Ludhiana

A major rift has surfaced within the Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab as two MLAs, Chetan Singh Jauramajra and Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, resigned from the party, marking a split with the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The outgoing legislators cited deteriorating law and order, corruption, drug menace, unfulfilled Minimum Support Price guarantees, and shortcomings in health and education. The resignations followed AAP releasing its first list of 40 candidates for the 2027 assembly polls, in which CM Bhagwant Mann was fielded from Dhuri and jailed Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora was renominated from Ludhiana West despite facing serious money laundering charges.

A massive controversy has erupted in Punjab after a police official was allegedly caught on hidden camera planting narcotics at the residence of a political leader in Khanna. Closed-circuit television footage revealed an Assistant Sub-Inspector in plain clothes hiding packets of heroin beneath a mattress at the home of Shiv Sena leader Mahant Kashmir Giri. Shortly after the act, a police team raided the premises, recovered the planted contraband, and arrested Giri on narcotics charges. Following the circulation of the secret camera recordings, Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Darpan Ahluwalia took immediate disciplinary action, suspending Assistant Sub-Inspector Sukhdev Singh and forming a Special Investigation Team headed by a Superintendent of Police-rank officer to conduct a thorough inquiry. The shocking revelation has triggered severe concerns regarding accountability, police discipline, and the alleged framing of political opponents amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign in the state.

Speaking after visiting the families of three anti-drug activists who lost their lives in Gurdaspur, Sangrur, and Mansa, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a direct attack on the AAP government over the spreading drug menace in Punjab. Addressing the public on Vijayadashami, Amit Shah stated, '31 दिसंबर 2029 को हम देश से और विशेषकर पंजाब से नशे को समाप्त कर कर पंजाब और देश को नशा मुक्त बनाएंगे।' He questioned why Punjab registered zero arrests under the stringent PIT-NDPS provisions despite 929 arrests nationwide. Amit Shah urged the Bhagwant Mann government to hand over the remaining two drug-related death investigations to the CBI, noting that one inquiry had already been transferred. Highlighting national anti-narcotics efforts, Shah affirmed that the Narendra Modi government remains dedicated to securing a drug-free India.

A major political showdown erupted in Punjab as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah over allegations surrounding the state's drug problem. Mann accused the Centre and Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled states of attempting to defame Punjab, questioning why large consignments of narcotics, including seizures of up to 3,000 kilograms, continue to enter through Gujarat's Kandla port. He also pointed to cross-border drug smuggling and raised questions over the Border Security Force's 50-kilometre operational jurisdiction along the border, which functions under the Union Home Ministry. Mann alleged that Haryana has become a hub for gangsters and that drugs are flowing in through Rajasthan. The remarks came as Amit Shah arrived in Punjab to campaign and meet families affected by drug-related incidents. Editors highlighted that the narcotics menace has evolved into a central political issue across party lines ahead of upcoming elections.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab to meet the families of victims affected by the drug menace, including the kin of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, who was shot dead while confronting a chemist shop owner on camera. Shah's itinerary included meetings across Sangrur, Gurdaspur, Mansa, and Ludhiana to assure families of stringent action against offenders. The outreach triggered a political showdown with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, whose administration defended its record while countering allegations regarding law and order.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Punjab for the second time in twenty days to meet the families of victims affected by the state's drug menace, including slain anti-drug activist Parwinder Jhoota in Mansa, Bikramjit Singh's family in Gurdaspur, and Gurjar's family in Sangrur. Ahead of his visit, Shah accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government of pushing the state into drug addiction and pledged to eradicate the drug trade from Punjab by 31 December 2029. The visit has triggered a sharp political confrontation across parties. The Congress hit back at the Home Minister, alleging that the central government shares equal responsibility for failing to curb cross-border drug smuggling and questioning Shah for remembering Punjab after twelve years. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party accused the BJP of politicising Parwinder Jhoota's death, while Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal wrote to Shah demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry into the murder.

A statewide bandh was called across Punjab following the killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhotta. The shutdown was called by the Joint Action Committee seeking justice for the activist. Shops and schools remained shut in various parts of the state following widespread anger that initially broke out in Mansa and nearby regions. Along the Chandigarh-Ludhiana highway, protesters associated with Waris Punjab De blocked toll operations in solidarity with the bandh, while permitting ambulances and emergency commuters to pass through.

A statewide bandh was observed across Punjab following the recent murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Jhotta in Mansa. The shutdown call was issued by an action committee, along with his family and supporters demanding justice. Demonstrators blocked key transit routes, including Airport Road and the Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway toll plaza, using tractor-trolleys to stop traffic and causing long vehicular queues during morning commute hours. The shutdown led to the closure of schools, shops, and local markets across several parts of the state as public anger over the activist's killing spilled onto the streets.

