04082026-JTR-01.qxd 8/3/2026 10:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune OUTSOURCED WORKERS BEGIN STRIKE OVER SALARY DISPARITY NAKODAR TEACHER TOPS ADVANCED AI, ROBOTICS TRAINING IMTIAZ ALI, ANURAG KASHYAP TO PRESENT SHORT FILM Workers have alleged discrimination in salaries and demanded equal pay for employees performing civic duties. P2 Jaswinder Kaur, computer faculty, secured the top position among 60 teachers from across Punjab. P3 Filmmakers Imtiaz and Anurag have collaborated to present Bobby Beauty Parlour during Friendship Week. P4 » » FORECAST RAINY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.21 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:46 AM » TUESDAY | 4 AUGUST 2026 | JALANDHAR HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune has started 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. INBRIEF CASH, GOLD CHAIN LOOTED Phagwara: Three youths allegedly robbed an employee of cash and a gold chain near Mehtan Chowk on the Phagwara bypass. The victim claimed that the accused threatened him with a sharpedged weapon before fleeing on a motorcycle. The police have registered a case against three suspects. OC 6 ARRESTED IN NDPS CASES Phagwara: The police arrested six persons in separate operations under the NDPS Act on Sunday. The seizures included 45 intoxicating tablets, 13 gram of heroin in two cases, while four other accused were arrested for allegedly consuming heroin. oc MINOR GIRL ‘ABDUCTED’ Phagwara: The police have registered a case against three persons after a 15-year-old girl allegedly went missing from her residence in Latiyanwal village. The complainant alleged that the accused lured the minor away on the pretext of marriage. A case has been registered. No arrest had been made so far. OC YOUTHS ROBBED OF BIKE Phagwara: Three motorcycleborne persons allegedly robbed two youths of a motorcycle from near the LPU after threatening them with a pistol. The police have registered a case. OC SIX BOOKED IN EXCISE CASES Phagwara: The police registered two cases under the Excise Act and arrested six persons. In one case, five individuals were booked for allegedly consuming liquor at a public place, while in another, one person was arrested with a bottle of liquor meant for sale only in Chandigarh. oc MAN ARRESTED FOR THEFT BID Phagwara: The Phillaur police arrested a Ludhiana resident for allegedly attempting to commit theft by using a duplicate key at a property in Phillaur. A case has been registered. oc YOUTH ARRESTED FOR ABDUCTION Phagwara: The police have arrested a youth for allegedly abducting a minor girl at Lasara village. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the BNS and IPC. oc THREE BOOKED FOR ASSAULT Phagwara: The police have booked three members of a family for allegedly confining and assaulting a woman following a dispute. A case has been registered. No arrests had been reported. oc Temple clash: Rival group angle under scanner Brick-batting near Devi Talab temple sparks panic among devotees Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 3 Even a day after violence erupted during Jalandhar Mayor Vaneet Dhir’s thanksgiving procession at Shri Devi Talab Mandir, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has not confirmed whether supporters of rival gangs were involved in the incident. Dhir, who was recently appointed AAP’s halqa incharge for Jalandhar North, replacing Dinesh Dhall, led the procession that drew a large number of supporters, particularly youths. According to reports, supporters of two rival gangs one led by Daljit Bhana and other of Aman-Fateh allegedly clashed and threw bricks at each other as the procession reached the temple premises. Commissioner of Police Satinder Singh said, “We are still verifying all facts using CCTV footages. We are investigating how it was triggered. We cannot yet ascertain the presence of anyone there”, he said. The incident created panic among devotees who had gathered at the temple. Sources said members associ- Contractual workers of the Punjab Roadways protest at Jalandhar on Monday. PHOTO: MALKIAT SINGH Roadways buses go off road in Phagwara, SBS Nagar Union seeks regularisation of contractual employees Our Correspondent Chaos erupted at Shri Devi Talab Mandir during Mayor Vaneet Dhir’s Shukrana Yatra on Sunday. ated with both groups had met Dhir after the party assigned him the new organisational responsibility last week. Reports of patronage to Daljit Bhana by the Aam Aadmi Party had also surfaced during the Jalandhar West bypoll. Jalandhar MP Charanjit Singh Channi had then openly charged the AAP with releasing Bhana days ahead of the poll to galvanise support for Mohinder Bhagat. Residents of Jalandhar North expressed concern that such incidents could revive an atmosphere of fear in an area that has previously witnessed the influence of gangsters. Meanwhile, Dhall and his supporters are understood to be unhappy with the party’s decision to replace him after