15032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/14/2026 10:38 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune LOK ADALAT AWARDS ~50.33 CR IN COMPENSATION MISS ENGLAND INSPIRES GIRLS AT FOOTBALL CLUB DREAMT OF STARRING IN IMTIAZ ALI’S FILMS: SHARVARI A Lok Adalat was held at the Judicial Court Complexes in Jalandhar, Phillaur & Nakodar, where 47,452 cases were settled P2 Grace Richardson, Miss England 2026 & Charlotte Grant, Miss England World, visited Youth Football Club, Rurka Kalan.P3 Sharvari went down memory lane & recalled attending a masterclass by Imtiaz Ali, where she wished to feature in one of his films. P4 » » FORECAST THUNDERSTORM MAX 26°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 13°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.35 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6.37 AM » SUNDAY | 15 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR MC to install mobile compactors under ~143-crore waste management plan Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 14 In a move aimed at tackling Jalandhar’s worsening garbage management crisis, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has floated Rs 143 crore tender for an integrated solid waste management project for a period of three years. “Under the proposal floated in February, the civic body plans to procure around 400 mini vehicles for door-to-door garbage collection and install nearly 20 portable (mobile) compactors across the city to streamline collection, transportation, processing and disposal of waste,” officials said. Reportedly, the plan comes as a revision of the corporation’s earlier proposal to install static compactors across the city, announced in June, last year. Officials said, “The strategy has now been reworked to incorporate portable compactors and doorto-door collection system expanded, aimed at improving waste handling efficiency.” Explaining the shift, MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said, “Static compactors require permanent civil infrastructure, including sheds and designated sites, which significantly increases costs and Garbage piled along a road in Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH limits operational flexibility.” Under the earlier system, garbage collected from streets was to be transported to designated dump yards where it was to be unloaded and transferred into static compactors using truck mounted hooks. These compactors are stationary units which compress large volumes of waste into smaller compact loads. The compacted waste is then loaded onto larger transport vehicles and ferried to processing or disposal sites, making it a cum- bersome process. However, under the revised plan, garbage collected through door-to- door vehicles will first be brought to designated transportation centres where it will be compacted using mobile units before being transported to the processing facility. “As part of the project, we are looking for around 10 acres of land near the Wariana dump site to set up a waste processing plant. At the facility, garbage will be scientifically segregated and Labourer shot dead over money dispute Our Correspondent Phagwara, March 14 Panic gripped Ghurka village near Goraya after a migrant labourer was shot dead following a dispute with a local farmer at a tractor workshop. The incident came to light after owner of the tractor workshop informed the police through the emergency helpline number 112, that a violent altercation had broken out between two individuals at his workshop. The dispute reportedly escalated quickly, leading to firing of gunshots. While sharing details of the incident, Phillaur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Bharat Masih Ladhar said preliminary investigation revealed that three rounds were fired during the altercation. Two bullets struck the migrant labourer, Youth held with 10gm heroin Nakodar, March 14 The police have arrested a youth after allegedly recovering 10 gram heroin from his possession during Bilga. The accused was identified as Lovpreet Singh, alias Luv, aof Vehran village, near Mehatpur. According to officials, a police party, was present near Mao Sahib village on the road leading to Bilga when they noticed a bike rider moving under suspicious circumstances. The police stopped the rider and conducted a search, during which heroin was allegedly recovered from him. The accused was taken into custody and the contraband was seized by the police. The motorcycle used by the accused was also taken into possession as part of the investigation by the police. A case was registered against accused under the NDPS Act at the Mehatpur police station. — OC identified as Manoj, resulting in his death on the spot, while one shot was reportedly fired into the air. The police further said the deceased, Manoj, had been working as a labourer at the residence of a local farmer, Jaspreet Singh Jassa. The two were allegedly involved in a dispute over a small financial transaction. The argument soon escalated into a physical confrontation, with both individuals moving from the roadside into nearby tractor workshop while fighting. During altercation inside