24022026-JTR-01.qxd 2/23/2026 11:00 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune 300 ATTEND SADBHAV CONFERENCE IN KAPURTHALA The Sadbhav Conference Committee hosted a grand conference at Kapurthala’s Urban Estate. P2 » PRINCIPALS KEY TO EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING IN SCHOOLS: VIJ EAT PUNCHY COTTAGE CHEESE DISH AT SIDHU’S RESTAURANT A school is more than walls and timetables—it’s a living ecosystem of minds and hearts. P3 Situated in Sector 25, Panchkula, Sidhu’s Restaurant is winning hearts with dishes curated with passion. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.21 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:59 AM » TUESDAY | 24 FEBRUARY 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. Murder mystery of ASI’s wife solved, nephew arrested Accused suspected her of practising black magic Our Correspondent INBRIEF YOUTH BOOKED FOR KIDNAPPING Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked a youth on the charge of kidnapping a minor. Nand Lal, a resident of Jhugian Vein near Kang Sahibu village, complained to the police that an unidentified accused kidnapped his minor daughter on the February 20 on the pretext of marriage. A case under the BNS has been registered against the accused and further investigation is on. OC ‘DRUG PEDDLERS’ ARRESTED Phagwara: The Bilga police have arrested two persons on the charge of selling intoxicating tablets. As many as 22 tablets were recovered from the possession of the accused identified as Surindar Singh, alias Navi, and Bhumesh Bawa, alias Bindar, of Pati Bhalayi Bilga village. A case under Sections 22/ 61 / 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. OC 2 ARRESTED FOR TAKING DRUGS Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested a person on the charge of consuming heroin. The accused has been identified as Rishu, a resident of Mohalla Kamalpura, Nakodar. A lighter, silver paper, and plastic pipes used for consuming contraband were recovered from their possession. A case under Sections 27/61/85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. The Bilga police arrested drug addict Paramjit Singh of Tehing village in Phillaur for consuming heroin. OC ONE MORE HELD FOR SMUGGLING Phagwara: The Shahkot police have arrested fourth accused in a case of firearm and drugs smuggling. The accused has been identified as Gurvindar Singh, a resident of Kot Esse Khan in Moga. The accused has purchased heroin from Surindar Pal Singh, alias Shinda, resident of Punian village, Ravindar Udhe of Haarian village under Nakodar Sadar police station and Gurpreet Singh of Beetalan village in Mehatpur and gave them a pistol. oc VALUABLES GUTTED IN HOUSE FIRE Phagwara: A blaze tore through a Bhanoki village home near Phagwara early this morning, destroying cash and goods worth lakhs and devastating the family. Preliminary reports peg losses at Rs 80,000 cash plus essentials. The fire erupted in one room. Family members spotted smoke, raised the alarm, and tried to douse it-but flames quickly consumed furniture, clothes, bedding, and stored items. Intense heat blackened walls and charred contents. Owner Sukhwant Singh said destroyed items included clothes, utensils, and valuablesand Rs 80,000 cash stored inside. oc Hoshiarpur, February 23 The Garhshankar police have solved the blind murder case of an ASI’s wife who was killed on February 7. According to the police, she was allegedly shot dead by her nephew, who suspected her of practising black magic on his family. The police have arrested the accused and recovered the weapon used in the incident. The accused, identified as the nephew of the deceased, reportedly visited the house and entered into an argument with the woman. During the confrontation, he allegedly fired a gunshot at her, causing fatal injuries. The victim was rushed to a The murder accused in Garhshankar police custody. nearby hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Preliminary investigations suggested that the accused had been nurturing suspicion for some time that the deceased was involved in occult practices that were adversely affecting his household. A senior police officer stated that the weapon used in the crime has been recovered and forensic examination is underway. “The accused has been taken into custody and further interrogation is being conducted to ascertain the exact sequence of events and motive,” the officer said. A case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act has been registered. The body had been sent for the postmortem examination and further legal proceedings are in progress. The police have appealed to the public not to believe in superstitions and resolve disputes through lawful means. The investigation is ongoing. Cong protests US trade pact, submits memo Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 23 Congress leaders led by MLA Pargat Singh on Monday condemned the India-US trade agreement, terming it detrimental to the livelihoods of the farming and labour community. A delegation of party leaders and workers submitted a memorandum addressed to the Governor via Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal. Issuing a stern warning, he stated that the India–US trade agreement would prove disastrous