NAPA urges India, Pak to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for pilgrims
CHANDIGARH, Nov 16: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) expressed concern on Sunday over the continued closure of the Kartarpur Corridor, which was shut to Indian pilgrims in May 2025, after the government of India suspended travel, citing security concerns. In a statement, NAPA said the Kartarpur Corridor, which provides visa-free access to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, has long served as a symbol of peace, faith, and people-to-people diplomacy between the two nations. The prolonged suspension has [] The post NAPA urges India, Pak to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for pilgrims appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab: RSS-linked youth shot dead in Firozpur; probe underway
A youth identified as Naveen Arora, reportedly associated with the RSS, was shot dead by two unidentified assailants in Ferozepur, Punjab. Police have formed multiple teams to investigate the incident, which occurred while Arora was returning home from his shop on his motorcycle. Relatives suggest the murder was planned to create chaos in the city.
NAPA urges India, Pakistan to reopen Kartarpur Corridor for pilgrims
Chandigarh: The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) expressed concern on Sunday over the continued closure of the Kartarpur Corridor, which was shut to Indian pilgrims in May 2025, after the government of India suspended travel, citing security concerns. In a statement, NAPA said the Kartarpur Corridor, which provides visa-free access to Gurdwara Sri Darbar Sahib 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 .
RSS leader's son shot dead in Punjab's Ferozepur; accused yet to be ascertained
FEROZEPUR: A 32-year-old shopkeeper, son of a RSS leader, was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants here, police said on Sunday. The victim was identified as Naveen Arora (32), they said. According to sources, Naveen's father, Baldev Raj Arora, was associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for the last several years. The incident occurred on Saturday when Naveen was walking down from his shop to his residence located near Dr Sadhu Chand Chowk. The two unidentified youth who were on a motorcycle arrived and opened fire at Naveen from point-blank range and fled. Naveen was later rushed to a private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the murder of Naveen Arora, who was the son of RSS leader Baldev Raj Arora in Ferozepur, has once again exposed the AAP government's failures in law and order. In a post on X, Jakhar said that in the state, gangsters are effectively running the government, while Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has failed to fulfil his responsibilities. Today, the people of Punjab are forced to live in an atmosphere of terror, Jakhar said. Meanwhile, as soon as the matter was reported, senior police officials, including Senior Superintendent of Police Bhupinder Singh, reached the spot and took stock of the situation. The SSP said that the police were checking the CCTV footage to ascertain the identity of the assailants. The accused will be arrested soon. Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur (Urban), also reached out to meet the family members and assured strict action against the accused. Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) November 16, 2025
A relative of the deceased, Naveen, alleges his murder was a planned act to incite city-wide chaos. Naveen, whose father and grandfather were senior RSS workers, was shot by two assailants while returning home from his shop. The hospital declared him brought dead, suggesting he may have died instantly.
40-Year-Old Son Of Senior RSS Worker Shot Dead In Punjab's Ferozepur, Attackers Flee Spot
Two unidentified attackers shot dead a 40-year-old man near Budhwara Wala Mohalla in Punjab's Ferozepur while he was returning home. The attackers are on the run.
Amitabh Bachchan mourns Kamini Kaushal's demise
Veteran actress Kamini Kaushal passed away at 98, prompting a heartfelt tribute from Amitabh Bachchan. He remembered her as a dear family friend whose bond with his mother originated in pre-partition Punjab. Bachchan lauded her immense contribution to cinema and expressed the profound loss felt by the industry and her friends.
Punjab reduces share of farm fire cases from over 82% to nearly 30% in 5 yrs
Cabinet nod to policy for land delisted under Punjab Land Preservation Act
Sikh Coalition launches helpline for Punjabi truck drivers facing discrimination
The IPL Player Auction: Top Indian players, including Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, K.L. Rahul, M.S. Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and ARshdeep Singh, were among those retained by their respective franchises while big names like Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, Adam Zampa, and Davis Miller were released as the retention window closed ahead of next month's mini-auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. The biggest trade was for Rajasthan Royals' wicketkeeper-batman/captain Sanju Samson, which saw him go to five-time champion Chennai Super Kings in exchange for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. India's 2023 ODI World Cup hero Mohammed Shami was picked by Lucknow Super Giants among other major moves. The player retention window for the IPL 2026 season closed on Saturday with all 10 franchises confirming their retained players ahead of the auction. Across teams, a total of 173 players have been retained, including 49 overseas players. A combined purse of 237.55 crore will be available at the auction for a total of 77 player slots. With each team allowed to have a maximum squad of 25 players, Punjab Kings have opted to retain 21 players, the most among the 10 franchises, while Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans have retained 20 players each. Three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders retained the least number of players, 12, while Sunrisers Hyderabad were second with 15 players. Five-time winners Chennai Super Kings retained only 17 players, including four overseas, while Delhi Capitals opted for 17 (3 overseas). The IPL Player Auction will take place on December 16 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Heading into the auction, Kolkata Knight Riders will have a purse of 64.3 crore, the largest among the group, to fill a maximum of 13 slots with six overseas spots available. Chennai Super Kings will have the second-biggest kitty of 43.4 crore to fill a maximum of nine available slots. List of players retained by the franchises: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) 16 players retained | 4 overseas | Total spent: 81.60 | Cap remaining: 43.40 Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh, *Jamie Overton, MS Dhoni, Mukesh Choudhary, *Nathan Ellis, *Noor Ahmad, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Sanju Samson (T), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Shreyas Gopal, Syed Khaleel Ahmed, Ayush Mhatre, *Dewald Brevis, Urvil Patel. Delhi Capitals (DC) 17 players retained | 3 overseas | Total spent: 103.20 | Cap remaining: 21.80 Abhishek Porel, Ajay Mandal, Ashutosh Sharma, Axar Patel, *Dushmantha Chameera, Karun Nair, KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, Madhav Tiwari, *Mitchell Starc, Mukesh Kumar, Nitish Rana (T), Sameer Rizvi, T. Natarajan, Tripurana Vijay, *Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam. Gujarat Titans (GT) 20 players retained | 4 overseas | Total spent: 112.10 | Cap remaining: 12.90 Anuj Rawat, *Glenn Phillips, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, *Jos Buttler, *Kagiso Rabada, Kumar Kushagra, Manav Suthar, Mohammad Siraj, Mohd. Arshad Khan, Nishant Sindhu, Prasidh Krishna, R. Sai Kishore, Rahul Tewatia, *Rashid Khan, Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) 12 players retained | 2 overseas | Total spent: 60.70 | Cap remaining: 64.30 Ajinkya Rahane, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Anukul Roy, Harshit Rana, Manish Pandey, Ramandeep Singh, Rinku Singh, *Rovman Powell, *Sunil Narine, Umran Malik, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) 19 players retained | 4 overseas | Total spent: 102.05 | Cap remaining: 22.95 Abdul Samad, *Aiden Markram, Akash Singh, Arjun Tendulkar (T), Arshin Kulkarni, Avesh Khan, Ayush Badoni, Digvesh Rathi, Himmat Singh, Manimaran Siddharth, *Matthew Breetzke, Mayank Yadav, Md Shami (T), *Mitchell Marsh, Mohsin Khan, *Nicholas Pooran, Prince Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shahbaz Ahmed Mumbai Indians (MI) 20 players retained | 7 overseas | Total spent: 122.25 | Cap remaining: 2.75 *Allah Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar, *Corbin Bosch, Deepak Chahar, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Mayank Markande (T), *Mitchell Santner, Naman Dhir, Raghu Sharma, Raj Angad Bawa, Robin Minz, Rohit Sharma, *Ryan Rickelton, Shardul Thakur (T), *Sherfane Rutherford (T), Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Verma, *Trent Boult, *Will Jacks Punjab Kings (PBKS) 21 players retained | 6 overseas | Total spent: 113.50 | Cap remaining: 11.50 Arshdeep Singh, *Azmatullah Omarzai, Harnoor Pannu, Harpreet Brar, *Lockie Ferguson, *Marco Jansen, *Marcus Stoinis, *Mitch Owen, Musheer Khan, Nehal Wadhera, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Pyla Avinash, Shashank Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Suryansh Shedge, Vishnu Vinod, Vyshak Vijaykumar, *Xavier Bartlett, Yash Thakur, Yuzvendra Chahal Rajasthan Royals (RR) 16 players retained | 7 overseas | Total spent: 108.95 | Cap remaining: 16.05 Dhruv Jurel, *Donovan Ferreira (T), *Jofra Archer, *Kwena Maphaka, *Lhuan-Dre Pretorious, *Nandre Burger, Ravindra Jadeja (T), Riyan Parag, *Sam Curran (T), Sandeep Sharma, *Shimron Hetmyer, Shubham Dubey, Tushar Deshpande, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashaswi Jaiswal, Yudhvir Charak Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) 17 players retained | 6 overseas | Total spent: 108.60 | Cap remaining: 16.40 Abhinandan Singh, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Devdutt Padikkal, *Jacob Bethell, Jitesh Sharma, *Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, *Nuwan Thushara, *Phil Salt, Rajat Patidar, Rasikh Dar, *Romario Shepherd, Suyash Sharma, Swapnil Singh, *Tim David, Virat Kohli, Yash Dayal Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) 15 players retained | 6 overseas | Total spent: 99.50 | Cap remaining: 25.50 Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Notes: Amounts are in crores, while * denotes overseas players. Article Source: IANS
Punjab sends third batch of teachers to Finland for training
Farm fires fall, only 39 new cases in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet has approved a new farmhouse policy for land parcels de-listed under the Punjab Land Preservation Act (PLPA) in the environmentally sensitive Kandi region of the lower Shivalik Hills, stretching from SAS Nagar to Pathankot. The move aims to regularise authorised structures and is expected to rescue numerous influential individuals, including politicians and senior bureaucrats, who own properties in these areas. The policy establishes a standardised and transparent framework for the regularisation of existing structures and for permitting new low-impact residential units on de-listed lands. It stipulates a minimum plot size of 4,000 square yards and imposes strict controls such as a low Floor Area Ratio (FAR), limited site coverage, and a restriction to ground-plus-one construction. To ensure environmental protection, the policy mandates robust safeguards, including plantation of indigenous species, use of sustainable building materials, rainwater harvesting, and solar energy systems. A committee headed by Secretary, Housing, Vikas Garg, was constituted on the directions of Chief Secretary KAP Sinha to frame guidelines for regularisation of authorised structures. The biggest beneficiaries are expected to be those who own land or have already constructed farmhouses in the periphery of Chandigarh. According to sources, the government was under pressure from a powerful lobby, as many VIPs had already built farmhouses on de-listed land and were facing demolition notices for violating housing norms. Forest department sources noted that the policy had faced hurdles due to the Periphery Act, the proposed Sukhna eco-sensitive zone, and Supreme Court guidelines governing land use in areas removed from PLPA protection. The Eco-Tourism Development Committee reportedly rejected around 90 regularisation applications, stating that the existing structures violated guidelines. Forest officials maintain that Supreme Court directions must be upheld to protect forest and wildlife norms. Other decisions The Cabinet also approved a policy, modelled on that