CHANDIGARH/SAS NAGAR, March 1:

          In a major action by the SAS Nagar Police and Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) amidst the ongoing fight against organised crime launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Gangster Malkiat alias Maxi sustained bullet injury on his left leg while unsuccessfully attempting to escape from the police custody near Ghagar bridge on Zirakpur-Ambala Highway in Dera Bassi, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          Gangster Maxi, a native of village Rodala in Rajasansi Amritsar, is an operative of foreign-based terrorist Goldy Brar and Gangster Goldy Dhillon and was operating an extortion racket on their behalf. Recently, Maxi and his accomplice identified as Sandeep alias Deep were arrested by the Patiala Police in Arms Act case, subsequently, both were brought on production warrant from Patiala Jail by SAS Nagar Police on Friday, in an extortion case wherein accused persons had targeted Mohali-based property dealer and demanded Rs 50 lakh extortion money in January 2025.

          DGP Gaurav Yadav said that following the disclosures of Maxi, a Police team led by DSP Dera Bassi Bikramjit Singh Brar was taking him for recovery of weapon, a .32 Calibre Pistol, that he confessed to have concealed at an isolated place at Zirakpur-Ambala Highway, intending to harm the victim property dealer.

          “Upon reaching the location, the accused opened fire at the police team in an attempt to flee from the custody, in self-defence and retaliatory fire by the police team, Maxi sustained a bullet injury in his left leg fire and has been shifted to Civil Hospital, Mohali for medical treatment,” he said.

          The DGP said that the weapon along with three cartridges and two used/empty casings has been recovered from his possession.

          Sharing more details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) SAS Nagar Deepak Pareek said that the arrested accused has a criminal history with cases pertaining to extortion and arms act registered against him. Further investigations are on, he added.

          A fresh case FIR no. 46 dated 01/03/2025 has been registered under sections 109, 132, 221 and 262 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and section 25 of the Arms Act at Police Station Dera Bassi in SAS Nagar. 

CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, March 1:

          Amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted an illegal weapon smuggling module with the arrest of on associate of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang and recovered six .32 bore pistols along with 10 cartridges from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

          The arrested accused has been identified as Gurbaaz Singh, a resident of village Warring Suba Singh in Tarn Taran. The latter has been facing at least eight criminal cases pertaining to attempt to murder, snatching, NDPS act, and violations of the Arms Act.

          Sharing operation details, DGP Gaurav Yadav said that a team of CI Amritsar received a reliable input that accused Gurbaaz Singh and his accomplice are active members of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria Gang and they are in possession of illegal weapons, which will be used by them for committing criminal acts in the border state.

          Information further revealed that Gurbaaz Singh is expected to deliver weapons to someone near Church in the area of Indian Institute of Management Amritsar at Amritsar-Tarn Taran Bypass Highway, he said, while adding that acting swiftly police teams conducted raid in the aforesaid area and successfully arrested the accused after recovering arms and ammunition from his possession.

          The DGP said that preliminary investigations have revealed the recovered firearms were smuggled from Madhya Pradesh for use in carrying out criminal activities in Punjab.

          He said that Police teams have also identified the key member of this module, who is in direct contact with gangtser Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, and raids are being conducted to nab him. Further investigations are in progress to trace the supply-chain and other persons involved in the illegal arms trade, he added.

          A case FIR No. 10 dated 28-02-25 has been registered under section 25 of the Arms Act and 61(2) and 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.

Chandigarh/ Sri Anandpur Sahib, March 1:

Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains today said that the globally-acclaimed festival of Hola Mohalla, a symbol of Sikh glory and Punjab’s illustrious history, is being celebrated at Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa. For this festival, which will be observed in Kiratpur Sahib from March 10 to 12 and in Sri Anandpur Sahib from March 13 to 15, the Rupnagar district administration has made a comprehensive arrangements for the convenience of devotees arriving from across the globe.

After reviewing the ongoing arrangements for Hola Mohalla here, S. Harjot Singh Bains said that the district administration led by Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and SSP Gulneet Singh Khurana is giving final touches to the Hola Mohalla arrangements. All departments have been instructed to complete foolproof arrangements in time for the convenience of pilgrims.

S. Bains informed that this year the festival area has been declared a “No Dark Zone” with all areas being illuminated. All welcome gates in the holy city are being decorated and the city has been brightened with LED lights.

He further elaborated that 22 parking areas have been prepared, from where free shuttle bus services and e-rickshaws will transport devotees to the holy shrines. The parking areas will have proper lighting, drinking water and toilet facilities. He said that Kiratpur Sahib has been divided into two sectors and Sri Anandpur Sahib into 11 sectors. In addition to the main control room, each sector will have sub-control rooms with officials on duty. For health services, dispensaries will be set up in all sectors, along with veterinary dispensaries for the horses of Nihang Singhs, hundreds of clean drinking water battery taps and temporary toilets.

An appeal has also been made to pilgrims to keep this year’s Hola Mohalla pollution-free, green and plastic-free. Besides this, shopkeepers and commercial establishments have been specifically requested not to create traffic obstacles through temporary illegal encroachments on roads. Dedicated teams have been formed to check the quality of food and beverages. Entry of beggars into the festival area has been prohibited and the sale of drugs and alcohol in the festival area has been banned, he added.

