Pak turbulence in Indian airspace, flights most hit

Amid heightened security concerns, Indias booming aviation sector has been hit. Closure of 30 airports across several states has left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of travellers stranded or scrambling for alternatives. S Lalitha takes a look at the situation: What triggered disruption? It stems from the closure of operations at several civilian airports many of which double as military airfields after India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and PoK on May 7 and 8. India suspended operations at critical airports in the North, Northwest, and Central regions of the country. Affected airports The closure impacts airports in J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Delhi-NCR. Notable ones include: J&K & Ladakh: Leh, Thoise, Srinagar, Jammu Punjab: Amritsar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara HP: Dharamshala, Shimla, Bhuntar, Gaggal Rajasthan: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh, Bikaner Gujarat: Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Mundra, Kandla, Keshod Others: Hindon (Delhi NCR), Gwalior (MP) and Chandigarh Airlines response Major airlines have rolled out cancellations and passengers holding valid tickets have been offered full refunds: IndiGo: Suspended 165 daily flights, including those from Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Leh, and Srinagar Air India: Cancelled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot SpiceJet: Stopped operations in Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar Akasa Air: Cancelled flights from Srinagar Impact on flyers Travellers are experiencing severe stress due to cancellations, particularly those with connecting flights. Social media platforms of airlines have been flooded with distress calls. Whats next? Airlines and airport authorities are monitoring developments, but flyers should be prepared for ongoing disruptions beyond May 10.

Explained: Operation Sindoor aftermath and how it has impacted flights in India

Following Operation Sindoor and heightened security concerns, India's air travel sector has been hit. The closure of 30 airports across several states has left hundreds of flights cancelled and thousands of travellers stranded or scrambling for alternatives. Here's a breakdown of the current situation. What triggered the disruption? The disruption stems from the closure of operations at several civilian airports many of which double as military airfields after India conducted precision strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in the wee hours of May 7. Operation Sindoor: Nine strikes, 25 minutes of chaos for Pakistan Fearing potential retaliation post these strikes, the Indian government suspended operations at critical airports in the North, Northwest, and Central regions of the country. Which airports are affected? The closure impacts airports in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and the Delhi NCR region. Notable airports shut down include: J&K & Ladakh : Leh, Thoise, Srinagar, Jammu Punjab : Amritsar, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Halwara, Chandigarh. Himachal Pradesh : Dharamshala, Shimla, Bhuntar, Gaggal Rajasthan : Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Kishangarh, Bikaner Gujarat : Bhuj, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Mundra, Kandla, Keshod Others : Hindon (Delhi NCR), Gwalior (Madhya Pradesh) Airlines expect the disruption to last at least until 5:29 AM on May 10, though airport sources hint it may continue longer. How are airlines responding? Major airlines have rolled out large-scale cancellations and advisories: IndiGo has suspended 165 daily flights, including those from Amritsar, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Gwalior, Jammu, Jodhpur, Leh, and Srinagar. Air India has cancelled flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. SpiceJet has stopped operations in Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Dharamshala, Kandla, and Amritsar. Akasa Air has cancelled flights from Srinagar. Passengers holding tickets for these routes have been offered full refunds. Impact on flyers Travellers are experiencing severe stress due to abrupt cancellations, particularly those with connecting flights. Entire itineraries are being disrupted when the primary leg of the journey is cancelled, as seen in multiple cases. R Sushmita, travelling from Himachal to Nagpur via Chandigarh and Delhi, had to reroute by train to Delhi due to a cancelled Air India flight. Fortunately, Air India issued a fresh ticket at no extra cost. Piyush Sawarkar, stuck in Leh with his family, tweeted for help after his Indigo flight to Mumbai was cancelled. Like many others, he received a standard airline response requesting his PNR via direct message. Social media platforms of airlines have been flooded with similar distress calls, and many passengers are still awaiting clarity and rebooking options. A necessary safety measure According to Captain CS Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots Association, while the inconvenience is considerable, the move was necessary from a national security perspective. The government wants flyers to stay safe. Closure of air force bases wont impact the public directly since civilian aircraft dont usually operate there, he said. However, international carriers are significantly affected. To avoid Pakistani airspace, flights from the Gulf to Delhi are forced to take detours. For instance, British Airways, Air France, and KLM from Delhi are heading towards Mumbai and then rerouting through Turkey, with longer flight paths and additional operational costs, he explained. Whats next? The situation remains fluid. Airlines and airport authorities are monitoring developments, but flyers should be prepared for ongoing disruptions beyond May 10. Travellers are advised to stay updated through official airline channels and plan alternate routes where possible.

KIYG 2025: Endurance, Fathers Backing Fuel Cyclist Harshita Jakhars Triple Gold Haul

The Khelo India Youth Games: The Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) 2025 marked a defining moment for Harshita Jakhar, the 18-year-old cyclist from Rajasthan who claimed a sensational golden hat-trick at the Yamuna Velodrome in the Indira Gandhi Indoor Complex here, on Thursday. The Target Asian Games Group athlete handled pressure with aplomb and put up her best performance in KIYG 2025. Her top-of-the-podium finish in the 500m Time Trial, 7.5km Scratch Race and 2km Individual Pursuit on KIYG debut not only became the highlight of the ongoing Games but also reflected the sheer discipline and the love for cycling in the Jakhar family. Harshitas medal rush couldnt have been fueled without her father-coach Rakesh Jakhars support. A former cyclist who competed in the Commonwealth Games 2010 and a qualified coach from NIS Patiala, Rakesh, is the reason Harshita took to the sport. She has always won nothing less than gold at the national championships, Rakesh, 42, told SAI Media. Harshitas cycling journey began in August 2020, when Rakesh asked Harshita and her younger cousin Aditya to start cycling on the roads of Patiala. What began as a simple morning activity revealed Harshitas natural endurance. I noticed they could cycle 3040 km without breaking a sweat. Thats when I realised Harshita had the potential to go far, Rakesh said. By 2021, Harshita topped her first trials in Bikaner in the U-14 category and was immediately drafted into the national setup. She quickly claimed gold in successive Nationals in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and her breakthrough on the international stage came with a silver and two bronze medals at the 2024 U-18 Asian Championships in Delhi. She is now a part of the SAI National Centre of Excellence in Patiala. Rakesh believes his daughters success is built on an unmatched work ethic. She is very devoted to training. Her endurance is God-gifted. She trains with discipline, follows the process, and never says no to even the most gruelling regimes, he said. She has a belief in her coach and mental strength to match. Our Rajasthani roots give us a natural edge in endurancewe just need to channel it. I have helped her do just that, he added. Harshita credits her fathers continuous support in shaping her career. Whatever I am is because of my fathers dedication. It is because of him that Im into cycling. During the lockdown, he pushed me every single day. He always believed I could bring medals, she said. With three gold here and a promising record in the junior circuit, Harshita is now setting her sights higher. Im transitioning into the senior category. My focus now is the World Championships, and I want to achieve strong finishes in both track and road events. My target is to be in the top 10 at the 2026 Asian Games and win an Asian Games medal in 2030, she said. Harshitas younger siblings are also showing interest in the sport, inspired by their father and older sister. Im transitioning into the senior category. My focus now is the World Championships, and I want to achieve strong finishes in both track and road events. My target is to be in the top 10 at the 2026 Asian Games and win an Asian Games medal in 2030, she said. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Article Source: IANS

Who was Maharaja Bhupinder Singh? Inspiration behind Diljit's look

Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala 2025 appearance paid homage to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, celebrating Sikh royalty and Punjabi culture. Dosanjh's ensemble featured an ivory sherwani, turban, and jewelry inspired by the Maharaja's opulent collection, including the iconic Patiala Necklace. The tribute highlighted the Maharaja's legacy of tradition, innovation, and cultural pride, showcasing its lasting influence.

Five school children among 6 killed in Patiala accident

A devastating head-on collision between an SUV and a sand-laden truck on Patiala-Samana road claimed six lives, including five schoolchildren aged between seven and twelve. The accident occurred near Nassupur village, leaving seven others injured. The impact was so severe that the SUV was mangled, requiring a JCB to retrieve the bodies.

6 Students, Driver Killed After SUV Collides With Truck In Punjab: Police

Six school children and a driver were killed when the SUV they were travelling in collided with a truck at Samana in Punjab's Patiala district on Wednesday, police said.

I bring my turban, culture and mother tongue: Diljit Dosanjh on Met Gala debut

New Delhi, May 6: Popular singer-star Diljit Dosanjh honoured his Sikh roots and home state Punjab in his debut at the Met Gala 2025 with a regal white ensemble complete with a kirpan, turban and a layered necklace in a hat tip to the Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala. Diljit, known for songs such as []

A tale of two Met Galas: Why Cartier denied Diljit Dosanjh but let Emma Chamberlain wear the Maharaja of Patiala's legacy?

Punjabi icon Diljit Dosanjh wowed at the 2025 Met Gala in a royal tribute to the Maharaja of Patiala but was denied the legendary $2.5 billion Cartier necklace once worn by the monarch. While YouTuber Emma Chamberlain wore a piece of it in 2022, Cartier refused Diljits request. Is it just protocol - or colonial curation at play?

Met Gala 2025: Diljit Dosanjh`s team`s request for 21cr diamond necklace denied

The singer`s team tried to borrow that iconic Cartier necklace--a 1,000-carat diamond necklace made for the Maharaja of Patiala--for the Met Gala night to complete Diljit`s look. However, they were denied

Punjab all set for mock drills in 20 towns as nation ramps up defence preparedness

CHANDIGARH: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, civil defence mock drills will be held at 20 places in Punjab, besides several locations in Haryana and the Union Territory of Chandigarh on Wednesday, as per instructions issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In Punjab, the mock drills will be held in Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Batala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Adampur, Halwara, Patiala, Pathankot, Barnala, Mohali, Faridkot, Kotkapura, Rupnagar, Bhakra Nangal, Sangrur and Abohar. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, The civil defence teams and Punjab Police, along with the Home Ministry, will conduct mock drills tomorrow, adding that the state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is closely monitoring the exercise to ensure the safety of citizens. Preparations are almost complete for conducting the mock drills. The objective of the drills is to create awareness among the public and take necessary precautions in the event of any attack, he added. Cheema said the directions of the Home Ministry will be followed during the mock drills. Sources said that public announcements will be made before the drills. As per the guidelines issued by MHA, the drills will include activation of air raid warning sirens, training of civilians, students and others in civil defence procedures to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack, implementation of crash blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations, updating and rehearsing of evacuation plans. The ministry had asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 for effective civil defence. In the meeting today, the issue of sirens was raised as for many years these have not been tested thus many might be dysfunctional for that we need to first check the working of all the civil and defence siren systems and these will be tested. Thus people should not panic, said a senior functionary who took part in the meeting. MHA conducts key review meeting ahead of massive civil defence mock drill, identifies 19 'top priority' sites Meanwhile, Ferozepur Deputy Commissioner Deepshikha Sharma said as part of the mock drill preparations, six civil defence sirens will be sounded in the city and the Ferozepur Cantonment area from 7 to 7.15 pm on Tuesday. These sirens will be sounded for the preparation of the May 7 mock drill, she said, adding that there was no need to worry. A senior police official in Ferozepur said a blackout rehearsal will be carried out from 9 to 9.30 pm on Wednesday and police patrolling teams will be deployed. In Haryana too, mock drills will be conducted at many places, including Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Panchkula, Panipat and Rohtak. In a letter to the chief secretaries of all states and administrators of Union Territories, the MHA stated that the measures to be taken during the mock drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack and cleaning bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans. The mock drills also include the operationalisation of hotline and radio-communication links with the Indian Air Force (IAF), testing the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms. It said the active participation of the district controllers, various district authorities, civil-defence wardens, volunteers, home guards (active and reservists volunteers), National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), college and school students is envisaged in the exercise. Civil defence volunteers rehearse emergency response in Lucknow ahead of nationwide mock drill

Met Gala 2025: Why Diljit Dosanjh's Team Was Denied Maharaja Of Patiala's Cartier Necklace To Complete His Look

Diljit also carried a lion-headed, jewel-studded kirpan (sword)

Punjab cops stop farmers from reaching police station for day-long dharna, Dallewal warns of fresh protest

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab police continued their statewide crackdown against protesting farmers associated with farmer unions Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) who were prevented from reaching Shambhu police station on the border with Haryana for a day-long dharna. A strict warning was issued by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann against any sort of road or rail blockade apart from plans for protests or strikes causing inconvenience to the general public. All roads leading to Shambhu police station were heavily barricaded. At certain places, loaded vehicles were put on the roads to disrupt the convoys of protesters. On National Highway 44 near the Shambhu border, police personnel were checking every vehicle and allowing passage only to those headed toward Delhi or Haryana, leading to traffic jams. Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Varun Sharma said, No one will be allowed to hold protests and harass the people. We will not allow farmers to disrupt law and order at any cost. Many farmer leaders, including Jagjit Singh Dallewal, were detained in various districts on Monday ahead of the protest. Irked that many farmers leaders have been placed under house arrest, Dallewal, in a video message uploaded on Tuesday, said the farmer unions only wanted to raise their voice against the police action on March 19-20 but the AAP-led Punjab government has turned the state into a garrison and started a crackdown against farmers. Many of the leaders detained yesterday have been sent to jails including our leader Kaka Singh Kotda. CM Mann should keep in mind that such state repression may push them towards launching another protest. The protests can never be silenced through coercion as more repression faces more resistance and rising voices do not tolerate dictatorship, he said. Sarwan Singh Pandher, convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, said Punjab appears to have turned into a police state. Peaceful protests against the state government are not allowed, he said. Farmers, mainly activists of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh committee, were stopped at Ajitwal town in Moga and a few of them were even taken into custody, claimed farmer leaders. Farmers from Ambala in Haryana were also not allowed to reach Shambhu, being stopped at Gurdwara Manji Sahib. Punjab police reached the gurudwara in plain clothes and studied their movements, claimed a Haryana farmer leader. The dharna is in response to the police crackdown on March 19, when farmer leaders were detained after a meeting with Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites were cleared by the state police on the same day. The farmers are demanding compensation for the items that had allegedly been stolen or gone missing during the police crackdown at Shambhu, which they claimed were later traced to individuals linked to the Aam Aadmi Party and police personnel.

