CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, April 27:

          Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per direction of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has dismantled a Pak-backed illegal weapon smuggling module with the arrest of one operative, who was supplying weapons to anti-social elements on the instructions of his Australia-based handler identified as Jassa.

          Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has identified the arrested accused as Abhishek Kumar, a resident of Village Meerankot Kalan in Amritsar. Police teams have also recovered seven pistols— including five .30 bore and two sophisticated 9MM Glock— along with four cartridges and Rs 1.5 lakh from his possession, besides, impounding his Mahindra Thar vehicle being used for weapon smuggling, he said.

          The DGP revealed that CI Amritsar received credible intelligence indicating that Australia-based Jassa, in collusion with Pakistan-based smugglers, was orchestrating the smuggling of illegal arms/ammunition through the Indo-Pak border with the help of his local associates Abhishek Kumar, and his accomplice identified as Jodhbir Singh alias Jodha. The input further revealed that the latter were actively involved in receiving and distributing these weapon consignments to anti-social elements across the state, he added.

          Acting swiftly on the tip-off about accused Abhishek and Jodhbir alias Jodha have recently retrieved a huge consignment of arms and ammunition, teams from CI Amritsar conducted a raid near Morh Village Fatehgarh Shukarchak on Amritsar-Pathankot Bypass GT Road and arrested accused Abhishek, when he was going to deliver the illegal weapon consignment to another party in his Thar vehicle.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that further investigation is pointing that both Abhishek Kumar and Jodhbir Singh are actively involved in Hawala transactions, indicating their possible connection to a broader network engaged in criminal activities. Further investigations are on to establish backward and forward linkages in this case, he said, while adding that police teams are on manhunt to nab accused Jodhbir alias Jodha.

          A case FIR No. 23 dated 26.04.2025 has been registered under sections 25, 25(1)(A) and 25(1)(B) of the Arms Act and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station SSOC, Amritsar.

Chandigarh, April 27:

In a landmark decision benefiting retired teaching faculty across the State, Punjab Government has approved the revision of pension and family pension for teachers and other teaching faculty retired before January 1, 2016 in government colleges/universities in accordance with the 7th UGC Pay Scales. The revision will be effective from January 1, 2016. A notification has been issued in this regard.

Disclosing the details, Punjab Higher Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains stated that the revised pension will benefit approximately 500 retired teaching professionals, including 400 pensioners and 100 family pensioners which shall amount to ₹38.99 crores, he added.

S. Harjot Singh Bains emphasised that the revised pension will be paid to the pensioners who retired before January 1, 2016. While, the arrears of the revised pension from October 1, 2022, to January 2025 will be disbursed in four equal quarterly instalments, he said, while adding that the payment will be made in accordance with the guidelines issued in the Finance Department’s letter issued on April 7, 2025.

He said that under this scheme, the pension will be calculated as 50% of the notional pay fixed as on January 1, 2016, and the family pension will be 30% of the same notional pay.

          “Recognising their invaluable contribution to society, we are committed to the welfare of our teaching community and are determined to ensure they receive their rightful benefits,” said the Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, while adding that the Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government is dedicated to the welfare of all employees and pensioners.

Chandigarh, April 27

Punjab Freedom Fighters Minister Mr. Mohinder Bhagat informed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has written to the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi urging the Government of India to issue commemorative coins in honour of the brave sons of Punjab who made supreme sacrifices during India’s freedom struggle.

The Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat said that the Chief Minister’s letter highlights the immense contribution of Punjab to the country’s independence movement with legendary names such as Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Sukhdev, Shaheed Rajguru, Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, Shaheed Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed Udham Singh etched forever in the annals of Indian history.

Mr. Bhagat said that Punjab’s soil is soaked with the blood of martyrs and issuing commemorative coins in their memory will not only honour their sacrifices but also serve as a lasting educational legacy for the younger generations.

The Minister underlined that such coins would be a significant addition to India’s numismatic heritage and could be launched on national occasions like Independence Day or Republic Day, symbolizing the nation’s deep respect and gratitude.

Mr. Bhagat expressed hope that the Government of India will respond positively to this appeal, honouring the memory of Punjab’s freedom fighters with this symbolic gesture of national recognition.

Chandigarh, April 27:

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, today highlighted the remarkable role being played by Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) across the state in promoting electoral awareness among young voters. With over 3,000 ELCs actively functioning in schools, colleges, and universities, Punjab is witnessing a strong movement towards building an informed and participative electorate.

Set up with the objective of “learning while doing,” ELCs are engaging students in a wide range of innovative activities including debates, mock elections, poster competitions, pledge ceremonies, and voter awareness campaigns. These efforts are helping to inculcate the values of democratic participation and responsible citizenship among the youth.

Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Sibin C, said, “Through Electoral Literacy Clubs, we are investing in the future of democracy. Empowering students with electoral knowledge at an early stage ensures that they grow into active, aware, and responsible citizens.”

In a bid to document and promote the best initiatives, the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer had earlier launched ELC Patrika, an online newsletter featuring outstanding activities and success stories from ELCs across Punjab. ELC Patrika serves as a motivating platform, showcasing creativity, innovation, and dedication in electoral literacy efforts.

Taking a step further, the IT team at the Chief Electoral Officer’s office is developing a dedicated ELC Portal to streamline the functioning and monitoring of all ELCs in the state. The portal will enable easy uploading of photographs, videos, and reports of activities by the clubs, allowing for real-time tracking and evaluation at the head office level. This digital initiative is expected to further strengthen coordination and provide greater visibility to the vibrant activities of ELCs across Punjab.

Chandigarh/Jalandhar, April 27:

In a major action under the Punjab Government’s aggressive ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, Commissionerate Police Jalandhar demolished illegal constructions made by drug smugglers in village Lakhanpal, a locality long notorious as a major drug hotspot.

Leading the operation, Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said that village Lakhanpal, traditionally infamous for rampant drug sale and supply, had been under close surveillance. Acting swiftly, a joint team of the Panchayat Department and Jalandhar Commissionerate Police razed unauthorized structures built on government land by known drug peddlers. The action, focused on cutting the roots of the drug network, marks a significant step in reclaiming the area from the clutches of narcotics.

Police investigations revealed that the primary accused who encroached the Government land, Hardeep Singh alias Deepa— a history-sheeter — had 9 cases registered against him, including 7 under the NDPS Act. His father Sarbjit Singh and brother Sandeep alias Sonu also faced two criminal cases each.

Police Commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur said the demolished encroachment was being misused by drug peddlers to cross over rooftops and escape during police raids. “By removing these illegal structures, we have curtailed their escape routes. We intend to intensify our raids further and clean the village of its bad name once and for all,” she asserted.

Earlier, during the crackdown in this drug hotspot, nine drug peddlers were arrested, while several others fled, leaving their homes locked. In addition to the arrests, the police have identified two properties for freezing under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act to further tighten the noose around drug traffickers.

Highlighting the collective resolve against drugs, the village panchayat of Lakhanpal also passed a formal resolution banning the sale and consumption of drugs within the village, extending full support to the government’s anti-drug campaign.

The CP reiterated the commitment of the Commissionerate Police to eradicate drugs from the roots and appealed to citizens to come forward with information. She urged people to share any drug-related tips on the Punjab Government’s dedicated WhatsApp number 9779-100-200, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept strictly confidential.

The residents of Lakhanpal welcomed the bulldozer action against the drug mafia, expressing hope for a safer and drug-free future for the village.