26122025-JTR-01.qxd 12/25/2025 11:08 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune DOABA POLITICS REMAINS TOPSY-TURVY MLA Raman Arora’s arrest and reshuffles in various parties mark an year of dramatic twists. P2 » INTER-NIT FACULTY & STAFF TOURNAMENT BEGINS The 3-day event brings together faculty & staff of 24 National Institutes of Technology from across country.P3 » THE LION KING ACTOR IMANI SMITH DIES FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 17°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.31 PM Boyfriend charged with murder after death of Young Nala performer in New Jersey. P4 SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.25 AM » FRIDAY | 26 DECEMBER 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. 2 robbers in police net after exchange of fire One .32 bore & one .30 bore pistols recovered Four houses burgled in K’thala village Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 25 In a brazen daylight burglary, thieves targeted four houses in Rampur Jagir village of Sultanpur Lodhi sub-division in Kapurthala district, making away with gold and silver jewellery and cash. The incident occurred in the afternoon when no family members were present in the houses. According to the victims, the burglars broke into four houses and fled with valuables before anyone could notice the crime. From the house of Surjit Singh, the thieves allegedly stole around two tolas of gold jewellery and Rs 5,000 in cash. Avtar Singh reported theft of four tolas of gold jewellery along with Rs 12,000 in cash. Gold earrings were stolen from the house of Surta Singh, while silver bangles and Rs 8,000 in cash were taken from the residence of Bikkar Singh. After receiving information, officials of the Dalla police post began scanning footage of the CCTV cameras installed in the surrounding areas of the targeted houses. The police said two suspicious bike-borne youths were spotted in a CCTV footage and efforts were underway to establish their identity. Notably, Rampur Jagir village is located barely 1 km from the Dalla police post. Dalla police post in-charge Sub-Inspector Malkit Singh said, “The police have inspected the crime scenes, registered an FIR, and initiated further investigation into the incidents. The accused will be traced soon with the help of technical evidence and local intelligence.” — OC Sambar killed in hit-and-run on highway Phagwara, December 25 An endangered Sambar was killed in a road accident on the National Highway No. 1 near here after being struck by an unidentified vehicle last night, officials said. According to preliminary information, the Sambar was attempting to cross the highway when it was hit by a speeding vehicle that fled the scene after the accident. The impact proved fatal, and the animal died on the spot before any assistance could reach it. Local residents alerted the police, who in turn informed the Forest Department. The police reached the spot and secured the carcass, while Forest Department officials were called to take its custody and initiate further proceedings into the incident. Senior officials confirmed that the animal appeared to have strayed from the nearby forested areas. Forest Department teams arrived at the spot to complete legal formalities. Officials said the matter would be reviewed to assess preventive measures in wildlife-sensitive zones along highway. — OC The police at the spot where two robbers were arrested in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 25 The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on Thursday arrested two accused involved in robbery and recovered two illegal pistols from their possession after exchange of fire with them near Nurpur village along the Pathankot road. There was an exchange of 10 to 11 rounds of gunshots from both sides, resulting in injury to the accused. The arrested accused were identified as Arshdeep Singh, alias Arsh, a resident of Nawan Naushera village of Gurdaspur district, and Tejbir Singh, alias Teji, a resident of Kot Budha village of Batala. The police recov- ered one .32 bore pistol and one .30 bore pistol from the possession of the accused. Commissioner of Police (CP) Dhanpreet Kaur said the operation was carried out under the supervision of Manpreet Singh Dhillon, DCP (Investigation), Jayant Puri, ADCP (Investigation), Aakarshi Jain ADCP-I, Sanjay Kumar, ACP (North), and Amarbir Singh, ACP (D), and was executed by the police teams of Jalandhar CIA staff in-charge Surinder Kumar and the SHO, Division No. 8 police station, Jalandhar. She further informed that on the night of December 22, the police received information regarding an attempt by two unidentified persons to rob a vehicle at gunpoint. In this regard, FIR No. 311 was registered at the Division No. 8 police station in Jalandhar under Sections 302(2), 3(5) and 62 of the BNS, and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act, the CP said. During the course of investigation, using technical assistance and human intelligence, the police teams attempted to apprehend the accused near Ramnik Avenue, while heading towards Bulandpur Road, the CP said. During the operation, the accused opened fire at the police parties, following which the police took retaliatory action and safely apprehended both the accused, the CP said. Two held with banned pills Our Correspondent Nakodar, December 25 The police have arrested two individuals in separate cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, after recovering 65 intoxicating pills from their possession during routine checking in Nakodar sub-division. In the first incident, the police registered a case under Section 22 of the NDPS Act after the arrest of Manpreet, alias Mani, a resident of Dhaliwal village, under the Nakodar Sadar police station. According to officials, a police party on patrol duty was checking suspicious persons near Tahlian village. The accused was intercepted while walking along roadside. On search, 30 loose intoxicating pills were recovered from his possession. Following recovery of the pills, the accused was arrested and a case was registered against him. In the second incident, the police arrested Akash, alias Soki, a resident of Gummtali village, falling under the Bilga police station, presently residing at Ashok Vihar Colony in Nurmahal. The police said during routine patrolling, the accused was arrested after recovering 35 loose intoxicating pills of light orange colour from his possession. A case was registered against accused under Sections 22, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. Devotees light candles at a church during Christmas celebrations in Jalandhar. SARABJIT SINGH Residents revel in Christmas celebrations Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 25 Holy mass, cake cutting, candle lighting and carnivals marked Christmas celebrations across the city today. At the main Catholic church — Sacred Heart Church, Bishop Jose Sebastian Thekkum- cherikunnel, Father Anthony Thuruthy and priests held the holy mass where devotees turned up in large numbers. The followers came donning red and white Santa caps carrying gifts and cakes as offerings. The devotees lit up candles outside the decked up church. A huge carnival was held at Jullundur Gymkhana Club where members and their families had a gala evening. Kids enjoyed fun games and bouncy rides. Several selfie points were set up at the club, including a red telephone booth, where visitors got their pictures clicked during the celebrations. Candlelight vigil over defunct streetlights Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 25 Hobnobbing between Congress and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders is continuing over the issue of civic amenities in Jalandhar. Last evening, Congress leaders led by former MLA and District Congress Committee (Urban) president Rajinder Beri stood with lit up candles along the Ladhewali flyover to highlight the issue of non-functional streetlights in the area. The Congress workers carried placards reading — “Jago Mayor Saab” — urging Mayor Vaneet Dhir and indirectly poking Jalandhar Central Aam Aadmi Party halqa in-charge Nitin Kohli regarding lack of facilities in the area. Beri said it had been three months since the streetlight along the flyover, which was used by thousands of people from dusk to dawn, had been out of order. NRI alleges illegal dispossession Residents force closure of liquor shop in village of long-held tenanted shops Question govt & administration’s actions, resolve not to allow vend in village Our Correspondent Approaches ADGP (NRI Affairs) for legal action against accused Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 25 An NRI, Madan Mohan Bajaj, has lodged a complaint with the Additional Director General of Police (NRI Affairs), Punjab, alleging illegal trespass, forcible dispossession, theft, and damage to property at his long-held tenanted shops located on Banga Road here. According to the complaint, Bajaj, a permanent resident of the United States of America (USA), had been in peaceful and lawful possession of the shops for nearly five decades, having taken them on rent in 1975 from the original owner, late Bakshish Kaur. He stated that rent was regularly paid to the landlady during her lifetime and subsequently to her legal heirs, with whom, he claims, there had never been any dispute. The complainant alleged that around two weeks ago, three individuals — Parminder Singh, alias Parminder Brar, Tarun Bhandari, and Amit Khurana — approached shops, along with unidentified associates, claiming their ownership and allegedly pressurised him and his son to vacate the property. Bajaj stated that when threats were issued, he sought legal protection by filing a civil suit for permanent injunction, which was currently pending before a local court in Phagwara. In his complaint to the ADGP Bajaj further alleged , that on December 24, the accused persons forcibly entered shops in his absence, broke open existing locks, installed their own locks, and damaged CCTV cameras installed inside and outside the premises. He also accused them of stealing fixtures, fittings, impor- tant documents including sale deeds and bank records, and Rs 50,000 in cash reportedly kept in a shop after recent bank withdrawal. Bajaj maintained that the electricity connection of shops was active and all dues had been regularly paid, reinforcing his claim of continuous possession of the property. He sought police intervention for restoration of shops possession, recovery of allegedly stolen articles and cash, and initiation of strict legal action against those named in the complaint. Bajaj said a copy of the complaint was also submitted to the Phagwara SP The . matter is now under consideration at the office of the ADGP (NRI Affairs), Punjab. No official response from the accused or the police authorities was received at the time of filing this report. Talwara, December 25 Residents protested against a liquor shop that opened at nearby Khamta Patti village in Hoshiarpur district today. Earlier, the shop was closed prior to the zila parishad and block samiti elections. Today, villagers held a peaceful protest and forced the closure of the shop located within the village limits. Satpal Rana, Sunil Kaushal, Yashpal Singh, Tarsem Singh, and other villagers stated that the liquor shop had opened at Khamta Patti village, located on the Talwara-Daulatpur main road. Villagers protested as the shop was close to a sports nursery for village youth and a religious place. Villagers raised slogans against the shop owner and also questioned working of the government and the local MLA. Former village sarpanch Meena Kumari, Kiran Bala, Residents raise slogans against the liquor shop at Khamta Patti village. Sudesh Kumari, Komal, and others criticised the government, while stating that the ruling dispensation was spending millions of rupees on anti-drug campaigns, while simultaneously opening liquor shops in villages. Another liquor shop at Bha- vanour village, just 500 metre away from this shop, is already a source of trouble for local residents. Former block committee member Rakesh Kumar said, “We will allow opening of a liquor at Khamta Patti village.” Seeing anger of the protesters, the owner closed the liquor shop and left with his goods. Meanwhile, the government and administration have been advised not to open liquor shops in villages without consent of the public or the approval of the gram sabha (village council). Farmer dies in accidental firing at Sultanpur Lodhi village Ban on road blockades in Nawanshahr Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 25 A pall of gloom descended at Chakkpatti village near Kabirpur in Sultanpur Lodhi when in a tragic incident a farmer, identified as Balkar Singh (60), died after his licensed 12-bore rifle accidentally discharged at his residence on Wednesday evening. According to reports received last night, Balkar Singh was inside his house with his wife at the time of the incident. Suddenly, a gunshot was heard from the house, following which his wife immediately alerted other family Residents gather outside house of the deceased at Chakkpatti village near Kabirpur; and (inset) Balkar Singh. members and villagers. Upon checking his bedroom, Balkar Singh was found dead. Family members of Balkar Singh told the police that his daughter was married, while c m y b his two sons resided abroad. Balkar’s kin stated that they did not suspect any foul play and believed that he died due to accidental firing of the licensed rifle kept at home. On receiving information, officials from the Kabirpur police station reached the spot, took body into custody and sent it for a post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. The police said the incident was being investigated from all possible angles. The police said further action would be taken after receiving the autopsy report and based on findings of the inquiry. Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, December 25 District Magistrate Ankurjit Singh has issued orders imposing a complete ban on blocking roads and chowks (intersections) for protests within limits of Nawanshahr (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar) district. According to the orders, various unions and organisations often stage protests and sit-ins by blocking main roads to press for their demands, causing severe inconvenience to commuters, especially on the Chandigarh–Jalandhar–Amri Sites earmarked for protests tsar route. The situation becomes critical when ambulances carrying patients in emergency situations are unable to pass, leading to serious hardship for patients and their families. Keeping public safety and smooth traffic movement in mind, these prohibitory orders have been enforced in the district. The District Magistrate (DM) stated that specific locations had been earmarked for holding protest demonstra- tions in all three sub-divisions of the district. The approved protest locations in Nawanshahr sub-division are —Dussehra Ground, 40 kanal area of Gujarpur Kalan village under the Nawanshahr Municipal Council and near the railway crossing on the Banga road. Sites earmarked for protests in Banga sub-division are — panchayat land in Poonia village. In Balachaur sub-division, the sites where protests can be held are — Municipal Sports Ground (near Civil Hospital), the Jagatpur road and Siana. These orders would remain in force until February 23, 2026.