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Ravinder Vasudeva

Ravinder Vasudeva is a principal correspondent who writes for the Punjab bureau of Hindustan Times.

Articles by Ravinder Vasudeva

Red alert sounded in Punjab ahead of Republic Day

Punjab special DGP (law & order) Arpit Shukla said that special operations are being launched in all the districts of the state.

Punjab special DGP (law & order) Arpit Shukla briefing cops at a Naka in Mohali. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 25, 2025 06:36 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

British-Sikh soldier booked under UAPA for grenade attacks on police posts in Punjab’s Gurdaspur

The police have booked Jagjeet Singh, a native of Tarn Taran who had moved to Britain in 2010 and is currently serving in the British Army, under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act

Jagjeet has been named in two FIRs dated December 19 and 21 registered under sections 109 and 324(4) of the BNS and section 4(5) of the Explosives Act at Kalanaur police station. (HT Photo)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 23, 2025 08:44 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Delhi assembly polls: Punjab VIPs flood Capital, give cops security jitters

Delhi Police officers have now asked their Punjab counterparts to inform them well in advance about the movement and security details of leaders from the northern state

The BJP has been accusing the AAP of stationing all its ministers, MPs legislators, and functionaries from Punjab in the national capital to campaign for the February 5 assembly polls. (ANI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 22, 2025 06:04 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab to send senior medical officers to IIM-A for management training

As many as 30 SMOs will be sent in the first batch, for which a budget of ₹60 lakh has been sanctioned by the health department.

The Centre for Management of Health Services (CMHS) is one of the oldest centers at IIM, Ahmedabad. It was set up in June 2004 in recognition of IIM-A’s contributions to the health sector in the past and the need to strengthen the management of the health sector in the context of socio-economic developments of our country. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 19, 2025 06:50 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

SC asks Punjab govt to furnish comparative medical reports of Dallewal

According to the January 10 and January 14 reports, Dallewal’s haemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium level are within range. The blood test reports, however, show high levels of ketones

Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal has been on hunger strike since November 26, 2024. (ANI)

India News

Updated on Jan 16, 2025 06:04 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Docs shying away from govt jobs, high attrition rate a double whammy for Punjab

Be it medical officers or specialists, Punjab’s high attrition rate has remained a big challenge as doctors are now preferring the private sector over government institutions.

Despite the tall claims by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of making a robust health infrastructure in Punjab, the state continues to struggle to attract doctors in the government sector. (Shutterstock/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 15, 2025 06:22 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

To check reckless driving: SSF vehicles in Punjab to have speed guns, alcometers

The vehicles will also be equipped with body-worn cameras and alcometers (breathalysers) also ensuring prompt action and further reducing road accident fatalities, the official said

The SSF is equipped with 116 Toyota Hilux and 28 Mahindra Scorpios featuring dashboard cameras, first-aid kits, wireless systems, sirens, public address systems, and stretchers. Each vehicle, manned by 12 personnel in 3 shifts, covers a 30 km radius. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 09, 2025 07:30 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Posts vacant, Punjab struggles to attract MBBS doctors

Nearly 30% of selected candidates fail to turn up; dept extends joining deadline to Jan 12 ; Despite tall claims, Punjab is struggling to attract sufficient MBBS doctors in its latest recruitment drive with nearly 30% of the selected candidates failing to join their posts even after the January 3 deadline.

While the Punjab government offers a starting salary of <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>53,100 with a gross pay of nearly <span class='webrupee'>₹</span>1 lakh for new MBBS doctors, it falls short compared to neighbouring states like Haryana and Delhi, where salaries are higher and include better career progression schemes such as assured career progression. (Getty Images/iStockphoto/ Representational image)

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 07, 2025 07:10 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Bishnoi interview: SIT to name sacked DSP Gursher in FIR

The dismissed DSP, according to people familiar with the matter, might have left the country; according to an SIT member, procedures to nominate Gursher has started as the SIT has found him to be the main conspirator in facilitating the TV interview

