UP: Life term for man who raped Dalit girl, uploaded video online leading to her suicide

Maharajganj: A 34-year-old man here has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court for molesting a Dalit girl and then circulating a video of the act online, leading to the victim's suicide, a lawyer said on Tuesday. Special Judge (SC-ST Act) court Sanjay Mishra on Monday convicted Jalandhar Rai and also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on him, Assistant District Government Counsel (ADGC) Phanindra Kumar Tripathi said. According to the prosecution, the incident took place on January 11, 2020 when Rai took the girl to an isolated place and molested her. He also made objectionable videos of the act and circulated it online, besides threatening to kill the girl. Further, a few days later, the girl came to know about the videos after which she hanged herself to death from a tree outside the village, which fell in the Nichlaul police station area, the prosecution said. The girl's father had filed a complaint after which a case was lodged against Rai under various sections of the erstwhile IPC, including 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation),306 (suicide abetment), 554 (assault or criminal force with intent to outrage modesty), Tripathi said. The police had also invoked provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case, he said. Special Judge Sanjay Mishra convicted the accused and sentenced him to life imprisonment after holding him guilty of the charges. The judge also imposed a fine of Rs 15,000 on the convict, the ADGC said. Failure to pay the penalty would result in his sentence being increased for another one month as per the court order, he added.

9th General Elections for North East Students' Organisation Jalandhar NESOJ

North East Students' Organisation Jalandhar NESOJ Posted on 19th November 2024

Punjab reports season's highest stubble burning cases as Haryana AQI touches 'severe' levels

CHANDIGARH: The highest number of stubble burning cases in this season, at 1,251 incidents, were reported in Punjab on Monday increasing the total number of reported cases this year to 9.655, according to data by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PCCB). The Air Quality Index (AQI) level in the state was in the 'Poor category, while in Haryana five towns were in the 'Severe category and six places in the 'Very Poor category. Of the total 1,251 incidents reported on Monday, 247 cases were in Muktsar district followed by 149 in Moga, 130 incidents of stubble-burning were in Ferozepur, 129 in Bathinda, 94 in Fazilka, 88 in Faridkot, 77 in Tarn Taran and 73 in Sangrur. Ludhiana had 52 cases, Barnala 42 incidents, 40 in Mansa and Amritsar had 36 reported cases and Marelkotla had 34. Meanwhile on Sunday, 404 stubble burning cases were reported across the state, of which 74 new cases were from Ferozepur and 70 in Bathinda. An environmental compensation of Rs 1.35 crore had been imposed for 3,943 cases till November 15. As per the central pollution control board, the AQI levels of both Amritsar and Jalandhar around 7.30 pm were 241 in the 'Poor' category. Khanna was 143 in the 'Moderate' category and Ludhiana, Patiala and Rupnagar all three were at 262 and Mandi Gobindgarh was 213 - all in the 'Poor' category. While the AQI level of Chandigarh was 270 at the Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) in Sector 22, the AQI at around 7.30 pm on Monday was at 250 and that at CAAQMS Sector 53 was recorded at 240 and at the Sector 25 station it was 270. Ambala residents report breathing issues due to fog, pollution. In Haryana the Air Quality Index at Gurugram was 494, Dharuhera was 447, Bahadurgarh was 443, Faridabad was 432 and Bhiwani 405, all in the 'Severe category. While Jind was 387, Fatehabad was 383, Kaithal was 354, Karnal was 348, Palwal was 327, Narnaul was 320 - in the 'Very Poor category. Kurukshetra's AQI was 298, Mandikhera was at 293, Hisar at 281, Charkhi Dadri at 226 - all in the 'Poor' category. Only two places - Ambala and Panchkula - were in the 'Moderate category. In response to worsening air pollution, the Nuh Administration has declared holidays for schools up to class 5 from November 18 to November 22, according to an official order. As per the order from the office of the District Elementary Education Officer of Nuh, the holiday has been declared in all government, semi-government, and private schools in the Nuh district of Haryana. Sources pointed out that the PPCB is under scrutiny and facing allegations of under-reporting of farm fire incidents. The scientists monitoring the farm fires claimed that many farmers were setting paddy residue on fire post afternoon, dodging the satellite. While the pollution control board claimed have brought down farm fires by 70 per cent than previous years, farmers could be seen evading the satellite by setting the paddy residue on fire post 3 pm.

Marriage and Divorce under Punjab Customary Law with Special reference to Ghuman Jatts of Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts

Here's the text with capitalization corrected: An instance where scope of law is limited and customs come into picture.... Vishal Banga Customary LawsIn India, customs has been recognized as...

Sukhbir Singh Badal Steps Down as President of Shiromani Akali Dal

Sukhbir Singh Badal has officially stepped down as the President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). The announcement was made by party leader Daljit Cheema, who confirmed the news on social media. In his post, Cheema said, Sukhbir Singh Badal has resigned from his position as President of the Shiromani Akali Dal. He submitted his resignation to the party's working committee, making way for the election of a new President. He expressed gratitude to all party leaders and members for their trust and unwavering support throughout his leadership. This resignation follows an earlier declaration by the Akal Takht in August, labeling Sukhbir Singh Badal as tankhaiya, a term used for religious misconduct. This decision was linked to alleged mistakes made during his party's time in power from 2007 to 2017. In July, the Shiromani Akali Dal made the decision to dissolve its core committee after a meeting held in Chandigarh. Daljit Singh Cheema announced the restructuring on social media, saying that the committee would soon be reorganized. He mentioned, The party's working committee has granted Sukhbir Singh Badal the authority to restructure the party's framework. During a meeting in Chandigarh, the party leadership discussed this in detail and agreed to dissolve the Core Committee, which will be reconstituted in the near future. The meeting also focused on preparations for the upcoming four bye-elections. Cheema also noted that senior members like Harjinder Singh Dhami, Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Mahesh Inder Singh Grewal, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema, Paramjit Singh Sarna, Iqbal Singh Jhoonda, and Harcharan Singh Bains attended the meeting. This move comes amid internal tensions within the party. Recently, prominent figures like Parminder Singh Dhindsa and Bibi Jagir Kaur expressed discontent with Badal's leadership following the party's poor showing in the last Lok Sabha elections. A group of SAD leaders even gathered in Jalandhar, calling for Badals resignation. Despite this, several key leaders have reiterated their loyalty and support for him. Assembly Bypolls in 14 Seats Across U.P, Punjab, and Kerala Rescheduled to November 20

Chandigarh Diary | Punjab smoke on world tour: Mann to Maryam

Delhi has blamed Punjabs farm fires for the suffocating smog and Pakistans Punjab, too, has repeated the charge with Maryam Nawaz, CM of Pakistan side of Punjab, reportedly contemplating writing to CM Bhagwant Mann on the subject. To both -- Centre and Pakistan -- Mann came out with a witty quip: Looks like our Punjab smoke is on a world tour! Mann then sarcastically urged Maryam to write to him about her woes. Maryam has alleged polluted smoke travelling from this side of Punjab to Lahore where the air quality index has hit the highest level of pollution. Mann called for unity rather than finger-pointing . Mann shows his love for fans at poll rally At a bypoll rally in the state, Mann was greeted with an affectionate Bhai, love you. The Punjab CM, who was listing out his governments pro-people policies, when the same supporter added more sugar to his affection: Love you 2, 3 and 4 times. The CM paused before winsomely responding with: It (his appreciation) is 5, 6 and 7 times. He went on with his remarks about his love for the people. Anyone can meet him and take selfies. He said people were generally afraid of meeting leaders of other parties, as if they would be robbed of their valuables. Channi, Bittu & Neetu the fight goes on Old adversaries, former CM Charanjit Singh Channi and Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, were at it again during bypoll campaigning. While speaking at Barnala, Channi said that even Neetu Shattran Wala could become the CM but not Bittu. Neetu became a social media star after he wept inconsolably on camera claiming he had got just five votes in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from Jalandhar though his family had nine members. In his response, Bittu said that it was for the first time that a CM lost from both seats that he contested in the 2022 assembly elections. Bittu also accused Channi of being involved in a #MeToo case, claiming he had sent indecent messages to a senior IAS officer in November 2018. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

Punjab Police dismantles UK-based extortion syndicate; 10 held with 7 pistols

Jalandhar (Punjab), Nov 14: Jalandhar Rural Police dismantled two separate criminal gangs, including a UK-based extortion syndicate, and arrested 10 hardcore criminals after recovering seven pistols along with 18 live cartridges and 10 magazines from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday. Police teams have also impounded a car, a scooter, a motorcycle and a scooter being used by the arrested persons to carry out criminal activities. DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary [] The post Punjab Police dismantles UK-based extortion syndicate; 10 held with 7 pistols appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

5th edition of Northeast Fiesta at Jalandhar

North East Students' Organization Jalandhar NESOJ Posted on 28th October 2024

Air quality 'poor' in large parts of Punjab, Haryana; Chandigarh 'very poor'

CHANDIGARH: The air quality in several parts of Punjab and Haryana was recorded in the 'poor' category on Saturday, while it was worst in the joint capital city of Chandigarh with an AQI of 322 which falls in the 'very poor' band. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer App, which provides hourly updates, Haryana's Bahadugarh recorded an Air Quality Index of 314 -- also in the 'very poor' category at 9 am. Among other places in Haryana, the AQI at Sonipat was 290, Hisar (285), Bhiwani (277), Jind (275), Charkhi Dadri (258), Gurugram (259), Faridabad (220), Yamunanagar (213), Rohtak (238), Kurukshetra (202), Kaithal (205), Fatehabad (198), Ambala (160), Sirsa (181), and Karnal (144). In Punjab, the AQI was registered at 264 in Mandi Gobindgarh, 258 in Amritsar, 257 in Rupnagar, 248 in Jalandhar, 197 in Ludhiana, 183 in Bathinda, 176 in Khanna, and 133 in Patiala. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. The rise in air pollution levels in the two states and Delhi during this time of year is often blamed on farm fires. Punjab reported 730 farm fire incidents on Friday, taking the total count to 6,029 in the state this season. As the window for the Rabi crop -- wheat -- is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop.

Shooters in Baba Siddique case lured with car, Dubai trip offer

Mumbai: In the Oct 12 murder case of former minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, four of the 18 suspects in custody revealed that they were promised Rs 25 lakh, a car, a flat, and a Dubai trip. This incentive came to light during their police interrogation. On Wednesday, the Mumbai crime branch apprehended two additional suspects from Pune for their alleged roles in the conspiracy. Ramphoolchand Kanojia (43), arrested earlier in October, reportedly promised four of the accusedRupesh Mohol (22), Shivam Kohad (20), Karan Salve (19), and Gaurav Apune (23)the hefty rewards. According to police sources, Kanojia was to receive funding from Zeeshan Akhtar (23), a wanted individual from Jalandhar, Punjab, who allegedly managed over 10 bank accounts and transferred over Rs 4 lakh to facilitate the assassination. The newly arrested suspects, Aditya Gulankar (22) and Rafique Shaikh (22), were produced before the Esplanade court and remanded to police custody until Nov 13. Police revealed that Gulankar had been trained in firearms handling near Khadakwasla, Pune, in preparation for the crime. Investigators discovered that Gulankar and Shaikh had contact with previously arrested individuals, Pravin Lonkar and Mohol, who supplied a Turkish pistol and ammunition intended for the murder. The pistol was later recovered from Lonkars residence, along with a country-made firearm seized from Kanojias Panvel home. In total, five weapons and 64 bullets have been recovered, including Turkish and Australian-made pistols. Siddique was shot outside his office in Bandra East by three gunmen, two of whom were apprehended at the scene. Police are still seeking the third gunman. The case involves accused individuals from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Pune, but the motive behind the murder remains unclear.