for the peasantry. He highlighted that if foreign equipment and crops enter the country at zero per cent duty, small and medium-scale farmers in Punjab and across India will be unable to compete. “This decision will ruin MLA Pargat Singh with Congress leaders and workers hand over a demand letter to the DC Dr Himanshu Aggarwal against the US trade deal, in Jalandhar on Monday. farmers, the majority of whom are small-scale cultivators lacking the resources to compete with global corporations,” Singh said. He demanded the withdrawal of the decision, noting that farmers are already reeling from the impact of the recent floods. Additionally, Pargat Singh described the recent action at MLA Khaira’s residence on Monday as politically motivat- ed “hooliganism” by the Bhagwant Mann-led government. Condemning the act, he stated, “The government had crossed all democratic norms and that the public would soon give it a befitting reply.” Woman consumes poison, dies in city Harassment over dowry likely reason Guv meets VDCs over drug menace Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 23 A woman, a resident of Arjun Nagar at Ladowali Road, has died after consuming a poisonous substance following the alleged torture by her inlaws. Before taking the extreme step, the woman posted on social media that she had consumed poison, alleging harassment by her in-laws. The deceased has been identified as Pooja Devi. Married in Amritsar in 2024, the woman had returned to her parents house after her relations with her in-laws turned sour and again gone to her husband’s house on February 21, 2026, seeking reconciliation. However, saddened by the behaviour meted out to her by her in-laws, who sent her back the same day, the woman consumed poison as soon as she returned to her parents’ home. Pooja’s parents alleged that her in-laws used to harass her and she had gone into depression after the wedding. A case was also previously registered regarding the same at Mahila Police Station, Jalandhar, on the complaint of the woman’s parents. The woman’s in-laws are based at New Rajesh Nagar on Batala Road, Amritsar. An FIR has been registered against Pooja’s husband Harish Sharma at Navi Baradari police station in Jalandhar under Section 304 B of the IPC. Ramesh Kalia, Pooja’s father, said, “My daughter has committed suicide following harassment by her father-in-law, mother-in-law, sisters-in-law and husband. She got married on April 18, 2024, and her husband was an Army man. Soon after the marriage, he started harassing and beating up my daughter. She was made to work much more than her Pooja Devi capacity. They made her wash buckets full of clothes and abused her for not taking enough dowry.” The father said, “She had been seeking reconciliation (with her husband) and was adamant to go back, but we had been preventing her from returning to her in-laws. On February 22, she went at 8 am to Amritsar and by 3 pm her in-laws sent her back on a bus. She bought poison on the way, and after returning, she didn’t tell anyone anything. I was at work, when I got to know that my daughter had gone live on social media, saying she had consumed poison. We took her to the Civil Hospital. But she didn’t survive.” Ravinder Kumar, SHO, Navi Baradari, said, “An FIR has been registered against the woman’s husband and further investigation in the case is on.” The previous FIR registered by the woman’s parents at the Mahila police station was under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the BNS and Section 498 (cruelty by husband or relatives against a married woman) of the IPC (Section 85 under BNS). Mukerian, February 23 Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor, met members of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) on Sunday to deliberate on strategies for drug prevention at the grassroots level, strengthening community vigilance, and engaging the youth in constructive activities. Describing drug abuse as a serious social challenge, the Governor emphasised that along with government action, active social participation is essential to eradicate the menace. He underlined that vigilant and organised citizen networks at the village level can play a decisive role in curbing drug trafficking and other illegal activities. Kataria urged VDC members to promptly inform the administration about any suspicious activities and to spearhead awareness campaigns within their villages. “Village Defence Committees are vital partners in building a drug-free society,” he said, highlighting their role in community-based prevention efforts. The meeting also focused on channeling the energy of the youth towards sports, education, skill development, and cultural activities to keep them away from drugs. The Governor stated that when the youth are provided with the right direction, opportunities, and motivation, they can contribute significantly to nation-building. Members of the Village Defence Committees shared their experiences, noting that collective vigilance and public participation can create a strong anti-drug environment in rural areas. They reaffirmed their commitment to working continuously towards establishing a drug-free and secure society. At 77, ex-IAF officer shines on From dust to dreams Lambra global track, wins 