of the Department of Industry and Commerce, for fragmentation or subdivision of industrial plots under the Housing and Urban Development Department. This aims to bring parity between the two departments. Subdivision of industrial plots into two or more units will be permitted, provided no sub-plot measures less than 500 square yards. Approval was also given to launch the Navi Dishaa scheme to address menstrual hygiene and provide free sanitary napkins to adolescent girls and vulnerable women. The initiative will emphasise awareness, education, behavioural change, and distribution of free sanitary napkins to women aged 1544, especially school dropouts, BPL households, slum dwellers, itinerant communities, and homeless women. The Cabinet further granted approval to summon the 10th (Special) Session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha at Anandpur Sahib on 24 November, as part of events commemorating the 350th martyrdom day of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur. The session will be held at Bhai Jaita Ji. In another significant decision, the Cabinet enhanced the retirement age for administrative posts filled through promotion from the Medical Teaching Faculty in the Department of Medical Education and Research (MER) from 62 to 65 years. The move aligns Punjab with Haryana, Chandigarh (UT), and Union Government institutions, and is expected to improve faculty retention and institutional stability amid expanding medical colleges. The government also approved the creation of a separate cadre for postings in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). Many Punjab quota posts have remained vacant, leading the Board to fill them with its own staff. The Cabinet has sanctioned 2,458 posts across various departments and approved relevant service rules. Additionally, approval has been granted to recruit 311 nurses in the Health and Family Welfare Department. This measure underscores the states commitment to strengthening public healthcare infrastructure. Recruitment of more than 400 additional nurses is under way, with all new staff expected to join by the first week of December. The government has already completed the recruitment of 800 doctors through a transparent process to meet rising healthcare demands. Over 175 specialist doctors have been appointed in key disciplines, including paediatrics, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, and surgery. Taken together, these efforts constitute one of Punjabs largest recent healthcare recruitment drives, aimed at ensuring timely, accessible, and high-quality health services for all.
Andre Russell, Glenn Maxwell Released: The 10 biggest shocks of IPL 2026 retentions
IPL 2026 sees major player shake-ups as Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell are surprisingly released. KKR bids farewell to their iconic power-hitter Russell, while Punjab Kings moves on from the inconsistent Maxwell. These blockbuster exits, alongside others like Liam Livingstone and Wanindu Hasaranga, signal significant squad overhauls and promise a thrilling auction.
IPL 2026: Punjab Kings Back Their Indian Core As Maxwell Headlines Released List
Indian Premier League: Punjab Kings have taken a strategic, future-focused route as they finalised their list of retained and released players ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16. In a move that underlines stability and long-term planning, the franchise has retained a large Indian core while letting go of four overseas players, including star all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Maxwell, who completed his third stint with Punjab last season, was among the five players released. Joining him on the exit list are Kuldeep Sen, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, and Pravin Dubethree of whom saw little to no game time in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Kuldeep and Hardie did not feature in a single match last season, while Dube played only once, making their release unsurprising as the team looks to refresh its squad composition. Head coach Ricky Ponting emphasised the importance of maintaining a settled foundation while targeting specific upgrades. We had a great IPL season last year, and it happened because of every single player, Ponting said, thanking the released cricketers for their contributions. We will now be aggressively looking to secure high-quality overseas players in the auction, who perfectly plug the defined gaps in our middle-order power-hitting and all-rounder departments. This measured approach, centred on a settled core, is designed to build a deep, balanced squad capable of challenging for the IPL title. The retained list reflects this vision. Punjab have continued with a strong Indian lineup led by captain Shreyas Iyer and spearhead Arshdeep Singh, alongside promising youngsters like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Pannu, and Suryansh Shedge. The squad also boasts impactful all-rounders and overseas performers, including Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mitchell Owen, and Lockie Ferguson, ensuring depth across departments. CEO Satish Menon echoed Pontings sentiment, stressing the importance of continuity. Our paramount goal was retaining the strong Indian core of our squad, which is absolutely essential for long-term consistency, he said. By securing key performers like captain Shreyas Iyer and spearhead Arshdeep Singh, we ensure stability in leadership. We will aim to execute a targeted strategy and focus on high-impact replacements. The retained list reflects this vision. Punjab have continued with a strong Indian lineup led by captain Shreyas Iyer and spearhead Arshdeep Singh, alongside promising youngsters like Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Pannu, and Suryansh Shedge. The squad also boasts impactful all-rounders and overseas performers, including Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mitchell Owen, and Lockie Ferguson, ensuring depth across departments. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Retained Players: Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, Nehal Wadhera, Marcus Stoinis, Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, Harpreet Brar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Musheer Khan, Pyala Avinash, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Mitchell Owen, Xavier Bartlett, Lockie Ferguson, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yash Thakur, Vishnu Vinod. Article Source: IANS
IPL 2026: Livingstone, Ngidi, Mayank Agarwal Among Players Released By RCB
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru finalised their retained squad ahead of the Indian Premier League 2026 auction, having kept 17 players and released eight. Rajat Patidar, who led the team to their maiden victory in 18 editions of the tournament, will continue at the helm, while Virat Kohli, the former captain of the franchise, will continue for a record 19th season with the team. The franchise have retained their core players, with match-winners like Phil Salt, Krunal Pandya, Romario Shepherd and Josh Hazlewood, among others, being the ones retained. The RCB's most significant snub was England all-rounder Liam Livingstone, who was released due to his underwhelming performance last year. Additionally, South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi was also let go by the franchise. Overall, RCB released a total of eight players before the auction. Last year, RCB signed Livingstone for Rs 8.75 crore during the mega auction, but he scored only 112 runs in 10 matches. RCB tasted glory for the first time in 18 years as they lifted the coveted silverware in 2025. The Bengaluru-based franchise finished second in the points table after the league stage. They then achieved consecutive victories over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 and the final, held on May 29 and June 3, respectively, ending an 18-year wait for their inaugural IPL title. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for the Rajat Patidar-led squad in IPL 2025, while Australian fast bowler Josh Hazlewood recorded the most dismissals. Last year, RCB signed Livingstone for Rs 8.75 crore during the mega auction, but he scored only 112 runs in 10 matches. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Released: Liam Livingstone, Swastik Chikara, Mayank Agarwal, Tim Seifert, Manoj Bhandage, Lungi Ngidi, Blessing Muzarabani, Mohit Rathee Article Source: IANS
Punjab Kings have released Australian all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie, along with wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, ahead of the IPL mini-auction. Indian domestic players Kuldeep Sen and Vishnu Vinod were also let go by the franchise. Maxwell had a disappointing season, while Hardie didn't play any matches. Inglis made his debut and had a decent outing in 11 appearances.
PBKS IPL Retentions: List Of Retained And Released Players, Purse Remaining
Despite a superb performance last season, last year's runners-up Punjab Kings have made some tough calls in the build-up to the new season.
Delhi blast: Agencies detain three doctors, two fertilizer sellers for alleged terror links
CHANDIGARH: A surgeon from Pathankot in Punjab, who had earlier worked at Al-Falah University, has been detained in the Delhi Red Fort blast . Additionally, two doctors from Nuh and two fertilizer and seed sellers were picked up from Sohna in Haryana. The Al-Falah University in Faridabad continues to remain under the scanner of multiple central and state agencies, with revenue officials checking the university's land records and measurements. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of the four doctors involved in the terror module behind the blast on November 10. Sources said that 45-year old Dr Rayees Ahmad Bhat, who is presently associated with White Medical College in Pathankot, was detained by the central agencies and is being questioned after investigators found that he was allegedly in touch with Dr Umar Nabi the main master mind of the Delhi Red Fort blast in which a dozen people died. Bhat worked at the Al-Falah University from 2020 to 2021. The investigators found that Dr Bhat was in regular touch with staff at the university. Sources said Bhat was taken into custody to establish facts and to ascertain whether he was part of the white collar terror module that was allegedly supported by the Jaish-e-Mohammed and Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. One of the accused had called him on the phone, an official said on condition of anonymity. On Friday evening, two doctors from Nuh and two fertiliser and seed sellers from Sohna were detained for questioning. Sources said that a doctor Mustkim, a resident of Sunhera village in Nuh district, was picked up for questioning. He had reportedly completed his MBBS and was doing his apprenticeship at Al-Falah University, which ended on November 2. He allegedly travelled to Delhi on November 9. Dr Rehan, a former student of Al-Falah University who is currently employed with a private hospital in Nuh, was also detained. However, neither police nor Central agencies have officially confirmed their detention. Sources said that two fertilizer and seed store owners were detained from the new grain market in Sohna over suspicion that they might have sold chemicals to individuals connected to the terror module. The development has triggered strict restrictions in Gurugram on fertiliser distribution. An investigation officer confirmed the detentions, saying the two traders were picked up for questioning. Meanwhile, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has cancelled the registrations of the four doctors. In a notice, the commission cancelled the Indian Medical Register (IMR) and National Medical Register (NMR) entries of four doctors -- Dr Muzaffar Ahmad, Dr Adeel Ahmad Rather, Dr Muzamil Shakeel and Dr Shaheen Saeed -- with immediate effect, said sources. In its notice, the NMC cited charges mentioned in FIRs and said Ahmad, Rather and Shakeel, who were registered with the Jammu and Kashmir Medical Council, were found to be involved on the basis of evidence collected by investigating agencies. Their alleged conduct, the commission noted, was prima facie inconsistent with the standards of ethical propriety, integrity and public trust expected of medical professionals under the Indian Medical Council (Professional Conduct, Etiquette and Ethics) Regulations, 2002. These doctors can no longer practise medicine or hold any medical appointment anywhere in India, the notice read. The land records of the university have also come under scrutiny. A revenue team comprising patwaris visited the campus in Dhauj yesterday and measured land parcels. A measurement of the land is under process to clarify if any encroachment by the university. It will also be clarifying how the university administration takes the panchayati land on which condition and norms, said an officer.
