11122025-JTR-01.qxd 12/10/2025 11:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune ROUSING FACE-OFFS DEFINE DAY 4 OF UNDER-19 HOCKEY TOURNEY NAWANSHAHR’S SEX RATIO REVIVAL RUNS OUT OF BREATH IT’S DREAM COME TRUE FOR AMRITSAR GIRL ANEET PADDA In the first match of the tournament, Ghumman Heera Riser Hockey Academy, Delhi, defeated SAI NCOE, Imphal. P2 Once earning accolades for recording a huge improvement in sex ratio, Nawanshahr now seems to face a contrasting reality.P3 The World TV premiere of Amritsar girl Aneet Padda’s film Saiyaara on Sony MAX is on December 20. P4 » MAINLY CLEAR MAX 23°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.25 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7:17 AM » » FORECAST THURSDAY | 11 DECEMBER 2025 | JALANDHAR 2 from flood-hit Shahkot in the fray for rural polls Promise flood-protection infrastructure in their regions Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 10 In the flood-hit region of Shahkot, two candidates — Lakhvir Singh of the Aam Aadmi Party and Darshan Singh of the Congress — are contesting the upcoming block samiti elections, both promising to strengthen flood-protection infrastructure in their regions. Lakhvir Singh (30), a farmer from Mundi Cholian village, said the repeated devastation caused by floods had pushed him to take up political responsibility. “Main ethe rehna chahunda si (I always wanted to stay here even when both my brothers are well-settled in the USA). I was never interested in politics. But it was due to the persuasion of my people that I entered politics. Now that they have made me reach here, I will definitely win and work for them,” he said. Lakhvir added that development in his area had long been neglected. “Our region is quite underdeveloped. The roads are in poor condition and deteriorating every day. I want to resolve this issue as well,” he said. Confident of victory, he noted that he had been visiting every household and expects a strong lead. Darshan Singh (55) from Mandala Channa village, where four families recently lost their homes to the floods, is fighting his first J-K student assaulted near LPU Our Correspondent Government officials visit a site to assess the losses in Mandala Channa, Shahkot. FILE election, though his family has long been active in the local leadership. “My brother has been a sarpanch twice. This is my first election. Our village pond is also a major issue and I want to resolve that,” he said. Darshan noted that he had been campaigning extensively and planning strategies since last night. “I want to win for my people. I have been meeting residents and working on my campaign with dedication,” he added. After flooding in the Sutlej led to severe erosion in its embankment and washed away portions of land where Lakhvir Singh from AAP houses once stood, tragedy struck Mandala Channa village in Shahkot subdivision in August this year. Four houses belonging to daily wage labourers — four broth- ers — were reduced to rubble when floods hit. The incident had added urgency to demands for long-term protection measures. Mundi Cholian too has suffered heavily in previous years, with severe devastation reporting in 2019 and again in 2023. “This time, by God’s grace, we were saved,” residents said. “But people suffer a lot and they face major losses whenever floods hit.” Both candidates agree that strengthening the bundhs (embankments) and improving infrastructure are essential to prevent recurring flood damage and ensure safety. DC: Complete surface water project soon Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 10 Taking a serious view of the prolonged delay in the completion of the surface water project under the AMRUT scheme, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal on Wednesday directed all departments concerned to ensure time-bound execution of the remaining works. Chairing a high-level review meeting with officials of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, Water Supply and Sewerage Board, PWD, and representatives of the executing agency Larsen & Toubro Limited, the DC stressed the urgent need to accelerate progress on all pending components. He also directed the departments to initiate penalty procedure against the executing agency for delaying this project as per norms. Dr Aggarwal instructed the officials to prepare a detailed, component-wise timeline, ensuring strict adherence to deadlines. He further emphasized that the project must be completed within the next few months, leaving no room for additional delays. He also ordered the installation of signage at key locations across the district, clearly displaying the revised deadlines for public awareness. Expressing concern over deteriorating road conditions, the DC said the delay had caused inconvenience to residents, with major roads across the city dug up for extended periods. This situation had resulted in traffic congestion, increased dust pollution and daily hardships for commuters. 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. BJP’s ‘chargesheet’ on AAP ‘governance failure’ in state Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 10 The BJP released a comprehensive ‘chargesheet’, exposing the massive governance failures of the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. Releasing the ‘chargesheet’, state general secretary Rakesh Rathour said the document reflected the ground reality of Punjab, where every section of society was suffering under AAP’s non-performing and anti-people regime. He was flanked by district BJP president Sushil Sharma, former MLA Jagbir Brar, district general secretary Ashok Sareen, Amarjit Singh Goldy, district secretary Amit Bhatia, ex-district president Raman Pubby, and ex-state president, sports cell, Sunny Sharma. Rathour said, “AAP made false promises. It’s election promises included giving ?1000 to every woman, starting mohalla clinics, regularising employees, setting up cultural centres and giving corruption-free governance but it failed on most fronts. AAP has even betrayed the annadata of Punjab by trying to bring in land pooling policies and refusing to offer MSP on all crops.” The BJP leaders said the Punjab’s per-capita debt had soared to Rs1,23,274, while total state debt has crossed Rs3.82 lakh crore and was projected to touch Rs 4.17 lakh crore next year — an alarming sign of financial collapse. “There has been a failure of the government on law and order issues as firing incidents, daylight murders and grenade attacks have become common. Even the police stations have become unsafe. Thousands of youngsters have died due to drug overdose, even as several party leaders face allegations of involvement in the drug trade”, said BJP district chief Sushil Sharma. The BJP leaders spoke about the growing unrest among teachers, doctors and MGNREGA workers. “The vacant posts, shortage