IED PLANTED UNDER SI’s CAR CASE: PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS MAIN PERPETRATOR, HIS TWO AIDES FROM HIMACHAL PRADESH

IEP CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, September 23

:In a major blow to ISI-backed terror networks amid the ongoing decisive war against anti-social elements launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Police on Friday arrested the main perpetrator and eighth accused, identified as Yuvraj Sabharwal alias Yash, who had retrieved and planted an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) beneath the Sub-Inspector’s car in Amritsar on the directions of Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa.Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said that in an intelligence led operation, Yuvraj, a resident of Navi Abadi Faizpura, was arrested from Kullu in Himachal Pradesh. Yuvraj is a history-sheeter and was involved in various heinous crimes including attempt to murder, robbery and dacoity, etc, he added.He said that along with Yuvraj, the Police have also arrested his two aides identified as Pawan Kumar alias Shiva Macchi and Sahil alias Macchi, both residents of Chamrang Road at Amritsar, who have criminal-backgrounds and are wanted by the Amritsar Police in multiple other cases including murder, snatching, robbery, dacoity, etc. Both the accused were arrested in Dacoity case registered at Police Station Majitha Road in Amritsar, while, their role in IED case registered at Police Station Ranjit Avenue in Amritsar is also being examined.The development came four weeks after the Punjab Police had arrested seven persons including Deepak (22) of village Patti in Tarn Taran, who accompanied Yuvraj in retrieving and planting the IED under the SUV Bolero (PB02-CK-0800) of SI Dilbag Singh parked outside his residence in the area of C-Block Ranjit Avenue, Amritsar on August 16, 2022. The mobile phone-triggering IED weighing about 2.79 Kg and carrying about 2.17 Kg high explosive was recovered from the spot by the local police.Six other persons, who were arrested for providing logistic, technical and financial support have been identified as dismissed constable Harpal Singh, and Fatehdeep Singh, both residents of village Sabra in Tarn Taran; Rajinder Kumar alias Bau of Harike in Tarn Taran; Khushalbir Singh alias Chittu, Varinder Singh alias Abu and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, trio residents of Bhikhiwind.DGP Gaurav Yadav said that with the arrest of Yuvraj, the Police have successfully managed to arrest all the accused persons involved in the case, while, strenuous efforts are being made to extradite the Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa, who conspired this entire conspiracy with intention to disturb hard-earned peace and harmony of the border state.”With Chief Minister Punjab Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government having adopted zero-tolerance anti-social elements, the Punjab Police is committed to wipe out Gangsters and Drugs from the state,” the DGP reiterated.Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Arun Pal Singh said that Police have procured seven days remand of Yuvraj and further investigations are on.  BOX: WHO IS LANDA?Lakhbir Landa (33), who is native of Tarn Taran and fled to Canada in 2017, had also conspired the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) terror attack at Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali. He is considered to be the close aide of Pakistan-based wanted gangster Harvinder Singh alias Rinda, who had joined hands with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI).

IEP Ekta Nagar (Gujarat)/Chandigarh, September 23

“For the maintenance and cleanliness of the environment, the Punjab government has imposed a complete ban on plastic carry bags, the rules of this ban must be strictly enforced so that such a ban is uniformly imposed across the country. Therefore, the union government should take the initiative to make such a common policy, because taking care of the environment is a common responsibility of all of us.”

It was stated by Punjab Environment Minister Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer during his address today on the first day of the two-day national conference of State ministers of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Meet Hayer said that on the instructions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Environment and Punjab Pollution Control Board is making continuous efforts to maintain the environment. He also said that the state government has once imposed a complete ban on the manufacture, purchase, sale and use of plastic carry bags.

The Environment Minister said that there is a ban on plastic bags by the Punjab government, whether it is 75 micron or 100 micron, but as there is no ban on such bags in other states, the industries of Punjab complain that such a ban is not imposed by other states and the Centre.

Meet Hayer put a demand before the Union government that if there is to be a ban on plastic carry bags, then the complete ban should be consolidated because keeping the environment clean is the joint responsibility of all the states. Like Punjab, the task of imposing a ban in all states is under the jurisdiction of the central government. He also demanded that incentive should be given to such industries to switch from plastic manufacturing.

Meet Hayer further said that Mandi Gobindgarh will be the first city in the northern area where the conventional fuels in all of the industries are to be replaced with cleaner fuel i.e. PNG. About 240 units are likely to switch over to cleaner fuel. Presently, about 140 units have already switched over to the cleaner fuel.

The Minister further said that in terms of the management of contaminated Bio Medical Waste, Punjab is the first state to adopt Bar Code based collection to avoid any pilferage and illegal disposal.

The minister was accompanied by Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairman Prof. Adarsh Pal Vig.

IEP Chandigarh, September 23

Assailing the BJP led Centre Government for denying political clearance for the knowledge exchange tour on Green Hydrogen to Germany, Belgium and Netherlands, Punjab New and Renewable Energy Sources Minister Mr. Aman Arora questioned BJP that why it is politically so insecure from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership that it resorted to cheap tactics like denying political clearance for an official tour to abroad.

