21082026-JTR-01.qxd 20-08-2026 22:38 Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune MP SEECHEWAL URGES VILLAGERS TO UNITE AGAINST DRUG MENACE ‘KHEDAN WATAN PUNJAB DIYAN’ TORCH RELAY RECEIVES WELCOME DHAR’S HILARIOUS REACTION TO YAMI’S AVATAR IN NAYYI NAVELLI A public meeting was organised under the ‘Save your village’ campaign against drug abuse and social evils. P2 The torch, which arrived from Roopnagar, was received by Balachaur MLA Santosh Kataria along with other dignitaries. P3 Sharing the first look poster of the film on his Instagram story, Aditya Dhar wrote, “So this is what I married into!!” P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.04 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:57 AM FRIDAY | 21 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. Denied boarding, Kishanpura flyer wins refund from Polish Airlines Commission tells firm to refund ~1.23 L ticket amount, pay compensation Deepkamal Kaur INBRIEF 4 BOOKED FOR KIDNAPPING 7-YEAR-OLD BOY Phagwara: The Shahkot police have booked four miscreants on the charges of kidnapping and hiding a 7-year-old boy. The accused have been identified as Satvindar Singh of Mandiala village in Ferozepur and his brother Harjindar Kumar. Other accused are Sanjiv Kamboj of Golu Ka Morr village Ferozepur and Balwindar Kumar of Chandigarh. Pushpindar Kaur of Aidalpur village complained to the police that the accused kidnapped her son Jujhveer Singh (7.5 yeas) on August 19 from Bajwa Kalan village in a vehicle (CH-01-CN-8546). OC AMRITSAR TIPPER DRIVER BOOKED Phagwara: The Mehatpur police have booked an Amritsar tipper driver for causing death by negligence. The accused has been identified as Gurjant Singh of Gunowal village under Jandiala Guru police station, Amritsar. Sukhbir Kaur, wife of the deceased Parmindar Singh of Malowal Road, Mehatpur, complained to the police that the accused was driving his tipper negligently and fast and hit her husband standing on the roadside, and killed him on the spot. oc JUVENILE HELD FOR MAIZE THEFT Phagwara: The Nakodar police have arrested a juvenile on the charge of stealing maize from a house. The accused has been identified as Gurtej Singh of Chuharr village. Gurpreet Singh of Uggi village complained to the police that the accused and his accomplice stole a bag full of 50 kg of maize from his house. Accused and his accomplice Lovpreet is absconding. OC Newlywed woman killed in accident Jalandhar, August 20 The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed LOT Polish Airlines to refund ticket amount of Rs 1.23 lakh and pay additional compensation of Rs 30,000 to a Kishanpura resident for refusing him boarding on a flight to Canada. Complainant Gaganjit Singh Sagoo (42) had alleged that he was holding a valid multiple-entry visa for Canada. He said he booked an air ticket for Canada through Travel Expert Vacations in Jalandhar for travel on October 7, 2023, by LOT Polish Airlines after paying Rs 1,23,381. He said on the day, he reached the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, about five hours prior to the scheduled departure time and completed all security and document verification formalities. At the boarding gate, he had presented his passport, visa and air ticket to representatives for issuance of the boarding pass. However, despite possessing a valid FOR REPRESENTATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY Tribune News Service THE CASE ■ Complainant Gaganjit Singh Sagoo booked an air ticket for travel to Canada on October 7, 2023, by LOT Polish Airlines after paying Rs 1,23,381. He reached the IGIA, New Delhi, about five hours prior to the scheduled departure time and completed all security and document verification formalities. ■ At the boarding gate, he had presented his passport, visa and air ticket to representatives for issuance of the boarding pass. However, the representatives of the airline asked him to wait for about one hour and, thereafter, refused to permit him to board the flight without assigning any valid reason passport, visa and confirmed ticket, the representatives of the airline asked him to wait for about one hour and, thereafter, refused to permit him to board the flight without assigning any valid reason. The complainant further pleaded that after returning to Jalandhar, he approached Travel Expert Vacations and requested the refund of the ticket amount. But he was declined refund on the ground that only the airline was competent to process the refund. He further said due to the refusal of boarding, he was constrained to purchase another air ticket from Neo Air Lines for travel from Amritsar to Toronto by paying Rs 1.85 lakh. The airline responded, saying that the complainant was never denied boarding and was in fact a “No Show”, as he allegedly failed to report for check-in within the prescribed time. It was argued that as per its conditions of carriage, airport check-in for long-haul flights closes 70 minutes before departure and, therefore, the complainant was not entitled to any refund except applicable government taxes. It was further contended that the ticket was non-refundable and that approximately Rs 8,920 towards taxes had already been processed through the travel agent. The commission with President Dr Harveen Bhardwaj and members Jyotsna and Jaswant Singh Dhillon relied on an email sent by Travel Expert Vacations to LOT Polish Airlines on the day of travel. The communication specifically stated that the passenger was not allowed to board the flight by the airline staff due to cross-questioning regarding his intention to travel and requests the airline to clarify whether the passenger should be treated as a “No Show” or be granted a date change or refund. “This contemporaneous communication assumes considerable importance. Had the complainant actually been a ‘No Show’, there would have been no occasion for the travel agent to inform the airline that the