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38 NDRF Teams In Punjab, U’khand, Himachal Carry Out Rescue Op

By LokMarg 10th July 2023

A total of 38 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deployed in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh as relentless rain continued to lash these states for the third straight day in a row, putting normal life out of gear.

As the rain across the northern parts of the country has killed over 20 people, as well as caused landslides and flash floods in the region, the NDRF’s 15 teams are deployed in Punjab, 12 in Uttarakhand and 11 in Himachal Pradesh.
Some reserve teams of the NDRF are also ready to meet any challenge in an emergency situation in Delhi where the Yamuna river is flowing at 203.58 meters and is expected to reach 205.5 meters by tomorrow morning.

Speaking to ANI, NDRF DIG Mohsen Shahedi said that the reason behind heavy rains for the last three days is due to Western Disturbances.

“This situation often comes in monsoon. This caused heavy rains. Early warning and IMD (India Meteorological Department) prediction was given in advance regarding it,” Shahedi said.

Asked about the deployment of the NDRF, Shahedi said, a total of 15 teams are deployed in Punjab, 12 in Uttarakhand and 11 in Himachal Pradesh presently.

“Some more places may face problems as a few reservoirs will be opened tomorrow. NDRF will be deployed accordingly to deal with any challenge,” the DIG added.

As per the officer, some rescue operations have also been undertaken by the NDRF personnel in each of these three states– Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. “Rescue operations were conducted in almost each state, and it continued the whole night.”

“Relief materials have also been provided at many places. The relief materials have been provided to people stranded at some safe locations. These materials were provided to these people with the help of state administration and state agencies,” Shahedi told ANI.

The officer further said that the NDRF had received information from Central Water Commission (CWC) that the danger level of water in Delhi will touch by this noon. “If there is any emergency situation in Delhi, the NDRF teams in Delhi’s Dwarka and Ghaziabad are ready.

As per SSP Mandi, Soumya Sambasivan, there is a state of complete disaster in the Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh as many buildings, bridges and parking lots have been washed away.

Similar conditions are in Punjab and Uttarakhand as heavy rains triggered landslides and have left hundreds stranded as several roads — including National Highways– have been damaged due to landslides, adversely impacting vehicular movement in Himachal Pradesh.

As per IMD, it had given a warning for extremely heavy rainfall and issued red alerts in Himachal Pradesh. “Tomorrow onwards, rain is likely to decrease in Himachal Pradesh but in Uttarakhand, for the next 3 days, similar kind or a little lower intensity rain is likely to continue…Today, heavy rain expected in eastern Punjab, Haryana, West Uttar Pradesh and south Rajasthan…,” said the IMD. (ANI)

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Mann Flags Off 16 SUVs, 56 Motorcycles To Strengthen Anti-Human Trafficking Unit

By LokMarg 4th July 2023

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday flagged off 16 sports utility vehicles and 56 motorcycles to strengthen the Anti-human Trafficking unit.

Taking it to Twitter, CM Mann said, “Today, 16 new hi-tech vehicles and 56 motorcycles were flagged off in the convoy of the ‘Anti-Human Trafficking Unit’…Also asked the officials to launch a campaign against human trafficking in Punjab…We are ready to provide all support from the government”.
“The safety of the people of Punjab is the responsibility of the Punjab Government and the Punjab Police… we are fully committed to fulfil this responsibility through joint efforts…”, added the Punjab Chief Minister.

The Anti-human trafficking unit investigates matters pertaining to human trafficking. (ANI)

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Mann: To Recover Rs 55L Spent On Gangster Ansari’s Stay From Captain, Randhawa

By LokMarg 2nd July 2023

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced that the state government would not pay Rs 55 lakh spent on the cosy stay of the dreaded gangster Mukhtar Ansari in the Jails of the state and will recover this money from former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chief Minister said that this was a serious crime against the state and its people adding that those involved will have to pay for it.
“For reasons best known to them, both Captain and Randhawa extended largesse to the notorious gangster for his comfortable stay in the jails of Punjab,” said Mann.

Bhagwant Mann asked why the state should waste taxpayer’s money just because those in power at that time had a strong bond with Ansari.

“This is brazen loot of the public money which cannot be tolerated,” said Mann. He said that for reasons best known to the previous regimes this notorious criminal was kept in Ropar Jail with full comforts.

Bhagwant Mann said that apart from ensuring a comfortable stay, the state government also ensured that this hardcore criminal did not face any sort of difficulty within the jail and escaped legal action against him.

“Surprisingly the then government spent Rs. 55 lakhs of the taxpayers’ money to safeguard the interests of this criminal lodged in Ropar Jail,” said Punjab CM.

Bhagwant Mann said that this atrocious loot of the public money is totally unwarranted and undesirable adding, “This open plundering of the common man’s money cannot be tolerated at any cost.”

