CHANDIGARH, March 12:

          Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 12th day, Punjab Police on Wednesday conducted raids at 543 locations leading to the arrest of 118 drug smugglers after registration of 71 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 1658  in just 12 days.

          Police teams have also recovered 994 grams heroin, 4633 intoxicant tablets/pills/injections and Rs 1.47 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.

          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 in coming three months. 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 250 Police teams, comprising over 1600 police personnel, under the supervision of 102 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 659 suspicious persons during the day long operation

          He said that Punjab Police has devised a comprehensive strategy and such operations will be continued till the scourge of drugs eradicated from the state.

          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 19 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment, while, organised 154 awareness events across the state as part of Prevention.

          Meanwhile, Police teams have also conducted checking at as many as 281 pharmaceutical shops in five districts including Fatehgarh Sahib, Commissionerate Police Ludhiana, Ludhiana Rural, Khanna and Malerkotla to ensure that they are not selling intoxicant tablets or any other habit-forming drugs, and are adhering to the prescribed norms and regulations regarding the sale of medicines.

Chandigarh, March 12:

Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar today directed officials of the transport department to ensure government bus services on every route throughout the state.

While chairing a meeting to review the functioning of Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS, PRTC and the State Transport Commissioner’s office, S. Laljit Singh Bhullar instructed officials to expedite the process of purchasing new buses. He said that the department must achieve its targets in a timely manner and take steps to increase government revenue.

S. Bhullar also ordered necessary measures to purchase new BS-6 stage buses in accordance with guidelines that only BS-6 stage buses are permitted to operate at Delhi Airport to reduce pollution in Delhi. He further directed that the tender process for purchasing buses should be completed promptly.

The Cabinet Minister stressed to ensure maintenance and cleanliness of bus stands across the state, stating that public services operated by the department should be made more effective and service delivery must be ensured in a time-bound manner.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included PRTC Vice Chairman S. Balwinder Singh, Additional Chief Secretary Transport Mr. D.K. Tiwari, STC Mr. Jaspreet Singh, MD PUNBUS Mr. Rajiv Kumar Gupta.

Chandigarh, March 12:

Reaffirming the Punjab government’s commitment to honouring freedom fighters and their families, Cabinet Minister for Freedom Fighters Mohinder Bhagat chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials to review welfare initiatives and future plans aimed at their well-being.

The Minister emphasized that the state government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is dedicated to safeguarding the dignity and interests of freedom fighters and their dependents. He directed officials to ensure their concerns receive top priority in government offices.

During the meeting, Special Chief Secretary, Department of Freedom Fighters, Raji P. Srivastava, briefed the Minister on various welfare schemes. Discussions also focused on honouring freedom fighters at public functions and establishing a formal protocol for paying tributes on their death anniversaries.

The Minister instructed officials to expedite these initiatives, ensuring that eligible families receive government benefits without delay.

Among those present were Secretary, Department of Freedom Fighters, Gagandeep Singh Brar, Joint Secretary Lovejeet Kalsi, Superintendent Suman Lata and other senior officials.

Chandigarh, March 12

Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini flagged off a bus to Ayodhya under the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana’ from his residence, Sant Kabir Kutir, today. Before the departure, Chief Minister interacted with the pilgrims on board, and enquired about their well-being, and extended his best wishes for their journey.

The Chief Minister said that the government is implementing various welfare schemes for all sections of society. The Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana is one such initiative, offering free pilgrimage trips to senior citizens above the age of 60 years. The scheme is for people having annual income up to Rs. 1.80 lakh or less. About 46 passengers from Ambala and Panchkula are included in this yatra. They will visit Ayodhya, followed by Hanuman Garhi and Sarayu River. So far, more than 800 people have benefitted from this scheme. People interested in availing the benefits of the scheme must register on the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana portal.

Additional Director,  Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Sh. Vivek Kalia, and Press Secretary,  Sh. Praveen Attrey was also present.