passenger had not been allowed to board and simultaneously seek clarification regarding his status”, the commission pronounced. The order reads, “It is wellsettled that consumer disputes are decided on the principle of preponderance of probabilities. We are, therefore, of the considered opinion that the airline was deficient in rendering service. LOT Polish Airlines is directed to refund the ticket amount of Rs 1,23,381 to the complainant and directed to pay Rs 20,000 as compensation for mental agony, harassment and inconvenience suffered by the complainant and to pay Rs 10,000 towards litigation expenses.” Farmers, Dalit bodies back state bandh call Tribune Reporters Jalandhar, August 20 The call for Punjab bandh by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha for tomorrow, demanding the release of Bandi Singhs, has received support from various panthic, farmers’ and Dalit organisations across the Doaba region. Morcha convener Pal Singh France interacted with the media in Jalandhar and appealed to the public to support the seven-hour bandh from 7 am to 2 pm. He said only those with medical emergencies or passengers, who are to board flights, would be allowed to move while all others should prefer to stay indoors. Most educational institutes in the city and commercial establishments are likely to remain closed till tomorrow afternoon. He said the bandh could help raise their voice in support of those imprisoned for long despite completing their sentences, and protesting the atrocities allegedly committed by the government during a peacefully held march on August 15. Pal Singh said a morcha has been continuing on the Chandigarh-Mohali border since January 7, 2023. He stated that some Bandi Lab at K’thala hospital to open in Sept Students clash at Final phase of construction underway at two-storey facility CT Institute over canteen food Tribune News Service 5K SQ FEET AREA Jalandhar, August 20 Kapurthala is set to receive a major boost to its public healthcare infrastructure with the Integrated Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) at the Civil Hospital being established at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore. The facility will be operational next month, with construction of the dedicated laboratory building now in its final stage. The two-storey laboratory, being established under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), will have an area of around 5,000 square feet, with 2,500 square feet each on the ground and first floors. The state-of-theart facility will house important diagnostic sections on both floors. The two-storey laboratory, being established under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PMABHIM), will have an area of around 5,000 square feet, with 2,500 square feet each on the ground and first floors. The ground floor will include haematology and biochemistry, PCR room, master mix room, extraction room, molecular diagnostic virology, cold room, sample collection, store, donning and doffing areas, besides other supporting facilities. The first floor will have cytology and serology, culture media, myco bacteriology, bacteriology, washing and sterilising facilities and a clinical pathology laboratory, along with staff and other supporting areas. DC Akash Bansal said the establishment of the IPHL will significantly strengthen diagnostic services available to residents of the district. With several specialised tests and laboratory services available at the same facility, patients will no longer have to move from one place to another for different investigations, saving valuable time, effort and expenses. He added that the facility is being established with the objective of providing accessible, quality and comprehensive laboratory services closer to the people. Its operationalisation will also strengthen the capacity of the district health system for disease surveillance, timely diagnosis and effective public health interventions. Civil Surgeon Dr Rajeev Parashar said the IPHL will play a key role in strengthening public health services by facilitating the diagnosis of infectious and other diseases, speedy investigation of outbreaks, microbiological testing for bacteria, viruses, etc and a range of haematology, biochemistry and molecular tests, including PCR-based investigations. He said the facility will also provide crucial diagnostic support to hospital and health centres, thereby strengthening the district’s capacity for early detection, timely treatment, disease surveillance and effective publichealth interventions. Executive Engineer Vishal Jangral said the construction work was progressing smoothly and the building was expected to be completed by mid-September, following which the facility will be made operational. Jalandhar, August 20 A clash took place between two groups of students on the CT Institute campus located in Shahpur here. The dispute began after a medicine tablet was found in the food of a student in the mess. The students questioned the canteen operator about the matter, to which other students objected. An argument broke out between students and clash erupted. There were reports of minor damage to property. SHO of Police Station No. 5 Yadvinder Singh said the police had received information about a dispute over food between the students in the mess. “Our teams reached the spot in time and brought the situation in complete control. We appeal to the students and their families not to panic”, he said. He denied the use of any sharp-edged weapons. Senior officers also reached the spot along with a police team. The police questioned the students from both groups and investigated into the matter. The management issued a media brief. “Today’s episode at the college was nothing more than a moment of confusion among students. The safety and security of our students remained in place throughout. We are pleased to clarify that no student was hurt. There was