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.

Air quality remains 'very poor' in several parts of Haryana, Punjab

CHANDIGARH: The air quality index at several places in Punjab and Haryanawas recorded in the 'very poor' and 'poor' categories on Sunday. According to Sameer app that provides hourly updates of the national AQI published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Punjab's Amritsar was recorded at 301,183 in Chandigarh, 119 in Bathinda, 214 in Jalandhar, 171 in Khanna, 153 in Ludhiana, 207 in Patiala, 184 in Mandi Gobindgarh and 141 in Rupnagar. Among several places in Haryana, the AQI was recorded at 293 in Bhiwani, 280 in Charkhi Dadri, 238 in Faridabad, 202 in Fatehabad, 266 in Gurugram, 266 in Hisar, 253 in Jind, 258 in Rohtak, 296 in Sonipat, 251 in Sirsa, 238 in Kurukshetra, 187 in Panipat, 142 in Yamunanagar and 112 in Ambala, the data showed. Spike in stubble burning on Diwali worsens Punjabs air quality The air quality index in Haryana's Bahadurgarh and Karnal were the worst hit with 313 and 316 respectively. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, 401 to 450 severe, and above 450 classified as 'severe plus.' Notably, Punjab recorded 379 farm fires on Saturday.

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.

Punjab Police seizes six kg heroin day after 105-kg drug haul, one held

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police on Monday said it has arrested a man with six kg heroin following its probe into the 105-kg drug haul in the state. The arrested accused has been identified as Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Chakoki village in Kapurthala, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here. Apart from recovering heroin consignment from his possession, police also impounded the accused's car in which he was travelling. The development came a day after Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar of the Punjab Police busted a cross-border smuggling racket after arresting two associates -- ?Navjot Singh and Lovepreet Kumar -- of drug smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar and recovered 105 kg heroin, 31.93 kg caffeine anhydrous, 17 kg dextromethorphan (DMR) and six weapons from their possession. DGP Yadav said while establishing forward-backward linkages in this case, police figured out that another associate Lovepreet Singh has received a huge consignment of heroin from Rajasthan, which he planned to supply to his associates based in Punjab. Police teams led by deputy superintendent of police Counter Intelligence Amritsar, Balbir Singh, put up a special checkpoint in Umranangal Morh village along the Jalandhar-Amritsar GT Road and apprehended Lovepreet Singh after recovering six kg heroin from his car. The DGP said preliminary investigation revealed that Lovepreet Singh picked up the heroin consignment from district Hanumangarh in Rajasthan and was going to deliver it to drug peddler Navjot Singh, who was arrested in the 105 kg heroin seizure case. The arrested accused will be further questioned to gather more information about the supply chain and his connections with the drug trafficking network. Further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, said the DGP. Meanwhile, Punjab cabinet minister and AAP leader Tarunpreet Singh Sond alleged that Navjot Singh, who was arrested in the 105 kg heroin seizure case, was the Congress party's circle chief from Baba Bakala in Amritsar. Police recovered heroin from Congress circle president, Navjot Singh, who hails from Baba Bakala, alleged Sond here. I commend the Punjab Police for their exceptional efforts in intercepting this significant drug shipment, said Sond. This operation demonstrates our (AAP government's) commitment to combating drug-related crimes, he said. However, no immediate reaction to AAP's accusation was available from the Congress. A cross-border smuggling racket was unearthed on Sunday with the arrest of two associates of a Turkey-based drugs smuggler Navpreet Singh and seizure of 105 kg of heroin. Six weapons were also seized during the operation. Police had arrested Navjot Singh, a resident of Guru Tegh Bahadur Colony in Baba Bakala, Amritsar, and Lovepreet Kumar, a resident of Kala Sanghian in Kapurthala in the case. Both Navjot and Kumar were the two associates of Turkey-based drug smuggler Navpreet Singh alias Nav Bhullar. Investigations revealed that the accused persons were using these scheduled drugs as multiplying agents to increase the heroin quantity by four times, DGP Yadav had said on Sunday. According to police investigations, water-route was used to transport drugs from Pakistan. Bhullar was operating a Pakistan-backed cross-border smuggling racket using his associates camped at a rented accommodation at Colony Lady Road in Baba Bakala, police said. The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday recovered 568 grams of heroin near the International Border in Tarn Taran district. In a separate incident, the BSF also recovered a drone from a field near Ballaharwal village in Amritsar. On October 10, the BSF had recovered over 13 kg of heroin near the International Border in Tarn Taran district.

Jalandhar Police arrest key aide of Amritpal Singh in major arms and drug smuggling crackdown

Jalandhar Commissionerate Police, led by Swapan Sharma, arrested four individuals involved in illegal arms smuggling and drug trafficking. Those arrested include a key aide of Amritpal Singh. Authorities recovered ammunition and heroin, and investigations are ongoing. An FIR has been registered under related legal sections.

Pannun offers $1 million 'bounty' for intel on Amit Shah's foreign trips, calls for shutdown of CRPF schools

NEW DELHI: Proscribed outfit 'Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)' chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has announced a bounty of 1 million dollars for anyone who shares 'intel' on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's foreign trips. In a video released recently, Pannun accused the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of committing atrocities in Punjab in 1984. CRPF officials, from KPS Gill to Vikash Yadav, are responsible for extrajudicial killings of Sikhs. It happened first in Punjab and now happening in foreign countries, he said. Pannun accused Amit Shah, stating that he is heading the paramilitary force, and is responsible for hiring mercenaries. He called for a complete shutdown of CRPF schools on October 26 in Nagpur, Delhi (Rohini and Dwarka), Sonipat, Pinjore and Jalandhar. Pannun's call comes after a mysterious blast near a CRPF school in Delhis Rohini area on October 20, sparking a security alert. The blast appeared to be triggered by a crude bomb, partially damaged the schools wall and a few cars parked nearby. No casualties were reported. The same day in the evening a screenshot of a Telegram channel named 'Justice League India' was widely circulated on social media. An alleged channel had posted the video of the Rohini blast with a 'Khalistan Zindabad' watermark. It also had a threatening message indicating the alleged involvement of pro-Khalistani group. However, the senior police officers said the claim made in the Telegram post was subject to verification. The police have also written to Telegram in this regard. On Monday, Pannun had also warned passengers not to fly Air India flights from Nov 1 to 19, claiming that there is a possibility of attack during those days.

Pannun announces one million dollar bounty for 'intel' on Amit Shah's foreign trips

NEW DELHI: Proscribed outfit 'Sikhs For Justice (SFJ)' chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has announced a bounty of 1 million dollars for anyone who shares 'intel' on Union Home Minister Amit Shah's foreign trips. In a video released recently, Pannun accused the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) of committing atrocities in Punjab in 1984. CRPF officials, from KPS Gill to Vikash Yadav, are responsible for extrajudicial killings of Sikhs. It happened first in Punjab and now happening in foreign countries, he said. Pannun accused Amit Shah, stating that he is heading the paramilitary force, and is responsible for hiring mercenaries. He called for a complete shutdown of CRPF schools on October 26 in Nagpur, Delhi (Rohini and Dwarka), Sonipat, Pinjore and Jalandhar. Pannun's call comes after a mysterious blast near a CRPF school in Delhis Rohini area on October 20, sparking a security alert. The blast appeared to be triggered by a crude bomb, partially damaged the schools wall and a few cars parked nearby. No casualties were reported. The same day in the evening a screenshot of a Telegram channel named 'Justice League India' was widely circulated on social media. An alleged channel had posted the video of the Rohini blast with a 'Khalistan Zindabad' watermark. It also had a threatening message indicating the alleged involvement of pro-Khalistani group. However, the senior police officers said the claim made in the Telegram post was subject to verification. The police have also written to Telegram in this regard. On Monday, Pannun had also warned passengers not to fly Air India flights from Nov 1 to 19, claiming that there is a possibility of attack during those days.

NIT Jalandhar Hiring For 132 Faculty Posts, Check Qualifications, Age Limit

NIT Jalandhar Faculty Recruitment 2024: The deadline to apply for the posts is November 18 and for submission of a hard copy of the application is November 28.

Punjab government doctors planning to follow path of agitation in wake of increased attacks on doctors

CHANDIGARH: With more than a dozen cases of assault on government doctors of Punjab in the last two months after the RG Kar hospital horror in Kolkata and assurances by the AAP-led Punjab Government for comprehensive security and reinstatement of dynamic assured carrier progressions (DACPs), nothing has happened on the ground. The doctors are now planning to follow the path of agitation. In the last few days, two incidents of violence against doctors have been reported, one from Civil Hospital at Jalandhar on October 20 where a drunkard person assaulted a doctor on night duty and harassed his female colleagues and another from the community health centre (CHC) Dhakoli where two groups clashed with each other in the centre thus forcing the lady doctor and staff to lock themselves in the room till police came. Thus after the intervention of the association, the state police lodged the cases against the alleged accused under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Punjab Protection Medicare Services Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage of Property) Act. It is learnt that similar incidents have taken place since August at the government health facilities at Dera Baba Nanak, Patiala, Jagron, Sunam, Rajpura, Ferozepur and Naushera Majha Singh. Talking with TNIE, Dr Akhil Sarin, president of the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association of Punjab said, If commitment made by the government is not met within the stipulated time frame then the doctors will be forced to follow the path of agitation. He said that on October 21, a letter was written to the state health and family welfare secretary requesting a meeting regarding a review of the implementation of security provisions. On September 11 the association met with the cabinet subcommittee and received a written assurance that a comprehensive security framed work at all the 24/7 centres of the state would be put in place within a week of the meeting and also the government agreed to the implementation of dynamic assured carrier progressions (DACPs) within 12 weeks of the meeting but nothing happened on the ground, he added. The ACP scheme provides financial benefits and higher pay scales to government employees. After the meeting, the state health minister announced and reiterated that the assurances will be implemented within the stipulated time frame. However even after the lapse of six weeks, no on-ground steps for implementation of the assurances are perceptible, he said. The PCMS Association has been demanding a detailed assessment of each health facility to determine optimal security guards. For a 200-bed hospital ten guards during day time and four at evening and night hours. For the sub-district level hospitals, six security guards and at the community health centre, four guards. Besides security guards, visitor passes for people coming to see the patients, installing CCTVs and improving lighting in hospital campuses are also recommended. Earlier on September 14 the PCMS doctors, who had suspended OPD services since September 9, announced that they would be resuming duties after assurance from state health minister Dr Balbir Singh.

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.

