05042026-JTR-01.qxd 4/5/2026 12:24 AM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MP MEETS CM MANN TO DISCUSS DHUSSI BANDH ROAD PROJECT CONFERENCE ON NEXT-GEN MATERIALS FOR ENERGY AT NIT SAVOUR ITALIAN DISHES AT SHASTRI NAGAR, KULLU Sant Seechewal also shared a proposal and presented a draft plan to make Budha Dariya pollution-free. P2 The conference offered an opportunity for students and early-career researchers to interact with eminent scientists. P3 Valentino in Shastri Nagar, Kullu, offers authentic Italian pizzas, pastas and other delicacies with a local touch. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6.49 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:10 AM » SUNDAY | 5 APRIL 2026 | JALANDHAR Firing, clash outside hospital Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 4 A firing incident took place outside a hospital in the Raj Nagar locality, falling in Basti areas of the city, around the last midnight. Seven empty shells seized, FIR lodged A youth suffered injuries and is undergoing treatment at a private hospital. Two groups living in the same lane got into a fight over an old rivalry. During the fight, one group broke the CCTV cameras installed outside the other group’s house. Bricks were pelted and gunshots were fired. The incident led to panic in the area. As soon as information about the firing was received, the ADCP City-2 Rakesh Yadav and the police from Basti Bawa Khel Police Station reached the spot. They seized seven empty bullet shells from the scene. A woman complained that she was hosting a religious gathering at their home. After having dinner, her family had gone to sleep when youths from the same lane came and attacked them after entering the house. They broke the CCTV cameras and fired shots, after which she informed the police. Jalandhar rural police bust arms smuggling network Five pistols, 4 live cartridges seized from arrested smuggler Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 4 The Jalandhar Rural Police have arrested an arms smuggler and seized a large cache of weapons, including five pistols and four live rounds, from him. The accused was identified as Suraj Kumar, alias Ladi, a resident of Shekhewal village in Shahkot, Jalandhar. The accused was involved in procuring weapons from Uttar Pradesh and selling these in Punjab at cheap rates. The operation was conducted under SSP Harvinder Singh Virk with the supervision of Vineet Ehlawat, Superintendent of Police (Investigation) and Inderjit Singh, PPS, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Detective), with key inputs from Inspector Pushp Bali, in-charge CIA Staff. SSP Harvinder Singh Virk said acting on reliable intelligence developed by Inspector Pushp Bali, a CIA Staff team, led by ASI Rajbir Singh, laid a naka near the area of Police Station Patara on April 3. During checking, a young man, on an unnumbered Policemen with the seized pistols and live cartridges in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO motorcycle, attempted to turn back after noticing the police and was immediately apprehended. Upon interrogation, he disclosed his identity as Suraj Kumar. A thorough search led to the seizure of the weapons and ammunition. The police also seized a black unnumbered Splendor Plus motorcycle from him. During preliminary investigation, it came to fore that the accused, along with his asso- ciate Davinderpal Singh, alias Deepu, and other gang members, was involved in procuring illegal arms and ammunition from the Mathura region of Uttar Pradesh at cheap rates and supplying these across Jalandhar and nearby areas. The police said Suraj and Davinderpal, both had at least three more cases against them, under the NDPS Act and other sections. An FIR has been registered at Police Station Patara under Sections 25(1)(B), 25(6), 25(7)(i), 25(8), 54, 59 of the Arms Act and Section 111 of the BNS. SSP Virk further stated that further interrogation of the accused was on to establish the complete supply chain and to identify the network involved in the smuggling of illegal arms. Raids were being conducted to apprehend the absconding coaccused Davinderpal Singh and his other associates. Youth who died in mishap in Italy cremated Our Correspondent Talwara (Hoshiarpur), April 4 A pall of gloom descended on Jugial village as the body of Raj Kumar, a youth who had gone to Italy in search of a better future, returned home after 36 days. He was cremated in the presence of a large gathering of villagers and local leaders, who bid him the final farewell. According to information, Raj Kumar, son of Atma Ram, a chowkidar in the Revenue Department, had gone to Italy about one and a half years ago to support his financially struggling family. Tragically, he met with an accident on February 17 and succumbed to his injuries on February 28 while undergoing treatment. His family had recently received his residency documents, raising hopes of a better future for him, but fate had other plans. Due to legal formalities, it took 36 days to bring his body back to India. He is survived by his elderly parents, a brother and two sisters.The entire village mourned his untimely death. 