PUNJAB AND HARYANA

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...

Gurugram, Haryana: The biting cold in Gurugram continues to break records, surpassing temperatures in hill stations like Shimla and Mussoorie. On Wednesday morning, the minimum temperature in Gurugram dropped to a chilling 0.8°C, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), making it the coldest city in the Delhi-NCR region during the night. Despite the harsh cold, daytime temperatures rose to a comfortable 18°C, providing some relief. IMD forecasts suggest further improvement in weather from Thursday, with minimum and maximum temperatures expected to be 7°C and 21°C, respectively. Frost and Fog Intensify Across HaryanaThe extreme cold was accompanied by dense frost and fog, creating hazardous conditions in several parts of Haryana. Fields, grass, and even vehicle windshields...

Jhajjar, Haryana: A disturbing case of intimidation has emerged in Haryana, where Congress MLA Kuldeep Vats from the Badli constituency reportedly received a death threat over the phone. The accused, identified as Santlal Yadav from Kanpur, not only threatened the MLA’s life but also used abusive and offensive language during the call. Background of the ThreatSources indicate that the threat was linked to MLA Vats’ past association with programs organized by Sant Rampal, currently in jail. MLA Vats had attended the Kisan Masiha Samman event and other initiatives where farmers were provided with pump sets. Santlal Yadav, reportedly angered by these events, allegedly made the threatening call. MLA Reports to DGPMLA Vats has informed the Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, about ...

Chandigarh: In a significant move to curb the glorification of organized crime, Haryana Police have successfully removed 67 songs from major digital platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, and JioSaavn. The songs were found to promote gangster culture, weapons, and crime-related lifestyles. Police Action and InvestigationAccording to a police spokesperson, the Special Task Force (STF) and Cyber Unit conducted a thorough investigation into online content that glorifies gangsters and illegal activities. The probe revealed multiple songs depicting ostentatious lifestyles, crime, and weapon use, which authorities believe can influence young people to pursue criminal paths. Monitoring Social Media EngagementThe police have also announced that individuals who like, shar...

Ludhiana/Fatehgarh Sahib: Security was on high alert in Punjab on Wednesday morning after the judicial wings of Ludhiana and Fatehgarh Sahib courts received emails threatening to bomb the court premises. Authorities immediately evacuated the buildings and launched an extensive search operation. Immediate ResponseThe threat, received on official email IDs, mentioned the intent to detonate explosives within the court complexes. Upon receiving the message, administrators activated emergency protocols and increased security at both locations. Lawyers, staff, and visitors were safely evacuated, and entry was temporarily suspended to allow authorities to conduct a thorough inspection without disruption. Search Operation UnderwayPolice teams, bomb disposal squads, and investigative agencies...

Jhajjar, Haryana: In a horrifying incident, a young woman from Uttar Pradesh was allegedly gang-raped by five men in Jhajjar district, Haryana. Police acted swiftly and arrested four of the accused within eight hours, while one suspect remains at large. The victim has been provided medical care and counseling and is currently under hospital supervision. Details of the IncidentAccording to CP Jhajjar Dr. Rajshri Singh, the victim had arrived from Uttar Pradesh with her uncle by bus at around 2 AM at Bahadurgarh. When walking to meet a relative who was supposed to pick them up, they reached a roadside eatery. The accused, who were following them, forcibly took the girl inside the closed eatery. Taking advantage of the deserted location, the men allegedly committed the gang rape. CCTV foot...

Palwal: In a major crackdown against alleged illegal activities, Haryana police conducted a raid on OYO guest houses located on National Highway-19 in Palwal district. During the operation, 11 women and 6 men were arrested for their alleged involvement in running a sex racket. The operation, named “Hotspot Domination,” was launched after police received a tip-off regarding immoral activities being carried out at certain OYO guest houses near Babri Mod in Hodal. Acting on the information, District Superintendent of Police Varun Singla instructed DSP Hodal Sahil Dhillon and female police teams to conduct late-night raids at two guest houses. Details of the RaidUsing undercover “dummy customers,” police swooped on the guest houses. In the first establishment, six women were recovered, r...