01102024-JTR-01.qxd 9/30/2024 10:41 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune 250 TEAMS TAKE PART IN HACKATHON EVENT AT VARSITY COFFEE IS MORE THAN JUST A BEVERAGE - IT'S RITUAL, COMFORT MITHUN'S NAME IS ANNOUNCED FOR DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD Participants worked on developing their prototypes, with top 30 teams advancing to national-level contest P2 On Int’l Coffee Day, TV stars talk about their love for the brew and whom they would love to share a cup with.... P4 The Padma Bhushan recipient, ex-RS member has been chosen for the highest cinematic honour. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.12 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:21 AM TUESDAY | 1 OCTOBER 2024 | JALANDHAR 3 members of burglary gang nabbed;50gmgoldrecovered INBRIEF MAN BOOKED FOR THEFT Phagwara: On a complaint by Kabul Singh of Raja Garden, Phagwara, the police have registered a case against Vishal Kumar of JCT Colony here on the charge of committing theft at Jagjit Gas Service and stealing one AC,100 pipes, one LED, one printer and cash Rs 16,630 from the factory. No arrest has been made till so far. OC Tribune News Service SHARDHA RAM REMEMBERED Phagwara: The 187th birth anniversary of Pt Shardha Ram Phillauri, the author of aarti "Om Jai Jagdish Hare", was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in his home town Phillaur on Monday. People paid tributes to him. Langars were also organised at several places. Phillauri was born in a Brahmin family on September 30, 1837. OC LAWYERS OBSERVE NO-WORK DAY Phagwara: All members of the Bar Association, Phagwara, on Monday observed "No Work Day" to support the state-level call given by the Bar Associations of Punjab against the establishment of Gram Nyayalyas at various places in Punjab. Bar Association president Karanjot S Jhikka said the lawyers would intensify their stir against the establishment of Gram Nyayalyas in the state. OC Private buses use the space under flyover as parking area. PHOTO SARABJIT SINGH Encroachers flourish under city flyovers, MC snores Avneet Kaur Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 30 Despite frequent antiencroachment drives by the city police and Municipal Corporation, illegal encroachments beneath flyovers continue to thrive. These spaces, designated for green belts under the Smart City Project, have been taken over by taxi stands, vendors and small booths or counters. The situation is particularly critical under the bus stand flyover, where private bus companies have also turned the area into parking lots, using public space for private purposes without any push back from the authorities. “This issue has been ongoing for years, yet little has been done to resolve it”, say residents. According to sources in the city police, attempts to clear these encroachments had been made in the recent past, but the vendors often return, allegedly with the backing of Municipal Corporation officials. “These encroachers show slips, claiming official authorisation, which further complicates the situation”, they added. Shopkeepers have voiced their frustration, accusing the Municipal Corporation and traffic police of selective enforcement. They claim that while shop owners are penalised for even minor Married a year ago, man hangs himself at home Likely to be under depression: Cops Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 30 A young man, identified as Safran, alias Sahil, was found dead at his rented accommodation in Avtar Nagar late last night. The 24-year-old, originally from the Basti area, had reportedly died by suicide by hanging himself from a ceiling fan. Sahil, who got love married just a year ago, was living in Avtar Nagar with his wife Sajni. Upon learning of his death, Sahil’s family rushed to the Civil Hospital, where they created a commotion late at night, demanding answers and clarity about the circumstances leading to his death. The police from the Bhargava Camp station were called to the scene, who said the action would be taken after recording the statements of the family members. Sahil’s body was sent to the Civil Hospital for a postmortem examination to determine the exact cause of the death. Sahil’s mother Ruby said he lived with his wife in Avtar Nagar. When they reached the hospital, they were told that there were marks on his neck, indicating suicide. The family said Sahil appeared to be happy. However, late at night, his body was found hanging by a noose. Despite efforts to rush him to the hospital, doctors pronounced him dead on arrival. The police have initiated proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC, with SHO Ashok Kumar, indicating that initial findings suggest Sahil may have been battling depression. “The investigation is ongoing and we are awaiting the post-mortem report for further clarity”, he added. infractions such as leaving material outside their shops, large-scale encroachments under flyovers are ignored. “They fine us for the smallest issues, but here, entire public spaces are taken over and no one seems to care,” a shopkeeper said. A senior Municipal Corporation official admitted that these encroachments are in violation of High Court orders, which prohibit business activity under flyovers due to safety concerns. “The court has made it clear that these areas must remain clear. If an accident happens, who will be responsible?” the official said. In addition to encroach- ments, commuters have raised concerns about the traffic congestion near flyovers, where taxi and auto drivers park their vehicles recklessly, causing regular disruptions. Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma stated that the police act promptly on complaints regarding traffic jams caused by encroachments. However, he noted that addressing encroachments beneath flyovers is the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation. Municipal Commissioner Gautam Jain, when asked for a comment, offered no substantial response, stating that he would look into it. Jalandhar, September 30 The police arrested three members of a gang involved in targeting locked houses and committing burglaries. The accused have been identified as Sagar, resident of Ward No 05, Bhadi Road, Balachaur; Abhi, resident of Chandigarh Colony, Tanda, and Shambhu, resident of Chandigarh Colony, Tanda, Hoshiarpur. Speaking to mediapersons, SSP Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said the arrests had been made following a special operation led by Jasrup Kor Bath, SP (Investigation). The operation was supervised by Kulwant Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Adampur, and carried out by Inspector Sikander Singh Virk, SHO, Bhogpur Police Station. The arrests followed a complaint lodged by Niharika, wife of Narinder Pal Sharma, resident of Ladoa, Bhogpur, on September 11. She had reported that her house had been burgled in the afternoon while she was away and gold jewellery was stolen from her cupboard. A case