no religious angle in the dispute. No damage to property has been done”. — TNS Singhs have already served 32 years or more in prison, yet they are neither being released, nor being given their legitimate legal right to avail parole, he said. Morcha leaders appealed to Punjab’s trade associations, transport unions, farmer and labour organisations, Dalit organisations, employees’ federations and justice-loving citizens to rise above religious, caste and political differences and give support to the call. PHAGWARA: The alliance of Sikh, Muslim and Dalit organisations, Mini Bus Operators Union and various shopkeepers’ committees have announced their support for a shutdown in Phagwara. A special meeting of Sikh, Muslim and Dalit leaders, representatives of shopkeepers and members of the Mini Bus Operators Union was held on Thursday at Gurdwara Bhai Ghanaiya Ji Kendra, Chahal Nagar, following a call given by the alliance. During the meeting, the participants extended support to the Punjab bandh call in solidarity with the ongoing struggle for the release of Sikh political prisoners who have completed their sentences. Hoshiarpur athlete wins two gold Hoshiarpur, August 20 Emerging athlete Soni Kaur has brought laurels to Hoshiarpur by winning gold medals in the 100m and 200m events at the Under-20 Junior State Athletics Meet. Soni clocked an impressive 12.13 seconds in the 100m and 24.89 seconds in the 200m to finish first in both events. Her performance earned her selection for the Junior National Athletics Championship to be held in Chennai. Soni has been training regularly at the Lajwanti Stadium in Hoshiarpur under the guidance of coach Baljit Singh for two years. She also works out regularly at City Gym under Avtar Singh to improve her fitness and strength. Coach Baljit Singh, Sports Welfare Board chairman Avtar Singh congratulated Soni on her achievement. — OC Our Correspondent Hoshiarpur, August 20 A 23-year-old newlywed woman was killed after the scooter she was riding was hit by a speeding vehicle near Ghassipur village on the Hoshiarpur-Dasuya road today. The deceased has been identified as Chetna, wife of Manpreet Singh of Sator village. According to information, Chetna was returning to her village after getting the fuel tank filled in her scooter from a petrol pump near Ghassipur when the speeding vehicle, travelling from Hoshiarpur towards Dasuya, rammed into her scooter. She sustained serious injuries in the accident and was rushed to a private hospital in Hoshiarpur, where doctors declared her dead. Chetna got married only about five months ago. The Hariana police have initiated further proceedings in connection with the accident. NGT orders fresh inspection of Wariana dumpsite in Jalandhar Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, August 20 The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has ordered a fresh inspection of the Wariana dumpsite in Jalandhar after concerns were raised over the accuracy of estimates regarding the quantity of waste lying at the site. The tribunal has also taken note of the Municipal Corporation (MC), Jalandhar’s failure to pay the full environmental compensation imposed on it. The tribunal has passed significant directions concerning the Wariana dumpsite after taking note of serious environmental violations at the perennial dump, which spells an environmental disaster for Jalandhar. The concerns regarding the same were highlighted in proceedings initiated by Tejasvi Minhas, social and environmental activist. During a hearing held on August 12, 2026, the tribunal recorded that the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s inspection had found continued non-compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, including the absence of waste segregation, recurring landfill fires, lack of leachate treatment, nonfunctional piezometers, absence of boundary fencing and illegal dumping of waste along the Kala Sanghian Drain. The NGT also expressed concern over the recovery of environmental compensation. It recorded that Rs 9.30 crore has been imposed as environmental compensation on the MC, Jalandhar, of PPCB directed to carry out assessment of legacy waste at site which only Rs 90 lakh has been deposited, leaving Rs 8.40 crore outstanding. The NGT observed that the c m y b PPCB’s reply did not disclose any serious effort to recover the pending amount and directed the board to ini- tiate recovery through the DC, Jalandhar. A key issue raised by the applicant was the quantity of legacy waste at the Wariana dumpsite. While the MC has claimed that the site contains 12.70 lakh metric tonnes of legacy waste, the application argued that the quantity has never been scientifically and independently assessed and may be higher than the corporation’s estimate. Accepting the concern, the tribunal has directed the PPCB to conduct a fresh spot inspection and assess the actual quantity of legacy waste lying at the site. The tribunal further observed that the MC’s affidavit failed to disclose a timeline for clearing the legacy waste and did not explain the daily gap between waste generation and treatment within Jalandhar. Accordingly, the MC has been directed to file a fresh affidavit within four weeks, addressing these defi- ciencies. The matter is now listed before the NGT on October 28, when the MC’s fresh compliance affidavit and the PPCB’s action regarding recovery and inspection are expected to be placed on record. Minhas said, “This order is an important step towards accountability. The tribunal has acknowledged the need for an independent assessment of the actual legacy waste and questioned both the recovery of environmental compensation and the absence of a concrete remediation timeline. Wariana dumpsite is not merely a waste management issue but a public health and environmental justice issue affecting thousands of residents living around the landfill and along the Kala Sanghian Drain.”