10122025-JTR-01.qxd 12/9/2025 11:15 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MP SEECHEWAL URGES PM TO RENAME ‘VEER BAL DIWAS’ IT’S AAP VS CONG IN DOABA RURAL BODIES ELECTIONS TERRY CREWS CONGRATULATES RANVEER ON DHURANDHAR Seechewal expresses gratitude for the government’s national-level recognition of the Sahibzade’s martyrdom. P2 The election is being largely seen as a direct contest between the Aam Aadmi Party and the Congress. P3 Terry Crews on Instagram: “Me and the great Ranveer Singh at Abu Dhabi GP !!!! Congrats on DHURANDHAR”. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 23°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.25 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:16 AM WEDNESDAY | 10 DECEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR Cong councillors’ names missing on foundation stones, protest today Ward in-charges of AAP accused of getting undue importance in city projects Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 9 Politics over the names of councillors of the Opposition going missing on the plaques of foundation stones being laid during various inauguration functions in the city continues to get flared up. The Congress has announced to hold an agitation over the matter in front of the Municipal Corporation tomorrow morning. Congress MLA Pargat Singh had already taken up the matter with Mayor Vaneet Dhir and Commissioner Sandeep Behl about two weeks back. Pargat Singh had shown them pictures, saying that while the elected councillors were being ignored with no invitation being extended to them and their names missing at the inaugural events, the ward in-charges of AAP were being given importance. District Congress Committee chief Rajinder Beri said the person who holds a constitutional post should be given due respect, even though Congress councillor’s name is missing on the foundation stone plaque in Jalandhar. he could be from a rival party. He said the latest case emerged in Ward no. 2 wherein Congress councillor Harpreet Walia was not extended any invite for the inauguration of work to lay sewer lines in the Reru area. “His name was also not put up on the plaque whereas the AAP ward in-charge Vijay Bhatia’s name had been put up. This is unjustified and unconstitutional”, said Beri. The party has alleged that the local AAP MLAs and halqa in-charges were involved in such ‘mischievous games’. Congress councillor Jasleen Sethi too said, “My name too was missing from the foundation stone for the road relaying work in New Jawahar Nagar area. So when I took up the matter, my name was added in the next foundation stone for road work at Master Tara Singh Nagar. But the AAP chose to add to the name of its ward in-charge Ajay Chopra too, who had lost councillor elections.” Sethi said when she recently took up the matter with Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and Mayor Vaneet Dhir, she was told that the foundation stones were not being laid down by the MC. “They told me that they were not paying the contractors for this work. So if the MC is not getting this work done, these stones are illegal. If these stones and plaques are illegal, these structures cannot be put up at public places and must be dismantled. We appeal to the MC authorities to remove these illegal stones or else we shall take some action”, she fumed. A major sewer pine project was launched in Phagwara to strengthen waste water system. Major sewer line project launched in Phagwara Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 9 The Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board jointly commenced the installation of a new sewer line from bus stand, Phagwara, to Imperial Poonam Hotel via the GT Road. The project, aimed at ensuring smoother drainage and preventing waterlogging during heavy rain, carries an estimated cost of around ?1 crore. The inauguration was carried out by halqa in-charge Harji Mann, Mayor Rampal Uppal, and Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta, who initiated the work. Several prominent dignitaries, including Councillors Harpreet Singh Bhogal, Jasdev Singh, Arjun Sudhir, Navneet Uppal, along with Pradeep Chottani (SDE), Punjab Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Phagwara, and Amit Kumar (JE), were present. Harji Mann and Mayor Rampal Uppal expressed confidence that the new sewer line would significantly enhance the city’s waste water disposal system. They noted that once completed, the project would bring major relief to residents during the monsoon season, particularly in areas prone to flooding and drainage overflow. Officials emphasised that the upgraded pipeline would help streamline the flow of waste water and contribute to a cleaner and more efficient urban environment. Fire breaks out in Higher education key to social, economic progress: Governor house, man hurt Ashok Kaura Our Correspondent Phagwara, December 9 A massive fire broke out in the worship room of the residence of Dharmic Samiti convener Dr Yogender Pal Sharma in Mohalla Kaurian late Tuesday evening, destroying valuable goods and causing injury to his son Nutan Sharma, who attempted to extinguish the blaze. According to Dr Sharma, Nutan had lit the lamp in the worship place and then gone to his room on the first floor. Moments later, he sensed smoke and rushed downstairs, only to find the worship area engulfed in flames. In a desperate attempt to control the fire, Nutan tried dousing flames but slipped during the effort, sustaining burns and a fracture below the waist. He was immediately taken to Parhar Hospital, where doctors described the burns as minor but confirmed a fractured waist due to the fall. Fire tenders responded promptly and made strenuous efforts to bring the situation under control. Despite their intervention, the blaze spread to the adjoining lobby, causing extensive destruction. Furniture, ceiling fans and other household items were gutted, leaving the interior severely damaged. While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be found out, Dr Sharma speculated that the lamp might have accidentally fallen. Phagwara, December 9 Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Tuesday emphasised that higher education remained the strongest pillar of social and economic advancement, urging universities to prioritise quality learning, research excellence and innovation-driven growth. Speaking at the inaugural session of the two-day Conference of Vice-Chancellors of North Indian Universities held at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Phagwara, the Governor said institutions were increasingly competing at the global level, making it imperative for universities to equip students with future-ready