Punjab panchayats pass resolutions asking migrant labourers without documents to leave
CHANDIGARH: Following in the footsteps of Maharashtrawhich has often been in the spotlight for targeting outsiders amid the Maha Marathi rowseveral panchayats in Punjab are now passing resolutions directing migrant labourers to leave their villages. Around 27 villages in Hoshiarpur district have passed such resolutions, announcing that they will no longer issue residence verification (residence certificates) to migrant labourers in their respective areas. Migrants without valid documents issued in Punjab are being asked to leave within a week. According to the resolutions, those without proper paperwork will not be allowed to reside in these villages. These decisions come in the wake of the gruesome murder of a five-year-old boy in Hoshiarpur on September 9, allegedly by a migrant worker. The incident has triggered growing resentment against migrant populations across various parts of the state. The Chabbewal Panchayat passed its resolution on Sunday. Charanjit Singh, a panchayat member and husband of sarpanch Reena Sidhu, confirmed that many other villages in the region have either passed similar resolutions or are in the process of doing so. There is unity among villages across communities and castes on this issue, he added. On September 13, a meeting was held in Bajwara village, attended by sarpanches from around 27 hamlets, including Chak Sadhu, Nandan, Singhpur, Bassi Bahian, Dada, Kila Baroon, Allahabad, Bilaspur, and Anandgarh. A joint resolution was passed stating that panchayats would no longer attest any official documents of migrant workers lacking valid identity proof issued by the Punjab government. It was also resolved that such migrants would not be allowed to stay in the villages. A formal request was submitted to Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain for administrative support in implementing these resolutions. Similar decisions were also reported from Jaja and Zahura villages in the Tanda sub-division. Bajwara sarpanch Rajesh Kumar alias Bobby Mahe said: Migrants without valid identity documents have been asked to vacate the villages. Those already living here with documents such as Aadhaar or PAN have been informed that their relatives arriving from outside will not be eligible for any verification by the panchayat. He further stated that migrant workers residing on rent would only be allowed to do so if their landlords submit a written undertaking to the panchayat, taking full responsibility for them. Mahe claimed that around 200-250 migrant labourers currently live in Bajwara. He alleged that many of them have illegally encroached upon panchayat land, building permanent houses with electricity meters and water connections without paying rent or obtaining legal permission. A complaint regarding these encroachments was reportedly submitted to the Deputy Commissioner on September 8. He added that approximately 25 panchayats in the district have passed resolutions to withhold document verification for migrants since the September 9 incident. The Baddla Panchayat's resolution specifically mentioned members of the Gujjar community, who are also migrants. It instructed that any migrant with criminal records must report to sarpanch Kamlesh Rani. The resolution further stated that individuals with Aadhaar cards showing Baddla village as their address must submit photocopies of their documents to the sarpanch. Additionally, farmers employing such workers are required to provide written details about them. In Purhiran village, which also has a significant migrant population, a similar resolution was passed. Elsewhere, two village panchayats in Bathinda districtDeepes and Gehari Bhagipassed comparable resolutions. The Deepes village panchayat even held a protest, declaring that outsiders will not be permitted in the village. Labourers were instructed to stay near tube well motors rather than inside the village. Farmers hiring migrants must also ensure that their police verification is completed. In Gehari Bhagi, the diktat was even more extreme. The resolution stated: Migrants cannot purchase property or homes in the village. They are prohibited from registering voter IDs or Aadhaar cards with village addresses. They may only reside in tube wells or farm huts, not within village residential limits. Farmers employing them will be held entirely responsible and must ensure police verification. Even Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhu Pur backed the resolutions, claiming that migrants, particularly from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, are disrupting the social fabric of the region. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the village panchayats' stance by cautioning against any form of discrimination. He said, Tomorrow, Punjabis with businesses in Raipur (Chhattisgarh) or Kolkata could be targeted the same way. There cannot be such discrimination. Earlier this year, in July, the Lakhanpur Garcha Patti village panchayat in Fatehgarh Sahib district ordered all illegally residing migrants to vacate within a week. The resolution cited harassment of women and children by migrants loitering in the area. Sarpanch Barinder Singh Binda said that while migrants initially came to work in fields, many had permanently settled near canal banks in unauthorized shanties. Last year, similar controversial measures were adopted by Jandpur and Mundo Sangtia village panchayats in SAS Nagar district. On November 24, the Jawaharke village panchayat in Mansa district went even further by passing a resolution that prohibited residents from marrying migrants. The panchayat warned that any resident violating the order would be expelled from the village.
In Hoshiarpur, more panchayats pass resolutions over migrants
Indian women trafficked to Malaysia on visa-free entry for domestic work
CHANDIGARH: It is not only Gulf countries where women from India, who had gone there on the pretext of a job offer, got trapped; Malaysia has now become the new destination. Women, especially from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, are being taken to this Southeast Asian nation with promises of legitimate domestic work. Travel agents use the visa-free entry route to lure them, after which they are forced to live and work in conditions described as unstable and precarious. In an advisory issued on September 9 this year, the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur (Labour Wing), in a document titled Indian nationals getting stranded in Malaysia, a copy of which is with this newspaper, stated: The majority of the affected individuals are unskilled/semi-skilled labourers and hail from several states in India including Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh. They are invariably misled with false promises of employment by unscrupulous agents in India and Malaysia. The following issues of concern came to the notice of the High Commission: Indian nationals travelling under the pretext of tourism but intending to look for employment are often denied entry on arrival. Those who manage to enter the country often overstay beyond 30 days and are thus declared illegal. Entry is also refused to those Indian nationals who are genuine tourists but fail to provide valid documentation, including return tickets, proof of accommodation, and financial means, it stated. It further read: It has been observed that unscrupulous agents in India and Malaysia entice a number of Indian nationals with prospects of employment and arrange their travel to Malaysia on the pretext of tourism to get visa-free entry and stay for 30 days in Malaysia. Such individuals become illegal after expiry of 30 days and are thus vulnerable to various forms of exploitation locally. They are also subjected to detention, imprisonment and associated legal actions by Malaysian enforcement agencies. The High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur has further advised all State Governments, Protectors of Emigrants (PoE) and immigration officers to issue public advisories and exercise strict scrutiny of Indian nationals, especially ECR passport holders, departing to Malaysia from international airports including Trichy, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Cochin, Bengaluru and Amritsar. It has also been stated that passengers deceived by agents should be encouraged to provide full details of such agents, and that information may be compiled and shared with state and central government authorities for appropriate action. The state governments of Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh have been requested to initiate extensive awareness campaigns by disseminating correct travel procedures and highlighting the risks associated with misuse of visa-free entry to Malaysia for employment purposes. A statement issued by the High Commission also said that a significant number of Indian female domestic workers are being brought into Malaysia through channels in violation of both Indian and Malaysian immigration and employment laws. As per the guidelines laid down by the Immigration Department of Malaysia, India is one of the nine countries approved for the recruitment of foreign domestic helpers (FDH). Malaysian employers intending to hire Indian domestic workers are required to obtain a Visa with Reference (VDR) from the Immigration Department of Malaysia. Based on the VDR, the prospective worker applies for an employment visa at the Malaysian High Commission or Consulate in India. Upon arrival in Malaysia, the employer is responsible for converting the VDR into a temporary employment visit pass, it read. It further stated: However, it has been observed that many Indian domestic workers are being brought into Malaysia by agents using visa-free entry, thereby violating the established procedures. Indian emigration guidelines do not permit recruitment of Indian women who are below 30 years of age and hold ECR (Emigration Check Required) category passports to take up overseas employment as domestic workers. Sources said that in July this year, a 39-year-old woman from India was beaten, locked in a hotel room and forced into prostitution. She was rescued during a raid by the Malaysian police in Kuala Lumpur city centre. She had arrived in Malaysia on July 11 after being promised work as a domestic helper, only to be held captive and exploited. Speaking to this newspaper, Yashu Deep Singh, Protector of Emigrants, Chandigarh, said that earlier reports were being received regarding women being rescued from Gulf countries who had paid around 50,000 to 1 lakh to agents based in Dubai on tourist visas and were then pushed further to other countries such as Oman on the pretext of domestic help jobs but were exploited. We are getting reports of 20 to 30 such cases per year from the Consulate General of India, Dubai. However, once these rescued women are repatriated back, they do not give complaints against the unscrupulous agents, which is necessary to initiate action against such agents. The advisory from the High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur is also on these lines to avoid the trap of unscrupulous agents and always rely on Ministry-approved recruiting agents for overseas employment opportunities. The list of such registered agents is publicly available on www.emigrate.gov.in, he said. Five Common Service Centre-Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras established in Punjab Five Common Service Centre-Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (CSC-PBSKs) have been established in Punjab by the Protector of Emigrants (PoE). These will provide citizen-friendly eMigrate web-portal related services and strengthen outreach to aspiring youth at the grassroots level. The centres will be located in Rupnagar, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, and two in Jalandhar. Yashu Deep Singh, Protector of Emigrants, Chandigarh, said that the CSC-PBSKs will serve as extended arms of the PoE and will function as information, facilitation and grievance-redressal platforms for the general public. These centres will provide guidance and assistance on a wide range of emigration-related matters, primarily related to overseas employment. These centres will provide assistance regarding details of Registered Recruiting Agents (RAs), Emigration Clearances (ECs), and facilitation of public grievances against registered or illegal recruiting agents (IRAs). They will also give guidance to intending emigrants/applicants regarding overseas job opportunities, scheduled RA interviews, and recruitment procedures, and support in verifying the authenticity and licence status of RAs through the official eMigrate portal. They will also raise awareness on safe, legal and transparent mobility channels, discouraging irregular migration practices. Besides, they will provide assistance regarding Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) insurance services, information on Emigration Check Not Required (ECNR) registration, and related facilities, he said.
Wont issue residence certificates to migrants, 20 sarpanches pledge after Hoshiarpur child murder
CHANDIGARH: The AAP-led Punjab Government is set to introduce a new policy allowing farmers to remove sand from flood-hit fields, and to sell extracted sand for additional income. Punjab Incharge of AAP Manish Sisodia, today announced that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government is set to bring major relief for farmers affected by the recent floods. The state government will soon announce a policy to allow farmers to freely remove sand deposited in their fields due to the floods, ensuring agricultural activities can resume without delay. Sisodia said, The floods have destroyed crops, damaged homes, and claimed livestock. But the biggest concern of our farmers right now is the sand left behind in their fields, which could make future farming impossible. We have taken their feedback seriously. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already discussed this issue with officials and assured that a clear policy will be announced in the next few days to allow farmers to remove the sand from their fields without any bureaucratic hurdles. He added that the decision will not only help farmers prepare their land for the next sowing season but also provide them with an opportunity to sell the sand if it can be used for construction purposes. AAP, BJP trade charges over cause of Punjab floods as Congress blames both for collective failure This will be a double relief, the land will be cleared for crops, and farmers can also earn some income from selling the sand, Sisodia said. He claimed that the Mann government has been working round-the-clock to support people affected by the floods. All our ministers, MLAs, and volunteers have been on the ground providing relief. I personally visited many districts and villages, met with farmers, understood their problems, and assured them that the government stands firmly with them, he said. Sisodia pointed out that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and other senior leaders spoke to the Chief Minister, no concrete financial assistance has been announced yet. Punjabs rightful dues of over Rs 60,000 crore, including Rs 58,000 crore of GST, are pending with the Centre. If this amount had been released earlier, relief and rehabilitation work could have progressed much faster. I urge the Prime Minister to release Punjabs dues before his visit on September 9 , he said. Punjab Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fisheries Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that 504 cattle or buffaloes, 73 sheep and goats and 160 pigs have perished across 14 districts. These districts include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Barnala, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Patiala, Jalandhar, Rupnagar and Moga. Additionally, 18,304 poultry birds died in Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Fazilka due to the collapse of poultry sheds. He further said that approximately 2.52 lakhs animals and 5,88,685 poultry birds were affected by the floods. Khudian added that 481 teams have been deployed to provide treatment and arrange medicines for affected livestock. Till now, 22,534 animals have been provided treatment. He further said that the department has distributed relief supplies, including over 12,170 quintals of feed and 5090.35 quintals of green fodder, dry fodder and silage, to support livestock in flood-affected districts, in collaboration with the district administration and social organisations. Uromin licks are also being supplied to the animals to boost their immune system. Principal Secretary Animal Husbandry Rahul Bhandari said that the department has already released a total of Rs 31.50 lakh for the treatment of animals affected by the floods. Meanwhile Rajya Sabha Member, Sanjay Singh and Punjab Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond visited flood-affected border villages of Fazilka district on September 7. Singh said that Punjab has been battling floods for nearly a month, yet the Centre continues to wait for reports instead of providing immediate relief. He expressed hope that during his visit to Punjab on September 9, the Prime Minister will announce a substantial relief package for the affected areas. He said that even though the Union Agriculture Minister had earlier visited Punjab, no relief has been provided so far. While Sond stated that relief operations in the district are being carried out with full speed. He added that as water levels begin to recede, the administration is gearing up for the next set of challenges. These include the risk of waterborne diseases and assessment of damages. He emphasised that medical teams, veterinary units, and district administration officials are actively working in the affected villages to ensure that every person in need receives relief supplies.
