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P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.24 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:07 AM » FRIDAY | 28 NOVEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Police explore extortion, rivalry angles; early arrest expected Gangsters’ role likely as AAP leader is coordinator of anti-drug initiative Ashok Kaura Phagwara, November 27 In the wake of the latenight firing incident at the residence of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Daljit Raju at Darvesh village near Phagwara, senior police officials have intensified investigations and expressed confidence that those behind the attack will be apprehended soon. Naveen Singla, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Jalandhar Range, who visited the site and reviewed the situation, said multiple specialised wings of the Punjab Police had been roped in to ensure a swift breakthrough. Speaking to The Tribune on Thursday evening, the DIG revealed that the AntiGangster Task Force (AGTF) and Counter Intelligence unit were actively assisting local police teams in tracing assailants and analysing the motive behind the attack. DIG Singla confirmed that Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora was personally supervising the investigation with teams working round the clock to examine every possible lead. “We are exploring all angles, including personal rivalry, extortion threats and political motives,” he said, adding that nothing was being dismissed at this stage. He further said that given Raju’s role as coordinator of the state’s Yudh Nishan De Virudh (anti-drug initiative), the possibility of involvement of gangster networks could not be ruled out. Police officials said the pattern of Gold, cash stolen at Phagwara INCIDENT HAPPENED AT 1:13AM ■ The incident occurred at 1:13 am ■ Raju told the police that he, his wife, and their daughter were asleep in their bedrooms on the first floor when the sudden volley of gunfires shattered the stillness of the night ■ Bullets pierced the glass railing and windows of the upper floor, but the family escaped unhurt ■ The sound of the firing jolted Raju awake and on looking through the window, he saw two masked men brandishing pistols or revolvers and targeting his house at close range Students study in the open at Government Primary School, Jania Chahal, at Shahkot in Jalandhar after the building was declared unsafe. A TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPH 2 schools declared unsafe, pupils made to sit in open Students of Chak Wadala school shifted to NRI’s house (Clockwise from top) Bullets pierce through glass door of a bedroom; the shatteres glass railing at the house; and AAP leader Daljit Raju at Darvesh village near Phagwara on Thursday. Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service SSP Gaurav Toora on the spot at Darvesh village. firing and preliminary clues from the crime scene suggest the attackers were familiar with the area and possibly intended to send a warning. While forensic teams continue collecting evidence and CCTV footage from nearby localities is being scrutinised, the police have also deployed technical sur- veillance and intelligence inputs to track suspects believed to have fled immediately after the incident. Assuring the public of swift action, DIG Singla reiterated that the police were “moving in the right direction” and expect early arrests as the investigation progresses. A wave of panic swept through Darvesh vil- lage near Phagwara. Police patrols have been intensified in the area as efforts to trace the suspects gain momentum. Lok Sabha MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal and halka in-charge Harnoor Singh Maan also visited the residence to express concern and solidarity with Raju. The police have registered a case at Satnampura police station. SSP Gaurav Toora said the police were examining multiple angles, including extortion, gang rivalry, and targeted intimidation, and added that efforts were underway to scrutinise CCTV footages from the surrounding areas to identify the assailants. Jalandhar , November 27 Two government primary schools in Lohian block, Shahkot, have been declared unsafe. The buildings of Government Primary School, Jania Chahal, and Government Primary School, Chak Wadala, have been deemed unfit for use, forcing students and teachers to function from temporary locations. With the Chak Wadala school building abandoned, students have been shifted to a nearby house owned by an NRI, where classes are now being conducted. Meanwhile, the situation is more difficult for children at Government Primary School, Jania Chahal, where students are compelled to attend classes in the open within the school premises due to the lack of an alternative building. 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. With the winter approaching, it will be increasingly difficult for students to sit outside, especially on days without sunlight. The school authorities are reportedly trying to arrange space in a nearby religious place or a private residence to ensure classes can continue without exposing children to harsh weather. Block Primary Education Officer (BPEO), Lohian, said both schools will receive grants at the earliest and efforts are underway to address the infrastructure crisis. The issue is not limited to these two schools. At Government Primary School, Sidhupur, the building has remained unsafe for two years after the verandah roof collapsed during severe floods. Since then, both primary and pre-primary students have been studying together in a single hall of the local panchayat ghar. Despite repeated appeals, the school has yet to receive any grant for reconstruction. Teachers say the overcrowded single-room set-up housing students from classes 1 to 5 along with anganwadi children makes effective teaching and learning extremely challenging. The original school building had developed cracks after the floods and the collapse of the verandah roof further deteriorated its condition, rendering it unusable. Parents and teachers across the block are urging the authorities to expedite repair work and provide safe, adequate learning spaces to ensure that children’s education is not compromised. PSPCL JE, contractor Sexual assault, murder of girlASI sacked, 2 cops suspended GOVT JOB FOR VICTIM’S MOTHER nabbed taking ~15k Tribune News Service Phagwara, November 27 A major burglary in the Mohalla Dhandian area of Phagwara has left residents shocked after thieves broke into a house and escaped with cash and jewellery worth several lakhs of rupees. According to information, the incident took place when the family was not present in the house. Taking advantage of the situation, the burglars forced their way inside and ransacked the rooms. They broke open an iron almirah and reportedly took away cash along with several tolas of gold and silver ornaments, collectively valued in lakhs. The crime came to light when the house owners returned and found the almirah damaged and valuables missing. Upon discovering the theft, they immediately informed neighbours and the police. Police teams soon arrived at the spot and began inspecting the scene. OC School building has remained unsafe for 2 years at Sidhupur, too Hoshiarpur, November 27 A team of the Vigilance Bureau has arrested PSPCL Junior Engineer (JE) Nirmal Singh and a government contractor Satnam Singh red-handed accepting a Rs 15,000 bribe in Dasuya for shifting electric wires from a private plot. The complainant — a taxi driver of Dasuya — owns a 13marla plot in a village. A set of three-phase electricity wires passed through his plot, supplying power to the tubewell motor of his neighbour Kanta. To shift these wires to one side of his plot, the complainant submitted an application at the PSPCL. A spokesperson stated that after visiting the site, JE demanded Rs 5,000 for preparing the estimate and later asked for an additional Rs 5,000. A few days later, the JE and contractor Satnam visited the complainant’s house, where the contractor demanded Rs 12,000 for replacing the wires. The complainant agreed to pay Rs 10,000, while the JE insisted on receiving the remaining Rs 5,000. The complainant approached the Vigilance. The Vigilance laid a trap and apprehended both accused in the presence of two government witnesses. — OC Jalandhar, November 27 A day after the Chairperson, Punjab State Women Commission, Raj Lali Gill, and the Chairman, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (PSCPCR), Kanwardeep Singh, visited Jalandhar in connection with the alleged sexual assault and murder of a minor girl, the police have finally taken a strict departmental action against the erring cop. The CP has dismissed ASI Mangat Ram of Basti Bawa Khel police station from service for showing negligence in the case. Apart from this, two other PCR cops have been placed under suspension and departmental action has been initiated against them too. The city police have been facing Dismissed ASI Mangat Ram the wrath in the case as rather than the police, it were the proactive residents of the area who had found the body of the girl from the house of the accused and nabbed him too. The police had failed to locate the victim’s body despite a clear-cut CCTV evidence that she went into the house of the accused and did not come out. The CP said the action had been taken with immediate effect, keeping in view the seriousness of the incident and the negligence that came to light during the investigation. The CP has stated that even the slightest negligence in handling criminal cases would not be tolerated. “During the investigation, it was found that ASI Mangat Ram failed to carry out mandatory police procedures at the crime scene and did not properly examine the CCTV footage. Such negligence not only damages the reputation of the police department, but also affects the process of delivering justice. Therefore, under the zero-tolerance policy, strict action has been taken, and the officer has been dismissed from service”, a press released issued by the Commissionerate Police read. The bhog of the victim was held today wherein leaders of all political parties and social activists from the city and around turned up. Among those who prayed for the peace of her soul was minister Mohinder Bhagat. Bhagat announced that the victim’s mother would get a permanent government job. “I have been directed to give this assurance to the family. Orders have also been issued for the transfer of the victim’s brother, who works in SDM, Adampur’s office, to Jalandhar so that the mother and son can stay together”, said the minister. The victim’s father had passed away about 1.5 years back. Acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgaj also met the girl’s family. He expressed sympathy with her mother and termed the incident unfortunate. “We hope that the family gets justice at the earliest. Such heinous crimes can come to a halt only if accused in such cases get death sentence”, he said. Work on handball courts at govt college to be completed next month Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, November 27 The work on the much-awaited two handball courts at Government Sports College, Jalandhar, is still going on despite the construction beginning about five months ago and initial assurances that the project would be completed at the earliest. The college authorities maintain that only minor work is pending. According to the authorities, the deadline to complete the work was November 30 which has got extended to the end of December. For the first time in decades, dedicated handball courts are being set up in the college. The initiative has been driven by college principal Dr Ranbir Singh, whose efforts have ensured the sport receives institutional support. According to officials, major civil work, including the asphalt base, has been completed. However, key components such as the synthetic acrylic surface and electrical installations, including floodlights, are still pending. Until the courts are ready, handball players of the college continue practising on alternative grounds. The project is being executed by the PWD. The department has given the contract to a private company. The project is being carried out with the sanctioned budget of Rs 84 lakh under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA). The upcoming facility will include proper lighting, and other modern amenities. c m y b Once construction is completed, the college administration plans to request the posting of a dedicated handball coach to launch the new wing. Dr Ranbir Singh expressed confidence that the remaining work would be finished next month, allowing the courts to be inaugurated and opened to students soon. “We are sure that the work will complete in another 10-15 days and both the handball court will be ready,” he said. Established in 1961 under the leadership of then Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon, the institution, initially Asia’s first sports college, has a rich legacy. Now known as Government Arts and Sports College, it has produced sporting icons, including hockey greats Surjit Singh and Harcharan Singh (Flying Eagle), as well as champion athletes Ishar Singh Deol and Jagdeep Singh. Under Dr Ranbir Singh’s leadership, the college continues its tradition of nurturing sporting excellence.