CHANDIGARH: Today, farmers across Punjab blocked rail tracks for three hours as part of their 'Rail Roko' protest, demanding that the Union Government address their concerns. As a result, 31 trains were disrupted. The farmers also called for a Punjab bandh on December 30 to further press their demands. The call for the 'Rail Roko' has been given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. The farmers held protests and blocked railway tracks at seventeen places in the state Moga, Faridkot, Kadian and Batala in Gurdaspur; Phillaur in Jalandhar; Tanda, Dasuya, Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur; Makhu, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur; Sahnewal in Ludhiana; Shambhu in Patiala; Mohali; Sunam and Lehra in Sangrur, Rampura Phul in Bathinda and Devidaspura in Amritsar. Sources in the railways said that 31 trains were effected as of these nine were short terminated and one train was diverted. The Shatabdi Express coming from New Delhi for Amritsar was halted at Khanna railway station. While the Humsafar Express from Jammu to Sealdah, Dadar Express from Amritsar to Mumbai and Shan-e-Punjab Express from New Delhi to Amritsar were halted at different platforms of the Ludhiana railway station. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convenor Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers sat on the rail tracks at many places from 12 noon and till 3 pm. For the past three weeks, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. A jatha (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14 but Haryana Police did not allow them to proceed. Besides a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
Farmers begin three-hour rail roko protest in Punjab as 'Dilli Chalo' attempts crushed
CHANDIGARH: Farmers blocked train routes at several places in Punjab on Wednesday as part of their three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest to press the Centre into accepting their various demands, including a legally binding minimum support price for crops. The call for the 'rail roko' has been given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers have been squatting on rail tracks at many places from 12 noon and will continue to be there till 3 pm. VIDEO | Punjab: Protesting farmers block railway track in Mohali as part of their 'Rail Roko' agitation. #FarmersProtest (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/DcnLpI2BZt Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 18, 2024 The places where the protest was supposed to be held included Moga, Faridkot, Kadian and Batala in Gurdaspur; Phillaur in Jalandhar; Tanda, Dasuya, Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur; Makhu, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur; Sahnewal in Ludhiana; Shambhu in Patiala; Mohali, and Sunam and Lehra in Sangrur. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. For the past three weeks, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops. A jatha (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. Haryana security personnel did not allow them to proceed. Farmers suspend Delhi march for the day as 17 injured after Haryana cops fire tear gas Besides a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
3-hour rail roko protest by farmers begins in Punjab
Chandigarh: Farmers blocked train routes at several places in Punjab on Wednesday as part of their three-hour 'Rail Roko' protest to press the Centre into accepting their various demands, including a legally binding minimum support price for crops. The call for the 'rail roko' has been given by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers have been squatting on rail tracks at many places from 12 noon and will continue to be there till 3 pm. The places where the protest was supposed to be held included Moga, Faridkot, Kadian and Batala in Gurdaspur; Phillaur in Jalandhar; Tanda, Dasuya, Mahilpur in Hoshiarpur; Makhu, Talwandi Bhai in Ferozepur; Sahnewal in Ludhiana; Shambhu in Patiala; Mohali, and Sunam and Lehra in Sangrur. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. For the past three weeks, Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border point between Punjab and Haryana to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops. A jatha (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. Haryana security personnel did not allow them to proceed. Besides a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
AAP wins three seats, Congress wins one in assembly by-elections in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) won three of the four by-poll assembly seats, including Gidderbaha, Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak. The grand old party faced a setback in the by-elections after winning seven seats in the recent Lok Sabha Elections. The only silver lining for Congress was that it won the Barnala seat, which was the traditional stronghold of the AAP in Punjab. In the fierce contest between the Congress and the AAP, Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon of AAP defeated his nearest rival and Congress nominee Amrita Warring, the wife of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, by a margin of 21,969 votes. While the BJP candidate and former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal was in the third spot. Gurdeep Singh Randhawa of the ruling party won the Dera Baba Nanak assembly seat, defeating Congress nominee Jatinder Kaur by a margin of 5,699 votes. Kaur is the wife of Congress MP from Gurdaspur Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who represented this assembly seat in 2002, 2012, 2017 and 2022. Ishank Kumar Chabbewal of AAP won the Chabbewal assembly seat, defeating his nearest rival and Congress nominee Ranjit Kumar by a margin of 28,690 votes. The Chabbewal by-election was necessitated after Ishank's father Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal, who was a Congress MLA but later joined the