17082026-JTR-01.qxd 16-08-2026 23:23 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune BAINS HOISTS NATIONAL FLAG, OUTLINES GOVT’S ACHIEVEMENTS HOSHIARPUR CELEBRATES I-DAY WITH TRIBUTE TO MARTYRS PUNJABI SINGER-SONGWRITER RABAB’S KASHMIR STORY Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains hoists the national flag at the Government ITI ground on 80th I-Day in Nawanshahr . P2 Cabinet Minister Dr Ravjot Singh hoists the national flag at the district-level function at the Police Lines Ground.P2 The Punjabi singer-songwriter explores love, longing and humanity in her latest single, Sajjna Ve. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY/RAIN MAX 34°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.09 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5.54 AM » MONDAY | 17 AUGUST 2026 | JALANDHAR Bhagat hoists Tricolour, highlights welfare initiatives at I-Day function Jalandhar, August 16 Marking the 80th Independence Day, Punjab Horticulture, Freedom Fighters and Defence Services Welfare Minister Mohinder Bhagat hoisted the national flag at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar. He inspected the parade and took the salute from an impressive march-past. Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Police Commissioner Satinder Singh were also present on the occasion. Addressing the districtlevel Independence Day function, Bhagat extended his greetings to Indians across the country and abroad. Paying tribute to freedom fighters and martyrs, he said the sacrifices of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev, Kartar Singh Sarabha, Udham Singh, Madan Lal Dhingra, Lala Lajpat Rai, Diwan Singh Kalepani and countless others had made it possible for citizens to live and breathe in a free nation. Bhagat said Punjab had a proud legacy in the freedom struggle, with Punjabis making some of the greatest sacrifices for the country. He said the Punjab Government was committed to fulfilling the dreams of the martyrs and taking the state forward on the path of development. Highlighting measures for defence personnel and the families of martyrs, Bhagat said ex- TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH Tribune News Service Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat inspects the parade during the Independence Day function in Jalandhar. gratia assistance for the heirs of soldiers who die in service had been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Agniveers had also been brought under the scheme. Families of police personnel who lose their lives in the service of the state and nation would likewise receive Rs 1 crore. On agriculture and horticulture, Bhagat said a nearly Rs 1,300-crore project, being implemented with the support of Japan’s JICA, would promote high-value and climateresilient horticultural crops. He said the area under horticulture in Punjab had increased to 5.21 lakh hectares. He added that Rs 7,200 crore had been spent on strengthening canal irrigation, increasing coverage from 20.89 lakh acres in 2022 to nearly 60.30 lakh acres, or around 80 per cent. Highlighting welfare and development initiatives, the minister said the budget for the Rangla Punjab Development Scheme had been doubled from Rs 585 crore in 202526 to Rs 1,170 crore in 2026-27. Under the Mai-Dhiyaan Satkaar Scheme, more than 65.62 lakh beneficiaries had received Rs 2,274.42 crore as of August 1, 2026. The minister also outlined the government’s anti-drug and anti-gangster campaigns, claiming that more than 75,000 drug smugglers and over 59,000 gangsters, associates and wanted accused had been arrested. Later, Bhagat honoured the families of freedom fighters and martyrs and distributed tricycles, wheelchairs and sewing machines among needy beneficiaries. Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, MLA Balkar Singh, ADGP Nageshwar Rao, Divisional Commissioner Ramveer Singh, District and Sessions Judge Priya Sood, Mayor Vineet Dhir, District Planning Committee Chairman Amritpal Singh, Punjab Agro Export Corporation Limited Chairman Mangal Singh Bassi, Jalandhar Improvement Trust Chairman Ramneek Singh Randhawa, AAP leaders Rajwinder Kaur Thiara and Nitin Kohli, among others, were present at the function. DSSD School contingent declared best K’thala temple assault case: Victim’s family alleges pressure for compromise Jalandhar, August 16 On the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, a grand march past featuring various contingents was held under the leadership of Parade Commander Atish Bhatia during a district-level function at the local Guru Gobind Singh Stadium today. The DSSD Senior Secondary School contingent, led by Platoon Commander Rajat Yadav, was declared the best contingent. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police contingent was led by Platoon Commander Inspector Ashok Kumar, while the District Punjab Police contingent was led by Platoon Commander ASI Santosh Kumar. The District Punjab Police Women Wing contingent was led by Platoon Commander SI Gurpreet Kaur, the PRTC Jahan Khelan contingent by Platoon Commander ASI Daljit Kaur and the Punjab Home Guards contingent by SI Kuldeep Singh. The Second Punjab Battalion NCC boys’ contingent was led by Platoon Commander Prabhjot Singh, while the girls’ contingent was led by Under Officer and Platoon Commander Riya. The Lyallpur Khalsa Senior Secondary School boys’ contingent was led by Platoon Commander Rijul, and the girls’ contingent by Platoon Commander Payal. The Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Nehru Garden, contingent was led by Platoon Commander Kashish. The occasion also featured a magnificent performance by the CRPF band, led by Band Master SI Hem Raj. — TNS Our Correspondent Kapurthala, August 16 A viral video showing a mother and her young children allegedly being assaulted with slippers and kicked outside Mata Bhadrakali Temple in Kapurthala has taken a serious turn, with the victim’s family now alleging that they were pressured to compromise and withdraw the complaint. The victim’s husband alleged that the father of the accused shopkeeper, accompanied by some influential persons, visited their home following the incident and allegedly threatened the family against pursuing the case. He further claimed that the family was offered Rs 20,000 to remain silent and withdraw the complaint. The allegations have not been independently verified and will be subject to police investigation. City police station SHO Ranjit Singh said the victim woman’s statement had been recorded and police teams were conducting raids to arrest the accused. 