05022026-JTR-01.qxd 2/4/2026 10:35 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MIND GAMES & MUSCLE POWER AT NIT MEET ‘NEURO DISORDERS LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY’ NETFLIX INDIA UNVEILS STAR-STUDDED SLATE FOR 2026 The All-India Inter-NIT Athletics and Chess Tournament was inaugurated at the Jalandhar NIT. P2 In India, neurological disorders account for nearly 10% of the total disease burden, flags Dr Anirban Deep Banerjee.P3 Netflix India unveiled its ambitious slate for 2026 with Sunny Deol and Madhuri Dixit set to lead its biggest projects. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 21°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 5°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.06 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7:16 AM THURSDAY | 5 FEBRUARY 2026 | JALANDHAR Two gangsters injured in One .30 bore pistol, three cartridges seized encounter, arrested Tribune Reporters Nakodar, February 4 The Nakodar police in Jalandhar foiled a planned firing attempt by apprehending two gangsters. The accused were already named in an extortion and firing case linked to threats issued by their gang members operating from abroad. DSP Onkar Singh Brar told The Tribune here today that the case pertained to Manish Bakshi, alias Mannu, a resident of Nakodar city and proprietor of Bakshi Travel Company and BB School of IELTS. Bakshi has been running these business establishments for the last 17 years. According to a complaint, on November 11, 2025, Bakshi received threatening calls from foreign mobile numbers. The callers claimed to be members of Goldy Brar and Rohit Godhra’s gang and demanded Rs 5 crore. Acting on the complaint, an FIR under Sections 308(5) and 352(3) of the BNS was registered at the Nakodar City Police Station on November 14. The matter escalated on the intervening night of January 16 and 17, when the complainant received more threatening messages from these numbers, stating that shots had been fired outside his office premises due to nonpayment of the money. Following this incident, another FIR was registered on January 18. Considering the seriousness of the case, special police teams were constituted under the directions of SSP Jaland, har Rural, Harvinder Singh Virk. The operation was supervised by Brar himself and DSP Inderjit Singh Saini, with active participation from Inspector, CIA, Pushap Bali, Attack on cops who came to nab accused Mahilpur (Hoshiarpur), Feb 4 Tension prevailed at village Kharaudi on Tuesday when a police team from Mehtiana reached the village to arrest absconding accused Shahdeen in connection with a case. Police Post Ajnoha incharge Kaushal Kumar went to arrest the accused. During the operation, family members of the absconding accused, including Sifadheen, his brother and other unidentified persons, attacked the police team. The accused also attempted to snatch the weapon of ASI Amarjit Singh and obstructed the police from performing their duty. On the statement of the police post in-charge, the Mahilpur police have registered a case against the accused.— OC HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. The Nakodar police at the encounter spot with the two injured accused. SI Harminder Singh, SHO, Nakodar City Police Station, and SI Dilbagh Singh, SHO. Teams from the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) also coordinated closely during the operation. On Tuesday, SI Harminder Singh, along with a police party, received inputs that the accused involved in the Bakshi firing case were roaming in the area with the intention of carrying out another firing. Acting swiftly, they planned an ambush and put up a check post on the link road from Bir village ‘phatak’ on Nurmahal road towards Sarkapur village. When two suspects riding a motorcycle came, they were signalled to stop, but they opened fire at the police party. In self-defence, the police party retaliated. During the encounter, accused Ankit Kumar sustained a gunshot injury and Regular sanitary pad supply in schools after SC directive Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 4 Following the Supreme Court observation that “the right to menstrual health is a part of the right to live with dignity under Article 21 of the Constitution”, states and UTs have been directed to provide free oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins to girl students. In Jalandhar, government schools have been receiving sanitary napkins on a regular basis. Sunita Sahota, Principal of Government Senior Secondary Girls School, Ladowali Road, said the schools received the sanitary pads today. “The pads are supplied according to the strength of students,” she said. Teachers from other government schools said sanitary pads were supplied a few months ago and these came in a huge number. Many NGOs step in as some schools face issues with vending machines schools were also equipped with sanitary napkin vending machines as