03032026-JTR-01.qxd 3/2/2026 10:51 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MC PARK GATE COLLAPSE INJURES TWO CHILDREN ALUMNUS JOURNEY FROM GNDUJALANDHAR TO SILICON VALLEY DIVAS SET THE MOOD FOR A FUN-FILLED, DREAM-LIKE HOLI The main entrance gate of a municipal park-constructed barely six months ago collapsed on Sunday afternoon. P2 Jaivijay Singh credits his engineering foundation in his college for developing an acumen for problem solving. P3 With Holi around, the fashion ritual of stepping out in all-white glam before colours take over is never out of style. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 28°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 13°C SUNSET TUESDAY 6.27 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:51 AM » TUESDAY | 3 MARCH 2026 | JALANDHAR Newlywed stuck in Dubai amid West Asia conflict Biker falls into 20-foot trench in Jalandhar village, dead AakankshaN Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 2 As tensions escalate in West Asia, several Indians remain stranded abroad due to airspace closures, including a newlywed woman from Jalandhar. Anuja Sharma, who recently got married, had travelled to Dubai with her husband and was scheduled to return to India on February 28. However, the sudden outbreak of hostilities led to suspension of air travel, leaving the couple unable to return home. Speaking to The Tribune over the phone, Anuja said while daily life in Dubai continued largely unaffected, uncertainty looms large for those stranded. “I am stuck here and the feeling is not good. Things remain normal here and markets are open, but the fear still remains for us,” she said. Anuja, who owns a production house, said the unexpected delay has begun to affect her professional commitments as well. She is currently working on multiple projects, some of which were in the pipeline before her trip. “My work is also getting delayed because I am unable to oversee certain productions,” she said. She also shared that her family and friends back home are worried. “They are constantly watching the news and calling us in panic. I keep on assuring Anuja Sharma them that everything is fine. But, honestly, I am now tired of being stranded and just want to return home to my family and friends,” she added. Highlighting the financial strain of the situation, Anuja noted that Dubai is an expensive city to stay in for an extended period. However, she acknowledged that the authorities in the United Arab Emirates have been supportive. “Dubai is a costly place, so there are definite financial challenges. But the UAE is providing proper food for those stranded,” she said. With no clear timeline for the reopening of airspace, she, just like other passengers, continues to wait anxiously for a safe return. “Nobody wants to remain in such a condition, even if the situation here is alright, I want to return home,” she said. Jalandhar, March 2 A 35-year-old man lost his life late on Sunday night after his motorcycle plunged into an uncovered 20-foot-deep trench near an under-construction bridge in Kangniwal village on the Jandu SinghaLamma Pind road, allegedly due to negligence by the PWD and its contractor. The victim, riding his motorcycle around 11 pm, reportedly fell into the trench as there were no warning signs, crash barriers or diversion indicators placed ahead of the site for night-time commuters. The area was poorly lit, making it impossible for him to see the danger ahead. Iron rods protruding from the mesh laid at the base of the trench for the construction of a bridge pillar pierced his eyes, leaving him with no chance of survival. With no one around to help in the darkness, he succumbed to his injuries. PWD officials, however, maintained that drums had been put up and diversions had been pointed out at the site but the biker perhaps did not see these as he was driving at a high speed. Worse, the victim’s body was spotted this morning and he could not be identified as some anti-social elements had stolen his purse that could have his ID proof. He was later identified from the registration number of his DC directs RTO to probe, submit report in 3 days Police investigation under way after a youth fell into a trench with his bike and died on Sunday night in Jalandhar. A TRIBUNE PHOTO bike as Vikas Jassar from Phillaur. Shocked after the tragic death, his family members told the police that even a gold chain that he wore was missing. The labourers working at the site told the villagers that they had heard a scream in the night but did not go out to see what had happened. Ex-sarpanch of Kangniwal village Gurvinder Nayyar said this was not for the first time that such a tragic incident had happened. “The stretch is under-construction for the PURSE, CHAIN FOUND STOLEN ■ The victim’s body was spotted this morning and he could not be identified as some anti-social elements had stolen his purse that could have his ID proof ■ He was later identified from the registration number of his bike as Vikas Jassar from Phillaur ■ Shocked after the tragic death, his family members told the police that even a gold chain that he wore was missing. past nearly five years with no precautions being undertaken for the commuters. It has taken the contractor over two years and still the bridge has not been constructed. In January, another youth had met with an accident at the same spot and had suffered head injuries. Thankfully, he recovered after remaining hospitalised”, he said. SHO, Patara, Ram Kishan confirmed that the victim had been identified and the family had been informed about the incident. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal said he had asked the Secretary, Regional Transport Authority, to inquire, look into the causes of the accident and report to him in three days. “He has been asked to point out lapses, if any. Action will be taken on the basis of any adverse report, if pointed out in the inquiry. We shall also discuss the issue in the coming road safety committee meeting”, said the DC. Ghumman’s death: Board points to docs’ negligence Jalandhar, March 2 Five months since renowned body builder Varinder Ghumman had died during surgery of his arm at a private hospital in Amritsar, a medical board has pointed towards medical negligence on the part of doctors. Ghumman had passed away on October 9 last year and his supporters had since then been holding protest, demanding an inquiry into the matter. They had also been alleging that he had walked into the hospital in a healthy condition but some wrong treatment led to his sudden death during the surgery. Candlelight protests had also been held in the city. A park, too, had been developed in the city in his memory in the Old Baradari locality. His