This is not for the first time that the centre government denied permission to AAP leaders, said Mr. Aman Arora while adding that earlier, it had denied permission to Mr. Arvind Kejriwal, AAP National Convenor and Delhi Chief Minister to visit Singapore to represent India at the World Cities Summit, he added.

Interestingly, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, GoI had cleared a list of 13-member delegation including Mr. Aman Arora on September 14, 2022, but the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has not issued political clearance to the Punjab New & Renewable Energy Sources Minister.

The Cabinet Minister said that this tour was sponsored by Indo-German Energy Forum. Neither centre, nor the state government will have to bear any financial burden.

The Cabinet Minister further added that the success of people friendly policies of AAP has presented a strong challenge to the BJP’s model of hate and lies. He said that AAP is all set to broom the BJP’s presence from the political map of India and the Saffron leadership has read it written clearly on the wall.

“This knowledge sharing tour from 24th September to 2nd October, 2022 was of much importance for planning and developing new & renewable energy resources in the state to meet future requirements besides ensuring a green and clean environment,” said Mr Aman Arora while adding that the union government’s such unnecessary interference would be a threat to the federal structure of the nation.

Mr. Aman Arora said that the BJP has even forgotten the glorious traditions of Indian democracy. He reminded the BJP that Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was leader of opposition when the then Prime Minister Mr. PV Narasimha Rao had chosen him to lead the delegation to the UN.

IEP Chandigarh, September 23

Punjab School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday exhorted that the State Government will complete the process to regularize the services of Education Providers in just three months.The Cabinet Minister further informed that notification regarding the process of services regularization will be issued soon.Mr. Bains said that the employees working with education department will be made regular when the necessary conditions for regularization are fulfilled in pursuance with the decision.The Education Minister said that he eagerly wanted to regularize the services of contractual and other employees of education department so that they will get their dues timely. He informed that the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Maan is committed to the welfare of the employees and this has been proved with the decision to regularize the services of 8736 teachers on Teacher’s Day. However the process to resolve the matter of computer teachers is underway. He acknowledged that school education is the core area of concern of our government.Mr. Bains said that the long-pending demand of contractual employees of the education department has been fulfilled by implementing the first recommendation in letter and spirit of the sub-committee formed to make policy for regularization the services of such employees of various departments. 

IEP Chandigarh, September 23

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker, Mr. Kultar Singh Sandhwan congratulated all the people on the Aagman Purb of the great Sufi Saint Baba Farid Ji.

Mr. Sandhwan said that Baba Sheikh Farid ji gave the message of peace, brotherhood and harmony to the people in his Bani. The verses composed by him have more relevance in the present materialistic society. The Vidhan Sabha Speaker has appealed to the people to follow the path of Baba Farid ji and live with mutual love. He said that with this we can build a better society.

It is worth noting that 112 holy shlokas and 4 holy Shabad of Baba Farid ji are also included in Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

IEP CHANDIGARH/JALANDHAR, September 23

As part of the ongoing drive launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to make Punjab a crime-free state, Punjab Police has busted an ISI-backed terror module jointly handled by Canada-based gangster Lakhbir Singh alias Landa and Pakistan-based Gangster Harvinder Singh Rinda with the arrest of its two operatives, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Friday.Pertinently, Canada-based Landa is considered to be the close aide of Pakistan-based wanted gangster Harvinder Singh alias Rinda, who had joined hands with Babbar Khalsa International (BKI), and they have close ties with the ISI.  Landa had played a key role in conspiring the Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) terror attack at Punjab Police Intelligence Headquarters in Mohali and had also planted an IED beneath Sub-Inspector Dilbag Singh’s car in Amritsar.Those arrested have been identified as Baljit Singh Malhi (25) of village Jogewal in Ferozepur and Gurbaksh Singh alias Gora Sandhu of village Buh Gujran in Ferozepur.Divulging more details, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that in an intelligence-led operation by AIG Counter Intelligence Jalandhar Navjot Singh Mahal, the police teams have managed to arrest both the accused persons. The police have also recovered one sophisticated AK-56 assault rifle along with two magazines, 90 live cartridges and two bullet shells from a location pinpointed by Gurbaksh Singh at his village, he added.He said that the preliminary investigations revealed that Baljit was in touch with Italy-based Harpreet Singh alias Happy Sanghera, and on latter’s directions Baljit had picked consignment of weapons from a pinpointed spot at Makhu-Lohian road near the sanctuary in village Sudan in July 2022. Later, they concealed the consignment at fields owned by Gurbaksh in his village after conducting test fires, he added.He said that it has also been ascertained that Baljit was in direct contact with dreaded gangsters including Canada-based Lakhbir Landa and Arsh Dalla. Further investigations are on and more recoveries of weapons are expected soon, he added.The DGP said that the war against gangsters waged by Punjab Police on directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will continue till Punjab emerges as a Gangster-free state.Meanwhile, an FIR No. 29, dated 22.09.2022 has been registered under sections 10, 13, 18 and 20 of the UA(P) Act and section 25 of the Arms Act at SSOC Amritsar.