MCC extends NEET PG 2025 counselling round 1; latest statewise MD, MS seat allotment news
NEET PG 2025 counselling: The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has extended NEET PG 2025 round 1 choice filling and locking process due to a revised seat matrix by the National Medical Commission (NMC). The delay affects both All India Quota (AIQ) and state quota MD/MS admissions. NMC has approved 2,337 new postgraduate seats. State-wise updates show postponed counselling in Maharashtra, Punjab, and ongoing registrations in other states. Candidates are advised to monitor MCC and state DME portals for revised schedules and seat allotment results.
Punjab government suspends SSP for 'failing' to act against gangsters
No laxity of any kind will be tolerated in action against gangsters, says Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
IPL 2026: Irfan Pathan Suggests Punjab Add Backup Options For Chahal And Arshdeep
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan advised the Punjab Kings to add backups for their frontline spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh. Chahal and Arshdeep are crucial members of Punjabs bowling line-up, and they will be looking to build a strong bowling core around them for the upcoming season. Chahal, acquired by Punjab Kings for Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction following his release from Rajasthan Royals, proved crucial in their journey to the final. Despite missing two matches due to a wrist injury, he took 16 wickets in 14 games, playing a key role in Punjabs campaign before they fell short against Royal Challengers Bangalore. On the other hand, Arshdeep was one of the marquee picks at the IPL 2025 auction, becoming the highest-paid fast bowler at Rs 18 crore after Punjab Kings exercised their Right to Match (RTM) card. In IPL 2025, he also became the franchises all-time leading wicket-taker. He finished as the franchises top wicket-taker last season with 21 scalps in 17 matches games. There are two important factors Punjab needs to consider ahead of the auction. Firstly, with Yuzvendra Chahal being such a key spinner, having a reliable backup spinner is crucial to support the teams preparation. Secondly, Arshdeep Singh is an exceptional player who bowls year-round, and while hes irreplaceable, it would be wise to have a backup Indian fast bowler for the squad, Pathan said on JioStars IPL 2026 Retention Preview. Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden reflected on Lucknow Super Giants difficult season, emphasising off-field issues and bowling woes. There were significant off-field issues within the LSG camp last season, and it's clear they weren't a happy group. Considering the struggles, releasing Nortje to Kolkata Knight Riders might actually benefit LSG. Much of their bowling attack faced injuries or unavailability during the first half of the season, which was a real challenge, he said. Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden reflected on Lucknow Super Giants difficult season, emphasising off-field issues and bowling woes. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score LSG has invested 27 crores in Rishabh Pant as their captain, and I believe that investment is justified. Pant didnt quite show his full potential last season, but he is still one of those players poised to make a significant impact in the IPL. He hasnt peaked yet, once he finds his form, hes definitely a player to watch. However, the real challenge for LSG lies with their bowling unit, he said. Article Source: IANS
Punjab Govt Suspends SSP For Failing To Act Against Gangsters
CHANDIGARH, Nov 15: The Punjab Government on Saturday ordered the suspension of Amritsar (Rural) SSP Maninder Singh for his alleged failure in taking strict action against gangsters. While ordering his suspension, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said in a statement that no laxity of any kind will be tolerated in action against gangsters. This is the major action taken by the AAP Government against an IPS officer. The AAP government has been facing flak from opposition parties over the issue [] The post Punjab Govt Suspends SSP For Failing To Act Against Gangsters appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Zirakpur incident: Gen Hooda requests Punjab DGP to not underplay provocative behaviour of driver
After Tarn Taran loss, Punjab Cong braces for internal review & restructuring
Punjab woman who visited Pakistan as part of Sikh pilgrimage group goes missing
A woman pilgrim from Punjab, Sarbjit Kaur, has not returned to India after participating in Guru Nanak Dev's birth anniversary celebrations in Pakistan. She was part of a large Sikh group that visited various shrines. Pakistani immigration authorities have informed their Indian counterparts about the incident.
IPL 2026: Hope To Win More With This Current Group Of Players, Says Jadeja After Being Traded To RR
Chennai Super Kings: After coming to Rajasthan Royals (RR) from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a significant player trade ahead of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) retention deadline, veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja said he hopes to achieve greater success with the current group of players. For Jadeja, being traded to RR marks an emotional homecoming for him. He was one of the brightest young talents during the franchises title-winning campaign in 2008 under Shane Warnes captaincy. 17 years later, Jadeja returns to RR as one of the most accomplished all-rounders in the cricketing world Rajasthan Royals gave me my first platform and my first taste of victory, said Jadeja. Coming back feels special its not just a team for me, its home. Rajasthan Royals is where I won my first IPL, and I hope to win more with this current group of players, said the all-rounder, who joined RR for Rs 14 crore, in a statement released by the franchise on Saturday. Jadeja had been a mainstay at CSK since 2012, apart from the 2016 and 2017 seasons when the franchise was suspended. In 2022, he was entrusted with the captaincy but relinquished the role midway through the campaign and handed it back to MS Dhoni after the team endured a poor start. Joining Jadeja at RR from CSK is Englands seam-bowling all-rounder Sam Curran, who comes for an existing fee of Rs 2.4 crore. RR is Currans third team after being at CSK and Punjab Kings (PBKS). Jadejas return is deeply special for everyone connected to the Royals. He was part of our foundation years and to welcome him back now as one of the games most complete players is incredibly meaningful. Alongside Sam Curran, whose competitiveness and all-round quality strengthen our group, this marks a new and exciting chapter for the franchise, said Manoj Badale, RRs lead owner. Kumar Sangakkara, RRs Director of Cricket, welcomed the signing of Jadeja and Curran into the franchise. Jadeja coming back to the Royals is incredibly special for all of us. He understands the franchise and the fans, having been part of RRs IPL-winning campaign. Over the years, he has grown into a player who can influence the game in every department. His experience, composure, and competitive edge will add immense value to our group. Sam brings a different but equally important dimension. Hes fearless, adaptable, and thrives in pressure situations with both bat and ball. Together, Jadeja and Sam give us balance, leadership, and the kind of match-winning depth we want as we build for the future, he said. With Jadeja and Curran coming in, wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson, who spent 11 years with RR, has now moved to CSK. Samson had signalled after the 2025 IPL that he was seeking a change and wished to be released by the franchise. Sanjus journey with the Royals has been remarkable. Ive seen him grow not just as a player, but as a leader who always put the team first and carried himself with calmness and integrity. He has given everything to this franchise, and we are deeply grateful for the role he has played in shaping our culture and standards. We respect his decision and wish him every success in the next chapter of his career, said Sangakkara. The long-serving wicketkeeper-batters decision to move to CSK for Rs 18 crore marks the end of a significant chapter for him with RR, where he had established himself as one of the teams most influential figures. Sanju was with us at trials when he was just 17 years old, went on to become one of our youngest captains of RR and since then, he has been an integral part of the Royals family for more than a decade, continuing to inspire everyone around him. His chapter with us has been one of belief, brilliance, and heart. Sanju has been an exceptional ambassador of our values, and we thank him for everything he has done for the Royals family, added Badale. While RR have traded out Nitish Rana to Delhi Capitals (DC) for his current fee of Rs 4.2 crore, Donovan Ferreira, the wicketkeeper-batter from South Africa, returns to the franchise after being traded out by the latter for Rs 1 crore. His chapter with us has been one of belief, brilliance, and heart. Sanju has been an exceptional ambassador of our values, and we thank him for everything he has done for the Royals family, added Badale. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Ferreiras return adds more power, flexibility, and finishing strength to RRs batting options. It feels great to return to a familiar environment. Ive had a good chat with Kumar and Im looking forward to playing my role for the Royals, said Ferreira. Article Source: IANS
Jadeja, Curran Traded To RR, Shami To LSG In Major Shuffle Ahead Of IPL 2026 Retention Deadline
The Indian Premier League: The Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises confirmed eight player trades ahead of the 2026 season retention deadline, with Ravindra Jadeja and Sanju Samson grabbing the spotlight. While the all-rounder has been traded to the Rajasthan Royals, the wicketkeeper-batter will now represent the Chennai Super Kings. Jadeja, who represented CSK for 12 seasons and played over 250 matches, is among the most experienced players in the league. Under the trade agreement, his league fee has been reduced from Rs 18 crore to Rs 14 crore, the IPL confirmed in a release on Saturday. Meanwhile, Samson will represent CSK at his current league fee of Rs 18 crore. With 177 IPL matches to his name, he is also one of the league's most seasoned players. This will be only his third franchise. Since his IPL debut in 2013, the senior player has mostly played for RR, except for two seasons - 2016 and 2017 - when he played for Delhi Capitals. England all-rounder Sam Curran will transfer from CSK to RR at his current IPL fee of Rs 2.4 crore after a successful trade. The 27-year-old has participated in 64 IPL matches. RR will be his third franchise, having previously played for Punjab Kings in 2019, 2023, and 2024, as well as for CSK overall seasons. Veteran fast bowler Mohammed Shami will represent Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) following a successful trade from Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Shami, the second-highest costly buy for SRH before the IPL 2025 season at Rs 10 crore, will transfer to LSG at the same fee. The senior pacer has extensive experience, participating in 119 IPL matches with five different teams since his debut in 2013. Prior to joining SRH, Shami was a key member of the Gujarat Titans (GT) and won the Purple Cap in 2023 with 28 wickets in 17 matches. Although he sat out the 2024 season due to injury, he had a significant 2023 campaign, taking 20 wickets and playing a vital role in GTs championship win. Leg-spinner Mayank Markande will rejoin the Mumbai Indians (MI) after a successful trade from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). KKR bought Markande for Rs 30 lakh, and he will rejoin MI at the same fee. Markande started his IPL journey with MI, playing for the franchise in 2018, 2019, and 2022. He later played for Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2023 and 2024. Overall, he has participated in 37 IPL matches and taken 37 wickets. Bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar will join LSG after being transferred from MI. He will continue to play for LSG at his current fee of Rs 30 lakh. Initially selected by MI at the 2021 IPL auction, he made his debut for the franchise in 2023. Before the league confirmed the developments, IANS had reported on Thursday about the likelihood of Samson-Jadeja-Curran trades between CSK and RR, as well as about Shami, Tendulkar, and Markande's trades to their new franchises. Bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar will join LSG after being transferred from MI. He will continue to play for LSG at his current fee of Rs 30 lakh. Initially selected by MI at the 2021 IPL auction, he made his debut for the franchise in 2023. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score All-rounder Donovan Ferreira is set to rejoin his first franchise, RR, after a successful trade from DC. According to the transfer deal, his fee has increased from Rs 75 lakh to INR 1 crore. Article Source: IANS
Delhi shrouded in smog: AQI touches 386; air quality remains 'very poor'
Delhi woke to dense smog with AQI at 386, falling under the 'very poor' category. The Commission for Air Quality Management has implemented Stage III of GRAP, imposing stricter restrictions. The Supreme Court has directed Punjab and Haryana to report on measures to curb stubble burning.
