TWO MORE OPERATIVES OF BKI TERROR MODULE HELD; ONE HAND-GRENADE RECOVERED

— DISCLOSURES OF ACCUSED ARRESTED IN NAWANSHAHR GRENADE ATTACK CASE LED TO THE ARREST OF THEIR AIDES

— ALL ACCUSED WERE ACTING ON DIRECTIONS OF CANADA-BASED BKI MASTERMINDS ZEESHAN AKHTAR AND AJAY GILL: DGP GAURAV YADAV

— ACCUSED PERSONS RETRIEVED TWO HAND GRENADES, ONE USED IN NAWANSHAHR GRENADE ATTACK CASE: AIG CI NAVJOT MAHAL

CHANDIGARH, August 19-Days after busting Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) terror module, Counter Intelligence Jalandhar has arrested two more operatives of the same module and recovered one 86P hand-grenade from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Vishavjit and Jackson, both residents of Shankar in Nakodar.

As per the information, Punjab Police had arrested five operatives, including Ritik Naroliya and Sonu Kumar alias Kali, and three juveniles, of the BKI module for their involvement in Nawanshahr Grenade Attack and recovered one 86P hand-grenade and one .30 bore pistol from their possession.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that acting swiftly on forward and backward linkages, CI Jalandhar, recovered one 86P Hand Grenade following the arrest of two BKI operatives Ritik Naroliya and a juvenile from Rajasthan, a few days back. The arrested accused’s disclosures led to the arrest of their aides Vishavjit from Kolkata— while he was trying to abscond to Malaysia), while, his accomplice Jackson has been arrested from Nakodar, which led to the recovery of the said hand grenade, he said.

The DGP said that all the arrested accused persons were acting on the directions of Canada based BKI masterminds Zeeshan Akhtar and Ajay Gill.

Sharing more details, AIG CI Navjot Singh Mahal said that preliminary investigations have revealed that accused Vishavjit and Jackson had retrieved two hand grenades from Beas through their associates in last week of July this year. Of which, one grenade was exploded in a liqour shop in SBS Nagar 10 days back by other members of this module, he said.

The AIG said that further investigations are ongoing in this case and more arrests are likely in coming days. A case FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Police Station State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, he added.

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KEEP STRICT 24×7 VIGIL ALONG RIVERS' EMBANKMENTS: BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL

WATER RESOURCES MINISTER CONDUCTS HIGH-LEVEL FLOOD CONTROL REVIEW MEETING WITH DCs AND DRAINAGE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS THROUGH VIDEO CONFERENCING

DIRECTS ADHERENCE TO ROSTER REGISTER FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING

PRIORITY FOCUS ON AFFECTED DISTRICTS OF HOSHIARPUR, TARN TARAN, KAPURTHALA, FEROZPUR AND FAZILKA

Chandigarh, August 19:Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, on Tuesday, presided over a comprehensive video conferencing meeting to review the ongoing flood situation across affected districts in the state. The high-level meeting included Deputy Commissioners of Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur and Fazilka districts along with all Executive Engineers (XENs) and Superintending Engineers (SEs) of the Drainage Department. The Cabinet Minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary Sh. Krishan Kumar and Chief Engineer (Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta.

During the detailed review meeting, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal directed to maintaining uncompromising vigilance along all rivers' embankments round-the-clock. He said that continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas of neighbouring Himachal Pradesh has resulted in elevated water levels across Punjab's river systems, necessitating heightened alert measures.

The Water Resources Minister issued categorical directions to all Deputy Commissioners to ensure strict 24×7 surveillance along rivers' embankments within their respective jurisdictions. He specifically instructed that roster registers for duty assignments must be meticulously maintained and strictly followed without any deviation to guarantee seamless monitoring operations.

During the comprehensive review, the Cabinet Minister was briefed about the current status of flood-affected areas by the Deputy Commissioners.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal directed the deployment of robust monitoring teams comprising field staff stationed at strategic locations along vulnerable stretches. He said that systematic sector-wise division of the entire flood-prone region would facilitate immediate response mechanisms and timely intervention measures.