AAP, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur. He represented this reserved seat in 2017 and 2022 on Congress ticket. All these three assembly seat of Gidderbaha, Chabbewal and Dera Baba Nanak won the congress in the 2022 assembly elections and now they fell into the kitty of AAP in these by-polls. Congress candidate Kuldeep Singh Dhillon won the Barnala assembly segment, defeating Harinder Singh Dhaliwal of AAP by a margin of 2,157 votes. While the Barnala assembly seat was earlier with AAP as it was won by Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer twice, now Hayer is the Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Sangrur. Sources said that the Punjab Congress president, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring attributed the party's loss to the absence of SAD candidates and now these by-election results would have implications not only for Raja Warring whose wife, Amrita Warring, lost in Gidderbaha but also for senior leader and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Randhawa, whose wife Jatinder Kaur lost in Dera Baba Nanak. It is learnt that the criticism is mounting against Warring as a section of party leaders are suggesting that, after being elected as MP from Ludhiana he should hand over the state leadership to someone else. As AAP won three seats from the Congress, taking its tally in the 117-member Assembly to 94, the Congress is now 17 MLAs in the assembly. In all four by-poll seats, the contest was between AAP and Congress as the BJP trailed at the third spot in every seat despite putting up strong candidates, none was able to make an impact. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), however, did not contest these by-polls.
Punjab bypolls: AAP's Ishank Kumar wins Chabbewal seat
AAP candidate and doctor Ishank Kumar Chabbewal secured a decisive victory in the Chabbewal assembly seat bypoll in Punjab, defeating Congress nominee Ranjit Kumar by a significant margin of 28,690 votes. The by-election was held following the election of Ishank Kumar's father, Raj Kumar Chabbewal, to the Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur.
Punjab bypolls: 63 per cent voter turnout recorded to four assembly seats
CHANDIGARH: A voter turnout of 63 per cent was recorded till 6 pm in the by-elections to four assembly segments in Punjab on Wednesday, according to Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C. These by-polls to the Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal and Barnala assembly segments were necessitated after the incumbent lawmakers were elected to the Lok Sabha. Of the four assembly segments, Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak and Chabbewal were earlier held by the Congress, and the Barnala seat by the AAP. The precise figures of the total turnout will be updated by tomorrow morning once all polling parties return to the collection centres and final data entry is completed. The CEO shared that as per recorded data till 6 pm, the highest turnout of 81 per cent was recorded in Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak recorded 63 per cent turnout, while Barnala saw 54 per cent and Chabbewal 53 per cent turnout. At Dera Pathana village in Dera Baba Nanak segment, a clash took place between the AAP and Congress supporters. Gurdaspur Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who is the husband of Congress candidate Jatinder Kaur, alleged that some outsiders at the behest of the AAP thrashed his party worker in the village and also accused the police of not taking action. The workers of both the warring factions engaged in heated arguments. A heavy police force was deputed at the site to defuse the situation. The ruling AAP would like to register victories after its dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections in the three concerned contests while the Congress and the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) are also out for triumph in these by-polls. From the hot assembly seat of Gidderbaha, Amrita Warring, the wife of Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana Member of Parliament Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in contesting against former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal of BJP and Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon of AAP. Earlier this seat was represented by Warring himself. The other assembly seat where the focus is Dera Baba Nanak from here Jatinder Kaur wife of Gurdaspur Member of Parliament and former deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa is pitched against Ravikaran Singh Kahlon of BJP and Gurdeep Singh Randhawa of AAP. While from Barnala assembly segment Kewal Singh Dhillon of BJP is facing Kuldeep Singh Kaka Dhillon of Congress, Harinder Singh Dhaliwal of AAP, Govind Singh Mann of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and AAP rebel and Independent candidate Gurdeep Singh Batth. This assembly seat fell vacant after Gurmeet Singh Hayer, the local MLA from the AAP and states sports and youth affairs minister was elected from the Sangrur Lok Sabha seat. Hayer won the Barnala seat in the 2017 and 2022 assembly polls. On the Chabbewal seat it is Ishank Kumar Chabbewal of AAP son of Hoshiarpur MP Dr Raj Kumar Chabbewal as earlier this seat was presented by Raj Kumar who was then in Congress before lok sabha polls joined the AAP and then contested and won from Hosharpur. The other candidates in the fray are Sohan Singh Thandal of BJP who was earlier in the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). SAD has opted to stay away from these by-polls. 45 candidates, including three women, are in the fray for the bypolls. A total of 6.96 lakh voters, including 3.31 lakh women, are eligible to exercise their franchise at 831 polling stations. At present, the AAP has 91 MLAs in the 117-member Punjab assembly, while the Congress has 15, Shiromani Akali Dal three, BJP two, and the Bahujan Samaj Party one. One seat is held by an Independent MLA.