Cartier didn't allow Diljit Dosanjh to wear the Patiala necklace

Diljit Dosanjh's Met Gala 2025 appearance, styled by Prabal Gurung, celebrated his Punjabi heritage with a custom ivory ensemble. He aimed to borrow the legendary Patiala Necklace, but Cartier declined due to its fragility. Instead, he wore bespoke jewellery, making a cultural statement and a memorable impact without the historical piece.

Met Gala: Why Diljit Dosanjh couldn't wear $2.5B Patiala Necklace

Diljit Dosanjh made a statement at his debut Met Gala on Tuesday, where he represented his Punjabi roots in a stunning Prabal Gurung ensemble.

Diljit Dosanjh Brings A Touch Of Punjabi Majesty To The Met Gala In A Regal White Ensemble | N18G

Diljit Dosanjh made his Met Gala debut in the most royal way possible! Dressed in a stunning white outfit inspired by the Maharaja of Patiala, he brought Punjabi pride and elegance to the global stage. From the detailed embroidery to his classic turban, every part of his look was rich with culture and style. Watch this video as we decode his look and the story behind it! news | entertainment news live | latest bollywood news | bollywood | news18 | n18oc_moviesLiked the video? Please press the thumbs up icon and leave a comment. Subscribe to Showsha YouTube channel and never miss a video: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHOWSHAIndiaFollow Showsha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/showsha_/Follow Showsha on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/showshaFollow Showsha on X: https://x.com/news18showshaFollow Showsha on Snapchat: https://snapchat.com/t/6YeotZeyMore entertainment and lifestyle news and updates on:https://www.news18.com/entertainment

Meet actor who worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma, suddenly stopped getting roles, quit acting, took up job as security guard due to..

Savi Sidhu, known for his role in films such as Gulaal, Patiala House, and Bewakoofiyaan, struggled in life when he stopped getting any roles. To run a household and sustain himself, Savi Sidhu then had to take up the job of a security guard.

MET Gala 2025:Diljit Dosanjh pays tribute to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh puts Punjabs map on his cape

Diljit Dosanjh pays tribute to Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala at his MET Gala debut. Continue reading ...

Mindset of those targeting Muslims, Kashmiri students similar to terrorists: SP MP Afzal Ansari

BALLIA: Samajwadi Party MP Afzal Ansari strongly criticized the targeting of Muslims and Kashmiri students in various parts of the country following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir . He also accused the central government of failing to prevent the attack and demanded action against Pakistan. Speaking to PTI during a family function at the residence of Ballia MP Sanatan Pandey, Ansari said the attack was a result of security failure under the Narendra Modi-led government. The Pahalgam incident is a failure of the Narendra Modi-led central government. The site of the attack is 150 kilometres away from the Pakistan border. How did terrorists gain the courage to reach so deep into Indian territory? This is the time for a strong response. If there is no internal complicity, India must retaliate and reclaim Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as its own, Ansari said. He condemned recent incidents of violence against Muslims and Kashmiri students, citing attacks by right-wing groups in Patiala, Punjab, and the vandalism of Muslim-owned shops in Haryana. Ansari alleged that both foreign terrorists and those spreading communal hatred in India share the same mindset. Terrorists who come from Pakistan to kill innocent civilians and those who try to spread hatred in India in the name of religion and caste have the same mindset. The people of this country have started recognizing them, he said. He further claimed that some domestic violent incidents are being carried out by elements supported by the government. The government is patronising such elements due to which they are doing hooliganism in the name of religion and caste. While Kashmiri students and Muslims are being harassed in some places, dalit MP Ramji Lal Suman is being threatened, he added. Calling for decisive action, Ansari emphasized the need to bring PoK under Indian control. The entire country is united on this. It is the right time to integrate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir into India. They must be punished for their crimes, and what belongs to India must return to India, the SP leader said. He also spoke about the caste-based census and credited SP chief Akhilesh Yadav for pushing the central government to act on it. In the coming times, the government will have to grant rightful entitlements to the deprived sections of society, based on the results of the caste census, he said.

Illegal shops linked to drug smuggler demolished in Patiala

Delhi court extends NIA custody of Tahawwur Rana for 12 days

A Delhi court on Monday extended for 12 more days, the NIA custody of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Hussain Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The order was passed by Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh of Patiala House Court. NIA produced Rana before the Special Court on expiry of his 18-day [] The post Delhi court extends NIA custody of Tahawwur Rana for 12 days appeared first on India Legal .

26/11 Mumbai Attacks Accused Tahawwur Rana Sent To 12-Day NIA Custody By Patiala House Court| News18

NIA Court extended the custody of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana for 12 days. n18oc_indian18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

Woman arrested for killing husband in Patiala

Delhi Court Dismisses 26/11 Plotter Tahawwur Rana's Plea For Family Contact

The Patiala House Court of Delhi dismissed a plea filed by Tahawwur Rana on Thursday, seeking permission to speak with his family over the phone.

Farmers, teachers, students intensify protests against AAP leadership across Punjab

CHANDIGARH: It is not just Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders facing the wrath and anger of farmers across Punjab; now Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders are also on the receiving end. They are facing rising public ire over unfulfilled promises, unanswered queries, and arrogant behaviour. Farmers are posing questions to the leaders, even going so far as to term AAP the B-team of BJP. Now, student groups and teachers associations have also joined in protesting against the ruling party leaders. Yesterday, AAP MLA from Rampura Phul, Balkar Sidhu, and another ruling party legislator from Maur, Sukhbir Singh Maiserkhana, had to face backlash from farmers during their visits to inaugurate development projects. Sidhu had gone to Sidhana village in Rampura to inaugurate an event under the Education Revolution initiative. As the news spread that the legislator was in the area, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari Punjab) and BKU Ekta Ugrahan gathered in front of the school in the village. As Sidhu arrived at the school under police protection, farmers began raising slogans regarding the atrocities committed at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. They also raised objections related to the Model School Chaoke case. After the programme ended, the MLA approached the farmers, and the farmer leaders asked him several questions. Sidhu responded, saying he could only comment after speaking with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Later, in Salebrah village, the MLA faced further protests. Meanwhile, Sukhbir Singh Maiserkhana, another ruling party legislator from the Maur assembly segment, was confronted by members of the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) during his visit to Ramgarh Bhundar village yesterday. Maiserkhana had earlier been confronted by BKU Sidhupur members while en route to an event under the Sikhya Kranti programme. In another incident, members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) posed several questions to Gidderbaha AAP MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon in Gurusar village on Monday. They described the AAP as the BJPs B-team. They asked him why the farmers were not allowed to protest at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders. In response, Dimpy said the state government might be under some pressure to lift the protests at the borders, as nothing had happened in the past year. Talking with this newspaper, Prem Singh Bhangu, President of the All India Kisan Federation and senior leader of SKM Punjab, said that the AAP Punjab government is facing the wrath and anger of farmers in the villages daily whenever its MLAs and ministers visit the villages to inaugurate the repair work done in school buildings. He stated that they are being dubbed as stooges of the BJP government at the Centre for taking repressive measures to crush and dislodge the peaceful protests of farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders by using heavy force. The government also foiled the March 5 proposed morcha to be launched at Chandigarh by making more than 1,000 arrests of farmers in the state, stopping them from reaching Chandigarh, their own capital, by forcibly stopping them in Punjab. Moreover, the government is trying to create a divide between rural and urban people, and Jat versus non-Jat in the state in order to garner votes, which could cost it dearly in the coming assembly elections, he said. While some party leaders avoid meeting farmers, others have lost their cool when confronted with queries. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has been targeted many times. On April 8, during a farmers training camp in Faridkot, Sandhwan was interrupted mid-speech when a farmer stood up and bluntly said that Sandhwan knew nothing about dairy farming. Sandhwan did not take offence. The protestors gathered outside his house in Kotkapura. There was also a protest by the Punjab Students Union at Brajindra College in Faridkot. On April 5, Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian faced a similar situation in Muktsar. Nirmal Singh from the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) Sidhupur interrupted him with questions about paddy varieties. The police immediately detained Singh, booking him under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). He was sent to jail and then released after four days upon furnishing bail. Also, AAP MLA Labh Singh Ugoke was grilled by farmers demanding an inquiry into the missing trolleys. Ugoke responded that the government had many other responsibilities. Last week, Batyala MLA Amansher Singh, alias Sherry Kalsi, was surrounded by farmers. Initially, he remained calm and talked to the farmers, but when they shouted slogans, he also reportedly shouted AAP zindabad to counter them. Other MLAs, including Gurdev Singh Dev Mann in Nabha, Gurdit Singh Sekhon in Faridkot, Dalbir Singh Tong in Baba Bakala, and Aresh Kataria in Zira, have faced similar confrontations. Sarwan Singh Pandher, coordinator of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, said that in 2020 and 2022, BJP leaders were questioned by farmers. Now, it is the turn of the AAP leadership. He further said that farmers had planned to question Mann and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal in Amritsar on April 9 but were not allowed to do so. A few days ago, the villagers of Chauke village in Bathinda decided to ban the entry of AAP leaders in response to the police crackdown on a teachers' protest outside Adarsh School on March 27, where police lathi-charged women protestors. Villagers from several villages in Lambi constituency, from where Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian is the MLA, have also announced plans to boycott AAP leaders. Additionally, the villagers of Kotla Jattan and Beer Bhamarasi villages in Fatehgarh Sahib and Babarpur Patiala have also banned the leaders of the ruling party from entering their villages. Kaka Singh Kolta, General Secretary of BKU (Sidhupur), said that this is just the start and soon they will not be able to step out of their houses.

Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025 for 9000+ Vacancies under Ration Depot

Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025: District Controller, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Punjab is inviting applications for Depot Holder. More than 9000 vacancies are available across the state including Fatehgarh Sahib, Sangrur, Pathanko, Childrens, Bhagat Singh NagaR, Kapurthala, Painters Cotla, Tarn Taran, S.A.S.NagaR, Mansa, Amritsar, Fazilka, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Firozpur, Rupnagar, Patiala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Bathinda [] The post Punjab Food Supply Recruitment 2025 for 9000+ Vacancies under Ration Depot appeared first on Testbook Blog .

Punjab-Based Agent Arrested At IGI Airport For Facilitating Illegal US Entry Through Dunki Route

New Delhi, Apr 18: The Delhi Police has arrested a 36-year-old Punjab-based agent allegedly involved in forging travel documents and facilitating illegal entry into the United States through the Dunki route, an official said on Friday. The accused, identified as Naresh Kumar, a resident of Matoulli village in Patiala, Punjab, was apprehended following the deportation of an Indian passenger from the US, he said. Kumar had allegedly worked with other agents to arrange a fake Schengen visa and later tampered [] The post Punjab-Based Agent Arrested At IGI Airport For Facilitating Illegal US Entry Through Dunki Route appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Meet Inayat, daughter-in-law of India cricketer, his name is..., her husband is...

Inayat Randhawa, the daughter of former Army officer Maninder Randhawa, who hails from Punjab's Patiala has tied the know to a popular India cricketer's son. Lets' find out more about him.

Delhi Court Denies Bail To Man Impersonating As Amit Shah's Nephew

Delhi's Patiala House court on Tuesday rejected the bail plea of Ajay Kumar Nayyar, accused of cheating by impersonating himself as the nephew of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Sonia, Rahul, Pitroda named in ED chargesheet in National Herald case

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate has submitted a prosecution complaint against senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in a Delhi court, intensifying the scrutiny over the alleged money laundering tied to the National Herald case. Also named in the chargesheet are the partys Overseas Department Chief Sam Pitroda, veteran journalist Suman Dubey and several others. The case revolves around financial transactions linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper and its parent company. The Rouse Avenue Court has slated 25 April as the date to consider whether to take cognisance of the complaint. According to an ED official, the complaint has been lodged under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It alleges violations under Section 3, read with Section 70, and carries penalties under Section 4 of the same Act. Last week, the ED had issued notices to take possession of immovable assets valued at Rs 661 crore that were previously attached as part of a money laundering investigation related to the Congress-linked National Herald newspaper and Associated Journals Limited (AJL). The Congress had earlier termed the investigation petty vendetta tactics and dubbed the ED a coalition partner of the BJP. The ED investigation began in 2021 after the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi took cognisance of a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. ED issues notices to take possession of assets in National Herald case The complaint, the ED said, highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including the Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi, apart from late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes and also Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the AJL. The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed, the ED said. AJL is the publisher of the National Herald news platform (newspaper and web portal) and it is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back. The ED claimed its investigation has conclusively found that Young Indian, a private company eneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore, the ED has alleged.