Bypoll double blow to NC in J&K, Congress wins Anta in BJP-ruled Raj
NEW DELHI: Ruling parties on Friday suffered defeats in four of the eight seats where Assembly bypolls were held on November 11, with the Congress bagging one seat in BJP-ruled Rajasthan and PDP handing the National Conference its first defeat in Budgam. The BJP won the Nagrota seat in J&K and Mizorams main Opposition Mizo National Front (MNF) retained Dampa seat with its candidate R Lalthangliana defeating Vanlalsailova of the Zoram Peoples Movement by 562 votes. In Nagrota, BJPs Devyani Rana defeated J&K National Panthers Party candidate Harsh Dev Singh by 24,647 votes. Opposition PDPs Aga Syed Muntazir won the Budgam bypoll, defeating NC candidate Aga Syed Mehmood by 4,478 votes. The bypoll was necessitated after CM Omar Abdullah vacated the seat and chose family bastion Ganderbal after winning from both in assembly elections last year. In Anta, Pramod Jain Bhaya of Congress defeated BJPs Morpal Suman by 15,612 votes. The bypoll was necessitated after BJP MLA Kanwar Lal Meena was disqualified following his conviction in a criminal case. AAP retained the Tarn Taran seat in Punjab, with its candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeating SAD nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by 12,091 votes. JMM candidate Somesh Chandra Soren beat his nearest rival Babulal Soren of BJP in Ghatshila by-election in Jharkhand by over 38,500 votes. Somesh is the son of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren, whose death necessitated the bypoll. In Odishas Nuapada, BJPs Jay Dholakia beat Ghasi Ram Majhi of the Congress by 83,748 votes. V Naveen Yadav of Congress won Jubilee Hills seat defeating BRS nominee Maganti Sunitha by 24,729 votes.
BB19: Kamya Punjabi Backs Gaurav Khanna, Slams Shehbaz Badesha in Captaincy Row
Gaurav chose to accept the offer, which immediately made him the new captain of the house.
Punjab records 104 stubble burning cases; max from Fazilka
Punjab Kings release Maxwell, Hardie, Sen, Vinod ahead of IPL mini auction
LUCKNOW, Nov 14: Punjab Kings on Friday released Australian all-rounders Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie along with Indian domestic players Kuldeep Sen and Vishnu Vinod ahead of the Indian Premier League mini auction next month. Maxwell had a forgettable run in this years IPL featuring in only seven matches in which he made a mere 48 runs and took four wickets, before being ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a finger injury. The veteran Australian all-rounder [] The post Punjab Kings release Maxwell, Hardie, Sen, Vinod ahead of IPL mini auction appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Punjab pollution control board begins campaign to stop open waste burning
Maxwell among players Punjab Kings are set to release
He was ruled out midway through IPL 2025 for the runners-up while his replacement Owen is likely to be retained
PBKS release star AUS all-rounder and three others ahead of 2026 auction;
Punjab Kings have initiated their pre-auction preparations by releasing four players, including overseas all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and domestic talents Kuldeep Sen and Vishnu Vinod. This strategic move aims to rebalance the squad and free up overseas slots ahead of the upcoming IPL auction in Abu Dhabi. They reached the final last season before falling to RCB.
IN J&K, the PDP wrests Budgam in central Kashmir from the NC. The BJP wins Nagrota in J&K and Nuapada in Odisha. The Congress bags Anta in Rajasthan and Jubilee Hills in Telangana. Opposition Mizo National Front retains Dampa in Mizoram. The AAP retains Tarn Taran in Punjab and the JMM retains Ghatshila in Jharkhand
Punjab: Interstate Fake Currency Ring Busted, 2 Held
The police arrested two people from Dera Bassi in Mohali district and seized counterfeit notes worth Rs 9.88 crore.
Punjab Kings IPL news, retentions, updates: Bad news for Preity Zinta and PBKS fans
Punjab Kings IPL news, retentions, updates: Bad news for Preity Zinta and PBKS fans
Kejriwal: Tarn Taran victory shows Punjab backs AAP`s politics of work
Arvind Kejriwal hailed AAPs win in the Tarn Taran bypoll, saying Punjab voters prefer development-focused politics under CM Bhagwant Mann. AAPs Harmeet Singh Sandhu won by over 12,000 votes, defeating SAD and Congress candidates
CHANDIGARH: The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has retained the Tarn Taran assembly seat in Punjab, with its candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeating his nearest rival and Shiromani Akali Dal nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by 12,091 votes. An independent candidate supported by the rebel Akali faction finished in third position, while the Congress and BJP trailed in the fourth and fifth positions respectively. Sandhu secured 42,649 votes against Randhawa's 30,558 after the completion of all 16 rounds of counting. Randhawa was leading in the first three rounds of counting before Sandhu took over and maintained a steady lead. The bypoll was seen as a litmus test for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling AAP. With todays win, the party has won six of the seven bypolls held in the state since it came to power in March 2022. Tarn Taran falls within Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency which is represented by Amrit Pal Singh who has been booked under the National Security Act and is lodged at Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam. The Akali Dal had fielded Randhawa, a retired principal having the family legacy of Dharmi Fauji, referring to those who had abandoned the defence services and fought against the Army during Operation Blue Star. Independent candidate Mandeep Singh was in the third spot with 19,620 votes. He was the joint candidate of the Amritpal Singh-led party Waris Punjab De (WPD) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Punarsurjit). Mandeep is the brother of Sandeep Singh Sunny, an accused in the murder of Shiv Sena (Taksali) leader Sudhir Suri. Sunny is currently lodged in the Sangrur jail and had hit the headlines recently for assaulting former police officers, convicted in fake encounter cases, in Patiala jail. Political observers said that the tough fight given by Randhawa testified that the rebel Akali faction has failed to loosen the SADs Panthic grip. Karanbir Singh Burj of the Congress came fourth with 15,078 votes and Harjit Singh Sandhu of the BJP was a distant fifth with 6,239 votes. While Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini along with the top brass of the party both at the state and central level campaigned for him, Sandhu failed to make an impact in the bypoll. There were celebrations at AAP offices in Tarn Taran and Chandigarh with party workers dancing to dhol beats and bursting firecrackers to celebrate the victory. Meanwhile, taking a dig at the Punjab Police, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal wrote on X, I congratulate @DGPPunjabPolice Gaurav Yadav and his team comprising State Intelligence Chief PK Sinha, CP Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, DIG Ferozepur range Harmanbir Singh, SSPs of Tarntaran, Amritsar (Rural), Batala and Moga districts for ensuring the victory of Punjab Police candidate Harmeet Sandhu in the Tarn Taran bye election. God save democracy! A total of 15 candidates were in the fray. The Tarn Taran seat fell vacant after the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June.
Singapore-based man arrested from Delhi in 32-crore bank fraud case: CBI
The fraud case stems from a complaint by the Punjab National Bank, which alleged that 31.60 crores was swindled by Frost Infrastructure and Energy Pvt Ltd (FIEL)
Punjab: AAP retains Tarn Taran Assembly seat in bypoll
Tarn Taran (Punjab): The ruling AAP retained the Tarn Taran assembly seat in Punjab on Friday, with its candidate Harmeet Singh Sandhu defeating his nearest rival and SAD nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa by a margin of 12,091 votes. Harmeet Singh Sandhu secured 42,649 votes against Randhawas 30,558 after the completion of all 16 rounds of 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 .