Hoshiarpurs Lt Parul Dhadwal carries forward five generations of military legacy
Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal's commissioning into the Indian Army marks the fifth generation of her family's unwavering service to the nation. Hailing from Hoshiarpur, she received the Presidents Gold Medal at the Officers Training Academy in Chennai. Her family's military legacy began with her great-great-grandfather in 1896, and now includes three serving officers, showcasing a rare and proud distinction.
Lieutenant Parul Dhadwal commissioned into Indian Army Ordnance Corps
Lt Parul Dhadwal represents the fifth generation of her family in uniform, hailing from Village Janauri, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab, a region renowned for its strong martial tradition
Ambulance Falls Into Gorge on Hoshiarpur-Dharamshala Highway, 3 Dead
The ambulance carrying a patient plunged into a gorge near Manugwal after the road berm caved in due to rains
3 Dead After Ambulance Plunges Into Gorge on Hoshiarpur-Dharamshala Highway
3 were killed after an ambulance plunged into a gorge near Manugwal on the Hoshiarpur-Dharamshala highway. All deceased were residents of Himachal Pradesh.
Beas river records highest-ever inflow; BBMB ensures controlled release of Bhakra Dam in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: The Beas river has recorded its highest-ever inflow of water this year, touching 11.70 billion cubic meters (BCM) between July 1 and September 5. Despite the unprecedented inflow, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) maintained a controlled release of not more than one lakh cusecs. BBMB chairman Manoj Tripathi said this years inflow was 20% higher than in 2023, when Beas received 9.52 BCM, and well above the previous highs of 7.94 BCM in 1988 and 5 BCM in 2019. This years inflow is unprecedented. Never before has the Beas carried such volumes, he said. At the Bhakra Dam, the reservoir recorded an inflow of 9.11 BCM. Tripathi noted that the highest inflow had been in 1988 at 9.52 BCM, followed by 8.59 BCM in 2019. The inflow this year is almost equivalent to those years, he added. Importantly, the water level has not crossed the maximum permissible mark of 1,680 feet. In 1988, the level had gone above 1,685 feet, but this year it is around 1,679 feet, Tripathi said. He explained that a rule curve for water regulation was introduced last year after the 2023 floods, in consultation with the Central Water Commission (CWC). The rule curve prescribes how much water should be stored at a given date, based on historical inflows and IMD data. We are strictly adhering to it, he said. Referring to the Pong Dam, Tripathi said that despite receiving the maximum inflow this year, the release was kept at 1.51 lakh cusecs, lower than in 2023. Even though the inflows were above one lakh cusecs for several days, we avoided sudden discharges of 22.5 lakh cusecs. The releases have been gradual, controlled, and done with the consent of all partner states, strictly following the rule curve, he explained. He also clarified that water release decisions are not arbitrary but are taken by a technical committee comprising BBMB members, chief engineers of partner states, and the CWC. Yesterday, 85,000 cusecs were released from Bhakra, and today, after inputs from Ludhiana, the outflow was reduced to 75,000 cusecs, Tripathi said. Sources said the Ludhiana deputy commissioner had sent an SOS to BBMB after reports that embankments along the Sutlej were facing breaches. The Ludhiana administration has since sounded an alert, with embankments in the eastern part of the district under heavy pressure due to the strong river flow. Villages including Sasrali, Boont, Rawat, Hawas, Seera, Boothgarh, Mangli Tanda, Dheri, Khawajke, Khassi Khurd, Mangli Kadar, Mattewara, Mangat, and Meharban are at risk of flooding if the embankment weakens further. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam water level stood at 1,394.71 feet, with inflows reducing to 1,05,950 cusecs and outflows at 99,763 cusecs. The flood situation in Punjab remains grim, with the death toll rising to 43. As many as 1,948 villages are inundated, impacting 3.84 lakh people. Of these, 21,929 have been evacuated, while crops on 1.72 lakh hectares (4.32 lakh acres) have been destroyed. According to official figures, the highest casualties have been reported from Hoshiarpur (7), Pathankot (6), Barnala and Amritsar (5 each), and Ludhiana and Bathinda (4 each). Three persons are missing in Pathankot. Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, caused by overflowing riversSutlej, Beas, Ravi, and Ghaggaralong with torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
CHANDIGARH : A fresh spell of heavy rains compounded the flood situation in Punjab with the death toll rising to 37 on Wednesday, while crops on 1.75 lakh hectares of land in 23 districts got damaged by the worst deluge in the state since 1988. Rescue and relief operations are underway on a war footing as help poured in from several quarters for over 3.55 lakh people in 1,655 villages, desperately looking for succour. Following heavy rains, an alert has been sounded in Rupnagar and Patiala districts, urging people to remain vigilant, while all schools, colleges and universities have been closed till September 7. With rains refusing to relent in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, the already swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers originating in the Himalayas and seasonal rivulets inundated towns, villages and agricultural lands, upending normal life. The Punjab government released Rs 71 crore as an immediate relief and rehabilitation measure, with the AAP dispensation reiterating that it was committed to compensating people for their losses. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will visit the flood-hit areas in Punjab on Thursday to review the extent of crop damage. AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, along with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, will also assess the flood damage on the same day. He will take stock of the relief work being carried out in the state and interact with the affected people, said the party. Rains in Punjab have aggravated the flood situation. The water level in the Bhakra dam at 6 am was 1,677.84 feet, against its maximum capacity of 1,680 feet. The inflow in the dam was 86,822 cusecs while the outflow was 65,042 cusecs. Punjab declared disaster-hit as floods submerge 3.75 lakh acres; 30 dead, 3.55 lakh affected In view of heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh, the water discharge from the dam was being increased from 65,000 cusecs to 75,000 cusecs, officials said and warned that Nangal's villages may be inundated. Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian said the state is reeling under one of the worst floods in recent decades, with widespread crop devastation reported across 1,75,216 hectares of farmland. Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Mansa, Ferozepur and Fazilka are among the worst-hit districts, accounting for the bulk of the agricultural losses, he said. The minister said that 37 lives have been lost across 12 districts, while three persons remain missing in Pathankot. The highest fatalities have been reported in Hoshiarpur, where seven lives have been lost, followed by six in Pathankot, five in Barnala, four each in Amritsar and Ludhiana, three each in Bathinda and Mansa, and one each in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar and Sangrur. The flood-related data is from August 1 to September 3. Gurdaspur alone suffered crop damage over 40,169 hectares, followed by Mansa 24,967 hectares, Amritsar 23,000 hectares, Fazilka 17,786 hectares, Ferozepur 17,620 hectares, and Kapurthala 14,934 hectares, among others. The Rupnagar district administration has asked people living near the Sutlej river to stay on alert in the wake of an increase in the discharge of water from the Bhakra dam. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Bains appealed to Sri Anandpur Sahib residents living on riverbanks and low-lying areas to shift to safer places or relief camps. He visited over two dozen flood-affected villages and personally oversaw the evacuation of families stranded along the Sutlej river. Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria visited the flood-ravaged areas in Pathankot district, while AAP leader Manish Sisodia visited the flood-hit areas in Tarn Taran district. AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha announced providing Rs 3.25 crore from his Local Area Development Scheme fund for relief work. MP Sandeep Pathak visited flood-hit villages in Ferozepur district and released Rs 5 crore from the MPLADS funds for the affected villages in the border district. Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal also announced a grant of Rs 50 lakh from his discretionary funds to support the affected people. Relief and rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Army, Border Security Force, Punjab Police and district authorities are underway in the affected areas, officials said. Meanwhile, the Patiala district administration issued an alert for villages near the Ghaggar river in the Rajpura sub-division in the wake of heavy rains in the catchment areas. According to officials, the water level of the Tangri river has risen close to the danger mark in Ambala and is expected to rise in Patiala following heavy rains in Ambala and Kala Amb.
PUNJAB CM TAKES STOCK OF RELIEF AND RESCUE MEASURES IN FLOOD AFFECTED HOSHIARPUR DISTRICT
Punjab Floods Live Updates: Over 1,400 Villages Submerged, Rescue Operations Underway
Punjab Floods Live Updates: Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Jalandhar and Rupnagar (Ropar) are the worst-hit districts.
PM Modi calls Punjab CM Mann, assures all possible help over flood situation
CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to discuss the flood situation in the State and assured all possible assistance from the Centre. The conversation took place shortly after Prime Minister Modi landed in New Delhi following his visit to China. According to official sources, the Prime Minister expressed concern over the flood damage and reiterated the Union Governments commitment to extend all necessary support to Punjab. On Sunday, Mann had written to PM Modi, urging him to release Rs 60,000 crore in funds which, he claimed, are pending with the Union Government. In his letter, the Chief Minister said that Punjab is witnessing one of the worst flood disasters in decades, impacting approximately 1,300 villages and affecting lakhs of residents. He said that heavy monsoon rainfall, coupled with the release of water from dams, has led to extensive flooding across seven districts, Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. Mann expressed concern that the situation remains volatile and could deteriorate further in the coming days. He also noted that nearly three lakh acres of agricultural land, primarily paddy fields are submerged under floodwaters, causing significant crop losses just weeks ahead of the harvest. Additionally, he reported widespread loss of livestock, which has severely affected rural households dependent on dairy and animal husbandry for their livelihoods. Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi urged both the Central and State governments to intensify and expedite relief and rescue operations. Given the scale of devastation, the government must work in mission mode. Farmers, labourers, cattle rearers, and common citizens should receive immediate and effective assistance, he said. The loss of lives and widespread destruction due to the severe floods in Punjab is extremely tragic and painful. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the safety of all those stranded, Gandhi said. Army aviation wing flies for over 250 hours; rescues 5,000 civilians, 300 paramilitary personnel from flood-affected states
Punjab recorded 74% excess, Haryana received 32% more than normal rain in August
CHANDIGARH: In August, Punjab received 253.7 mm of rain, the highest the state has witnessed in the past 25 years, while Haryana recorded 194.5 mm of rain against an average of 147.7 mm for the month. Punjab received deficient rainfall multiple times in the past couple of decades, but this year it recorded the highest rainfall figures for August in the last 25 years, the Met department stated. Punjab recorded 253.7 mm rainfall in August, which was 74 per cent more than the months normal of 146.2 mm. The neighbouring Haryana received 194.5 mm of rain in August against an average of 147.7 mm for the month, which was 32 per cent in excess. Both states received excess rain in August only five times in the past 25 years, including this year. Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana 18 out of the total 23 districts in Punjab recorded excess rain, while a few districts like Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib recorded deficient rainfall. Meanwhile, Gurdaspur recorded 577.5 mm rainfall, 181 per cent more than normal of 205.3 mm; Pathankot received 944.2 mm of rain in August which was 152 per cent in excess than the normal of 375.2 mm; while Tarn Taran recorded 208 mm of rain against the normal of 87.1 per cent in August, which was 139 per cent in excess; Ferozepur received 170.6 mm of rain against a normal of 74.5 mm, which was 129 per cent in excess; Fazilka recorded 146.8 mm of rain as against 68.1 mm, a rise of 115 per cent; Hoshiarpur received 360.6 mm of rain in August, 74 per cent in excess of the normal figures of 207.6 mm; and Amritsar received 226.8 mm of rain in August against a normal of 162.4 mm, which was 40 per cent more. 18 out of the 22 districts in Haryana recorded excess rain in the month of August while four districts including Bhiwani and Ambala, recorded deficient rain. In Haryana excess rainfall was recorded in Fatehabad (252 per cent), Hisar (68 per cent), Faridabad (31 per cent) and Gurugram (24 per cent). Meanwhile Chandigarh (Union Territory), the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded 308.5 mm rainfall in August as against the normal of 248.8 mm which was only 8 per cent more.