'Not mother of democracy, father of dictatorship': Sibal slams Centre over ED notices in Herald case

NEW DELHI Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Sunday accused the government of using probe agencies to paralyse the Congress and described the development of the Enforcement Directorate issuing notices to take possession of immovable assets in the National Herald case as an assault on democracy. In lip service, we are the mother of democracy but in reality you are the father of dictatorship. They (BJP) want to do their politics on Hindu-Muslim agenda and finish off the opposition, Sibal said in a press conference. His remarks come a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated it has served notices to take possession of immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore that it had attached as part of a money laundering probe linked to Congress-controlled National Herald newspaper and the Associated Journals Limited (AJL). Simultaneously, the notices have been affixed at conspicuous part of these properties located at Herald House at ITO (5A, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg) in Delhi, in the Bandra(E) area (Plot No 2, Survey No 341) of Mumbai and the AJL building located at Bisheshwar Nath Road (Property No.1) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Friday. The notices primarily seek vacation of the premises to be taken over by the ED. #WATCH | Delhi | On ED carrying out possession proceedings against Associated Journals Limited (AJL), Senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal says, The original complaint was filed by Subramanian Swamy in 2012. We are now in 2025, 13 years have passed and suddenly, this pic.twitter.com/5M0GwNe0wS ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2025 Speaking on the issue, Sibal said, The possession notice is aimed at taking over these properties of the newspaper in which Congress offices are running to paralyse the party. What is the offense? Why have you waited for 13 years? Why? Because you want to grab the property. You want to paralyse the Congress party, take possession of all the properties so that they cannot function. The properties are spread across the country and are worth 600 crore that is what they allege, so they take them over, paralyse the Congress so that it has no office to operate from, the senior advocate and Independent Rajya Sabha MP said. From what I know is the Congress does not have much money so it will not be able to function as a political party. This is an assault on democracy. This is an assault on what we as a republic stand for. This is an unfortunate event that is reflective of the mindset of this government, he added. Sibal said it reflects the pettiness of a government that uses agencies to destroy the opposition. They will take all those who were in the opposition in their ministries, make them Rajya Sabha members, give them cabinet posts in states and against whom they have made public allegations of fraud and corruption. They will take those people and there is no ED then, he added, slamming the BJP. The Rajya Sabha MP claimed the government will eventually also come after the media because we are going the way of a nation that is functioning on the basis that even though we profess we are democratic, we are just the opposite. Sibal pointed out that National Herald was set up way back by the freedom fighters, who were shareholders in the newspaper which was meant to spread the message of freedom and India being together and moving forward. Noting that it was for charitable purposes, he said National Herald did not have enough money at that time and the Congress gave it Rs 90 crore over the years and that debt could not be repaid. In the meantime, National Herald had assets throughout the country. Young India was set up for purposes of transferring a sum of Rs 50 lakhs of the loan amount. A Section 25 company was set up...Section 25 company is a company where the shareholders are not entitled to any profit, said Sibal. The shareholders cannot own the property, which is owned by the company. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Sonia Gandhi, nor anyone else, don't own the property. It is settled law, he added. Sibal accused the BJP of working to trouble its political opponents, including the Congress chief ministers in various states. You know that CBI has to take consent of the state to enter or if they have a court order. But the ED can go across, so they have used the ED to destabilise governments, it happened in the case of Hemant Soren; they also tried this against Siddaramaiah where they could not succeed, the former Congress leader said. In the case of P Chidambaram, they arrested him and kept on telling the court he has properties abroad, how many years passed? You destroyed a person, party's reputation. Exactly what is happening in the National Herald case, he added. Sibal, who was a Union minister during the UPA 1 and UPA 2 governments, quit the Congress in May 2022 and was elected to the Rajya Sabha as an Independent member with the Samajwadi Party's support. The ED has said in a statement that it has served the relevant documents to the respective registrar of properties where the assets are located. A notice...has also been served to Jindal South West Projects Limited which occupies the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors at Herald House, Bandra (E), Mumbai, to transfer the rent/lease amount every month in favour of the director, Directorate of Enforcement, it said. The action has been taken under Section (8) and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) that talks about the procedure of taking possession of assets attached by the ED and then confirmed by the adjudicating authority (of the PMLA). These immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore, apart from shares of AJL worth Rs 90.2 crore, were attached by the ED in November 2023 to secure the proceeds of crime and to prevent the accused form dissipating the same. The Adjudicating Authority confirmed this order in April last year. According to the ED, the total proceeds of crime in the case was Rs 988 crore. The Congress had earlier termed the investigation petty vendetta tactics and dubbed the ED a coalition partner of the BJP. The ED investigation began in 2021 after the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in Delhi took cognisance of a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. The complaint, ED said, highlighted a criminal conspiracy by several prominent political figures, including the first family of the Congress party led by Sonia Gandhi, her MP son Rahul Gandhi, apart from late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes and also Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda and a private company Young Indian for alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme related to the fraudulent takeover of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore belonging to the AJL. The legal proceedings against the accused have faced challenges but have been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India, allowing the investigation to proceed, the ED said. AJL is the publisher of the National Herald news platform (newspaper and web portal) and it is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are majority shareholders of Young Indian with 38 per cent shares held by each one of them. They were questioned for hours by the ED in this case a few years back. The ED claimed its investigation has conclusively found that Young Indian, a private company eneficially owned by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties worth Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly undervaluing its worth. Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of Rs 18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of Rs 38 crore and bogus advertisements of Rs 29 crore, the ED has alleged.

Karan Johar, Gippy Grewal's Akaal lands in controversy for allegedly hurting Sikh sentiments, Patiala police detains...

It is being alleged that Sikh characters in Akaal are being shown as drinking, consuming tobacco or as' mundit '(without hair), which is an insult to Sikh history and tradition.

Court orders 48-hour medical checks, restricts legal counsel for Rana

NEW DELHI: A NIA special court in Delhi has imposed stringent conditions on the custody of 26/11 Mumbai terror accused Tahawwur Rana, as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) pressed forward with its explosive claim: Rana may have conspired to orchestrate terror attacks in other Indian cities beyond Mumbai. Special Judge Chander Jit Singh of the Patiala House Courts has directed the NIA to conduct a full medical examination of Rana every 48 hours, ensuring that his health remains under continuous surveillance during his 18-day custodial remand. The court also ordered that he be provided with prescribed medication without delay and be allowed pen and paper, but only a soft-tip pen, in a move aimed at preventing potential misuse. In a tightly worded directive, the judge permitted Rana to meet a counsel from the Delhi Legal Services Authority every alternate day. However, the court laid down a sharp embargo, saying that the appointed legal counsel is strictly barred from engaging with the media in any form. All meetings are to occur in the presence of NIA officers to allow legal access without compromising investigative sanctity. During the hearing on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday, the courtroom also witnessed intense exchanges as the NIA laid bare its suspicions that Rana, beside 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was involved in hatching newer terror plots within India. Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, appearing for the agency, told the court that Ranas interrogation was critical to retracing movements and establishing linkages in what the agency believes may be a sprawling conspiracy. Citing a trove of digital evidence including classified emails and encrypted exchanges, the NIA argued that Rana had collaborated in a blueprint designed to replicate the 2008 assault on Indian soil. His custodial interrogation is is imperative, Krishnan said. Court directions NIA to conduct a full medical examination of Rana every 48 hours, ensuring that his health remains under continuous surveillance during remand Rana to be provided with prescribed medication without delay; allowed pen and paper, but only soft-tip, to prevent misuse Rana permitted to meet legal counsel from the Delhi Legal Services Authority every alternate day in the presence of NIA officers

Controversy erupts over Gippy Grewals Akaal: The Unconquered for allegedly hurting religious sentiments

Mumbai: A controversy has erupted in Patiala over singer and actor Gippy Grewals recently released film Akaal: The Unconquered. The Patiala police have detained Baba Bakshish Singh, who had protested against the film. Baba Bakshish Singh says he and his committee have always opposed films that portray Sikh characters in an inappropriate manner. He alleged 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 .

Families of 26/11 victims demand Ranas hanging

Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court in a cavalcade, including a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle and an ambulance

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: 26|11 terror attack plotter Rana brought to Patiala House Court

NIA Formally Arrests 26/11 Mumbai Attacks Plotter, To Be Taken To Patiala House Court | News18

Tahawwur Rana, a co-conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, landed in India on Thursday (April 10), a day after a multi-agency Indian team left from the United States with him on a special flight The team had travelled to the US after the countrys Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India.According to the officials, high-security cells in Tihar Jail in the national capital and Arthur Road prison in Mumbai have been prepared for a high-risk detainee. The NIA has also recently obtained a court order on the transfer of his case from Mumbai to Delhi. n18oc_india

26/11 attacks: Patiala court bar body 'committed to ensure' fair, transparent trial of Tahawwur Rana

The bar association assured no disruption in law and order situation within the complex or interference in judicial proceedings

Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana lands in India

Security outside the NIA headquarters in Delhi has been beefed up and also outside the Patiala House Courts where 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced after he lands in Delhi following his extradition from the ...

Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as Tahawwur Rana to land in India

New Delhi, Apr 10: Security outside the NIA headquarters in Delhi has been beefed up and also outside the Patiala House Courts where 2008 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced after he lands in Delhi following his extradition from the US. Some gates of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro [] The post Security beefed up outside Patiala Courts, NIA HQ as Tahawwur Rana to land in India appeared first on Northlines .

Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Ranas likely appearance

According to officials, a multi-agency team had gone to the U.S. to bring Tahawwur Rana to India

Tahawwur Rana Extradition: 26/11 accused to likely appear in Patiala House Court, security beefed up

The extradition of Tahawwur Rana a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks from the United States to India, marks a significant breakthrough for Indias probe agencies and its diplomatic efforts.

Tahawwur Rana's Extradition: Security Tightened At Patiala House Court

Personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police have been deployed outside Patiala court and a thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident, he said.

Tahawwur Rana's extradition: Delhi court receives trial records of 26/11 attacks

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has received the trial records of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks ahead of its alleged mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana's arrival in India from the US, a court source said. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 attacks, is being brought to India on a special flight on Thursday after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application. The records were received by the court of District Judge Vimal Kumar Yadav recently in pursuance of his January 28 direction to the staff of a Mumbai court to send the records. The judge passed the order on an application moved by the National Investigation Agency in Delhi, seeking to retrieve the records from Mumbai. The trial court records were previously sent to Mumbai due to the presence of multiple cases related to the 26/11 attacks in both cities. Tahawwur Rana case: MHA appoints Narender Mann as special public prosecutor for three years In a setback to Rana, a US court had earlier ruled that the Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman could be extradited to India where is wanted for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists. Rana, 64, is a close associate of one of the main conspirators of the attacks, David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a rampage, carrying out a coordinated attack on a railway station, two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. As many as 166 people were killed in the nearly 60-hour assault. Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of Tahawwur Rana's appearance; likely to be lodged in Tihar jail

Rana to be produced at Delhi court, security upped

Security has been heightened outside the Patiala House Court in Delhi ahead of the expected appearance of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana, who was extradited from the US, is likely to be produced in court on Thursday. The Delhi Police and paramilitary forces are carrying out thorough security checks to prevent any untoward incidents.

Security tightened at Patiala House Court ahead of Tahawwur Rana's appearance; likely to be lodged in Tihar jail

NEW DELHI: Security has been stepped up outside Delhi's Patiala House Court where Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is likely to be produced on Thursday following his extradition from the US, an official said. Personnel from paramilitary forces and the Delhi Police have been deployed outside the court and a thorough physical frisking and checking of visitors is being carried out to avoid any untoward incident, he said. An NIA judge is expected to hear the matter. Meanwhile, Tihar Jail officials said all preparations have been made to lodge Rana in a high-security prison ward and they were waiting for court orders. In a late-night notification, Centre has appointed advocate Narender Mann as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI (Mumbai attacks) for three years. In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 15 of the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008 (34 of 2008), read with sub-section (8) of section 18 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), the central government hereby appoints Narender Mann, advocate as special public prosecutor for conducting trial and other matters related to NIA case RC-04/2009/NIA/DLI on behalf of the National Investigation Agency before the NIA Special Courts at Delhi and Appellate Courts, for a period of three years from the date of publication of this notification or till the completion of trial of the said case, whichever is earlier, the notification said. Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, is being brought to Delhi from the US. Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national and close associate of one of the main conspirators of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen. Rana is being brought to India after his last-ditch attempt to evade extradition failed as the US Supreme Court justices rejected his application.