Two gangsters arrested by Punjab Police
CHANDIGARH: Two Kaushal-Bambiha gangsters were critically injured while unsuccessfully attempting to escape from police custody at the outskirts of Jalandhar Cantonment. Two pistols along with five live cartridges were recovered from their possession. Director General of Police of Punjab Gaurav Yadav, said on Thursday that both the gangsters were arrested by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police on Tuesday. The gangsters, identified as Rajeshwar Kumar and Deepak Vaid alias Babu, were implicated in an Arms Act case registered at Police Station Bhargo Camp on October 17. As per the information, police had arrested four members of this Kaushal-Bambiha module and recovered four weapons from their possession. With the arrest of these two gangsters, the total arrests in this case reaches six. Police officers have displayed remarkable endurance by chasing and arresting gangsters Rajeshwar Kumar and Deepak Vaid on foot for at least 1.5 kilometers, said Yadav. He said that both the accused persons were involved in multiple heinous crimes and were also conspiring major crimes in districts including Hoshiarpur, SBS Nagar, Kapurthala and other districts. The accused persons were also providing logistical assistance to other gang members and supplying weapons to different gangs in Punjab and Haryana, he said. The DGP said that further investigation is on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case. Sharing more details, Commissioner of Police of Jalandhar Swapan Sharma said that following disclosures of accused gangsters, police from the Jalandhar Commissionerate were taking the accused to a secluded place on the outskirts of the Jalandhar Cantonment, where they claimed to have concealed arms and ammunition. Upon reaching the location, both the accused persons managed to run from the spot by opening fire at the police party using the pistol retrieved from the spot, he said. Acting promptly, police opened retaliatory fire to stop them and managed to apprehend them after giving them a 1.5kms foot chase, Commissioner Sharma added. One of the accused persons sustained a bullet injury on his right leg, while other one sustained injuries during a tussle with the police. He said that both the accused persons have criminal history with several criminal cases pertaining to Arms Act, NDPS Act and attempt to murder, among other cases, registered against them. He said that with recovery of two more pistols from the spot, a total of six weapons have been recovered from this module so far, adding that more arrests and recoveries are expected in coming days.
