Mann Government Committed to Strengthening Child Rights Protection and Juvenile Justice

Dr. Baljit Kaur Releases Comprehensive Research Report on Restoration Mechanisms under the Juvenile Justice Act

Says, Findings Will Play a Vital Role in Enhancing Rehabilitation Responses to Juvenile Delinquency in Punjab

Chandigarh, May 20:The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, continues to take significant steps towards safeguarding child rights and strengthening the juvenile justice system in the state. In a major initiative in this direction, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur released a comprehensive research report titled "Juvenile Delinquency and Institutional Framework: An Evaluation of Restoration Mechanisms under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 in Punjab."

The event witnessed the presence of Special Chief Secretary, Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Mrs. Raji P. Shrivastava; Chairperson, Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, Mr. Kanwardeep Singh; Vice-Chancellor of Punjabi University, Patiala, Prof. Karamjeet Singh; Director, Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Dr. Shena Aggarwal; Secretary of the Punjab State Child Rights Commission, Mrs. Vimmi Bhullar; and Joint Director, Mr. Rajwinder Singh Gill, among others.

The Cabinet Minister informed that this research project was commissioned by the Punjab State Commission for Protection of Child Rights to Punjabi University, Patiala, with the objective of conducting a comprehensive state-wide evaluation of the restoration procedures and institutional responses under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Further elaborating, Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that the report, authored by Principal Investigator and Assistant Professor Dr. Gautam Sood, with contributions from gender specialist Dr. Prerna Singh and research assistant Mrs. Jasmeen Kaur, presents an in-depth, state-wide study. It evaluates institutional frameworks and rehabilitation mechanisms available for children in conflict with the law under the Juvenile Justice Act.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment to child protection and reiterated the state’s resolve to act upon the key recommendations of the report.

“This study brings essential focus on the gaps and opportunities within our juvenile justice system. Its findings will lead us in enhancing rehabilitation responses to juvenile offences in Punjab,” said the Minister.

Presenting the study’s key highlights, Dr. Gautam Sood emphasized the importance of capacity building, service convergence, and sensitization of stakeholders. He stated, “This evaluation highlights the critical role of institutional coordination, community-based interventions, and the fundamental values of restorative justice for children in conflict with the law.”

Commending the research team’s efforts, Chairperson Mr. Kanwardeep Singh remarked that the report underscores the need to deepen the integration of child rights within the justice system. He stressed that every child, irrespective of their involvement in any judicial process, must have their rights fully protected.

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PAK-ISI BACKED TERROR MODULE BEHIND ATTEMPTED GRENADE ATTACK IN BATALA; SIX OPERATIVES HELD

— MODULE OPERATED BY PORTUGAL-BASED MANINDER BILLA AND BKI MASTERMIND MANNU AGWAN: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ARRESTED ACCUSED JATIN KUMAR WAS INJURED IN EXCHANGE OF FIRE WHILE BEING TAKEN FOR RECOVERY: SSP BATALA SUHAIL QASIM MIR

CHANDIGARH/BATALA, May 20:In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a safe and secure state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Batala Police has busted a Pak-ISI backed Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module— being operated by foreign-based handlers Maninder Billa and Mannu Agwan on the directions of terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda— with the arrest of its six members involved in attempted grenade attack outside a liquor vend in Batala, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

As per the information, some unidentified bike-borne youth had lobbed a hand grenade outside a liquor vend in the Focal Point area of Batala on May 17, 2025, which failed to explode due to faulty assembly, preventing any untoward incident.

Those arrested have been identified as Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, Barinder Singh alias Sajan, Abraham alias Rohit and Sunil Kumar, all resident of Shukarpura in Batala, Rahul Masih of Harnam Nagar of Batala and Sohit of Qila Des Raj of Batala. Police teams have also recovered one .30 bore pistol from their possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused persons were receiving direct instructions from Portugal-based Maninder Billa and BKI mastermind Mannu Agwan, who has recently assumed operational charge after the arrest of Happy Passian in the USA.

He said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the module had been directed by its

foreign handlers to lob a grenade at any liquor vend with the intent to spread fear among

contractors, thereby creating a conducive environment for extortion demands. Further investigations are ongoing to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, said the DGP.

Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala Suhail Qasim Mir said that following the incident of attempted grenade attack, multiple police teams were tasked to investigate using technical and human intelligence inputs. In a record time, six accused involved in lobbing, logistics and finances were traced and arrested, he added.

The SSP said that during the operation, arrested accused Jatin Kumar alias Rohan, who is the main executor of the attack, sustained bullet injuries in an exchange of fire with police while being taken for recovery of weapon. In bid to escape, the accused opened fire at police team and injured retaliatory fire, he said, while adding that accused Jatin has been admitted at the local Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

He said that probe has found that the grenade had been assembled by the accused based on instructions received via a video call from Maninder Billa and another unknown individual, without any technical knowledge. Due to this, the assembly was faulty and led to the grenade not detonating, he added.

A case FIR No 148 dated May 17, 2025 has already been registered under sections 4 and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act at Police Station Civil Lines in Batala, while, sections 111 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and sections 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 18-B, and 20 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) have been added.

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Punjab Government to Launch Two Ambitious Schemes Worth Rs 315 Crore for Providing Water to Rural Populace: Mundian

Reiterates Commitment to Ensure Well-Being of Every Section of Society

Chandigarh, May 20 –Reaffirming the firm commitment of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to provide potable drinking water to the residents of the state, the Punjab government will soon launch two ambitious schemes worth around Rs 315 crore.

Divulging the details, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Mr. Hardeep Singh Mundian said that these projects aim to strengthen rural drinking water infrastructure and ensure the long-term sustainability of supply systems. He informed that a project for the augmentation/bifurcation of 144 rural water supply schemes in 22 districts of Punjab, amounting to Rs 159.95 crore, has already been approved. Mr. Mundian stated that with this initiative, potable drinking water will be adequately delivered to residents of 176 villages, covering a current population of about 3.05 lakh people.

The Minister added that, in addition, a proposal for the augmentation/bifurcation of 125 rural water supply schemes in 21 districts of Punjab, amounting to Rs 153.22 crore for the year 2025–26, is also in the pipeline. This project is expected to benefit residents of 175 villages with a combined current population of approximately 3.20 lakh. Mr. Mundian said that the implementation of these schemes will not only improve public health outcomes but also contribute to the social and economic upliftment of the rural populace.

The Cabinet Minister reiterated that improving the standard of living and quality of life in rural communities is a key priority of the state government. He said this initiative will go a long way in ensuring tangible benefits for the rural population, adding that the state government is leaving no stone unturned in this endeavor. Mr. Mundian affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the overall well-being of every section of society.

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YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH: PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCES 7673 SUBSTANCE USERS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT

— YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH CONTINUES AS POLICE ARREST 125 DRUG SMUGGLERS WITH 7.6KG HEROIN AND ₹11.84L DRUG MONEY ON DAY 80

CHANDIGARH, May 20:With the Punjab Government adopted compassionate approach towards drug addicts amidst the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ launched on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police has convinced as many as 7673 persons with substance use disorder to undergo de-addiction treatment since the launch of the campaign on March 1, 2025.

Pertinently, the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy— Enforcement, De-addiction and Prevention (EDP)— to eradicate drugs from the state. Since the launch of the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, Punjab Police under the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav has been cracking down on drug smugglers and peddlers, while also encouraging substance users to undergo de-addiction treatment.

Divulging details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla said that since the launch of Yudh Nashian Virudh, Police teams have got admitted 4228 substance users at the different De-Addiction Centres, while, 3445 individuals struggling with addiction have been taken to the Out-Patient Opiad Assisted Treatment (OOAT) Centres.

He said that Punjab Government has ramped up the de-addiction treatment facilities across the state to accommodate the victims of substance use.

Meanwhile, Police teams have continued its cordon and search operation (CASO) against drugs on Day 80, and conducted raids at 475 locations on Tuesday leading to the arrest of 125 drug smugglers after registration of 84 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 12275 within 80 days.

The Special DGP said that the raids have resulted in recovery of 7.6 kg heroin, 2 kg opium and Rs 11.84 lakh drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers. Over 200 Police teams, comprising over 1400 police personnel, under the supervision of 95 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state and checked as many as 516 suspicious persons during the day long operation, he added.