Cabinet nod to rail and road projects worth over Rs 4.8K cr

NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved two key transport infrastructure projects, including one for doubling the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi single railway line (104 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and another relating to the construction of a six-lane access-controlled Zirakpur bypass with a length of 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana on hybrid annuity mode. Besides the two infra projects, the cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, also approved the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) as a sub-scheme of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026 with an initial total outlay of Rs 1,600 crore. I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that the Tirupati-Pakala-Katpadi railway line project would be completed with an estimated cost of Rs 1,332 crore and it aimed to enhance connectivity, improve mobility, and promote sustainable development in the southern states. He said that project spans three districts in Andhra and TN and will extend the Indian Railways network by approximately 113 km. The enhanced connectivity will benefit both religious and tourist traffic, as the line connects Tirupati, home to Tirumala Venkateswara Temple, which attracts around 75,000 pilgrims daily, with a footfall of up to 1.5 lakh on special occasions, he said. As part of the capacity expansion, the project is expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 4 million tonnes per annum and contribute to Indias climate goals by reducing oil imports by 4 crore litres and lowering CO2 emissions by 20 crore kilograms annually, said Vaishnaw. The 6-lane Zirakpur Bypass starting from Junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and ending at Junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 km in Punjab and Haryana will cost approximately Rs 1,878 crore, the minister said. The project is aimed at easing the congestion in Zirakpur, Panchkula and surrounding areas by diverting traffic from Patiala, Delhi, Mohali Aerocity and providing direct connectivity to Himachal Pradesh. The current proposal aims at reducing the travel time and ensuring hassle-free traffic movement in the congested urban section of NH-7, NH-5 and NH-152, Vaishnaw said. As part third decision with regard to irrigation facility, the government plans to set up water supply infrastructure from existing canals and other sources to a designated cluster, the minister said.

Cabinet okays six lane Zirakpur Bypass at Rs 1878 crore; Check map, routes, starting and ending points

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the Construction of 6 lane Zirakpur Bypass starting from Junction with NH-7 (Zirakpur-Patiala) and ending at Junction with NH-5 (Zirakpur-Parwanoo) with a total length 19.2 Km in state of Punjab and Haryana under NH(O) on Hybrid Annuity Mode.

New Delhi station stampede: Shunted DRM gets new posting in Patiala

Railway Board issues fresh postings for officials removed after the February 15 stampede that killed 18 passengers

Punjab, Haryana HC transfers Colonel Bath assault probe to Chandigarh Police; orders SIT formation

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court today transferred the investigation into the assault of serving Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son to the Chandigarh Police, directing the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) within three days. The decision came after Col Bath petitioned for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or an independent agency. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, while passing the order, specified that no Punjab Police officer should be part of the SIT to ensure a fair and transparent probe. The SIT has been given four months to complete its investigation. The court also asked the Punjab government to specify whether it wanted a consent-based order or one on merit before the final decision was made. The Punjab government accepted the transfer of the probe to the Chandigarh Police, as did Col Baths family. The state was represented by senior advocate Randeep Singh Rai. A detailed order is awaited. Col Bath had moved the High Court last week after the Punjab Police allegedly delayed filing an FIR regarding the alleged assault on him and his son by a group of 12 policemen, including four inspectors. The family had rejected the SIT formed by the Punjab Police. Jaswinder Kaur, Col Baths wife, had met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on March 31, where she expressed dissatisfaction with the delay. The CM assured us of a CBI probe, but no action was taken, she said. Initially, she had expressed satisfaction with the assurance, but later realised that it was a false promise. The family had earlier met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The Punjab Police SIT, which was led by ADGP A.S. Rai, had recorded the statements of the accused officers yesterday. However, with the courts decision, the SIT has now become defunct. The Punjab Police had registered an FIR only on March 22, eight days after the incident, following repeated appeals from the officers family. The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14 when Col Bath and his son, Angad Singh, were having dinner at a dhaba near Rajindra Hospital. Col Bath alleged that a group of men aggressively approached them, demanding they move their car. One of them threatened to break our legs and then punched me. I lost consciousness. Then they assaulted my son, he said. When Col Bath identified himself as an Army officer, the attackers allegedly snatched his ID card and mobile phone. The petitioner alleged that the Patiala Police failed to act despite the severity of the incident. He claimed that distress calls to senior officials were ignored. Instead of registering an FIR on his complaint, the police initially lodged a case of affray against unknown persons based on a third-party complaint. The officers family had to approach senior police officials and even the Punjab Governor before an FIR was finally registered eight days later.

Waqf Board sees illegal encroachment of 14,000 acres in Punjab; litigations still ongoing in various courts

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Waqf Board owns a total of 36,625.83 acres of land across the state, but over 14,000 acres of this land are currently under illegal encroachment. Ongoing litigation regarding these encroachments is being heard in various courts, including the Supreme Court. According to sources, data from the Board reveals that the Punjab Waqf Board has a total of 75,965 registered properties and 25,403 registered waqf estates. The Board owns 36,625.83 acres of land across the state, with approximately 14,085.004 acres, or 38.46%, currently under illegal encroachment. The remaining 61.45% of the land is being used for its intended purposes. While 18 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, 462 cases going in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, 1,157 civil suits in different courts for declaration, possession or eviction pending before the five waqf tribunals in the stare and civil courts, said sources. Talking with the TNIE, Latif Ahmed Thind, Executive Officer of Punjab Waqf Board, said, The total number of waqf board properties in Punjab is 75,965. The major problem is illegal encroachments across the state as the maximum encroachments are in Bathinda, followed by Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and Patiala. In many cases, the illegal encroachers are sitting on these properties since 1947 and in many others the lease with the board finished but they did not vacate the property or gave its procession to someone else. Both influential people and common persons have encroached upon the waqf board properties. While in Samana near Patiala many shanties are there and those people refuse to vacate. It is just of people from other religions have encroached upon also people from the same community have also done illegal encroachment of the board properties in some cases, he says. We follow the due procedure of the law and cases are going in different courts including supreme court. With the amendment coming in the process will become for cumbersome.he added.

Explosion near police post in Patran, investigation underway

A loud explosion near the Badshahpur police post in Patiala district shattered windowpanes of an adjacent office. Authorities are investigating, suspecting it might be a grenade attack. Babbar Khalsa International claimed responsibility, but verification is pending.

Punjab govt withdraws Z-plus security of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has withdrawn the Z-plus security cover of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia . He is the brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, the former president of SAD. Sources said that orders were given to withdraw all 35 security personnel and vehicles assigned to Majithia. The security personnel were instructed to leave the city where Majithia was visiting with his family and report back to their parent units immediately. Since he was in another state at the time, only one police officer, who had been with him for a long time, was left for his security. It was also reported that officials were instructed to take photographs of the security personnel upon their return to their battalions and send them to senior officers. Until recently, there were discussions about increasing security at Majithia's residence in Chandigarh. Proposed measures included raising the height of the perimeter walls, installing barbed wires, and setting up a net to block any grenade attacks. Majithia received Z-plus security in 2010. Badal strongly criticized the AAP government for withdrawing Majithias security. He said, Withdrawal of the entire Z+ security cover of Bikram Singh Majithia confirms beyond doubt the dangerous and deadly designs of the AAP government against the SAD leadership. He further alleged, This decision has to be seen alongside the massive 'witch-hunt' launched by the AAP government against Majithia. He also brought up an attack on his life outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar last December by Narain Singh Chaura. He claimed, Withdrawal of security to Majithia has to be seen with the government's complicity in the failed lethal attempt on my life - an attempt foiled only with divine intervention of Guru Sahiban. Majithia condemned the state government for withdrawing his security. He said, When they failed in silencing my voice, they withdrew my security on the evening of March 29. The SAD leader also claimed that the Punjab Police has formed a new special investigation team (SIT) to probe the drug case against him. This is the fifth SIT formed since 2021 to investigate the case. Sources said the Punjab Police has again replaced the head of the SIT and two other members. The Director, Bureau of Investigation, issued orders on March 31, stating that the reshuffle was for administrative reasons. The new SIT will be led by Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Varun Sharma. The other two members are Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana and Superintendent of Police (SP) (NRI Wing) Patiala, Gurbans Singh Bains. Previously, the SIT was headed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ropar Range Harcharan Singh Bhullar, while the other two officers remained the same. Before Bhullar, Varun Sharma had also headed the SIT. This is the first time an AIG-rank officer has been appointed to lead the SIT, whereas all previous teams were led by officers of DIG rank or higher.

Pastor Bajinder Singh sentenced to life imprisonment till death for sexual assault case in Punjab

CHANDIGARH: A court in Mohali today sentenced 42-year-old self-styled pastor Bajinder Singh, also known as 'Yeshu Yeshu Prophet,' to life imprisonment till death for a sexual harassment case filed against him in 2018. Additional District and Sessions judge of SAS Nagar Vikrant Gupta, pronounced the judgment as Bajinder Singh was brought from Patiala jail and produced before him amid tight security. Life imprisonment till death signifies a life sentence with no possibility of parole or release, meaning the individual will remain incarcerated until natural death. After the sentencing verdict was pronounced by the court, Anil Kumar Sagar lawyer of the victim said, The accused Bajinder Singh has been sentenced to life imprisonment. He will remain behind bars till death. Today only quantum of sentenced was pronounced by the court. We are satisfied with the quantum of sentence. We had full faith in the court. For this kind of person to remain in society is very dangerous. The message has to go to the society that nobody dares to do this kind of shameful act again. The victim said, I thank the court for the verdict and also my lawyers who fought it out. This case was buried due to political pressure and money power. The case pertains to a rape charge filed by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that Singh sexually assaulted her on the pretext of taking her abroad and also made an obscene video of her. An FIR, registered on April 20, 2018, at the Zirakpur police station, charging Singh and five othersJatinder, Akbar Ali, Sattar Ali, Sucha Singh, and Sandeep Pehelwanwith rape, cheating, outraging the modesty of a woman, obscenity, causing hurt, criminal intimidation, and transmitting sexually explicit content. However, the co-accused were acquitted. Singh, who was arrested at Delhi airport in 2018, had been out on bail but repeatedly avoided court hearings, citing illness. In March, the court issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against him for failing to appear. Singh, who is based in Jalandhar, runs two churchesThe Church of Glory and Wisdom in Tajpur (Jalandhar) and Majri (Mohali). His sermons, which draw thousands of followers, are broadcast live on YouTube through his channel Prophet Bajinder Singh, which has 3.74 million subscribers. Singh converted to Christianity in 2012 and gained a following by claiming to perform faith healing and miracles. His church, which he asserts has branches across India and abroad, holds large congregations where people seek spiritual healing and relief from ailments. He was recently booked in another sexual harassment case on February 28, 2025, following a complaint by a 22-year-old woman. The Punjab Police has formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the allegations. The Punjab State Women Commission has also taken suo-motu notice and ordered security for the complainant. Meanwhile, a February 14 CCTV video surfaced, allegedly showing Singh slapping a woman and a man during an argument. Singh is now also facing fresh legal trouble over the new allegations.

Assault on Army officer: Col Bath's family meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, reiterates demand for CBI probe

CHANDIGARH: The family of serving army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday and reiterated their demand for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). On Monday, they will meet Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and if they do not receive justice, their protest, which is emporarily suspended now, will resume. Two days ago , the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned the state government over the delay in registering a First Information Report (FIR) in the assault case involving the army officer and his son. During a 25-minute meeting with Rajnath Singh, Jaswinder Kaur, wife of Col Bath, reiterated her demand for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), emphasising that she does not trust the Patiala Police at all. We told Rajnath Singh about the complete incident, the brutal attack on my husband and son, and how the Punjab Police has been playing with us. He assured us that justice will be given to us and that necessary action will be taken, and over time, we will know about it, she said. Tomorrow, we will meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and see what he says. Recently, it was the CMs daughters first birth, and we bless her with a lot of happiness and good health. Similarly, I am also a daughter to someone, a wife and mother. Think about it when a daughter of the nation is coming to you, you should do justice for her. If tomorrow your own daughter faced something like this, what justice would you give her? The same justice should be given to me, she added. Kaur continued, We started the morcha in front of the Deputy Commissioners Office in Patiala, and after that, CM Mann gave us time to meet. The morcha is temporarily suspended as of now, as we were given assurance that CM Mann will meet us. If we do not get justice tomorrow, the morcha will resume. We want an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). She went on to say that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to investigate the case had been changed four times. How can we expect justice from the Punjab Police? she asked. We want a CBI inquiry and a fair trial. Whoever is at fault should be punished. The SSP Patiala, Nanak Singh, is scared to take the names of the four SHOs, she added. Sources said that two days before the meeting, the family was informed by a former officer, who was tasked with notifying them about the scheduled meeting for today. In addition to Col Bath and his wife, their relative and BJP leader from Patiala, Gurtej Singh Dhillon, accompanied the family to the meeting. Dhillon said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh assured the family that the case is being closely monitored. He assured us that the Army will stand by the officer and ensure justice for Col Bath and his family, said Dhillon. On Friday, the Punjab Governments attempt to justify the delay in registering the FIR in the assault case, citing farmers protests among other reasons, backfired in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court questioned the police about the number of FIRs registered across Patiala district during the period. The Bench asked the state to categorically explain whether the action taken so far was sufficient. You are not obliging anyone by placing the cops under suspension, it had asserted. In his detailed order, Justice Sandeep Moudgil also asked the state to file an affidavit specifying how many FIRs were registered in Patiala district during the period when the district police was on high alert due to farmers protests at Khanauri border and Shambhu border of Patiala from March 18 to 23?