Spike in stubble burning on Diwali worsens Punjabs air quality
CHANDIGARH: The biggest spike in stubble burning cases this season in Punjab occurred on Diwali, with 484 farm fire incidents reported. So far, a total of 2,950 crop residue burning cases have been reported across the state, and the number is expected to rise in the coming days. The Air Quality Index (AQI) level this morning in Punjab and Haryana fell into the 'Very Poor' and 'Poor' categories, while the Union Territory of Chandigarh recorded 'Very Poor' air quality. Meanwhile, Pakistan Punjabs Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has described smog as a common enemy and called for joint efforts between the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. She stressed that the issue is not political but a humanitarian one. According to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Sangrur topped the state with 89 stubble burning incidents, followed by Ferozepur with 65, Mansa with 40, Fatehgarh Sahib with 36, and 35 each reported in Tarn Taran and Kapurthala. In Patiala, 33 incidents occurred, followed by 29 in Amritsar, 28 in Bathinda, 20 in Gurdaspur, and 14 each in Moga and Barnala. Additionally, Ludhiana recorded 11 cases, Faridkot had 10, and seven cases were reported from Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur. Muktsar saw four cases, SAS Nagar three, and one case each was recorded in Fazilka and Malerkotla. Since October, there has been a noticeable uptick in stubble-burning incidents. On October 12, 177 cases were reported, followed by 163 on October 13, 173 on October 15, and 219 on October 29. Sources pointed out that the number of crop residue burning cases is expected to increase further in the coming days, as farmers prepare to clear their fields for wheat sowing during the November 1-15 window. Cracker ban goes up in smoke as Delhi records its most polluted Diwali in three years The deteriorating air quality in major cities across Punjab remains a concern. This morning, Amritsar recorded an AQI of 335 ('Very Poor'), Mandi Gobindgarh 326 ('Very Poor'), and Khanna 306 ('Very Poor'). In other cities, the AQI fell into the 'Poor' category: Patiala registered 255, Ludhiana 206, and Jalandhar 266. Bathinda was the only city with 'Moderate' air quality at 110. In Chandigarh, the AQI was marked as 'Very Poor' at 320. Haryanas air quality was also grim, with four cities recording 'Very Poor' AQI levels this morning: Gurugram at 376, Ambala at 336, Jind at 326, and Kurukshetra at 310. Twelve cities had AQI levels in the 'Poor' range, including Bahadurgarh at 284, Faridabad at 278, Bhiwani at 275, Kaithal at 260, and Daruhera at 257. Panchkula registered 249, Manesar 247, Hisar 246, Karnal 243, Ballabgarh 228, Fatehabad 233, and Charkhi Dadri 210. Only Palwal (129) and Mandikhera (136) recorded 'Moderate' air quality. Addressing a Diwali event in Lahore, Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasised the need for cooperation between the Punjab regions of India and Pakistan. She stated, Winds do not recognise boundaries; we must engage in diplomacy with the government of Indian Punjab, as smog has become a significant concern in Punjab, especially Lahore. I am thinking of writing to the CM of Indian Punjab for a joint war against smog and ask for a coordinated response to measures being implemented to prevent smog and environmental degradation. Until both Punjabs come together, we will not be able to tackle the smog issue.
Dhami re-elected as SGPC president for fourth consecutive term
CHANDIGARH: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate Harjinder Singh Dhami has been re-elected as the president of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the mini-parliament of Sikhs, for the fourth consecutive term. A total of 142 votes were polled and Dhami got 107 votes, while on the other hand, Bibi Jagir Kaur could secure only 33 votes and two votes were declared invalid. Of the 148 members, only 142 turned up to participate in the election process for the top post of the apex gurdwara body at the Teja Singh Samundri Hall in the Golden Temple complex at Amritsar. Raghujit Singh Virk was elected as senior vice-president unopposed, and Baldev Singh Kalyan and Sher Singh were elected as junior vice-president and general secretary, respectively. Meanwhile, the 11-member executive was also nominated. Dhami has been the SGPC president for consecutive four terms - 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. He had replaced Bibi Jagir Kaur as the chief in the 2021-2022 election and his tenure as president of the Sikh body remained non-controversial. The general house of the SGPC consists of a total of 185 members, including the 15 co-opted members. At present, the house has 148 members as 31 members have died, while four others have resigned from the membership and two half lost the voting rights. The five Takht Jathedars (High Priests) and the Golden Temple head granthi are also counted in the House, separately, but they have no voting rights. This is likely the last annual election of the existing body as the Chief Gurdwara Election Commission has declared to hold the General Elections (for a five-year term) of the SGPC. The voting registration process is underway and the SGPC general polls are expected to be held next year. The house proceedings were attended by Golden Temples Head Granthi and Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh, Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib Jathedar Giani Sultan Singh, Akal Takhts Additional Granthi Giani Malkit Singh. A loyalist of the Badal family, Dhami is an advocate by profession. Born on August 28, 1956, in Piplan Wala village, Hoshiarpur district, he has been a member of the SGPC representing the Sham Chaurasi segment since 1996.