Chandigarh, March 12

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, while making an announcement in the Assembly today, said that if Shamlat Deh land from any village in Haryana has been transferred to the Waqf Board, a thorough investigation of the same will be conducted. He said that a committee will be formed under the chairmanship of Rohtak Divisional Commissioner to investigate the Peer Bodhi issue, located on the Rohtak-Gohana road.  Karnal Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner Rohtak also serve as members of the committee. The committee will meticulously examine all relevant facts and records associated with this issue.

The Chief Minister said that the government has taken the Peer Bodhi issue, raised by a member in the House, very seriously. Preliminary investigations have revealed that in 1967-68, this land was Shamlat Deh land. In 1990, the Government of India notified the land in the name of the Punjab Waqf Board. Subsequently, this land was registered as a cemetery, and it is now in the name of the Waqf Board.

He said that the transfer of Shamlat Deh land to the Waqf Board is a very serious matter. He also raised questions about the forces and individuals responsible for the transfer of land and how it was carried out. After a long legal process, the land, in 2024, is now under the management of the Waqf Board and is being leased out.

The Chief Minister also assured that the state government is dedicated to the conservation of Johar, ponds, and reservoirs. To facilitate this, the state government amended the Haryana Gram Shamlat Land (Regulation) Act 2024, granting ownership rights to individuals living in houses up to 500 yards on Shamlat Deh land. However, it was stipulated that no houses can be built on land where there is a Johar, pond, or reservoir. The government has been dedicated to preserving these natural resources.

Chandigarh, March 12 – Haryana State Election Commissioner Sh. Dhanpat Singh said the counting of votes for Mayor/Pradhan and Ward members of various Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Municipalities of the state has been completed and election results have been declared. Certificates of election by the Returning Officer have also been issued to the winning candidates in all the concerned municipal bodies.

Election results for the post of Mayor in Municipal Corporations

 Independent candidate Dr. Indrajit Yadav won the post of Mayor in Municipal Corporation, Manesar. Here BJP candidate Sh. Sundar Lal remained in second place. Dr. Indrajit Yadav got 26,393 votes and Sh. Sundar Lal got 24,100 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Raj Rani defeated Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Seema Pahuja by 1,79,485 votes for the post of Mayor in Municipal Corporation-Gurugram. Smt. Raj Rani got 2,70,781 votes and Smt. Seema Pahuja got 91,296 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Praveen Joshi won the post of Mayor in Municipal Corporation-Faridabad by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Lata Rani by 3,16,852 votes. Smt. Praveen Joshi got 4,16,927 votes while Smt. Lata Rani got 1,00,075 votes.

BJP candidate Sh. Praveen Popli was the winner for the post of Mayor in Municipal Corporation-Hisar. He defeated Sh. Krishna Titu Singla of Indian National Congress by 64,456 votes. Sh. Praveen Popli got 96,329 votes and Sh. Krishna Titu Singla got 31,873 votes.

BJP candidate Sh. Ram Avtar won the Mayor post in Rohtak Municipal Corporation by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Sh. Surajmal Kiloi by 45,198 votes. Sh. Ram Avtar got 1,02,269 votes and Sh. Surajmal Kiloi got 57,071 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Renu Bala Gupta won the Mayor post in Karnal Municipal Corporation by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Sh. Manoj Wadhwa by 25,359 votes. Smt. Renu Bala Gupta got 83,630 votes and Sh. Manoj Wadhwa got 58,271 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Suman Bahamani won the Mayor post in Yamunanagar Municipal Corporation by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Kirana Devi by a margin of 73,319 votes. Smt. Suman Bahamani got 1,26,749 votes and Smt. Kirana Devi got 53,430 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Komal Saini won the Mayor post in Municipal Corporation-Panipat by defeating Indian National Congress’ Smt. Savita Sanjay Garg by 1,23,170 votes. Smt. Komal Saini got 1,62,075 votes and Smt. Savita Sanjay Garg got 38,905 votes.

Result of Mayor by-election in Municipal Corporation-Sonipat and Municipal Corporation-Ambala

In the by-election for Mayor post in Municipal Corporation-Ambala, BJP candidate Smt. Shailja Sandeep Sachdeva won by defeating Indian National Congress’ candidate Smt. Amisha Chawla by 20,487 votes. Smt. Shailja Sandeep Sachdeva got 40,620 votes and Smt. Amisha Chawla got 20,133 votes.