14 months on, Congress yet to appoint its leadership in MC RishikaKriti Tribune News Service Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary and residents protest against the proposed demolition of 300 establishments at Mata Kalsa Nagar in Phillaur, in Jalandhar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO MALKIAT SINGH Protest held in Phillaur as 300 establishments face evacuation Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 4 Evacuation notices to residents of Mata Kalsa Nagar in Phillaur have triggered a massive protest in the area as hundreds of residents and members of people’s organisations sat on a dharna in the area today, opposing the move. Area residents, who have residences and establishments at the Mata Kalsa Nagar for the past 40 years, have been told to evacuate their establishments. The directions were issued to residents by members of the district administration accompanied by police, three days ago, with people being asked to vacate respective premises within 48 hours. Notices had been issued to about 300-400 establishments, including 200 houses and about 200 to 250 shops of the area. Notably, the establishments are reportedly encroachments for many years over the NHAI land, for which the NHAI had sought the aid of the district administration to get these removed. Political leaders make beeline to area; BJP, Cong leaders to take up issue with Gadkari The issue has kicked up a huge political storm with political leaders making a beeline to the area. Congress Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Chaudhary, BSP State President Avtar Singh Karimpuri, BJP leaders Avinash Chander and Ashok Sareen Hikki were among those who reached out to the area residents, assuring them that these won’t be displaced. Amidst the row, Congress MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary and BJP leader Avinash Chander said they would take up the issue union minister Nitin Gadkari. Meanwhile, with fierce local opposition and the intervention from various political leaders, the deadline for evacuation of residents has presently been relaxed. In scenes triggering memories of Latifpura, hundreds of residents sat on protest in the area today, stating they will launch an intense struggle if the proposed evacuations continue. Congress Phillaur MLA Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary said, “The area was established when my father was MLA and we have always stood up for the residents. Since the locality is deemed an encroachment, the NHAI has served notices of evacuation. Earlier, three days time was given but we took up the issue with SDM Phillaur to relax the deadline. There is no alternative area for the residents to live in. I’ve sought an appointment with Nitin Gadkari and will be heading to Delhi tomorrow. We won’t allow people to be displaced.” BJP leader Avinash Chander said, “There are 300 to 400 establishments and thousands of people in the area — all poor families. We won’t allow them to lose homes. While I was minister, I’d taken up their issue and stopped action. They shouldn’t be evacuated without prior dialogue. We will take up the issue with the minister.” Jalandhar, April 4 Fourteen months after the Municipal Corporation (MC) elections in Jalandhar, the Congress, despite being the largest opposition party, continues to struggle to appoint its leadership in the civic house, including the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), deputy leader of opposition and senior opposition leader. Among these, the LoP heads the opposition bloc, deputy LoP assits the former and senior opposition leader ensures discipline within the party. The prolonged delay in the appointments has created a visible leadership vacuum in the MC house, increasingly pointing to internal divisions within the party. Far from being a procedural lapse, the situation reflects a lack of c m y b cohesion and timely decision making, raising concerns over the Congress’s ability to function as an effective opposition. In the current composition of the MC, the Aam Aadmi Party has 38 councillors, followed by the Congress with 25, the BJP with 13, along with two Independents and one councillor from the BSP . As per the established norms, the largest opposition party is expected to appoint the LoP to ensure structured participation, a coordinated strategy and accountability of the ruling side. However, despite having the numbers, the Congress has failed to project a unified leadership voice, leaving a critical institutional position vacant and opposition voices fragmented. Party insiders indicate that multiple names, including Balraj Thakur, Gurvinder Singh Bunty, Jasleen Kaur and Uma Beri, are in contention for the post. However, internal differences and competing factions have so far prevented consensus, further delaying the appointment. For Congress councillors, the delay is not merely symbolic, but also affecting their day-today functioning. Pawan Kumar, Congress councillor and senior vice-president of the District Congress Committee (Urban) Jalandhar, said, “Many a time, we have raised our concerns with the party high command to appoint a LoP but no decision has been , taken so far. This reflects the lack of unity within the party. The LoP would provide a strong and structured voice during the MC meetings. At present, individual councillors raise concerns, but there is no collective direction.” Illegal properties of drug traffickers demolished Phagwara, April 4 In a strong and coordinated action against drug menace, the district police intensified its crackdown on narcotics networks with the demolition of two properties linked to alleged drug peddlers in Kapurthala. The action, carried out on the directions of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Nadala, reflects the zero-tolerance policy being enforced by the district administration and the police. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora told The Tribune on Saturday afternoon that the demolished properties belonged to individuals from Dograwal village who were facing multiple cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Paramjit Kaur, wife of Lakhvir Singh, against whom four FIRs had been registered, and Manga Singh, son of Dalip Singh, facing three FIRs, were identified as repeat offenders allegedly involved in drugtrafficking activities. Under SSP Toora, the police have adopted a multipronged strategy targeting not only the arrest of offenders, but also the destruction of assets believed to be linked with illegal earnings from narcotics trade. — OC Police officials at the place where illegal properties of drug traffickers were demolished. TRIBUNE PHOTO