Punjab police thwart three target killings with arrest of Bambiha-Kaushal gang operatives
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Police have thwarted three possible target killings with the arrest of five key operatives of the Bambiha-Kaushal gang. Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, announced the arrests, which were made by the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police. The arrested individuals have been identified as Jaspreet Singh alias Jassa of Boparai Kalan village in Jalandhar, Harshdeep Singh of Garage Mehdood village in Hoshiarpur, Shekhar of Muradpur village in Tarn Taran, Gagandeep Singh alias Ginni Bajwa of New Model House in Jalandhar, and Amit Sahota of Bambian Wal village in Jalandhar. The police recovered nine weapons from their possession, including eight pistols and one revolver, along with 15 live cartridges. Yadav stated, The arrested accused were involved in multiple serious offences, including extortion, murder, and arms trafficking across several districts of the state. Several cases have already been registered against these accused persons. He added that further investigations are underway to uncover their broader network and establish both backward and forward linkages to dismantle the gang completely. Commissioner of Police of Jalandhar, Swapan Sharma, shared details of the operation, stating that following reliable inputs about the Bambiha-Kaushal gang planning a major criminal activity in the state, police teams laid a naka at BSF Chowk. They arrested three individuals, including Jaspreet Jassa, Harshdeep, and Shekhar, after recovering six weapons from their possession. Sharma further reported that two more operatives of the gang, identified as Gagandeep Ginni and Amit Sahota, were arrested from a naka near Bhargo Camp, with three weapons recovered from them. Further investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected, he added. In this regard, two separate cases have been registered, including FIR No. 253 under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station New Baradari in Jalandhar and FIR No. 100 under section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Bhargo Camp in Jalandhar.
AAP announces candidates for Punjab bypolls to four assembly seats
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday released its list of candidates for the November 13 bypolls to four assembly seats in Punjab. The list was shared by the party on X (formerly Twitter). AAP has fielded Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, who joined the party after quitting the Shiromani Akali Dal in August, from the Gidderbaha constituency. Ishaan Chabbewal, son of AAP Hoshiarpur MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, has been named as the candidate for the Chabbewal (SC) segment. Harinder Singh Dhaliwal will represent the party from Barnala, while Gurdeep Singh Randhawa will contest from the Dera Baba Nanak seat. The bypolls were necessitated after MLAs representing the four constituencies were elected to the Lok Sabha. Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, the Congress MLA from Gidderbaha, won the Ludhiana Lok Sabha seat. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, a former Congress MLA who later joined the AAP, was elected to the Lok Sabha from Hoshiarpur. Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, the Congress MLA from Dera Baba Nanak, won the Gurdaspur parliamentary seat, and Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, the AAP MLA from Barnala, was elected from Sangrur. The counting of votes for the bypolls will take place on November 23.
Several families in Punjab worried over India, Canada diplomatic fallout
CHANDIGARH: As relations between India and Canada have hit an all time low, after the diplomatic fallout now the parents and families of students and others from Punjab who have gone to Canada on study visas or currently working there are apprehensive on getting PR while those who got permanent residency or citizenship are anxiouson how this might cause hindrance in travelling back to India. Talking with this newspaper, the parents and others expressed lot of apprehension and were worried about the outcome of this diplomatic row between countries and how it will be effect their families and children, as they expressed the feared that they will face difficulties in securing visas to meet familes, children and relatives in Canada. Reacting to the fresh development, DP Singh who lives in Mohali has sent his children to Canada he is apprehensive that this deteriorating relationship should not have a negative effect on the permanent residency and citizenship of the children. After spending so much the children have gone to Canada for higher studies and once they complete their studies they look to settle down there, but this present diplomatic row should not become hindrance in their permanent residency and afterwards citizenship, he says. Canada-India diplomatic standoff over assassination allegations could impact Modi's global ambitions Another parent Jaswant Singh whose son and daughter are studying in Canada, says that the day by day the Canadian Government is tightening the grip on intentional students as they have changed the rules and regulations and not only that the students will now face more difficulties in getting permanent residency (PR) and thus they fear they might be deported back and students will then be forced to apply for refugee status. The other problem which might come is that senior citizens who are living with the children in Canada and come to Punjab to visit their families and relatives back home once a year and to take care of their properties here. They are worried now that it might be difficult to come as many have given up their Indian citizenship and got Canadian citizenship so they apprehensive about getting visas, he says. Amanpreet Singh Oberoi who got his Canadian PR a few years back and has been doing business here and travels to Canada on a regular basis explanid that the present row between both countries will affect bilateral trade and the Indian Diaspora in Canada who sends money back as they buy properties in Punjab. Also the students who are studying there will have a lot of negative effects as Canada might not encourage people to visit there, he adds. A decade ago when the study visa program picked up pace in Canada there were only 214,000 international students and now in 2022, there are over 800,000 international students. As per estimates, Punjab accounts for around 70 per cent of the total Indian students who go to Canada. With Canadian federal elections due next year the immigration policy is now a key factor in the country. In last September, the Canadian government announced a reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025. It reduced study permits by 10 per cent from the 2024 target of 4.85 lakh new student permits. While Kunal Saini of Hoshiarpur whose sister, Kanika Saini went to Canada three years ago on a student visa said that his dream of studying in Canada now feels uncertain and is now exploring other options for higher education. Arvind Sharma of Hoshiarpur, whose son Gopal Sharma has the permanent resident status fears that the ongoing diplomatic standoff could make it difficult for Indians here and there to secure visas to visit their relatives. Several people of the Doaba region (Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar districts) of Punjab have settled abroad, mostly in Canada, the USA and the UK.
