Chandigarh, May 22:

The Punjab Government’s Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in SAS Nagar hosted a motivational interactive session with Ms. Amarjeet Kaur, daughter of the illustrious Jemadar Nand Singh, a Victoria Cross and Maha Vir Chakra awardee. The session aimed to inspire cadets to set high goals in life and strive for excellence, drawing from the legacy of bravery and sacrifice embodied by Jemadar Nand Singh.

Notably, Jemadar Nand Singh, VC, MVC, was born on September 24, 1914 in village Bahadurpur (Mansa), is known as the highest decorated Indian soldier for exemplifying bravery and sacrifice. He served with distinction in the 1 SIKH Battalion. As Acting Naik, he was awarded with the Victoria Cross for his exceptional courage in World War II, particularly during the capture of the steep ‘India Hill’ in Arakan, Burma, where he led his platoon in destroying a Japanese position. Later, in the 1947-48 Kashmir War, he made the ultimate sacrifice while saving his men from an ambush, earning a posthumous Maha Vir Chakra for his gallantry.

Sharing captivating anecdotes from her father’s illustrious military career, Ms. Amarjeet Kaur emphasized the importance of determination and discipline in achieving success in life. Her inspiring words motivated the young cadets to strive harder, while instilling in them a renewed sense of patriotism and pride in serving the nation.

The Director of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute Major General (Retd.) Ajay H Chauhan said that Jemadar Nand Singh’s legacy is a testament to his unwavering bravery and selflessness. As the highest decorated Indian soldier, his heroic actions in World War II and the 1947-48 Kashmir War continue to inspire generations to come. His life story reflects his unrelenting spirit and commitment to duty.

Chandigarh May 22, 2025 –

 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in line with the zero tolerance policy against corruption adopted by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Major Singh, posted at Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Bathinda range and his private driver Ram Singh, red-handed while receiving a bribe of Rs. 1,05,000.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the arrests have been made following a complaint lodged by a resident of village Raipur, tehsil Sardulgarh, in district Mansa.

He added that the complainant has approached the VB and informed that the ANTF, team Mansa had registered a case under NDPS act at Mohali against his son and others. During investigation of this case, ASI Major Singh came to his shop and told him to release the gold kept in possession of police during body search (Jamtalashi) of his son upon his arrest and demanded Rs 2 lakh bribe in lieu of this work.

The complainant further alleged that upon his request  to reduce the bribe money the said driver Ram Singh demanded Rs 5,000 for himself and one and a half lakh rupees for his boss (ASI). The complainant has recorded the conversation while the accused was demanding the bribe and submitted to the VB as an evidence.

The spokesman further added that after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint, the VB team laid a trap and arrested the aforementioned ASI Major Singh and his private driver Ram Singh while accepting a bribe of Rs.1,05,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against both the said accused at VB Police Station Bathinda range. Further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

Chandigarh May 22, 2025 –

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), in line with the zero tolerance policy against corruption adopted by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, apprehended Kulwant Singh, Block Development and Panchayat Officer (B.D.P.O) Rayya, in Amritsar district red handed while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 40000.

An official spokesperson of the state VB informed that the arrest has been made based on a complaint filed by a resident of village Shahpur, in Amritsar district.

He further added that the complainant her wife was sarpanch of village Shahpur from year 2019-2024. There were allegations about embezzlement of Panchayat

funds and creation of fake job cards during her tenure. The complainant alleged that the aforementioned BDPO being the enquiry officer, has demanded Rs one lakh bribe from him to settle the said case. The complainant pleaded to reduce the bribe amount but the officer remained adamant to pay the aforesaid bribe money.

The spokesperson added that after a preliminary enquiry of this complaint the VB team laid a trap during which the accused BDPO was arrested red handed while he was accepting RS 40000 as a first instalment of bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Amritsar range. The accused would be produced in the competent court tomorrow and further investigation into this case was under progress, he said.