The Khalistan factor and India-Canada diplomatic chill

No one really knows what struck Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Gurpatwant Singh Pannunboth born in Punjabto become wanted in India . Nijjar is no more; he was shot dead in June last year at the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Punjabi-dominated Surrey of British Columbia province in Canada. Pannun runs the Sikhs for Justice (SJF) outfit, is based in the US and possesses American and Canadian citizenship. The worst part about them is that they are the agent provocateurs in bringing Indo-Canadian relations to a nadir . So much so that in September last year Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau first publicly alleged Indias role in Nijjars killing, which New Delhi vehemently rejected . Trudeau runs a minority government with issue-based support from the pro-Khalistani New Democratic Party. Trudeau virtually indicted the Indian government in Canadian Parliament for Nijjars murder on September 18, 2023. In June this year, Canadas House of Commons observed a moment of silence for him. To date, the Canadian government has not produced a shred of evidence to substantiate its allegations, despite Indias repeated demands for proof. What was Nijjar doing back home before he converted into a Canadian citizen, and what did he have in common with Pannun before meeting his end? Nijjar was an Indian-origin Khalistani separatist who was declared a wanted terrorist by the Indian government due to his involvement in various acts of violence and subversive activities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) declared him wanted in at least four cases, including a conspiracy to kill a Hindu priest in Punjabs Phillaur in 2021. He figures in the list of individual terrorists in Schedule 4 of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). The NIA had also declared Rs 10 lakh cash reward on him in July last year. India seeks Nijjar's death certificate amid Canadas allegations of killing Originally from Bhar Singhpura village in Phillaur area of Jalandhar district, Nijjar was off to Canadait is not clear whether he possessed valid papersin 1997. He started working as a plumber, thousands of miles away from his house and land in the village. Last year, the NIA issued a notice seizing his property. His uncle, Himmat Singh, lives in the village though. Nijjars family had migrated with him, but his parents had been frequent visitors to the village till 2022. The judicial proceedings started against four men arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for Nijjars murder have not made any substantive progress. The case has been adjourned five times since May this year. The next hearing is due on November 21. Over to Pannun. After Nijjar rose to the top ranks of Khalistani terrorists, Pannun appointed him his separatist outfit SFJs representative in Canada, tasking him to promote the Referendum-2020 campaigna separatist agenda. Pannun is believed to be the brainchild of Pakistans intelligence agency, ISI. He originally belongs to Khankot village on the outskirts of Amritsar and got his law degree from Punjab University. He founded SFJ in 2007 and has vowed to avenge the death of Nijjar. Ukraine fallout: Russia expels several American diplomats, declares them 'persona non grata' On July 10, 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned SFJ under the UAPA. Pannun has been under the NIA scanner since 2019, when the anti-terror agency registered its first case against him. In September 2023, the NIA confiscated his house and land in Amritsar and Chandigarh following non-bailable arrest warrants against Pannun by the NIA Special Court on February 3, 2021. He was declared a Proclaimed Offender on November 29, 2022. Pannun first made the headlines in August 2018 when the SFJ organised a large rally of pro-Khalistanis at Trafalgar Square in London. Pannun has neither any influence in Punjab nor among Khalistani hardliners outside the state. Pannun is known to put out incendiary speeches and threats against Indian leaders and institutions. The SFJ has filed cases against former PM Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, besides others. Remaining Indian diplomats 'clearly on notice,' says Canadian foreign minister; compares India to Russia

Kanaujia gets Director NIT Srinagar charge

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Oct 17: The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has assigned Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia the temporary charge of Director at NIT Srinagar. Prof Kanaujia is currently holding the charge of the Director, DR BR Ambedkar NIT Jalandhar, Punjab. Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News As per an order, Prof Kanaujia will look after the additional charge with immediate effect in addition to his existing roles and responsibilities, for a period [] The post Kanaujia gets Director NIT Srinagar charge appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia Assigned Temporary Charge Of Director NIT Srinagar

JAMMU, Oct 17: The Ministry of Education, Government of India, has assigned Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia, currently the Director of NIT Jalandhar, the temporary charge of Director at NIT Srinagar. See Order Copy Click Here. The post Prof Binod Kumar Kanaujia Assigned Temporary Charge Of Director NIT Srinagar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar? How his assassination sparked India-Canda crisis

Relations between India and Canada reached a new low on Monday after India called back its senior diplomats, including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma, just hours after Canada connected Verma and other Indian officials in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. During a press conference, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Commissioner, Mike Duheme claimed that agents of the Indian government are involved in violent criminal activities in Canada and identified Indian diplomats as persons of interest in the investigation into Nijjar's murder. India confuted the statement of the allegations, in response and connected them to Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau's political agenda. India also evicted its top six Canadian diplomats and called back its envoys, including Canadas Charge dAffaires, Stewart Wheeler. Following that Canada also evicted Indian diplomats, by claiming that they were involved in a campaign of Violence by the Indian government. The recent tensions stem from the ongoing standoff over Nijjar's murder, which occurred in June 2023. In September of the previous year, Prime Minister Trudeau first publicly accused India of involvement in the incident, a claim that New Delhi strongly denied. Who is Hardeep Singh Nijjar? Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a supporter of Khalistani moment and was shot dead on June 18, 2023, in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. He was linked with the Sikhs for Justice, banned separatist group leader, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. India labeled claims of Canada as 'absurd' and 'motivated,' which led to the worsening diplomatic relations between both countries. Nijjar and Pannun, both have been labeled as terrorists by India. Nijjar, a Canadian resident, was the leader of the 'Khalistan Tiger Force' (KTF), which India labeled as a militant group, seeking to revive terrorism in Punjab. Before his involvement with the KTF, he was an operative of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). He also faced allegations of operating an arms training camp in British Columbia and was accused of several killings in India. Hardeep Singh Nijjar was born in Jalandhar, Punjab. He moved to Canada in 1977, where he started to work as a plumber. After settling in British Columbia, he became a vocal proponent of the Khalistan movement, which sought a homeland for Sikha to be carved out of Punjab. Nijjar obtained Canadian citizenship in 2007, the same year a cinema bombing in Punjab killed six people and injured dozens. The Indian government held Nijjar responsible for the attack. Although India had raised concerns with Canada regarding Nijjar, he was never formally charged with any crime. In June 2024, a year after his assassination, Canada's House of Commons held a 'moment of silence' in his memory.

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.

Siddique murder: Mumbai cops search in Madhya Pradesh for 3rd shooter who flaunted gangster status

Mumbai: Police have scoured places of worship in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain and Khandwa in their hunt for the third shooter wanted in connection with the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Six rounds were fired on Baba Siddique, two of which hit the former Maharashtra minister on the chest, outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar between 9.15 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday. Police have so far arrested three persons - Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), both alleged shooters, and co-conspirator Pravin Lonkar from Pune. Another suspected shooter Shivkumar Gautam, who hails from Bahraich in UP and is on the run, took to posting online content in recent months, flaunting his gangster status. Yaar tera gangster hai jaani (your friend is a gangster), Gautam captioned his photo post on his Instagram account on July 24. The photo showed him on a motorcycle as a Haryanvi song played in the background. Suspected handler Mohammad Yasin Akhtar is also wanted in the case. The Mumbai police's search for Gautam continued for the second day on Monday in Madhya Pradesh with joint teams focusing on places of worship in Ujjain and Khandwa districts, officials said. A senior police official in MP's Khandwa district on Monday said the shooters arrested by Mumbai police have told their interrogators that they had visited some places of worship. There was a possibility that the accused, while on the run, may visit these places again, he said. Asked about these two districts having 'jyotirlingas' and whether the accused may be a devotee, the official said he would not offer a comment. Khandwa shares a border with Maharashtra, the official noted, adding that we have received no inputs about his whereabouts. Ujjain and Khandwa are famous for the Mahakal and Omkareshwar temples which attract thousands of people every day. A top Ujjain police official on Monday evening said the team from Mumbai was still in the district. They have not been able to find any leads so far, he added. A Mumbai police team reached MP on Sunday, a day after Siddique was shot dead. Police were also verifying a social media post, attributed to a purported member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, owning up to the murder of Siddique. The crime branch was probing various angles, including a possible contract killing, business or political rivalry or threat over a slum rehabilitation project, officials said. The Mumbai police have set up 15 teams which fanned out of Maharashtra in search of individuals linked to the high-profile murder. Suspected shooter Gautam hails from Gandara village in Bahraich district, where locals and police said he had no criminal history. They said he had gone to work at a scrap shop in Maharashtra's Pune. An Instagram post by him on July 8 was captioned Sharif baap hai # (expletives) hum nahin. On May 26, he posted a brief video of a city skyline along with background music from KGF, a film about a mercenary, with its dialogue powerful people make places powerful. The third accused in the case - Pravin Lonkar - was produced in a Mumbai court which remanded him in police custody till October 21. He is accused of enlisting two of the three alleged shooters who opened fire at Siddique. As per the police, Pravin Lonkar's brother Shubham Lonkar, who is yet to be apprehended, is allegedly associated with jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The prosecution claimed Shubham Lonkar and other wanted accused had conspired the shooting and supplied arms to the gunmen who attacked the 66-year-old politician. Pravin Lonkar has to be taken to Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar for further probe and hence his custody was required, police told court. Meanwhile, the Punjab police said Yasin Akhtar (21), one of the suspects in the killing of Siddique and a resident of Shankar village in Jalandhar district, was facing nine heinous criminal cases, including for murder and attempt to murder. Akhtar was arrested in a criminal case in June 2022 and has not visited his village after he was released in June 2024, police said. Akhtar is suspected to have links with gangster Vikram Brar.

Baba Siddique murder: Mastermind Zeeshan Akhtar of Punjab on the run

CHANDIGARH: The main suspect in the murder of Nationalist Congress Party leader and former minister Baba Siddique has been identified as 21-year-old Mohammad Zeeshan Akhtar. He belongs to Punjab. Mumbai police have cast a net for him. Baba Siddique, a 66-year-old veteran politician, was shot dead outside his office in Mumbai's Bandra during Dussehra celebrations on Saturday night. A day after the murder, the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has claimed responsibility for the killing. According to sources, Zeeshan Akhtar allegedly passed on information about Siddique's location to the three shooters, one of whom, the 23-year-old Gurmail Singh belongs to Haryana. Police sources said that Zeeshan hails from Shakar village in Nakodar of Punjab and there are nine cases, ranging from attempt to murder, dacoity, and robbery to extortion registered against him. He was arrested on the charges of organized crime in 2022 by the Jalandhar Police and then sent to Patiala Central Jail. He was released on June 7 this year. In jail he reportedly came in contact with the associates of Lawrence Bishnoi gang who allegedly gave him the contract to kill Baba Siddique and after his release he met Gurmail Singh in Kaithal. Zeeshan had been giving directions to Gurmail, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shiv Kumar, He allegedly provided information about Siddiques location to the three shooters at the time of the killing and also allegedly assisted them with logistic support, including arranging rental accommodation, said sources. Sources further claim that Akhtar was directly in touch with Anmol Bishnoi, Lawrence Bishnois brother, who is now in US, through a specialized app. Baba Siddique's shocking Supari murder shows poor law enforcement A senior police officer said, he Mumbai Police is in touch with the Punjab Police. The Jalandhar Police is tight-lipped on the matter. A police officer said that the Mumbai police has not contacted them so far. Gurmail Singh disowned by family Meanwhile the 23-year old Gurmail Singh of Kaithal in Haryana, who is one of the three alleged suspects arrested for killing Siddique, had been disowned by his family 11 years ago. The villagers of Nard in Kaithal district told the media that Singh had allegedly murdered his friend's brother few years ago near the Rudri Temple in Kaithal district. Following this, he was arrested by the police and was in Kaithal jail where he came in contact with the associates of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. After Singh came out on bail, he didn't stay in his village for long and left for Mumbai. The locals said that Singh visited the village six months ago. Singhs grandmother, Phulli Devi said that they had disowned him 11 years years ago, As far as we are concerned, he is dead. They (police) might as well shoot him in the middle of the road it would not affect us at all. When he came home last time he stayed for just a few minutes. I had gone out for some work and by the time I returned he had left. He had not been in touch with the family. He was in jail for four years. Superintendent of Police of Kaithal Rajesh Kalia said that the accused was arrested in a murder case in 2019, in which he got bail later and so far the police had not received any request from Mumbai Police seeking information about the accused. He has a couple of other cases registered against him. Baba Siddique's murder 'shocking, shameful': Opposition calls for Maharashtra CM, Dy CM to resign

Fourth Suspect In Baba Siddique Murder Identified, Lawrence Bishnoi Gang's Link Emerges

The fourth man involved in the killing of former Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique has been identified, claimed police sources, adding that the person hailed from Punjab's Jalandhar.