Farmer leader Pandher accuses AAP, BJP of conspiring against farmers; vows to continue protest

CHANDIGARH: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, released from jail today, accused both the BJP-led Union Government and the AAP-led Punjab Government of conspiring to undermine the ongoing farmers' protest 2.0. He likened the central government to invader Ahmad Shah Abdali and the Punjab government to Zakaria Khan, notorious for persecuting Sikhs. Pandher, the convenor of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, was released from Muktsar jail, while Abhimanyu Kohar, Kaka Kotra and some other farmer leaders were released from Patiala central jail. Speaking to the media at the Bahadurgarh Commando Complex near Patiala, Pandher questioned the AAP government's stance, which had previously claimed that the farmers' protests were directed against the central government. He raised concerns over the events of March 19, when the government allegedly attacked farmers returning from a meeting with central and state ministers . Pandher asked whether Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann aimed to protect central ministers or if there was a fear of the Enforcement Directorate's actions. He alleged that the Mann government conspired with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to target the farmers as both the government actively participated in demolishing the protest sites. Pandher stated that the morchas will continue in any form, and the action plans, including protests in front of AAP MLAs' and ministers' residences on March 31, will proceed as scheduled. He further alleged that orders are now being dictated by corporate interests and Washington, who have historically been opposed to farmers, similar to the orders once issued by Abdali. Pandher also claimed that drugs are openly available in jails, asserting that the Yuth Nashaa Virodh scheme has failed. Pandher condemned the state police's actions against protesting farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, where they had been camped for over a year demanding, among other things, a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops. In a police crackdown on March 19, several farmer leaders were detained as they were returning from a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting aimed to address the farmers' demands, particularly a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops. As the farmers were leaving the meeting and entering Mohali, they encountered heavy barricading , and some of their leaders were detained. The police also evicted farmers and dismantled temporary structures at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, leading to the resumption of vehicular traffic on the Shambhu-Ambala and Sangrur-Jind highways. Farmers criticized the AAP government for detaining their leaders and removing protesters from the border points, where they had been camping since February 13 of last year, after their march to Delhi was blocked by Haryana Police. Meanwhile, the Punjab Government informed the Supreme Court today that farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal had ended his 123-day fast and begun accepting water. Punjab BJP President Jakhar slams AAP, Congress over farmer protests, accuses CM Mann of betrayal

Detained Punjab farmer leaders Pandher, Kohar released

Kisan Mazdoor Morcha leader Mr. Pandher was released from Muktsar jail while Kohar, Kotra and some other farmer leaders were released from Patiala central jail, they said

Punjab Assembly witnesses noisy scenes over Bajwa's remarks against Seechewal

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Assembly on Thursday witnessed noisy scenes with the Congress legislators staging a walkout thrice. The House was also adjourned after the treasury benches sought an apology from Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa for his remarks against environmentalist and AAP MP Balbir Singh Seechewal. A resolution censuring Leader of Opposition and Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa was was also passed. The censure motion received support from SAD MLA Manpreet Ayali and suspended Congress MLA Sandeep Jakhar. After the Question Hour, Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains and AAP MLA Inderjit Kaur Maan on Wednesday criticized Bajwa for his remarks against Seechewal and sought his apology when the leader of opposition got up to bring a resolution for recommending Bharat Ratna for legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. But Bajwa today again repeated his remarks and refused to apologise. He expressed displeasure over not being allowed to bring a resolution on Bharat Ratna for Bhagat Singh. However, Bajwa said he stood by what he said about Seechewal and alleged that it was a planned attack by the Treasury Benches to suppress his voice. Is this being done in a planned manner? Bajwa asked the Speaker, referring to the protest by treasury benches. I stand by what I said, Bajwa asserted. Heated arguments ensued as opposition Congress MLAs and the Treasury Benches traded charges. Education Minister Bains said that the Punjabis were hurt by Bajwas remarks against Seechewal and also MLA Inderjit Kaur sought a censure motion against the leader of opposition. He said his sentiments have been hurt with Bajwas remarks and asked the Congress MLAs whether it was the partys statement. When Bajwa pressed for allowing him to bring the resolution on Bhagat Singh, the Speaker told the leader of opposition that fifteen days notice was required for bringing a resolution. You have to follow the rules. Nobody should cast aspersion on the chair, the Speaker told Bajwa. Amid heated exchanges in the House, Congress MLAs, led by Bajwa, rushed to the well of the House and raised slogans against the AAP government before staging a walkout. Cabinet Minister Aman Arora also targeted Bajwa for his utterances against Seechewal and called Bajwas remarks absurd and ridiculous and dubbed it as an overreaction as Seechewal is AAPs Rajya Sabha MP. Later, the House was adjourned for 15 minutes. Once the House resumed proceedings, the Congress MLAs again staged a walkout after being targeted by the Treasury Benches for comments against Seechewal. Bajwa was not present in the House when the MLAs staged the walkout. The House proceedings were again adjourned for 15 minutes amid heated arguments between the Treasury Benches and the Congress MLAs. The Congress MLAs alleged that they were not being allowed to speak on the Budget 2025-26, as the Treasury Benches were using the Seechewal issue to avoid passing resolution on the Bharat Ratna for Bhagat Singh. On Wednesday, Bajwa while speaking to the media had asked the state government to engage Punjab Engineer College University, Chandigarh or Thapar Institute in Patiala for their technical advice for works like cleaning of ponds in villages for recharge of water. Seechewal is not an engineer. During our (governments time) also, some works were carried out by Seechewal and then a report was submitted that Seechewals model is a completely failed model. Seechewal saab says if some work has to be done then my people will carry out that work. Its a failed model, he had said.

Army seeks fair probe into Col assault case

The Indian Army has demanded a fair and time-bound investigation into the assault of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath by 12 Punjab Police personnel. The incident occurred on March 13-14 over a parking dispute in Patiala. The Punjab Police has assured justice and set up a special investigation team to probe the matter. The Army and Punjab Police have reiterated their commitment to maintaining the long-standing bonhomie between the two forces.

Assault on Army officer: HC raps Punjab Police, asks state govt to explain delay in registering FIR

CHANDIGARH: Expressing strong reservations over the manner in which Punjab Police officials conducted themselves in an alleged assault case involving Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son Angad Singh Bath, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday asked the state government to explain the delay in the registration of a case over the issue and file a detailed reply by March 28. A notice of motion was also issued to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the state by Justice Sandeep Moudgil on a plea by the Colonel. The court also asked the government to explain why it did not proceed with another complaint by a police official who claimed injuries. Questioning the seven-day delay in registering an First Information Report (FIR), Justice Moudgil asked, Why did you not register the FIR when you learnt of the incident? Why this delay? What is the explanation? The bench asked why the Punjab Police were willing to register an FIR based on the complaint of the dhaba owner but refused to heed the complaint filed by the colonels wife. Justice Moudgil said, If your clients were so honest and dedicated, they should have booked them, taken them for medical. Instead, they fled from the spot and spent three days apologizing. The court was hearing a petition filed by Colonel Bath against the State of Punjab. The petition sought the transfer of FIR No. 69, dated March 22, 2025, registered at Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala to the CBI or any independent agency to ensure a free, fair, and impartial investigation. He alleged in the plea that a fair investigation was impossible under the Punjab Police. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe After the hearing, Deepinder Singh Virk, one of the counsels representing Colonel Bath, said that the high court has directed the state of Punjab to file a detailed reply by Friday. He added that the court has sought a reply on specific points which include all the officers who were present at the spot at the time of the incident. The family of the Colonel had approached the Patiala SSP. Why was the matter delayed for eight days and FIR not registered? The intimation was given by the Colonel's family as soon as the incident took place. To which officer was the information given at the first instance and why did he opt not to register the FIR, he said. The petition read, Despite the seriousness of the offence, the local police failed to take action. Distress calls made to senior officials were ignored and, instead of registering an FIR based on the petitioner's statement, a bogus FIR under 'affray' against unknown persons was filed on the complaint of an unrelated third party. The petition also sought a stay into the probe by Punjab Police and examination of the role of senior police officers in delaying the registration of the FIR. The plea alleges his wife was pressured by the policemen to strike a compromise and further claimed that some cops admitted in a video call to his wife that they were under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The family of the colonel on Monday ended their dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patiala after they were assured that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would hear their grievance in a meeting on March 31. Many ex-servicemen and veterans had joined the dharna led by the family of Colonel Bath. His wife Jasvinder Kaur has demanded the transfer of Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh. Colonel Bath, currently posted at the Army headquarters in New Delhi, alleged that he was assaulted on the night of March 13.

J&K Athletes shine in Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 24: Three Wushu athletes from Jammu and Kashmir brought glory to the Union Territory in the Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League Championship held at Bilsapur, Chhattisgarh from March 20 to 23. Ansa Chisti clinched the Gold medal, while Ayeera Chisti and Riya Chib secured Bronze medals in the 52 kg and 65 kg categories, respectively. All three athletes qualified for the championship during the Khelo India Zonal League Wushu Championship held in Patiala. Ayeera [] The post J&K Athletes shine in Khelo India Wushu Sr. Womens League appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Days after crackdown Punjab cops free 800 farmers, 450 more to be released

CHANDIGARH: Days after the crackdown on protesting farmers, Punjab Police on Monday said it has released nearly 800 farmers from detention and is going to free 450 more on the direction of the state government. Since March 19, hundreds of farmers had been taken into custody after the AAP government decided to clear the protest sites, claiming that the stir had impacted businesses, industries and the general public. In a statement here, Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Sukhchain Singh Gill said, Punjab Government has already released approximately 800 farmers from the police custody. The official said that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has directed he immediate release of farmers including women, differently-abled individuals, farmers with medical conditions, and those above the age of 60. In line with the directives of the Punjab Government, we are prioritising the release of such farmers and about 450 farmers are being released today, he said. The protesting farmers had lashed out at the AAP government for detaining their leaders and removing protesters from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, where they had been camping since February 13 last year after their march to Delhi was thwarted by security personnel. On grievances of the farmers related to their belongings during the eviction from protest sites, the IGP said that the Punjab Government has issued strict directions in this regard and nobody will be permitted to misappropriate the belongings of farmers. To address the concern about the belongings of farmers, the Patiala district police has also appointed SP-rank officer Jasbir Singh as the Nodal Officer, and farmers facing issues related to their possessions can directly contact SP Jasbir Singh at the mobile number 90713-00002 for immediate assistance, Gill said. Patiala Police has already registered three first information reports (FIRs) in this regard, he said. Slamming the crackdown against the protesting farmers by Punjab Police, the national coordination committee of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha on Sunday had called upon farmers across India to hold protest demonstrations at districts across the country on March 28. The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) were the two organisations that spearheaded the protests at Shambhu and Khanauri. Punjab Police had detained several farmers and many farmer leaders, in Mohali on Wednesday as they were returning after a meeting with a central delegation led by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Chandigarh. The meeting discussed the various demands of the farmers, especially a law guaranteeing minimum support price (MSP) for crops. As the departing farmers entered Mohali after the meeting, they were met with heavy barricading and some of their leaders were detained. Meanwhile, vehicular traffic had on Friday resumed on the Khanauri border point after the barricades that had been put up in the wake of the farmers' protest were removed. Earlier on Thursday, traffic had resumed on the Shambhu-Ambala Highway after more than a year, a day after Punjab Police demolished their temporary structures at the protest site.

Colonel Pushpinder Singh Baths family lifts protest after assurance of meeting with Punjab CM Mann

CHANDIGARH: The family of Army Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath has ended their protest following an assurance from the Punjab government that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will meet them on March 31 to hear their grievances. The family, supported by ex-servicemen, had been protesting outside the Deputy Commissioner's office in Patiala, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the assault on Col Bath and his son by 12 Punjab Police personnel on March 14. They were also calling for the transfer of Patialas Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh. According to sources, the family and ex-servicemen had been holding the dharna since Saturday. However, on Monday, a series of meetings took place between them and district officials. The family submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, requesting a personal hearing with Chief Minister Mann. Wife of assaulted Army Colonel leads protest in Patiala, ex-servicemen join in The protest was lifted after Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Patiala visited the dharna site and handed over a letter to Jaswinder Kaur, the wife of Col Bath, confirming that the Chief Minister would meet them on March 31 at noon. An official confirmed, A letter has been given to the family, and they, along with others, can meet CM Mann on March 31. Kaur stated that she, along with her son, husband, and a representative from the union that supported them during the protest, will meet the Chief Minister. If our demands for a CBI inquiry and the transfer of SSP Nanak Singh are not met, we will resume our protest in April, she said, adding, We do not trust the police. She also thanked the Deputy Commissioner and Additional Deputy Commissioner for facilitating the meeting with the government. A large number of ex-servicemen from across Punjab had joined the protest in support of the family. Last week, the Colonels family had met Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, seeking a CBI probe. They had rejected the Punjab governments order for an executive magistrate-led investigation. Following this, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, headed by Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) SPS Parmar. The SIT also includes Sandeep Malik, SSP Hoshiarpur, and Manpreet Singh, SP (Rural), SAS Nagar. The team has been directed to conduct the investigation on a day-to-day basis, collect evidence, and proceed with legal action against those responsible. A case has already been registered, naming the police officials involved. Additionally, instructions were issued to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Patiala Range to immediately transfer the police officials concerned out of Patiala district. After the order, they were reassigned. The Additional Director General of Police (Security), Punjab, was also directed to provide adequate protection to Col Baths family. The assault took place on the night of March 13-14 at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Col Bath is currently posted at Army Headquarters in New Delhi.