Map on Rahul Gandhis 95 defeats becomes BJPs key attack line amid NDAs Bihar lead
As the BJP appears poised for a sweeping victory for NDA in Bihar , projected to secure well over a two-thirds majority in the high-stakes assembly election, the party has intensified its offensive against the Opposition, particularly Congress leader Rahul Gandh, branding him a symbol of repeated electoral losses. Rahul Gandhi, who undertook a 16-day Voter Adhikar Yatra across 20 districts ahead of the polls, had centred his campaign on allegations of vote chori, accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the BJP to engineer a favourable result. The Congress and the INDIA bloc had pitched the election as a crucial battle to save the Constitution from what they described as a vote-thief government. Gandhi was one of the Congresss star campaigners in the state. However, the rhetoric failed to translate into electoral gains, with both the Congress and the broader INDIA alliance heading for what is being seen as an embarrassing defeat. Bihar election results: Prashant Kishor's Jan Suraaj party fails to make waves in emerging trends Leading the BJP's charge, the partys IT cell chief Amit Malviya declared, Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency (of losing polls), hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. A map circulating on social media, amplified by BJP leaders, lists 95 electoral losses attributed to the Congress, which the party claims happened under Rahul Gandhi over the past two decades. Malviya posted the graphic, which he said catalogues Congress defeats between 2004 and 2025 in elections where, according to the BJP, Gandhi played a central campaign role. The list spans almost every major state: Himachal Pradesh (2007, 2017), Punjab (2007, 2012, 2022), Gujarat (2007, 2012, 2017, 2022), Madhya Pradesh (2008, 2013, 2018, 2023), and Maharashtra (2014, 2019, 2024). It also includes losses in Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, the Northeast, southern states, Union Territories, and setbacks in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi! Another election, another defeat! If there were awards for electoral consistency, hed sweep them all. At this rate, even setbacks must be wondering how he finds them so reliably. pic.twitter.com/y4rH6g62qG Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) November 14, 2025 BJP MP Sudhanshu invoked a couplet by poet Kabir Das to taunt the Congress. I would like to quote Kabir Das for Congress: Bura jo dekhan main chala, bura na milya koi. Jo mann khoja apna, to mujhse bura na koi (When I went looking for evil, I found none. But when I searched within my own heart, I found no one worse than me). As the NDA widened its lead, the Congress reiterated allegations of manipulation by the Election Commission. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that the early trends suggested Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was acting against the will of the people of Bihar. This fight is not merely between the BJP, Congress, RJD, and JDU, Khera asserted. It is a direct confrontation between Gyanesh Kumar and the people of India. The Aam Aadmi Party too backed Congresss allegations, accusing the authorities of hijacking the election and pointing to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted shortly before the polls. I had earlier said this election has been hijacked and holds no meaning, AAP MP Sanjay Singh said. Gyanesh Kumar has already given the winning certificate to Modi ji. What will be the results in a state where 80 lakh votes were deleted, 5 lakh votes are duplicates, and 1 lakh votes are unknown? We should congratulate NDA, Modi ji and Gyanesh Kumar that they have won the Bihar elections with the blessings of Gyanesh Kumar. Bihar Election Results 2025: JD(U) surge drives NDA to unprecedented win, Nitish set to return as CM Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav echoed the allegations, terming the BJPs massive lead an electoral conspiracy and accusing the administration of manipulating the process. BJP is not a party, it is deceit, he said. Yadav added that the game allegedly played through SIR in Bihar would not be allowed in states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. This electoral conspiracy has been exposed. From now on, we will not let them play this game. Like CCTV, our PPTV, meaning PDA Sentinel, will stay vigilant and thwart the BJP's intentions, the former UP Chief Minister said. Opposition parties collectively alleged large-scale electoral malpractice, claiming that the recent revision of voter lists was deliberately aimed at excluding communities that largely back the Mahagathbandhan.
BSF Foils Cross-Border Smuggling In Punjab; Recovers Drone, Pistols, Heroin
BSF seized a Pakistani drone, pistols, and 1.664 kg heroin in Amritsar and Ferozepur, foiling cross-border smuggling attempts by Pakistan-based networks using drones.
In Tarn Taran, independent candidate Mandeep Singh Khalsa, backed by Amritpal Singh's group, is surprisingly in third place, outperforming Congress and BJP. AAP leads the byelection after 12 rounds. Khalsa's candidacy, announced by Amritpal's father, is framed as a fight for community sentiments and against oppression, aiming to unite Punjabis.
PSSSB Exam Calendar 2025-26: The Punjab Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSB) has released the official exam calendar for 2025-26, covering Group B and Group C posts. Key exams like Audit Inspector and Junior Auditor are scheduled for November 30, 2025, while other exams for positions such as Personal Assistant, Senior Assistant, Naib Tehsildar, Surveyor, and Accountant are scheduled between December 2025 and January 2026. Candidates are advised to check the official PSSSB website for the complete timetable and prepare according to the published schedule.
ISI-backed attack module unearthed
PTI | Chandigarh The Punjab police on Thursday unearthed a grenade attack module backed by Pakistans spy agency ISI and arrested 10 people. The accused were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers to carry out a grenade attack to create unrest in Punjab, officials said. Three of the accused, identified as Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh and []
Early trends from bypolls across seven states on Friday pointed to tight contests, heavy security deployment and brisk counting across multiple Assembly seats. Jubilee Hills bypoll Over in Telanganas Jubilee Hills, after completion of four rounds of counting, Congress candidate Naveen Kumar Yadav is leading by 9,147 votes over BRS Maganti Sunitha. With 48.49% turnout, counting is spread across 10 rounds, while BJPs Lankala Deepak Reddy trails far behind. Nuapada bypoll In Nuapada, counting began under a three-tier security arrangement. After completion of 4 out of 26 rounds, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia has secured 18,903 votes, extending his lead to a massive 12,815 votes. Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi is currently in second position with 6,088 votes, closely followed by BJDs Snehangini Chhuria, who has polled 5,320 votes so far. The high-stakes bypoll recorded an impressive 83.45% turnout, the highest among all eight seats that went to polls on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. Nagrota bypoll In Jammus Nagrota, the BJP appeared to gain early momentum with Devyani Rana moving ahead of NCs Shamim Begum and JKNPPs Harsh Dev Singh. The seat, which recorded over 75% turnout, went to polls following the death of former MLA Devender Singh Rana, Devyanis father. Counting is underway at Government Polytechnic College under tight security. Tarn Taran bypoll In Punjabs Tarn Taran, the Shiromani Akali Dal registered an early advantage, with its nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa leading AAPs Harmeet Singh Sandhu by 374 votes after three rounds. The constituency saw 60.95% polling and went to bypolls following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Counting is underway at the International College of Nursing, Piddi. Ghatshila bypoll The Ghatshila contest in Jharkhand unfolded with JMMs Somesh Chandra Soren seizing a lead of 2,164 votes over JLKMs Ramdas Murmu after the first round. The tribal belt seat recorded 74.63% turnout and fell vacant after the death of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren. Twenty rounds of counting are scheduled. Anta bypoll In Rajasthans Anta, the Congress gained the upper hand early on, as its candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya moved 614 votes ahead of Independent candidate Naresh Meena after two rounds. The seat polled 80.21% and has 15 contenders, with counting planned over 20 rounds. Dampa bypoll Meanwhile in Mizorams Dampa, counting opened at 8 am with postal ballots being tallied first. The constituency, which saw a strong 83.07% turnout, is witnessing a five-way contest involving ZPM, MNF, Congress, BJP and PC candidates. Five rounds of counting are scheduled. (With inputs from PTI, Express News Service)
Congress widens lead in Jubilee Hills; BJP dominates Nuapada in early bypoll trends
Early trends from bypolls across seven states on Friday pointed to tight contests, heavy security deployment and brisk counting across multiple Assembly seats. Jubilee Hills bypoll Over in Telanganas Jubilee Hills, after completion of four rounds of counting, Congress candidate Naveen Kumar Yadav is leading by 9,147 votes over BRS Maganti Sunitha. With 48.49% turnout, counting is spread across 10 rounds, while BJPs Lankala Deepak Reddy trails far behind. Nuapada bypoll In Nuapada, counting began under a three-tier security arrangement. After completion of 4 out of 26 rounds, BJP candidate Jay Dholakia has secured 18,903 votes, extending his lead to a massive 12,815 votes. Congress candidate Ghasi Ram Majhi is currently in second position with 6,088 votes, closely followed by BJDs Snehangini Chhuria, who has polled 5,320 votes so far. The high-stakes bypoll recorded an impressive 83.45% turnout, the highest among all eight seats that went to polls on November 11. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of BJD MLA Rajendra Dholakia. Nagrota bypoll In Jammus Nagrota, the BJP appeared to gain early momentum with Devyani Rana moving ahead of NCs Shamim Begum and JKNPPs Harsh Dev Singh. The seat, which recorded over 75% turnout, went to polls following the death of former MLA Devender Singh Rana, Devyanis father. Counting is underway at Government Polytechnic College under tight security. Tarn Taran bypoll In Punjabs Tarn Taran, the Shiromani Akali Dal registered an early advantage, with its nominee Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa leading AAPs Harmeet Singh Sandhu by 374 votes after three rounds. The constituency saw 60.95% polling and went to bypolls following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal. Counting is underway at the International College of Nursing, Piddi. Ghatshila bypoll The Ghatshila contest in Jharkhand unfolded with JMMs Somesh Chandra Soren seizing a lead of 2,164 votes over JLKMs Ramdas Murmu after the first round. The tribal belt seat recorded 74.63% turnout and fell vacant after the death of JMM MLA Ramdas Soren. Twenty rounds of counting are scheduled. Anta bypoll In Rajasthans Anta, the Congress gained the upper hand early on, as its candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya moved 614 votes ahead of Independent candidate Naresh Meena after two rounds. The seat polled 80.21% and has 15 contenders, with counting planned over 20 rounds. Dampa bypoll Meanwhile in Mizorams Dampa, counting opened at 8 am with postal ballots being tallied first. The constituency, which saw a strong 83.07% turnout, is witnessing a five-way contest involving ZPM, MNF, Congress, BJP and PC candidates. Five rounds of counting are scheduled. (With inputs from PTI, Express News Service)
Delhi AQI continues to worsen; CAQM invokes Stage III curbs under GRAP
Delhi recorded hazardous smog on Friday with AQI rising to 404 in the severe category. Several areas crossed 400 as CAQM enforced GRAP-III curbs. The Supreme Court has directed Punjab and Haryana to file reports on steps to curb stubble burning amid worsening pollution
Punjab Police Busts Pakistan's ISI-Linked Grenade Attack Module, 10 Arrested
Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based handlers through three operatives based in Malaysia.