skills, updated knowledge systems and the ability to tackle emerging international challenges. LPU Chancellor Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal and Pro-Chancellor Dr Rashmi Mittal felicitate Governor Gulab Chand Kataria during the AIU North Zone VCs meet in Phagwara. TRIBUNE PHOTO:MALKIAT SINGH He underscored the need for continuous curriculum reform aligned with global developments, remarking that the curriculum shaped the character and capability of citizens and must empow- that over 100 Vice-Chancellors and academic leaders from North India are deliberating on critical themes expected to reshape the higher education landscape. The Governor was received Khanna urges Centre to secure return of farmer held in Pak Memo to Governor er individuals to contribute meaningfully to holistic societal development. Earlier, LPU Chancellor and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Ashok Mittal welcomed the participants and highlighted ~2 lakh looted from petrol pump Our Correspondent Members of the Punjab Bachao Morcha under the leadership of president Tejasvi Minhas submit a memorandum over ‘conversions’ to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at in Jalandhar. 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. Couple on bike hurt in accident Phagwara, December 9 A motorcyclist and his wife sustained serious injuries when an e-rickshaw collided with their bike in the posh Hargobind Nagar area of Phagwara. The couple was reportedly travelling through the locality when the speeding e-rickshaw hit their motorcycle, causing both of them to fall onto the road. Residents of the area immediately contacted emergency services and arranged for the injured couple to be shifted to the Civil Hospital, Phagwara. The medical authorities confirmed that both victims suffered significant injuries. — OC Phagwara, December 9 Former MP Avinash Rai Khanna has written to the Ministry of External Affairs, seeking the immediate repatriation of farmer Amritpal Singh, who reportedly completed his sentence in Pakistan after inadvertently crossing the border earlier this year. According to Khanna’s office representative Jyoti Kumar Jolly said the former parliamentarian acted swiftly after receiving information about the case and requested External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar to ensure Amritpal’s release without delay. Amritpal, a resident of Punjab, had accidentally entered the Pakistani territory in June while working in the fields c m y b near the border. Khanna had earlier raised the matter with the ministry when Singh was detained for three months by the Pakistani authorities. With his sentence now reportedly completed, Khanna has urged the Centre to expedite diplomatic efforts to secure his safe return to India and reunite him with his family. Khanna emphasised that humanitarian considerations must guide the government’s efforts in such cases and reiterated that citizens who unintentionally cross international boundaries should receive immediate assistance. He expressed confidence that the Ministry of External Affairs would intervene at the earliest to facilitate Amritpal Singh’s homecoming. Jalandhar, December 9 Two armed robbers looted Rs 2 lakh from a petrol pump in Dhaliwal Kadian village on Kala Sanghian road on Monday night. Two youths came to the petrol pump at 7:35 pm, aiming pistols at the staff on duty. The incident was captured on CCTV cameras. The staffers said they chased the robbers but they threatened to eliminate them and ran away after looting Rs 2 lakh. The staff complained about the matter at Lambra Police Station after which the police reached the site and checked the CCTV footage. Complainant employee Harsh Chopra had stated that there were four employees at the filling station when the robbers struck. They confined the two employees into a room and ran away with the cash. The police said the matter was being probed and the accused would be nabbed soon. — TNS by Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal, SSP Gaurav Toora, and senior officials, including MC Commissioner Dr Akshita Gupta and SP Madhvi Sharma.The North Zone Vice-Chancellors’ Meet 2025–26, organised under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), focused on the theme “Integrating Traditional Wisdom in Curriculum and Research.” The discussions centred on embedding India’s ancient knowledge systems into contemporary higher education through curriculum innovation, inter-disciplinary research and technologyenabled capacity building. Addressing a gathering, the Governor highlighted India’s historic role as a global knowledge hub and noted that traditional systems such as Ayurveda and early scien- tific thought continue to offer solutions to modernday challenges. He stressed that education must nurture values, character and inclusivity, ensuring that financial constraints did not hinder deserving students. AIU president and CSJM University Vice-Chancellor Vinay Kumar Pathak called for stronger academic-industry-technology integration and advocated a shift from “Made in India” to “Made by India” to build technological self-reliance. The conference was attended by AIU secretary general Dr Pankaj Mittal, LPU ProChancellor Rashmi Mittal, Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Pro-ViceChancellor Dr Loviraj Gupta, along with Vice-Chancellors, faculty members and student representatives. 2 cars collide, erate youth attacks elderly man with iron rod Our Correspondent Phagwara,December 9 Chaos erupted after two cars collided on PhagwaraHoshiarpur road this afternoon. Following the crash, the driver of one car got enraged. Witnesses stated that the young man involved in the accident lost his temper and began damaging the other vehicle using an iron rod. According to reports, after smashing the car’s windows and body, the youth turned his anger toward an elderly man who had been travelling in the second vehicle. In a violent outburst, he struck the senior citizen on the head with the iron rod, causing severe injuries. The victim collapsed on the spot. Locals quickly gathered at The victim has sustained serious head injuries the scene and rushed the injured man to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition, where doctors began treatment immediately. The hospital staff confirmed that the victim had sustained serious head injuries. The police arrived soon after the incident, inspected both vehicles, and began investigating the case. The authorities have recorded statements and are working to identify all individuals involved, including witnesses. The police have assured that strict action will be taken against the attacker once the investigation is complete.