Punjab Desk

In a politically significant move ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) appears to be sharpening its ‘Panthic’ positioning, with party leaders making a condolence visit to the Embassy of Iran in New Delhi. Earlier this week, a SAD delegation led by its Delhi unit president Paramjit Singh Sarna visited the embassy and expressed sympathies over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The condolence book had been opened at the e

The arrest of a former minister linked to the death of a government official has triggered a sharp political tussle in Punjab, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and opposition parties locked in a war of words over who deserves credit for the action. ⚖️ Arrest in High-Profile Case Police recently arrested a former AAP minister in connection with the suspicious death of a Punjab government official. The case had been under intense public and political scrutiny, with demands

Authorities have confirmed that the autopsy of a deceased government official from Punjab will be carried out in Amritsar, as part of the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. ⚕️ Post-Mortem Arrangements According to police officials, the autopsy will take place at the post-mortem facility of the Government Medical College. The procedure is expected to provide crucial insights into the cause of death. 👮 Police Statement A senior police अधिकारी s

Rising concerns over large-scale migration from Punjab have once again come into focus, with experts attributing the trend to economic stagnation and a growing mismatch between education and employment opportunities in the State. According to findings highlighted in the Punjab Economic Survey 2025–26, both “push” and “pull” factors are contributing to what is increasingly being described as “distress migration” or brain drain. While limited job prospects and slow industrial g

Rising concerns over large-scale migration from Punjab have been highlighted by experts, who attribute the trend to economic stagnation and a widening mismatch between education and employment opportunities. Findings from Economic Survey The Punjab Economic Survey 2025–26 points to a combination of “push” and “pull” factors driving migration, particularly among the youth. Limited job creation, slow industrial growth, and declining returns from agriculture are pushing people t

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that a convict in the sensational Kathua rape-murder case does not deserve any concession, rejecting his plea for suspension of sentence. Court Rejects Plea A division bench comprising Justice Gurvinder Singh Gill and Justice Ramesh Kumari passed the order while hearing a petition filed by convict Sanji Ram. The plea sought suspension of his sentence, a legal provision that allows temporary relief during the pendency of an appeal. T

Chandigarh : The recent Rajya Sabha elections in Haryana have delivered a politically significant outcome, with the Indian National Congress securing a win that is being described as both a relief and a “hard lesson” for the party. While the victory adds to Congress’ numbers in the Upper House, the circumstances surrounding the poll have exposed internal challenges and sparked a fierce political face-off with the Bharatiya Janata Party. 🔍 A Win with Warnings Congress leaders

In a major move to strengthen air passenger rights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to reserve up to 60% of seats free of charge under specific circumstances such as flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. 📢 What the Directive Says According to the latest release, airlines have been asked to strictly follow the passenger rights framework, ensuring that travelers are not left stranded during operational disruptions. Key instructions include: Re

Ahead of the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Chandigarh, authorities have issued a traffic advisory announcing temporary restrictions across key routes in the city. ⏰ Timings of Traffic Restrictions To ensure smooth movement of the VIP convoy and maintain security, traffic will be regulated during the following time slots: 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM During these hours, commuters may face diversions, slow traffic, or temporary road closures. 🚧 Key Arrange

A growing trend of distress migration from Punjab has raised concerns among policymakers and experts, with the state’s Economic Survey 2025–26 highlighting key reasons behind the continuing exodus of youth. 🚶‍♂️ Rising Migration Trend According to the survey, a significant number of young people from Punjab are leaving the state—and often the country—in search of better opportunities. This migration is increasingly being described as “distress-driven”, rather than purely asp

Mumbai/Chandigarh: IDFC First Bank has paid ₹645 crore towards claims related to a major financial fraud case linked to Chandigarh, the bank said in an official statement. According to the bank, the payment was made after a detailed review and reconciliation of the accounts involved in the alleged fraud. The lender stated that it has completed the reconciliation process for all relevant accounts associated with the case. Following the extensive verification exercise, the bank

The Punjab Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) over the circulation of an allegedly doctored video linked to a controversy surrounding Guru Tegh Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru. According to police officials, the video, which began circulating widely on social media platforms, was suspected to have been manipulated or edited in a way that could misrepresent historical facts and potentially hurt religious sentiments. FIR Registered After Complaint Authorities s

The leadership of the Indian National Congress has directed its leaders in Punjab to refrain from speaking publicly about the party’s internal issues, warning that indiscipline and factionalism will not be tolerated. According to party sources, the directive came from the Congress high command following reports of internal disagreements and public statements made by some state leaders that exposed differences within the party. Warning Against Indiscipline Senior leaders at th

Security agencies in Jalandhar were put on high alert after bomb threats were reportedly received for Dera Ballan and two local schools ahead of the scheduled visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to police officials, the threats were received shortly before the Prime Minister’s planned visit to the religious site to mark the occasion of Guru Ravidas Jayanti. The event is expected to attract a large number of devotees and community members. Security Agencies Launch

In a major breakthrough for law enforcement agencies, the Punjab Police has claimed that most-wanted gangster Amritpal Singh has been detained in Moldova. The development was confirmed by Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. According to officials, Amritpal Singh is allegedly linked to the notorious Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang and has been wanted in several criminal cases registered in Punjab, including charges related to organised crime and other serious offen

The Punjab government has announced a monthly stipend scheme for eligible women as part of its latest state budget, presented ahead of the next Assembly elections. The budget, introduced by the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, focuses on welfare initiatives, social schemes, and development programmes. Monthly Financial Support for Women One of the key highlights of the budget is a financial assistance scheme for women, under which eligible benef

Chandigarh:  The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured a major victory in the mayoral elections of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation , winning key leadership positions in the civic body after a closely watched three-cornered contest. BJP candidate Saurabh Joshi  emerged victorious in the mayoral race, securing 18 votes  from councillors. His nearest rival, Yogesh Dhingra  from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), received 11 votes , while Gurpreet Singh Gabi  of the Indian National C

Chandigarh : Farmers and farm labourers across Punjab staged protests on Thursday against the recently announced India–U.S. trade deal, expressing concerns that the agreement could adversely affect the interests of the agricultural community. The demonstrations were organised under the banner of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM). Farmers gathered outside the residences and offices of several Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in different districts of the state to voice thei

Several schools in Mohali received bomb threat emails on Thursday morning, triggering panic among students, parents, and school authorities. The emails also mentioned Fortis Hospital Mohali, prompting immediate security checks at the medical facility. 📧 Threat Emails Trigger Emergency Response According to police officials, the threatening emails were sent to multiple educational institutions in the city, claiming that explosive devices had been planted on their premises. Up

Farmers and farm labourers under the banner of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) staged widespread protests across Punjab on Thursday, opposing the recently announced India–U.S. trade deal and pressing for other pending demands. The demonstrators gathered outside the residences of several legislators in different districts, intensifying pressure on both the state and Central governments. 📍 Protests in Multiple Districts Demonstrations were reported from several locations, inclu