9-year-old boy narrates sequence of events The victim’s nine-year-old son also narrated his version of the incident. He said that two days earlier, while he was playing, he accidentally came into contact with a motorcycle, causing it to fall. According to the child, the motorcycle belonged to a devotee who did not confront him. However, he alleged that the accused shopkeeper later beat him severely. Claims offered ~20,000 bribe to withdraw complaint The boy further stated that on the day of the main incident, he accidentally touched the rearview mirror of another motorcycle, causing it to tilt slightly. He said he was unaware that the motorcycle belonged to the shopkeeper. After he straightened the mirror, the shopkeeper allegedly came out of the shop and began abusing him. Mother intervened after ‘abuse’ of child According to the victim, she intervened only to ask the accused not to abuse her son and to explain the matter to him. She alleged that the accused became angry and started abusing and assaulting her with slippers and kicks. The woman said she was holding her one-year-old daughter in her arms at the time. She alleged that the child continued crying in fear as the incident unfolded. The viral video appears to show the woman sitting on the ground with the infant pressed against her chest while apparently pleading for help. The footage has triggered widespread outrage on social media. Husband alleges threats, pressure for compromise The victim’s husband alleged that after the incident, the accused shopkeeper’s father and several other people visited their home and allegedly warned the family against taking the matter further. He claimed that the family was offered Rs 20,000 to settle the matter and remain silent. These allegations have not yet been independently corroborated, and their authenticity will be established during the police investigation. Valmiki community demands immediate arrest The incident has also sparked anger within the Valmiki community. Community leader Charanjit Hans extended support to the victim’s family and demanded the immediate arrest of the accused. Hans said a poor woman was allegedly assaulted in public and in front of her children. He added that the subsequent allegations of pressure for a compromise had further aggravated the matter. He warned that if the accused was not arrested immediately, the Valmiki community could launch a protest, including a road blockade and wider agitation. The allegations of threats and the alleged offer of Rs 20,000 to settle the matter could become an important part of the police investigation. If the allegations are established, police may also examine whether additional legal action is warranted against those found responsible. The incident outside the historic temple has raised serious questions about law and order and the treatment of vulnerable families. Inspector Rashpal Singh conferred President’s Medal Two women killed in road accident near Talwara One killed in truck-tractor collision Jalandhar, August 16 Inspector Rashpal Singh of the Recruitment Training Centre (RTC), Punjab Armed Police (PAP), Jalandhar, is among 11 Punjab Police personnel who have been conferred the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service (MMS) on the occasion of Independence Day. In a letter dated August 14, Punjab Director General of Police Inspector (DGP) Rashpal Singh Gaurav Yadav congratulated Singh and his family on the honour. Singh was earlier awarded the Union Home Minister’s Medal for Excellence in Police Training in 2020. He has also received three DGP’s Commendation Discs from the Punjab Police in recognition of his professional service. Other Punjab Police personnel selected for the Medal for Meritorious Service include IGP (IntelligenceAdministration) Babu Lal Meena; IGP (Provisioning) Dr S Boopathi; Navreet Singh Virk, SP PBI, San, grur; Karnail Singh, DSP (Headquarters), Sangrur; Subhash Chand, DSP (Security); Sanjeev Kumar, DSP (CID Unit), Amritsar; Gagandeep Singh, ACP (North), Amritsar; and Jasvir Singh, DSP Jahan Khelan. , Inspector Baljit Singh, incharge of the CIA, Barnala, was also among those awarded the President’s Medal for Meritorious Service. — TNS Talwara, August 16 Two women riding a scooter were killed in a tragic road accident near Labbar village under the jurisdiction of Talwara police station on Sunday. According to information, a tipper truck was travelling from Kamahi Devi towards Chamui when it collided with Our Correspondent a scooter travelling ahead near Labbar village. The impact was severe, leaving the scooter badly damaged and both women critically injured. They died at the spot. The deceased have been identified as Kamni and Ranjana Singh, both residents of Nichli Puhari village. After receiving information about the accident, a police team from Talwara reached the spot and inspected the scene. The bodies were taken into custody, and further legal proceedings were initiated. The tipper truck driver reportedly fled the scene following the accident. Police have launched a search for the driver and are gathering information from the area as part of the investigation. Eyewitness- es and other people are also being questioned to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision. The deaths of the two women from the same village have plunged their families into mourning. The exact cause of the accident and responsibility for the collision will be established after the police investigation is completed. Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, August 16 A tipper truck driver was killed on the spot after an unidentified tractor-trailer allegedly collided with his vehicle near Begpur Kamluh village on the Hajipur-Mukerian-Talwara road. Hajipur SHO Harpreet Singh said a case was regis- tered on the complaint of Prabhdeep Singh of Tangra village under the Tarsikka police station in Amritsar district. Prabhdeep was informed about an accident involving his brother, Satwant Singh. He reached the spot and learnt that Satwant Singh had been driving a tipper truck loaded with mining material from Talwara towards Mukerian. When the truck reached near Begpur Kamluh village, a tractor-trailer carrying paddy straw and travelling towards Talwara allegedly struck the tipper truck from the side. The impact caused Satwant Singh to lose control of the vehicle, which crashed into a tree along the roadside. He died on the spot. The tractor-trailer driver fled the scene along with the vehicle. Faded knuckles, living memories: The story of Jang-e-Azadi Memorial Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 16 The knuckles on the hands of the realistic silicon statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at the Jang-e-Azadi Memorial in Kartarpur have ominously faded in places where keen visitors have repeatedly touched them over the past nine years — perhaps to feel a tangible connection with their favourite icon of the freedom movement. Though a freedom movement memorial can hardly compete with the charms of Elante Mall and Eastwood Village — ever-crowded malls in Chandigarh and Jalandhar, respectively, whose daily footfall ranges from 30,000 to more than 60,000 — the Jange-Azadi Memorial is doing reasonably well for a cultural and historical institution located in the middle of nowhere. This is despite the fact that, until recently, it had been courting controversy. Inaugurated in 2016, the 25acre memorial has attracted 13 lakh visitors over the past nine years, including three lakh students. It currently averages 3,000 to 4,000 visi- (From left) The Jang-e-Azadi Memorial; the silicon, hyper realistic statue of Shaheed Bhagat Singh with faded knuckles; and an installation depicting his uncle Chacha Ajit Singh addressing villagers, at the memorial in Kartarpur, Jalandhar. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: MALKIAT SINGH tors a month. After a 1.5-year lull during the Covid pandemic and a case involving allegations of financial irregularities, in which the memorial recently received a clean chit, the Rs 315-crore complex is now attracting a steady stream of visitors. In 2025, the memorial recorded a footfall of 1,11,000 visitors. So far in 2026, 43,187 people have visited it. The memorial received 7,572 visitors in March, 6,746 in June, 3,378 in July and 1,714 in August. Ahead of the 80th Independence Day, 96 people visited the memorial on August 14. On March 23, 2026 — the martyrdom anniversary of Bhagat Singh — 274 people visited the memorial. From the unceremonious usurpation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s kingdom by the British Empire to the Kuka Movement, Gurdwara Reform Lehar, Ghadar Movement, Gurdwara Rakabganj c m y b movement, Jallianwala Bagh massacre, the murder of John P Saunders, the martyrdom of Bhagat Singh, the Komagata Maru tragedy and several other movements in Punjab, the imposing building’s corridors bear testimony to countless Punjabis who laid down their lives in the struggle for freedom. An Amar Jyoti (eternal flame), housed inside a Shaheedi Minar, has been burning continuously since 2016. Fuelled by 10 cylinders a month, it serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the martyrs. The memorial, which is powered by its own solar unit and houses a 75 KLD sewage treatment plant (STP), is largely self-sustaining. Its operating expenses are met from the proceeds of its nominally priced tickets: Rs 100 for adults, Rs 50 for visitors below 18 and Rs 40 for schoolchildren. There is no charge for infants and tod- dlers up to three years of age. The memorial is operated by a company on contract. Nineteen employees currently run the memorial, which remains short of administrative and managerial staff. It has just one manager, five housekeepers and one audio-visual personnel. Posts of curator, accountant, clerical staff and driver are lying vacant. Lakhwinder Johal, former secretary of the earlier managing committee of the Jang- e-Azadi Memorial, said the memorial’s vast potential remains untapped. “The Jang-e-Azadi Memorial’s vast potential still lies untapped. During our committee’s tenure, proposals were invited from fast-food joints for a food court on the memorial premises and for literature for the library, but the process was stalled following the ongoing case. The memorial is huge. If advertised across the state and nationally, along with adequate signage on the highway, it has the potential to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the state,” he said. Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia, who is also the CEO of the present Jang-e-Azadi Memorial managing committee, said, “State-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities are already in place at the memorial. We will take the steps required to further promote it as a tourism hub.” The current managing committee also includes the Director, Tourism, Punjab; Secretary, Tourism, Punjab; and Assistant Controller of Finance, Punjab, as members.