Punjab News: Latest Updates & Breaking Stories from Punjab

  Ludhiana, May 18, 2025 Navtej Singh Kaoni, a Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member expelled from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) last year for alleged anti-party activities, has rejoined the party’s campaign efforts. Kaoni, a resident of Kaoni village in Muktsar district’s Gidderbaha Assembly segment, is now actively supporting SAD’s Ludhiana West bypoll candidate, Parupkar Singh Ghumman. Previously, Kaoni briefly campaigned for BJP candidates, including Hans Raj Hans in the Faridkot Lok Sabha election and Manpreet Singh Badal in the Gidderbaha bypoll. Despite his expulsion from SAD in March 2024 by then Muktsar district president Kanwarjit Singh Rozy Barkandi, Kaoni has reconciled with the party. He is now working alongside Rozy, with photos circulating on social media showing them together at Ghumman’s election office in Ludhiana. Clarifying his stance, Kaoni said, “I was expelled but never wavered in my support for Sukhbir Badal. I’m campaigning for SAD in Ludhia...

 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has blamed previous administrations for the state's ongoing drug crisis, calling it a "legacy issue" during a public event in Jalalpur village, Tanda. Mann urged citizens to support the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's efforts to eliminate the drug menace, which has severely impacted Punjab's youth. The gathering was also addressed by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who accused former regimes of colluding with drug traffickers. Kejriwal highlighted the "long-standing neglect" of the crisis, claiming past leaders not only protected smugglers but also facilitated the illegal trade using state resources. Mann revealed that his government spent over two years developing a robust strategy to combat the issue, launching a "war against drugs" on March 1. He noted significant progress, stating that the drug supply chain has been disrupted, leading to the arrest of major traffickers. Punjab Director General ...

  Punjab Seeks Modification of High Court Order in BBMB Water Dispute Overview of the Water-Sharing Conflict Punjab has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court to revise a May 6, 2025, order directing the state to comply with a decision to release additional water to Haryana under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB). The state alleges the order was based on misleading information, prompting the court to seek responses from the Centre, Haryana, and BBMB by May 20, 2025. Context of the Dispute The issue stems from a May 2 meeting chaired by the Union Home Secretary, which reportedly mandated Punjab to release an extra 4,500 cusecs of water to Haryana. Punjab claims the meeting lacked a clear agenda and proper authority, leading to the controversial court directive. Punjab’s Legal Arguments Claims of Misinformation Through senior advocate Gurminder Singh , Punjab argued that the May 6 order resulted from inaccurate submissions by BBMB, Haryana, and the Union of India...

Punjab Hooch Tragedy: 10 Arrested, Including Kingpin; DSP and SHO Suspended Overview of the Devastating Incident A tragic hooch incident in Punjab’s Amritsar district has resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals who consumed spurious liquor in the Majitha area. This heartbreaking event has sparked widespread grief and prompted immediate action from authorities. Ten suspects , including the racket’s mastermind, have been arrested, and two senior police officials have been suspended for negligence. Victims and Impact The victims, from villages including Bhangali Kalan, Patalpuri, Marari Kalan, Threawal, Talwandi Khumman, and Karnala , succumbed to the effects of methanol , a toxic industrial chemical mixed into the illicit liquor. Six others are currently hospitalized, fighting severe health complications caused by the poisonous brew. Investigation and Arrests Key Suspects in Custody Punjab Police have detained the following individuals involved in the illegal liquor trade: Sahib Sin...