Jalandhar links surface in Baba Siddique's murder, 4th accused identified

According to police, Akhtar was arrested by Jalandhar Rural Police in 2022 for organized crime, murder, and robbery

Who Is Handler of Baba Siddique's Killers: Trail From Jalandhar To Mumbai

The fourth man involved in the murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique is from Punjab's Jalandhar, police sources have said.

ED raids AAP MP in Punjab, Kejriwal says God with us

CHANDIGARH: Enforcement Directorate sleuths on Monday raided the premises of AAPs Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as a part of a money laundering probe linked to a land fraud case. Besides Arora (61), the others included realtors and investors. The ED action drew a sharp reaction from AAP. This is not an investigation against corruption; it is clearly an orchestrated attempt by the Prime Minister to crush one party by using every resource, agency, and power at his disposal, said AAPs national convenor Arvind Kejriwal. We have God on our side, he added. Sources said the ED team raided Aroras residence at Hampton Homes colony in Ludhiana as he is the owner of Ritesh Properties and Industries Ltd. He was allotted an industrial plot in Ludhiana by the state government a few years ago when the Congress was in power in the state. Arora allegedly breached the allotment conditions by setting up commercial and residential projects. Besides raids at his Ludhiana home, his house in Gurugram was also searched by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The ED searches also included premises of Hemant Sood of Ludhiana and Chander Aggarwal of Jalandhar. Both are directors of the company. Sources said Pardeep Aggarwal of Royal Industries in Ludhiana is also under ED scrutiny and his premises are being raided. The ED has raided 17 locations in Punjab, said an official. Sources said that the ED has been investigating Arora even before he became an MP. I am a law-abiding citizen, will cooperate fully with agencies, Arora stated on X.

ED raids properties linked to AAP MP Sanjeev Arora

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurugram, and New Delhi, probing an alleged land fraud linked to AAP MP Sanjeev Arora. His residences in Ludhiana and Gurugram were among over two dozen sites searched. Arora assured cooperation. AAP leaders stated that these actions are part of ongoing pressure against their party, but they remain unwavering.

UP: Blast at illegal firecracker making unit, 2 killed

The capital's air quality had entered the severe zone on Thursday night as people burst firecrackers on Diwali in a blatant disregard to the government's ban on it amid a sharp increase in smoke from farm fires. (Photo: PTI) Gonda (UP): A blast at an illegal firecracker making unit at a home here on Monday led to the death of two people, including a boy, and injuries to three, police said. The explosion happened at the house, belonging to Mohammad Farooq, in Ragadganj village when some people were making firecrackers inside, they said. Immediately after getting information about the blast, police and administration officials reached the spot and rescue operation was started. Akash (15) and Lallu (30), Ishtiyaq (40), Ayaas (17) and Krishna Kumar (24) got injured in the incident and were rushed to Belsar community health centre from where they were referred to a medical college, they said. On the way to the medical college Akash and Lallu died, Dr Deepak Singh said, adding that the other two are critical and have been referred to Lucknow for better treatment. According to the police, Farooq used to live in Punjab. Rajjan Baba, an eyewitness, said the owner of the house lives in Punjab's Jalandhar and some people were making firecrackers when the explosion took place. Due to the explosion, the wall of the house collapsed and cracks appeared on nearby houses. Gonda Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal said a dog squad and field units are at the spot and probe is on. Strict action will be initiated against those found guilty, he said. In Bareilly on October 2, six people were killed in the blast in the manufacturing unit located in the district's Sirauli area. This unit was also run illegally and police have arrested the main accused in the incident.

God with AAP, no need to be scared: Kejriwal after raids on party MP

God is with the Aam Aadmi Party and there is no need to be scared because no wrong has been done, party convenor Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday as the ED searched multiple locations linked to AAP's Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora as part of a money laundering probe. Addressing a press conference, Kejriwal charged the BJP-led Centre with targeting the party through its agencies in the name of a corruption probe. The former Delhi chief minister added the agencies had earlier arrested him, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and other party leaders. It's not that some corruption investigation is on. It appears that the prime minister is after one party and has deployed all the resources and agencies to finish the party and its leaders, Kejriwal told reporters with Chief Minister Atishi by his side. The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched multiple locations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurugram and Delhi in connection with a land fraud case against Arora and others, official sources said.

ED raids held at AAP MP Sanjeev Arora's house in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched multiple locations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurugram and Delhi in connection with a land fraud case against AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora and others, official sources said. About 16-17 locations, including the house of the 61-year-old MP at Ludhiana (Punjab) and Gurugram (Haryana), are being searched, they said. Premises linked to real estate businessman Hemant Sood and another person, Chandra Shekhar Agrawal, in Jalandhar are also among the locations being searched. Arora said he doesn't exactly know the reason that warranted the searches. I am a law abiding citizen, am not sure about the reason for search operation, will cooperate fully with agencies and make sure all their queries are answered, Sanjeev he posted on X. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia posted on X that the raids against their MP, also a businessman, is an attempt to break their party. But AAP members will n

ED raids another AAP MP in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched multiple locations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurugram and Delhi in connection with a land fraud case against Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora and others, official sources said.

ED raids AAP MP Sanjeev Aroras house in money laundering case

Jalandhar: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday searched multiple locations in Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Gurugram and Delhi in connection with a land fraud case against AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora and others, official sources said. About 16-17 locations, including the house of the 61-year-old MP at Ludhiana (Punjab) and Gurugram (Haryana), are being searched, they said. 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 .

ED Raids Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora's Punjab Residence In Money Laundering Case, AAP Reacts

ED conducted raids at the residence of AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora in Punjab's Jalandhar in connection with a money laundering case.

16 districts, 663 villages stubble-burning hotspots, board gives list to DCs for action

The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has identified 16 districts and 663 villages in the state as stubble-burning hotspots. These districts are: Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Patiala, Sangrur and Tarn Taran. These villages recorded 23,410 cases of stubble burning last year 64 per cent of [] The post 16 districts, 663 villages stubble-burning hotspots, board gives list to DCs for action appeared first on Northlines .

214 Underage Drivers Fined Rs 20K After Parents Rs 5K Fines

The parents of 214 underage drivers in Jalandhar, who believed they had settled their fines with a Rs 5,000 penalty, are in for a shock. ADGP Traffic, AS Rai, has announced that these parents will have to pay an additional Rs 20,000 once the Regional Transport Office (RTO) updates its software to reflect the full [] The post 214 Underage Drivers Fined Rs 20K After Parents Rs 5K Fines appeared first on Northlines .

Has Jakhar quit as BJP Punjab chief? Totally baseless, says saffron party

CHANDIGARH: Has Sunil Jakhar resigned as the BJPs Punjab president? Hours after the media reports suggested the possible resignation of Jakhar, the BJP on Friday issued a statement, stating that Jakhar is leading the party in the state and dismissing as totally baseless the speculation that he had resigned from his post. Taking to X, the BJP Punjab unit refuted the claims, urging the public not to believe or spread false news. All news of Mr Sunil Jakhars resignation is false and merely rumours. Please do not spread false information, the statement read. If sources are to be believed, Jakhar has been upset for some time over the state of affairs and has already apprised the top leadership about his unwillingness to work as the state party president. The 70-year-old Jakhar was not responding to calls, but his close aide Sanjeev Trikha said that there is nothing like this. Punjab BJP general secretary Anil Sarin, calling these speculations as totally baseless and false, said Jakhar is leading the partys state unit. On Jakhar staying away from Thursdays meet on membership drive, Sarin said, It is not necessary for the president to be present at every meeting. Sources said Jakhar has not attended any meeting of the state unit since July 10. Jakhar was not involved in the ongoing membership drive of the state unit as he was not comfortable with certain old-time party leaders and often had differences of opinion with them on policies and strategy, a BJP leader said. After the Jalandhar bye-election, Jakhar had reportedly informed the high command that he did not want to continue as the state president. He has just returned from abroad after a month-long visit. Jakhar was appointed as the Punjab BJP chief in July last year and he succeeded BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma. He had joined BJP in May 2022, three months after the Congress lost the Punjab assembly polls. A former Punjab Congress president, Jakhar served as MLA thrice from Abohar and also as Lok Sabha MP from Gurdaspur. He had reamined Punjab Congress chief and LoP in the Punjab assembly from 2012 to 2016. On reports of Jakhars resignation, Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring wote on X, Mr @sunilkjakhar, All the best, where next? The Congresss Punjab unit said, Your (BJP Punjab) president could have said he did not resign or that everything is fine, but no. They have turned off their phone and disappeared.

Maha Bandha The Great Lock

Maha bandha also known as great lock is a combination of Mula Bandha, Uddiyana Bandha, and Jalandhara Bandha. The post Maha Bandha The Great Lock appeared first on HealthyLife | WeRIndia .

Jalandhara Bandha Throat Lock

Drop the chin toward the chest and lengthen the back of the neck while lifting the sternum upward. The post Jalandhara Bandha Throat Lock appeared first on HealthyLife | WeRIndia .