The Minister reiterated instructions for adequate relief camps equipped with essential facilities including shelter, food distribution and medical assistance for displaced populations. He directed continuous assessment of the evolving situation and prompt implementation of preventive measures.

The Cabinet Minister gave clear directives for maintaining constant communication channels between district administrations and the Water Resources Department to ensure coordinated response efforts across all affected regions.

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Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar meets Transport Unions; assures Swift Resolution of Genuine Demands

Chandigarh, August 19:Punjab Transport Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar held a detailed meeting with the representatives of the Punjab Roadways/PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union and the Punjab Roadways (PUNBUS) State Transport Workers Union to deliberate on their demands.

The meeting was attended by the Union leaders including State President Mr. Resham Singh Gill, State General Secretary Mr. Shamsher Singh Dhillon, Senior Vice President Mr. Jaspal Singh Bajwa among others.

The Transport Minister was accompanied by Secretary Transport Mr. Varun Roojam, Managing Director PRTC Mr. B.S. Shergill, Director State Transport Mr. Rajeev Kumar Gupta along with senior officials of the Finance and Personnel Departments.

The Transport Minister apprised the union representatives of the steps already taken by the department in regard to their demands. He directed departmental officers to prepare a comprehensive proposal and hold deliberations with the Finance and Personnel Departments on the matter.

Reiterating the state government’s commitment, the Cabinet Minister assured the union leaders that all genuine demands would be addressed in a timely manner. He said that necessary legal procedures will be duly followed to resolve the issues at the earliest.

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Development of Government owned brand PUNJAB MART emphasized to promote foods of Punjab at global level

Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak directs ensuring quality meals under Right to Food

Minister reviews initiatives of Punjab State Food Commission

Creation of war room at Chandigarh Headquarter level suggested

Chandigarh, August 19:In order to make the Punjab foods spread their aroma globally, the Punjab State Food Commission (PSFC) has strongly advocated the develop of a Government owned brand PUNJAB MART which has been submitted to the Punjab Government.

Apprising the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak about the initiatives of the commission, the Chairman of the Chairman of the Commission Mr. Bal Mukand Sharma said that this initiative would go a long way in promoting the foods of Punjab at the international level.

The significance of ensuring rural employment in the State through the strengthening of Cooperative sector was also brought to the notice of Mr. Kataruchak. This would involve the synchronization of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Rural Development, Cooperation, Employment Generation departments as well as the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) and the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies.

The Minister in this regard exhorted the commission to learn from the best practices of other States.

It was also highlighted before the Minister that with a view to improve the nutritional security of the State, Nutritional Gardens based on Fruit Plants, Vegetables & Herbal Plants have been developed in the schools.

The Minister also reviewed the Mid Day Meal scheme aimed at providing school going students. The Anganwadis centres also came in for a review by the Minister besides the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) which provides integrated services for the development of children upto the age of 6 years, Pregnant Women and Nursing Mothers. The Poshan Abhiyaan initiative was also reviewed which includes Nutri Gardens known as Poshan Vatika - A small garden near an Anganwadi Centre where fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants are grown.

The Minister directed that there should be no compromise in ensuring quality meals to the people especially in situations of drought as part of the Right to Food as necessary to uphold Article 21 of the constitution of India. The Article 21 guarantees the fundamental right to live life with human dignity.

A Member of the Commission Vijay Dutt emphasized the creation of a War Room at the Chandigarh Headquarters for the centralized monitoring of the activities of the Commission.

Those present on the occasion included the Chairman of the Commission Bal Mukand Sharma, Member Secretary Kanu Thind and Members such as Jasvir Singh Sekhon, Vijay Dutt & Chetan Prakash Dhaliwal.

