07102026-JTR-01.qxd 06-10-2026 23:15 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ANGANWADI WORKERS HIT OUT AT CENTRE & STATE GOVT BEYOND FIELDS, HOW HOSHIARPUR GREW INTO URBAN IDENTITY Anganwadi workers stage a protest outside the residence of Rajya Sabha MP Harbhajan Singh in Jalandhar. P2 Dr Shaina Parmar’s doctoral study examines the forces that reshaped the city between 1966 & 2011.P3 » ACTOR TIGER SHROFF SETS SOCIAL MEDIA ABUZZ RAINY MAX 31°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.05 PM Action star Tiger Shroff’s latest six-second transformation post has created an uproar online. P4 » FORECAST SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:25 AM » WEDNESDAY | 7 OCTOBER 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune has started 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. INBRIEF ‘RELATIVE’ DUPES WOMAN OF ~3.48L IN ONLINE FRAUD Hoshiarpur: The police have registered a case against an unidentified person for allegedly duping a family of ~3.48 lakh by posing as a relative. According to a complaint by Sehajveer Singh of Ghaluwal village under Mukerian police station, the accused allegedly called his grandmother and introduced himself as her relative Karan. The caller reportedly gained her confidence and persuaded her to transfer money through various QR scanners and bank accounts. The family realised that they had been cheated after transferring ~3.48 lakh and subsequently approached the police. OC SARPANCH BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Hoshiarpur: The police have booked nine persons, including a sarpanch and four women, for allegedly assaulting a man and snatching his gold chain following a dispute. According to a complaint by Pawan Sharma of Chhawani Kalan village, his elder brother Rajiv Sharma was out for a walk with his wife Bharti Sharma when they allegedly objected to Sahil and Vijay Kumar riding a scooter at a high speed. The accused allegedly called their relatives and the village sarpanch and intercepted Rajiv on the way and assaulted him and snatched his gold chain. The police have booked Raj Kumar, Jyoti, Bipasha, Sahil, Vijay Kumar, Sarinder Singh Pappi, Naresh Kumari and Simranjit Kaur. OC Youth returns from Ukraine war zone Visits Sultanpur Lodhi to express gratitude to MP Seechewal | Shares harrowing experiences Ashok Kaura Kapurthala, October 6 A Patiala youth, who was allegedly trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war zone for nine months, has finally returned to India following efforts by Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. Gagandeep Singh visited Sultanpur Lodhi to express his gratitude to Seechewal and shared the harrowing experiences he endured during his time in the war zone. Gagandeep said he had travelled to Russia in May 2025 on a study visa. In September 2025, he was allegedly misled by an acquaintance with the promise of a monthly salary of Rs 2 lakh and was subsequently recruited into the Russian military. After a brief period of training, he was sent to the Russia-Ukraine battlefield. His contact with his family was then severed. According to Gagandeep, his family approached Seechewal on January 20, seeking help for his safe return. Taking up the matter, Seechewal wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs three times and also raised the Man held for drug overdose death Shahkot, October 6 The Mehatpur police have arrested a villager for allegedly causing the death of a youth by administering a drug overdose. The accused has been identified as Bakhshish Singh of Chhoha village. Karnail Singh of Raipur Araiyan Mand village alleged in his complaint that Bakhshish Singh, along with his accomplices, administered a drug overdose to his son, Baljindar Singh, leading to his death. — OC DEATHS, DESTRUCTION EVERYWHERE entered deep ❝I hadKyiv during theinto the Ukrainian territory and reached conflict. I was injured after coming into contact with landmines and was subsequently sent back from the frontline. There was not a single day there when I did not see death. Every day was spent under the shadow of death, with shelling, ammunition and scenes of destruction all around. At times, I had to survive an entire day on just a biscuit or a toffee because of the difficult conditions. Gagandeep Singh, YOUTH FROM PATIALA ❞ Gagandeep Singh (grey T-shirt and blue jeans) and his family members with Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. issue during a meeting with the External Affairs Minister. He further raised the issue of Indians allegedly trapped in the Russian military in Parliament. Following these efforts, Gagandeep returned safely to India on August 26. Recounting his ordeal, Gagandeep said he had entered deep into the Ukrainian territory and reached Kyiv during the conflict. He was injured after reportedly coming into contact with landmines and was subsequently sent back from the frontline. “There was not a single day there when I did not see death,” he said. He said every day was spent under the shadow of death, with shelling, ammunition and scenes of destruction all around. At times, he had to survive an entire day on just a biscuit or a toffee because of the difficult conditions. Gagandeep said there appeared to be no way out and he had lost hope of returning home alive. Even after coming back to India, the memories of the war con- Our Correspondent Kapurthala, October 6 Tension prevailed at the Dhilwan Toll Plaza in Kapurthala on Tuesday morning after a dispute reportedly broke out between a government bus driver and a toll plaza employee over a minor issue, leading to an hour-long traffic disruption on the busy route. It began when a government bus driver and a toll plaza employee entered into an argument over the bus being allowed to pass through the toll plaza. What initially appeared to be a minor disagreement escalated into a verbal altercation. Following the argument, several government bus drivers reportedly parked their buses across the road in a manner that obstructed traffic, resulting in a blockade at the toll plaza. With buses and other vehicles occupying the road, long queues of vehicles formed on ROW OVER ARGUMENT Following the argument between a toll plaza employee and a bus driver, several government bus drivers allegedly parked their buses across the road, disrupting traffic and triggering a blockade at the toll plaza. both sides of the plaza. The blockade caused considerable inconvenience to passengers, commuters and other motorists travelling through the area. Traffic remained disrupted for nearly an hour, with vehicles unable to move through the toll point. After receiving information about the incident, a team of the Road Safety Force and personnel from Dhilwan police station reached the spot. Police officials held discussions with both the government bus drivers and toll plaza employees and made efforts to defuse the situation and restore the traffic movement. Dhilwan SHO Jasdeep Singh said the matter was resolved after discussions were held between the two sides. According to him, the dispute was brought under control after both parties were made to realise their mistake and an apology was offered, following which the situation returned to normal. The SHO said it took around an hour to resolve the dispute and clear the road. He added that the police intervened to facilitate communication between the two sides and ensure that the traffic blockade was removed. Kapurthala, October 6 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has caught SubDivisional Engineer Agamjot Singh, posted at the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Kapurthala, red-handed while accepting Rs 30,000 bribe. Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the VB, said the accused has been arrested on a complaint lodged by a sub-divisional clerk posted at the department in Kapurthala. He said the complainant was transferred by the accused SDE to the water supply scheme at village Chakkoki, Kapurthala, on October 5. As the place of posting was situated at a distance from his residence, he requested the accused for cancellation of his transfer. Amarinder Singh, fitter helper and colleague of the complainant, informed him that the SDE had demanded Rs 1,25,000 for stopping the transfer. The conversation regarding the demand of illegal gratification was recorded by Amarinder on his mobile phone. Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, the complainant approached the VB Range, Jalandhar. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused was caught red-handed while accepting the first installment of Rs 30,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. The currency has been recovered. A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the accused at VB police station range, Jalandhar, and further investigation into this case is under progress. Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service MALKIAT SINGH Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked an unidentified driver for causing death by negligence. Gurjoban Preet Singh of Uggi village complained to the police that an unidentified man was driving his vehicle very fast and negligently on October 5. The vehicle hit his uncle Partap Singh and killed him. oc parents, he was the only brother of the two sisters. His safe return has brought immense relief and happiness to the family. She also expressed her gratitude to Seechewal, recalling the fear and uncertainty the family experienced whenever reports surfaced on social media about Indians trapped in the Russia-Ukraine war or incidents involving them. She said Seechewal stood by the family and made sustained efforts to bring her brother safely back home. Our Correspondent AAP draws flak over plan to use ‘Mega PTMs’ to promote Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana Phagwara: The Nurmahal police have booked unidentified gangsters on the charges of extortion and firing. Avtar Singh of Shamshabad village, told the police that two motorcycle-borne miscreants fired at his gate on the night of September 24. He received a call the next morning saying they would harm his son Lovpreet Singh. OC MAN BOOKED FOR RASH DRIVING the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy for their cooperation in facilitating Gagandeep’s return. He also urged Punjabi youths planning to travel abroad to remain cautious about misleading job offers and lucrative promises made in the name of employment. He appealed to parents to verify all visa, employment and other relevant documents before their children travel abroad. Gagandeep’s sister said following the death of their Traffic snarl at Dhilwan Toll Plaza after scuffle Celebrations with kin MANY BOOKED FOR EXTORTION tinued to haunt him, leaving him unable to sleep for several days. He said recalling the situation still sent shivers through him. In an emotional statement, Gagandeep said he believed that had Seechewal not intervened and pursued his case, he might never have been able to return alive to his family. Seechewal said every possible effort should be made to ensure the safe return of youths trapped in the RussiaUkraine conflict. He thanked SDE caught red-handed taking bribe of ~30,000 Indian hockey star Manpreet Singh with daughter Jasmine Kaur; and (below) player Sukhjeet Singh celebrates with his parents after winning the Asian Games gold medal, in Jalandhar. COUPLE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The Nakodar police have booked a couple on the charge of outraging a woman’s modesty. The accused have been identified as Amarjit Singh of Pandher village and his wife Daljit Kaur. Sukhwindar Kaur of the same village complained to the police that the accused assaulted her and tore her clothes and used filthy language against her and her husband. oc c m y b Jalandhar, October 6 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is facing criticism over its decision to promote the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana during the Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) scheduled to be held at government schools across Punjab on October 9. As per official instructions issued to all District Education Officers (Elementary and Secondary Education) on Tuesday, schools have been directed to inform parents about various government welfare and education initiatives, with a particular focus on the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana. Schools have also been directed to record video testimonials from parents, particularly mothers, on the scheme. They have been asked to share their views on what the scheme means to them, how they are utilising the financial assistance and whether they have any message for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The schools have further been instructed to circulate these videos on their social media platforms and parents’ WhatsApp groups. The directive has drawn criticism from the teachers union for using school platforms for political messaging instead of A teacher shows parents a pamphlet featuring Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a Mega Parent-Teacher Meeting at the School of Eminence on the Ladowali road in Jalandhar. FILE keeping the focus of PTMs on students academic progress. Vikramdev Singh, state president of the Democratic Teachers Front, said, “This is unfortunate particularly when the AAP’s own MLA Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana has flagged the shortage of teachers in schools, exposing the gaps in the much-touted ‘Shiksha Kranti’. Nearly 31,370 teaching posts are vacant across Punjab, yet instead of filling these posts, the government has released more than Rs 80 crore for painting schools in yellow and blue shades.” He said the government should focus on education and address the real issues facing schools instead of using school for political purposes. “We will oppose this move and ask our teachers not to propagate this scheme during the PTMs,” he added. This is not the first time the AAP government has faced criticism over the use of school PTMs to highlight its government achievements. During the Mega PTMs held in May, pamphlets carrying Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s photograph and slogans such as “Shaandar Chaar Saal, CM Mann De Naal” and “Punjab Sikhya Kranti” were distributed in schools.