He said that Captain and Randhawa will have to pay this money from their own pocket else their pensions and other benefits will be stopped to recover this money adding that everyone involved in this heinous crime will be made accountable for their sins. (ANI)

BSF Shoots Down Another Pak Drone Carrying Drugs In Punjab

By LokMarg 10th June 2023

Border Security Forces (BSF) troops on Saturday morning shot down a drone carrying suspected narcotics from Pakistan along the International Border near Rai village in Amritsar, Punjab.

This comes a day after the BSF had recovered a Pakistani drone along the International Border near Rai village on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

The Public Relations Officer, Punjab Frontier, BSF in a statement said that the gross weight of the consignment suspected to be heroin that was recovered this morning is approximately 5.5 kg.

“On June 10, at around 4 am BSF troops deployed at the border reported an Indian space violation by a drone coming from the Pakistan side. Troops also heard the sound of something having fallen in a farming field in depth area near the Rai village in Amritsar. As per the laid down drill, BSF troops immediately reacted, ” the PRO added.

During a subsequent search of the area, one large packet suspected to be contraband, wrapped in a yellow colour adhesive tape attached with a hook was recovered by the BSF troops from the farming field on the outskirts of Village-Rai, the PRO statement added.

On the opening of the big packet, 5 packets of heroin weighing approximately 5.5 kg were found wrapped with yellow colour adhesive tape, the PRO said.

Another nefarious attempt of Pakistan to smuggle contraband items was foiled due to the alertness of BSF troops in the Amritsar Sector, it further said.

Earlier on the intervening nights of Thursday and Friday, the Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered a Pakistani drone along the International Border near Rai village in the Amritsar sector in Punjab.

The BSF team was joined by the police in the search operation in which one large packet, suspected to be contraband, wrapped in a yellow-coloured adhesive tape was recovered from the farming field on the outskirts of the Rear Kakkar village in Amritsar. A green colour nylon rope and a hook attached to the packet were also found.

When the large packet was opened, five packets of heroin were found in it weighing 5.26 kilograms, the BSF said. (ANI)

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Ludhiana Gas Leak Incident: Death Toll Rises To 11

By LokMarg 30th April 2023

The death toll in the gas leakage incident that occured in Giaspura in Ludhiana district on Sunday has risen to 11.

‘A total of 11 persons are dead. There are five females and six males including 2 male children of 10 years and 13 years,” the official said.
The two deceased at SPS Hospital have been identified as Naveent Kumar (39) and Neetu Devi (39), they said.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed deep sorrow and anguish at the gas leakage.

“The incident of a gas leak in the factory in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana is very sad. Police, government and NDRF teams are present at the spot. All possible help is being extended to the affected. Rest details soon,” Punjab CM Mann tweeted.

NDRF teams have been rushed to the factory and a team of doctors and a fire brigade also reached the spot.

“Definitely, it is a gas leak case. The NDRF team is present at the spot to evacuate the people and will conduct the rescue operation. 9 people died in this incident and 11 are sick,” said Swati, SDM Ludhiana West.

“Exact reason will only come when we will go to the incident spot. We are waiting for the NDRF, they are specialized in this,” another officer said.

Further investigation is underway. (ANI)

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SC Quashes Criminal Case Against Sukhbir Singh Badal

By LokMarg 28th April 2023

In a relief to Sukhbir Singh Badal, the Supreme Court on Friday quashed Punjab’s Hoshiarpur Court order summoning him (Sukhbir Singh Badal), Parkash Singh Badal and others in the alleged case of forgery and cheating filed against them, in the controversy over the dual constitution of Shiromani Akali Dal.

“We quash and set the impugned order including trial court summons,” the top court said.
The court allowed the appeal filed by Sukhbir Singh Badal, Parkash Singh Badal and Daljit Singh Cheema, challenging the proceedings pending before Punjab’s Hoshiarpur Court in the alleged case of forgery and cheating filed against them, in the controversy over the dual constitution of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).

A bench headed by Justice MR Shah has earlier kept its order reserved after hearing the submission of all the parties connected to the matter.

Prakash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Singh Badal and Daljeet Singh Cheema have filed a plea in SC in a matter relating to the complaint filed by Hoshiarpur resident Balwant Singh Khera.

Balwant Singh Khera had filed a criminal complaint before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate back in 2009 against the three.

According to the said complaint, SAD was accused of submitting two different constitutions, that is, one with the Gurdwara Election Commission (GEC) and the second with the Election Commission of India (ECI) to seek recognition as a political party.

The criminal complaint was premised on the allegation that the party has claimed to be a secular party and given a declaration to abide by the principles of secularism in its constitution filed before ECI while it contests elections for a religious body, Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee, thereby being a religious party.