was registered under relevant sections of the BNS at Bhogpur Police Station. During investigation, the police team worked tirelessly to trace and apprehend the accused. The gang members had been systematically targeting locked houses, especially those where residents were either at work or living abroad. Three accused arrested for burglary in custody of Jalandhar police. Motorcycle used in crime, screwdriver also recovered They posed as individuals working as salesmen to search for potential targets. Once they confirmed the house was vacant, one member would barge into the house while the others stood guard outside. The police have recovered 50 gram of stolen gold, a motorcycle used in the crime, a screwdriver and an iron sieve from the accused. The tools were used to break the locks of the houses. During preliminary investigation, the accused confessed to committing similar burglaries across Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala. They had admitted to targeting seven houses in the area, focusing on residences where the owners were either away for work or living abroad. The accused will be produced in a court and their remand be sought to further investigate the case and track down other members of the gang. The police are continuing the investigation to arrest other accomplices and recover the remaining stolen goods. SSP Khakh urged the public to take extra precautions and report any suspicious activities in their neighbourhoods. Paddy lifting begins today, target of 7.60 LMT set Tribune News Service Jalandhar, September 30 With the purchase of paddy by the government starting from October 1, Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, Amit Kumar Panchal held a meeting with officials of the related departments at the District Administrative Complex today to review the procurement arrangements. He was accompanied by SSP Vatsala Gupta. Panchal said the target of procuring 7.60 lakh metric tonne of paddy has been set during the season. He said 44 permanent and 30 temporary mandis had been set up in the district to carry out the procurement process in a smooth manner. He said various govern- ment procurement agencies such as PUNSUP the Ware, housing Corp, Markfed and the FCI had been allotted mandis. For farmers’ convenience, all arrangements, including sheds, drinking water, lights, toilets, etc had been made in the markets. The Deputy Commissioner instructed the Food and Supply Department to ensure the payment of the purchased paddy to farmers within 48 hours. Apart from this, he also gave instructions to arrange adequate amount of crop transportation and labour so that the procurement process can run smoothly. He appealed to all farmers that instead of setting fire to paddy straw, they should give A labourer dries up paddy crop at New Grain Market in Jalandhar . TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABIT SINGH preference to disposal of paddy straw in the fields with agricultural implements and also asked officials of the Department of Agriculture to sensitise farmers about not burning the stubble, regarding subsidised machines from the department, so that there may be a decline in the cases of stubble burning. Apart from this, he also appealed farmers not to carry out harvesting in Kapurthala district through combines. House of drug Combine sans Super SMS not allowed for harvesting Lift old paddy stock peddler sealed soon: MP to minister Tribune News Service PHAGWARA, SEPTEMBER 30 The police, headed by SP Rupinder Kaur Bhatti, while taking stern action against drugs peddlers, today sealed a house worth Rs 30,12,500 belonging to an alleged peddler Meena Saini in Satnampura, Phagwara. SP Bhatti, said here that in April, a drug peddler Ram Pal was arrested with 3 kg opium and, during interrogation, the arrested Ram Paul disclosed the connivance of Meena. After getting orders from the authorities, the police freezed the house and neither the owner can sell it, nor transfer it. SP Bhatti said the police are actively working to curb the drug menace. SHO Satnampura Gaurav Dhir was also present. Meanwhile, cops in Phagwara have also launched a search operation at local bus stand and railway station. — OC Jalandhar, September 30 DC Himanshu Agarwal said on Monday that the district administration will ensure that farmers face no issues in the markets and the procurement of paddy will be conducted smoothly. He was addressing a meeting with farmers, combine owners, commission agents and rice millers. SSP (Rural) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh was also present. Agarwal assured farmers that all necessary arrangements had been made for the smooth procurement of paddy and their crops will be procured in a smooth DC Himanshu Aggarwal and SSP Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh during a meeting in Jalandhar. way. He emphasised that the government stands with farmers and commission agents, ensuring no one will face any problems. The DC instructed all combine owners to harvest paddy only with Super SMSequipped machines. He stated that only harvesters c m y b with BIS certification should be used and no combine should be operated without Super SMS. He directed Agriculture Department officials to raise awareness among combine owners about the benefits of using Super SMS. A helpline number 0181-2225005 has been issued by the district administration for farmers needing assistance in installing Super SMS on their combines. The public and farmers can also report non-compliance of this regulation on the same number. The DC and SSP mentioned that joint teams from the police and Agriculture Department will patrol villages. If any combine is found operating without Super SMS, it will be seized and appropriate action will be taken. Besides, harvesting with combines has been banned from 6 PM to 10 AM. The DC introduced the district administration’s initiative, ‘Guardians of the Environment’, under which panchayats that avoid burning stubble will receive development works of Rs 1 lakh. He directed department officials to ensure the proper use of farming machinery available with cooperative societies and farmers’ groups. Hoshiarpur, September 30 Hoshiarpur MP Rajkumar Chabbewal has written a letter to Union Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, urging him to lift 20 lakh metric tonnes of paddy stock in the state immediately. Dr Chabbewal said in his statement that a huge stock of paddy was already stored in various warehouses. Due to limited space in these warehouses, now there was not enough space available for the new paddy crop. He requested the Union Minister to resolve this serious issue immediately, so that the farmers do not face trouble. He said the delay in storage and management of paddy after its arrival in mandis will affect the income of farmers. The MP also said Punjab was the leading agricultural producer state of the country, and procurement of paddy was extremely important for the state’s economy. — OC