Congress seeks arrest of Punjab Police personnel who assaulted an army officer in Patiala

Party leaders seek a probe into the matter, after 12 police personnel allegedly beat up the Colonel and his son over a parking dispute

Assault on Colonel: Family digs in heels; demands CBI probe

The wife of an army Colonel, who has accused 12 Punjab police personnel of assaulting him and his son over a parking dispute, has started a sit-in protest along with ex-servicemen outside the Patiala Deputy Commissioner's office to press for a CBI probe. The family is demanding a CBI probe and the transfer of Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh, accusing him of failing to take action on their multiple requests to file an FIR. Despite Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Preeti Yadav assuring them of a fair and transparent probe, the family refused to lift the 'dharna' and said it would continue until their demands were met.

4 Police Officers Suspended, Probe Team Formed Over Colonel's Assault In Punjab

As many as four Patiala police officers have been suspended and transferred for allegedly assaulting Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath in Punjab's Patiala, a senior police officer said.

Farmers burn Punjab CMs effigies in villages against their eviction from Shambhu, Khanauri

CHANDIGARH, Mar 22: The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) said on Saturday that it has burnt the effigies of the AAP Government in villages of Punjab against the eviction of farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri border points by the state police. Meanwhile, a few farmer leaders paid a visit to their imprisoned colleagues, including Sarwan Singh Pandher, in the Patiala jail. They said around 125 protesters are lodged in the Patiala jail, 150 in the Nabha jail and [] The post Farmers burn Punjab CMs effigies in villages against their eviction from Shambhu, Khanauri appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Wife of Army Colonel assaulted over parking row leads protest in Patiala , ex-servicemen join in

CHANDIGARH: The wife of the Army Colonel, who has accused 12 Punjab police personnel of assaulting him and son over a parking dispute , staged a sit-in protest outside the Patiala deputy commissioner's office on Saturday. She was joined by several ex-servicemen. The protest came a day after the Punjab Police registered a fresh FIR based on the statement of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath. A high-level Special Investigation Team (SIT) has also been set up to expedite investigation. During the protest, the Army Colonel's wife, Jasvinder Kaur Bath, accused the 12 police officials of brutally thrashing her husband and son, and demanded speedy justice. BJP leader and former MP Preneet Kaur, who joined the protest, strongly condemned the incident. As a citizen of India and the wife of an ex-Army officer (former chief minister Amarinder Singh), I stand in complete solidarity with the assaulted officer and family. I demand an impartial probe, so that the guilty get proper punishment, she said. Speaking to reporters in Patiala, Kaur said Army officials should be included in the SIT. Since the Army is involved, the government is involved and the police force is also involved. A joint SIT should be formed with Army and police officials, and a judge involved, she said. The alleged incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Bath and his son were having food at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. The family alleged that some police officers in civil dress asked the Colonel to move his car, as they had to park theirs. When the Colonel objected to their rude tone, the officers thrashed him and his son. The Colonel's arm was broken, and his son suffered a long cut on head. The Colonel's wife had on Thursday met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who spoke to the state DGP and advised him to register an FIR on the Colonel's statement. 'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe Punjab Police on Friday said it has registered an FIR at Civil Lines police station. Colonel Bath's statement names the police officers who assaulted him and details their roles in the assault, a statement said on Friday evening. An SIT consisting of SPS Parmar, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order); Sandeep Malik, Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, and Manpreet Singh, Superintendent of Police (Rural), SAS Nagar has been constituted to investigate the incident. A Punjab Police spokesperson said that Patiala Range DIG has been instructed to immediately transfer the police officers concerned. All the 12 officers have been placed under suspension and departmental proceedings initiated against them, he added. The Additional Director General of Police (Security), Punjab, has been directed to provide protection to Colonel Bath's family.

'They were like a pack of wolves': Wife of Army colonel attacked by Punjab cops demands CBI probe

CHANDIGARH: The attack on a serving Army colonel and his son by 12 Punjab Police personnel over a parking dispute in Patiala has snowballed into a major controversy. Even as the Punjab government on Thursday ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, the Army officers family rejected it on Friday, saying they do not trust the state government. Frequently breaking down in tears and speaking in a voice choked with emotion, Jasvinder Kaur Bath, wife of Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath, demanded that the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an impartial investigation. She said that the accused policemen meted such inhuman treatment to my husband. We do not even deal with terrorists like this. She demanded the immediate registration of an FIR based on her husbands complaint under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita including attempt to murder, the naming of all 12 accused police officers in the FIR, and the immediate transfer of the accused officers out of Patiala. The FIR should be registered on my husband's complaint, under Sections 109, 118 (2), 118 (1), 115 (2), 126 (2), 308 (4), 311, 351 (2&3) read with 3 (5) of BNS, naming all 12 guilty police officers, she said, while demanding arrest of the accused police officials. She further alleged that the police had not named the 12 officers who have been suspended in the case because it would bring a bad name to the force as they were involved in working out a case and commended the same morning. Like a pack of wolves, they descended upon him, and before he could even defend himself, at least 12 officials, including four inspectors, began ruthlessly thrashing him with batons, fists and kicks, without stopping for a second to consider that they were assaulting a soldier of this very nation. When my son, Angad Singh, tried to shield his father, he too was attacked with relentless blows, Jasvinder alleged. She accused Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police Nanak Singh of failing to take action in the matter. Singh should also be posted out of Patiala for lack of cooperation, as the family requested him multiple times to register the FIR, but he kept giving false hopes, delaying the process of justice and causing untold harassment to the family, she alleged. Jaswinder alleged that she was asked to compromise on the issue and not pursue the case even when she showed the videos of the rutal violence that had been committed and also the videos where four accused police inspectors were seeking forgiveness from me. The family claimed that when the two were standing outside their car and having food, some police officers in civilian clothes approached and asked the Colonel to move his vehicle so they could park theirs. When the Colonel objected to their rude tone, one of the officers punched him, and soon all the police personnel began thrashing him and his son. Army colonel, son thrashed by Punjab Police over parking in Patiala; 12 cops suspended She submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner of Patiala, recounting the ordeal her family allegedly faced at the hands of the Punjab Police. She urged the DC, Please help restore my shattered faith in the justice system and ensure that no innocent citizen suffers what we have encountered. She said she had received phone calls from several politicians. But I did not pick up even one politician's phone because it is not a political fight. I am a fauji's wife, my husband fights for the country, it is not my fight alone, it is everybody's fight, she said. Jaswinder further alleged that some of the accused cops threatened her in the police station, saying today they were seeking forgiveness from her, but tomorrow hey will see her and her son who live in Patiala. I saw no remorse in their eyes, she said. The same dhaba owner, who had initially given me CCTV extracts and named the accused officials, was later forced under pressure to change his statement, a clear sign of intimidation and manipulation by the police force, she alleged. She said her repeated visits to police stations in Patiala were met with apathy, arrogance and outright refusal to act. Instead of justice, my family has only received threats, she alleged. The family has planned to hold a protest march in Patiala on March 22 to seek justice in the matter. The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Bath and his son were at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala. Bath is currently posted at Army Headquarters at New Delhi. On Thursday, the Colonels family had met with the Punjab Governor, seeking a CBI probe into the matter. The family also rejected the investigation by an executive magistrate ordered by the Punjab government. If my husband and my son are found guilty, they should be punished as well, she said. SSP Patiala Nanak Singh was not available for comment despite repeated tries. Many senior ex-Army officers and other ex-servicemen have stood in solidarity with the Colonel and his family. During the zero hour on the first day of the state budget session, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa demanded the immediate transfer of Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh for protecting police officers who assaulted a serving colonel. Bajwa sought exemplary punishment for the erring police officers and a judicial probe by a sitting or retired judge into the incident. Citing a similar incident, Bajwa said a Lt Col in Chandigarh in 1992 faced the brutality of a 'hotheaded SSP. The then Punjab governor Surinder Nath launched a joint inquiry under a Brigadier and DIG. They found the SSP guilty and subsequently he was transferred. A case was registered on Friday in Police Station Civil Lines, Patiala, on the statement of Colonel Bath. The statement names the police officials who assaulted him and also gives the roles attributed to each person in the assault. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Additional DGP (Law and Order) SPS Parmar including Sandeep Malik Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur and Manpreet Singh, Superintendent of Police, Rural, SAS Nagar has been constituted by the Director, Bureau of Investigation, Punjab. The SIT has been directed to conduct the investigation on day-to-day basis for collection of evidence and further legal proceedings, in order to ensure that the culprits are proceeded against as per law. Also, instructions have been issued to DIG Patiala Range to immediately transfer the concerned police officials out of Patiala district. Meanwhile, Additional Director General of Police, Security, Punjab has been directed to provide adequate protection to the family of Colonel Bath. Bajwa said if the Punjab government failed to do justice to Colonel Bath, the Union government should take cognizance of the matter. The way SSP Nanak Singh handled the entire episode of police cruelty, it can be concluded that he has been shielding his men in uniform. He even failed to mention the names of the accused police personnel in the FIR. He has had a biased approach since day one. Therefore Singh must be transferred from Patiala, Bajwa said while speaking in the assembly.

Army Colonel 'Assaulted' By Punjab Cops In Patiala, His Wife Demands CBI Probe

The incident took place on the intervening night of March 13 and 14, when Colonel Pushpinder Singh Bath and his son were at a roadside eatery near Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.

Farmers protest: Industrialists welcome highway reopening; unions to hold nationwide dharnas

CHANDIGARH: The arrest of farmer leaders and the eviction of protesting farmers from the Shambhu and Khanauri borders has sparked mixed reactions. While farmers staged statewide protests, traders, industrialists, and commuters largely welcomed the move, citing economic losses due to prolonged road blockades. Following the eviction, Haryana Police began dismantling cemented barricades at the Shambhu border on Thursday morning. These barriers had been erected last year to prevent farmers from Punjab from marching towards Delhi as part of the 'Delhi Chalo' protest. JCB machines were deployed to remove concrete blocks and clear the Shambhu-Ambala road, which had remained closed for over a year. Temporary structures and stages set up by the protesters were also dismantled as part of the clearance operation. Meanwhile, Haryana Police issued notices to farmer leaders Jasmeet Singh and Tejveer Singh, summoning them to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Thursday. The SIT is investigating cases registered against them last year. The notice warned that failure to comply would result in legal action. BKU leader Rakesh Tikait has called on farmer unions across the country to unite, warning that governments will continue to suppress farmer protests while favouring corporate interests. Similarly, Satnam Singh Pannu, president of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, criticised the police action, stating that instead of bringing change (badlaav), Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann was engaging in politics of revenge (badle ki rajniti). Industrialists expressed relief, stating that reopening highways would revive the economy and boost tourism. They claimed that the year-long blockade had caused severe economic losses and disrupted daily life. Sources indicate that the crackdown followed pressure from Ludhiana traders, who warned AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal that continued protests could impact the partys prospects in the Ludhiana West Assembly by-election. Many farmers detained from Khanauri have been held at a location in Pattran, while those arrested from Mohali and the Shambhu border were shifted to Patiala Central Jail. In Gurdaspur, farmers protesting outside the Deputy Commissioners office for three days dispersed quietly on Thursday morning after police warned of mass arrests. Meanwhile, in Bathinda, police detained farmers near Jeeda toll plaza. Internet services in Sangrur and Patiala districts remained suspended. Intensifying their agitation, farmers in Punjab and Haryana have announced plans to stage protests outside Deputy Commissioner (DC) offices across both states, aimed at pressing for their pending demands, including a legal guarantee on Minimum Support Price (MSP), farm loan waivers, and compensation for crop losses. Farmers' unions have announced a peaceful yet resolute demonstrations, stressing that their demands remain unfulfilled despite several rounds of talks with the government. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across various districts to prevent any untoward incidents. The protests are part of a larger agitation for long-term policy changes and financial support to secure farmers' livelihoods. Leaders have urged authorities to address their concerns promptly to avoid further escalation. The protesting farmers, led by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, had been camping at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) borders since 13 February last year, when their march to Delhi was halted by security forces.

