DGP GAURAV YADAV INAUGURATES NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CHAMPIONSHIP-2025 (TENT PEGGING) IN JALANDHAR

— PUNJAB POLICE HOSTS THIS PRESTIGIOUS EVENT UNDER AEGIS OF EQUESTRIAN FEDERATION OF INDIA AND BRINGS TOGETHER 15 TEAMS, 125 HORSES, AND TOP RIDERS FROM ACROSS COUNTRY

— THIS CHAMPIONSHIP IS A CELEBRATION OF SKILL, DISCIPLINE, AND TRADITION: DGP GAURAV YADAV

Chandigarh/Jalandhar, February 15: Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, on Saturday, inaugurated the National Equestrian Championship-2025 (Tent Pegging) being conducted by Punjab Police at PAP Campus, Jalandhar.

A total of 15 teams from different state Police Forces, Central Armed Police Forces, Army, Navy and some private clubs are competing for the coveted championship to be concluded on February 23.

"Punjab Police is proud to host this prestigious event under the aegis of the Equestrian Federation of India, bringing together 15 teams, 125 horses, and top riders from across the country—including Police Forces, CAPFs, Army, Navy, and private clubs," stated DGP Gaurav Yadav in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter).

Wishing the Punjab Police's 20-member equestrian team all the best for the championship, the DGP said that the equestrian team of Punjab Police will be led by DIG Administration PAP Inderbir Singh and the team is participating with its 24 horses. It's for the first time that an Indian Police Services (IPS) Officer has qualified in the National qualifiers and participated in the National Equestrian Championship. International jury members have been appointed by the Equestrian Federation of India, New Delhi to conduct and judge the events during this championship 15 to 20 international players from different teams will be participating in this championship.

"This championship is a celebration of skill, discipline, and tradition, and I am especially proud to witness an IPS officer competing for the first time after qualifying at the national level," the tweet further reads.

Notably, the Indian team will be selected for the international competitions to be held during the year 2025-26 from amongst the players who perform well in this National Tent Pegging Championship.

DGP Gaurav Yadav, who is the Chief Patron of the National Equestrian Championship also invited the people and horse lovers to witness the spectacular event. There is no separate ticket to watch the championship, he added.

As many as 125 riders along with the equal number of their horses will participate in the championship being held under the aegis of Equestrian Federation Of India. This Championship has earlier been conducted twice in the year 2016 and 2017, at PAP Campus, Jalandhar.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) MF Farooqui and DIG Inderbir Singh are Chairman and Organizing Secretary of the Organizing Committee respectively, while Commandant 7th Battalion PAP Gurtejinder Singh is the Show secretary.

===============================

Won numerous medals in 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' & other top level tournaments

Appreciates sports friendly initiatives of Punjab Government

Serving as Food Inspector in Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department

Chandigarh, February 15:The Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has undertaken remarkable initiatives to encourage the people of the State towards sports. One such example is Rajneet Kaur, a Bodybuilder as well as Powerlifter who is serving as the Food Inspector in Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department at Chandigarh.

This proud sportsperson has just recently won Gold Medal in North India Powerlifting competition under 57 kg senior group. Not only this but she also bagged Bronze medal at 1st Physique Sports Championship in Ladies Model Physique category.

Her list of achievements is endless. She won Gold Medal in the Women's category at 12th Mr./Ms. Chandigarh Championship 2024 organized by the Indian Body Builders Federation which is recognized by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Appreciating the sports friendly policies and infrastructure of the State Government, Rajneet said that earlier also, she won Gold Medal in Power lifting under 57kg category in senior category i.e. 31-40 years at Bathinda in ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ organised by Punjab Government. She even won a Bench Press competition organised at Goraya in the senior category under 57 kg weight category.

Not only this, Rajneet had also bagged top position in the Ms. Chandigarh Championship organised by Indian Bodybuilders Federation under female bikini category.

============================================

Village Chowkidars' honorarium increased after eight years

With approval of Cabinet, 9974 Chowkidars will get an additional benefit of Rs. 3 Crore annually: Mundian

Chandigarh, February 15:

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led State Government has increased the honorarium of village Chowkidars, upholding its commitment to the welfare of every section of the state. This decision passed by the Cabinet will benefit 9974 Chowkidars of the state. With this, the Chowkidars will get an additional benefit of Rs. 3 Crore annually.