Similarly, BJP candidate Sh. Rajiv Jain was the winner in the by-election for Mayor post in Municipal Corporation-Sonipat. He defeated Indian National Congress candidate Sh. Kamal Dewan by 34,749 votes. Sh. Rajiv Jain got 57,858 votes and Sh. Kamal Dewan got 23,109 votes.

Election results for post of Pradhan (President) in Municipal Councils

BJP candidate Smt. Swarn Kaur won the post of Pradhan (President) in Municipal Council-Ambala Sadar by a margin of 26,923 votes. While independent candidate Smt. Mandeep Kaur Babyal remained in second place. Smt. Swarn Kaur got 58,891 votes and Smt. Mandeep Kaur Babyal got 31,968 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Praveen Thakaria defeated Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Rajrani Sudhir Chaudhary by 1,891 votes for the post of Pradhan (President) in Municipal Council Pataudi-Jatauli Mandi. Smt. Praveen Thakaria got 12,356 votes and Smt. Rajrani Sudhir Chaudhary got 10,465 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Maafi Devi won the Pradhan (President) post in Thanesar Municipal Council by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Sunita Kumari by 32,577 votes. Smt. Maafi Devi got 47,828 votes and Smt. Sunita Kumari got 15,251 votes.

BJP candidate Sh. Shanti Swaroop won the Pradhan (President) post in Sirsa Municipal Council by defeating Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Jaswinder Kaur by a margin of 12,379 votes. Sh. Shanti Swaroop got 41,061 votes and Sh. Jaswinder Kaur got 28,682 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Preeti was the winner in the by-election for the post of Pradhan (President) in Sohna Municipal Council. She defeated Indian National Congress candidate Smt. Lalita by 4,504 votes. Smt. Preeti got 11,191 votes and Smt. Lalita got 6,687 votes.

Election results for the post of Pradhan (President) in municipalities

In Nagar Palika Barara (Ambala), Independent candidate Sh. Rajat defeated Sh. Harjinder Singh of BJP by 1,993 votes for the post of Pradhan (President). Sh. Rajat got 6,307 votes and Sh. Harjinder Singh got 4,314 votes.

In Nagar Palika Bawani Khera (Bhiwani), BJP candidate Sh. Sundar Sharma won the post of Pradhan (President) by a margin of 1,385 votes. Sh. Sundar Sharma got 5,202 votes and Independent candidate Sh. Pankaj got 3,817 votes.

In Nagar Palika Siwani (Bhiwani), Independent candidate Smt. Vandana Kedia defeated Independent candidate Smt. Anu Lohiya by a margin of 1,251 votes for the post of Pradhan (President). Smt. Vandana Kedia secured 5,277 votes and Smt. Anu Lohiya secured 4,026 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Pradeep Kumar won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Loharu (Bhiwani) by a margin of 43 votes. Sh. Pradeep Kumar got 1,459 votes and his nearest rival independent candidate Sh. Rambhagat got 1,416 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Vikas Kumar won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Jakhal Mandi (Fatehabad). BJP candidate Sh. Surendra Mittal came second. Sh. Vikas Kumar got 4,571 votes and Sh. Surendra Mittal got 3,252 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Birbal Saini won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Farrukhnagar (Gurugram) by securing 3,364 votes. He defeated independent candidate Sh. Dharmendra Kumar (2,207 votes) by 1,157 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Shamsher Singh alias Kukkan was the winner for the post of Pradhan (President) in Nagar Palika Narnaund (Hisar) while independent candidate Sh. Kuldeep Gautam came second. Sh. Shamsher Singh got 4,639 votes and Sh. Kuldeep Gautam got 4,161 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Devendra Singh defeated independent candidate Sh. Ajit Kadian by a margin of 1,342 votes for the post of Pradhan (President) in Nagar Palika Beri (Jhajjar). Sh. Devendra Singh got 4,505 votes and Sh. Ajit Kadian got 3,163 votes.

In Nagar Palika Julana (Jind), BJP candidate Sh. Sanjay Kumar defeated independent candidate Sh. Joginder by a margin of 671 votes for the post of Pradhan (President). Sh.Sanjay Kumar got 3,771 and Sh. Joginder got 3,100 votes.