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‘YUDH NASHIAN VIRUDH’: ON DAY 171, PUNJAB POLICE CONDUCTS RAIDS AT 452 SITES; 151 DRUG SMUGGLERS HELD

*— OPERATION LEADS TO REGISTRATION OF 111 FIRs, RECOVERY OF 1.5KG HEROIN, ₹29K DRUG MONEY*

*— AS PART OF ‘DE-ADDICTION’, PUNJAB POLICE CONVINCE 84 PERSONS TO UNDERGO DE-ADDICTION TREATMENT*

CHANDIGARH, August 19-Continuing the war against drugs “Yudh Nashian Virudh” waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 171st day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 452 locations on Tuesday leading to the arrest of 151 drug smugglers after registration of 111 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. With this, the number of total drug smugglers arrested has reached to 26,542 in 171 days.

The raids have resulted in recovery of 1.5 kg heroin, 3122 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 28,990 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. 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 120 Police teams, comprising over 1100 police personnel, under the supervision of 76 gazetted officers have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 425 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he added.

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 84 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today.

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Select Committee of Punjab Vidhan Sabha holds meeting with Subject Experts pertaining to sacrilege of religious scriptures

• *Requests retired judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to give their valuable suggestions*

Chandigarh, 19 August 2025:Taking the sensitive issue of sacrilege of religious scriptures seriously, the Punjab Government has introduced a draft law to prevent sacrilege of religious scriptures - "The Punjab Prevention of Offences against Holy Scriptures Bill, 2025" in the Legislative Assembly, in this connection the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has constituted a Select Committee under the Chairmanship of S. Inderbir Singh Nijjar who is holding meetings every week to discuss this issue by getting people's opinions. Advertisements have been made in various newspapers on 31.7.2025 and 14.8.2025 to seek suggestions from the public and the committee is receiving a lot of suggestions from the public.

The committee meeting held on 12.8.2025 was attended by experts from Punjabi University, Patiala- Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Sandhu, Department of Sikhism, Dr. Gurmeet Singh Sidhu, Department of Religion, Dr. Dharamvir Singh, Department of Sikhism, Dr. Gurmail Singh, Dr. Jaswinder Singh and Dr. Tejinder Kaur, Department of Religious Studies. They discussed the issue with the committee and gave their valuable suggestions.

In today's meeting of the Select Committee, experts of religious studies from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar - Prof. Amarjit Singh, Head Sikh Studies, Chairman Dr. Syed Raihan Hasan Rizvi, Urdu Persian Department, Prof. Sunil Kumar, Head Hindi Department, Prof. Pawan Kumar, Law Department, Dr. Pintu Emerson, Department of Architecture, and Prof. Satnam Singh Deol, Head, Department of Political Science were present. They discussed this issue with the committee and gave their valuable suggestions regarding the bill.

The committee thanked all these Subject Experts. All the members including the chairman were present in the meeting of the select committee.

The committee has also requested the President, Bar Association and Chairman Bar Council, Punjab and Haryana High Court to give their suggestions in its next meeting to be held on 26.8.2025. The committee has also requested retired judges of the Punjab and Haryana High Court to provide their suggestions in writing to us.

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Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora launches "Rising Punjab-Suggestions to Solutions" series from Amritsar to get suggestions from industrialists

Now our investors need not to visit government offices, we will reach out to them – Arora

Chandigarh/Amritsar August 19:In order to give a big boost to the industry in Punjab under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, today Industries and Power Minister Mr. Sanjeev Arora launched “Rising Punjab - From Suggestions to Solutions” from the Guru's Holy city Amritsar to seek suggestions from the industrialists of Majha, which included industrialists from Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Batala and Pathankot besides Amritsar for improving industrial policy. Welcoming the dignitaries present on this occasion, he said that such events will be held in all the major cities of Punjab and today this is the first special event. He said that our aim is to spread awareness about new industry-friendly policies, create an environment for new investments and establish a direct dialogue between the government and the industrialists and I am confident that this initiative will open new doors for new investments, more employment and prosperity for the people in Punjab. The Cabinet Minister said that it is the responsibility to move from suggestions to solutions.