Counting is underway for assembly bypolls across eight constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Telangana, Odisha, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Mizoram. The results are expected to shape internal and external political dynamics as parties gear up for upcoming state and local elections, with local issues and candidate selection proving crucial.
Punjab govt extends career progression scheme to doctors hired after July 2020
Punjab min attends cattle mela at Rampura Phul
Punjab Police reserve 10k personnel till Nov 30
Meghalaya beat Arunachal in State A Trophy
By Our Reporter Shillong, Nov 13: Meghalaya soundly defeated Arunachal Pradesh by eight wickets in their third one day match of the U-23 mens State A Trophy 2025-26 plate group in Ropar, Punjab, on Thursday. Arunachal won the toss and batted first but could only make 79/10 as Gavineal Marpna ripped through the line-up with []
Tarn Taran verdict today, to set tone for Punjab 2027 elections
Punjabi Olympiad is a celebration of our identity, says min Bains
After pilot jeep hits former General Hoodas car. Punjab DGP issues SOPs to cops
RBI Approves Appointment Of Veteran Banker S Krishnan As Chairman Of J&K Bank
NEW DELHI, Nov 13: J&K Bank on Thursday said the Reserve Bank of India has approved the appointment of S Krishnan as part-time chairman of the Bank. His appointment is effective from November 13, 2025 till March 26, 2028, J&K Bank said in a regulatory filing. The banks board had in August approved his appointment, it said. Krishnan, currently an independent director on the board of Srinagar-headquartered bank, served as MD & CEO of state-owned Punjab & Sind Bank. Subsequent [] The post RBI Approves Appointment Of Veteran Banker S Krishnan As Chairman Of J&K Bank appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Police have recovered a hand grenade and several weapons in two separate operations. In one case, the force dismantled a Pakistan-based ISI-backed grenade attack module with the arrest of ten key operatives. In another, police recovered two foreign-made pistols. Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, stated that Ludhiana Commissionerate Police had successfully neutralised a Pakistan-based ISI-backed module with the arrest of ten operatives linked to foreign handlers. Those arrested have been identified as Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh, and Ajay Singh alias Ajay, all residents of Muktsar. Amrik Singh, Parminder alias Chiri, Vijay, Sukhjit Singh alias Sukh Brar, Sukhwinder Singh, Karanveer Singh alias Vicky, and Sajan Kumar alias Sanju have been brought on production warrants from different jails for their roles as couriers and facilitators. Police teams recovered one 86P Chinese hand grenade, a black kit, and a pair of gloves from the arrested individuals. Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were in contact with Pakistan-based handlers through three Malaysia-based operatives who coordinated the pickup and delivery of the grenade. The handlers had allegedly assigned the group to carry out an attack in a populated area to create unrest in the state. Further investigations are underway to establish both forward and backward linkages in the case. Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma said that, acting on credible intelligence, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against suspects Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh, and Ajay Singh alias Ajay at Police Station Jodhewal. Given the sensitivity of the matter, special teams were constituted under the supervision of the DCP (Investigation) and DCP (City) to ensure swift and effective action. Sharma further stated that the foreign-based masterminds have been identified as Malaysia-based Ajay alias Ajay Malaysia, Jass Behbal, and Pawandeep. These individuals, residing abroad, were in contact with local facilitators Amrik Singh and Parminder, who had previously been involved in drug smuggling operations for them. During the investigation, Vijay, brother of Ajay (Malaysia), who was lodged in Ganganagar Jail in connection with a commercial quantity NDPS Act case, was arrested on production warrant for his role as a facilitator. The probe also uncovered a local network involving Sukhjit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Karanveer Singh, and Sajan alias Sanju, who were assisting in the delivery of the grenade in Punjab. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been invoked, and Red Corner Notices (RCNs) have been issued against the accused operating from abroad. More arrests and recoveries are expected in the coming days. A case has been registered under Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosives Act and Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station Jodhewal. In a separate operation, Batala Police apprehended key associates of foreign-based gangster Amrit Dalam of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang, recovering two foreign-made .30 calibre pistols along with live cartridges. Those arrested have been identified as Vijay Masih, a resident of Satkoha in Batala, and Malkit Singh, a resident of Naharpur Khaddar in Batala. Preliminary investigations revealed that both accused were tasked by gangster Amrit Dalam to carry out targeted killings. Both men have prior criminal records, including cases registered under Attempt to Murder, the NDPS Act, and the Arms Act. DGP Yadav said that Malkit Singh was also involved in a firing incident with rival gang members at Kalanaur Bus Stand in August 2025 and had been absconding since then. Further investigation is ongoing to uncover the full network and its linkages. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Sandeep Goel said that during the operation, Malkit Singh attempted to flee police custody and opened fire on the police party using a concealed weapon. He was overpowered after a brief exchange of fire and sustained a bullet injury. He is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala, Suhail Qasim Mir, said that acting on reliable inputs, police apprehended Vijay Masih and recovered a foreign-made .30 bore pistol along with three live cartridges. Based on his disclosure, police also arrested his associate, Malkit Singh, a dangerous criminal closely linked with gangster Amrit Dalam and the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria network. In this regard, two separate cases have been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Sections 109, 221, and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Police Station Sekhwan in Batala.
ISI-backed grenade attack module unearthed, 10 held: Punjab Police
Chandigarh: The Punjab Police on Thursday unearthed a grenade attack module backed by Pakistans spy agency ISI and arrested 10 people. The accused were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers to carry out a grenade attack to create unrest in Punjab, officials said. Three of the accused, identified as Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh and Ajay Singh 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 .
'Situation is very, very serious!': SC slams authorities over Delhis alarming pollution levels
NEW DELHI: Expressing serious concern over Delhis worsening air pollution levels, the Supreme Court on Thursday, during a hearing not connected to the pollution matter, remarked that even masks were ineffective and urged lawyers to attend hearings virtually as air quality reached severe levels. During the hearing in the top court, the two-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Justice P. S. Narasimha, questioned lawyers arguing the case in the courtroom, asking why they were physically present when virtual hearing facilities were available. Please avail it. This will cause permanent damage, the bench said. Hearing the remarks, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was present in court, replied, Mylords, we were using the mask here even inside the courtroom. To this, Justice Narasimha responded, Even masks are not enough. It will not suffice. We will discuss with the Chief Justice as well. The quality of air in Delhi had reached a point when masks may no longer be enough to protect citizens. The situation is very, very serious, Justice Narasimha observed. Calling the situation very serious, the bench urged senior advocates to join court proceedings through video conferencing to argue their respective cases, rather than physically appearing in court to avoid the risk of exposure to the toxic air. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR has once again deteriorated, reaching toxic and severe levels , as the national capital remains shrouded in a thick grey smog. In the main pollution matter, the top court had earlier slammed the authorities for allegedly failing in their duty to control air pollution in Delhi-NCR. It had also questioned crop-residue burning as a key cause of the toxic smog and sought further accountability from the state governments of Punjab and Haryana. The Supreme Court will take up the matter for hearing on 17 November.
Grenade Attack Module Unearthed, 10 Held: Punjab Police
Chandigarh, Nov 13: Punjab Police on Thursday unearthed a grenade attack module backed by Pakistans spy agency ISI, with the arrest of 10 persons. The accused were in touch with Pakistan-based handlers to carry out a grenade attack to create unrest in Punjab. In a major breakthrough, Ludhiana Commissionerate Police busts an ISI-#Pakistan backed grenade attack module and arrests 10 key operatives of foreign-based handlers, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on X. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused [] The post Grenade Attack Module Unearthed, 10 Held: Punjab Police appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Ludhiana Police have apprehended ten individuals linked to an ISI-backed grenade attack plot targeting a crowded Punjab locale. Investigations reveal foreign handlers in Pakistan, with coordination routed through three operatives in Malaysia for grenade delivery. This operation aims to disrupt cross-border terror networks and maintain state peace, thwarting a significant threat.