KV Vishwanathan, Senior Advocate appeared for Prakash Singh Badal. RS Cheema, Senior advocate appeared for Sukhbir Singh Badal. Sandeep Kapur, Advocate appeared for Daljit Singh Cheema. Advocates Prashant Bhushan and Indira Unninayar appeared for Balwant Singh Khera.

It was argued before the court that being religious does not run contrary to the principles of secularism and merely because a political outfit is contesting elections to a Gurdwara committee does not mean that it is not secular.

It was argued that the criminal case with allegations of forgery and cheating over the constitution of the party filed before ECI and GEC, therefore, had no basis.

The petitions were filed by Karanjawala and Co. Advocates and the brief was led by Nandini Gore and Sandeep Kapur, Senior Partners along with Virinder Pal Singh Sandhu, Aditi Bhatt, Tarannum Cheema, Tahira Karanjawala, Niharika Karanjawala, Arjun Sharma, Apoorva Pandey, Gudipati G Kashyap, Principal Associates, Sanya Dua, Yash Dubey, Rose Verma, Associates. (ANI)

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Amritpal Kept In Dibrugarh Jail’s Isolation Cell

By LokMarg 23rd April 2023

Central intelligence agencies will interrogate ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh, who was arrested by the Punjab Police on Sunday and later sent to Assam’s Dibrugarh jail.

The self-styled preacher was evading Punjab Police since March 18. Nine of Amritpal’s aides who were arrested earlier were also lodged in Dibrugarh jail.
“Amritpal has been kept in a separate cell, distant from his accomplices who are also in same jail after they were arrested during Punjab Police crackdown,” a senior official told ANI.

The official added that a team of Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and other Central Intelligence agencies would reach Dibrugarh jail to question Amritpal.

“He will be questioned on his association with his sympathisers and his source of funding. Because intelligence agencies have got a lot of inputs regarding his association with handlers in Pakistan and other countries,” the official said.

“We have asked Assam Police to beef up security around jail premises and visitors to the jail to be thoroughly frisked and their details to be kept in record. Apart from state police, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) is also deployed in the periphery of jail premises,” he added.

A special chartered flight from Bathinda Airport accompanied by a team of Punjab police took off at 8.25 am and reached the Dibrugarh Airport at 2.20 pm. They were received by senior Assam Police officers at the airport and he was immediately taken to Dibrugarh Jail where he was kept in a cell after a medical examination.

Earlier on Sunday, Amritpal was arrested from a Gurudwara in the Moga district of Punjab and reportedly also addressed a gathering before his arrest.

According to the officials, the arrest was done by combined efforts of the Punjab Police and Central intelligence agencies. (ANI)

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Amritpal Arrested From Moga

By LokMarg 23rd April 2023

In a major breakthrough amid the continuing manhunt, ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh was arrested by Punjab Police from the Moga district of Punjab, informed sources.

Earlier on Saturday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah when asked about Amritpal Singh’s arrest and that he has been absconding for a long, said, “It may happen sometime. Earlier he used to roam freely, but now he cannot carry on with his activities.”
Two more aides of the fugitive radical preacher and Khalistan leader Amritpal Singh were arrested at Mohali in Punjab, in a joint operation by Punjab and Delhi Police on April 18.

On April 15, Punjab Police arrested his close aide Joga Singh from Sirhind in the Fatehgarh Sahib district.

Another close aid of the pro khalistani leader, Papalpreet Singh was arrested on April 10, in an operation conducted by Punjab Police and its counter-intelligence unit.

The radical leader had been declared a “fugitive” while he was on a run earlier in March.

“Waris Punjab De’ chief Amritpal Singh has been declared a fugitive. His two cars were seized and gunmen nabbed. We also checked if the firearms of his security escorts had been procured legally. A case has been registered. Punjab Police have launched a manhunt for Amritpal Singh and we are hopeful that he will be arrested soon. A total of 78 people have been arrested so far and further searches and raids are underway,” Chahal said in an exclusive interview with ANI.

Almost a month ago the Punjab police issued a lookout circular (LOC) and non-bailable warrant (NBW) against ‘Waris Punjab De’ chief.

Amritpal has been on the run since March 18, the day Punjab Police launched a massive manhunt for him.

The crackdown came almost over three weeks after Amritpal’s supporters stormed Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, demanding the release of one of his aides, Lovepreet Toofan. (ANI)

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AAP Has Mortgaged Punjab: Sidhu

By LokMarg 22nd April 2023

Senior Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday lashed out at Aam Aadmi Party and said that AAP has mortgaged Punjab.

The election commission has scheduled the Jalandhar Lok Sabha bye-election on May 10, and counting will be done on May 12.
Sidhu addressed a press conference with Congress candidates Karamjit Kaur and Mohinder Singh Kaypee.