High drama unfolded in Ludhiana after BJP leader Ravneet Bittu was detained for allegedly throwing eggs, tomatoes, and an alcohol bottle at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's convoy outside Punjab Agricultural University. According to Bittu's team, the leader has been placed under house arrest at his residence in Ludhiana, with police barring him from communicating with anyone. The protest reportedly followed an earlier incident in Batala where Bittu alleged that Aam Aadmi Party workers hurled eggs and tomatoes at his vehicle while he was travelling towards Pathankot.

Political tensions escalated in Punjab after high drama unfolded in Ludhiana outside the Punjab Agricultural University gate during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's visit. Demonstrations followed an earlier incident near Batala during a BJP yatra where cavalcade vehicles were reportedly targeted. After being detained for over an hour by the Punjab Police, the protesting leader was released and dropped off at his residence. Following the release, sharp allegations were raised against the Aam Aadmi Party government and the police, asserting that detention and police cases cannot suppress public voices and that the fight against the ruling administration will continue as the state heads towards assembly elections.

A worsening power crisis in Punjab has severely impacted industrial operations in Mohali, with units facing prolonged scheduled and unscheduled outages. Industrialists have warned of substantial economic losses amounting to approximately 100 crore rupees due to receiving only 12 hours of electricity instead of the required 24 hours. Mohali Industry Association representative Vivek Kapoor highlighted that expensive generator power is unviable in a competitive market and noted difficulties in fulfilling commitments to clients, including the railways and government projects. The situation has triggered political protests led by the Punjab Congress and other opposition parties against the state administration. Amid escalating pressure during peak paddy season and high demand, the Bhagwant Mann-led government transferred the chief of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, Basant Garg. While Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sondh and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed all thermal plants are operational and coal supplies have been arranged, industrial units demand advance communication to plan factory production effectively.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged off India's first hydrogen-powered train, which will run between Jind and Sonipat.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a blistering attack on AAP-led Punjab government, calling the party 'kattar beiman'.

As per the local shopkeepers, a bike that was parked nearby was also hit by the sacks, other than the cars. However, no casualties have been reported.

On this Special Report, India Today’s Aman Bhardwaj reports on the intensifying cold wave across North India following fresh snowfall in the higher reaches. The plunge in temperatures has led to dense fog in the plains, significantly reducing visibility in Chandigarh and surrounding areas. Aman Bhardwaj notes that 'Himachal Pradesh road connectivity and electricity or the water supply have been affected in several areas' while Punjab and Haryana face a return of severe cold conditions. Minimum temperatures have dipped to 5 to 6 degrees Celsius in regions including Bathinda, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Sirsa. The Meteorology Department has advised citizens to wear warm clothes and remain cautious as a new western disturbance is expected on 27th January, which is likely to make weather conditions even more severe. The report highlights the impact of the chilly weather on daily life and infrastructure across the Shivalik hills and the northern plains.

In this special edition of Postmortem, Anjali Istwal examines the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, where 'crime is unbridled' and 'joy and fear walk hand in hand.' The programme highlights a series of chilling incidents, including the daylight murder of an AAP Sarpanch at an Amritsar wedding hall and a fatal shootout at a Ludhiana marriage palace. Istwal details the rise of gang culture, noting that Punjab police estimate 45 to 50 active gangs are operating, often directed by handlers in Canada and the US.

In a shocking incident caught on CCTV, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sarpanch Jarnail Singh was shot dead by unidentified assailants at the Marigold Marriage Palace in Amritsar. Reporting on the 'dastardly acts', India Today's Kamaljeet Sandhu reveals that the victim, who hailed from Tarn Taran district, was attacked by two unmasked men inside the venue. While the Punjab Police highlights that the state's crime rate is half the national average, the opposition has launched a sharp attack on the government's handling of law and order. The investigation is currently probing links to organized crime and terror-gangster networks.

In this Special Report, India Today's Aman Bhardwaj reports from Chandigarh airport, where the ongoing IndiGo crisis has led to the cancellation of over 50 flights in the last three days. The disruption has impacted between 7,000 and 8,000 passengers, with daily footfall at the airport ranging from 12,000 to 13,000. While the airport authority has made arrangements for the elderly and children to manage the situation, passengers are being asked to reschedule or seek refunds. The report highlights the plight of travellers like Atanu, who travelled from Ludhiana only to find his flight to Kolkata cancelled. With limited options, many are forced to consider road or rail travel as the aviation crisis continues to affect connectivity.

In this episode of Super 6, we pay tribute to Bollywood's beloved 'He-Man' Dharmendra, who passed away at the age of 89 on Monday.