By-elections of four assembly segments in Punjab on November 13
CHANDIGARH: The Election Commission of India has announced by-elections for four assembly seats in Punjab these are Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), Gidderbaha, and Barnala. Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab Sibin C said that, as per the program issued for these by-elections, the notification will be issued on October 18. The last date for filing nominations is October 25 and the scrutiny of nomination papers will be conducted on October 28 while the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 30. Sibin C informed that voting will take place on November 13, and the counting of votes and announcement of results will be done on November 23. He further stated that with the announcement of the by-elections, the election code of conduct has come into effect in the districts where these constituencies are located, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Barnala. The code of conduct will remain in force until the completion of the election process till November 25. Number of voters and polling stations in four assembly constituencies, Sibin C said that, as of October 10, the total number of voters in the four constituencies is 6,96,316, with a total of 831 polling stations. While in Dera Baba Nanak, there are 1,93,268 voters and 241 polling stations. In Chabbewal (SC), the number of voters is 1,59,254, with 205 polling stations. He further added that in Gidderbaha, the total number of voters is 1,66,489, and 173 polling stations have been established. Meanwhile, in Barnala, there are 1,77,305 voters and 212 polling stations. He said that Uma Shankar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur, has been appointed as the District Election Officer for the Dera Baba Nanak assembly constituency, while Komal Mittal, Deputy Commissioner of Hoshiarpur, will serve as the District Election Officer for Chabbewal (SC). Rajesh Tripathi, Deputy Commissioner of Sri Muktsar Sahib, has been appointed for the Gidderbaha constituency, and Poonamdeep Kaur, Deputy Commissioner of Barnala, will be the District Election Officer for Barnala. Additionally, the SDM of Dera Baba Nanak has been appointed as the Returning Officer for that constituency, while the ADC (G) of Hoshiarpur has been named the Returning Officer for Chabbewal (SC). The SDM of Gidderbaha has been appointed as the Returning Officer for Gidderbaha, and the SDM of Barnala for Barnala.
Diplomatic Crisis Between India, Canada Leaves Several Punjab Families Worried
Kunal Saini, a 21-year-old student from Hoshiarpur, feels his dream of studying in Canada is shattered. Hoshiarpur's Arvind Sharma, whose son is a permanent resident status there, fears that it will be difficult for him to secure a Canadian visa.
Punjab: 6 injured after blast in bag carrying firecrackers during procession of of Lord Hanuman
Six members of a religious procession were injured after a bag containing around 250 firecrackers accidentally exploded in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district on Thursday morning, police said.