Bhaichung Bhutia launches football talent hunt across 50 Indian cities

Football icon Bhaichung Bhutia has unveiled India's largest-ever football trials aimed at discovering and nurturing young talent nationwide. Kicking off this month, the talent hunt will span 50 cities, including Jalandhar, Patiala, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Mysuru, Mangalore, Bangalore, and Belgaum. Organised by Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) and powered by enJogo, the trials are expected to see over 6,000 players aged 9-18 showcasing their skills in front of AIFF/AFC certified coaches. Bhutia aims to tap into the potential of youth from diverse regions, offering them opportunities to develop their skills at the BBFS Residential Academy. Football in India needs a strong foundation, and that starts with youth development, said Bhutia in a release. Our mission is to create pathways for young footballers to rise through the ranks, whether they come from big cities or remote areas. Through these trials, we hope to find and develop India's next football stars. The

One died in ammonia gas leak at ice factory in Jalandhar, probe ordered

CHANDIGARH: A person died and several others fainted after ammonia gas leaked from an ice factory near Domoria Bridge in Jalandhar on Saturday. Sources said that the incident occurred when a gas line at the factory malfunctioned, releasing ammonia into the air. Four workers were trapped inside the factory; one died, while three were rescued. Additionally, two migrant workers passing near the factory fainted due to the intensity of the gas but are now in stable condition. A woman who had visited a nearby medicine shop also fainted but later regained consciousness. An eyewitness described the chaotic scene. People started fainting all around, and when we moved closer, we realized gas was leaking from the factory. A few people on bicycles fell to the ground, causing public panic. Another eyewitness noted, Individuals within a 100-meter radius of the factory experienced difficulty breathing, while others complained of dizziness and irritation. The Deputy Commissioner of Jalandhar has ordered an inquiry into the incident. An official stated, The gas leak has been plugged, and the situation is under control. Police promptly closed the road near the factory, diverting all traffic through the Domoria Bridge. Personnel from Police Station-III, along with a fire brigade team, rushed to the scene after receiving information about the leak. Doctors treated those evacuated from the factory on-site. The local administration announced that the road will remain closed until the gas fully dissipates. For now, residents and commuters have been advised to stay away from the area. The cause of the leak is under investigation, and further safety measures are being considered to prevent such incidents in the future, said an official.

1 Dead In Ammonia Gas Leak At Punjab Factory, Several Complain Of Suffocation

One person died after ammonia gas leaked from an ice factory near Domoria bridge in Punjab's Jalandhar district on Saturday, officials said.

Axis Bank expands wealth management services across 15 new cities

Axis Bank on Monday said its private banking business Burgundy Private will expand its wealth management services to 15 new cities, increasing its presence to 42 locations across India. With this strategic move, Burgundy Private will now offer its bespoke wealth management services tailored to the unique needs of discerning clients in India's rapidly evolving Tier 2 markets, Axis Bank said in a statement. The new locations, to start with, include Bhubaneswar, Patna, Raipur, Agra, Ghaziabad, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jalandhar, Meerut, Belgaum, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Aurangabad, Nagpur, and Gandhidham, it said. By leveraging its expertise, technology, and data analytics, Burgundy Private aims to deliver personalised solutions that meet the evolving expectations of affluent clients in these emerging geographies, it said. Burgundy Private has an AUM of nearly Rs 2.07 trillion, a 33 per cent increase YoY, and currently manages wealth for over 13,000 families across 27 cities.

Punjab | Counter Intelligence Arrests Army Deserter, Seizes 12.5 Kg Heroin

Jalandhar, Sept 15: In a big blow to the trans-border narcotic networks, Counter Intelligence Jalandhar has arrested an army deserter identified as Amritpal Singh alias Fauji, a key player in the Pakistan-linked heroin smuggling racket, and seized 12.5 kg heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. Click Here To Join Daily Excelsior on WhatsApp And Get Latest News Notably, arrested accused Amritpal Singh Fauji, a resident of village Kasel in Tarn Taran, was on [] The post Punjab | Counter Intelligence Arrests Army Deserter, Seizes 12.5 Kg Heroin appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

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

Jalandhar Police bust Ankush Bhaya gang, arrest lynchpin Bhaya with links to US-based organised criminal Goldy Brar

The Jalandhar Rural Police have arrested seven members of the Ankush Bhaya criminal gang, including leader Ankush Sabharwal. The operation revealed connections to US-based criminals and uncovered a police constable's involvement in leaking information. Authorities seized illegal weapons, drugs, and a luxury car during the raid.

NIA raids in Punjab over 2023 grenade attack by pro-Khalistani supporters

The raids are underway in a case RC- 17/2023/NIA/DLI) at Punjab's Moga, Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts

A School of twins in Jalandhar

At Police DAV School in Jalandhar, Punjab, 46 pairs of twins and two sets of triplets make it nearly impossible to tell students apart. Even teachers often find themselves puzzled by the strikingly similar faces in every class. The post A School of twins in Jalandhar appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .

Half of respondents plan to spend more online in festive season: Report

Around 50 per cent of respondents are planning to spend more on online shopping during the upcoming festive season, an IPSOS survey commissioned by Amazon said on Thursday. The survey claims to have captured replies from 7,263 people in July-August 2024 across 35 centres including Delhi NCR, Allahabad, Lucknow, Mathura, Muradabad, Etawah, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kolkata etc. Around 89 per cent of respondents expressed their excitement for the upcoming festivities, with 71 per cent indicating their intension to shop online. Nearly 50 per cent of respondents who intend to shop online, stated they would spend more on online festive shopping compared to last year. This trend cuts across metros (55 per cent) and tier-2 cities (43 per cent in cities with 10-40 lakh population), the report said. Convenience emerges as a major driver for online shopping with 76 per cent appreciating the ability to shop remotely anytime, anywhere. Speedy delivery at scale (74 per cent), trustonline

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

J&K Jr National Hockey team selected for National Cship

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Sept 8: The Jammu & Kashmir Junior National Hockey Team (Men) has been selected to compete in the 14th Hockey India Junior National Championship (Men) scheduled to be held in Jalandhar, Punjab from September 9 to 19. The selection process took place today at the KK Hakku Hockey Stadium in Jammu under the supervision (Independent observer) of DIG Jammu, Shiv Kumar Sharma. The selected team features a roster of promising young players: Maheshwar Sharma, Kunal, Pranveer [] The post J&K Jr National Hockey team selected for National Cship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

21 Cities Under NCAP Cut PM10 Pollution by Over 40 pc Since 2017-18, Shows CPCB Data

New Delhi: Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows.The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 levels. Khanna, Durgapur, Kurnool, Dera Baba Nanak, Vadodara, Allahabad, Asansol, Hyderabad, Gorakhpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Akola, Ananthapur, Durg Bhilainagar, Surat and Noida recorded a 20-30 per cent reduction in PM10 levels during the same period, the data showed. A 10-20 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution was recorded in 21 cities -- Delhi, Howrah, Thane, Latur, Nellore, Gajraula, Alwar, Chittur, Kala Amb, Mandi Gobindgarh, Amravati, Patiala, Jaipur, Ongole, Chandrapur, Nashik, Jhansi, Sangli, Kota, Devanagere and Rajahmundry. India launched the NCAP in 2019 with a target to reduce particulate pollution by 20-30 per cent by 2024, using 2017 as the base year. The target was later revised to a 40 per cent reduction by 2026, using 2019-20 as the base year. In practice, only PM10 concentration is being considered for performance assessment. Surat was on Saturday ranked as the top major city in India for air quality improvements, followed by Jabalpur and Agra. The Union environment ministry presented the National Clean Air City Awards during the Swachh Vayu Survekshan - 2024, held at a national workshop celebrating the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies in Jaipur. While Surat, Jabalpur and Agra secured the top three positions among cities with populations of more than 10 lakh, Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh), Amravati (Maharashtra) and Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh) were recognised as the best among cities with populations between three and 10 lakh. Raebareli (Uttar Pradesh), Nalgonda (Telangana) and Nalagarh (Himachal Pradesh) topped the list among cities with populations under three lakh. Swachh Vayu Survekshan is an initiative by the environment ministry to rank cities based on the implementation of activities approved under the city action plan and air quality in cities covered under NCAP. These cities were awarded for significant improvements in air quality through various best practices to reduce air pollution. Key activities included paving roads, promoting mechanical sweeping, bioremediation of legacy waste, solid waste management, converting reclaimed land from dump sites into green spaces, greenbelt development, intelligent traffic management systems, and Miyawaki afforestation.

21 cities under NCAP cut PM10 pollution by over 40% since 2017-18: CPCB

Ninety-five of the 131 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme have shown an improvement in air quality, with 21 reducing PM10 pollution by more than 40 per cent compared to 2017-18 levels, CPCB data shows. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) also said that only 18 of the 131 National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) cities adhered to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for PM10, set at 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The 21 cities and urban agglomerations that achieved more than 40 per cent reduction in PM10 pollution are Varanasi, Dhanbad, Byrnihat, Bareilly, Firozabad, Dehradun, Tuticorin, Nalagarh, Moradabad, Khurja, Trichy, Kohima, Lucknow, Kanpur, Kadapa, Sivasagar, Sunder Nagar, Agra, Greater Mumbai, Rishikesh and Parwanoo. Fourteen cities, -- Ahmedabad, Ghaziabad, Rajkot, Jalandhar, Raebareli, Amritsar, Kolkata, Jammu, Silchar, Vijayawada, Naya Nangal, Dimapur, Baddi and Jodhpur -- reduced PM10 pollution by 30-40 per cent, compared to 2017-18 ...

ED arrests close aide of Congress leader Bharat Ashu in tender case

JALANDHAR: Rajdeep Singh Nagra, an alleged close aide of Punjab Congress leader and former Punjab minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu , was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a tender scam linked money laundering case, official sources said Thursday. Nagra was taken into custody on Wednesday night following day-long searches at four of his business and residential premises in the state, including in Khanna district, the sources said. Ashu, 53, was arrested by the federal agency in this case on August 1. He is a former minister of consumer affairs, food and civil supplies of Punjab and a working president of the Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee. He represented Ludhiana (West) in the state Assembly. The money-laundering investigation stems from a Punjab Vigilance Bureau FIR in connection with a tender scam in the Punjab department of food. The politician was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in this case in August 2022. A year later in August 2023, the ED raided the premises of Ashu, Raman Balasubramanium, a former chairman of the Ludhiana Improvement Trust, and some others. The ED, after Ashu's arrest, had alleged that the former minister laundered the proceeds of crime through several shell entities and purchased properties in his name and name of his family members. The Congress had condemned Ashu's arrest, saying it was vendetta politics.