Heavy rains lash several parts of Punjab, Haryana
CHANDIGARH: Rains lashed several parts of Punjab, Haryana and the Union Territory Chandigarh on Monday, with Ludhiana logging the highest rainfall of 216.70 mm. According to the Met department here, several places in Punjab and Haryana received rain during the 24-hour period ending 8:30 am Monday. Among other places in Punjab which received rain included Amritsar (24.1 mm), Patiala (80.4 mm), Pathankot (3.6 mm), Bathinda (3 mm), Faridkot (10.2 mm), Gurdaspur (2.7 mm), SBS Nagar (112.7 mm), Mohali (64 mm), Mansa (42 mm) and Rupnagar (82.5 mm). Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, received 76.5 mm of rainfall. Among other places in Haryana, Ambala recorded 48.4 mm, Hisar (11.8 mm), Karnal (12.8 mm), Narnaul (66 mm), Rohtak (13.4 mm), Sirsa (130 mm), Panchkula (57 mm), Panipat (33 mm) and Gurugram (9.5 mm). Punjab is under the grip of massive floods, caused by the swollen Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and seasonal rivulets due to heavy rain in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Villages worst-affected by the floods were in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts. Relief and rescue operations by the NDRF, Army, BSF, Punjab Police and district authorities continued on a war footing in the affected areas.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab has worsened due to incessant heavy rainfall, causing major rivers including the Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, and Ghaggar to swell. Out of Punjabs 23 districts, 22 have been affected so far. A total of 1,312 villages are impacted, nearly 3 lakh acres of standing crops have been inundated, and 26 people have lost their lives. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of 60,000 crore in state funds that he claims are pending with the Union Government. Punjab Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian confirmed that the 1,312 affected villages include, 93 in Amritsar, 26 in Barnala, 21 in Bathinda, 1 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 92 in Fazilka, 107 in Ferozepur, 324 in Gurdaspur, 86 in Hoshiarpur, 55 in Jalandhar, 123 in Kapurthala, 26 in Ludhiana, 4 in Malerkotla, 77 in Mansa, 35 in Moga, 81 in Pathankot, 14 in Patiala, 2 in Rupnagar, 22 in Sangrur, 1 in SAS Nagar, 3 in SBS Nagar, 74 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran. Emergency response teams from the state machinery, along with NDRF, SDRF, the Army, and Punjab Police, are working round-the-clock to protect lives and property. Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner (Revenue), Anurag Verma, after inspecting villages along the Sutlej River in Ferozepur district, reported that nearly 3 lakh acres of land have been affected and around 1.25 lakh people are impacted by the floods. He added that the government has ordered a special girdawari (crop damage assessment) to provide compensation for crop losses. District authorities have been instructed to gather accurate loss data, and compensation will be disbursed per CM Manns directives. Currently, six NDRF teams are deployed in Gurdaspur and one each in Fazilka, Ferozepur, Pathankot, and Amritsar. Two SDRF teams are operational in Kapurthala. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are assisting in Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Pathankot, while BSF teams are engaged in Gurdaspur and Ferozepur. Punjab Police and Fire Brigade are also assisting in Kapurthala and Ferozepur. Additionally, 15 boats in Kapurthala, 12 in Ferozepur, and 4 in Pathankot are engaged in evacuations, with airlifting operations carried out where required. So far, 26 people have died in the floods, including an irrigation department employee who fell into the Ravi River last week while trying to open flood gates at the Madhopur barrage. Sources said that the Ghaggar River is also overflowing due to excess water from the Markanda and Tangri rivers. Water levels at Chika (Haryana), Khanauri (Sangrur), and Sardulgarh (Mansa) are very high, though still below the danger mark. CM writes to PM Modi In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, CM Mann said that Punjab is facing one of its worst flood disasters in decades, with around 1,300 villages and lakhs of people affected. He said heavy rains and dam releases caused severe flooding in Gurdaspur, Kapurthala, Amritsar, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Fazilka, and Hoshiarpur. He noted that nearly 3 lakh acres of mainly paddy crops are submerged just weeks before harvest. Losses of livestock have also deeply affected rural families. The Chief Minister emphasized that Punjab has suffered a permanent revenue loss of Rs 49,727 crore due to the GST replacing VAT, with no compensation granted. Additionally, reductions in RDF and MDF have cost the state over Rs 8,000 crore, and the scrapping of PMGSY projects worth Rs 828 crore has further hurt development. He also slammed the existing State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) norms, calling them grossly inadequate. Current compensation for crop loss exceeding 33% stands at Rs 17,000 per hectare (or Rs 6,800 per acre). Mann stated the state government already tops this up to Rs 15,000 per acre, but given the extent of devastation, at least Rs 50,000 per acre should be provided. He urged a revision of SDRF norms and assured the Centre that Punjab would continue contributing its 25% share as per scheme guidelines. The Punjab government has extended school holidays till September 3. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the decision was taken on CM Manns instructions to ensure student safety. He urged parents to prioritise their childrens well-being and requested teachers to stay in touch with district administrations to support community efforts. Schools were originally closed from August 27 to 30.
Punjab floods: Death toll rises to 24; 1018 villages affected
CHANDIGARH: The floods in Punjab has claimed 24 lives so far. The flood situation continues to remain grim with 1,018 villages affected and standing crops in 1.51 lakh acres (61,273 hectares) remaining under water in nine districts of the state due to the surging Ravi, Beas and Sutluj rivers. The state has suffered huge financial loss due to crop damage and livestock deaths. As per reports from district headquarters, 16,632 hectares of land have been affected in Fazilka, 10,806 hectares in Ferozepur, 11,620 hectares in Kapurthala, 7,000 hectares in Pathankot, 9,928 hectares in Tarn Taran, and 5,287 hectares in Hoshiarpur. Currently, 77 relief camps are fully operational out of 87 set up in flood affected areas, providing shelter to 4,729 people. The administration is taking care of all the essential needs of these people. The Ravi river continued to flow at 4.60 lakh cusecs, well above the danger level at Dharamkot in Gurdaspur district. The water levels at the Madhopur and Ujh barrages receded to 39,000 cusecs and 7,700 cusecs, respectively. Both the BJP and the Congress party have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a special relief package. The leader of opposition and senior congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, in his letter, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a special central relief package, to provide compensation to the next of kin of the victims and farmers who suffered crop loss. Among other things, he also sought assistance for reconstruction of damaged roads, schools and homes and the launch a long term flood management plan for Punjab including strengthening embankments, delisting rivers, and coordinating water release with neighboring states. He also appealed to the PM to personally visit the state to witness the scale of devastation and reassure the affected families. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has also written a letter to PM Modi, urgently requesting central assistance. He emphasized the need for additional and immediate assistance given the severity of the disaster and urged the Prime Minister to deploy central assessment teams to evaluate the ground situation and announce a special relief package to address the immediate needs of Punjabs flood-affected people. Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Capt Amarinder Singh said that the devastating floods have shaken the entire state of Punjab, causing unprecedented damage to life, agriculture, and infrastructure. While almost every region has been affected, the most severe impact extends from Bhoa Assembly to Fazilka, along with Kapurthala district, Tarn Taran, Amritsar. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately announce a special relief package for Punjab and to deploy additional central forces to assist in the ongoing rescue and rehabilitation operations. Timely assistance is crucial so that affected families and farmers are not left to suffer in silence. Punjabs economy, already under stress, cannot withstand this scale of destruction without urgent intervention from the Centre, he said. Punjabi singer Satinder Sartaaj has sent one month's ration for 500 families of the flood-affected border sub-division Ajnala. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney instructed her team of volunteers to deliver these materials to the needy. Another Punjabi singer Jasbir Jassi and Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, too, have announced relief for the flood-affected area. She said that drones were being used to reach out to people whose houses were submerged in the waters of the Ravi river in Ramdass area. She along with officers was today at Harar Kalan village in Ajnala and stated that the distribution of relief material had been started in the affected villages of the border subdivision. The district administration has also set up relief centres for animals in Chamyari and Ajnala Dana Mandi. Amid the ongoing flood situation in Punjab, acting Jathedar of Akal Takht (Highest Temporal seat of Sikhs) Giani Kuldip Gargay appealed to all the people to stand by one another in this difficult time and extend help to those in distress. He stressed that the real reasons behind the recurring floods in Punjab must be probed and then reasons should be made public so that the people of the state could be prepared for future natural calamities and concerted efforts be made to avoid or mitigate it.
