Punjab

Punjab Vigilance Conducts Raid at Ranjit Singh Gill’s Home After BJP Switch

Punjab Vigilance Conducts Raid at Ranjit Singh Gill’s Home After BJP Switch

National times bureau:- The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Saturday (August 2, 2025) raided the premises of former Akali leader and prominent realtor Ranjit Singh Gill in Chandigarh, sources said. The action came just a day after Mr. Gill joined the BJP. Mr. Gill was inducted into the BJP by Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at his official residence here on Friday evening. VB sleuths raided Mr. Gill's residence in Chandigarh. However, there is no official word on the raid operation yet.Mr. Gill had recently resigned from the primary membership of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). He was once…
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Punjab Launches India’s First Evidence-Based Anti-Drug Curriculum for Schools

Punjab Launches India’s First Evidence-Based Anti-Drug Curriculum for Schools

Chandigarh (National Times): In a landmark step against drug abuse, Punjab has become the first state in India to introduce an evidence-based anti-drug curriculum for school students. The initiative, part of the third phase of the state’s “Yudh Nashian De Virudh” campaign, will be formally launched on August 1 in Arniwala, Fazilka, by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. School Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that the programme will cover 8 lakh students from Classes 9 to 12 across 3,658 schools, with more than 6,500 specially trained teachers delivering the sessions.…
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Amritsar Rural Police Bust Major ISI-Backed Smuggling Network; Weapons, Drug Money Seized

Amritsar Rural Police Bust Major ISI-Backed Smuggling Network; Weapons, Drug Money Seized

Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): In a major operation signaling a decisive blow to trans-border crime, the Amritsar Rural Police, working in close coordination with central intelligence agencies, have successfully unearthed a sophisticated arms and drug money smuggling racket allegedly backed by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The crackdown has resulted in the arrest of five key individuals suspected of being part of a larger syndicate. Among the high-powered seizures were an AK Saiga .308 assault rifle with two magazines, two Glock 9mm pistols with four magazines, 90 rounds of AK ammunition, 10 live 9mm cartridges, Rs 7.50 lakh in drug money, a…
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Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Over Controversial Srinagar Event, Edu Min Agrees to It

Akal Takht Summons Punjab Minister Harjot Singh Over Controversial Srinagar Event, Edu Min Agrees to It

Amritsar (National Times): In a significant development, the acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, has summoned Punjab Cabinet Minister S. Harjot Singh and the Director of the Language Department, S. Jaswant Singh, over a controversial cultural program organized in Srinagar. The event, held on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, has drawn criticism from the Sikh community for including elements deemed objectionable and disrespectful. The Jathedar took serious note of the complaints received from various quarters of the Sikh Sangat regarding the inclusion of dance, songs, and entertainment…
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Ferozepur Police Bust Narco-Hawala Network, Seize 15 Kg Heroin in Major Operation

Ferozepur Police Bust Narco-Hawala Network, Seize 15 Kg Heroin in Major Operation

Ferozepur, July 25, 2025 — In a significant breakthrough in the fight against cross-border drug trafficking, the Ferozepur Police have unearthed a sophisticated narco-hawala network, recovering 15 kilograms of heroin in a covert intelligence-led operation. The successful raid was carried out by PS Ghall Khurd, which led to the arrest of a key accused, Ramesh Kumar alias Mechi, a known operative in the drug trade. Acting on precise intelligence inputs, the police team swiftly moved in, leading to the dismantling of what appears to be a well-organised trans-border smuggling syndicate. An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the…
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Punjab Govt–SGPC Clash Escalates Over Guru Tegh Bahadur Event: Mann Questions SGPC’s Sole Authority

Punjab Govt–SGPC Clash Escalates Over Guru Tegh Bahadur Event: Mann Questions SGPC’s Sole Authority

Chandigarh (National Times): A sharp war of words has broken out between the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) over the organization of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The controversy began when the SGPC accused the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of bypassing Sikh traditions by announcing a state-level event independently. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami stated that centenary functions linked to Sikh Gurus must be held under the leadership of the SGPC, the apex religious body of the Sikh community. He further said that the government's duty should…
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Bomb Threat to Amritsar Airport After Series of Golden Temple Threats; Same Pattern, Dark Web Suspected

Bomb Threat to Amritsar Airport After Series of Golden Temple Threats; Same Pattern, Dark Web Suspected

Amritsar (National Times): A fresh wave of concern gripped Punjab after a bomb threat email was received by Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar, echoing the same pattern as the nine previous threatening emails sent to the Golden Temple. Authorities believe the same group is behind both sets of threats. The email, received on Sunday, claimed the airport would be blown up. As with previous threats to the Golden Temple, the tone, language, and formatting of the message closely match earlier emails, pointing to a coordinated and calculated campaign. Following the threat, security has been significantly tightened at…
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CM Mann Bids Tearful Farewell to Marathon Legend Fauja Singh, Announces Tributes in His Honour

CM Mann Bids Tearful Farewell to Marathon Legend Fauja Singh, Announces Tributes in His Honour

Jalandhar (National Times): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, along with thousands of mourners, paid an emotional farewell to Fauja Singh, the world-renowned centenarian marathon runner, who passed away on July 14 after being struck by a speeding vehicle in his native village. The cremation, held in Fauja Singh's ancestral village, drew an outpouring of grief from the public, sports enthusiasts, and government officials alike. CM Mann placed floral wreaths on the body and hailed Singh’s life as an enduring example of perseverance and discipline. “A Symbol of Patience and Strength” Remembering Fauja Singh as the world’s oldest marathon runner,…
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Anmol Gagan Maan Withdraws Resignation, Reaffirms Loyalty to AAP

Anmol Gagan Maan Withdraws Resignation, Reaffirms Loyalty to AAP

Chandigarh (National Times): In a fresh political development, senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab cabinet minister Anmol Gagan Maan has announced her decision to withdraw her resignation, reaffirming her faith in the party’s leadership. Taking to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Maan wrote, “Met AAP Punjab president Aman Arora today. Accepted the decision of Aam Aadmi Party and Arvind Kejriwal to reject the resignation.” Her public statement comes days after she had submitted her resignation amid growing speculation over internal party disagreements. However, with this move, she appears to have signaled a truce and a renewed…
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Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann dedicates newly constructed Tehsil complexes at Amargarh and Ahmedgarh sub devisions

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann dedicates newly constructed Tehsil complexes at Amargarh and Ahmedgarh sub devisions

Malerkotla (National Times): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave a bonanza of more than Rs 13 crore to the residents of Malerkotla district by dedicating newly constructed tehsil Complexes at Amargarh and Ahmedgarh Sub Divisions. Divulging the details, the Chief Minister said that the residents of the Amargarh and Ahmedgarh Sub-Divisions have been given this gift as a part of his government’s commitment to ensure judicious utilization of taxpayers’ money for their welfare. He said that while Rs 6.36 crore have been spent to construct Tehsil complex at Amargarh, Rs 6.86 crore have been spent on the…
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