more than four years as Jalandhar North halqa incharge. Over the past several days, his supporters have been posting messages on social media, accusing the AAP leadership of sidelining leaders who worked for the party’s growth. Political observers say some of Dhall’s supporters view the violence on the first day of Vaneet Dhir’s entry into the constituency as an embarrassment for the new leadership. Known for his mild-mannered image, Dhir too is clearly upset over the linking of his name with the gangsters. This was clearly not something that he would have ever expected on his opening day, said one of his loyalists. Phagwara, August 3 Bus services across the region were severely affected on Monday following a statewide strike by contractual employees of the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and the Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), causing inconvenience to commuters in several towns. The strike disrupted transport services in Phagwara, Goraya, Phillaur, Nakodar, Banga and Nawanshahr, with buses remaining off the roads. Passengers, including office-goers, students, women and daily wage workers, faced long wait at bus stands, while many opted for private transport or postponed their journeys due to the reduced availability of buses. The disruption also affected travel between Phagwara and neighbouring towns, leading to delays and overcrowding on the limited number of buses that remained in operation. Members of the PRTC/PUNBUS Contract Workers Union, Kapurthala, began their strike at 10 am under the leadership of district president Gurpreet Singh Pannu. The union is seeking regularisation of contractual employees, abolition of the kilometre-based bus Cantonment Board, residents at odds AAP secures two top posts in over security checks, barrier closure Mukerian MC Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Mukerian, August 3 In a dramatic political turnaround, AAP on Monday took control of the 15-member Mukerian Municipal Council by securing the posts of president and vicepresident, despite having won only one seat in the civic elections held in May. Councillor Anup Kumar Bhatti was elected president, while Dr Madhumita was chosen as vice-president. They were elected on BJP ticket from their respective wards but had joined AAP on yesterday. The election was held more than two months after the results of the May 26 municipal polls were declared on May 29. The development followed a series of political defections that altered the council’s strength. Initially, the BJP had won seven seats, the Congress six and AAP just one, while Had won only one seat in the civic body poll in May one Independent candidate was elected. However, two Congress councillors joined AAP along with former Congress leader Sarabjot Singh Sabi and later, one more joined the party. The Independent councillor also extended support to the ruling party. A day before the election, BJP councillors Bhatti and Dr Madhumita also joined AAP giving the party the , numbers required to stake claim to the council leadership. With the support of 10 councillors, AAP comfortably got both top posts. The newly elected officebearers said they would give preference to civic development, including sanitation, drinking water supply, roads, sewerage and street lighting. Jalandhar, August 3 The Jalandhar Cantonment Board and residents remain locked in a standoff over allegations of excessive security checks and the closure of road barriers, with both sides trading sharp claims. Two days after residents held an intense protest at the Cantt Board office, backed by politicians, on the issue, the Cantt Board today responded with a statement, claiming the residents’ charges were false and asked Cantonment residents to be “wary of such elements”. On July 31, residents and shopkeepers of Cantt held a protest against the Army barricades laid at several intersecting roads blocking their access to several pockets within the area. The protest was backed by leaders and halka in-charges of AAP the BJP , , SAD and Congress. AAP halka in-charge Rajwinder Kaur Thiara, BJP leader Sarabjeet Makkar, among others were Residents and political leaders hold a protest against the Cantt Board in Jalandhar. FILE PHOTO present on the occasion. Responding on the issue, the Cantonment Board said, “It had come to the notice of the board that some people, claiming to be the ‘voice’ of the residents, are trying to raise the issue and make false statements regarding security checks and traffic management at Jalandhar Canton- ment. According to the Cantt Board the requisite measures are for the collective good of all residents due to the security threat, drug menace, cases of theft, eve teasing, threat to schools, traffic accidents, etc.” The board also advised residents to be wary of such elements who were trying to misguide and incite the public. The board stated that it would continue to work towards making Cantt safe and secure for all. Ram