State

The annual Maghi Mela at Sri Muktsar Sahib this year witnessed not only religious fervour but also intense political activity, offering a clear preview of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections. Traditionally a significant panthic platform, the Maghi Mela became a stage for major political parties to attack rivals and project themselves as credible alternatives, while the Congress chose to stay away. For the first time, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a political conference at the Maghi Mela, marking its growing ambition to expand its footprint in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which leads the state government, returned to the platform after nearly a decade. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and ‘Waris Punjab De’ also held separate gatherings, adding to the charged political atmo...

Chandigarh:Former Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) and senior IPS officer Shatrujeet Kapur has been appointed as the new Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). He will replace the incumbent DG Praveen Kumar. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Kapur will hold the post until October 31, 2026, the date of his superannuation. Kapur, a 1990-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, was earlier removed from the post of Haryana DGP following a controversy linked to the alleged suicide of another IPS officer. Prior to his removal, he was sent on leave for two months and later appointed as Chairman of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation by the state government. His appointment to head the ITBP now marks a significant development in his long...

Chandigarh:In a major crackdown on content promoting criminal culture, the Haryana Police have directed the removal of 67 songs from leading digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and JioSaavn. The action was taken after authorities found that these songs were glorifying organised crime, gangsters, weapons, and a flashy lifestyle linked to criminal activities. According to the police, the operation was carried out jointly by the Special Task Force (STF) and the Cyber Unit after a detailed investigation. The probe revealed that several songs openly celebrated gangsters and violence, portraying crime as a symbol of power, wealth, and social status. Officials believe such content can mislead and influence young people, drawing them towards criminal behaviour. ...

Ludhiana/Fatehgarh Sahib:A wave of panic swept through Punjab on Wednesday morning after bomb threats were sent via email to the court complexes in Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib. Acting swiftly, security agencies evacuated both premises and launched an extensive search operation to rule out any potential danger. According to officials, the threat was received on the official email ID of the judicial wing, warning of explosives planted inside the court complexes. The message immediately set off emergency protocols, prompting district administrations to heighten security and suspend public entry into the premises. Police teams, bomb disposal squads, and intelligence agencies rushed to the sites and conducted thorough searches of all key areas. Lawyers, court staff, litigants, and visito...