26102026-JTR-01.qxd 10/25/2026 11:17 PM Page 1 c m y b Jalandhar tribune EX-IT PROFESSIONAL BUILDS ORGANIC FARMING VENTURE THREE NEW AAM AADMI CLINICS SANCTIONED FOR PHAGWARA Rahul Sharma, a former IT honcho, now runs a successful Punjab-based organic agricultural firm, Graintastic . P2 The Aam Aadmi Clinics have been sanctioned for Palahi Gate, Onkar Nagar and Pippa Rangi in Phagwara.P2 » » KRITI STEALS SPOTLIGHT AT SHOWCASE ‘INTO THE WILD’ FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.44 PM Kriti Sanon took centre stage in a classic black Abhinav Mishra lehenga crafted in NEO-Tech fabric. P4 SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.39 AM » MONDAY | 26 OCTOBER 2026 | JALANDHAR City chemists yet to decide on withdrawal of habit-forming drugs after call by assn Rishika Kriti Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 25 Chemists in Jalandhar are yet to take a final call over the withdrawal of sale and stocking pregabalin and other habit- forming drugs after the Punjab Chemists Association (PCA) directed retailers to return their stocks to wholesalers and wholesalers to pharmaceutical companies, escalating its protest against what it termed harassment by the police and the Health Department in a crackdown against drug abuse. Sanjay Sehgal, district president of the Jalandhar Retail Chemist Association, said the local body would consult chemists before deciding on the implementation of the state- level directive. “The PCA’s call is genuine but we also need to think about patients who depend on these medicines for treatment. We will decide after consulting local chemists in a day or two,” he said. The decision comes amid growing concerns among chemists over frequent inspections by the police and the Health Department, following the broad daylight murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa on October 13. Jhota was known for raising his voice against the ille- The move comes amid chemists’ concerns over frequent inspections by the police and the Health Department. are allowed to sell these ❝Licensed chemistsauthorities are penalising medicines against valid physical prescriptions, but the them even for minor discrepancies in records and bills. Therefore, we have asked both retailers and wholesalers to return their stocks to pharmaceutical companies. ❞ Surinder Duggal, PRESIDENT, PUNJAB CHEMISTS ASSOCIATION gal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops. He was shot dead by a medical shop owner in Mansa and the incident was captured on the CCTV footage. Reportedly, Jalandhar has more than 2,500 retail chemists and over 300 wholesale medicine dealers. If the directive is implemented, patients requiring Property dealer receives ~10-cr extortion threat Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 25 An alleged extortion threat demanding Rs 10 crore from a property dealer in Phagwara has once again highlighted concerns over the safety of businesspersons and their families. According to the police, property dealer Kapil Dev Sudhir has been receiving threatening calls from international numbers since October 20. The caller allegedly demanded Rs 10 crore and threatened to kill members of his family if the money was not paid. The caller reportedly identified himself as Kulvir Singh Sidhu and claimed links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. An FIR has been registered in the case. The incident comes months after another high-profile case in the Phagwara area in which senior AAP leader Daljit Singh Raju’s residence at Darvesh Pind was targeted by armed assailants in November 2025. That case involved allegations of Rs 5 crore extortion demand. However, there is no evidence at present linking the two incidents. The police said Kapil Dev Sudhir, a resident of Chahal Nagar opposite Sood Hospital, Phagwara, was reportedly receiving repeated threatening calls on his mobile phone as well as on the phone of his nephew, Arjun Sudhir. The calls allegedly originated from two international numbers. The threats reportedly extended to the complainant’s family, including his son-in-law Gaurav Joshi, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district. The caller allegedly warned that family members would be killed if the extortion demand was not met. The calls are said to have continued since October 20, prompting the family to approach the police. Kapil Dev Sudhir runs Om Property Advisers at Nimmawala Chowk and operates the business with his brother, Parminder Kumar Sudhir, an AAP councillor from Ward No. 2 of the Phagwara Municipal Corporation. The police are investigating the identity of the caller and verifying the claim of links with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The complainant and his family have sought protection amid concerns for their safety. these medicines on prescription could face difficulties accessing them, particularly those undergoing treatment for psychiatric and other medical conditions. The PCA announced the decision unanimously at a meeting on Sunday, chaired by its president Surinder Duggal and general secretary GS Chawla. Office-bearers from all 23 districts participated in the meeting through video conferencing. The