Sehdev, a cantonment resident, alleged that barriers had been erected on several roads, including those leading to Brring, Subhana, Sophi Pind and Khusropur, obstructing the movement of residents. He claimed commuters had to pass through multiple security checks within short distances and that several barriers remained closed between 10 pm and 5-6 am. “Residents, visitors and even people facing emergencies are forced to take longer routes despite living only a few metres away. What are people supposed to do during emergencies?” Sehdev said. He further alleged that some of the closures had been imposed without prior notice and were in violation of established protocols. He claimed residents had identified court rulings that, according to them, rendered such restrictions unlawful. scheme and an end to outsourcing. Officials said the strike impacted approximately 70 to 80 per cent of bus services in Kapurthala district. Of the depot’s 96 buses, only 12, operated by regular employees, were running during the strike. Police personnel were deployed at the Phagwara Bus Stand as a precautionary measure to maintain law and order. The authorities said the situation remained peaceful throughout the day and no protest had been reported in the area. They added that developments were being closely monitored. Drive by MC for water, sewerage bill recovery Jalandhar, August 3 Acting on the directions of Mayor Vaneet Dhir, Municipal Commissioner Nikas Kumar and Joint Commissioner Dr Sumandeep Kaur, the MC carried out a special recovery drive in Zone No. 4 to collect outstanding water and sewerage dues. The drive was conducted under the supervision of Estate Officer-cum-Chief Tax Collector Ashwani Gill and Superintendent (Water Rates) Harpreet Walia. Officials recovered pending water and sewerage charges from defaulters across the zone. Action was also taken against property owners who failed to clear their outstanding dues, with their water and sewerage connections being disconnected as per municipal regulations. During the enforcement drive, defaulters deposited Rs 1,87,000 towards their pending bills. The remaining defaulters were issued warnings and granted one week’s time to clear their outstanding dues. — TNS Accepted premium, issued policy, can’t deny claim later: Panel Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 3 In a ruling that could offer relief to families facing insurance disputes after the death of a policyholder, the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company to pay over Rs 4.36 lakh to a legal heir after his accident claim was rejected because the policy had been issued in the name of his deceased father. The commission held that an insurer cannot accept the premium, issue an insurance policy and later reject a claim on the ground that the policy remained in the name of a deceased person. It observed that if the insurer believed such a policy could not legally be issued, it should not have accepted the premium in the first place. The case was filed by Suresh Kumar of Talwan vil- Orders Bajaj Allianz to pay ~4.36 lakh in accident claim lage in Jalandhar district. According to the complaint, his father Gian Chand, the registered owner of a Toyota Fortuner, died in 2017. While renewing the vehicle’s insurance in February 2022, Suresh claimed that he had submitted his father’’s death certificate and requested that the policy be issued in c m y b his name. However, the insurer issued the policy in the deceased owner’’s name after accepting a premium of Rs 69,826. The vehicle later met with an accident in September 2022. Although the insurer surveyed the damaged vehicle, it later rejected the claim, stating that neither the insurance policy, nor the vehicle registration had been transferred to the legal heir. Defending its decision before the commission, the insurer contended that the complainant had failed to comply with the policy conditions requiring transfer of the policy after the death of the original insured person and had not given a satisfactory response to the show-cause notices issued before the claim was rejected. Rejecting the insurer’s stand, the commission said the company had failed to prove that the complainant had concealed his father’’s death or obtained the policy through fraud. It also observed that after accepting the premium and issuing the policy, the insurer could not later avoid liability by citing the policy’’s continued existence in the name of the deceased owner. Calling the rejection of claim a deficiency in service and an unfair trade practice, the commission directed the insurer to reimburse Rs 4,06,017 towards repair expenses, pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for mental agony and harassment and Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses. It further ordered that if the amount is not paid within 45 days, the repair cost will carry 9 per cent annual interest from November 15, 2022, the date on which the claim was rejected.