More than a year after launching protest, farmers evicted by Punjab govt from Shambhu, Khanauri borders

CHANDIGARH: More than a year after launching their protest, farmers were evicted on Wednesday evening from both the Shambhu and Khanauri borders between Punjab and Haryana, which have been closed for normal traffic due to the stir. This came after the Punjab Police had detained Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non Political) leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, while they were en route from Chandigarh to the Shambhu and Khanauri borders after the seventh round of talks between farmer leaders and the Union government remained inconclusive. Dallewal has been on a hunger strike since November last year. On the Haryana side, these border points are still barricaded. The authorities had erected cement and other barricades there in order to stop the farmers from moving towards Delhi. The farmer leaders were traveling back to the Shambhu border from Chandigarh, from where Dallewal and other leaders were supposed to proceed to Khanauri. However, they were detained upon reaching the Jagatpura area of Mohali. Dallewal was taken into custody while inside his ambulance, while others were detained along with their vehicles after some resistance. Pandher was detained from his vehicle from the Zirakpur barrier as he attempted to flee. Fourteen farmer leaders and others accompanying the two were also detained. Pandher has been taken to Bahadurgarh Fort Commando Police Training Centre in Patiala. This has been transformed into a makeshift detention centre, with a majority of farmer leaders and protesting farmers, except Dallewal, being taken there. After detaining the farmer leaders, a heavy police force headed by senior officers reached both border points and detained the farmers sitting at these places. They were asked to sit in vehicles arranged by the police, with some force being used at Khanauri to evuct them. After that, with the help of JCBs, the makeshift stages and other structures including their tents were dismantled and the tractor-trolleys taken away. Around 200 farmers were detained at Khanauri and around 40-odd farmers at Shambhu. Internet services have been suspended in many areas around the Shambhu border and a heavy police force has been deployed in nearby villages. The decision to take action against the protesting farmer unions was reportedly made on Tuesday night, following a meeting between top AAP functionaries and industrialists who expressed concerns that the protests were incurring significant costs. Farmer leaders Jagjit Singh Dallewal, Sarwan Singh Pandher detained by Punjab Police in Mohali Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the step was necessitated for the economic growth of the state. Deputy Inspector of Police (Patiala Range) Mandeep Singh Sidhu who was at the Khanauri border and Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh who was at the Shambhu border said that the farmers were requested to cooperate and clear the road. The farmers willing to go to their native places were sent, said Singh, adding that the road will be cleared and they are in touch with their Haryana counterparts to clear it from the other side for unhindered traffic movement. Sidhu said, We all are children of farmers and told them to cooperate and clear the protest sites. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu (Shambhu-Ambala) and Khanauri (Sangrur-Jind) border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 last year when their march to Delhi was thwarted by security forces. #WATCH | Punjab Police demolished the tents erected by farmers at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border, where they were sitting on a protest over various demands. The farmers are also being removed from the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu Border. pic.twitter.com/TzRZKEjvXD ANI (@ANI) March 19, 2025 Many opposition leaders lashed out at the AAP government over the police action to detain farmers. Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu has strongly condemned the police crackdown on farmers. Former chief minister and MP Charanjit Singh Channi stated that the AAP government succumbed to pressure from the BJP-led central government and took action against the farmers. Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has strongly condemned the actions of both the central BJP government and AAP government in the state, accusing them of betraying and backstabbing farmers. He questioned the need for the Punjab Police to arrest farmer leaders while negotiations were already underway between the central government and farmers.

Majithia quizzed by SIT for 8 hours in 2021 drugs case

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia appeared before the SIT in Patiala regarding a drug case against him. He was questioned about suspicious financial transactions linked to his and his family's firms. Majithia is summoned for further questioning, while efforts are ongoing to extradite three other accused from abroad.

Centre directs Delhi Traffic Police to enforce parking rules around Patiala House Court & Delhi HC

Army colonel, son thrashed by Punjab Police over parking in Patiala; 12 cops suspended

CHANDIGARH: A serving army colonel and his son were allegedly assaulted by Punjab Police personnel in Patiala in the early hours of March 14 over a parking dispute. The officer sustained a fractured arm, while his son suffered head injuries. The incident was captured on CCTV footage from the area. The Punjab Police has suspended 12 officials, including three inspectors, and ordered a departmental probe into the matter. According to sources, Colonel Pushpinder Bath, currently posted at the Army Headquarters in New Delhi, claimed he and his son were attacked by policemen in Patiala on the night of March 13. Both are undergoing treatment at Rajindra Hospital. The alleged assault took place outside a roadside eatery near the hospital, where Bath and his son had stopped for refreshments. Three police personnel in civilian clothes reportedly asked the Colonel to move his car so they could park their vehicle. When he objected to their tone, the officers allegedly began assaulting him and his son. While police initially registered a case against unidentified individuals based on a statement from a dhaba owner, the colonels family has accused police officials of being responsible for the attack. However, one of the accused policemen claimed that it was the colonel and his son who initiated the altercation, alleging that they were intoxicated and attacked the officers. Disgraceful behavior by @PunjabPoliceInd ! A serving Army Colonel was brutally assaulted by Patiala Police officers, yet no proper action has been taken despite CCTV evidence. pic.twitter.com/UIsuXAgm5a Balbir Singh Sidhu (@BalbirSinghMLA) March 17, 2025 Jaswinder Bath, wife of Col Pushpinder Bath, told the media that her husband and son were eating outside their car when police personnel approached them and asked them to move their vehicle. When my husband objected to their tone, one of them punched him. Later, they assaulted both of them, leaving them injured, she alleged. She further claimed that her husband and son were beaten with baseball bats and sharp weapons, resulting in the colonels fractured arm and a deep cut on their sons head. Despite clear CCTV footage and our identification of the attackers, the police are acting in a biased manner, she said, adding that the family was being pressured to compromise or face consequences. Patiala Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Nanak Singh confirmed that 12 police personnel, including inspectors Harry Boparai, Ronnie Singh, and Harjinder Dhillon, had been suspended. We will conduct a thorough investigation, and justice will be served. No one will be spared, he stated. Meanwhile, senior army officials from Delhi have reportedly visited the hospital to assess the situation.

On Camera, Army Officer, Son Thrashed By Patiala Cops Over Parking Dispute

The argument reportedly began when the police personnel, in civilian clothes, asked the Army Colonel to move his vehicle.

Colonel, Son Brutally Beaten By Police Officials Over Parking Dispute In Patiala, Alleges Family

Some police officials brutally assaulted an Indian Army Colonel and his son over a parking dispute.

Man armed with iron rod attacks devotees at Golden Temple in Amritsar; five injured

CHANDIGARH: An unidentified man armed with a rod attacked devotees at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, injuring five people. Sources said that the attack took place inside the oldest Guru Ram Dass inn in the golden temple complex near the community kitchen (langar) hall. The state police have arrested the alleged accused and his aide, who had accompanied him to the golden temple. The identity of the attacker has not been officially disclosed. The police are investigating the motive behind the assault. Among the injured, a Sikh youth from Bathinda is in serious condition and is receiving treatment at the emergency wing of Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Amritsar. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has strongly condemned the shocking attack on devotees and sewadars (attendants) at Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas of Golden Temple. SGPC has urged the police administration to take immediate and stringent action against the culprits and to disclose their identities to the public. SGPC Secretary Partap Singh described the incident as potentially part of a larger conspiracy and called for a thorough police investigation to uncover the truth. Providing details of the attack, he stated that while Sikh devotees from around the world had gathered to pay obeisance at golden temple on the occasion of the new Nanakshahi year, an attacker entered Sri Guru Ramdas Niwas around 12 noon and suddenly launched an assault on devotees and sewadars using an iron rod. Three devotees from Mohali, Bathinda and Patiala along with two sewadars, were injured, he said. Singh said, Alarmingly, one sewadar and a devotee from Bathinda have suffered severe head injuries and remain in critical condition. The injured individuals were immediately admitted to Sri Guru Ramdas Hospital at Vallah managed by the SGPC, where all necessary medical arrangements are being provided by the organization. He said that due to swift response and surveillance footage from the CCTV cameras installed within the Golden Temple complex, the attacker and one of his accomplice was apprehended and handed over to the police. Now, the police administration must conduct a rigorous investigation to expose the culprits and the forces behind this brutal act, he added. Singh lamented that such incidents appear to be part of a deliberate conspiracy aimed at disturbing the peace at Golden Temple, a sacred site revered for its universal message of humanity. He further warned that attempts are being made to instill fear among global Sikh devotees regarding the sanctity and safety of this holy site.

Eyeing 2027 assembly polls, Punjab Congress kickstarts Judega Block, Jittegi Congress campaign

CHANDIGARH: With an eye on the 2027 assembly elections, the Punjab Congress today launched the Judega Block, Jittegi Congress campaign from Dera Bassi and Sanaur to strengthen the partys grassroots network in the state. Addressing gatherings at Dera Bassi and Sanaur, Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring highlighted the significance of grassroots connections and on-ground efforts. The strength of any political party lies in its grassroots network, Warring said. Through this campaign, we aim to empower our workers, understand their challenges, and chart a roadmap for the future. It is not just the senior leadership that will help us form the government, but the relentless efforts of our block and booth leaders and workers. Emphasising the importance of regular block meetings, he urged all Block Presidents to hold monthly gatherings on the third Tuesday of each month to address concerns, share feedback, and ensure the partys roadmap reaches every household. We must connect with every household, understand their issues, and become their voice. This is our responsibility, and through this groundwork, we will secure victory in 2027, he asserted. Acknowledging the hard work of the partys workers in the recent Lok Sabha elections, Warring said, Our victory in the Lok Sabha elections was possible only because of the relentless efforts of our workers on the ground. Now, we must work even harder to ensure Congresss victory in the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. Let us strive together with positivity and determination to make this vision a reality. Warring reiterated the crucial role of social media in amplifying the partys message. In todays age, social media is a powerful tool. We must use it effectively to disseminate our message and connect with people across Punjab. This campaignJudega Block, Jittegi Congressis not just a program; its a mission. If our blocks are strong, Congress will win, he said. He was accompanied by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, Patiala MP Dr Dharamvir Gandhi. The campaign aims to unite and strengthen block-level leadership and workers to prepare a robust foundation for the 2027 Vidhan Sabha elections. During the meeting, views and suggestions from block and booth workers and office bearers were heard, and preparations for the upcoming elections were discussed. As part of the campaign, Warring will tour all 234 blocks in Punjab to strengthen its network, understand ground-level challenges, and prepare for the 2027 elections. Warring expressed his commitment to this mission, stating, I will personally visit every block under this program because Punjab needs us, and we need to become the voice of the people. Together, we will build a stronger Punjab, one block at a time.

'Chandigarh Chalo': Farmers halted by police, security heightened at entry points

CANDIGARH: Amid the Chandigarh Chalo march under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), farmers were prevented from reaching Chandigarh for their week-long dharna beginning today. Multiple barricades and checkpoints were set up across Punjab, and several farmer leaders were detained. Security was also heightened at all entry points of the Union Territory, leading to long queues of vehicles. Farmers who set out for Chandigarh in tractor-trolleys and other vehicles on Wednesday morning were stopped by the Punjab Police at multiple locations. In many places, the state police had parked tippers on highways to block their movement. Farmer leaders stated that they are now trying to reach Chandigarh through rural link roads to avoid the highways. Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ekta-Ugrahan, the largest farmer union in the state, was detained by Sangrur police. He was picked up near Gharachon village and taken to Chajli police station, said his associate Jagtar Kalajhar. Meanwhile, BKU Dakaunda, the second-largest farmer union in Punjab, alleged that the police roughed up their president, Manjit Singh Dhaner. As police attempted to arrest Dhaner near Bhaini Dharera village in Raikot, a number of farmers gathered and did not allow them to take him away. In the chaos, Dhaner managed to escape as police and farmers came close to a confrontation. The first batch of trolleys carrying members of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (BKU) Punjab, which began its journey from Makhu block in Ferozepur on Tuesday evening, was stopped near Hedon village in Ludhiana on Wednesday morning. Another group of farmers from Patiala was prevented from moving towards Chandigarh as police placed sand tippers on the Patiala-Chandigarh road. Additionally, a convoy of about 20 vehicles from Fazilka was stopped near Jagraon. In Moga, Krantikari Kisan Union district president Jatinder Singh stated that their group was stopped at Ajitwal in Moga district by the police while heading to Chandigarh. Singh also claimed that some of their members were detained by the police. In Samrala, farmers were similarly stopped from proceeding, leading to protests against the AAP government for preventing their entry into Chandigarh. Around 50 farmers gathered at Amb Sahib Gurudwara in Mohali were also detained. The Morcha, a coalition of more than 30 farmer organisations, had called for the dharna in Chandigarh starting from 5 March in support of their various demands. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar stated that protesting farmers would not be allowed to reach Chandigarh under any circumstances. Wherever any farmer came out on the roads, the police of that area stopped them, he said. Meanwhile, Chandigarh Police set up barricades at the Chandigarh-Mohali border to prevent protesters from entering the city. Security was intensified at all entry points, and police personnel were checking all vehicles and verifying the identities of people they suspected. Additionally, anti-riot vehicles, ambulances, fire brigades, and sand-filled tippers were deployed at all border points. Due to these intensive security measures, long queues of vehicles formed at border crossings, causing inconvenience to commuters. Superintendent of Police Geetanjali Khandelwal stated that police personnel had been stationed at all border points. Barricading has been put up, and strict checking is being carried out. We want people to face minimal inconvenience, but wherever we suspect traffic snarls, we have directed alternative traffic routes, she said. The Chandigarh Administration had denied permission for farmers to hold their sit-in at Sector 34 in the city.