Film Heritage Foundation Announces Festival for Akkineni Nageswara Rao's 100th Birthday

India, 4th September 2024- To mark the 100th birth anniversary of Natasamrat Akkineni Nageswara Rao which falls on 20th September this year, not-for-profit organization Film Heritage Foundation announces a retrospective film festival titled ANR 100 King Of The Silver Screen that pays tribute to legendary doyen of Indian cinema. The festival will feature a compilation of 10 restored classics of ANR that will be screened from September 20 22, 2024 across 25 cities, including major metros like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Bengaluru and smaller cities like Vadodara, Jalandhar, Rourkela, Warangal, Kakinada and Tumkur. Film aficionados across the country will have the exclusive opportunity to witness the remarkable versatility and powerful performances of the South Indian icon once again on the big screen in a curated festival of landmark Telugu films including Devadasu (1953), Missamma (1955), Mayabazar (1957), Bharya Bharthalu (1961), Gundamma Katha (1962), Doctor Chakravarthi (1964), Sudigundalu (1968), Prem Nagar (1971), Premabhishekam (1981) and Manam (2014) Film Heritage Foundation and Akkineni Nagewara Rao family is presenting the countrywide festival in association with the NFDC National Film Archive Of India and PVR-Inox. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Filmmaker and Director, Film Heritage Foundation states, After the huge success of our Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar and Dev Anand retrospectives, we are thrilled to present another first-of-its-kind film festival of Telugu classics to honour the memory of a doyen of Telugu cinema - Shri Akkineni Nageswara Rao. The selection of films in this retrospective beginning from 1953 to 2014 include some of his biggest hits that will give people a chance to see his remarkable range as an actor and why these films continue to have resonance with people decades after they were made and why it is so important to preserve our film heritage. This is in keeping with our commitment to showcase the diversity of Indias rich film heritage from every region of the country and we have seen the enthusiasm of contemporary audiences for classic cinema during these retrospectives with many of the screenings going house full. Akkineni Nagarjuna states, I am delighted that the Film Heritage Foundation is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of my father with a festival of his landmark films across the country. He was rightly called Natasamrat for his amazing ability to play a range of roles from a saint to an alcoholic to a romantic hero in a way that has stayed in peoples hearts and minds for decades. His performance in Devadasu has been acknowledged as one of the best across all versions of the film over the years and his films like Premabhishekam, Doctor Chakravarthi and Sudigundalu are loved even today. He was a pioneer who established Annapurna Studios, laying the first foundation for the Telugu film industry in our state. We are very proud of his legacy and through this festival audiences across the country will remember an icon not just of Telugu cinema but of Indian cinema. We would like to preserve this legacy so that people will remember him for another hundred years. The entire Akkineni family would like to thank the NFDC-NFAI and PVR-Inox for partnering with us to make this festival possible. Amitabh Bachchan states, I am delighted that Film Heritage Foundation will be celebrating the legacy of Shri Akkineni Nageswara Rao a pioneer of the Telugu film industry and an icon of Indian cinema by releasing his restored films all over India to mark his 100th birth anniversary. I had the good fortune to meet him on several occasions and I was always struck by his humility and simplicity. This is the first time a retrospective on this scale has been done for Telugu cinema in a manner befitting his stature. The festival is in keeping with Film Heritage Foundations commitment to bringing the heritage of Indian cinema back on the big screen the way these films were meant to be seen. This will give contemporary audiences an amazing opportunity to experience the tremendous screen presence, the versatility and the range of a legendary actor in Telugu classics like Devadasu, Sudigundalu, and Doctor Chakravarthy. Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Films) and Managing Director, NFDC-National Film Archive Of India states, NFDC-NFAI is deeply honoured to collaborate in commemorating the birth centenary of Shri. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by presenting seven timeless classics, restored in 4K from prints and negatives held in the archives collection. This event is not just a tribute to a legendary actor but also a testament to our commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Indian cinema. By bringing these masterpieces back to the big screen, we hope to evoke a deep sense of pride and nostalgia, allowing audiences to reconnect with the golden era of our film history. Our sincere thanks go to PVR-INOX for providing the platform to share these films with the nation, to Annapurna Studios and Film Heritage Foundation for their curation and planning, and to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for funding this endeavour under the National Film Heritage Mission. Versatility, humility and a powerhouse of talent. These are some of the words often used to describe Akkineni Nageswara Rao, or ANR or Nata Samrat, as he was fondly called. An actor and producer who worked in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil cinema, ANR was most famous for his work in Telugu cinema. In a career spanning 71 years and more than 250 movies, he was best known for his diversity of roles. He acted in mainstream movies and offbeat films, in mythologies, dramas and comedies. The trailblazer was the recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Raghupati Venkaiah Award, Filmfare Awards, amongst others. ANR established Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad that grew as a hub for the Telugu film industry ANR passed away on January 22, 2014 leaving behind two generations of actors, including his son the superstar Nagarjuna and grandsons Naga Chaitanya and Akhil Akkineni to carry forward his legacy.

BSF bolsters strength, deploys more troops on Jammu, Punjab borders

Addl manpower sought to counter drones JALANDHAR/NEW DELHI, Aug 25: The BSF has sought the deployment of an additional battalion to check the onslaught of cross-border drones carrying drugs and ammunition and curb infiltration along the Punjab front of the India-Pakistan border. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp The force currently has about 20 battalions to guard the more than 500-kilometre-long front, out of which 18 are actively deployed at the border while the rest are mobilised in view [] The post BSF bolsters strength, deploys more troops on Jammu, Punjab borders appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Chandigarh Diary | Bullet-proof glass shield for Mann draws Oppn ire

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann delivered his Independence Day speech standing behind a bullet-proof glass shield at the state-level function held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar. The bullet-proof glass, procured at a cost of Rs 16 lakh based on security inputs, was installed amidst tight security with 1,000 police personnel cordoning off the area and restricting vehicular movement near the venue. The opposition, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal, criticised CM Mann through its official X account, stating that he was the first CM to deliver a speech while standing behind bullet-proof glass. AAP worker forgets national anthem At the Independence Day function in Maharaja Ranjit Singh Park, Dinanagar, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker, Parminder Singh, made headlines for mispronouncing the national anthem. Holding the mic, Parminder forgot parts of the anthem, causing a stir as AAP Gurdaspur (Urban) president and Dinanagar in-charge Shamsher Singh proceeded with the flag hoisting. A viral video on social media captured Parminders mistake, prompting him to later issue an apology, citing health issues such as a twisted tongue, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Mann and Kataria show good rapport During At Home function on Independence Day hosted by Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria at Punjab Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and his wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, were seen in animated discussions with Kataria. Their camaraderie was evident during the cultural performances by artists from the North Zone Cultural Center (NZCC). Also present were Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains, and other AAP leaders. Recently, Kataria chaired a meeting of senior IAS officers in the state, which drew criticism from the SAD, alleging undue interference. Harpreet Bajwa Our correspondent in Chandigarh hsbajwa73@gmail.com

Punjab CM highlights steps to check environmental pollution in state

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Thursday, highlights steps to check the environmental pollution and preserve the natural resources in the state. Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national tri-colour, during the state-level function to mark Independence Day at Guru Gobind Singh stadium in Jalandhar, Mann said that Punjabis had made maximum sacrifices during the national freedom struggle adding that more than 80 per cent of the persons who attained martyrdom during the struggle or were exiled hailed, from Punjab. He also said that the hard-working and resilient farmers of the state acted as a pivot for heralding an era of green revolution in the country thereby making the country self-sufficient in food production. Mann said that Punjabi farmers had to pay a heavy price for it by over exploitation of only natural resources of the state in terms of water and fertile soil. Because of Punjabi food growers, the country is today exporting the grains to other countries in sharp contrast to early 1960s when the country was dependent on grains from other countries, he said, adding that checking environmental pollution is a serious challenge these days and all the Punjabis should play a proactive role in it. Quoting verse Pawan Guru, Paani Pitaah, Mata Dharat Mahat from Gurbani, Mann said that the great Gurus have equated air (pawan) with teacher, water (paani) with father and land (dharat) with mother. He said that now the time has come when we must imbibe the teachings of Gurbani in our lives to restore the pristine glory of the state by resolving to save the environment of the state. Mann said that we have to launch a mass movement for safeguarding our environment so that it can be saved for our coming generations adding that the state government will leave no stone unturned for this noble cause and Punjab will soon be a clean, green and pollution free state. He highlighted that his government has laid special focus on rejuvenation of the canal water system in the state adding that when his government had assumed the charge only 21 per cent of canal water was being used in the state for irrigation purposes. However, he said that it is a matter of great pride and satisfaction that today 72 per cent of the canal water is being used for irrigation purposes. Mann said that his government has ensured the availability of canal water to farmers at the tail ends, who were deprived of this for decades, on one hand and saving the precious groundwater on the other. He said that for the first time in the post-independence era his government has started the work for construction of Malwa canal in the state, which will be lifeline of Malwa region, adding that it is on record that none of the previous governments of the state had paid heed towards this necessity of the state. He said that around 150 kilometre long this new canal will usher a new era of unprecedented progress and prosperity in the state especially in Malwa region. Mann said that the state government will spend around Rs 2,300 crore on this prestigious project that will cater to the irrigational needs of nearly two lakh acres of fertile land of the state. He further said that New Kandi Canal is being constructed which is likely to benefit 11,000 acres of land adding that 206 MegaWatt Dam is being established at Dhar Kalan. He said that this dam will be dedicated to the people in the coming days for which the entire process has been completed.

Pak intruder shot dead in Punjab

JALANDHAR (Punjab), Aug 13: A suspected Pakistani intruder trying to infiltrate into India from the Punjab border was shot dead by the BSF amid an ongoing high alert ahead of Independence Day. A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said the man was spotted surreptitiously crossing the international boundary in the Dal village of Tarn Taran district around 8:30 pm on Monday and approaching the border fence. Follow The Daily Excelsior Channel On WhatsApp The BSF personnel on duty challenged [] The post Pak intruder shot dead in Punjab appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

NRI Drug Lord Sent To 9-Year Jail In Case Linked To Rs 200 Crore Drug Seizure

The District and Sessions Court in Jalandhar on Tuesday sentenced Britain-based NRI drug lord Ranjeet Singh alias Raja Kandola, who's presently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail, to nine years' imprisonment in a 2012 PMLA case linked to a Rs 200 crore dru

NRI drug lord Raja Kandola sentenced to nine years in prison in PMLA case

The District and Sessions Court in Jalandhar on Tuesday sentenced Britain-based NRI drug lord Ranjeet Singh alias Raja Kandola, who's presently lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail, to nine years' imprisonment in a 2012 PMLA case linked to a Rs 200 crore drug (methamphetamine) seizure.

Private Universities overtake Government Institutions in Punjab's NIRF 2024 rankings

CHANDIGARH: For the first time since the inception of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) in 2016, three private universities from Punjab have outperformed government-run institutions in the state. The rankings, released by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi, placed Chandigarh University, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology in Patiala, and Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara as the top three higher education institutions in Punjab. Chandigarh University secured the highest rank in the region, climbing to 32nd place nationally, up from 45th last year. It is noteworthy that the founder-chancellor of Chandigarh University is BJP leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, Satnam Singh Sandhu. The Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology was ranked 43rd, while LPU, founded by Aam Aadmi Party leader and Rajya Sabha MP Ashok Kumar Mittal, took the 45th spot. In contrast, the rankings of government-run institutions in Punjab have declined. The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, which had consistently been the highest-ranked institution in the state for four consecutive years, dropped from 33rd to 48th place. Panjab University in Chandigarh fell to 60th position, down from 44th last year. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Mohali was ranked 64th, while Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) in Ludhiana dropped to 80th position. However, PAU secured the third spot in the agriculture and allied sectors category. Two prominent government-run educational institutions from Punjab, the National Institute of Technology in Jalandhar and Guru Nanak Dev University in Amritsar, failed to make it to the top 100 this year. Last year, they were ranked 72nd and 87th, respectively. In the neighboring state of Himachal Pradesh, only two institutions made it to the top 100: the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mandi, ranked 72nd, and Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management, ranked 89th. No institutions from Haryana were featured in the top 100 this year. The NIRF rankings evaluate higher education institutions on five broad parameters: teaching, learning, and resources; research and professional practice; graduation outcome; outreach and inclusivity; and perception. Chandigarh University and LPU performed better than government-run institutions in the outreach, inclusivity, and perception categories. In the college category, no college from the region made it to the top 100. However, in the top 50 medical colleges in the country, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University) was ranked 35th, Dayanand Medical College was ranked 40th, Christian Medical College was ranked 49th, and Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences in Rohtak secured the 50th position.

