12112025-JTR-01.qxd 11/11/2025 11:06 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DON’T INCLUDE GARHSHANKAR IN NEW DIST: LOCALS URGE GOVT NAWANSHAHR REPORTS 11 FARM FIRE CASES THIS SEASON TU JULIET JATT DI — TWISTED LOVE & FLIPPED NARRATIVE Garhshankar residents have opposed the inclusion of the segment in the new district of Sri Anandpur Sahib. P2 Officials said based on the data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, FIRs have been lodged in nine cases.P3 Tu Juliet Jatt Diflips the narrative where marriage happens first… then they go to college… and then love happens! P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.30 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:53 AM » WEDNESDAY | 12 NOVEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Digging, incomplete surface water project add to city’s pollution woes 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. Air very poor |‘Stubble fires invite FIRs, pollution ignored’: Activists slam authorities Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Effigy of PCC chief burnt over remark Our Correspondent Phagwara, November 11 Activists of the Scheduled Caste community in Phagwara, under the banner of the Balmiki Action Committee, held a protest on Tuesday against Punjab Congress president Raja Warring over the alleged derogatory remarks made against the late Buta Singh, former Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes. The protest began around 11:30 am when activists assembled at the Rest House in Phagwara under the leadership of Dharamveer Sethi, president of the Balmiki Action Committee. Ravi Sidhu, national chief organizer of the Bhartiya Valmiki Dharam Samaj, was among the key participants. The demonstrators took out a protest march from the rest house to Nagar Nigam Chowk, raising slogans, demanding strict action against Warring for his alleged comments. On reaching Nagar Nigam Chowk around noon, the protesters burnt an effigy of Warring, asserting that the dignity of Buta Singh, a respected figure in the community, had been insulted. The demonstration concluded by 12:10 pm. Dharmendra with Aman Committee chief Manohar Lal Kaura. Phagwara awaits its hero’s recovery Ashok Kaura Phagwara, November 11 A wave of concern swept through Phagwara on Tuesday as news broke that legendary actor Dharmendra has been admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital. In temples and gurdwaras across the city, his childhood friends and admirers offered ardent prayers for the recovery of the man they have always called their own. For Phagwara, Dharmendra has never been just a film icon. He is the boy who once walked its dusty streets, the friend who never forgot his roots, and the superstar who returned every time the town called. His closest childhood companions philanthropist Kuldip Sardana, Harjit Singh Parmar, Advocate Shiv Chopra and members of the Aman Committee gathered at local temples and gurdwaras to pray for his swift recovery. Many of them have stood by Dharmendra since the days when he was known simply as Dharam — the polite boy with dreams too big for a small town to contain. His old friends are leading quiet prayers at gurdwaras and mandirs, hoping to see their Dharam paaji smiling and healthy again. Their voices tremble with emotion, but their affection remains unwavering. Dharmendra’s own words from that emotional 2006 visit echo across Phagwara: “I am a farmer’s son from Punjab. Whatever I am today, I owe to this land and its people.” To the world, he is a superstar. To Phagwara, he is family. As prayers continue, one heartfelt slogan rises once more: “Phagwara Zindabad — Dharmendra Zindabad.” Jalandhar, November 11 Heavy pollutants in the air last night again left city residents sleepless, with many complaining of throat irritation, persistent cough and a burning sensation in the eyes. While stubble burning has seen a nearly 34 per cent decline in Jalandhar compared to last year, the toxic “parali” fires are not the only culprit. Adding to the choking smog is another overlooked source — construction waste. Clouds of smoke rising from burning debris have worsened the air quality, turning city streets into pockets of pollution. The city recorded its highest AQI of the past week at 328 on the night of November 10. Although the AQI on November 11 showed a slight improvement, residents continued to report discomfort after dusk due to poor air quality. At the time of filing this report, Jalandhar’s AQI stood at a maximum of 294, indicating that pollution levels remain in the ‘very poor’ category. While stubble fires primarily impact rural areas, urban pollution has its own culprit — construction waste. Every day, tonnes of rubble, soil, cement, and mud mounds are dumped on city roads. Although district administration has formed task forces to curb farm fires for reducing stubble burning cases, there is no mechanism to hold anyone accountable for pol- Dust on the road near the Kapurthala chowk in Jalandhar. FILE lution caused by “unplanned development.” The smoke and dust clouds gathering due to the illegal digging, repair and construction work do not invite any FIR or even a notice. Nor does anyone face a penalty for leaving roads dust-ridden and messy in the name of development projects. Dozens of city stretches have been marred by unplanned digging/repair work, especially the surface water project. Picturesque stretches that were once tree-lined havens have now turned into dusty wastelands, especially due to the surface water project. Dozens of areas where residents bear the brunt, include Nakodar Road, Manbro Chowk road stretch, Guru Ravidas Chowk Road, Gurunankpura to Chowgitti Road, Industrial Area Road, Road near Model Town cremation ground, Pathankot Chowk, etc. Commuters at Manbro Chowk, Kapurthala Chowk, and Nakodar Chowk wade through clouds of dust daily, making even short commutes a nightmare. Environment activist Tejaswi Minhas said, “My children and I are unwell due to the high pollution in the city. The AQI has been very poor for days. For how many days can one shut themselves inside homes with an air purifier. For weeks now, there is no improvement in the air quali- ty. Breathing has become difficult in Jalandhar. While stubble fires invite FIRs, there is no action against officials who have left the city defaced for months in the name of projects. A single pollution meter cannot capture disparities across areas — some are far worse than others.” Manpreet Kaur, who travels through the Manbro Chowk stretch daily, says, “We used to love this road for its beauty. It’s an eyesore now - a dusty potholed nightmare. No one wants to come here. A poor street vendor sprinkles water to settle dust and keep his stall running. What is the MC doing? Don’t officials know that the mess is of their own making?” Work to be completed soon: Mayor Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir said, "The MC is committed to ensuring the AQI levels in the city are kept in check. We have received a compaction report regarding the dust on roads. They are now fit to be constructed. The stretches from Manbro Chowk to Ravidas Chowk, among others, will be reconstructed very soon. Work on Bhagwan Mahavir Marg is also on. The Chuggiti stretch road has already been completed. Repair and road relaying works on al stretches will be completed soon." Sewermen union plans strike DC reviews preparations for against contract system ‘Shaheedi Shatabdi Yatra’ Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 Various safai karamchari and sewermen unions have once again expressed disappointment with MC officials and announced that they will stop lifting waste if their demands are not met. The unions also staged a dharna on the MC premises. On Monday, a joint meeting of multiple unions was held at the office of the Punjab Safai Mazdoor Federation under the chairmanship of Punjab secretary Sunny Sahota. Representatives from several unions participated and unanimously decided to oppose the corporation’s plan to hand over door-to-door garbage collection work to private contractors through a tender process starting November 13. Expressing strong opposition to this move, union members warned that if the corporation proceeds with the tendering process and introduces the contract system, all unions will go on strike from November 14. The proposed strike would result in a complete shutdown of essential municipal services, including garbage collection, sewerage management, and sanitation. The unions stated that the responsibility for any disruption will lie with the government and the MC. Union leaders also highlighted that outsourced employees have not received their salaries for the past three months, causing severe financial hardship. Kapurthala, November 11 As part of the celebrations for the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal reviewed the preparations for the “Shaheedi Shatabdi Yatra” reaching Kapurthala on November 21. He went with officers and inspected the route from Goindwal Sahib bridge to Kapurthala city. He reviewed the preparations on the yatra route. It will enter Kapurthala district from the bridge built over the Beas near Goindwal Sahib, the presentation of guard of honour by a police contingent in honour of the yatra, etc. The DC said keeping in mind the dignity and religious importance of the yatra, every employee should perform his duty with a sense of service. He said cleanliness and other necessary arrangements on the route should be completed on a priority basis. The yatra will enter Jalandhar via Goindwal Sahib, Mundi Mor, Ucha, Parvez Nagar and Kapurthala via Kartarpur. On November 22, it will leave Jalandhar via Phagwara and then to Banga. Meanwhile, SSP Gaurav Toora said a guard of honour will also be given to the yatra at Mundi Mor too. He said during the yatra, elaborate arrangements will be made for langars at Mundi Mor, Ucha, Parvez Nagar villages and Kapurthala bus stand for the sangat. — OC Police make state proud at Masters Int’l Tent Pegging C’ship Aakanksha N Bhardwaj SHINING PUNJAB Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 The Punjab Police Equestrian Team delivered an outstanding performance at the Masters International Tent Pegging Championship, held at Ghaziabad from November 10 to 12, bringing home multiple medals and making Punjab proud on the national stage. DIG Inderbir Singh showcased exceptional skill and precision, winning the silver medal in the Individual Lance Event on his mare Monika, following a thrilling tie run. Inspector Lakhwinder Singh demonstrated remarkable horsemanship, securing the gold medal in the Individual Sword Event with a perfect score of 36/36 on his mare Quincy. The Punjab Police team com- ■ DIG Inderbir showcased exceptional skill, winning silver in Individual Lance Event ■ Inspector Lakhwinder demonstrated remarkable horsemanship, securing gold in the Individual Sword Event ■ The Punjab Police team won the silver medal in the team category prising DIG Inderbir Singh, DSP Jaswinder Singh, Inspector Youngbir Singh, and Inspector Lakhwinder Singh, won the silver medal in the team category today. Competing against top teams, including South Africa Masters, ITBP-Haryana, Jalandhar, and BSF Masters, the team exhibited exceptional coordination and mastery across all events. The Punjab Police contingent’s stellar performance brought immense pride to the department and the state. DGP Gaurav Yadav extended congratulations to the team for their exemplary achievements and for bringing laurels to the Punjab Police and Punjab. DIG Inderbir Singh had earlier said it was DSP Ram Pal, retired earlier this year, who started teaching him tent pegging last year. “It’s very important to warm up the horse before the game, and after practice, the animal must be cooled down. Once they’re (horses) back in the stable, they get a nice ‘maalish’ (massage). This ensures the horse is willing to return and play again,” he earlier explained. DIG Inderbir Singh and team with medals, at Ghaziabad, UP. c m y b The Punjab Police and RPF hold a joint search operation at Jalandhar City Railway Station on Tuesday. PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH Security checks in city after Delhi blast Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 11 In the wake of the blast near the Red Fort at Delhi last night, the Jalandhar police remained on high alert and carried out search operations on various important point across the city. Officials said the checks are part of routine security measures in the wake of the Delhi incident. Teams led by the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, Dhanpreet Kaur carried out detailed security checks across 14 vulnerable points in Jalandhar. Teams led by the Joint Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, Sandeep Sharma also conducted thorough searches at the Jalandhar City railways station and other public places. Special nakas were also laid at important points in Jalandhar. Speaking to mediapersons, Sharma said, “We are conducting checks at the Jalandhar railway station and other important points. All officers, including the city CP are con, ducting checks. Special nakas were set up in Jalandhar, under which the city railway station, Cantt railway station, bus stand, etc underwent searches. The police are alert. As many as 350 police personnel were deputed for the special checks and nakas. These are all routine checks – to keep security measures up to date at all important points.” While teams of the city police became active since last night itself, following the Delhi blast, Sharma added that the special operations were being conducted by the police in conjunction with the GRP and RPF “The opera. tions are marked with interdepartmental co-operation and information sharing”, he added.