Punjab Police detain several farmer union leaders ahead of Chandigarh Chalo call by SKM

CHANDIGARH: Ahead of the Chandigarh Chalo call given by Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), the farmers will march towards the city on March 5. SKM had spearheaded the 2020-21 farmers' protest. The talks between the farmer leaders and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann remained inconclusive on March 3. Punjab Police, in a 'midnight' operation, conducted raids at residences of several farmer union leaders across the state and detained them. Meanwhile, the opposition party leaders slammed Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for detaining the farmer leaders and termed it as the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government. However, Farmer union leaders had anticipated such a move from the government ahead of the protests. Most of the leaders were not home early in the morning when police personnel arrived to arrest them. While some of them were detained, many leaders were not present during the raids, said a farmer leader. Among the farmer leaders of Samyukt Kisan Morcha who were detained by the police are Prem Singh Bhangu, Ruldu Singh Mansa, Harinder Singh Lakhowal, Mahesh Chander Sharma and Paramdeep Singh Baidwan, sources revealed. They were rounded up from Mohali, Ludhiana and Chandigarh. Talwinder Singh Gagon, Vice President of BKU Qadian, Davinder Singh Nanangli President of Kisan Sabha CPM, Ropar, Mohan Singh Dhmana President of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Ropar, Bir Singh Barwa President of Kirti Kisan Morcha, Ropar, Manjeet Raj District General Secretary of Kirti Kisan Union-Barnala, Jagjeer Singh Seera Block President of BKU Dakonda-Sehna and Hardeep Singh Talewal State Organising Secretary of BKU-Ugrahan besides many other leaders including those of BKU (Krantikari) were rounded up by the police from Ropar, Anadpur Sahib, Patiala and Barnala. Allegedly, the police have also arrived at the house of Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU Ekta Ugrahan, but could not locate him. Ugrahan said that the police conducted raids to scuttle the farmer's protests and our supporters are being rounded up. Let the Punjab government do whatever it wants, but I warn them the protest will go ahead despite the police crackdown, Ugrahan added. A senior police officer speaking on the condition of anonymity said that the police force was mobilised and efforts were ongoing to arrest farmer leaders. These raids were conducted following the failure of talks between the Punjab government and farmer unions. Kisan Mazdoor Morcha convenor Sarwan Singh Pandher criticised the police crackdown, calling it an attack on freedom in a democracy. Farmers want to protest peacefully, but the Punjab government is using the police to silence us. We will oppose any efforts to suppress our voices, he said. On Monday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had walked out of a meeting with Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders. The opposition party leader slammed Punjab CM Mann for detaining the farmer leaders and termed it as the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring wrote on X, CM Sahib, Punjabs farmers are not your opponentsthey are the backbone of our economy, small traders, and entire agrarian system. When farmers prosper and Punjab thrives, our markets flourish, small shopkeepers earn, and every household benefits, he said. Yet, for over a year, they have been protesting, and one leader has even put his life at stake. The least you could do is listen. If they cant talk to their own CM, where will they go? Ignoring them weakens Punjabs future, he added. Instead of addressing their concerns, why are you arresting farmers? Is this how you treat those who feed the nation? Talk to the farmersrespect their struggle!, he stated. CM Sahib, Punjabs farmers are not your opponentsthey are the backbone of our economy, small traders, and entire agrarian system. When farmers prosper, Punjab thrivesour markets flourish, small shopkeepers earn, and every household benefits. Yet, for over a year, they have Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) March 4, 2025 Former Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote on X in Punjabi, I strongly condemn the arrogant chief minister of Punjab for raiding the homes of farmer leaders. The AAP government is choking democracy by carrying out such disgraceful actions instead of apologising for the mistreatment of farmer leaders last evening. Bhagwant Mann has started arresting them @BhagwantMan Power is not eternal- Punjabs proud people will soon teach you a lesson, he said and posted a video of police raids of farmer leaders' houses. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu wrote on X, The Bhagwant Mann led Government has made emergency like situation in Punjab. After being exposed over the issues concerning Punjabs farmers, now its resorting to police tactics on farmer leaders. As we have repeatedly stated, the chief minister has turned the state into a police state, and the Punjab polices actions against farmers are highly condemnable. This reflects the anti-farmer mindset of the AAP government in Punjab.

Punjab government continues 'bulldozer action', razes houses of drug peddlers in Phillaur

CHANDIGARH: Unauthorised structures built on the encroached Panchayat land in the Khanpur and Mandi villages of Phillaur were demolished by the Jalandhar Rural Police in coordination with local authorities. The structures were unlawfully occupied by two individuals with a history of narcotics smuggling and were removed following due legal procedure. Senior Superintendent of Police Jalandhar (Rural) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said that the demolition drive was carried out following the request of the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) Phillaur. He had sought police assistance for the removal of illegal encroachments. The action was directed against Jasvir Singh alias Sheera, son of Dalveer alias Bur, resident of Khanpur, and Bholi, wife of Rampal alias Rama, resident of Mandi. As per official records, Bholi is a notorious drug smuggler and has been facing multiple cases under the NDPS act, including a 1.190 kg smack recovery in 2005, a 2 kg poppy husk seizure in 2015, and a significant quantity of drugs recovered in 2022. Similarly, Jasvir Singh alias Sheera has also been named in multiple cases, including one involving a commercial quantity of charas and intoxicated injections. Khakh said that the police, along with revenue and panchayat officials, ensured that the encroachments were demolished smoothly, with adequate deployment to prevent any disruption. Authorities confirmed that the land rightfully belongs to the gram panchayat and had been unlawfully occupied by the accused. Khakh reiterated that Jalandhar Rural Police will continue its crackdown on illegal encroachments linked to criminal networks, ensuring that no individual benefits from the proceeds of crime or unauthorized occupation of public land. He further urged citizens to report such illegal activities, assuring strict and swift action against offenders He also added that the residents informed him that the two drug traffickers would often intimidate and threaten the villagers. Meanwhile, Village Sarpanch of Khanpur, Paramjit Kaur and local residents commended the action of the Punjab Government against drug smugglers. Recently houses of drug peddlers were demolished by the Punjab Police in Patiala, Ropar and in Ludhiana.

Goldy Brar gang member injured in 'encounter' with police in Punjab's Mohali

CHANDIGARH: A member of the Goldy Brar gang Malkiat Singh, alias 'Maxi' was injured in an encounter with the Punjab police. Malkiat Singh was allegedly trying to escape from police custody at Bhankharpur in Dera Bassi on Saturday morning when he was shot at by the Punjab police and Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF). Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the gangster sustained bullet injury on his left leg while unsuccessfully attempting to escape from police custody near Ghagar bridge on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in Dera Bassi. Malkiat Singh, a native of Rodala village in Rajasansi near Amritsar, is an operative of foreign-based terrorist Goldy Brar and Gangster Goldy Dhillon. He was operating an extortion racket on their behalf. Recently, 'Maxi' and his accomplice Sandeep alias Deep were arrested by the Patiala Police in Arms Act case. Subsequently, both were brought on production warrant from Patiala Jail by SAS Nagar Police on Friday, in connection with an extortion case. The case relates to the suspects targeting a Mohali-based property dealer and demanding Rs 50 lakh from him in January 2025. Gaurav Yadav said that following the disclosures of 'Maxi,' a police team led by DSP Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar was taking him to a spot where he had confessed to have concealed a .32 Calibre Pistol on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in a bid to harm the property dealer. However, upon reaching the location, 'Maxi' allegedly opened fire at the police team in an attempt to flee from custody. The police retaliated in which 'Maxi' sustained bullet injury on his left leg. He has been shifted to Civil Hospital in Mohali for treatment. Gaurav Yadav said the weapon along with three cartridges and two used and empty casings have been recovered from his possession. Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek said that the arrested accused has a criminal history with cases pertaining to extortion and arms act registered against him. Further investigations are on, he added. A fresh case has been registered under sections 109, 132, 221 and 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Dera Bassi in SAS Nagar. Two gangsters injured in encounter In another encounter between the state police and gangsters in Kheda village of Tarn Taran district, two gangsters sustained injuries while one was arrested. A police vehicle was also hit by a bullet during the exchange of fire. Sources said the three gangsters Arshdeep Singh, Robinpreet Singh, and Karandeep Singh were involved in the shootout. They had a criminal history, particularly in cases relating to extortion and drug trafficking under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). Illegal weapon smuggling module busted Meanwhile the Counter Intelligence in Amritsar has busted an illegal weapon smuggling module with the arrest of on associate of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and recovered six .32 bore pistols along with 10 cartridges from his possession. The arrested accused has been identified as Gurbaaz Singh, a resident of Warring Suba Singh village in Tarn Taran. The latter has been facing at least eight criminal cases pertaining to attempt to murder, snatching, NDPS act, and violations of the Arms Act. A case has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act and 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

Bulldozer action in Punjab: Cops raze houses of drug peddlers as AAP govt follows UP model

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government is adopting the 'bulldozer' model seen in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana by demolishing the houses of drug peddlers. On Thursday, the house of a drug peddler was demolished by the Punjab Police in Patiala, while the houses of two drug smugglers in Ludhiana had been razed earlier. The ruling AAP has drawn flak over rampant drug abuse due to its easy availability in the state. The Punjab Police demolished the two-storied corner house of drug peddler Rinki at Rori Kut Mohalla Lakkad mandi in Patiala on Thursday. Senior Superintendent of Police of Patiala Nanak Singh along with a battery of senior officers were present at the spot during the action. Nanak Singh said the illegal house was demolished as police had the requisite orders. A total of 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered under the NDPS Act from 2016 till 2023 against Rinki. She is as of now absconding and earlier she had been arrested by the police about ten times, he said. Noting that the locality was infamous for its association with drug peddlers, he added that a heavy police force was deployed to avert any law and order problems. We examined the whole case and found that the house was constructed through the money earned from selling drugs, said Singh. Earlier, on Monday, the state police demolished the illegally built houses of two drug smugglers -- Sonu of Talwandi village near Ladhowal and Rahul Hans of Bhai Himmat Singh Nagar in Dugri in Ludhiana district -- as part of the state government's war on drugs. Sonu has been actively involved in drug smuggling for three years and has six FIRs registered against him, while Rahul was arrested by Dugri police in 2024 after the recovery of more than 41,000 intoxicating tablets and Rs 2.15 lakh drug money. The state police said they have identified 78 more properties that will be razed following legal procedures. The Punjab government has announced a crackdown on drug abuse in the state. The district administrations have been instructed to ensure the availability of adequate rehabilitation and de-addiction facilities. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said both drug peddlers were habitual offenders and these properties were constructed using money obtained from the sale of drugs. All their properties which are either illegal or have been built using drug money will be demolished in the coming days, he said. Meanwhile the state government on Thursday formed a five-member cabinet committee to combat the increasing drug menace in the state. The committees primary responsibility will be to oversee the actions of the police and health departments in addressing and curbing drug addiction. It will be chaired by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The other members will be New and Renewable Energy Minister Aman Arora, Health Minister Balbir Singh, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and Industries Minister Taranpreet Sondh. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had formed a State Steering Committee, headed by Chief Secretary KAP Sinha with Principal Secretary Rahul Tiwari as its nodal officer, to monitor and coordinate the de-addiction and rehabilitation programme.

Sports Minister launches special capacity building course to develop more home-grown coaches

New Delhi, Feb 27: Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday launched a special capacity building course in collaboration with Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala for current and former elite sports persons in an effort to help India produce more home-grown coaches and officials. The course has been designed and developed for athletes who are currently employed and serving in various central government or autonomous departments, organisations under central government or Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs). The eligibility criteria for [] The post Sports Minister launches special capacity building course to develop more home-grown coaches appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

26/11 Accused Tahawwur Rana To Be Tried In Delhi? Court Seeks Records From Mumbai

In a move that may pave the way for the trial of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana in Delhi, the Patiala House Court has recalled its trial court records related to the Mumbai terror attacks.

Decide Rashids bail plea: Delhi HC to NIA Court

NEW DELHI, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court today asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court, New Delhi, is requested to dispose of the bail application of the petitioner expeditiously. The court was dealing with Rashids plea alleging there [] The post Decide Rashids bail plea: Delhi HC to NIA Court appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Decide Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA Court

New Delhi, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the bail [] The post Decide Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA Court appeared first on Northlines .

Delhi HC asks NIA Court to expeditiously decide bail plea of J-K MP Rashid

New Delhi, Feb 24: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose [] The post Delhi HC asks NIA Court to expeditiously decide bail plea of J-K MP Rashid appeared first on Northlines .

Decide Engineer Rashid's bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA court

The Delhi High Court has urged the Patiala House Court to quickly decide on the bail plea of J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, implicated in a terror funding case. Rashid, imprisoned since 2019, is accused of financing separatists and terror groups in Jammu and Kashmir.

Decide Engineer Rashids bail plea expeditiously: Delhi HC to NIA court

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the court hearing cases of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to expeditiously decide the bail plea of jailed J&K MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh alias Engineer Rashid in a terror funding case. Justice Vikas Mahajan said, The ASJ-03, Patiala House Court is requested to dispose of the 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 .