Difficult To Decide Who To Leave Out, But Good Problem To Have: Gill
Indian Premier League: Indias red-ball captain Shubman Gill mentioned that the team and management feel very fortunate to have quality all-rounders in the side and agreed with head coach Gautam Gambhirs statement on the selection dilemma, stating that it is difficult to decide whom to leave out. Earlier, Gambhir described the conversations he has with in-form players when they are not included in the playing XI as the most challenging part of his job in a video shared by the BCCI. As the Indian team gears up to face South Africa in a two-match Test series, all eyes will be on the coach, captain, and management as everyone looks forward to the playing XI that the hosts field at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday. Were really fortunate to have the kind of quality all-rounders we do. All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions, Gill said, speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test. The 26-year-old acknowledged that while the selection criteria is a challenging part, he called it a good problem to have, adding, As a captain, its always difficult to decide who to leave out but thats a good problem to have. It makes for an exciting Test ahead. South Africa played really well in their last series, which they drew, and thats why they are the reigning champions. Its going to be a good, competitive series. Were really fortunate to have the kind of quality all-rounders we do. All of them have strong batting and bowling records, especially in Indian conditions, Gill said, speaking in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first Test. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Asked about the same, Gill, who will play his first-ever Test at the venue, said, I have a lot of good memories here. My IPL career started at this ground, and every time I come here, it feels a bit like playing at the PCA Stadium in Punjab. The last Test we played here was a pink-ball match (in 2019), I was not in the playing XI , but was in the squad, so this will be my first Test at Eden Gardens and its always a big honour to lead the country here. Article Source: IANS
Katrina Kaifs Gym Playlist Turns Punjabi Thanks to Vicky Kaushal, Reveals Kriti Sanon
Bollywood romance hits the speakers as Katrina embraces Punjabi beats after dating Vicky
Delhi's air has reached alarming levels, with AQI soaring past 400, despite the implementation of GRAP-III restrictions. The Supreme Court has called on Punjab and Haryana to provide updates on their efforts to combat stubble burning. As a reminder, GRAP-III includes stringent measures like halting construction and limiting vehicles. The health of the National Capital Region hangs in the balance.
Punjab, Himachal remain on high alert after Red Fort blast
2 in 3 users of ride-hailing apps in Punjab and Haryana report manipulative practices
High Court junks plea to let CBI probe Haryana IPS officer's suicide
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rejected a plea to transfer the investigation into senior Haryana IPS officer Y Puran Kumar's suicide to the CBI. The court found no unnecessary delay or laxity in the ongoing probe, noting that 14 individuals have been named as accused and 22 witnesses have been examined.
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 12: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested an absconder who had been evading his arrest for the past 26 years. Naveen Kousha of Ropar, Punjab, was wanted in connection with an FIR registered in 1999 under sections 304-A, 279, and 337 RPC at Police Station Jhajjar Kotli, but he had been evading his arrest since registration of the case, a police official said. According to him, a warrant under section 512 CrPC had also been [] The post Absconder held after 26 years appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Police foil bovine smuggling bid, rescue 17 animals
Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 12: Jammu and Kashmir Police today foiled a bovine smuggling attempt in the Lakhanpur area of Kathua district and rescued 17 animals that were being transported illegally in a truck. Police said, around 2 PM, a team from Police Station Lakhanpur, led by the Station House Officer, was conducting routine patrolling and naka checking at Toll Plaza Lakhanpur on the National Highway when they intercepted a truck coming from Punjab towards Srinagar. During checking, they said, [] The post Police foil bovine smuggling bid, rescue 17 animals appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Ferozepur-Patti railway line will boost Punjab economy: Sahney
Punjab Bachao Morcha announces legal action against conversions, call for anti-conversion law
Retired Northern Army Commander Lt Gen (Retd) BS Hooda alleged that two Punjab Police escort vehicles deliberately hit his car on Wednesday. He urged Punjab authorities to take action against the responsible personnel. The Punjab Police DGP's office has expressed regret and assured a thorough investigation into the incident.
Despite overall dip, 5 Punjab districts see rise in stubble fires
SC to examine if farmers are evading satellite surveillance to burn stubble
Amicus curiae claims that agriculturists burn crop residue after surveillance satellite passes; court seeks latest report on stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana
Over 4,300 Stubble Burning Incidents In Haryana, Punjab Since September, SC Seeks Report
The CAQM said stubble burning remains a serious concern, exacerbating air pollution in the NCR region after Delhi's AQI levels turned 'severe'.
SC Pulls Up Punjab, Haryana Over Stubble Burning
The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a framework designed to combat air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region through a tiered system of measures based on the severity of air quality.
R&AW Chief Parag Jain given additional charge as Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat
NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing investigation into the Delhi car blast, the government on Wednesday issued an order assigning additional charge of the post of Secretary (Security) in the Cabinet Secretariat to Parag Jain, a 1989-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Punjab cadre. Jain currently serves as the Secretary of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). According to the order issued by the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT), The Competent Authority has approved the assignment of additional charge of the post of Secretary (Security), Cabinet Secretariat to Shri Parag Jain, IPS (PB:89), Secretary, Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW) under the Cabinet Secretariat with immediate effect and until the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier. Jain is a seasoned intelligence officer, credited with masterminding the high-stakes Operation Sindoor through a combination of human and technical intelligence. The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) had appointed Jain as the R&AW chief in July this year, succeeding Ravi Sinha following his retirement. He is widely regarded as an expert in both human and signals intelligence. Before taking charge of R&AW, Jain headed the Aviation Research Centre (ARC), an elite unit known for its work in aerial surveillance, signals intelligence (SIGINT), photographic intelligence (PHOTINT), imagery intelligence (IMINT), and border monitoring. His operational acumen and leadership were most evident during Operation Sindoor, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, on 7 May.
Air pollution: Centre issues updated advisory, mandates chest clinics in all government hospitals
NEW DELHI: Amid worsening air quality, particularly in Delhi and neighbouring states, the Centre on Wednesday issued an updated advisory to all states, mandating the establishment of chest clinics in all government hospitals. The new advisory, released by the Union Health Ministry, urged that high-risk groups, including pregnant women, young children, and the elderly , should minimise outdoor activities as much as possible. Emphasising the need to avoid burning any form of wood, leaves, crop residues, or waste in open areas, it further advised people to practise wet mopping instead of sweeping or vacuuming indoors to reduce exposure to air pollution. It also reiterated the need to avoid burning firecrackers. On days when air pollution levels are categorised as poor to severe-plus, conditions currently affecting Delhi and its adjoining states, individuals with chronic cardio-pulmonary diseases have been advised to refrain from strenuous physical activity. Air pollution: SC asks Punjab, Haryana to apprise about steps taken against stubble burning Prepared under the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), the updated advisory mandates that all states set up chest clinics at Community Health Centres, Sub-District Hospitals, District Hospitals, and Medical Colleges in urban areas. During the peak air pollution months (usually from September to March), these clinics are expected to function for at least two hours daily, the advisory stated. It also called on states to intensify health preparedness, strengthen surveillance of pollution-related illnesses, and initiate coordinated action plans to mitigate the public health impacts of air pollution. The advisory outlined that the staff nurse assigned to each chest clinic will be responsible for screening patients to assess risk factors, registering high-risk individuals, and sharing their details with respective blocks for community-based follow-up through ASHA, ANM, and Community Health Officers. Furthermore, healthcare personnel at these clinics will identify risk factors, provide diagnoses, and offer care and treatment for those suffering from respiratory and cardiac illnesses linked to poor air quality. States have also been directed to conduct capacity-building exercises, including training for paramedics, community health workers, and other relevant staff to manage such cases effectively. Health facilities have been instructed to ensure the availability of essential medicines and medical equipment, including oxygen supplies, nebulisers, and ventilators. Additionally, states have been asked to establish and expand sentinel surveillance systems for monitoring air pollution-related illnesses. Hospitals across the country are to report daily cases of such illnesses, analyse the data, and share findings with state and central authorities for timely intervention. The ministry said the updated advisory aims to address health concerns arising from prolonged exposure to air pollution in affected areas. States have also been instructed to enforce strict dust-control measures at construction and demolition sites. Authorities must ensure water sprinkling, covering of materials, and the provision of masks and protective kits for all workers. Regular health check-ups and training sessions for construction workers have also been made mandatory. The advisory highlighted that both short- and long-term exposure to even lower levels of air pollution can be harmful to health. Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, lung cancer, and premature death, while short-term high-level exposure can cause acute health reactions affecting multiple organs. Common symptoms may include irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin; coughing; breathing difficulty; wheezing; chest discomfort or pain; headache; dizziness; limb weakness; and facial deviation. Vulnerable groups may experience more severe effects, such as lower respiratory tract inflammation and infection, exacerbation of asthma or bronchitis, and worsening of chronic illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischaemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular stroke.
Panjab University Row: When Thousands Broke Gates to Reclaim Their Institution
The protest isn't just about PU, it's also about Punjabs rights over its land, language, water, and institutions.