At the conference, Sidhu showed a video of Aam Aadmi Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal at the gathering in which AAP leader Kejriwal is talking about the promises he made to the people of Punjab.

After showing the video, Sidhu said, “AAP has mortgaged Punjab. In today’s time, people are feeling cheated. The Congress party had earlier said that all these people who are promising amenities free of cost, from where will the money come? Kejriwal said that people will come back to Punjab from abroad but their own children are outside.”

Hitting out at AAP leaders, Sidhu said, “Earlier there were fewer drugs in Punjab, now after the coming of this (AAP) party, Punjab has become a sea of drugs. They have taken out a procession of the people of Punjab.

“We have seen in the rally held in Jalandhar that all the chairs were empty. With the coming of AAP, the sand trolley which was worth 3700 rupees is now being sold for 25-25,000,” he added.

Highlighting Kejriwal’s promise of saying that there won’t be any ‘dharna’ in the state after AAP comes into power, Sidhu said, “AAP leader Kejriwal had said that after our government comes, there will be no ‘dharna’. But till now people everywhere are sitting on dharna for their demands.”

On the issue of electricity, Sindhu said, “Electricity will be provided round-the-clock in Punjab. Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has taken a loan of 2300 crores after his government came.”

The Congress party on Wednesday announced the list of its 40-star campaigners for the by-elections in the Jalandhar Lok Sabha seat. (ANI)

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No Khalistani Wave In Punjab: Amit Shah Praises State Govt

By LokMarg 22nd April 2023

Even as the hunt to nab absconding Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh continues, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that there is no Khalistan wave in Punjab and the Centre is keeping a close watch on the situation.

The Home Minister pointed out that the Punjab government had done good work and that the Centre had cooperated.
“There is no wave (of Khalistan). Many times, some people try, but the governments have done their job. The Punjab government has done a good job, the Centre has supported. We are monitoring the situation closely,” Shah said while speaking at a media conclave in Bengaluru.

Asked about Amritpal Singh’s arrest and that he has been absconding for a long, the Union Minister said, “It may happen some time. Earlier he used to roam freely, but now he cannot carry on with his activities,” he said.

The Union Home Minister also said that the BJP government led by PM Narendra Modi will not tolerate any attack on the Indian High Commissions and that strict action will be taken in accordance with Indian laws.

Amit Shah was referring to the attack on the Indian High Commission in London last month and the consulate in UK and San Francisco.

“We have made the NIA so capable that they can probe if there is any conspiracy against India on foreign soil. Delhi Police registered a case and launched a probe and a report from the Indian High Commission was also received. Based on that, we have handed the probe to the NIA,” the home minister said in the media conclave held in Bengaluru.

On March 19 this year, protesters holding Khalistan banners staged a demonstration outside the High Commission in London. One of the protestors climbed up its balcony and pulled down the Indian national flag of India. The protest was being held to denounce the recent police action in Punjab.

In a video of the incident, which has since gone viral on social media, a protestor is seen on the balcony attempting to bring down the Indian flag. At the end of the video, another man is seen reaching the balcony and wresting the Tricolour back from the Khalistan supporter.

Khalistan supporters also allegedly attacked Indian Consulate in San Francisco (SFO). Videos of supporters breaking the doors and barging into the office surfaced on social media.

Meanwhile, speaking at the media conclave in Bengaluru today, the Home Minister further pointed out that the Popular Front of India is also an important issue in Karnataka which goes to Assembly polls on May 10, and said that people feel secure after the Centre’s clampdown against the now-banned outfit.

“PFI is an important issue as well. Congress kept PFI safe and supported it in Karnataka. The BJP government has put a ban on PFI and clamped against the propagating separatist organisation in South India. If there is one state which will benefit the most, it is Karnataka,” he said.

Asked if people would cast their votes for the BJP on the issue of the PFI ban, the Home Minister said that it is not an issue, the security of the people is.

“PFI might not be the issue, security could be. The way violence was being unleashed under PFI…Our worker Praveen was killed in daylight. The strictness with which we have worked (against PFI), there is definitely an appreciation in the people of Karnataka. They are feeling secure,” he said.

The Union Home Ministry had in September last year declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates an ‘Unlawful Association’

It had said that PFI and its associates or affiliates or fronts have been found to be involved in serious offences, including terrorism and its financing, targeted gruesome killings, disregarding the constitutional set-up of the country, disturbing public order etc. which are prejudicial to the integrity, security and sovereignty of the country.

The Home Ministry said it found it necessary to curb the nefarious activities of the organization. It declared the Popular Front of India (PFI) along with its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation and Rehab Foundation, Kerala as “unlawful association” under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. (ANI)

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