Independent candidate Smt. Hemlata won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Siwan (Kaithal) while BJP candidate Smt. Shaili Munjal came in second place. Smt. Hemlata got 3,594 and Smt. Shaili Munjal got 3,331 votes.

Independent candidate Smt. Babli Goswami won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Pundri (Kaithal) by defeating independent candidate Smt. Guddi Devi by a margin of 1,329 votes. Smt. Babli Goswami got 4,827 and Smt. Guddi Devi got 3,498 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Ankit Jaildar won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Kalayat (Kaithal). BJP candidate Sh. Mainpal came in second place. Sh. Ankit Jaildar got 5,824 and Sh. Mainpal got 2,862 votes.

BJP candidate Smt. Sanmeet Kaur won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Nilokheri (Karnal) by defeating independent candidate Sh. Prem Kumar by a margin of 1,412 votes. Smt. Sanmeet Kaur got 4,983 votes and Sh. Prem Kumar got 3,571 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Rakesh Kumar won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Indri (Karnal) by getting 4,863 votes and BJP candidate Sh. Jaspal came second by getting 3,911 votes.

Independent candidate Sh. Sanjay Kumar won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Ateli Mandi (Mahendragarh). He defeated independent Sh. Bhupesh Kumar by a margin of 456 votes. Sh. Sanjay Kumar got 2,351 votes and Sh. Bhupesh Kumar got 1,895 votes.

Independent candidate Rimpi Kumari won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Kanina (Mahendragarh) by getting 3,138 votes while independent candidate Smt. Suman Chaudhary came second with 2,572 votes.

Independent candidate Smt. Sunita Soni won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Tauru (Gurugram) by a margin of 117 votes. Independent candidate Smt. Payal Soni came second. Smt. Sunita Soni got 3,257 and Smt. Payal Soni got 3,140 votes.

In Nagar Palika Hathin (Palwal), BJP candidate Smt. Renu Lata defeated independent candidate Smt. Abha by a margin of 1,263 votes for the Pradhan (President) post. Smt. Renu Lata got 4,108 votes and Smt. Abha got 2,845 votes.

Independent candidate Smt. Nirmala Devi won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Kalanaur (Rohtak) by defeating independent candidate Smt. Sonia by a margin of 5,945 votes. Smt. Nirmala Devi got 9,339 votes and Smt. Sonia got 3,394 votes.

BJP candidate Sh. Heera Lal won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Kharkhoda (Sonipat) by defeating independent candidate Sh. Maxine by a margin of 4,425 votes. Sh. Heera Lal got 7,935 votes and Sh. Maxine got 3,510 votes.

BJP candidate Sh. Rajneesh Mehta won the Pradhan (President) post in Nagar Palika Radaur (Yamunanagar). He defeated independent candidate Sh. Dalip Kumar alias Rinku by 546 votes. Sh. Rajneesh Mehta got 3,659 votes and Sh. Dalip Kumar alias Rinku got 3,113 votes.

Similarly, in the by-election for the post of Pradhan (President) in Nagar Palika Assandh (Karnal), BJP candidate Smt. Sunita Rani won by defeating independent candidate Advocate Sonia Bohat by a margin of 3,221 votes. Smt. Sunita Rani got 4,651 votes and Advocate Sonia Bohat got 1,430 votes.

In the by-election for the post of Pradhan (President) in Nagar Palika Ismailabad (Kurukshetra), BJP candidate Smt. Megha Bansal won by defeating independent candidate Smt. Deepshikha by 311 votes. Smt. Megha Bansal got 2,766 votes and Smt. Deepshikha got 2,455 votes.

Chandigarh, March 12

Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said strict action will be taken against travel agents who send Haryana youth abroad illegally. He informed that the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025 and many agents working illegally have also been arrested after registration of cases.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda was responding to a calling attention motion brought by some members of the House during the budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly today regarding the fraud being committed in the name of sending people abroad illegally.

He said migration has been an integral part of human history, driven by the universal aspiration for a better life. For centuries, people have moved across borders in search of economic opportunities, security and improved living standards. Today, migration has become a defining global trend, with millions of people moving to different countries every year.

