28042026-JTR-01.qxd 4/27/2026 10:47 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune FIRE GUTS SCRAP SHOP NEAR PHILLAUR, CAUSES ~3 LAKH LOSS JALANDHAR HOSTS CAMP TO BOOST JEE, NEET PREPARATION The camp is being held at the meritorious school near Kapurthala road from April 12 to May 10.P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 39°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 21°C SAVOUR SIDDUS DELICACIES AT SHIMLA’S HIMACHALI RASOI Owner alleged that the fire was deliberately set, stating that there appeared to be no accidental cause for the blaze. P2 FORECAST Himachali Rasoi at Middle Bazaar in Shimla city is a must-visit restaurant for a delightful range of siddus. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 7.04 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:45 AM » TUESDAY | 28 APRIL 2026 | JALANDHAR Migrant killed over ~30 in Kapurthala Our Correspondent Farmers protest at the office of the XEN, Power Department, Goraya, after locking the main gate of the office on Monday. Farmers lock XEN office at Goraya overdemands night power for fields long outages BKU protests 12-hour cuts, Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 27 Farmers under the banner of the Bharti Kisan Union (BKU-Doaba) locked the office of the Executive Engineer (XEN), Power Department, Goraya, on Monday during a protest against prolonged electricity cuts in the Jalandhar region. The protest escalated when farmers, who had gathered at the office to raise their grievances, saw the XEN attempting to leave in his vehicle and locked the main gate of the office premises. The gates remained locked for nearly half an hour, during which the officer remained inside before eventually meeting the farmers. The protesting farmers alleged that villages in the Goraya and Phillaur areas had been facing power cuts lasting up to 12 hours daily, causing severe hardship, particularly to women and children during the ongoing summer heat. Nearly 20 to 30 BKU activists participated in the protest. The farmers unlocked the gate when they were convinced that the XEN was ready to address their grievances. Addressing the gathering, Jasvir Singh Sahota, vice-president of the BKU Doaba, Pun- jab, said farmers were receiving electricity mainly in afternoon hours, which was leading to frequent fire incidents in fields. “It is the peak season for irrigating crops like sugarcane and maize. We have repeatedly demanded that power be supplied during night hours from 2 am to 10 am,” he said, alleging that afternoon power supply had caused short circuits at motors, triggering stubble fires. He claimed that nearly 100 acres of wheat stubble were destroyed in recent fires at Bara Pind and Atti villages due to power supply during peak heat hours. District secretary of the union Tarsem Singh said the protest was not meant to lock the officer inside but to ensure that farmers’ concerns were heard. “We had informed the department in advance about our visit. Our sole demand is that the frequent power cuts be stopped and electricity be provided during night hours for agricultural operations,” he said. Meanwhile, the XEN, Power Department, Goraya, said decisions regarding power supply and cuts were taken by the senior authorities. “We will convey the farmers’ grievances to higher officials and assure them that their issues will be taken up,” he said. Narrow road triggers daily traffic snarls in Defence Colony Tribune News Service Gurkanwal is Hoshiarpur Asst Com Hoshiarpur, April 27 Gurkanwal Singh of the 2025 batch took charge as Assistant Commissioner (under training) in Hoshiarpur on Monday at the District Administrative Complex in the presence of DC Ashika Jain. A native of Jalandhar, Gurkanwal Singh holds a degree in Civil Engineering from Thapar University. He secured a place in the IAS. His father Satpal Singh Multani is a retired Assistant Excise and Taxation Commissioner, while his mother Paramjit Kaur is a homemaker. Speaking after taking charge, Gurkanwal said he would work with honesty and commitment under the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner. He emphasized that his priorities would include ensuring transparency in administration, prompt redressal of public grievances and delivering efficient services to citizens. — TNS Jalandhar, April 27 Congress leader Angad Dutta has complained to the Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar, about the persistent traffic congestion in the Defence Colony area, attributing the regular bottlenecks to a narrow stretch of road. Youth Congress leader Angad Dutta, in his complaint to CP Jalandhar, said, “People , travelling from Defence Colony towards Khalsa College are facing severe traffic congestion due to the extremely narrow passage left after a divider installation, where only one car can pass at a time.” Dutta said the narrow stretch causes daily traffic bottlenecks, with the situation worsening around 2 pm during school dispersal, Plan a statewide protest in Mohali on May 17 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. Jalandhar, April 27 Government school teachers in Jalandhar, under the banner of the Democratic Teachers Front, have voiced concerns over pay scales, pension policies and pending allowances, intensifying their protest against the government over long pending financial issues. The teachers demanded that the July 17, 2020, notification based on Central pay scales should be cancelled, stating that it went against the state’s own framework. They urged the government to implement Punjab pay scales as recommended by the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission, including a 15 per cent increase in salaries. A major issue raised was the continuation of the New Pension Scheme (NPS) for employees recruited after January 1, 2004. The teachers demanded that the scheme should be scrapped and the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) be restored, saying it pro- vides better financial security after retirement. The front also highlighted the issues of pending dues and reduced benefits. They demanded the release of the pending 18 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) and restoration of 37 types of allowances that were discontinued over time. These include rural area allowance, border area allowance and assured career progression benefits, which, they said, are important for employees working in difficult conditions. The front recently held a district convention in Hoshiarpur on April 23, c m y b The police during investigation after a 22-year-old labourer died in Nadala, Kapurthala. ment with some acquaintances in the market over a small amount. He intervened, diffused the situation and dropped his son back at his rented quarters. However, when he returned the next morning to pick him up, he found Suraj’s body lying near the gate. Following the discovery, police officials, including Station House Officer Harjinder Singh and Nadala outpost incharge Baljinder Singh, reached the scene and initiated an investigation. The body was taken into custody for further procedures. Police officials said CCTV footage from the area is being examined to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify those responsible. “The suspects are being interrogated and we expect to make arrests soon,” SSP Toora added. Multi-storey clothing shop gutted Phagwara, April 27 A major fire was reported at Hari Om Collection, a multistorey clothing shop, located in Jandiala Manjki village on the Phagwara-Nakodar road in the wee hours today. According to initial information, the blaze caused extensive damage, with preliminary estimates suggesting losses exceeding ?1 crore. However, officials have yet to release a detailed assessment of the total property and inventory loss. Emergency services responded promptly after the incident was reported through the 112 helpline. Police teams were among the first to arrive at the scene, ensuring public safety and facilitating the movement of emergency responders. Fire tenders from both Jalandhar and nearby Tubewell users to get 5-hour power supply Struggle, sacrifice & speedStory behind Maya’s achievements Phagwara, April 27 In a move aimed at providing relief to agricultural consumers, PSPCL has announced an increase in electricity supply duration for tubewell users in Kapurthala. According to the Deputy Chief Engineer (Distribution), the decision has been implemented from April 27. Under the revised schedule, consumers with tubewell connections will now receive five hours of electricity supply daily, up from the earlier 4 hours. Additionally, in line with directives from the government, all categories of power consumers in the district are set to receive further relief. From May 1, uninterrupted power supply will be ensured, effectively bringing an end to the ongoing power cuts. — OC Aakanksha N Bhardwaj School teachers flag pay, pension issues Tribune News Service HEALTH & WELLNESS The narrow road at Defence Colony which is leading to traffic congestion and bottlenecks. when traffic from three schools converges on the road, leading to heavy congestion and inconvenience to the public. Dutta wrote that instead of improving traffic flow, the present arrangement has created unnecessary jams because of poor road width management. He sought an inspection of the site and either the removal or modification of the divider or widening of the passage, to ensure smooth movement of traffic and prevent daily congestion. Public inconvenience is increasing and local residents are frustrated. If timely corrective action isn’t taken, people may be compelled to remove the divider themselves out of frustration. Kapurthala, April 27 A 22-year-old migrant labourer was allegedly strangled to death late Sunday night in the Nadala area, with the police suspecting that a dispute over a nominal sum of money may have triggered the killing. SSP Gaurav Toora stated that the deceased has been identified as Suraj Kumar. Preliminary investigation revealed that a quarrel broke out on Sunday evening at a local market over ~30, which later escalated into a fatal assault during the night. SSP Toora said a murder case has been registered at Subhanpur police station based on the statement of the victim’s father. “Preliminary investigation suggests that the victim had an altercation earlier in the evening. We were questioning those who were last seen with the deceased,” he said. The victim’s father stated that around 10:30 pm on Sunday, Suraj had a heated argu- where these concerns were discussed and a plan for further protest was prepared. Kulwinder Singh, district president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said, “We have been raising these issues for a long time. Despite repeated requests, there has been no clear action, prompting us to organise a statewide protest in Mohali on May 17, followed by a protest march towards the Chief Minister’s residence in Chandigarh. Additionally, we will hold district level protests in Nakodar and Lohian Khas block between May 4 and 7.” Phagwara were deployed and firefighters worked in coordination with the local authorities to bring the situation under control. Their timely intervention played a crucial role in containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to adjoining commercial establishments in the densely built area. At this stage, the exact cause of the fire remains Tribune News Service Jalandhar, April 27 For the first time in her life, 19-year-old Maya laced up a pair of professional spike shoes. As she stepped onto the track at the U-20 Federation Cup on Saturday, it was more than just a race — it carried the weight of years of struggle, sacrifice and hope. “My mother sold whatever little gold she had so that I could run in proper shoes,” Maya said, her voice choking with emotion. Hailing from Sitto Gunno village in Abohar, Maya’s journey to competitive athletics has been fraught with hardships. Born into a family of farm labourers, she grew up in extreme poverty with six sisters and a brother. Education was a distant dream — none of her siblings went to school, and the family lived for years in a single room provided at the fields where her father worked. “I only started going to school when I was 10, after my father managed to build a small house for us,” she recalled. That brief stability, however, did not last. Three years ago, Maya had to drop out of school for a year after her father and brother fell ill. To support the family, she began working in the fields. “I still remember those days…working in the fields instead of studying or training,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. Despite the setbacks, Maya discovered her talent for athletics during her school years. Her hard work paid off and she won two silver medals at a national relay event in Chandigarh. At the Federation Cup in Bengaluru, she gave her best in her 400 m race. Maya trains in Jalandhar under coach Sarabjit Singh Happy, whom she credits for standing by her through thick and thin. “He has supported me a lot,” she said. Sarabjit Happy said Maya is the most sincere athlete. “I have been trying to help her since she came in contact with me, she is a promising athlete,” he said. Growing up without proper nutrition remains one of her biggest challenges. Drawing a parallel with her farming roots, she said. “Just like a good crop needs proper fertiliser, an athlete needs good food. I hardly had that,” she explained, offering a glimpse into the silent battles she has fought. Yet, through every hardship, one constant unconfirmed. While a short circuit is being considered a possible factor, officials have emphasised that no definitive conclusion has been reached and further investigation is underway. The authorities have also indicated that more details regarding the extent of the damage and the origin of the fire will be shared following a thorough inspection. — OC Farm labourer’s daughter clocks her best at U-20 Federation Cup source of strength remains, her father’s unwavering belief. “He always tells me he is with me no matter what. That gives me strength,” she said, breaking down once again. Today, Maya runs not just for medals, but for a dream, to lift her family out of the struggles. “I want to compete in the Asian Championships and the Commonwealth Games,” she said with determination. “I want to give my family a life they never had.”