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation in Punjab remains critical, with 836 villages and standing crops across more than 1.10 lakh acres affected in eight districts, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, due to swelling of the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated to safer locations. Heavy rains and the rising Ghaggar river, following intense rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of floodgates at Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh, have prompted a flood alert in Patiala. Drones have been pressed into service to deliver relief material, including medicines, dry rations and water bottles, to affected residents in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur district. Meanwhile, amphibious ATOR (All Terrain Off Road) vehicles have been deployed to evacuate stranded villagers in the Ramdas area of Amritsar. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the flood situation, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said, The heavy flow of water from hilly areas has created havoc for the state. Till date, 14.11 lakh cusecs of water has been received in river Ravi. This is the highest discharge the state has ever received; it was 11.20 lakh cusecs when severe floods struck the state in 1988. He added that the state government has already written to Haryana and Rajasthan, urging them to release maximum water from the rivers. The army has already been deployed in five flood-affected districts and is conducting rescue operations along with the administration using state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, CM Mann said. Seventeen teams of the NDRF have also been deployed to carry out relief measures so that the flood-affected people can be rescued. He noted that continuous on-ground operations are ongoing to evacuate stranded people, assess damage, and prevent disease outbreaks. Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity CM Mann also said the government has constituted a high-powered committee of three senior officers to supervise relief and rescue operations in the flood-hit districts daily. The committee, comprising senior officers from the Revenue, Water Resources and Food and Civil Supplies departments, will remain stationed in Amritsar and other affected areas. He asked the Chief Secretary to visit flood-affected areas to ensure relief and rescue operations are carried out more effectively. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said, With heavy rainfall in the catchment areas continuing to swell the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ujh rivers, Punjab Police, along with teams from the Army, Border Security Force, NDRF, SDRF and civil administration, have been working in tandem. So far, 7,689 people have been evacuated and shifted to safe places. Shukla, personally supervising the situation, added, Drones are being used to trace people for evacuation and to deliver food packets and other essential items. He noted that 20 Indian Army helicopters have been stationed in the state to help evacuate and relocate people safely. Since 27 August, troops of the Army's Panther Division have been tirelessly operating in the flood-hit Ramdas-Ajnala belt. In 40+ submerged villages, soldiers are carrying out nonstop rescue and relief operationsevacuating families, delivering medical aid, distributing food and essentials, and supporting civil authorities in restoring normalcy, the Army posted on X. Amritsar district administration has deployed amphibious ATOR vehicles and boats to reach stranded villagers. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said, We are reaching out to stranded people in waterlogged villages by boat. People are being continuously evacuated to safe locations, and those who wish to stay back are being provided with necessary supplies through boats. While 836 villages and standing crops across 1.10 lakh acres were worst affected, heavy rains have triggered flood alerts in Patiala, where 202 villages in Gurdaspur, 107 in Kapurthala, 85 in Gurdaspur, 81 in Pathankot, 93 in Ferozepur, 64 in Muktsar and 45 in Tarn Taran are at risk. The Patiala district administration has issued a high alert for low-lying villages along the Ghaggar river following heavy rainfall in its catchment area and the opening of Sukhna Lake floodgates. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Villages along the Ghaggar river embankment near Derabassi were also advised to stay alert, although authorities assured residents there was no cause for panic. In Hoshiarpur, villages are still reeling from the damage caused by the Chakki Khad tributary of the Beas, which breached embankments and submerged farmlands in Mukerian subdivision. Residents have urged authorities to plug the breaches immediately to prevent further losses. Farmlands in several villages across Tanda and Mukerian subdivisions have remained submerged for days. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain visited flood-affected areas of Tanda and Dasuya subdivisions and assured that all efforts were being made to provide timely assistance. The Ferozepur district remains heavily affected, with nearly 16,000 acres of crops inundated and 62 villages badly hit. Over 2,500 residents have been rescued, and 13 relief camps have been established to shelter displaced families. Officials also noted that the Pong Dam on the Beas river remains above the danger mark, with water levels at 1,391.98 feet on Friday morning, an outflow of 1,00,614 cusecs, and an inflow of 53,000 cusecs. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, All INC Punjab MLAs and I have decided to contribute one month's salary to the Chief Minister's Flood Relief Fund. In solidarity with the flood-affected families of Punjab, this is a humble gesture of empathy in these testing times. I urge all citizens and organisations to come forward for relief and rehabilitation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier stated that his entire cabinet and all AAP MLAs would donate one month's salary towards flood relief efforts. Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar visited the flood-affected Ajnala Assembly constituency, criticising the state governments utilisation of disaster funds. The Central Government has released 229 crore out of the allocated 611 crore for disaster management in Punjab, but the state government has failed to utilise these funds effectively, he said. Jakhar added that he would write to the Prime Minister to request additional assistance for Punjabs flood-affected people.
Flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab; dams near capacity
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation remained grim in eight districts of PunjabPathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsaras district administrations, with the help of the Army, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), continued relief and rescue operations. The water levels at Pong and Ranjit Sagar dams have already crossed the maximum limits, while at Bhakra dam, it is only nine feet short of full capacity. More than 300 government schools are likely to be affected by flood in these areas. The Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, along with seasonal rivulets, rose following heavy rains in their catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, inundating large stretches of farmland and villages in Punjab. At Bhakra dam, the water level was recorded at 1671.85 feet, just nine feet below the maximum level of 1680 feet, with inflow at 38,583 cusecs and outflow at 52,584 cusecs. Pong dam stood at 1,393.36 feet, exceeding its maximum capacity of 1,390 feet, with inflow at 57,183 cusecs and outflow at 94,845 cusecs. Ranjit Sagar dam, which has a maximum limit of 527.91 meters, was at 525.49 meters, registering an inflow of 56,572 cusecs and outflow of 1.01 lakh cusecs. At Shahpur Kandi dam, the water level touched 399.60 meters against a maximum of 405 meters, with outflow at 89,932 cusecs. Punjab flood crisis deepens: rivers overflow, dams exceed limits, villages submerged Sources said if heavy inflows continue for another day or two, the increased release of water from reservoirs to maintain safe levels could worsen flooding in low-lying areas. In the Ramdass area of Amritsar district, around 40 villages have been submerged after the Dhussi Bandh on the Ravi river breached at three points, allowing water to enter nearby habitations. Army personnel are using vehicles and boats to rescue stranded people. Police have been making loudspeaker announcements urging residents to move to safer places as water continues to enter villages at high speed. Locals expressed concern that the rising waters could soon overflow into the Sakhi Nullah, posing a direct threat to Ajnala town. The highway is acting as a temporary barrier, but its capacity to hold back water is weakening. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said that with water levels rising and more villages submerged, tractors and army vehicles are being used for rescue as roads have become impassable. She added that additional NDRF teams from Bathinda were on their way and more army assistance was being mobilised. Sawhney herself had to abandon her vehicle and switch to a tractor to oversee operations. The situation in Ferozepur district also remained serious, with over 2,000 people rescued from affected villages in the past 48 hours. Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said 12 relief camps have been set up at Bagge Wala, Bare Ke, Dulchi Ke, Fatte Wala, Joege Wala, Dona Mathar, and Madi Ke. Meanwhile, the Punjab Education Department has begun assessing the damage caused to schools. Preliminary reports suggest over 300 senior secondary and elementary schools have been affected. The state government had already declared holidays from August 27 to 30. Sources said many government schools in Kapurthala, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Fazilka districts were inundated. Schools in Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar, and Nawanshahar districts have also been affected. Furniture and other infrastructure in schools are likely to have been damaged, and safety checks will need to be conducted before classes can resume, said an official.
Punjab: Several districts under grip of floods; rescue operations intensified
The worst-affected villages are in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts
Army evacuates 25, including CRPF personnel, minutes before building collapse amid Punjab floods
CHANDIGARH: The flood situation remains grim in eight districts of Punjab --Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Fazilka-- where the Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers are in spate. As many as 22 CRPF personnel and three civilians were evacuated from a flooded village by an Army helicopter, just minutes before the building they were sheltering in collapsed. A defence spokesperson said that the Army, in a swift and daring operation, evacuated the people who were stranded near Madhopur Headworks, an area bordering Lakhanpur in Jammu and Kashmir. The building where these people were sheltering collapsed shortly after the evacuation, highlighting the timeliness and precision of the rescue. At 6 am on Wednesday, Army Aviation helicopters took off to carry out the rescue operation despite challenging conditions, and all stranded individuals were safely evacuated, he said. Indian Army Aviation undertook a high-risk helicopter rescue operation, evacuating stranded civilians and #CRPF personnel from a building surrounded by raging floodwaters and at imminent risk of collapse at Madhopur Headworks, #Punjab . Braving challenging weather and rapidly pic.twitter.com/8999qBrs0x ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) August 27, 2025 This successful operation once again reflects the Indian Armys unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and its ability to respond promptly in crisis situations. The synergy between the Army and local authorities averted a potential tragedy, he added. The water level in the Ravi river was recorded at 4.60 lakh cusecs early this morning, leading to flooding in Gurdaspur, Pathankot and Amritsar districts. The water level in the Ranjit Sagar Dam on the Ravi crossed the danger mark of 527.91 metres, prompting authorities to release water from the reservoir in a controlled manner. Yesterday, approximately 1.95 lakh cusecs of water were released from the dam. Controlled releases are also being made from the Bhakra and Pong dams. The catchment areas of the three dams in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh have witnessed heavy rainfall since the start of August. Mandi, the worst-affected district in the hill state, is one of the main catchment areas for the Beas river, on which the Pong Dam is built. Several cloudbursts have led to a massive inflow of water into the reservoir, causing a sharp rise in its levels. The Punjab government has already issued warnings to people residing in villages along the rivers to be prepared for any eventuality. Relief camps have also been set up in the affected districtsone in Kapurthala, six in Ferozepur and five in Hoshiarpur. In Fazilka, 36,435 acres of land have been inundated due to the floods, and 270 houses have either collapsed or developed cracks. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be touring Pathankot and Gurdaspur districts today to take stock of the flood situation and oversee relief and rescue operations. Mann has also formed a committee for flood management and set up a central flood control room in Jalandhar. 34 dead as heavy rains lash J&K; mobile, internet service down
CHANDIGARH: Incessant rainfall in the catchment areas has continued to swell the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers, while the release of surplus water from the Pong, Bhakra, and Ranjit Sagar dams has further aggravated the situation. The gushing waters have inundated large tracts of farmland and villages along the three rivers, throwing normal life out of gear in Punjab and turning the situation grim. The worst-affected districts are Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, where schools have been ordered to remain closed. The swollen Ravi has become a major source of worry for residents of Gurdaspur as inflows into the river continue to rise due to heavy rains upstream. According to official data, the water level of the Ravi at Makora Pattan in Gurdaspur touched 2.50 lakh cusecs on Monday morning, prompting the civil administration to remain on alert. At Harike, where the Beas and Sutlej rivers converge, the water level was recorded at 2.34 lakh cusecs. As this water flows downstream to Hussainiwala in Ferozepur and further into Fazilka, local authorities and residents are on high alert and prepared for emergency evacuations. The water flowing from the Beas and Sutlej into the Harike Headworks has already ravaged thousands of acres of crops in several villages in Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka districts. Schools in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, and Ferozepur districts have also been shut, while the respective district administrations have issued evacuation advisories to flood-hit villages as waters continue to rise. Due to heavy rainfall in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, the Ravi and Ujh rivers, along with the Jalaliya, Chakki, and various canals and drains flowing through Pathankot district, are running beyond capacity. In Gurdaspur, the release of water from the Ranjit Sagar dam has inundated farmland in the Dera Baba Nanak area. Several villages situated between the Ravi river and the international border, along with others, are also submerged. Meanwhile, relief camps have been set up across several districts, with teams from health, animal husbandry, water supply and sanitation, and revenue departments actively working in the affected villages. Cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has been tasked with reviewing flood relief work in Tarn Taran, while MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and Barinder Goyal will be visiting flood-affected areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur to oversee relief and evacuation operations. To monitor and coordinate relief measures, the state government has established a central flood control centre in Jalandhar and has roped in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to assist district administrations and the police in rescue efforts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Ludhiana, Sangrur, Barnala, and Mansa districts, warning that intense rainfall and thunderstorms could disrupt normal activities and damage infrastructure.
The Fazilka district administration ordered the closure of all schools in 20 villages near the Sutlej river in the wake of rising water levels because of incessant rain.
No, Punjab Blast Wasnt Caused by Unexploded Munitions From India-Pak Conflict
The fire and blast seen in this video was caused by an LPG tanker colliding with a car near Hoshiarpur, Punjab
Punjab LPG tanker fire: Four more succumb to burns, toll rises to seven
HOSHIAPUR: Four more people succumbed to burn injuries , with the death toll in the LPG tanker fire incident rising to seven, an official said on Sunday. Hoshiarpur Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain said Manjit Singh, 60, Vijay, 17, Jaswinder Kaur, 65, and Aradhna Verma, 30, all residents of Mandiala, died at a private hospital overnight. Civil Surgeon Dr Pawan Kumar said the four, who had sustained more than 90 per cent burns, were on ventilator support. On Friday, around 10 pm, an LPG tanker caught fire after colliding with a pickup vehicle near Mandiala Adda on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar Road. The blaze spread rapidly, engulfing nearly 15 shops and at least four houses in the vicinity, police said. Two people died in the immediate wake of the incident, while 21 others sustained injuries. One more succumbed to burns on Saturday. According to the police FIR, the tanker was turning towards the Ram Nagar Dheha link road when it collided with the vegetable-laden pickup. Both vehicles caught fire. Dr Pawan Kumar said that immediately after the incident, one person was brought dead to the Government Hospital, Hoshiarpur, while another succumbed at a private hospital. The third died on the way to the Government Medical College, Amritsar. On Saturday morning, hundreds of residents of Mandiala and adjoining villages blocked traffic on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road for over three hours, demanding compensation and action against those responsible for the incident. Deputy Commissioner Jain assured the protesters that the injured were being provided free treatment under the Punjab government's Farishta Scheme. Political leaders cutting across party lines, including many Punjab ministers and MPs, have visited the injured at hospitals. On Saturday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced Rs 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased and free medical treatment of the injured. Punjab Governor and Administrator Union Territory Chandigarh Gulab Chand Kataria expressed their grief.