Pakistani Intruder Shot Dead By BSF Along Punjab Border

Jalandhar (Punjab), Aug 13: A suspected Pakistani intruder trying to infiltrate into India from the Punjab border was shot dead by the BSF amid an ongoing high alert ahead of Independence Day. Follow The Daily Excelsior Channel On WhatsApp A Border Security Force (BSF) spokesperson said the man was spotted surreptitiously crossing the international boundary in the Dal village of Tarn Taran district around 8:30 pm on Monday and approaching the border fence. The BSF personnel on duty challenged the [] The post Pakistani Intruder Shot Dead By BSF Along Punjab Border appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Gadkari warns Punjab against attack on NHAI staff

CHANDIGARH: After Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari issued a warning to the Punjab government about potentially terminating eight severely affected national highway projects in the state due to attacks on engineers and contractors in Jalandhar and Ludhiana, the newly appointed Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has directed officials to ensure the timely completion of all central projects. He requested that any issues encountered during project implementation be reported in writing for swift resolution with the support of both central and state governments. Governor Kataria, who also serves as the Administrator of Chandigarh, recently held a review meeting with senior officials from the National Highway Authority, railway officials, the Airport Authority, and BSNL. The meeting focused on assessing the progress of ongoing projects in the state. Kataria stressed the importance of completing these projects without delay and instructed that any problems be reported in writing to facilitate prompt resolution through coopera-tion between central and state governments. Kataria announced that progress reports for all central projects would be reviewed every three months and requested periodic written updates on the projects. During the meeting, he also addressed the issue of heavy traffic in Chandigarh. National Highways Authority officials assured that the construction of new national highways connecting Panchkula to Shimla and Majri to Baddi would help alleviate traffic congestion. Kataria emphasized the significance of Udaipur, Chandigarh, and Jammu as major tourism hubs and proposed the introduction of a daily Jammu-Tawi train service. He also reviewed the progress of new Amrit stations and additional railway lines. Furthermore, Airport Authority of India officials shared plans for a new road connecting Chandigarh directly to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, which is expected to reduce the distance between Chandigarh and the airport by 10 km. BSNL officials also provided updates on their ongoing projects. Recently, Gadkari urged Chief Minister Mann to take immediate corrective actions, including filing FIRs and enforcing strict measures against those responsible for the attacks on NHAI officials and contractors. Gadkari highlighted that unresolved land acquisition issues and the prevailing law and order situation have led concessionaires to request contract foreclosures and raise claims against NHAI. Should the situation fail to improve, NHAI may be compelled to cancel or terminate eight severely affected projects, which span 293 km and cost Rs 14,288 crore. Previously, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and former state governor Banwarilal Purohit had clashed on various issues.

Hockey heroes Manpreet and Mandeep receive a heros welcome in Mithapur after Olympic bronze

The residents of Mithapur village in Jalandhar district turned out in large numbers to celebrate two of their own Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh who returned home with an Olympic bronze medal in hockey from the Paris 2024 games. After first paying their respects at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Manpreet and Mandeep [] The post Hockey heroes Manpreet and Mandeep receive a heros welcome in Mithapur after Olympic bronze appeared first on Northlines .

Amarnath Yatra Continues with Tight Security Despite Rising Terror Threats

Srinagar: Under heightened security, a fresh batch of pilgrims set out for the Amarnath Yatra from the Pantha Chowk base camp in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, on Sunday.Vijay Kumar, a pilgrim from Jalandhar, Punjab, who spent the night at the base camp, shared his positive experience with the media. The facilities here have been excellent, Kumar said. We will soon board a bus to Baltal and return after paying our respects. Vinita Singh, visiting from Haryana, expressed her enthusiasm for the pilgrimage, noting, Everything, including security and facilities, is up to mark here. The people are very kind. We will pray for peace for everyone in the country.The Amarnath Yatra, organized by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, offers two routes for pilgrims: one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal in the Ganderbal district, where Baltal serves as a key camping ground. Prasad, a Bengaluru resident on his fifth visit to Kashmir, hoped to complete the Yatra by Sunday evening. I love visiting Kashmir every year. I encourage everyone to come and experience its beauty, he said.The Yatra officially commenced on June 29 from both Baltal and Pahalgam base camps and is set to conclude on August 19. This year's pilgrimage is being conducted amidst a notable increase in terror attacks in the region. CAS Delays Verdict on Vinesh Phogat's Appeal Over Disqualification 15th-Century Vishnu Idol Recovered by Tamil Nadu Police, 7 Smugglers Arrested Tamil Nadu CM Urges Immediate Action for Release of Fishermen Arrested by Sri Lankan Navy

Gadkari warns Punjab govt of terminating highway projects if law and order situation does not improve

NEW DELHI: State-owned NHAI will have no other option but to cancel/terminate eight more severely-affected highway projects in Punjab with total length of 293 km costing Rs 14,288 crore, if the law and order situation does not improve, Union minister Nitin Gadkari wrote to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann. Gadkari said that he had been informed about two incidents which occurred recently on the Delhi-Katra Expressway projects. In one incident in Jalandhar district, the engineer of the contractor was brutally assaulted. Although FIR has been registered in this regard, strong action is required to be taken against the perpetrators, Gadkari wrote in his letter dated August 9. The minister pointed out another incident in Ludhiana district, where the project camp of the contractor of Delhi-Katra Expressway was attacked by miscreants and also engineers were threatened of burning the project camp and their staff alive. However, FIR has still not been filed and miscreants have not been arrested despite written requests by NHAI officials, he said. Gadkari said: If the situation does not improve, NHAI will have no other option but to cancel/terminate 8 other severely affected projects with total length of 293 km costing Rs 14,288 crore. These are mainly greenfield corridors and even cancelling one package will render the entire corridor useless. He wrote that it is pertinent to note that due to pending issues related to land acquisition and prevailing law and order condition, number of contractors have requested to foreclose contracts and have raised claims against NHAI. The minister revealed that the NHAI has already terminated three projects, amounting to Rs 3,263 crore, due to land availability challenges. Referring to the recent review of NH projects on July 15, which he chaired, Gadkari said he was assured that pending issues related to land acquisition and law and order would be resolved on a priority basis. However, it has been brought to my notice that no progress has been made in this regard and situation has further worsened, he wrote, expressing his disappointment. Gadkari urged the state government to immediately take corrective measures, file FIR and take strong actions against the perpetrators in order to prevent such incidents in future and to restore the confidence of NHAI officials and staff of the concessionaires. The minister also attached photos of assault in his communication to the Punjab CM. NHAI is developing greenfield and brownfield national highway corridors including Delhi-Katra Expressway in Punjab.

Jalandhar: For parents of hockey players, Olympic bronze medal no less than gold

The Indian men's hockey team scripted history once again by winning back-to-back Olympic medals at the 2024 Paris Games, defeating Spain in the bronze medal playoff. For the families of hockey greats like Manpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh hailing from Mithapur village in Jalandhar, this bronze holds the same significance as gold. While our boys [] The post Jalandhar: For parents of hockey players, Olympic bronze medal no less than gold appeared first on Northlines .

Nitin Gadkari warns of cancelling highway projects in Punjab if law and order does not improve

Gadkari's ultimatum comes in response to recent incidents affecting the construction of the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Reports indicate that engineers and workers have been attacked in Jalandhar and there have been threats of arson and violence against the project camp and staff in Ludhiana. Gadkari emphasised that the cancellation of even one segment of these greenfield corridors could render the entire project ineffective.

BSF enhances security on Pjb-Jammu border

JALANDHAR, Aug 9: The Border Security Force has hugely bolstered its manpower and deployed CCTVs along the Punjab-Jammu inter-state border to fortify security in the wake of a spurt in terrorist incidents in Jammu along the India-Pakistan front, the forces Punjab frontier chief said on Friday. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Inspector General (IG) Atul Fulzele told reporters during a press conference at its frontier headquarters here that the additional troops have been deployed along the Gurdaspur area [] The post BSF enhances security on Pjb-Jammu border appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

BSF Enhances Manpower, CCTVs Along Punjab To Strengthen Security In Jammu Region

JALANDHAR, Aug 9: The Border Security Force has hugely bolstered its manpower and deployed CCTVs along the Punjab-Jammu inter-state border to fortify security in the wake of a spurt in terrorist incidents in Jammu along the India-Pakistan front, the forces Punjab frontier chief said on Friday. Follow The Daily Excelsior Channel On WhatsApp Inspector General (IG) Atul Fulzele told reporters during a press conference at its frontier headquarters here that the additional troops have been deployed along the Gurdaspur area [] The post BSF Enhances Manpower, CCTVs Along Punjab To Strengthen Security In Jammu Region appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Contractors may leave highway projects unfinished due to threats, NHAI tells Punjab govt

CHANDIGARH: Amid escalating tensions over land acquisition for the four-lane greenfield Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, safety concerns for National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) personnel in Punjab have come to the forefront as engineers, contractors and others working on the project have been threatened that they will be burnt alive and their camp office will be set ablaze. The NHAI has written a letter to the state chief secretary in this regard and the chief secretary has further written to the Director General of Police to take necessary steps for the safety of NHAI officials and register cases against the guilty. Thus due to these repeated incidents, the contractors may leave national highway projects unfinished due to continuing law and order problems in the state, said the letter. Already, three national highway projects costing Rs 3,303 crore have been scrapped over land acquisition hurdles. On August 6, Punjab Chief Secretary Anurag Verma wrote a letter to the Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav highlighting the risks NHAI officials face from protesting farmers as there have been instances where they were verbally threatened, physically intimidated, and obstructed during their official duties. This is very serious matter. You are requested to direct the officers concerned to lodge FIR against the guilty/miscreants. You are also requested to direct the officers concerned to take necessary action for the safety of NHIA officers and contractors, reads the letter, a copy of which is with The New Indian Express . This letter was written by the Chief Secretary after he received a letter on August 5 from Vipnesh Sharma, Regional Officer of NHAI, Chandigarh bringing two recent serious incidents in the districts of Ludhiana and Jalandhar on the Delhi-Katra Expressway project to his notice, which are affecting the morale and safety of engineers of NHAI and contractors. As reported by PD Ludhiana (expressway) above addressed to DC Jalandhar, an employee of the contractor Manish Sharma was brutally assaulted by the villagers on July 20. The FIR was lodged in the case but the guilty villagers were immediately granted bail, reads the letter, a copy of which is with The New Indian Express . The letter further adds that in another incident PD Ludhiana (Expressway) wrote a letter to DC Ludhiana about threats to the contractor Dinesh Bambhaniya and project manager. The miscreants have threatened that they would burn the project camp and their staff alive. FIR is yet to be lodged, reads the letter. The letter added, It is submitted that necessary police protection is immediately required to be provided to the contractors to avoid any mishap and untoward incident. It is also requested to direct the concerned officers for the same and also direct the police and district administration to lodge FIRs against the guilty miscreants and take action as per law. It is highlighted that contractors in the Punjab have not been feeling safe due to these repeated incidents and the contractors may leave the NH projects unfinished due to continuing law and order problems in the state. The ambitious greenfield expressway project aims to significantly reduce travel time between Delhi and Katra, promoting regional connectivity and economic growth. However, the project has met with substantial resistance from farmers, particularly regarding land acquisition and compensation. Over the past few months, farmer protests have intensified, with many expressing dissatisfaction over the terms of compensation and the process of land acquisition. While security measures are being considered, there are also calls for renewed dialogue between the government and the protesting farmers. Stakeholders believe that transparent communication and fair compensation could help mitigate the ongoing tensions and pave the way for smoother implementation of the project. The NHAI is developing 1,500-km-long national highways at a cost of Rs 52,000 crore in Punjab. Meanwhile, in a related query, the termination of three national highway projects in Punjab echoed in Parliament recently, with Rajya Sabha MP Vikramjit Singh Sahney raising the issue. Responding to his unstarred question whether the NHAI had, indeed, scrapped projects costing Rs 3,303 crore over land acquisition hurdles, Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari confirmed that the projects had been terminated in Punjab due to non-availability of the requisite land. Gadkari informed the upper house that the ministry had requested the Punjab government to take necessary steps to hand over the possession of the land required for the projects.