workshop, Manoj reportedly attempted to attack Jaspreet with an iron rod. In response, Jaspreet allegedly pulled out his licensed revolver and opened fire. Two bullets hit Manoj, causing fatal injuries that led to his immediate death on the spot. The police reached the workshop shortly after receiving information and took the accused, Jaspreet Singh Jassa, into custody. The body of the deceased was later sent for a postmortem examination. The police confirmed that a case was being registered on basis of the statement of the victim’s wife. Further investigation was underway to determine the exact sequence of events and the circumstances that led to the fatal shooting, the police said. The incident has created tension in the area, with residents expressing concern over sudden escalation of a minor dispute into a deadly act of violence. The police have assured that strict legal action would be taken against accused after completion of the investigation. Protest over broken roads, illegal mining in Hajipur Our Correspondent Talwara(Hoshiarpur), March 14 Anger among residents of the kandi area and Congress workers erupted on streets on Saturday over the poor condition of roads and ongoing illegal mining in the region. A large number of people, led by senior Congress leader Sarabjot Singh Sabi, held a road march and raised slogans against the Punjab Government. According to reports, Congress workers gathered on the Mansar road turn in Hajipur in the morning, holding black flags. The march passed through the road heading from the government hospital and senior secondary school in Hajipur and continued towards the Sariyana, Bhavnal and Jhang road. The road has been in extremely poor condition for a long time, causing severe hardships to residents of around 10 to 15 nearby villages. Speaking during the protest, Sabi criticised the state government, saying that even after more than four years in power, it had failed to repair roads in the kandi region. He also alleged that illegal mining in the area was going on with the alleged support of the authorities concerned, as overloaded trucks without number plates were moving freely, while officials remained silent. The march concluded at Sariana village, where protesters warned of intensifying their agitation if roads were not repaired and illegal mining not stopped immediately. treated. Reusable material will be sent for recycling, and organic waste will be converted into compost. Only residual waste will be sent to landfills,” Rishi said. Two portable compactors installed at Burlton Park Providing further details, a senior MC official said one of the key reasons behind the corporation’s shift from static compactors to mobile compactors was the high cost associated with static units. “For now, the corporation Woman duped of ~6.55 lakh Phagwara, March 14 A resident of Sultanpur Lodhi has alleged that she was cheated of Rs 6.55 lakh on the pretext of sending her abroad. The complainant, Vipin Kumari, stated in her complaint that John Masih, a resident of Gurdaspur, took money from her with the promise of arranging her overseas travel, but failed to fulfil commitment. According to the complaint, despite repeated requests, the accused neither arranged complainant’s foreign travel nor returned the amount, forcing her to seek legal action. Following an inquiry conducted by the Sultanpur Lodhi police a case was registered against the accused under relevant sections of the BNS. Further probe into the matter is underway. — OC Man booked for ~5L cheque fraud Phillaur, March 14 A resident of Dana Mandi in Phillaur has alleged that he was cheated after lending money to an acquaintance who later issued a cheque from a closed bank account. The complainant, Parshotam Lal, stated to the police that he had lent Rs 5 lakh to Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Meowal village, near Bilga. According to the complainant when he demanded repayment of the borrowed amount, the accused allegedly issued a cheque of Rs 5 lakh. However, the cheque was reportedly drawn from a bank account that had already been closed, resulting in financial loss to the complainant. The matter was brought to the notice of the police through a written complaint seeking legal action. Following an inquiry, the police registered a case against the accused. —OC c m y b has installed two portable compactors at Burlton Park last month, but these have yet to start functioning,” he said. “There is a plan to install another two compactors in the coming weeks with each costing around Rs 17 lakh,” the official said. The solid waste management has remained a long pending civic challenge in the city with streets, flyovers and busy market areas frequently grappling with garbage accumulation. According to officials from the MC’s health branch, Jalandhar generates nearly 500 tonnes of garbage every day. Of this, only 355 tonnes is processed daily while the remaining waste is dumped at landfill sites. “Of the total garbage generated, around 145 tonnes is wet waste of which only 16 tonnes is processed through home composting, seven tonnes is used for cattle feeding and around 20 tonnes is treated through bio-waste generators (BWGs),” officials added. Responding to concerns, MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi said, “The proposed integrated project is expected to significantly resolve the city’s persistent waste collection, transportation and processing issues.” NRI Sabha polls delayed, petition moved in court Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 14 More than two months have passed since two-year tenure of the previous NRI Sabha president Parvinder Kaur Banga expired, but the authorities concerned have yet to make arrangements to hold polls to elect new incumbent for the post. Irked, Jalandhar-based Karan Randhawa has once again filed a civil writ petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that there has been a delay despite a submission by the Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner-cum-NRI Sabha Chairman’s office in the HC in his previous petition that the process of conducting elections has been initiated. Randhawa’s previous petition in the court was dismissed as rendered infructuous on December 23 last following the submission. The NRI Sabha Chairman’s office had stated that the schedule had been prepared and submitted for seeking the approval of Chief Ministercum-Chief Patron of the NRI Sabha for conducting election. An internal communication dated November 24 last had been placed on record for this. In his fresh petition, Randhawa stated that he had requested the authorities for an The office of the NRI Sabha in Jalandhar. MALKIAT SINGH immediate issuance of the election programme, preparation of the electoral roll and completion of the electoral process within the constitutionallymandated timeframe. “Despite written communications to both the authorities, no statutory action has been taken. No electoral roll has been prepared, no eligible voter list has been published, no election notification has been issued and no election schedule has been declared,” his petition reads. He further maintained, “The initiation of the election process in law requires commencement of statutory steps in public domain and cannot be equated with internal file movement or administrative correspondence. The constitution of the NRI Sabha establishes a mandatory and timebound electoral framework. Class 8 (iii) provides that the election to the post of president shall be held once in every two years. Clause 7 (d) places a mandatory duty upon the Chairman to ensure conduct of the election strictly in accordance with the constitution.” With the government side maintaining that there have been previous accounts too wherein the election got delayed, Randhawa says, “Past deviations, including periods between 2015-2020 and 20222024, when elections were delayed cannot create a precedent for a continued violation. It is a settled law that an illegality cannot be perpetuated on the basis of past illegality.” There are around 25,000 NRIs who are member of the sabha. The election is usually held in January, but this time it has got delayed. Even if the process gets started now, the election cannot be held before the next two months going by the procedural time required. CCTV shows teen taking auto before jumping off 6th floor Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 14 CCTV footages of a 14-yearold girl taking a solo autorickshaw ride from her tennis academy in Urban Estate to Jalandhar Heights flats on the 66-feet road put to rest apprehensions of her parents and friends of any foul play in her death. The incident took place on Friday evening and the CCTV footage was shared by the police this morning. The girl was seen leaving academy at 4.38 pm and entering gate of the Jalandhar Heights society at 4.46 pm. Bhuvika, a Class IX student of Cambridge Co-Ed School, Chhoti Baradari, died after reportedly falling from the sixth floor of flats in Jalandhar Heights locality. She was dropped at the lawn tennis academy in Urban Estate by her mother Rakhi Singla at 4 pm and by 5.30 pm, her parents received a call that they should reach Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Her father Sunil Singla, a resident of Urban Estate, and an engineer by profession, was in Jammu when the incident occurred. Her mother reached hospital where she learnt that their daughter was no more. The parents had yesterday alleged a foul play. A massive protest was held outside the tennis academy. They wanted the CCTV footage of their daughter, who they said had no conveyance to reach Jalandhar Heights society They alleged that their daughter had showed no signs of any such intention. The police showed parents a suicide note which was recovered from Bhuvika’s tennis kit left back by her at the academy. The note addressed to her parents read that she had flunk in mathematics and science examination. She had apologised to her parents for not meeting their expectations. The parents had initially said that exams had got over just three days ago and the result was not yet out. Earlier, parents were maintaining that they had not put any pressure on their daughter to score well. Sadar police station Station House Officer Surjit Kumar said parents were now amply clear that there was no foul play in Bhuvika’s death.