of specialists, dysfunctional hospitals and schools without principals expose the hollowness of AAP’s so-called ‘revolution’,” said ex-MLA Brar. Cong protests Jalandhar Normalcy restoredIndiGo flights from MC’s ‘poor performance’ Adampur to Mumbai operating smoothly Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Phagwara,December 10 A Kashmiri student of Lovely Professional University (LPU) was allegedly beaten up by a group of students at the Green Valley area near the LPU late on Tuesday evening, triggering concern among students and prompting swift police intervention. The victim has been identified as Sheikh Kafeel Ahmed, a computer science student at the LPU. He is a resident of Firdos Abaad, Baramula. According to initial information, the altercation broke out in the Green Valley block, where some students reportedly attacked Kafeel under circumstances that are yet to be established. The police reached the spot shortly after receiving information and shifted the injured student to Johal Hospital, Rama Mandi, where he was admitted for treatment late at night. The medical staff confirmed that Kafeel’s condition is stable and he is recovering under observation. BJP leader Rakesh Rathour with former MLA Jagbir Brar and district BJP president Sushil Sharma release a ‘chargesheet’, exposing the ‘massive governance failures’ of the Aam Aadmi Party, in Jalandhar on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Tribune News Service Jalandhar, December 10 Congress leaders protested the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation’s ‘poor performance’ at the MC office. The protesters, including party leaders and workers, raised slogans against the Mayor, Commissioner, and the government. The protest was led by district Congress president Rajinder Beri, Jalandhar North MLA Bawa Henry, and in-charge of Jalandhar West constituency Surinder Kaur. Beri highlighted large-scale corruption in tenders and the poor condition of roads, especially from Dr BR Ambedkar Chowk to Kapurthala Chowk. Henry raised the issue of Lamma Pind Chowk to Jandu Singh road and criticised the foundation stones laid by AAP ward in-charges, who had lost the elections. Surinder Kaur said the ‘poor performance’ of the MC, cit- Jalandhar, December 10 Normal operations have resumed for IndiGo flights between Adampur Civil Airport and Mumbai after a four-day suspension that lasted until Sunday. Since Monday, flights have been operating smoothly. Adampur Airport Director Pushpendra Kumar said all passengers, who could not fly for four days from here, had been given refund as per the airlines policy. “Indigo flights are arriving and departing with up to 90 per cent capacity. There have been no cancellations since Monday”, he said. IndiGo has deployed Airbus A320 for the AdampurMumbai flight with a capacity of 180 passengers. The flight had started in July this year and since then it has been getting a good response with 150-170 passengers flying from here on a daily basis. The route had become one of Congress MLAs, leaders and workers hold a protest over civic issues in the city, at the MC office in Jalandhar. ing issues like blocked sewage, dirty drinking water, and power outages. The protesters also raised concerns about the cleanliness of Shri Ram Chowk, stating that despite being a major thoroughfare, its condition is deplorable. Congress leaders and workers, including Pawan Kumar, Paramjot Singh Sherry Chadha, Balraj Thakur, and Rajesh Jindal Tonu were present. Amritpal Singh, AAP leader and district president, Jalandhar, said it has become a habit of the Congress to forget its own past misdeeds and throw baseless allegations at others. Leaders like Bawa Henry were now pretending as if they never had stones laid with the names of their own workers during their rule. the viable options for the company and Doaba-based businessmen and tourists are the most common users. There, however, has been an issue with low bookings. To break the trust deficit that has developed in the minds of the flyers, the company staff are now making videos and recording the testimonials of the flyers after they land in Adampur. The videos are now being circulated across as a part of the confidence-building exercise. The staff have said, “Things are getting settled. It usually takes time to bring everything in order all over again after any upheaval. We are telling the passengers that now everything is getting in order.” Pushpendra Kumar said the airlines was now providing water and refreshments to the flyers if there was any delay in the scheduled departure. “Most flyers are now returning and going satisfied”, he said. On Wednesday, IndiGo had 160 passengers arriving from Mumbai to Adampur and 154 leaving from Adampur to Mumbai. Fear grips village as AAP leader Raju still getting extortion threats Ashok Kaura Phagwara, December 10 A sense of fear continues to grip Darvesh village following the November 27 firing at the residence of AAP leader and Yudh Nasheya Virudh campaign coordinator Daljit Raju, who has since been receiving repeated extortion threats from unidentified callers. Raju said the calls, allegedly originating from an Australian number, have heightened fear within his family even as the police have not yet apprehended the key assailants although they had been identified. Speaking to this correspondent, Raju said he had apprised senior police officials, including the DIG, Jalandhar Range, SSP and SP Phagwara, about the threatening demands to be made in the name of the “Kala Rana Group.” Despite multiple complaints, he said, the identity of the extortionists and the masked attackers who opened fire on his house remained c m y b unclear. The incident drew strong political attention on December 9 when Punjab BJP president Balram Jakhar visited Raju’s residence to meet the family. After reviewing the situation, Jakhar criticised the AAP government, terming the episode yet another example of a “complete collapse of law and order.” He questioned how ordinary citizens could feel secure when even an AAP leader associated with an anti-drug campaign was being targeted by criminals. “If someone like Daljit Raju can be attacked for extortion, what hope does a common person have?” he said. The firing occurred around 1 AM on November 27, when two masked men on a motorcycle approached Raju’s home and fired several rounds toward the first floor where Raju, his wife, and daughter were sleeping. The attackers fled after leaving behind papers bearing the message “Kala Rana Group — 5 Crore,” indicating a possible extortion motive. Phagwara SP Madhvi Sharma said the police were on the right track and had arrested three accused linked to the case. She further apprised that the shooters had been identified by the police and would soon be nabbed. Earlier former Union Minister Som Parkash had visited Raju’s house.