Punjab Police Crack Down on 25 Travel Agencies for Fraudulent Overseas Job Schemes
Chandigarh: The Punjab Police have taken legal action against 25 travel agencies across the state for deceiving young people with false promises of job opportunities abroad. This crackdown, led by the NRI and Cyber Crime wings of the Punjab Police in collaboration with the Protectorate of Emigrants, Chandigarh, targets agencies that have been advertising fake employment opportunities on social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. These agencies are accused of enticing individuals with assurances of guaranteed jobs in Western countries and Russia, often through dubious or non-existent documentation processes. A total of 20 FIRs have been filed under Sections 24/25 of the Emigration Act at various NRI police stations, including those in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, and SAS Nagar. The operation focused on agencies actively promoting fraudulent job schemes on social media and defrauding young people of their money. ADGP Praveen K Sinha reported that these agencies were operating without the required licenses and permissions. Our investigation included examining online platforms and verifying the credentials of these agencies. Following confirmation of their illegal activities, FIRs were lodged against them, Mr. Sinha said, according to the Tribune. This enforcement action comes in response to increasing incidents of travel agencies using illegal routes to send youths to Western nations or Russia, where some have been recruited to fight in the Ukraine war. ADGP Sinha has urged the public to be cautious and thoroughly verify the credentials of travel agents before sharing personal documents or making financial transactions. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Urges ULFA(I) to Avoid Actions That Harm State's Future Rising Water Levels in Saryu River and Ganga Cause Disruption Amid Floods in Uttar Pradesh PM Modi Celebrates Karam Puja with Jharkhand's Tribes, Lays Foundation for Railway Projects
25 travel agents booked for illegally advertising jobs: Punjab police
Twenty-five travel agents in Punjab have been booked for illegally advertising employment opportunities on social media, said police on Wednesday. The action came after the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs red-flagged the advertising on social media for jobs in foreign countries by such unscrupulous travel agencies. In a statement, Additional Director General of Police (NRI Affairs) Praveen K Sinha said these travel agencies were advertising jobs abroad without possessing the requisite licence and permissions. We checked the online platforms, verified their credentials covertly and registered FIRs against them, he said, adding that a total of 20 FIRs have been registered under the Emigration Acts at various NRI police stations in Amritsar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and SAS Nagar. The ADGP said this operation specifically targeted those illegal travel agents, who were advertising on online platforms, offering promisi
Punjab doctors begin 3-day strike, patients suffer due to suspended OPD services
PATIALA/HOSHIARPUR: Government doctors in Punjab on Monday suspended outpatient department (OPD) services for three hours across the state to press for their demands, including reinstatement of the assured career progression scheme and adequate security measures for healthcare workers. The protest, being held under the banner of Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association, will continue till September 11 in district and sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres, said the protesting doctors. Many patients visiting these government hospitals were inconvenienced as the OPD services remained suspended from 8 am to 11 am. However, emergency services continued. President of PCMS Association (Patiala unit) Dr Sumeet Singh said the reinstatement of the assured career progression scheme (ACP) is one of the main demands of the protesting doctors. Unlike other departments, doctors do not have many avenues of promotion through the course of their career, which was compensated through the annual career progression scheme. But it was halted in 2021, Singh said. The ACP scheme provides financial benefits and higher pay scales to government employees. The association is also demanding adequate safety measures for healthcare professionals at hospitals and recruitment of more medical officers. Another protesting doctor in Patiala insisted upon the need for tightening of security in the government health facilities across the state. The doctors' association pointed out a Sunday night incident in which a woman doctor, who was eight-month pregnant, was manhandled by two unidentified men at the Community Health Centre at Dhakoli in Mohali and fled with syringes and injections. The police have registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, patients, who came for a check-up at Mata Kaushalya Hospital in Patiala faced inconvenience due to the suspended OPD services. Sukhdev Singh, who came to the hospital from Devigarh, said he came to know about the strike after reaching there. He said he had come for an eye check-up. In Hoshiarpur, local resident Harpreet Singh had brought his father Sukhwinder Singh to a government hospital for treatment of his swollen leg. Unaware of the doctors' strike, Harpreet said he found himself helpless. Due to financial constraints, he could not afford private medical treatment and had no choice but to wait for the strike to end, he added. Another patient, Malti Marwaha (48) from Vijay Nagar in Hoshiarpur, shared a similar experience. She came to the hospital to get her eyes checked, only to learn about the doctors' strike. I do not know why the government doctors are on strike, but the government should make necessary arrangements to ensure that poor patients who rely on government health institutions do not suffer, she rued. Vijay Kumar Behal (70) of Sham Chaurasi, who travelled 22 km to the hospital for depression treatment, was equally disappointed. The government should inform people in advance about the strike by healthcare staff, so patients do not waste time coming to government health institutions, he said. A meeting between PCMS Association's representatives and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has been fixed for Wednesday. The association has warned that if no significant outcome emerges from the meeting and the promotion-related notification is not issued, it will begin a complete strike of all services from Thursday.