CHANDIGARH, May 22:

          With the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state entered 82nd day, Punjab Police on Thursday arrested 101 drug smugglers and recovered 15.9 kg heroin, 102 kg poppy husk and Rs 25.52 lakhs drug money from their possession. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 12,650 in just 82 days.

          The operation was conducted on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state.

          Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.

          Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1300 police personnel, under the supervision of 87 gazetted officers have conducted raids at as many as 460 locations across the state leading to the registration of 79 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 497 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.

          The Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of ‘De-addiction’ has convinced 109 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

Chandigarh, May 22:

The long-awaited work of four-laning of Patiala-Sirhind road is progressing at a fast pace with the efforts of the Punjab government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Providing more details, Punjab Public Works Department Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO disclosed that this project was announced by the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann during the Vyapar Milni at Patiala last year and includes a steel bridge over the Bhakra Main Line near village Sidhuwal and the widening of the existing road to a four-lane configuration.

The Cabinet Minister informed that so far, 25% of the total work has been accomplished, with Rs.32 crore already spent. The steel bridge near village Sidhuwal has been constructed and is now operational for traffic. The construction is progressing expeditiously and is scheduled for completion by March 31, 2026.

He said that the four-laning of this road will also eliminate 12 identified accident-prone zones, thereby substantially enhancing road safety and potentially preventing numerous fatalities.

He said that the completion of this Rs.119.6-crore project, including the newly constructed steel bridge over the Bhakra canal, represents a pivotal milestone toward alleviating traffic congestion, improving safety standards, facilitating trade and commerce and strengthening regional connectivity.

He informed that administrative approval for the project was issued by the previous government on December 9, 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs.119.6 crore and the work was allocated precipitately during the previous government due to the then-impending Assembly elections, without securing statutory clearances from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and with pending utility relocation. Consequently, the work could not commence and the contractor began raising contractual disputes. The public was thus deprived of a secure, four-lane transportation facility. As a result, the contract awarded in January 2022 had to be terminated.

The Cabinet Minister categorically said, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the requisite clearances were expedited and the project was re-allotted only after obtaining all mandatory approvals to ensure seamless execution. A total of 22.59 hectares of forest land along the Right of Way (ROW) was acquired and in compensation, the Forest Department, Punjab, is developing 45.18 hectares of forest land elsewhere in the state.

In lieu of 7392 trees, 1733 under-girth poles and 5730 plants that required removal for the project, the Forest Department is undertaking the plantation of 60106 saplings under compensatory and additional compensatory afforestation initiatives, he added.

The Minister said that departmental officers have been instructed to rigorously adhere to project timelines, maintain exemplary quality standards and ensure prompt execution.

Chandigarh/Kiratpur Sahib, May 22:

With a focus on providing top-notch facilities to the students, the Punjab School Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains inaugurated infrastructure development projects worth over Rs. 1.49 crore in government schools of Sri Anandpur Sahib Constituency under the Sikhya Kranti initiative. He asserted that these comprehensive development projects showcase the tangible transformation of Punjab’s government schools, reflecting the state’s commitment to educational excellence.

Addressing the gathering, the Education Minister stated that development projects worth crores are currently underway in government schools and will be completed shortly, while adding that supplementary grants amounting to crores will also be allocated to rural area schools, ensuring they all are equipped with modern facilities.

He inaugurated development works worth Rs.17 lakh at PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School, Massewal, while the Government Primary School, Jeowal received Rs.40 lakh under the Holistic Development Plan; Government Primary School, Massewal underwent repairs costing Rs.7.51 lakh; Government Primary School, Cheekna received repair work worth Rs.7.64 lakh; Government Primary School, Baruwal was allocated Rs.7.51 lakh for repairs; Government Primary School, Daboora (Lower) received Rs.18 lakh for boundary wall construction and Rs.2.55 lakh for repairs; Government Primary School, Majher was allocated Rs.60,000 for boundary wall and Rs.2.55 lakh for repairs; Government Primary School, Daboora (Upper) received Rs.2 lakh for boundary wall and Rs.2.55 lakh for repairs and Government Primary School, Moda was allocated Rs.13.4 lakh for boundary wall construction.