supporters brought out a report signed by the Civil Surgeon, Amritsar. It mentions that the board members are of the opinion that there was lack of transparency, failure to explain complications and deviation from the standard protocols. “There is a medical negligence resulting in violation of patient rights,” it clearly read. — TNS Amid exams, city schools receive hoax bomb threats Two youths arrested with grounds, and several wards of Punjab Police personnel study at the school. As examinations were in progress, authorities decided not to evacuate the schools. With board examinations also under way, efforts were made to ensure there was no panic and that students could appear for their exams in a calm atmosphere. The teams from the cyber cell were deployed immediately to track down the source of the email. “All SHOs, Assistant Commissioners of Police of Model Tribune News Service Jalandhar, March 2 At a time when examinations of school students are under way, bomb threat emails were received on Monday morning by more than 10 schools in the city, including Police DAV Public School, Ryan International School and the Rama Mandi branch of Apeejay School. After the email threat was reported, police teams rushed to the spot with dog squads and bomb disposal squads. Despite intense checking, no explosive was found. Police DAV Public School is located within the PAP Police teams at a school in Jalandhar on Monday. Truck catches fire; driver, helper safe Our Correspondent Talwara, March 2 A truck caught fire late Sunday night while on the way from Talwara to Hajipur. The vehicle was reduced to ashes. Fortunately, the driver and co-driver escaped unharmed. According to witnesses, the incident occurred after one of the tyres of the moving tipper (PB10JA5621) burst. The vehicle was carrying sand and gravel from a stone crusher in Talwara block and was heading towards Hajipur. As it reached near the cremation ground in Hajipur, a tyre suddenly exploded, triggering a massive fire. Incident occurs after a tyre of the moving tipper bursts The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire vehicle within minutes. The fire was so intense that no one dared to go near the truck. Three fire brigade vehicles rushed to the spot and, after considerable effort, managed to bring the blaze under control. The incident led to a nearly two-hour traffic jam on the Talwara-Hajipur and Mukerian-Talwara main road, with vehicles stranded in long queues on both sides. Town, Cantt and Jalandhar Central and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police were immediately mobilised, along with the anti-sabotage teams, but all schools were found to be safe”, read a release from the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police. Such threat emails have come to Jalandhar-based schools for the third time. Even before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 1, four schools from the city had received such threatening emails but all were found to be hoax. The first e-mail threat to the schools was reported in the last week of December. 108 intoxicating tablets Our Correspondent Phagwara, March 2 Two youths were arrested under the NDPS Act after the police recovered a substantial quantity of intoxicating tablets during a patrol on the Nakodar Road-Bhanoki stretch in Phagwara. Phagwara SP Madhvi Sharma said here today that a police party was conducting checking in connection with the search for anti-social elements. The team was proceeding from the Nakodar road towards village Bhanoki when they reached near a brick kiln along the road. Two young men were spotted approaching on foot from the opposite direction. Upon noticing the police presence, both allegedly attempted to flee towards a kutcha path adjacent to the kiln. During the brief chase, one of the youths reportedly threw a black-coloured polythene packet from his trouser’s pocket into the grass, while the other also discarded a similar black packet. The police team apprehended both suspects and recovered the discarded packets. Upon questioning, the first accused identified himself as Parvinder Bains, alias Sonu, of Behram, and the second accused disclosed his identity as Suraj Kumar, alias Sanju, of village Jagpalpur ner Phagwara. During inspection, the police found a transparent envelope containing 58 intoxicating tablets. Similarly, from the second packet, 50 tablets were recovered. In total, 108 tablets were seized from the possession of the accused. Book stall an attraction at wedding, inspires youth amid celebrations Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Nawanshahr, March 2 In a heartening blend of celebration and social awareness, a wedding in Jeetpur village of Balachaur, Nawanshahr district, turned into a literary haven as book lovers set up a special book stall for guests. The unique initiative transformed the festive occasion into a meaningful experience, especially for children and youngsters. The wedding, held recently in the village, drew attention not only for its traditional festivities, but also for its thoughtful addition — a stall stacked with a wide variety of books. While guests enjoyed the usual array of delicacies and celebrations, many were pleasantly surprised to find a dedicated space promoting reading and education. The initiative was organised by a local group committed to connecting the village youth with sports and education. The group has been consistently working to encourage constructive activities among youngsters, steering them toward learning and healthy recreation. Children, in particular, were seen enthusiastically approaching the stall, flipping through pages and picking up books of their choice. Their curiosity and excitement reflected the success of the effort. Instead of limiting the celebration to food and music, the organisers ensured that knowledge and inspiration also became part of the festivities. Rajbalwinder Singh, a lawyer and active member of the group, said the idea c m y b received strong support from an NRI, who generously contributed funds specifically to purchase books and set up the stall. “It was one of a kind and everyone was amazed by the concept. The response from guests, especially children, was overwhelming,” Singh said. He further highlighted that the group is led by Purshottam Jeetpur, an engineer working in Surat, who remains committed to the welfare of his native village. Despite living away, he actively supports initiatives aimed at making sports, games and education an integral part of the lives of children and youngsters. The wedding became a powerful example of how community celebrations can also serve as a platform for positive change. A special book stall was put up at a wedding in Nawanshahr.