4 medals village football revolution takes off Rishika Kriti Thanks to ex- IAS officer Pannu, agri coop society launches its football team Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 23 Former Wing Commander Kuldip Singh (77) has brought pride to the region by clinching three gold and one silver medals at the Open Masters Games held in Abu Dhabi. Singh, a resident of Gulpur village on the GarhshankarBalachaur road, retired from the IAF in 2006. The 10-day-international sporting event concluded last week. The games, organised under the aegis of the International Masters Games Association (IMGA), witnessed the participation from more than 2,500 sportspersons from across the globe where athletes competed in 37 disciplines, with age categories ranging from 30 to 100 years. Competing in the 75-plus age group, Wing Commander Singh participated in five athletics events and delivered an impressive performance. He bagged three gold medals in the 400m run, 4x100m relay and 10km road race. He also secured a silver medal in the 1500m run, adding to his medal tally. In the 800m race, Singh clocked 3:34.94 and finished first. However, he was denied the gold medal on technical grounds. Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ex-Wing Commander Kuldip Singh (right ) clinched three gold and a silver medals at Open Masters games in Abu Dhabi. Earlier, at the World Masters Games held in Taipei, Taiwan, in May 2025, he had also delivered an impressive performance on the international stage. Competing against seasoned athletes from across the world, he won two bronze medals in the 800m event with a timing of 3:18 min and in the 10km road race, he clocked 59:41 min. In addition, he secured fourth position in the 1500m run, narrowly missing out on another podium finish. Speaking on his victory, Wing Commander Kuldip Singh said he was an active participant in long distance games since his stint in the IAF However, it was only after . his retirement, during a trip to Australia at the age of 69, that he resumed pursuing athletics again. During his trip, he participated in the Australia Sikh Games where he secured the first rank. Since then, he has competed in several international tournaments, including the World Masters Games held in Taipei last year. c m y b Jalandhar, February 23 In the quiet village of Lambra in Hoshiarpur, a new sound now rises with the setting sun — the sharp echo of a whistle calling children to the playground. Once silent there is now movement, purpose and excitement. The village’s youngsters finally have something to look up to: A football team of their own. Thanks to the vision of former IAS officer Kahn Singh Pannu, the Hoshiarpur-based Lambra Kangri Agriculture Cooperative Society has launched its own football team. What began as a simple idea has quickly transformed dusty open grounds into arenas of discipline, teamwork and community bonding. The initiative marks the beginning of a larger sports project under which teams for various games will gradually be formed. Pannu adopted the society in 1999 and this latest effort reflects his long-standing commitment to rural development. The aim is clear and heartfelt, to keep children under 18 engaged in healthy A cooperative society in Hoshiarpur has formed its own football team, aiming to engage young children at the village level in sports activities. TRIBUNE PHOTO activity and away from the harmful influences of drugs and excessive screen time — by giving them a ball, a field and a dream. A dedicated coach has been appointed and already 20 boys proudly sport new kits and lace up fresh football boots provided by the society. Footballs have been distributed, evening practice sessions are in full swing and the once-quiet field now bursts with energy, cheers and laughter. But the vision does not stop with the boys. Girls, too, are being encouraged to step onto the field. Villagers have been urged to send their daughters to join practice sessions, making the initiative not just about sport, but about inclusion and social change. The message is simple yet powerful, the playground belongs to everyone. Speaking to The Tribune, Pannu said the idea extends far beyond sports, it is about reconnecting generations and reviving the spirit of village life. “When kids play in the evening, older villagers can come and watch them,” he said. “They can encourage them, bring a jug of milk or some homemade snacks. This is the strength of village life — everyone working together,” he added. That spirit is already visible. As the sun dips below the horizon, elders gather along the sidelines. Some clap and shout advice. Others arrive carrying refreshments. Conversations spark, laughter spreads and the playground has evolved into more than a sports field. It has become a vibrant community meeting point. Jaswinder Singh, secretary of the society, describes it as Pannu’s dream project which is focused on giving children direction and opportunity. “It is about providing a platform where children can excel in sports and stay away from harmful influences,” he said. Every evening, under the watchful eye of the coach and the supportive gaze of the village, young feet chase a ball, but they are also chasing confidence, teamwork and a healthier future.