He said with globalization and technological advancement, migration routes have expanded. However, stringent immigration laws and limited legal options often force migrants to take alternate and at times illegal routes. This transforms migration from a pursuit of legal opportunity to a highly risky and illegal endeavour.

He said it is a fact that in Haryana, there has been an increase in the incidents of migration to other countries in recent years. Along with legal migration, incidents of illegal migration through the ‘Donkey Route’, are also coming to light. This is not only a problem of Haryana but is also prevalent in other states of the country like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and southern states where agents send individuals through several countries and then try to get them illegally entered in US and Canada. People who are unaware of immigration laws or are eager to go out of their homes are more likely to be exploited.

Investigations in various cases and interrogation of recently deported persons have revealed that these people desirous of going abroad first go to countries like Dubai, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand etc. from India on legal basis like work visa, tourist visa, study visa or visa on arrival. From there, these people use the donkey route to enter western countries like US and Canada illegally.

He said in view of this problem, the Haryana Government has taken several concrete steps to take strict action against illegal agents, strengthen law enforcement and make people, especially the youth, aware about the serious dangers of illegal migration. The state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in May 2020 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Karnal Range to dismantle the network of illegal agents. Thereafter, a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the state government in April 2023 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, which also included Superintendents of Police, Ambala and Kaithal. Through this, strict action is being taken against the criminals by thoroughly investigating all the cases of fraud and cheating related to illegal migration (Kabootarbaazi). He informed that the SIT has issued helpline number 80530-03400 for complaints related to illegal immigration. Under this, raids were conducted and the offices of fraudulent agents were sealed. The statements of the victims have proved helpful in understanding the modus operandi of these networks, leading to significant progress in the research.

He informed that police officers are tracing financial transactions, travel records and digital communications to take action against illegal migration networks. DSP level officers in each district have been appointed as nodal officers to monitor and supervise illegal immigration fraud cases.

He informed that during the last five years, a total of 2,008 illegal migration cases were registered by the SIT, in which 1,917 people were arrested and an amount of more than Rs 26.08 crore was recovered.

He said the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025, which aims to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity of travel agents. This bill will curb illegal and fraudulent activities and protect the interests of the residents of Haryana. He informed that registration of all travel agents/agencies operating in Haryana is mandatory. If any travel agent / agency is found involved in any illegal activity, its registration will be canceled. Operating as a travel agent/agency without a registration certificate will be a punishable offence.

Provision of punishment and fine, if found guilty, in cases of human trafficking or preparing fake documents is also there. The court will have the right to confiscate the property of the culprits and award appropriate compensation to the victim, which will be paid by the travel agent.

He informed that 332 deported Indians were repatriated by the US in February 2025 through three flights. Of the 104 Indians in the first flight on February 5, 33 were from Haryana. In the second flight on February 15, 116 Indians returned, of which 34 were from Haryana. The third flight on February 16 brought 112 Indians, of which 44 were from Haryana. Thus, of the total 332 deported citizens, the highest 126 (38%) were from Punjab, and 111 (33%) from Haryana. Arrangements were made to safely transport all 111 state residents to their native places.

The minister informed that the deportation of Indian citizens from the US is not a new development. A total of 15,896 Indians have been deported from 2009 to February 2025.

35 FIRs have been registered in respect of 111 persons deported recently in Haryana and 12 agents have been arrested from whom Rs 35.31 lakh has been recovered. Beyond law enforcement, the Haryana Government is also giving priority to the welfare and rehabilitation of the deported citizens. The returned citizens are being provided medical check-ups, psychological counselling and temporary support to help them re-adjust into society.

Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said the government is aware of the problem and multi-pronged steps are being taken to deal with it. While strict legal action is being taken against the agents and brokers involved in this heinous crime, a new law is being introduced in this session of the House to prevent such crimes in future. Also, efforts are being made at various levels to create awareness among the citizens to adopt legal path to pursue opportunities abroad.

He said that he assures the members of the Vidhan Sabha that the government is committed to protect the interests of the citizens and no culprit involved in illegal immigration cases will be spared.