Absconder Held 26 Years After Rash Driving Case In Jammu
Jammu, Nov 12: A man, who had been absconding for 26 years in a case of rash driving allegedly resulting in the death of a person, was arrested by the Jammu police following his deportation from the United Kingdom to India, officials said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Naveen Kousha, a resident of Ropar in Punjab, was wanted in connection with a case registered under Sections 304-A (causing death due to rash driving), 279 (rash driving) and 337 of [] The post Absconder Held 26 Years After Rash Driving Case In Jammu appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
BJP to contest Punjab assembly polls alone, no alliance with Akali Dal: Union minister Bittu
CHANDIGARH: With fifteen months left for the assembly elections in Punjab, Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu ruled out any possibility of an alliance between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), asserting that the BJP will contest all seats alone. Talking to the media here on Wednesday, Bittu said the party is confident of its growing strength in Punjab and will go solo in the electoral battle. The BJP will not form any alliance with the Akali Dal. We will contest the 2027 assembly polls on our own, he declared. The minister also commented on the ongoing student protests at Panjab University over the Senate elections, stating that the Centre has accepted nearly all student demands except for the announcement of the election dates. He added that the Vice Chancellor has already written to the Chancellor requesting the declaration of the schedule, which is expected soon. Meanwhile, days after sanctioning the Rajpura-Mohali railway link, the Railway Ministry has cleared another key project -- the 25.72-km-long Ferozepur-Patti rail line at an estimated cost of Rs 764.19 crore including Rs 166 crore towards land acquisition to be borne by the Railways. Bittu said that the project holds strategic and economic importance, significantly reducing the distance between Ferozepur and Amritsar from 196 km to about 100 km, and shortening the JammuFerozepurFazilkaMumbai corridor by 236 km. It will serve as a crucial link between the Malwa and Majha regions of Punjab, enhancing regional mobility and logistics efficiency. He added that the new rail line will connect the JalandharFerozepur and PattiKhemkaran routes, providing a direct and alternative connection close to the international border. Passing through areas of strategic defence significance, it will facilitate rapid movement of defence personnel, equipment, and supplies. Bittu said that beyond strategic benefits, the project promises significant socio-economic gains, benefiting nearly 10 lakh people and creating approximately 2.5 lakh employment opportunities. It will serve 2,5003,500 daily passengers, particularly students, employees, and patients from nearby villages. The rail link will spur trade and industrial growth, reduce freight transportation costs, and improve access to agricultural markets, thereby boosting investment in education, healthcare, and essential infrastructure. It will also link Amritsar, a major commercial, educational, and religious hub attracting over one lakh tourists daily, with Ferozepur, ensuring faster connectivity and stronger regional integration. Importantly, the new alignment will revive a historic route lost during partition, reducing the FerozepurKhemkaran distance from 294 km to 110 km. The line will also connect the border district directly with ports in Gujarat, giving a significant boost to trade in the region. Bittu accused the state government of delaying progress on the FerozepurPatti Rail Link Project by allegedly failing to respond to a letter from the Centre regarding land acquisition and implementation. This project was cleared on October 27, and the very next day, we sent a letter to the Punjab Chief Secretary, urging the state government to step up efforts for implementation and expedite land acquisition. We specifically requested the AAP government not to create further hurdles and to direct its officers to act swiftly. It has now been 14 days, and we have not received any response from the Punjab Chief Secretary. I do not want to go further into it as I want to maintain a positive approach towards this project, he said.
India A Completes Intensive Preparatory Camp Ahead Of Rising Stars Asia Cup Tournament
West End International Cricket Stadium: India A have wrapped up a high-intensity preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru ahead of the 2025 Rising Stars Asia Cup, to be played in T20 format at West End International Cricket Stadium in Doha from November 14-23. India A completed an intensive preparatory camp at the BCCI Centre of Excellence ahead of the Rising Stars Asia Cup 2025. The camp included focused practice, scenario-based drills & simulations to aid in their preparation both technically and tactically, wrote the BCCI on its social media accounts on Wednesday. The tournament is set to kick off on November 14, with Pakistan A taking on Oman at 12 pm, followed by India As opening clash against UAE at 5 pm. The marquee encounter between India A and Pakistan A is scheduled to be held on November 16 at 8 pm. India had emerged victorious against Pakistan in the meetings at the senior mens Asia Cup thrice and in the league stage of the Womens ODI World Cup. India A will enter the tournament as favourites, with the spotlight firmly on skipper Jitesh Sharma and teenage left-handed batter Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Other notable teams from India A include Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir, Abishek Porel, Harsh Dubey, Gurjapneet Singh, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Yudhvir Singh, Yash Thakur, Ramandeep Singh, and Suryansh Shedge. The India A side will be coached by Sunil Joshi, who joined the CoE as spin bowling coach last month after leaving Punjab Kings, while Apurva Desai and Pallav Vora will be the batting and fielding coaches, respectively. The semifinals are slated for November 21, while the final will be played under lights on November 23 at 8 pm. The tournament features eight teams split into two competitive groups. Group A comprises Sri Lanka A, Bangladesh A, Afghanistan A, and Hong Kong (China), while Group B includes India A, Pakistan A, UAE, and Oman. The tournament will be shown live in India on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, while live streaming is available on SonyLIV. Squads: India A: Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Nehal Wadhera, Naman Dhir (vc), Suryansh Shedge, Jitesh Sharma (c) (wk), Ramandeep Singh, Harsh Dubey, Ashutosh Sharma, Yash Thakur, Gurjapneet Singh, Vijay Kumar Vyshak, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Abhisek Porel (wk), Suyash Sharma. Stand-by players: Gurnoor Singh Brar, Kumar Kushagra, Tanush Kotian, Sameer Rizvi, Shaik Rasheed. UAE: Alishan Sharafu (c), Aayan Khan, Rohid Khan, Mayank Kumar, Zahid Ali, Muhammad Irfan, Harshit Kaushik, Yayin Rai, Ethan DSouza, Ahmed Tariq, Muhammad Jawadullah, Sohaib Khan, Muhammad Farooq, Haider Shah, Faraazuddin. Pakistan A: Irfan Khan (c), Yasir Khan, Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Faiq, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Muhammad Shahzad, Saad Masood, Arafat Minhas, Mubasir Khan, Shahid Aziz, Sufyan Moqim, Ubaid Shah, Muhammad Salman, Ahmad Daniyal. Hong Kong: Yasim Murtaza (c), Zeeshan Ali (wk), Nizakat Khan, Narula Rana, Hassan Khan, Anshuman Rath, Babar Hayat, Ehsan Khan, Kalhan Challu, Md. Ghazanfar, Aizaz Khan, Ateeq Iqbal, Shiv Mathur, Kinchit Shah, Md. Waheed. Oman: Hammad Mirza (c), Wasim Ali, Sufyan Yousaf (wk), Aryan Bisht, Saishiv Narayan, Zikria Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Shafiq Jan, Samay Shrivastava, Muzahir Raza, Mohammed Yousuf, Shuaib Ismail, Jay Odedra, Pruthvi Machhi, Ubaidullah. Afghanistan A: Darwish Rasooli (c), Sediqullah Atal, Noor Rahman, Mohammad Ishaq (wk), Zubaid Akbari, Imran Mir, Rahmanullah Zadran, Ijaz Ahmad Ahmadzai, Nangyal Kharoti, Qais Ahmad, AM Ghazanfar, Bilal Sami, Abdullah Ahmadzai, Faridoon Dawoodzai, Farmanullah Safi. Oman: Hammad Mirza (c), Wasim Ali, Sufyan Yousaf (wk), Aryan Bisht, Saishiv Narayan, Zikria Islam, Hassnain Ali Shah, Shafiq Jan, Samay Shrivastava, Muzahir Raza, Mohammed Yousuf, Shuaib Ismail, Jay Odedra, Pruthvi Machhi, Ubaidullah. Also Read: LIVE Cricket Score Bangladesh A: Akbar Ali (c), Md. Habibur Rahman, Yasir Ali, Jishan Alam, Ariful Islam, Rakibul Hasan, Mahidul Ankon (wk), Tofael Ahmed Rayhan, Mrittunjoy Chowdhury, Meherob Hasan, Ripon Mondol, Abu Hidar Rony, Md. Shadin Islam, Zawad Abrar, Md. Abdul Gaffar. Article Source: IANS
Air pollution: SC asks Punjab, Haryana to apprise about steps taken against stubble burning
NEW DELHI: Taking note of stubble burning leading to further worsening of air quality levels in Delhi-NCR, the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Punjab and Haryana governments to apprise it about the action taken to control the situation. A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria also agreed to hear the plea on November 17. Let Punjab and Haryana governments respond on steps taken to control stubble burning, the CJI said. Earlier, the bench had scheduled the matter for hearing on Wednesday. At the outset, senior advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan said that currently GRAP III is in force. Grap IV should be implemented. The AQI (air quality index) has crossed 450 at some places. There is drilling excavation happening outside a court here...That shouldn't happen at least within these premises, the senior lawyer said. The CJI said that action would be taken in regard to the construction activity. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is a framework designed to tackle air pollution in Delhi-NCR region through a tiered system of measures based on the severity of air quality. On Tuesday, senior advocate Aprajita Singh, who is assisting the bench as an amicus curiae, said that stubble burning has commenced in a big way with impunity in Punjab and Haryana leading to further worsening the air quality levels in Delhi-NCR. Singh referred to NASA satellite images to buttress her point that the stubble burning in these two states has commenced and it is contributing to already severe air quality in Delhi-NCR. The apex court orders are being flouted with impunity, she said, adding that let these states respond to the present situation. We will pass some orders on Wednesday, the CJI had said. Earlier on November 3, the top court directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to file an affidavit detailing the steps it has taken so far to prevent air pollution in Delhi-NCR from deteriorating further. The bench was hearing the M C Mehta case and had said that the authorities must act proactively and not wait for pollution levels to reach a severe stage. Amicus curiae Singh had flagged media reports indicating that several air quality monitoring stations in Delhi were not functioning during the Diwali period. There are newspapers after newspapers saying that monitoring stations are non-functional. If the monitoring stations are not even functioning, we don't even know when to implement GRAP (graded response action plan)... Out of 37 monitoring stations, only nine were functioning continuously on the day of Diwali, she said. The amicus urged the bench to ensure that CAQM submits clear data and an action plan. She said the earlier orders mandated pre-emptive measures, rather than reactive steps, once pollution worsened. The CAQM is required to place on record an affidavit as to what steps are proposed to be taken to prevent the pollution from turning severe, the bench said in its order. The counsel for the CAQM said that the Central Pollution Control Board is responsible for monitoring data. However, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati assured the bench that the agencies concerned will file the required report. On October 15, the CJI-led bench permitted the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR during Diwali with conditions aimed at balancing tradition with environmental and health concerns. The court had made it clear that use of green crackers will be confined to specific hours on Diwali and a day before. The sale of green crackers was permitted from October 18 to 20. It had also made clear that the relaxation was only on a est case basis and it shall be only for the period specified. Significantly, the bench had said, The Central Pollution Control Board, in consultation with the State Pollution Control Boards and their respective regional offices within the districts coming under the NCR, shall monitor the air quality index in their respective jurisdictions starting from October 14, till October 25 and file a report before this court, specifying the air quality of each day indicated hereinabove... Along with such monitoring, the Regional Offices of the State Pollution Control Boards shall also take samples of sand and water from sites with more density of use for analysis, the bench had said.