association said it opposed the misuse of medicines as intoxicants but alleged that legitimate businesses were facing frequent inspections, shop closures and notices over minor discrepancies in records and bills. It maintained that the entire chemist community should not be held responsible for the misuse of medicines by some individuals. Duggal said the decision to stop sales of habit forming medicines such as pregabalin and return existing stocks was a response to what he described as harassment by the police and the Health Department following Jhota’s murder. “Licensed chemists are permitted to sell these medicines against valid physical prescriptions, but the authorities are penalising them even for minor discrepancies in records and bills. Therefore, we have asked both retailers and wholesalers to return their stocks to pharmaceutical companies,” he said. Duggal said that if the government was serious about curbing the illegal sale of such medicines, their sale should be restricted to civil hospitals and other government run healthcare facilities. With Jalandhar chemists yet to take a final call, the proposed withdrawal puts two concerns in sharp focus that is the need to prevent prescription drugs from being misused as intoxicants and the need to ensure that patients who legitimately require them are not caught in the crossfire between chemists and enforcement agencies. Hockey player Mandeep Singh’s family hosts a dinner for the Indian team and chief coach Craig Fulton in Jalandhar. Fulton stresses on focus as India eye Asian Champions Trophy Aakanksha N Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 25 Indian men’s hockey team head coach Craig Fulton said the side is taking one game at a time as it prepares for the Asian Champions Trophy, which begins on October 27. Speaking to The Tribune after a practice session ahead of the tournament, Fulton said the team had been on a hectic schedule, having recently returned from the Asian Games after competing in the World Cup and other international events. However, he stressed that the packed calendar could not be used as an excuse and that the players must remain focused on the task ahead. Fulton, under whose guid- ance India has enjoyed considerable success, also reflected on the challenges of winning a Hockey World Cup. He said India had established itself as the No. 1 team in Asia over the past three-and-a-half years. When he took charge, the team did not hold that position, he noted, adding that India had since asserted its dominance in Asian hockey. “On the world stage, it is difficult. What happened at the World Cup was disappointing, but lessons were learnt and we are back on track. That is now in the past,” he said, adding that there is no perfect formula for success. Fulton also recalled his previous visit to Jalandhar for the wedding of India forward Man- Champion buffalo ‘Raja Jhota’ goes missing Aparna Banerji Tribune News Service Jalandhar, October 25 “Raja Jhota” — a powerful, prized champion buffalo from Kala Sanghian village in Kapurthala district — has gone missing, leaving the entire village in distress. His caretakers say they have been unable to eat properly since his disappearance. The theft of Raja, a 20-yearold male buffalo renowned across Punjab’s traditional racing circuit, has cast a shadow over the village. A champion of events such as Hult Races, Nattan di Daur and the traditional Punjabi Jhoteyan Di Daur, Raja was widely regarded as one of the finest racing buffaloes in the state. The family has announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for information leading to Raja’s recovery. In Punjabi, the word “jhota” refers to a male buffalo and is often used to symbolise strength, endurance and spirit. Known as an undefeated racer, Raja went missing around 20 days ago. Over a racing career spanning nearly two decades, he participated in more than 100 traditional buffalo-racing competitions and won numerous prizes, including a tractor, a car, 87 Kala Sanghian resident Jaskaran Singh with his ‘Raja Jhota’, which went missing a fortnight ago. motorcycles and cash awards. For 25-year-old owner Jaskaran Singh, Raja was much more than a racing animal. “Oh jhota nahi, sada baccha si, sade athroo rukde nahi, te roti galeyon langhdi nahi (He wasn’t a buffalo; he was our child. Our tears won’t stop, and we have no appetite),” said Jaskaran. “Raja was the pride not just of our family but of the entire village. Kala Sanghian became known because of him. I have looked after him since he was 1.5 years old,” he said. Jaskaran said Raja remained unbeaten throughout his career and won the Dhapai bull race for 10 consecutive years and Nattan di Daur for six years. “Around two weeks ago, we tied him near our field motor. When we returned the next morning, he was gone. It felt like our world had come crashing down,” he said. The family’s association with buffalo racing goes back generations. Jaskaran’s grandfather Jarnail Singh and father Charanjit Singh, were passionate about the sport. Charanjit bought Raja from Harimpur village when he was about 1.5 years old. So devoted was Jaskaran to the animal that he curtailed his studies to care for