IEP Chandigarh, September 23

The Punjab government led by Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann is continuously making efforts to provide basic facilities and clean environment to the people of the state. Working in the same direction, the state government has decided to dispose of garbage and solid waste using modern technology.

Divulging details, Local Government Minister, Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar said that State Government has decided to spend Rs. 351.17 lakh for the disposal of garbage and solid waste with modern technology in different places of Punjab. The tender process has been started in this regard.

Dr.Nijjar said that getting rid of garbage and solid waste problems at Payal, RaiKot in the state. Apart from this, garbage and solid waste at Samrala and Jagraon will also be disposed of in a scientific manner so that the environment can be made clean and pollution free. Similarly, Malout will also be beautified under this decision.

The Minister said that disposal of garbage and solid waste at dump sites with modern technology will not only clean the environment but also help prevent many dangerous diseases that spread among the people.

The Minister directed the departmental officials to ensure completion of these works in a timely manner.

IEP Chandigarh September 22

The procurement of the Kharif crops in Haryana will start from  October 1. Ensuring hassle-free procurement is our utmost priority. 

This was stated by  Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while chairing a high-level meeting with the officers concerned regarding procurement arrangements held here today in the late evening.

Agriculture and Farmers” Welfare Minister, Sh. J.P Dalal also remained present in the meeting.

“Ensure adequate arrangements are made for the farmers bringing their crops to the Mandis,” directed Sh. Manohar Lal.  

During the marketing season 2022-23, crops like paddy, millet, maize, moong, sunflower, groundnut,  til, arhar and urad etc. will be procured.  Adequate arrangements for mandis have been made for smooth procurement. 

The Chief Minister said that procurement of crops should be done in a time-bound manner. Besides this adequate arrangements should be made for the safe storage and proper availability of gunny bags in the mandis.

He said that Meri Fasal – Mera Byora Portal has again been reopened for the next three days (September 22 to 24), therefore farmers who could not register themselves due to any reason can ensure their registration at the earliest. 

The Chief Minister directed the officers of the Agriculture Department to rectify the verified data of e-Girdawari with their data and data collected by  HARSAC  within the next two days and the same should be sent to the CRO through the  Deputy Commissioners. 

Furthermore, the CRO should also be directed to rectify this data in the next 3 days and ensure to upload the update on the portal at the earliest, directed Manohar Lal. 

He said that as before, help desks should be set up in the mandis so that farmers should not face any problem while visiting the mandis.   Officers of the Marketing Board, Agriculture and concerned departments will be deployed at this help desk to redress the grievances of farmers.

Additional Chief Secretary Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, Dr Sumita Misra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister,  V Umashankar, Commissioner and Secretary, Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department Pankaj Agarwal, Director General, Agriculture Department, Hardeep Singh and Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister,  K Makarand Pandurang and other senior officers also remained present.

IEP Chandigarh, September 22

In order to  provide secure and uninterrupted high speed network connectivity in 244 Police Stations of Haryana, bandwidth speed up to 10 Mbps has been extended. With this high-speed network connectivity, the database of all crimes and criminals will be updated on the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System (CCTNS). The remaining police station will also be equipped with Bandwidth speed up to 10 MBPS by the end of this year. It is noteworthy that Haryana is among the top states in the country in the CCTNS system.

While presiding over the 22nd meeting of the State Apex Committee of CCTNS-Haryana, the Chief Secretary, Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal directed the officers to prepare the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for further use of the data collected by the State Crime Records Bureau, so that the data relating to all crimes and criminals can be onboard. Apart from this, the SOP should also mention the supervisory officer, the rule book and the time frame related to the proceedings.

The Chief Secretary directed that a comparative chart should be prepared after studying the various initiatives and techniques being used in other states related to data update and report generation in CCTNS. Accordingly, suitable technology should be adopted in Haryana. He said that for better implementation of CCTNS, data of various concerned departments like prisons, health etc. should also be integrated.

It was informed in the meeting that upgrading the CCTNS system will improve the functioning which will ensure a better and robust system of monitoring. New modules are being prepared for this. Under this, it will be easy to search FIR according to its section or the specified recorded section, which will make it easier to find information regarding the old cases. Integration with FSL, e-Courts, e-Prosecution, LMS and Health Department will be done with CCTNS.

It was informed in the meeting that the State Crime Record Bureau has been designated as the nodal agency for the implementation of CCTNS-ICJS (Inter-operable Criminal Justice System). The officers at the level of Commissioner of Police, Inspector General of Police and Additional Director General of Police, DCP and Superintendent of Police have been designated as nodal officers for CCTNS in their jurisdiction. The Crime Records Bureau has been set up at the district level to promote the use of CCTNS for the evaluation of crime data.

It was informed in the meeting that through CCTNS implemented with the objective of preventing crime in the state, there has been more efficiency in the functioning of the police, as a result of which Haryana is among the top states in the country in the CCTNS system.

The meeting was attended by the Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sh. T.V.S.N. Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance and Planning Departments, Sh. Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department, Sh. Anand Mohan Sharan, Director General of Police, Sh. PK Agrawal and other officers were present.