Punjab Revenue and Rehabilitation Minister Hardip Singh Mundian said that the promises made by the government to every section of the state are being fulfilled. He said that in an important decision taken by the Cabinet led by the Chief Minister, the monthly honorarium of village Chowkidar has been increased from the current Rs. 1250 to Rs. 1500. The honorarium of Rs. 1250 per month has been going on since 2017. Now after eight years, the amount stands increased.

Revenue Minister said that this was a long-standing demand of the Chowkidar organisations, which has now been approved by the Cabinet. This decision of the government will help in the smooth discharge of duties by the watchmen in the rural areas of the state.

Mr. Mundian further said that apart from protection, A Chowkidar plays an active role in the development of the village. Apart from this, they work as an important link between the village panchayat and numberdars. With the approval of the Cabinet, a notification will be issued soon to implement this decision.

==========================================

US DEPORTATION OF INDIANS: PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS ONE TRAVEL AGENT FROM PATIALA

CHANDIGARH, February 15:

In a significant development amidst the ongoing crackdown against fraudulent immigration consultants, NRI Affairs wing of Punjab Police has arrested a travel agent identified as Anil Batra, one of the four accused involved in the illegal immigration scam case.

The development came close on the heels of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by Punjab Police registering 10 first information reports (FIRs) against travel agents, who allegedly deceived victims with false promises of facilitating illegal entry into the United States, resulting in their deportation.

Pertinently, a four member SIT had been constituted by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav to probe complaints of fraudulent travel agents involved in deceptive immigration practices. The SIT has been exhorting the deported individuals to come forth and assist in ensuring that those violating the laws are submitted to the majesty of the law.

Working on the directions of the SIT headed by ADGP NRI Affairs Praveen Sinha, accused Anil Batra was arrested by a team led by SHO Police Station NRI Patiala Inspector Abhey Singh Chauhan under the close supervision of SP NRI Affairs Patiala Gurbans Singh Bains.

Accused Anil Batra, a resident of Shanti Nagar, Teka Market, Thanesar, Kurukshetra, Haryana, was apprehended from his in-laws’ residence in Patiala (5-E Partap Nagar). He is charged in FIR No. 06, dated February 8, 2025, under sections 406, 420, 370, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 24 of the Emigration Act. Batra is accused of facilitating the illegal immigration process by arranging a Visa of country Suriname and ticket for the complainant. Once in Suriname, the victim travelled overland to other countries in South America, including Brazil or Colombia, where he crossed into Central America. In Central America he travelled through countries, including Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico, to finally reach the United States of America (USA) illegally, with the help of traffickers and smugglers. As of February 14, 2025, Anil Batra’s bank account has been frozen with a balance of Rs 6.35 lakhs.

DGP Gaurav Yadav reiterated the Punjab Police’s commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. He urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist in apprehending culprits against whom cases have been registered. Additionally, the DGP advised citizens to only approach licensed agents for immigration services and verify their credentials thoroughly to avoid falling prey to scams.

======================================

Vigilance Bureau arrests ex-Sarpanch, Lambardar for embezzling Rs 20 Lakh in flood relief compensation

Chandigarh, February 15, 2025 –The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing anti-corruption drive, has arrested Harjit Singh, ex- Sarpanch of village Kalia, and Manjit Singh, Lambardar of village Sakatra in Tarn Taran district for committing embezzlement of Rs 20 lakh from compensation funds meant for farmers and others affected by floods.

Disclosing this here today a VB spokesperson said the arrests were made following an investigation into a complaint filed by Harnand Singh, who had served as Sarpanch of cillage Kalia until 2019.

During the verification of the complaint it was found that the accused had fraudulently opened bank accounts in the names of beneficiaries, including ineligible individuals, in connivance with bank officials. They then withheld the beneficiaries’ account documents, enabling them to withdraw and misappropriate the relief funds released by the Punjab government.

The spokesperson further revealed that the state authorities had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh as compensation for damage caused to the crops etc. However, the accused had embezzled Rs 20,11,475 lakh from the total amount.

He informed that a case has been registered against both accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station, Amritsar range. They would be produced before the competent court tomorrow, and further investigations are being carried out by the VB Unit, Tarn Taran.

=========================================