well. District Education Officer (DEO), Secondary, Gurinderjit Kaur confirmed that pad distribution was going on smoothly. “Separate toilet facilities for girls and boys are also available in schools,” she added. However, it was reported that while grants were earlier provided for installing vending machines, a few schools are facing issues with machines not functioning properly. Teachers also noted that several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had been approaching schools to offer assistance in installing or repairing vending machines. Tribune News Service accused Harinder Gupta sustained a fracture in his leg. Both accused were overpowered, taken into custody, and taken to hospital for medical treatment. The police recovered one .30 bore pistol along with three cartridges from their possession. The accused have been identified as Ankit Kumar, a resident of Bilolbaz village, Sitamarhi district, Bihar; who is presently residing in Basti Jodhewali, Ludhiana, and Harinder Gupta, a resident of Gorakhpur district in Uttar Pradesh, who is presently living at Jagat Nagar, Basti Jodhewali, Ludhiana. The DSP stated that both accused were already named in the earlier FIRs and were again attempting to target the complainant due to his refusal to pay the extortion amount. Further investigation is under way to identify and apprehend other persons involved in the conspiracy. Phagwara, February 4 A wedding celebration at Maan Resorts, Phagwara, took a distressing turn late last night when two unidentified youths allegedly fled with a bag containing cash, jewellery and other valuables during a Jago ceremony, resulting in an estimated loss of around Rs 20 lakh. The incident occurred while the Jago ceremony was underway and family members were engrossed in celebrations. Taking advantage of the crowded and festive atmosphere, the suspects reportedly managed to steal a bag containing gold jew- ellery, foreign currency, Indian currency, and other essential items before escaping from the venue. Kulwinder Kaur, who reported the incident to the police, stated that the Jago ceremony was being organised in connection with her son’s wedding. All relatives were participating in the celebrations Phagwara, February 4 In a case of online fraud, the police have registered a case following a complaint of cyber cheating involving more than Rs 10.51 lakh. The complaint was filed by Balwinder Singh of Mata Sheetla Mandir Colony near Khalwara Gate, Phagwara. The complainant alleged that he was targeted by an individual. The accused persuaded the complainant to download an APK file on his mobile phone on the pretext of providing bank-related services. After gaining unauthorized access through the malicious application, the accused obtained sensitive banking information and carried out unauthorized online transactions. The SSP said the authorities have initiated a detailed investigation to trace the digital trail, identify the perpetrators and recover the defrauded amount. — OC 20 heritage trees axed; gurdwara mgmt, building owner may land in trouble Jalandhar, February 4 Tejasvi Minhas, a city-based social and environmental activist, has filed complaints against the managing committee of a gurdwara in GTB Nagar and the owner of an under-construction commercial building on Rainbow Road in Model Town here for illegal cutting and selling of trees. A complaint has been filed with the Municipal Commissioner and Police Commissioner of Jalandhar and the copies have also been sent to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office. The road divider opposite the gurdwara had more than 20 heritage trees which were illegally cut to install orna- mental lights. Most of the trees have been mutilated, leaving just a small stump. Similarly, two large teak trees, both part of the old plantation in Model Town, were cut by the instructions of the owners of the plot and everything other than the Jewellery, cash worth ~20L stolen during Jagoceremony Our Correspondent Meanwhile, Rayat College of Law, Railmajra, organised Project Sakhi 2.0, a sanitary napkin distribution drive, through its NSS unit at slum areas near IIT Road, Ropar. The initiative aimed to promote menstrual hygiene awareness and community welfare among underprivileged women and children. During the drive, NSS volunteers distributed sanitary napkins and biscuits to beneficiaries. Prior to the outreach activity, Dr Sohnu, Programme Officer, NSS, briefed students about the purpose, social relevance, and proper conduct required while interacting respectfully with the community. The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation from volunteers, who sensitively engaged with local residents and spread awareness about menstrual well-being. Cyber fraudsters dupe Phagwara man of ~10.51L when, during the performance of rituals on the stage, her bag went missing. It was later discovered that the bag contained valuable jewellery and significant amounts of