He informed, during this year’s Hola Mohalla, Virasat-e-Khalsa complex will remain open continuously throughout the day without any breaks, adding that adventure sports (hot air balloon) and boating facilities will be available at Virasat-e-Khalsa. A craft fair will be organized at Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Khalsa College to showcase Punjab’s progress and prosperity. He said that a special cleanliness drive has begun in the festival area, with special efforts for plastic and disposable waste collection and waste management. Similarly, baby feeding centers have been established for nursing mothers. Ambulance and fire brigade services have also been arranged.

Harjot Singh Bains categorically said that special security arrangements are also being made for the convenience of pilgrims. 4,500 police officers and personnel will be deployed during Hola Mohalla. CCTV cameras and high observation posts will monitor the entire festival area. He said that stern warnings have been issued in advance to anti-social elements, drug dealers, troublemakers and Miscreants.

He said that smooth traffic management plans have been implemented and route diversions have been arranged for vehicles coming from surrounding areas.

The Cabinet Minister said that Hola Mohalla is a prominent festival among those celebrated in our country.

“The security and comfort of pilgrims is our responsibility so helplines have been established for complaints, convenience and security”, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that Lost and found and help desks are being set up. Six LED screens in the festival area will provide pilgrims with all necessary information. Strong network connectivity will be ensured by installing mobile towers. He urged the pilgrims to visit Sri Anandpur Sahib during Hola Mohalla wholeheartedly and pay obeisance.

Mohali, February 25

In order to prevent dengue fever cases in the upcoming season, the district health department is imparting sensitization training to Nursing college students in the district. Civil Surgeon Dr Sangeeta Jain said that the district team under District Epidemologist Dr Anamika Soni has trained around 1500 students of various Nursing colleges and sensitized them on symptoms, causes, prevention and treatment of the killer disease.

She said that the purpose behind this drive is to get involved Nursing students in the anti-dengue drive and to give a boost to the checking, spraying and awareness campaign Har Shukarwar, Dengu te war” launched by the Punjab Government recently. Moreover, this is also a part of their studies. Students have been taught about that Dengue is a viral infection that spreads from Aedes aegypti mosquito to people. Dengue Symptoms include sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, Skin rash, fatigue, nausea, vomiting etc. Self-medication should be avoided if dengue symptoms occur. The prevention method is that water should not be let stagnate anywhere in and around homes and other places as the mosquito prefers to breed in clean, stagnant water easily found in our homes. If for some reason dengue fever occurs, there is no need to panic. The patient should visit a government health facility where dengue test and treatment is absolutely free. The health department’s helpline number 104 may also be contacted. Photo Caption : Dr Anamika Soni imparting training to students.

Chandigarh, February 24, 2025: Kamal Soi, Member of the National Road Safety Council, Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, and Chairman of Raahat – The Safe Community Foundation, has raised serious concerns over the Punjab government’s move to take control of driving license (DL) and registration certificate (RC) issuance.

Addressing a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club today, Soi highlighted that 268 employees have already lost their jobs due to this transition. He referred to the Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on February 10, 2025, which mandates that the Transport Department will oversee the personalization of data, issuance, and distribution of final personalized smart cards post-supply.

Concerns Over Corruption and Inefficiency

Soi criticized the move, arguing that government control over a project previously managed by a system integrator will lead to increased corruption, inefficiency, and inconvenience for the public. He emphasized that system integrators bring in skilled professionals, including IT specialists and project managers, whose expertise is now at risk of being disregarded.

He said, over 5 lakh people in Punjab are waiting for DLs and RCs and are left in the lurch and are being subjected to inconvenience, which will only lead to corruption. Moreover Why driving tests are not being conducted by the government in Punjab”, he questioned.

“In a startling revelation, I had earlier addressed a press conference on February 7 about the public inconvenience due to delays in DL and RC issuance. It appears that in a hasty response, the Transport Department issued the RFP on February 10, 2025, for the selection of an agency to supply smart cards. However, the department has decided to manage critical functions of data personalization and distribution itself, which is a cause for major concern,” Soi stated.

Potential Failure of Implementation

According to Soi, this move could lead to complete failure and chaos at the implementation stage, as the Transport Department lacks the necessary expertise, infrastructure, and workforce. He pointed out that the department does not have access to NIC’s (National Informatics Centre) Vahan and Sarathi ecosystem, which is essential for data handling. Furthermore, critical steps such as data deployment in a print-ready format, quality control in DL/RC printing, and proper dispatch management require specialized expertise.

Need for Transparency and Efficiency

Soi warned that government involvement in issuing DLs and RCs could lead to conflicts of interest and favoritism, thereby reducing transparency and efficiency. He noted that private sector firms operate under competitive market forces and performance-based incentives, ensuring better accountability than government-managed operations.

He urged the Transport Department to reconsider its decision and amend the RFP to allow the selected agency to manage data personalization and issuance of smart cards. He also suggested that until a new vendor is appointed, the DL & RC project in Punjab should be managed by NICSI (National Informatics Centre Services Inc.), which has a credible track record in the transportation sector for over 25 years.

“The public should not suffer due to administrative inefficiencies. It is crucial that the government ensures a seamless, transparent, and accountable process for issuing DLs and RCs while also safeguarding employment for skilled professionals in the private sector,” Soi concluded.