'Kulhad Pizza' Couple Says Sex Video Row Hurt Business, Wasn't A Stunt

The Jalandhar-based couple shot to fame in 2022 after a video showcasing their pizza-selling skills went viral. However, their newfound fame came at a steep price.

15 SSPs among 28 police officers transferred in Punjab

CHANDIGARH, Aug 2: The Punjab government on Friday transferred 28 senior police officers, including 15 senior superintendents of police (SSPs). Satinder Singh, the Amritsar Rural SSP, who was recently promoted as deputy inspector general, has been posted as DIG, border range. He replaces Rakesh Kaushal, who is the new DIG, crime. Naveen Singla, who was DIG, intelligence, succeeds Harmanbir Singh Gill as DIG, Jalandhar range. Gill has been transferred as joint director, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy, Phillaur. Tarn [] The post 15 SSPs among 28 police officers transferred in Punjab appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Jalandhar Police Crack Down on Drug Network: 9 Arrested, Over 1.11 Lakh Tablets Seized

Amritsar: I n a major operation, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police have dismantled a significant drug network, arresting nine individuals from multiple locations and seizing over 1.11 lakh tablets, capsules, and other narcotics. An FIR has been registered against the accused, and investigations are ongoing to trace further connections and dismantle the illegal arms and drug cartels, according to police sources. Punjab Police DGP announced on social media platform X, In a major blow to International Narcotic networks, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police busts a drug network and arrests 9 people from multiple locations raided. Seizure of over 1.11 lakh tablets, capsules, and other drugs. A FIR under NDPS has been registered and further backward linkages are being investigated to incapacitate the illegal arms and drug cartel. @PunjabPoliceInd is committed to make our state drug-free as envisioned by Hon'ble CM @BhagwantMann, the post stated. This crackdown is part of a broader effort by the Punjab government to combat the drug menace. On May 25, Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjeev Arora highlighted the intensified measures being taken by the state government to address the issue. Punjab has a long border area, particularly around Firozpur and the Wagah-Attari border, which smugglers are exploiting to traffic drugs into the state. Our AAP government is seriously committed to curbing this issue, Arora told the media. Arora also emphasized that the drug problem in Punjab is not new and has been a persistent issue inherited from previous administrations. Under the leadership of Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government is making maximum efforts to tackle this issue. We are implementing various measures, such as initiating sports activities to engage youth and all age groups in sports tournaments to keep them away from drugs. Additionally, the government has started small and medium enterprises to create job opportunities, keeping people involved in productive activities and away from drug-related activities, he said. The recent bust by the Jalandhar Police represents a significant step in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and aims to dismantle the networks that threaten the state's safety and well-being. Chandrashekhar Azad Criticizes UP Government, Vows Strong Fight in By-Elections Trinamool Congress Leader Detained for Assaulting Woman in West Bengal NITI Aayog CEO Refutes Mamata Banerjee's Claims of Microphone Mute Incident

Rahul Gandhi Condemns System Failure in Delhi Basement Flooding Tragedy

New Delhi: C ongress MP Rahul Gandhi expressed his condolences for the deaths of three students who died due to basement flooding at a coaching centre in Delhi's Old Rajinder Nagar on Sunday. In a post on X, Gandhi described the incident as a combined system failure, highlighting the tragic circumstances. The death of competitive exam students due to waterlogging in the basement of a building in Delhi is very unfortunate. A few days ago, a student died due to electric shock during the rains. I express my heartfelt condolences to all the bereaved families, Rahul Gandhi said in his post. He attributed the incident to systemic issues, stating, This collapse of infrastructure is a combined system failure. The common citizen is paying the price of unsafe construction, poor town planning, and the irresponsibility of institutions at every level by losing his life. Gandhi emphasized that a safe and comfortable life is the right of every citizen and the responsibility of the government. Congress leader Pawan Khera termed the tragedy man-made and raised questions about the legality of the coaching centre's operations. It is not a natural disaster. How was a coaching centre running in the basement? Did they have licenses? Did they have all the papers from MCD? We have not got answers to these questions. It is very easy to question each other and make allegations and counter-allegations, but the common man is suffering in this. Such an insensitive government in the national capital is extremely wrong, be it MCD or the government, Khera said while speaking to ANI. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi called the incident the height of negligence and mismanagement. In a post on X, she expressed her sorrow and frustration. The incident of the death of three students due to waterlogging in the basement of a coaching institute in Delhi is heartbreaking. I pray to God for the departed souls and the bereaved families. Recently, a student died due to electric shock in Patel Nagar. It is the height of negligence and mismanagement that the lives of children who come here from far-off places to fulfill their dreams are being snatched away from them, she wrote. Delhi police on Sunday arrested two individuals, the owner and coordinator of the IAS coaching centre, where the basement flooding due to rains resulted in the deaths of three students. The victims have been identified as Shreya Yadav from Ambedkar Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, Tanya Soni from Telangana, and Nivin Dalwin from Ernakulam, Kerala. This tragic incident follows closely on the heels of another, where a UPSC aspirant was electrocuted on a waterlogged street in the national capital. Nirmala Sitharaman Criticizes Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Over Valmiki Corporation Board Scam Jalandhar Police Crack Down on Drug Network: 9 Arrested, Over 1.11 Lakh Tablets Seized Chandrashekhar Azad Criticizes UP Government, Vows Strong Fight in By-Elections

'MP detained under NSA an emergency': Channi's reference to Amritpal Singh triggers row in LS

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi said Thursday that the detention of an elected MP under the NSA was part of an undeclared emergency by the Centre, drawing a sharp response from the BJP who said he was referring to jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh. During a debate in Lok Sabha, the former Punjab chief minister referred to the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections and said, This is also an emergency that a Member of Parliament elected by 20 lakh people in Punjab has been detained under the NSA (National Security Act) ...He is unable to speak about his constituency here (in Parliament).This is also an emergency. While Channi did not name anyone, BJP leaders said he was speaking about Amritpal Singh. Singh won the Khadoor Sahib constituency by a margin of around 2 lakh votes in this year's Lok Sabha polls. Radical preacher Amritpal Singh and son of Indira Gandhi's assassin win LS polls as Independents In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said the Congress must answer whether the party was in support of the idea of Khalistan that led to the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984. Batting for separatist who wants tukde tukde of India? Rahul ji must answer - the idea of Khalistan that caused the assassination of PM Indira ji is being hailed !! Why does Congress always bat for separatists and terrorists? Yakub, Afzal, 26/11 jihadis, now K terrorists? he said. Union minister Giriraj Singh said Congress MP Channi's remarks made inside Parliament were unfortunate. The Khalistani who assassinated Indira Gandhi has received open support from Channi today, which means the Congress is siding with the Khalistanis. This is an attack on the integrity of India...what can I say, I will say action should be taken, he told PTI videos. BJP MP Dinesh Sharma demanded the expulsion of Channi by Congress. Today, Channi, who doesn't even have the status of a 'chavanni' (a quarter-rupee coin), is speaking in support of terrorists and glorifying them. He is working at the behest of anti-national elements from Canada, he told PTI Videos. The Congress should expel him, and if Congress doesn't take action against him, it means that somewhere Congress is in cahoots with these anti-social and anti-national elements, he said. Channi blamed the central government for an undeclared emergency in the country even as a heated exchange with BJP's Ravneet Singh Bittu during a debate in the Lok Sabha led to a brief adjournment in the proceedings. During a debate on the Union Budget in the Lower House, Channi also held the BJP government responsible for farmers being termed Khalistanis. He added that his home state Punjab was ignored in this year's budget. Channi said, It's not a budget to save the country, it's just to save their government.They haven't addressed the floods in Punjab, haven't raised wages, and have ignored Punjab in this budget.Jalandhar was declared a smart city, but it still has dirty water and a significant drug problem. The Lok Sabha was adjourned for 30 minutes amid a verbal spat between the former Punjab chief minister and the Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu over certain personal remarks till 2 pm. Channi referred to the assassination of Bittu's grandfather, former Punjab chief minister Beant Singh. This led to a war of words between Bittu, who recently quit the Congress to join the BJP, and Channi. Bittu countered by making certain personal remarks against Channi and former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, triggering an uproar. In a heated exchange, Channi told Bittu, Your grandfather became a martyr, the day you left Congress. To which, the BJP leader retorted, My grandfather sacrificed for the country, not for Congress. He also called Channi he most corrupt person in Punjab. During his address to the Lok Sabha, Channi accused the government of creating conditions similar to an emergency. He listed the lack of progress in the Sidhu Moosewala case, action against opposition leaders by central agencies, and alleged mistreatment of farmers, women athletes, and journalists as evidence of this. The Congress leader also pointed to the long-standing unrest in Manipur and the Hathras gang rape case, in which he said the victim's cremation was rushed. The country is facing an undeclared emergency and the BJP is responsible, Channi said. Farmers are called Khalistani when they make demands, which aren't fulfilled.This is also an emergency, he added. The central government, he said, has exhausted its ideas and sincerity after ten years in power, pointing to the absence of the prime minister and the finance minister during such an important discussion. Their seats are empty. They need to explain the budget, but no one is here. This is your sincerity? he asked. Channi said, I come from a poor family and got my education thanks to the Congress government. The BJP's worst move in 2014 was cutting scholarships for minorities and Dalit children. Slamming the depreciation of the rupee, Channi claimed, The dollar's value increased by Rs 25 in ten years, whereas during (ex-PM) Manmohan Singh's time, it only increased by Rs 13 in ten years. Sometimes, it feels like there's a competition between the rupee and the government to see which falls faster. The Lok Sabha was adjourned twice in the post-lunch period as a war of words broke out between the treasury and opposition benches, triggered by Channi's spat with Bittu.