cash, causing substantial financial loss to the family. Upon reviewing CCTV footage, two young men were seen attending the event while dressed in coats and pants. The footage reportedly shows them stealing the bag and fleeing the premises. The police have been informed and the investigation is underway. The authorities stated that efforts were being made to identify the suspects and recover the stolen property. main trunk was cut. Terming these acts nothing short of environmental terrorism, Tejasvi Minhas said, “Sri Guru Nanak Devi said ‘ Pavan Guru Pa?i Pita, Mata Dharat Mahat.’” However, the managing committee of the gurdwara did not think twice before cutting so many trees. It is a violation of religious principle of the Sikhism. Similarly, thoughtless acts by ‘rich people’ with ‘poor mindsets’ are poisoning our environment every day. I request the administration to take the strictest action against the culprits and their accomplices” In his complaint, the activists said these cuttings are in direction violation of Articles 303 and 324 of the BNS and the violation of the Punjab Trees Preservation Policy 2024 and also against the violation of the Punjab Protection of Trees Act of 2025. Minhas had also taken up the issue of cutting of trees in various parts of the district with the NGT. Girl abducted on marriage pretext Phagwara, February 4 On a complaint lodged by a villager Hardeep Singh, resident of village Bhago Araiyan near Sultanpur Lodhi, the police have registered a case of the alleged abduction of a minor girl on the pretext of marriage. SSP Gaurav Toora stated that the complainant said his minor daughter, student of Class XII at Shri Harikrishan Public School, Sultanpur Lodhi, was allegedly misled and taken away by Sukhwinder, alias Sukha. He alleged that the accused promised to marry her and, using this assurance, persuaded the minor girl to leave her home. Based on the statement of the complainant, the police have registered a case and initiated an investigation. OC Aishpreet’s journey from village fields to national javelin gold Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 4 His hands grip the javelin tightly, eyes locked on the distance ahead. In one fluid motion, Aishpreet Singh releases the throw. The javelin cuts through the air and the ground erupts in applause. At 17-year-old, vertically challenged Aishpreet’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Standing 4 feet tall, the young athlete from Gumanpura village in Amritsar has faced challenges from the very beginning. But spend a few minutes talking to him, and you won’t hear complaints, only quiet confidence and big dreams. The son of a mechanic, Aishpreet is now getting training at the Jalandhar Sports School, where he has been studying and practising for the past year. Getting there, however, was one of the hardest battles he had to fight. “My parents were worried about me. They wanted me to focus on studies,” Aishpreet recalls. “Convincing them to let me come here was difficult.” Everything changed when he appeared for trials and got selected. Seeing his potential, his parents finally agreed to send him to Jalandhar. Aishpreet’s introduction to sports came much earlier, back in school. A teacher handed him a javelin and a shot put ball. With no formal coaching or facilities, he practised alone in open fields, driven purely by passion. It was only after joining the sports school that he began professional training under coach Bikramjit Singh. “Coach sir has supported me,” Aishpreet says. “Under his guidance, I am learning every day.” The results speak for themselves. In just one year of professional training, Aishpreet has won two gold medals at the Sub-Junior National Para Championship that was held in Gwalior, a remarkable achievement that changed how his village and family saw him. After his victories, the village sarpanch honoured him publicly. That moment, Aishpreet says, meant a lot. “After that, my parents became happy and fully supported me.” Aishpreet faced severe bullying because of his height, which once demotivated him deeply. Yet today, with humility, he reflects that those who mocked him and called themselves “normal” are c m y b doing nothing in their lives, while he has risen to become a national-level champion. His daily routine reflects his dedication. Aishpreet wakes up at 5 am, reaches the ground by 6, practises till 8:30 am, and returns again in the evening for practice, balancing running, weight training, and technical work. His dream is crystal clear “I want to become a world champion. I know I will,” he says with certainty. “I want to represent my country at the Olympics.” From practising alone in village fields to standing atop national podiums, Aishpreet’s story is not just about medals, it’s about belief, and the power of dreams that refuse to be limited by circumstance. 4-feet tall Aishpreet has won two golds in javelin throw at the national level. TRIBUNE PHOTO: SARABJIT SINGH