The incident occurred around 10pm on Friday when a pickup truck collided with an LPG tanker, triggering a massive fire.
Hoshiarpur LPG Tanker Blast: Death Toll Rises to 3, Over 20 Injured
Blaze engulfed 15 shops, several houses; CM Mann announces Rs 2 lakh relief, probe demanded into illegal refilling claims
Punjab LPG tanker fire incident: Several residents stage sit-in, CM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia
Residents of Mandiala and nearby villages blocked the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road for over three hours, demanding compensation and action following an LPG tanker explosion that killed two and injured 21. The protest ended after SDM Gursimranjeet Kaur assured compensation and accountability. Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced financial aid, while officials visited the site, ensuring support and investigation into the tragic incident.
Massive fire broke out as an LPG tanker caught fire in the Mandiala village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur late Friday night. The incident which occurred on the Hoshiarpur-Jalandhar road led to two dead and several others injured. The devastating accident occurred when an LPG tanker collided with a pickup truck, resulting in a massive explosion and fire. The massive flames spread quickly and consumed almost 15 shops along with four to five residential houses in the surroundings of the Mandiala Adda area, said police. The incident occurred around 10 pm, officials said.
LPG Tanker, Pickup Truck Collision Triggers Massive Blast In Punjab's Hoshiarpur; One Killed
Officials said the blast was triggered by a collision involving the LPG tanker, which caused a fire to break out in the industrial belt of the area.
India News Updates: Massive fire breaks out in Punjab's Mandiala village of Hoshiarpur, 1 killed
LPG Tanker Explosion In Punjab Kills One, Injures Others
A devastating accident occurred in Mandiala village, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, when an LPG tanker collided with a pickup truck, resulting in a massive explosion and fire.
Flood warnings issued in Punjab districts as Ravi river swells due to heavy rains in Himachal
CHANDIGARH: Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has triggered a flood-like situation in six districts of Punjab, with authorities issuing fresh alerts for vulnerable areas. The districts affected include Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran, where rising water levels in rivers and breaches in temporary embankments have raised concerns. The situation in Gurdaspur district remains critical as the local administration has issued a fresh alert, warning the public that the Ravi river is expected to receive more than 1.5 lakh cusecs of water today. Streams and nullahs in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir are reportedly running at full capacity. Villages identified as vulnerable include Kanna, Chountra, Chakri Slach, Adhi, Zainpur, Thakurpur, Rosa, Chanduwadala, Kamalpur Jattan, Dera Baba Nanak, Dharamkot Pattan, Gurchak and Ghanyie Ke Bet. The administration has directed residents in these areas to remain on alert. In Tarn Taran district, the water level at the Harike headworks continues to rise following the release of 90,000 cusecs of water. The Sutlej river recorded an inflow of 1.12 lakh cusecs today, creating the possibility of flood-like conditions in downstream areas. The district administration has urged people living along the riverbanks to shift to safer locations. In light of the rising water levels in dams due to persistent rainfall over the past few days in the mountainous regions of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today reviewed the prevailing situation in several districts through detailed telephonic conversations with the concerned Deputy Commissioners. Another cloudburst hit Himachals Mandi; traffic disrupted on Chandigarh-Manali highway He issued strict instructions to ensure swift mitigation measures and safeguard lives and property. Goyal said that flood-like conditions have emerged within the land between embankments of rivers passing through Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Fazilka and Ferozepur districts due to rising water levels and breaches in temporary embankments allegedly constructed by farmers within the flood plains. He said that around 14,200 acres across Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts have been affected by floodwaters. He specified that among the affected areas, Kapurthala districts impacted land comprises residential settlements, while the affected areas in Fazilka and Ferozepur are primarily agricultural land under cultivation. Goyal said that both the state government and district administration are fully committed to providing all possible assistance to the affected population. Discussing the departmental surveillance management system, Goyal said that field operations involve continuous 24-hour monitoring by four Superintending Engineers (SEs), 10 Executive Engineers (XENs), 20 Sub-Divisional Officers (SDOs) and 200 field staff members, including Junior Engineers. He explained that the entire vulnerable region has been systematically divided into sectors to facilitate immediate response and intervention measures. Goyal directed Deputy Commissioners to immediately set up relief camps in the affected regions to provide shelter, food and medical facilities to the displaced population. He stated that the embankments built by the department are safe and no water has overflowed from these embankments. Strict vigilance is being maintained 24x7 over these embankments by strong roster-based teams, he said. Cloudburst, landslide in J-K village leaves seven dead; rescue operations continue in Kishtwar He further instructed Deputy Commissioners to make special arrangements for the safety and well-being of livestock, including setting up separate shelters, ensuring fodder and drinking water supplies and deploying veterinary teams in affected areas. He stressed that vulnerable groups such as children, elderly persons and pregnant women must receive priority medical assistance. He directed that arrangements for clean drinking water, mobile health units and uninterrupted supply of essential medicines must be ensured to prevent any outbreak of waterborne diseases. Goyal also instructed the Deputy Commissioners of Tarn Taran and Ferozepur to personally monitor the Harike headworks round-the-clock in view of increased water inflow from the Sutlej and Beas rivers due to heavy rains in upper areas. Meanwhile, the health department is on high alert due to the flood-like situation in Punjab. A total of 172 ambulances, 438 rapid response teams and 323 mobile medical teams have been deployed for flood-affected areas. The civil surgeons of Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Fazilka have been asked to remain on alert in view of the weather conditions. All medical professionals have been told to respond within 30 minutes of any emergency. Deputy Commissioners have been asked to ensure that health teams can reach villages cut off by floods, using boat ambulances.
Another cloudburst hit Himachals Mandi; traffic disrupted on Chandigarh-Manali highway
CHANDIGARH: Another massive cloudburst was reported at the Takoli area over Shalanal Nala in Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, resulted in water and debris flooding Kiratpur-Manali national highway and disrupting the traffic on the Shimla-Mandi highway. The cloudburst during the early hours on Sunday, causing destruction of private and government infrastructures. No casualties have been reported in the fresh cloudburst so far. Residents, tourists, and workers have been strictly advised to maintain a safe distance from the riverbanks during this period. Apart from these, the boundary walls of some government offices and several houses were damaged badly. The wall of an infrastructure firm was also collapsed and employees ran for their lives, but no casualties were reported. The highway was also blocked at Jhalogi between Mandi and Kullu, with authorities estimating four to five hours for restoration. Mandi police have deployed teams to clear the route, while the alternative Kataula-Kamand road remains partially affected. 31 killed in 51 events of cloudburst, flash flood in Himachal Pradesh since onset of monsoon In another incident, the Shimla-Mandi highway near Tattapani has sunk into the Sutlej river, leaving only a 4.2-meter-wide stretch passable. Authorities have restricted traffic movement as continuous rainfall worsens the situation. Meanwhile, the Pong Dam in Kangra district reached 1,379.98 feet, prompting the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release 57,221 cusecs of waterthe highest discharge this monsoon. Of this, 17,620 cusecs were released through turbines and 39,601 cusecs via spillways. The dams inflow surged to 1,09,789 cusecs due to heavy rains in catchment areas. With the danger level marked at 1,390 feet, BBMB has alerted Kangra and Hoshiarpur administrations, as low-lying areas face submersion risks. In Mand Bhograwan village, rising Beas river waters have submerged acres of farmland and threatened homes, forcing over 100 families to evacuate. A multi-storey house stands on the verge of collapse, with authorities shifting residents to safer locations. Tributaries like Dehar Khud, Dehri Khud and Buhal Khud are in spate, compounding the crisis. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Una, Solan, and Sirmaur districts, predicting heavy rains, while Shimla, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti are under a yellow alert. With more rainfall expected, officials urge residents to avoid non-essential travel and stay alert for updates. Himachal Pradesh to install 48 weather stations for enhanced rainfall and cloudburst warnings Himachal Pradesh: Cloudbursts & ravaging rain fury
Punjabs Rs 12,700 crore NH projects stalled; Rs 828 crore PMGSY road works scrapped over delays
CHANDIGARH: Multiple key road infrastructure projects in Punjab including major national highway developments and those under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY), are facing serious setbacks, with no clear timeline for completion. As many as sixteen national highway projects worth 12,700 crore, being implemented by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Punjab Public Works Department (PWD), have either been stalled, significantly delayed, or face termination. The primary reasons cited are land acquisition hurdles and delays in obtaining statutory clearances. Simultaneously, rural road development has also taken a hit. Projects under PMGSY-III worth 828.87 crore, involving the upgradation of 64 roads and construction of 38 bridges, have been scrapped due to the state governments failure to float tenders and commence construction on time. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, confirmed that eight projects are being executed by NHAI and another eight by the state PWD, all of which have encountered delays or stoppages. Projects in the state of Punjab are mainly delayed, stalled, or terminated due to land acquisition issues and delay in obtaining statutory clearances. The government is taking requisite measures, in consultation with stakeholders including the state government, to resolve these issues, the Minister stated in Parliament. Key Affected Projects Under NHAI DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway (Spur-II): 30.5 km stretch worth 2,197.17 crore terminated due to lack of land; fresh bids to be invited once land is acquired. DelhiAmritsarKatra Expressway (Spur-III): 28.07 km stretch worth 1,951.70 crore delayed, now scheduled for completion by 30 November 2026. AmritsarBathinda (Package-I): 39 km project worth 1,229.38 crore, originally set to finish by November 2024, now delayed until 31 December 2026. AmritsarGhomanTandaUna (Package-I): 45.73 km stretch worth 1,443.47 crore also delayed, with a new completion target of 30 June 2026. Package-II of this corridor (31.05 km, 818.41 crore) has been terminated due to land issues. The LudhianaRupnagar corridor has also been severely affected: Package-I (37.7 km, 1,368.91 crore): Work halted after the contractor issued a termination notice over delayed land handover; matter is under review by a Conciliation Committee. Package-II (47.24 km, 1,488.23 crore): Terminated for similar reasons; re-tendering will occur post land possession. Projects Delayed Under Punjab PWD JalandharHoshiarpur (NH-3, 39.13 km): Sanctioned for 1,069.59 crore, awarded in 2017, now facing termination due to persistent land acquisition delays. Widening of a 3.57 km stretch of same highway (15.04 crore): Facing right-of-way constraints; revised completion date: 30 November 2025. MakhuArifke (NH-703A, 24.6 km): Worth 192.48 crore, including two ROBs, now rescheduled to finish by 31 December 2025 (original deadline was May 2021). ROB at Fazilka (NH-07, 38.02 crore): Delayed due to pending railway clearances, now progressing with a target completion date of 31 October 2025. ArifkeFerozepurMuktsarMalout (NH-354, 63.27 km, 263.19 crore): Delayed due to NOCs from the Irrigation Department and land issues. Muktsar SahibMalout section (27.66 km, 152.58 crore): Toll plaza construction stalled; PWD advised to redesign within available land. PMGSY Projects Worth 828 Crore Scrapped Road and bridge projects sanctioned under PMGSY-III have been scrapped due to the Punjab governments inability to initiate work before the required deadline of 31 March. The Centre had sanctioned 64 rural roads (628.48 km) and 38 bridges (each over 15 metres in length) for a total of 828.87 crore. Some of these were located in sensitive border districts such as Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Tarn Taran. In correspondence with the Union Ministry of Rural Development, Punjabs PWD stated that many of these roads were recommended for urgent repairs by Members of Parliament and were of utmost importance. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also wrote to Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan requesting reconsideration, stating that without these bridges, the completed roads would be of little use. However, the Centre responded that only projects tendered and already under construction by the original March 2025 deadline now extended to March 2026 would be allowed to continue. Works which have started on the ground but are not feasible to continue further shall be foreclosed, the Ministry clarified. Sources revealed that 59 of the roadworks were to be implemented using Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) technology, for which very few consultancy firms in India have adequate expertise another contributing factor to the delays. With Punjabs road infrastructure plans facing widespread disruption, the delays pose serious questions over administrative efficiency, land management, and inter-agency coordination at both the state and central levels.
RBPU to boost students employment potential
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Aug 14: Rayat Bahra Professional University (RBPU) Hoshiarpur, a self-financed educational institution today announced to provide job-oriented education aimed at enhancing the employment prospects of students in the region. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO This was stated today by Gurvinder Singh Bahra, Chancellor of Rayat Bahra Professional University and Chairman of the Rayat Bahra Group, while addressing media persons here. Speaking on the occasion, Bahra said the RBPU would deliver quality education and equip students with the [] The post RBPU to boost students employment potential appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Chandigarh Diary | Khattars heart still beats for Haryana
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar may be handling a national portfolio, but Haryana remains close to his heart. The former chief minister was recently seen inspecting Gurugram and Nuhs jungle safari site alongside Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav. In Rohtak, he is scheduled for a university event. Earlier visits to Karnal and Panipat they fall under his Karnal LS constituency had him reviewing CET exam arrangements and village development projects. In Chandigarh, he chaired meetings to track progress on key works. Bajwas tour, Punjab still on his mind Even on foreign shores, Punjab Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa kept an eye on political developments at home. Touring Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand for two weeks, he met ministers, MPs, mayors, and NRIs, listening to ideas for Punjabs future. Yet, his attention never left Chandigarhfiring salvos at CM Bhagwant Mann over the land pooling scheme, Jalandhars oxygen deaths, threat to son of Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, and PPP-mode medical colleges. His PR team churned out daily statements, ensuring his presence in Punjabs political conversation never faded. The tour blended diaspora outreach with Bajwas knack for staying relevant from afar. Pink brigade runs Hoshiarpur In Hoshiarpur, women arent just part of the systemthey are the system. Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain, Assistant Commissioner Oishee Mandal, ADC Amarbir Kaur, SDM Gursimranjit Kaur, and RTA Amandeep Kaur anchor the administration. Harleen Kaur oversees food and civil supplies, Harpreet Kaur protects childrens rights, while SP Navneet Kaur Gill and DSP Manpreet keep the law in check. Add political appointee Karamjit Kaur heading the district planning committee, and the lineup is formidable. Recently, the brigade came together to celebrate Teej in style at a Punjab Tourism Department event, presided over by Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com
Punjab CM Mann announces 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics, launches WhatsApp chatbot for 881 existing ones
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the state government will open 200 new Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state, taking the total number of such clinics to 1,081, in a bid to further enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services to people. Addressing a gathering during the inauguration of a WhatsApp Chatbot for 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, Mann said it was a historic day for the healthcare sector in Punjab as these clinics have now been connected to a WhatsApp Chatbot. He said these clinics cater to nearly 70,000 patients daily, and in todays digital age, the chatbot will be highly beneficial for patients. He added that the initiative is expected to bring revolutionary changes in healthcare services. Mann said that, as approximately 90 per cent of people own a smartphone, they can now be reached directly through WhatsApp. Patients will now receive complete health-related information via WhatsApp, including access to doctors' prescription slips through the chatbot. Diagnostic test reports will also be shared, and patients will receive reminders about their next consultation dates. He added that regular WhatsApp updates will be provided on care for elderly people with diabetes or blood pressure, pregnant women, and newborns. The new system will eliminate the need for patients to physically store prescriptions or medication records, as all information will be accessible digitally. The Health Department will also maintain a digital database of patients, their ailments, and treatments. Mann reiterated the state governments commitment to ensuring quality healthcare for all and said Punjab will soon launch 200 more Aam Aadmi Clinics. He also noted that Punjab is the first state in the country to implement the Mukhya Mantri Sehat Yojana, which provides medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family. He further said that the government is making significant efforts to transform the state into a medical hub and informed that approval has been given for establishing four new medical colleges in Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Sangrur, and Nawanshahr.
Water level in Pong dam rises sharply due to heavy rainfall; BBMB warns of possible spillway release
CHANDIGARH: Due to continuous heavy rainfall in the region over the past twenty-four hours, the water level in Pong Dam has risen significantly and is now approximately 29 feet below the danger mark. The Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) has issued a warning that excess water might soon be released from the dam by opening the spillway. The district administrations of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab have been asked to take immediate precautionary measures. Sources said that the water level in the reservoir of the dam, built over the River Beas in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, currently stands at 1361.07 feet as of this morning, significantly higher than the 1328.45 feet recorded on the same day last year. The increase has been attributed to heavy rainfall in the hill state, along with the recent release of water from the Pandoh Dam in Mandi district. Local tributaries such as Dehar Khud, Buhal Khud and Dehri Khud, which are also in full spate, have further contributed to the inflow into the reservoir. The dam's maximum storage capacity is 1410 feet, while the danger level is marked at 1390 feet. With an average inflow of 87,586 cusecs recorded this morning, the BBMB has ordered the release of 18,995 cusecs of water through the turbines. As per a letter dated August 2 written to the Deputy Commissioners of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh and Hoshiarpur in Punjab, along with other officials, the Additional Superintending Engineer (Water Regulation) stated, In view of the current inflow pattern at the Pong Dam and rainfall forecast issued by the Indian Meteorological Department for the Beas catchment area, excess water may be released through the Pong Dam spillway in the near future, it added. You are therefore requested to take all necessary precautionary measures and the concerned civil, irrigation, drainage and flood control authorities under your jurisdiction may please be informed accordingly, the letter reads. Sources further added that sirens have been installed at Rey, Sthana, Sansarpur Terrace and Riyali to warn locals in advance of any water release from the dam. Sources also stated that since yesterday evening, Una district in Himachal has received extremely heavy rainfall measuring 222.8 mm, leading to severe water accumulation on roads, markets and residential areas, significantly disrupting daily life. The ChandigarhDharamshala National Highway has also experienced flooding in multiple locations, with water entering several homes. While the River Beas and its tributaries remain flooded, a section of the bridge over the river near Sujanpur Tira in Hamirpur district has developed cracks. Additionally, the road link between Sujanpur Tira and Khairi near Sandhole has been completely severed due to high water levels in the river.
Farmers take out tractor marches demanding immediate withdrawal of land pooling scheme in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: With anger mounting against the controversial land pooling scheme of the Punjab government, farmers across the state held tractor marches demanding its immediate withdrawal. The state government plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. It is the largest acquisition of land by the government in the state since it was reorganized in 1966. The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) comprising 35 farm unions had given a call for tractor marches which got support from other farm unions including the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farm union of the state. On the call given by the SKM, tractor marches were taken out in various parts of the state including Ludhiana, Amritsar, Sangrur, Mohali, Bathinda, Taran Taran, Patiala, Ferozepur, Fategarh Sahib, Ropar, Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Hoshiarpur, Moga and Mansa districts despite inclement weather. The biggest show of strength by farmers was witnessed in Ludhiana district where the state government proposes to acquire 45,861 acres of land. This includes 24,311 acres of land for residential purposes and 21,550 acres for setting up industrial zones. The epicentre of the protest was Dana Mandi in Jodhan near Ludhiana. A cavalcade of nearly 300 vehicles including tractors and tempos carrying many farmers and activists made its way through various villages. Senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal Group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal who himself led the tractor march from Kum Kalan to Ratangarh village, covering 30 villages of the area, told TNIE that farmers in thousands participated in the tractor march, which started at around 9.30 am and ended at 2 pm. On August 4, a meeting of the SKM will be held to decide where to hold the massive rally which we have planned for August 24. If by then the government does not take back the land pooling scheme, a big agitation will be announced by us, he added. Without naming the AAP, posters have been put up in many villages, which read, Any official or leader of any party who wants to apprise about the benefits of the scheme will not be allowed to enter the village. Terming the policy a 'major conspiracy' to erase villages from the map of the state, senior SKM leader and president of BKU (Rajewal Group) Balbir Singh Rajewal said the tractor rally was held in several places of Ludhiana district including Kumkalan, Balion, Dakha, Jodha and Jagraon. It was the biggest-ever march in recent times, as the public in rural areas showed their anger against the governments bid to take over their fertile lands and displace them from their homes. This policy will ruin at least 20,000 families of farmers and leave farm labourers jobless, he said. In Amritsar district, tractor marches were taken out in Ajnala and Mannawala as farmers from villages around Guru Ka Bagh marched towards Gurdwara Morcha Sahib on the Amritsar-Ajnala road where they were joined by another cavalcade from villages around Rajasansi. A march was also taken out in neighboring Tarn Taran district. In Sangrur district, the rally started from Sohian village, near Sangrur, and culminated at the deputy commissioner's office. Farmers led by SKM leaders also started a dharna against the government in front of the DC office in Fatehgarh Sahib. Sarwan Singh Pandher, General Secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee, said they appeal to the government to withdraw the policy before a massive agitation starts. We know that the proposed acquisition announcement by the government was just a start, he said. Several tractors were fitted with music systems and extra seating to accommodate more protesters. These mobile convoys passed through the villages where the government reportedly plans to acquire land under the pooling policy. Women also extended support to the protesting farmers as they offered refreshments including chabeels, langars and parshad. The farmer leaders say that farmers are getting ready to fall into direct confrontation if such a situation arises. We are determined to oppose the land pooling scheme and do not want to part with our fertile lands and will go to any length to stop our land to be taken forcibly, said a farmer Kamalpreet Singh. The AAP government has been facing flak from opposition parties, including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and BJP, which dubbed its land pooling policy a looting scheme to rob farmers of their land. In return, the AAP has hit out at the opposition parties for spreading misleading propaganda.
AAP government facing backlash as village panchayats pass resolutions against land pooling policy
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab Government is facing backlash in many villages across the state over the controversial land pooling policy , which it has notified and plans to acquire 65,533 acres of land across 21 cities and towns in the state to develop both industrial and residential zones. As many as 107 panchayats across the state have passed resolutions in their respective villages, saying they will not give up their land to the government and in the coming days, many more panchayats are expected to pass similar resolutions. Talking with TNIE , Senior Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leader and president of BKU (Lakhowal group) Harinder Singh Lakhowal said that the opposition to the state government's controversial land pooling policy is growing, despite CM Bhagwant Mann and several AAP leaders insisting that land acquisition will be purely voluntary. Around 15 to 20 panchayats in Jodha, Dohal Kallan, Rattana and other villages near Ludhiana have already passed resolutions in their respective panchayats not to give land to the government. Also, many other village panchayats who had earlier passed resolutions not to give land are now re-passing the resolution because the original resolutions were not legally tenable. A proper procedure has to be followed to call a gram sabha and appoint a secretary who will oversee that the resolution has been passed, he added. AAP govt in hot water in Punjab as farmer unions oppose land pooling; BJP, Congress give tactical support to stir Lakhowal said that a total of around 200 panchayats of 160 where land is being acquired for residential purposes and another 40 where, in the coming week, land will be acquired for industrial purpose, are expected to pass the resolutions soon. Most of them are in Ludhiana, and around 24,000 acres of land is being acquired in the district, followed by Moga, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Amritsar districts, he added. Besides this 24,000 acres to be acquired in Ludhiana for residential purpose and another 21,000 acres is being acquired for industrial purposes, the notification of the same is expected to be issued in the coming week for that the farmers unions have called for a meeting tomorrow to oppose the acquisition and we will ask the villagers if they want to give their land to the government or not as all of them have already objected, he said. Pawandeep Singh of Mehlon said that 250 acres of land is being acquired in their village, which is being opposed. The very thought of losing his small landholding and moving to a new place did not let him sleep, he said. Gurinder Singh of Nathu Bhaini village says that around 350 acres of land in their village are being acquired by the government, leaving nothing to the villagers. This is the first legal hurdle we have cleared in what we assume will be a long fight with the state government, he said. In Bhattian village near Phillaur, where 700 acres of land is to be acquired, the sarpanch of the village Ranjit Singh Batth said that the panchayat passed a resolution against the acquisition a few days ago. Many farmers are drawing parallels between this policy and the three farm laws that were introduced in 2020 by the BJP-led Union Government, which were later repealed after a year-long struggle. Senior SKM leader and president of the BKU (Rajewal Group) said that the SKM was also guiding panchayats on filing of resolutions against their land being taken away. The government is falsely saying that the farmers support this policy, he said. The farmers from across the state will take out a tractor march on July 30 against the land pooling policy.
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the apex representative body of Sikhs, are at daggers drawn over events planned to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur from November 19 to 25 this year. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said that the Punjab government should focus on establishing meaningful memorials in connection with the 350th martyrdom anniversary of the Ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadar, instead of creating a confrontational atmosphere by organising parallel religious events. Dhami said the SGPC had already planned a series of events related 350th martyrdom anniversary a year in advance, beginning in April 2025 from Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, Amritsar. Since then, events have been organised across various parts of the country. He said that the Punjab governments announcement of parallel eventsoverlapping with those planned by the SGPC at Anandpur Sahibwill cause confusion among the Sangat (community) and goes against long-standing traditions He alleged that the government appears to be deliberately trying to sideline Sikh institutions. Historically, centenary celebrations related to Sikh heritage and history have been led by the Khalsa Panth, with participation from all Sikh sampradas and organisations while the governments supporting them. Dhami questioned why the government has not shown due seriousness towards nearly 12 Sikh centenaries during its tenureincluding the centenary of the Guru Ka Bagh Morcha, the centenary of the Saka Panja Sahib, 200 years of Shaheedi of Akali Baba Phoola Singh, Guru Angad Devs Guruship Day, and the 450th Jyoti Jot Diwas of Guru Amar Das. He recalled how earlier governments cooperated with the Panth in marking the centenaries, establishing major memorials such as Guru Nanak Dev University, Guru Nanak Hospital (Amritsar), and colleges during Guru Nanak Devs 500th Prakash Purab (birth anniversary) in 1969; Virasat-e-Khalsa and Panj Piara Park during the 300th Khalsa Sajna Diwas in 1999 and a historical memorial at Chappar Chiri in 2010 in remembrance of Baba Banda Singh Bahadars victory at Sirhind. However, the current government led by Bhagwant Mann is instead interfering in the jurisdiction of Panthic institutions and organizations, he alleged. Dhami reaffirmed that the SGPC, as the supreme religious body of the Sikh Panth, has already made clear that heads of all governments will be invited to participate in these commemorations, ensuring inclusivity. In such a context, the government's move to announce parallel programs raises serious concerns. Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday had announced a series of events to be organised by the state government to commemorate the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur. After chairing a meeting, Mann said the events would primarily be held at Anandpur Sahib under the aegis of the state government . He had said that from November 19 to November 25, a series of events will beorganised with deep reverence and respect across the state. In a statement, Mann said these events will primarily take place in Anandpur Sahib under the auspices of the state government. To mark the occasion, CM Mann announced that four grand yatras will begin from different corners of Punjab and converge at Anandpur Sahib. The first will begin on November 21 from Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir and pass through Pathankot and Hoshiarpur to reach Anandpur Sahib. Likewise, CM Mann said that the second yatra will start from Gurdaspur and travel through Baba Bakala, Amritsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, and Jalandhar, eventually reaching Anandpur Sahib. He said the third yatra will start from Ferozepur, pass through Moga and Ludhiana to proceed towards Anandpur Sahib and the fourth yatra will also start from Ferozepur and will pass through Faridkot, Bathinda, Barnala, Sangrur, Mansa, and Patiala, and conclude at Anandpur Sahib. The CM had added that light-and-sound shows and poetry sessions based on Guru Sahib's life and sacrifice would be organised in all 23 districts of Punjab. Blaming the SGPCs stance, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, You know the reasons. They do not want to meet us. Through you, we are extending an invitation to them. They can call us or approach the state government.
AAP government in Punjab to hire retired doctors amid severe shortage of medical specialists
CHANDIGARH: Facing an acute shortage of medical specialists, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has begun hiring retired doctors, even as it claims to have improved the states healthcare infrastructure. Nearly 47 per cent of sanctioned specialist posts in government hospitals remain vacant across Punjab. Sources said that out of the 2,098 posts of sanctioned specialists, 990 are lying vacant. Not only specialist doctors but also posts of doctors in the general medical officer cadre are lying vacant. 1,962 posts are yet to be filled out of 3,847, which comes to 51 per cent. Sources said that the state health department has decided to recruit 100 retired medical specialists through walk-in interviews. Thus, it has invited applications from the retired government doctors to apply for these contractual posts of consultants in district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals and community health centres (CHCs). As per the notification issued by the state health department, the posts to be filled include 21 in paediatrics, 20 in general medicine, 20 in gynaecology, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, 7 radiologists and four doctors in psychiatry. Also, only retired specialist doctors between 58 and 64 years of age will be eligible to apply. The contract will be for one year and can be extended annually based on performance and subject to the approval of the finance department. These doctors will get remuneration equivalent to the last pay drawn, minus pension, plus dearness allowance as admissible on the date of appointment. Besides, they must be free of disciplinary proceedings. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period and will only do clinical duties (outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care) and will be exempted from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. Recently, posts of specialised doctors were advertised, but only 60 doctors joined. In 2022, the government also tried to fill 634 posts of specialist doctors but did not get a good response. The reason that doctors refrain from joining the state medical services is due to pay disparities, lack of emergency medical staff thus, specialist doctors have to take care of emergencies, and they are also deployed for VVIP duties. This decision of the state health department to hire retired specialists has not gone well with the young doctors, and many of them say they have been awaiting recruitment since November 2022, when the last advertisement for regular posts was issued. Interestingly, 31 specialist doctors who pursued post-graduation under the government quota have exited service without completing the mandatory service period or depositing the stipulated bond amount of Rs 50 lakh. As per rules, after one gets admission under the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) quota, one has to serve with the state government as one signs a 10-year service bond in exchange for subsidised admission. As four doctors each resigned from Sangrur and Ludhiana, three each from Kapurthala, Mansa, and Faridkot, two each from Mohali, Tarn Taran, and Ropar and one each from Bathinda, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Barnala. They have also not deposited the bond amount they pledged at the time of admission. The health department has directed civil surgeons to initiate recovery proceedings. The civil surgeons have been instructed to contact these doctors immediately and serve them a 21-day notice to deposit the bond, amount and if they fail, disciplinary action will be initiated, and the department has directed that a formal request be made to the Punjab Medical Council or relevant regulatory bodies to cancel their medical registration. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin said a few months back, 110 specialised doctors joined as part of their bond obligation, and in the coming days a few more are likely to join after the end of the extensions granted to them. Also, walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. All these steps are effectively aimed at providing specialist services to the poor and underserved. In 2020, the then government stalled career progression of medical officers this was one of the causes why specialised doctors did not opt for government jobs. While lack of security is another issue, he said. ` A few years back their were similar schemes of re-employment of post retirement and few doctors had taken the extensions then, he said.
Punjab government withdraws consent to deploy CISF at Bhakra dam
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet on Monday decided to withdraw the consent given by the previous Congress government to deploy the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at Bhakra Dam. The consent had been given on October 21, 2021, when Charanjit Singh Channi was the Chief Minister of the state. After the cabinet meeting, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that Punjab Police is a valiant force and capable of securing the dam, thus the consent is being withdrawn. He said that the cabinet bemoaned that the Congress government had arbitrarily given the nod to deploy CISF on Bhakra Dam through its decision on July 23, 2021. This anti-state stance was humiliating for the state as the Punjab Police was fully capable of guarding the dams. Turning the tables, the state cabinet today withdrew this decision in the larger interests of the state adding that a resolution against the move to deploy CISF at Bhakra Dam will be passed in the ensuing session of the state assembly, he said. Cheema said that the cabinet vehemently opposed the decision to deploy the outsourced CISF at the dam, adding that the state government will not pay a single penny for deployment of this force. It was opined that previous Congress government had jeopardised the interests of the state by giving this consent to deploy the force whereas Punjab Police has a glorious legacy of safeguarding the border state. The Cabinet wondered that when the well equipped Punjab Police can deftly maintain law and order in the state, where was the need to allow CISF to secure the dams, he said. Other than this, the cabinet also decided to bring in a bill in the upcoming Special Session of assembly that will allow bullock cart races in the Kila Raipur games, also referred to as the Rural Olympics. The ban on bullock cart races had been in place since 2014. The cabinet gave green signal to the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act 2025 and the Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Bullock Cart Race) Rules, 2025. Pertinently, bullock cart racing was an integral part of the rural sport events throughout the state but it faced numerous hurdles due to one or other reasons. So, to regulate the animal sports events in the state, 'The Punjab Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Conduct of Kila Raipur Rural Sports Event and Fair) Rules, 2025' has been approved. The main objectives of these rules are safety measures for animals taking part in sports with adequate animal veterinary supervision, safety standards, registration/ documentation and penalty for violations. This will also help saving indigenous cattle breeds of Punjab besides promoting the traditional sports in the villages, said Cheema. The cabinet also gave nod for creation of 3,600 posts of Special Educator Teachers at Primary and Secondary level. As per the decision, 1,650 posts of Special Educator Teacher (Master Cadre) and 1,950 posts of Special Educator Teacher (Primary Cadre) have been approved. This decision will benefit 47,979 Children with Special Needs studying in Government Schools across Punjab. These posts are being converted from vocational teacher, Art and Craft teachers and ETT posts and will be filled in a phased manner over three years. The cabinet also gave approval to set up of a private Self-Financed Universities namely 'CGC University Mohali' in Mohali district, and 'Rayat Bahara Professional University' in the Hoshiarpur district under Punjab Private Universities Policy 2010. These self financed educational institutions will act as a catalyst in providing quality education in Mohali and Hoshiarpur besides acting as a catalyst to boost overall development of the area.
Three of family killed in roof collapse in Punjab
HOSHIARPUR: A migrant worker from Bihar and his two daughters were killed when the ceiling of a room in their house collapsed here on Thursday, police said. They said three other members of the family were injured in the incident, which occurred in Ahiyapur in the Tanda police station area. Station House Officer (SHO) Inspector Gurwinderjit Singh said Shankar (40) lived in a rented house with his wife Priyanka (36) and their four daughters. The SHO said the ceiling of a room in the house collapsed in the morning, killing Shankar and his two daughters -- Shivani (13) and Pooja (5). Priyanka and the couple's two other daughters -- Sunita (6) and Preeti (8) -- were injured in the incident and rushed to different hospitals in Tanda, Singh said. According to preliminary investigation, the house was old. It had a wooden roof layered with mud, which collapsed due to rain, he said.
Punjab cadre 1989-batch IPS Parag Jain appointed R&AW chief
NEW DELHI: The government on Saturday issued an order appointing 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Punjab Cadre Parag Jain as the next Secretary of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a tenure of two years. Jain will replace Ravi Sinha, a 1988-batch IPS officer of Chhattisgarh cadre, as he will complete his tenure as the chief of the R&AW on June 30 and Jain will take over from him on July 1. In an order the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT said, The Appointments Committee ofCabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Parag jain (PB:89) to the post of Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R$AW) under the Cabinet Secretariat for a tenure of two years from the date of assumption of the charge of the post or until further orders,whichever is earlier, in terms of provisions of FR 56 (d) and Rule 16 (1A) of All India India Service(Death-cum-Retirement Benefits) Rule, 1958. Jain is currently heading the Aviation Research Centre, which played a critical role during Operation Sindoor, by collecting intelligence about Pakistani armed forces and the exact locations of the terror camps situated in the neighbouring country. Jain is also credited with playing a key operational role during the terrorism days in Punjab. He had served in Bhatinda, Mansa, Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab as SP and was SSP Chandigarh and DIG Ludhiana in the past. Jain has also handled Pakistan in Indias external intelligence agency with tenures in Jammu and Kashmir during abrogation of Article 370 and Operation Balakote. The next R&AW chief has always been an unassuming officer while serving in Canada and in Sri Lanka as Indian representative in the respective missions there. During his Canada posting, he had taken on the Khalistan ecosystem there and had then warned Delhi that it was becoming something dangerous. With Jain taking over from Sinha after next Monday, Indias external intelligence agency would needs an overhaul as it was found wanting during Maldives and Bangladesh crisis in the past two years. The R&AWs role becomes very important considering the fact that Asim Munir has become a Field Marshal with cross border terrorism against India high on the governments agenda. Given that India has suspended the Indus Water Treaty, it is anticipated that Pakistan will continue to use terrorism as a proxy to strike back and for that Indias external intelligence needs to improve its ground activities rather than purely relying on technical inputs.
Two Indian medical students injured in Israeli strike on Tehran
CHANDIGARH: Two students from Kashmir sustained minor injuries in an Israeli strike at the Hujat Dost Ali Hostel in Tehran, claimed Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA). The students are currently stable. The university authorities have relocated them to Ramsar. Nasir Khuehami, national convener of JKSA said an Israeli strike hit near the boys' dormitory for international students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Hujjatdost Dormitory) leaving two students from Kashmir valley injured. Two Indian students from the Kashmir Valley were injured in the Israeli strike. Fortunately, both are in a stable condition and are currently en route to Ramsar, as the university is relocating students to a nearby village in that region for their safety. We spoke to several of them. While the injuries are not serious, the situation remains deeply concerning. The situation has left these students traumatized and terrified, he said. Khuehami claimed that amid the escalating conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran has granted permission to the Indian Embassy in Tehran to escort Indian students to the Norduz border of Armenia via buses. ` The Indian Embassy will begin relocating Indian students including many from Kashmir from Urmia to Armenia to ensure their safety, he said. As per the arrangements made with the Indian Embassy buses have been arranged for the relocation of Indian students. This applies to all Indian students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, including those living in dormitories and private apartments. No Indian student should stay back in the boys or girls dormitories or in private apartments, he claimed. Khuehami said that they have been receiving distress messages and calls from Kashmiri students in different parts of Iran, especially in cities impacted by the ongoing conflict. There are around 1,300 Kashmiri students in Iran, he said. The JKSA said it was in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Indian Embassy in Tehran and the J&K CMs Office. Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he spoke to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar regarding the stranded students and was assured necessary steps to ensure safety of all Indian students. Some of the students from other countries have reportedly crossed into neighbouring countries as part of their journey back home. A day after the incident, the Indian Embassy in Tehran arranged the relocation of Indian students from several Iranian universities to secure locations. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is continuously monitoring the security situation and engaging Indian students in Iran to ensure their safety. In some cases students are being relocated with embassy facilitation to safer places within Iran. Other feasible option are also under examination, said a statement released by Ministry of External Affairs yesterday. Meanwhile Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), has urged the Union Government and the international humanitarian community to act immediately for the safe release of three youths from Punjab who were kidnapped in Iran and are now caught in the crossfire of an escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Chahal said that Husanpreet Singh (27) of Sangrur, Amritpal Singh (23) of Hoshiarpur and Jaspal Singh (32) of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, were reportedly abducted by a transnational human trafficking syndicate while en route to Australia via Tehran. The families of these young men are living in unimaginable fear and distress and are clinging to the assurances made by Indian authorities, but the ongoing military unrest in the region is making their situation even more precarious, he said. Each of them had paid approximately Rs 18 lakh to agents based in Punjab for what they were told would be a legal migration route. Instead, their journey turned into a nightmare of captivity, beatings, and ransom demands, he claimed.
Wheelchair-bound rape survivor moves SC seeking medical help
NEW DELHI: A wheelchair-bound neck down paralysed woman, who was brutally raped, gangraped, tortured and illegally confined for seven-months, has moved the Supreme Court seeking immediate access to medical treatment and rehabilitative support and justice. Senior lawyer Shobha Gupta, representing the petitioner, told this newspaper that the repeated acts of gruesome sexual violence inflicted by the accused on the 34-year-old bedridden neck down disabled survivor is barbaric and inhuman. The petitioner was wheelchair-bound and suffering from partial disability when she came in contact with the accused. The dehumanising sexual slavery and brutality subjected on the petitioner further aggravated her medical condition and she has become paralysed below the neck, with only minor sensation in her fingers. The acts of extreme sexual violence committed on the petitioner by the accused have left her in a state of irreversible physical disability, emotional trauma, and social destitution, said, Gupta, who was representing the petitioner along with other advocates Dhiraj Philip, Namrata Mahapatra and Achalika Ahuja. The petitioner-survivor, has been disowned by both her immediate and extended family, and is wholly without any form of familial support or care. In her plea the woman has requested for urgent medical support as well as directions to the Centre and state govt for rehabilitative support through financial assistance to enable her to live with dignity. On May 23, the HC directed admitting her in the AIIMS, New Delhi, for urgent medical treatment and care. As per the plea, the survivor has been subjected to sexual violence with unspeakable brutality, inhumanity for 7-months and was reduced to an inhumane state by the accused, a 52-year-old online-app cab driver. The accused hails from Jalandhar, Punjab, with known criminal antecedents, and is lodged in Hoshiarpur jail. He first came into contact with her through a cab ride-booking application. Following months of medical negligence, repeated rapes in illegal confinement and abandonment, the Petitioner was rescued in 2023, by One Stop Centre and an FIR was registered against the accused under Section 376 (Rape) of the IPC in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. After the completion of the trial, the accused was convicted by the Fast Track Court, Hoshiarpur in January 2025, and sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The survivor stated that the accused was granted minimum punishment without taking into account the brutality of the crime. The petitioner continues to suffer physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially, while also facing continuous threats. Also in top court Plea against Assam deportation drive A plea has been filed in the SC alleging that the Assam government has reportedly launched a sweeping and indiscriminate drive to detain and deport persons suspected to be foreigners without nationality verifications. It directed Assam to initiate process of deportation of 63 declared foreigners.
3 Punjab men go missing in Iran, families receive ransom videos
Three individuals from Sangrur, Nawanshahr and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab have gone missing after landing in Tehran on May 1. The Indian Embassy in Iran has issued a statement saying the missing individuals will be traced urgently and their safety will be ensured. Family members of 3 Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
3 Indians Feared Kidnapped In Iran
While the embassy did not release the names of the missing Indians, media reports cited their names as Hushanpreet Singh (from Sangrur district), Amritpal Singh (from Hoshiarpur district) and Jaspal Singh (from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district).
Three Indians go missing in Tehran, India raises issue with Iran government
Three Indians who had travelled to Iran - from Punjab's Sangrur, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar - are missing, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has confirmed, adding that efforts are on to trace them urgently. Moreover, the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, according to a report, raised the issue directly with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Ravanchi during a recent diplomatic engagement in New Delhi. The three missing men have been identified as: Hushanpreet Singh (Sangrur), Jaspal Singh (SBS Nagar) and Amritpal Singh (Hoshiarpur). They all went missing on May 1, shortly after landing in Tehran. Family members of 3 Indian citizens have informed the Embassy of India that their relatives are missing after having travelled to Iran. The Embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities, and requested that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured, the Indian Embassy said in a statement. The Embassy added that it is keeping the family members regularly updated of the efforts being made by it. An agent in Punjab had promised the three men to send them to Australia via the Dubai-Iran route. He reportedly assured them that they will be provided a stay in Iran. But soon after they landed in Iran on May 1, they were kidnapped. The kidnappers, said the families, demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore. A video of the men tied up in yellow ropes and blood dripping from their arms was sent by the kidnappers, said the families. They threatened to kill the men if money was not sent, the families added. The victims used to talk to their family members through the phones of the kidnappers. Since May 11, the families have not been in contact with them. The agent from Hoshiarpur who sent the men abroad is reportedly missing.
3 Indians Missing In Iran, Embassy In Touch With Families
Three Indians who had travelled to Iran - from Punjab's Sangrur, Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar - are missing, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has confirmed, adding that efforts are on to trace them urgently.
Supreme Court directs urgent medical care for paralysed rape survivor
NEW DELHI: Hearing the plea of paralysed survivor who was brutally gangraped, tortured and illegally confined for seven months, SC on May 23, directed to admit her to the AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) Trauma Centre, New Delhi, for urgent medical treatment and care. She continues to remain hopeful for justice as she fights for her life. The survivor in her plea, in the top court, has requested for urgent medical support as well as directions to the Centre and State government for rehabilitative support through financial assistance to enable her to live with dignity. Senior lawyer Shobha Gupta representing the survivor, exclusively talking to TNIE , said that the ordeal faced by the the 34-year-old woman due to the repeated acts of gruesome sexual violence, including rape, gangrape, physical abuse and torture in illegal confinement, inflicted by the accused is barbaric and inhuman. The woman was wheelchair bound and suffering from partial disability when the accused came in contact with her. The dehumanising sexual slavery and brutality subjected to the petitioner aggravated her medical condition, and she has become paralysed below the neck, with only minor sensation in her fingers. The acts of extreme sexual violence committed on the petitioner by the accused have left her in a state of irreversible physical disability, emotional trauma, and social destitution, said Gupta, representing the petitioner along with other advocates Dhiraj Philip, Namrata Mahapatra and Achalika Ahuja. The survivor has been disowned by both her immediate and extended family and does not have any form of familial support, care, or protection. The plea stated that the survivor has been subjected to sexual violence with unspeakable brutality, inhumanity for seven months and was reduced to an inhumane state by the accused, a 52-year-old online-app cab driver. The accused hails from Jalandhar, Punjab, with known criminal antecedents, and was presently lodged in Hoshiarpur Jail. He first came into contact with her through a cab ride-booking application. Following this, the accused allegedly began stalking the petitioner over several days, kept her in his illegal captivity away isolated the world and subjected her to continuous and aggravated sexual assault over a period of seven months. Owing to her physical disability, the survivor was rendered helpless and was unable to escape his illegal confinement for seven months. Trapped in an illegal confinement and sexual slavery in a condition of total physical handicap, the survivor endured repeated acts of rape, sodomy and physical torture with no opportunity for escape or any contact with the outside world. The sustained brutality inflicted upon her was both systematic and sadistic, leaving her in a state of extreme physical, emotional and psychological pain, the plea said. It is pertinent to note that after the incident of brutal rape for a continuous period of seven months of illegal confinement, the petitioner's medical condition became severely life threatening. Following months of medical negligence, repeated rapes in illegal confinement and abandonment, the petitioner was rescued in 2023, by One Stop Centre and an FIR was registered against the accused under Section 376 (Rape) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Hoshiarpur, Punjab. After the completion of the trial, the accused was convicted by the Fast Track Court, Hoshiarpur in January 2025, and sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment. The survivor stated that the accused was granted minimum punishment without taking into account the brutality of crime committed on her. The petitioner continues to suffer physically, psychologically, emotionally and socially, while also facing continuous threats. She has also sought intervention from the apex court to allow the transfer of the appeal filed by the accused against the conviction, pending before the High Court of Punjab and Haryana to the HC of Delhi, in the interest of justice and physical state of the petitioner. The act of rape in illegal confinement, particularly of a physically disabled woman, strikes at the core of Article 21 of the Constitution. It is not just a violation of bodily integrity, but also of dignity, privacy, physical and psychological well-being, the plea said. The petitioner was residing in Delhi under the care of a friend who had graciously provided her temporary shelter in the absence of any medical or familial support.