Amritsar NRI shooting: Five including father of victim's first wife arrested
AMRITSAR: A day after an NRI was shot at inside his house , police on Sunday arrested five people, including the father of the victim's first wife, in connection with the incident. Efforts are being made to nab the two criminals who shot at Sukhchain Singh, who recently returned from the US, and are on the run, they said. The assailants intercepted Sukhchain Singh when he was leaving his house in Daburji village on the outskirts of the city here for a morning walk on Saturday. They barged into his house and fired three shots at him before fleeing. Two of the bullets hit Sukhchain Singh, one in the head and the other near the chest. He is out of danger, according to police. Addressing the media here, Amritsar Police Commissioner Ranjit Singh Dhillon said the attack on Sukhchain Singh was carried out at the behest of the family of his first wife. His first wife had committed suicide in December 2022 and her family nursed a grudge against him, he said. Two criminals, Sukhwinder alias Sukha and Gurkirat Singh alias Guri were hired to kill Sukhchain Singh, police said. We are after the assailants, Dhillon said. Those arrested are Sarwan Singh, the father of Sukhchain Singh's first wife and a resident of Bains village in Hoshiarpur; Jagjit Singh and Chamkaur Singh of Tarn Taran who helped the assailants before committing the crime; hotel owner Digambar Attri and hotel manager Abhilash Bhaskar who provided accommodation to the assailants without asking for ID proofs, the officer said. The assailants stayed in Attri's hotel before and after committing the crime, according to police. Dhillon said police have also booked US-based Sukhwinder Singh, Kuljinder Kaur and her husband Jasvir Singh. Sukhwinder Singh and Kuljinder Kaur are the brother and sister of Sukhchain Singh's first wife respectively. Sukhchain Singh was shot at in front of his wife, mother and his two children from his first marriage. Footage retrieved from CCTV cameras installed inside the victim's house showed his wife, mother and children pleading with the assailants to let him go. Special Director General of Police R N Dhoke (Internal Security) met Sukhchain Singh's family on Saturday. NRI shot by two unidentified assailants at residence in Punjab North Indian Punjabi Association reacts The North American Punjabi Association on Sunday condemned the attack on the NRI. Satnam Singh Chahal, executive director of the US-based North American Punjabi Association, said, The attack on an NRI in Punjab is deeply troubling and warrants condemnation. Such acts of violence not only harm individuals but also create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the diaspora community. The Punjabi diaspora, who often invest significantly in their home state and maintain strong cultural ties, have every right to feel safe and respected, he said in a statement. Chahal added that addressing these issues required concerted efforts from both the local authorities and community leaders to improve law and order and ensure justice. The situation should be treated with utmost seriousness to prevent further incidents and to restore confidence among the NRI community, he said. It's essential that steps are taken to address the root causes of these attacks and to bolster the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Punjab. This will help in rebuilding trust and ensuring a safer environment for everyone, he added.
Criminal arrested with pistol, live bullets in Samba
Jammu, Aug 23: A criminal was arrested in Samba district and an illegal pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from his possession on Friday, officials here said. The accused, Mohd Latief alias Latief Punjabi of Hoshiarpur in Punjab, was arrested during checking at Chak Dayala near Basantar Bridge, the officials said. According to the [] The post Criminal arrested with pistol, live bullets in Samba appeared first on Northlines .
Criminal Arrested With Pistol, Live Bullets In J&Ks Samba
JAMMU, Aug 23: A criminal was arrested in Jammu and Kashmirs Samba district and an illegal pistol and five live cartridges were recovered from his possession on Friday, officials here said. The accused, Mohd Latief alias Latief Punjabi of Hoshiarpur in Punjab, was arrested during checking at Chak Dayala near Basantar bridge, the officials said. Follow The Daily Excelsior Channel On WhatsApp According to the officials, Latief is named in multiple criminal cases of attempt to murder, theft, rioting, abetment [] The post Criminal Arrested With Pistol, Live Bullets In J&Ks Samba appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