Similarly, Rs.17 lakh was spent on the comprehensive renovation of Government Senior Secondary School, Massewal, while Rs.9 lakh was incurred on the boundary wall construction at Government Middle School, Daboora (Lower).

S. Bains highlighted that government schools are now equipped with comprehensive facilities, including security guards, campus management systems, transportation services, Wi-Fi connectivity, state-of-the-art science labs, well-stocked libraries, modern furniture, dedicated staff rooms, spacious classrooms, administrative offices, accessibility ramps, and more. These amenities, previously limited to private or model schools, are now accessible to students in government institutions, bridging the gap between public and private education.

S. Harjot Singh Bains reviewed ongoing projects in the school premises. He also highlighted a positive trend of increasing girl student enrolment, citing Massewal School’s statistics of 321 girl students compared to 312 boy students, showcasing improved gender parity. Bains mentioned the establishment of a ‘School of Happiness’ in Lakher, providing quality education to children from the Changer region without lengthy commutes. Additionally, he noted that a ‘School of Eminence’ is being constructed in Kiratpur Sahib at a cost of Rs. 12 crore.

A significant contribution to the residents of Changer area is the construction of an 18-foot-wide road connecting Tarapur to Massewal, facilitating smooth transportation. He said that road construction from Tarapur to Samlah is progressing rapidly on a priority basis.

The Education Minister assured that renovation and widening of multiple roads within the constituency will begin soon as all requisite administrative processes have been completed. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is steadfastly committed to the state’s holistic development. Under CM Mann’s leadership, the battle of saving state’s water has been won and this preserved water will now reach agricultural fields and the Changer region, contributing to enhanced regional prosperity.

The Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains was felicitated by the local people for inaugurating development projects in government schools, reflecting their appreciation for his efforts to enhance educational infrastructure.

FEROZEPUR/CHANDIGARH, May 22:

          In a major crackdown on narco-hawala nexus amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, Ferozepur Police has busted a drug smuggling module with the arrest of three persons and recovered 12.07 Kg heroin and ₹25.12 Lakhs in drug and hawala money, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Thursday.

          Those arrested have been identified as Karan Kumar alias Ghanni (22), Rohit Bhatti (24), and Aakashdeep alias Aakash (24) — all residents of Bukkan Khan Wala in Ferozepur. Accused Karan Kumar and Akashdeep have criminal backward with cases under NDPS act and Arms Act registered against them. 

          Apart from recovering heroin and drug money, Police teams have also impounded their Maruti Ertiga car, bearing registration number PB-01-F-1618, which they were using to deliver drug consignments.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that an FIR under the NDPS Act is registered at Police Station Ghall Khurd. Further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages, he added.

          Sharing operation details, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ferozepur Range Harmanbir Singh Gill, while addressing a press conference said that following rigorous surveillance and intelligence-led operation, Police teams have arrested trio accused persons from near Jodhia Nehra Pull and recovered 2.07 kg heroin and Rs 25.12 lakhs drug money from their car.

          He said that following the revelations of accused Karan, Police teams have recovered another chunk of 10 kg heroin concealed behind the Toilet seat at his rented accommodation located at Rikhi Colony in Ferozepur.

          Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ferozepur Bhupinder Singh said that preliminary investigations suggest their involvement in cross-border narcotics trafficking, with suspected links to Pakistan-based operatives using drones for deliveries. “The seized consignment was intended for distribution across Punjab. Further investigations are underway to uncover the whole network,” he added. 

          A case FIR No. 59 dated 21-05-2025 has been registered under section 21 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Ghall Khurd.