment of participants towards unity, integrity, and nation-building, echoing the timeless values upheld by Sardar Patel. to walk in and walk away with the booty in the broad daylight only if they are pally with the police. The boldness with which they committed the crime as seen in the CCTV footage points to major faults in the law and order situation of Punjab. No one is safe in the AAP tenure. This incident is a reminder of the murder of a cloth merchant in Nakodar, the killing of kabaddi player Sandeep Nangal Ambian and singer Sidhu Moosewala”. Leader of the Opposition Partap Bajwa too said, “AAP has pushed Punjab into anarchy, where fear and lawlessness have become the new normal. The people live in fear. The streets are ruled by criminals while the CM, who also holds the Home portfolio, remains asleep,” Bajwa said. He added, “These chilling incidents are not isolated acts of crime, they are symptoms of a deep rot that has set in under the Mann government.” To represent the goverment side, minister Mohinder also Box cricket facility at BMC Chowk Child rights panel chairman questions delay in FIR against Phillaur ex-SHO Jalandhar, October 31 Minister Mohinder Bhagat on Friday inaugurated the newly developed Box Cricket at the iconic BMC Chowk. The initiative spearheaded by the Jalandhar administration has transformed the under-bridge area at BMC Chowk into a vibrant box cricket ground, aimed at channeling youth energy into sports and positive recreation. Accompained by DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal and AAP leader Nitin Kohli, the minister said the project is aimed to promote a culture of sports and wellness across Punjab. Bhagat said more such projects will come up in the city in the coming days. — TNS visited Vijay Jewellers and said the government stood firmly with them and that justice will be delivered soon. He said Punjab Police teams have been working tirelessly to arrest the accused, who have already been identified. He also said the robbed jewellery items will be recovered from the accused after the arrest and will be returned to victims. Meanwhile, the minister also slammed the Opposition for playing politics on such a crucial issue for political gains. Had been suspended after sexual allegations against him by mother, daughter Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 31 The Chairman, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, (PSCPCR), Kanwardeep Singh, today questioned the delay in the registration of an FIR against former SHO, Phillaur, Bhushan Kumar, who had recently been booked under the POCSO Act after a victim’s complaint. The Chairman said responsibility will be fixed for the delay and also questioned prioritisation of action in POCSO cases by the police. He also said it was clear the SHO was being ‘sheltered’. While the SHO had been suspended after the allegations against him, the PSCPCR Chairman said the case regarding his dismissal had been sent to the DIG. Former Phillaur SHO Bhusham Kumar was booked in three cases registered on October 14, 23 and 24 on the charges of sexual harassment and sections of the POCSO Act. He had sexually harassed a woman and her daughter when they Ex-SHO Bhushan Kumar approached him for justice. Addressing the mediapersons, Chairman, PSCPCR, Kanwardeep Singh, said, “We came to the SSP’s office today to reveiw the case registered against the SHO Bhushan Kumar last month. We looked into the charges against the SHO, the FIR and reviewed the case, whether the culprit is arrested or not. We are investigating further and any shortfalls observed, will be addressed. We have questioned officials about the cause for delay in the FIR. We will fix responsibility for the delay.” Questioned on why the SHO wasn’t arrested, he said, “The cognizance of the issue has already been taken and the department has written to the DIG to dismiss the SHO. Only the DIG has the power to dismiss him. Action is being taken.” Flood crisis takes centre stage at Mela Ghadri Babeyan Daphoto exhibition Aparna Banerji WOMAN BOOKED FOR FARM FIRE 8 GOLD SETS AMONG STOLEN ITEMS Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 31 A several-storeyed muddy hillock with a large gap in the middle (handiwork of JCBs), a riverbank lined with men bearing cylinders, awaiting a boat, a green paddy field being washed away by rising waters and a house teetering on the brink of collapse— these striking images capture moments that vanished almost immediately after being photographed. They form the centrepiece of a photo exhibition depicting the ravages of floods in Mukerian and Talwara. The exhibition, part of this year’s Mela Ghadri Babeyan Da, is the work of Dharminder Singh Mukerian, a people’s activist, photographer and advocate for environmental protection. He metic- ulously documented the impact of floods on villages in the Mukerian region. This marks Dharminder’s third year participating in the mela. Nature has been the focus of his previous exhibitions in 2023 and 2024, which highlighted the issue of illegal mining. “Despite robust online media and social platforms, city dwellers largely remain unaware of the trauma rural populations faced during floods. Consecutive flooding has devastated farmers. I wanted to bring these stories to Jalandhar through the mela. The Shivaliks act as a huge natural wall protecting Punjab, but illegal mining is decimating these hills. Entire hillocks are disappearing. Tracking the Beas from its source reveals how illegal mining in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab is causing widespread destruction and aggravating floods. If the hills are gone, what will hold the water back?” Dharminder said. The exhibition documents the floods’ impact on 14 to 15 villages in Mukerian and Talwara, including Mahtabpur, Haler Janardhan, Kolliyan and villages near the Himachal border like Mand Majhvaha, Mand Sanaur, and Mand Maini. Dharminder personally visited and photographed these villages during the floods. A member of the Shaheed Bhagat Singh Naujawan Sabha, Dharminder is currently out on bail. His activism against illegal mining and advocacy on public issues have repeatedly brought him into conflict with law enforcement. He faces a case for doc- c m y b umenting illegal mining in 2015 and was instrumental in shutting down 300 stone crushers in Himachal during a campaign against illegal mining. He has also campaigned against the flattening of Shivalik hillocks. “The government earns Rs 3 crore through electricity generated from the Mukerian Hydel Channel, yet not a penny is spent on villages. Floods wash away our homes. Illegal mining deepens rivers, causing more damage and altering their course. Houses are falling prey to the waters,” Dharminder added. Other themes in his exhibition include the struggles of the poor—the cobbler, chatting vendors and a barefooted child trailing a vendor— and recollections from previous melas at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall. Activist Dharminder Singh Mukerian shows onlookers his photos on the floods at the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall during Mela Ghadari Babeyan Da in Jalandhar on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH