04012026-JTR-01.qxd 1/3/2026 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune CHILD WELFARE TEAM RESCUES MINOR DURING CITYWIDE RAIDS Teams of the Child Begging Prevention Task Force have raided many areas and rescued children under the Beggary Act. P2 » THREE HELD FOR SNATCHING BIKE FROM ZOMATO DELIVERY BOY BAND BAAJA BAARAAT SET FOR RE-RELEASE ON JAN 16 The police have also recovered an Activa scooter from their possession. P3 Band Baaja Baaraat starring Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma is set for re-release on January 16. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 15°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 14°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET SUNDAY 5.36 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7.19 AM » SUNDAY | 4 JANUARY 2026 | 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. BJP, AAP leaders trade charges over crime in West constituency Post mahapanchayat, game of political oneupmanship begins Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service INBRIEF FIRECRACKERS SEIZED, TWO HELD Nurmahal: The police have arrested two persons and seized prohibited firecrackers from their vehicle for allegedly violating prohibitory orders issued by the district administration. The case was registered on the statement of ASI Jaspal Singh. The police team was on patrol duty near Rakkba Chiman Chowk, Nurmahal, when they intercepted a Swift car bearing the registration number PB-07CK-5264. Upon checking the vehicle, the police recovered a plastic bag containing 20 boxes of Chinese firecrackers from the possession of the occupants. The two accused were arrested and a case registered at Nurmahal police station. OC FOREIGN TRAVEL FRAUD CASE Phagwara: Shahkot police have registered a case in connection with an alleged case of cheating and criminal breach of trust involving a foreign travel fraud. A case has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by Gurdiwal Singh (65), a resident of Mittha village under Nurmahal police station, district Jalandhar. The complainant alleged that Dipinder Singh alias Deepu a resident of Parouli village, district Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, cheated his family of around Rs 14 lakh in the name of sending the complainant’s daughter, Satnam Kaur, to the United Kingdom. The police have registered a case. OC OMBUDSMAN FOR MGNREGA Hoshiarpur: With the post of MGNREGA ombudsman lying vacant for a long time, the grievance redressal and monitoring mechanism has virtually come to a standstill, raising serious concerns about transparency in the execution of works. Labourers and social organisations fear that in the absence of an ombudsman, irregularities may go unchecked and genuine complaints could be suppressed. Labour Party president Jai Gopal Dhiman, vice-president Sonu Mehatpur and MGNREGA Labour Movement chairperson Gurbakhsh Kaur said that the ombudsman is the backbone of transparency in the scheme. They alleged that not only in Hoshiarpur, but districts such as Jalandhar, Mohali, Sangrur and Malerkotla are also without ombudsmen, resulting in complaints pending. OC HERITAGE SITES IN PAKISTAN Hoshiarpur: Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna has raised concern over the safety of ancient Hindu and Buddhist historical sites located in Pakistan. In a letter to Union External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Khanna urged the government to take up the matter with Pakistan and in internatinal forums. OC Jalandhar, January 3 Post mahapanchayat that was held on Monday evening in Jalandhar West constituency over rising crime in the area, a series of allegations and counter-allegations have been levelled against each other by the local BJP and AAP leaders in the area. While BJP leader and exMLA Sheetal Angural has already been going live on his Facebook page for the past over a fortnight over various crime incidents, Aam Aadmi Party leader from the area, Kimti Bhagat, who had come to the defence of the party leadership, too has got deeply embroiled in the issue. Both of them were together in the BJP along with MLA from the area and minister Mohinder Bhagat till about four years ago and know inside BJP leader and ex-MLA Sheetal Angural and Kimti Bhagat (right) of Aam Aadmi Party are at loggerheads. out of one another. While Angural returned to the BJP fold after a two-year MLA's stint in the AAP the Bhagats , remain with the ruling party. Both Angural and Kimti Bhagat have been levelling allegations of giving patronage to drug mafia in the area against one another. Both of them have been claiming that they are clean in every matter. They have been putting out old videos of the Two tippers seized for illegal ferrying of mining material Our Correspondent Garhshankar, January 3 The Mining and Geology Department carried out action against illegal mining during routine checking in Garhshankar late at night, seizing two tippers found transporting mining material without valid documents. According to SDO, Mining and Geology Department, Harkanwal Singh, the action was taken on the intervening night of January 2 and 3. A departmental team led by Junior Engineer-cum-Mining Officer Lovepreet Singh was conducting routine checks when two tippers were intercepted. The vehicles, bearing the registration numbers PB-23 AB 0563 and HP-72 D 0982, were found carrying mining material without the required legal documents. The department issued challans under Rules 74 and 75 of the PMMR Act, 2013, and both tippers were seized on the spot. The seized vehicles have been parked at the Garhshankar Truck Union premises, and the matter has been duly informed to Garhshankar police. SDO Harkanwal Singh further stated that a penalty of approximately Rs 3.25 lakh is likely to be imposed. If the penalty amount is not deposited within 15 days, an FIR will be registered against the offenders as per law. The officials of the Mining and Geology Department reiterated that strict action will continue against illegal mining and transportation to curb violations and protect natural resources. changes in their stance about the leaders they have remained aligned with. Angural has even put out a video when Kimti Bhagat had praised him publicly during his MLAship, which he now says was for getting security. Sounding like an arch-rival, Kimti Bhagat has lashed out against Angural alleging that he should recall the days when he had been caught indulging in gambling in Covid times and that he had six-seven criminal cases lodged against him when he had contested elections in 2022. Angural has taken the defence that these cases were due to political ill-will and that he had got acquitted over a period of time. Angural has hit out against Kimti Bhagat alleging that he had always backstabbed his own partymen. He has alleged that he was trying to get back the post of Chairman of Gau Sewa Commission, which he had got while he was in the BJP He showed . the posts that Kimti Bhagat had put against CM Bhagwant Mann in the past, while trying to damage his prospects in the AAP . Lashing out against Kimti Bhagat in his onehour FB live, Angural even put out his video of allegations made by him against ex-MP Sushil Rinku, who had left AAP with him, to join the BJP in March 2024. Many in the party say that Angural has been going hyper these days so as to create an impression that he was more active than Rinku from Jalandhar West assembly constituency and to improve his prospects in the run-up to the 2027 state Assembly elections. CCTV footage gives lead to cops in K’thala murder case Our Correspondent Kapurthala, January 3 The police, investigating the murder of 40-year-old Hempreet Kaur alias Hema in the Seenpura area of Kapurthala, have achieved a significant breakthrough after obtaining CCTV footage linked to the incident. The footage has captured the movements of the assailants, providing crucial leads and helping investigators narrow down on the suspects involved in the shooting. According to police sources, a review of footage from CCTV cameras installed in and around the locality revealed two young men arriving in the area on a motorcycle and fleeing at high speed after the crime. The footage reportedly shows the physical appearance of both suspects clearly, which is assisting police teams in identifying them. Investigators have also analysed additional technical inputs, Deceased Hempreet Kaur including the motorcycle details and mobile phone usage patterns, further strengthening the probe. The incident took place late on Friday evening when the two motorcycleborne assailants allegedly forced their way into Hempreet Kaur's residence in Mohalla Seenpura and opened fire. Police stated that four shots were Two arrested with 20 bags of banned Chinese kite string Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 3 The Jalandhar rural police have arrested two persons selling the banned Chinese kite string and seized 20 bags of China dor. The accused have been identified as Varun, son of Vinod Kumar, a resident of Hariana in district Hoshiarpur and Naresh Kumar, son of Mohan Lal, a resident of Bassi Wajid, also under Hariana police station in district Hoshiarpur. The accused were arrested with 20 bags of China dor, recovered from the plastic bag in their vehicle. The arrests were carried out on the directions of SSP (Rural) Harvinder Singh Virk, Mukesh Kumar, SP (Headquarters), Jalandhar Rural and Onkar Singh Brar, DSP , Nakodar sub-division. The operation was carried out Jalandhar rural police arrested two men with 20 bags of illegal Chinese string at Nurmahal. A TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPH under the leadership of Inspector Palwinder Singh, SHO, Nurmahal, with the police succeeding in nabbing the twin accused. Giving information, SSP , Jalandhar Rural, Harvinder Singh Virk said that during patrolling, a police team, including ASI Jaspal, received a tip-off about the transportation of banned China dor. At Cheema Kalan Chowk, Nurmahal, a Swift car (bearing the registration number PB-07-CK-5264) was stopped and China dor was recovered from the possession of Varun and Naresh Kumar, both residents of Bassi Wajid in Hoshiarpur. The accused were arrested with 20 bags of China dor which was recovered from the plastic bag in their car. A case has been registered under Section 223 of the BNS at Nurmahal police station against them for violating the orders of the Additional District Magistrate, Jalandhar, regarding a complete ban on selling, storing and using China dor. A preliminary inquiry was conducted and probe is on. The SSP has appealed to all residents of the district that the use of China dor, being injurious to human life, birds and animals, should not be used. Selling, buying, storing or using China dor is a legal offence. The district administration has imposed a complete ban in this regard. Strict legal action will be taken against any person violating this ban, said the SSP The general . public has been appealed to celebrate festivals safely while following the law and to immediately inform the nearest police station about any illegal activity. fired during the attack, one of which struck the victim, while the remaining shots were fired in the air. Hempreet Kaur sustained critical injuries and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Following the recovery of the CCTV footage, police have intensified their efforts to track down the suspects. Multiple teams have been formed and are conducting raids at suspected hideouts. Officials expressed confidence that the accused would be arrested soon and the motive behind the killing would be established. Police sources also confirmed that the victim's husband and son are settled in Canada. The authorities have assured residents that all necessary steps are being taken to ensure swift justice and restore a sense of security in the area. Facelift for Guru Ravidass Chowk at ~21 lakh Jalandhar, January 3 Even as the hotmix plants are shut these days, the AAP leaders are on a foundation stone laying spree for road works. Punjab minister Mohinder Bhagat on Saturday laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 30 lakh in city. Bhagat laid the foundation stone for two roads in the Model House area, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 9 lakh. Accompanied by Mayor Vineet Dhir, senior AAP leader Nitin Kohli and Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, the minister said that Shri Guru Ravidass Chowk would undergo a major facelift under a rejuvenation project costing Rs 21 lakh. The comprehensive renovation will include beautification and redesign of the area to provide a visually appealing and serene ambience, while also enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the city, the minister informed. — TNS Conclave puts focus on renewable and sustainable energy Tribune News Service Jalandhar, January 3 Sardar Swaran Singh National Institute of Bio-Energy (SSS-NIBE), an autonomous institute under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, organised the Industry-Academia Bio-energy Innovation Conclave at its campus in Kapurthala. The conclave served as a strategic platform bringing together industry leaders, technology developers, academicians, researchers, policymakers and stakeholders to deliberate on innovations, deployment challenges, commercialisation pathways and policy support mechanisms in the bio-energy sector. The conclave was inaugurated by Santosh Kumar Sarangi, Secretary, MNRE, in the presence of Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, Dr Sangita M Kasture, Director General, SSS-NIBE and Adviser MNRE, and senior officials from MNRE and other government organisations. Addressing the gathering, the Secretary, MNRE, highlighted the critical role of bioenergy in meeting India's rapidly growing energy demand and emphasised the ministry's strong support for the sector. He mentioned that the National Bio-energy Programme, extended with enhanced financial outlay until 2026, reflects the government's commitment to accelerating sustainable energy growth and bio-energy commercialisation. He stressed the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, industry-academia partnerships, and scientific innovation in advancing sustainable bio-based solutions and appreciated SSSNIBE's contributions to R&D in biomass and bio-fuel technologies aligned with India's renewable energy and net- An industry-academia Bio-energy Innovation Conclave was organised at the Sardar Swaran Singh Institute of Bio-energy in Kapurthala on Saturday. A TRIBUNE PHOTOGRAPH zero goals. On the occasion, the Secretary, MNRE, also launched the Jaiv Urja Mitra Programme, a national skilldevelopment initiative of MNRE being implemented by SSS-NIBE. The programme aims to empower youth and entrepreneurs for c m y b India's bio-energy mission by creating skilled manpower and strengthening the bioenergy value chain. Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Dr Sangita M Kasture, Director General, SSS-NIBE, highlighted the significance of bio-energy in enhancing energy security, rural livelihoods and the circular economy. She outlined the institute's ongoing research and development activities in areas such as compressed biogas (CBG), biomass pellets and briquettes, biomass power, green hydrogen, biomass torrefaction, 2G ethanol, improved biomass cooking stoves, algal bio-refinery, biomass resource assessment and value-added bio-products. She also emphasised SSS-NIBE's role in capacitybuilding, skill development and its emergence as a reputed NABL-accredited testing centre in the bio-energy sector. The institute plays a pivotal role in developing and demonstrating sustainable biomass-based solutions to support India's transition towards Atmanirbhar Bharat and Net Zero commitments. In her address, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, underscored the importance of bio-energy in achieving India's renewable energy and climate change targets. She highlighted TERI's research and translational activities in the bioenergy domain aimed at societal impact. The conclave witnessed participation from over 70 delegates representing aca- demia, industry, government departments and research organisations. The event featured interactive panel discussions on key thematic areas including CBG and feedstock, biomass-to-power and pre-treatment, bio-refinery and advanced bio-fuels. These sessions provided valuable insights into technology gaps, policy frameworks, financing mechanisms and innovative strategies for scaling bioenergy adoption in India. The conclave successfully fostered dialogue and collaboration among stakeholders, strengthened industry-academia linkages and reinforced pathways toward a sustainable, resilient and biobased economy. It highlighted India's growing bio-energy innovation ecosystem and the critical role of coordinated action across research, industry and policy domains in driving sustainable energy solutions.