him full-time. To maintain his strength and stamina, Raja’s diet included regular fodder along with foxnuts, almonds and ghee. Raja was allegedly stolen along with two female buffaloes belonging to the family and a relative. The police have launched an investigation. The CCTV footage reportedly showed the animals being transported in a stolen Bolero Camper before the trail went cold. “Raja would never allow a stranger to untie him or lead him away. He would charge at anyone unfamiliar. Koi dhokhe naal, kuch khava ke, lai gaya (Someone tricked him, fed him something, and took him away),” Jaskaran said. “We are desperate to find him and will reward anyone who helps bring him back,” he said. The family had planned to honour Raja at the Baba Kahan Das Bull Race tournament in December before retiring him from competitions. “Raja had become siyana now. He would have turned 20 this year. At the Baba Kahan Das tournament, we planned to honour him with a turban and then retire him. Hun bas ohdi sewa karni si (Now, we only wanted to care for him),” Jaskaran said. deep Singh. Praising the city’s coffee culture, music and hospitality, he described Jalandhar as a great place and highlighted the warmth of its people. As India gears up for the Asian Champions Trophy, Fulton said the focus remains on managing the demanding schedule and approaching the tournament one match at a time. On Saturday evening, Fulton and members of the Indian team visited Mandeep Singh’s residence, where they attended a get-together hosted by the player’s family. Mandeep’s father said special arrangements had been made for the guests, with a caterer serving a variety of dishes, including traditional Punjabi cuisine, to the coach and team members. One arrested for woman’s murder Hoshiarpur, October 25 The Sadar police have arrested Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, in connection with the alleged murder of 20-year-old Pinky, alias Noor, a resident of Bajwara. A court has remanded the accused in police custody for three days for further investigation. Pinky, originally from Rampura Phul, had been living in rented accommodation in Bajwara, Hoshiarpur, where she was known as Noor. Her body was found on Thursday near Chhauni Kalan village on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh highway. Deep cuts on her neck led the police to suspect foul play. According to the victim’s mother, Randeep Kaur, Pinky had called her family on October 22 and informed them that she and Gurpreet Singh had received their visas and tickets for Oman and were planning to travel abroad. The family later learnt of her death through the Rampura Phul police. The victim’s relatives alleged that Gurpreet lured Pinky with the promise of sending her abroad, took her with him and then murdered her. Sadar police station SHO Inspector Kiran said accused was produced before a court, which granted his threeday police remand. — OC Two farmers booked for burning Excise Dept cracks down on illicit liquor brewing along Sutlej paddy stubble in Sultanpur Lodhi Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Phagwara, October 25 Acting in compliance with the directions of the Supreme Court, the Sultanpur Lodhi police have registered an FIR under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against two farmers for allegedly setting paddy stubble on fire in their fields. Sultanpur Lodhi SDM Jasjit Singh and ASP Dhirendra Verma said the action was taken against Gurcharan Singh and Sukhdev Singh, both residents of Kalru village, falling under Sultanpur Lodhi subdivision. They said the case was registered on the basis of a field verification report submitted by the nodal and cluster officers concerned following a satellite imagery received from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, Ludhiana. The SDM and the ASP reiterated that the administration was keeping a strict vigil on incidents of stubble burning and violations would invite action as per the law. Phagwara, October 25 In a major action under the Punjab Government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign Yudh Nashian Virudh, the Excise Department on Sunday seized and destroyed 10,500 litres of lahan during a nine-hour search operation along the Sutlej riverbank in Gagrewal village. The special enforcement c m y b drive was conducted on the directions of Excise Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, Deputy Excise and Taxation Commissioner (Excise) Ranjit Singh, Assistant Commissioner Navjit Singh and Excise Officer Sukhdeep Singh Chahal. Excise Inspector Jatinderpal Singh, along with the excise police, led the search operation. The operation began at 5 am and continued until 2 pm, with teams thoroughly searching various locations along the Sutlej riverbank. During the drive, 10,500 litres of lahan and raw material used in the production of illicit liquor, were recovered and destroyed on the spot. A spokesperson of the department said the drive aimed at curbing the menace of illicit liquor brewing and tightening surveillance in the vulnerable areas along the riverbank. Lahan seized by officials of the Excise Department along the Sutlej riverbank in Gagrewal village on Sunday.