Addressing the industrialists, the Cabinet Minister said that he believes in action rather than words. He said that he has noted the suggestions of the industrialists and whatever work is to be done, it will be done in a few days. He said that Amritsar is the city of Gurus, the gateway of Punjab and it will become a beautiful city of the world. He praised the hospitality of Amritsar and said that there is immense potential for the hospitality industry here and the government will work for it.

Referring to five different notifications issued by the Punjab State Industries and Export Corporation in the past, the Cabinet Minister said that no other state government has given such schemes as our government has implemented for industrialists. He said that investors praise the Punjab government and we try to work for the industrialists, which is our duty. He said that you are our brand ambassador and it is our duty to solve your problems, whatever issues there may be, they will be solved. You pay taxes to the government, provide employment to our youth and it is my and my department's duty to take care of you. He also directed to construct Unity Mall in Amritsar and to immediately arrange fire brigade vehicles for industrial parks and focal points. He assured the industrialists that ESI Hospital would be further upgraded after getting funds from the Central Government.

He said that the industrial area of Goindwal Sahib, which has been neglected for a long time, will be made an industrial hub. He also invited the industrialists of Majha to participate in the Punjab Invest Summit to be held in Mohali on 13th and 14th March 2026.

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A separate authority to be formed for the maintenance of Industrial Focal Points – Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora

Ownership rights given to industrial plot holders from leasehold to freehold

Rs. 1 lakh 14 thousand crores invested in Punjab during our Government

Chandigarh/Amritsar August 19:Industries and Power Minister Shri. Sanjeev Arora said that the Punjab Government is going to form a separate authority for the maintenance of all Industrial focal points, which will solve all the problems of the industralists. He said that currently, we have floated tenders worth Rs 100 crore to upgrade the focal points, with which sewerage, CCTV cameras, lights, roads and other arrangements.Arora said that for the convenience of industrialists, we are going to made exhibition centers in Mohali, Amritsar and Ludhiana at the earliest.

Cabinet Minister Shri Sanjeev Arora said that for the development of industry in Punjab, “Rising Punjab - From Suggestions to Solutions”events are being organized in all major cities, which has been started from Amritsar today. He said that we are taking new initiatives for the industrialists and coming up with new plans. Talking about the achievements made so far, he added that an investment of Rs. 1 lakh 14 thousand crores crore has been made in Punjab so far, which has provided employment to four and a half lakh people. He said that we have resolved 42-year-old issues with the One Time Settlement Scheme, which has greatly benefited the plot holders. He said that we are giving ownership rights of the leasehold plot holders so that they can easily carry out their financial transactions.

He said that all approvals for setting up industries in Punjab will be done within 45 days and these approvals will start from the third to fourth day. He said that for this, there is no need to visit any office, you just have to apply on a portal. He said that our officers are resolving most of the issues of the industrialists over the phone and none of the industrialists feel the need to visit any office. He said that to take the industry to the top, we have formed 24 committees of different sectors, in which no member is a politician, but all the members are related to that industry.

The Cabinet Minister said that we are going to hold a Punjab Investment Summit in Mohali on March 13 and 14, in which we will invite all our industrialists, traders, NRI brothers and foreign companies, so that they can invest in Punjab. He also informed that the earlier approval limit for Right to Business, which was up to Rs 25 crore, has been increased to Rs 125 crore and it is being ensured that these approvals may be given within five to 15 days. He highlighted that our effort is to ensure that the tax paid by the industrialists is levied only on their focal points, their industrial parks, and for this we are going to form a special authority.

He revealed that last year we had given incentives worth Rs. 90 crore to the industrialists and now we have distributed Rs. 222 crore in just five months. He also said that we will never take bank guarantees from the industrialists in future. Sanjeev Arora today also visited the focal points of Amritsar along with the officials and instructed the officials to resolve all these problems at the earliest. On this occasion, MLA Mrs. Jeevanjot Kaur, Mrs. Saurabhi Malik Managing Director, Mr. Rahul Chaba Additional CEO Invest Punjab, Mr. Jaskaran Badesha Incharge Lok Sabha, Urban President Mr. Prabhbir Brar and other dignitaries were also present.

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