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 04, 2025 04:00 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab: DSP sacked over Lawrence Bishnoi’s interview

The orders to dismiss DSP Gursher SinghSandhu, a PPS rank officer, were issued by the state government using Article 311 of the Constitution

Chandigarh

Updated on Jan 03, 2025 09:06 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab: All eight blast incidents targeting police installations solved, says DGP

The DGP said that a total of five modules have been busted which includes two modules of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and three modules of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)

Islamabad police station in Amritsar where an explosion took place during the wee hours on December 17. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 31, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

UK soldier under Punjab Police lens was declared PO in 2011 UAPA case

As per the police dossier, accessed by HT, Jagjeet Singh and his associates were planning to target heads of religious sects to vitiate communal harmony in the state by recruiting youth from Punjab

Police investigating the attack on an outpost in Gurdaspur district on December 18. (Sourced)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 25, 2024 08:46 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

MC Polls: BJP electoral slide continues

Of the 961 municipal seats that went to polls on December 21, the BJP managed to secure only 61 wards. In the five key cities of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Phagwara, the party won only 50 out of 350 seats—a success rate of just 13%.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 24, 2024 09:10 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Bishnoi jail interviews: Punjab home dept recommends DSP’s dismissal

The SIT uncovered that the controversial interview, aired in March 2023, was conducted via video conference when Bishnoi was in CIA Kharar custody on September 3-4, 2022. Gursher was DSP (investigations) at that time and Bishnoi was being probed for his alleged role in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi was in CIA Kharar custody on September 3-4, 2022. (Ayush Sharma)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 15, 2024 08:12 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Civic body polls: Jakhar ‘missing’, Rupani takes charge, to chair key Punjab BJP meet today

On Monday, the party finalised tickets for the municipal councils and majority of candidates for the municipal corporations will be finalised on Tuesday

Senior leader Vijay Rupani chairs a BJP meet on Monday. (HT)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 10, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

After bid on Sukhbir’s life, Punjab Police tighten security of Akali leaders

According to top functionaries of the Punjab Police, Akali leaders, including SAD working president Balwinder Bhunder, Daljeet Singh Cheema, Sucha Singh Langah, Maheshinder Grewal, Adesh Partap Kairon, Charanjit Singh Atwal, Bikram Majithia, rebel leader Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Hira Singh Gabria and former SGPC chief Bibi Jagir Kaur have been provided heavy security cover.

In wake of the assassination bid on former deputy chief minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, Punjab Police has tightened the security of all leaders who have been awarded tankhah (religious punishment) by the Akal Takht. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 07, 2024 05:40 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Sukhbir attacker a ‘lone wolf’, says early police probe

Initial probe suggests Chaura planned the assassination only after Akal Takht pronounced its verdict on Badal regarding the Bargari sacrilege case.

Narain Singh Chaura, who attempted to assassinate former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Badal at the Golden Temple, acted alone and was “self-motivated,” preliminary police investigation revealed, even as Badal returned on Thursday to take up sewadar duty as part of his atonement.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 06, 2024 04:55 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Attack on Sukhbir Badal lays bare chinks in security

Sukhbir’s Z+ cover includes 10+ CISF commandos but none of his central security detail was visibly present near him at the time of the attack; the bullet missed Sukhbir after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about 7 feet above Sukhbir’s head.

A former militant’s assassination attempt on Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple was foiled on Wednesday, exposing serious security lapses despite his Z-plus protection status. (PTI)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Chaura, a pro-Khalistan leader who is on radar of central intel agencies

Narain Singh Chaura has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases.

Narain Singh Chaura, the man who attempted to shoot former Punjab deputy chief minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple complex in Amritsar on Wednesday, has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases and was declared the mastermind of the sensational Burail jailbreak in Chandigarh in 2004.

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 06:46 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Attack on Sukhbir: Also probing if attack a ploy to gain sympathy, says Amritsar top cop Bhullar; Majithia hits back

“We are investigating all angles, including what was the attacker’s motivation behind the attack. We are also investigating if any organisation or political angle is behind this attack. As many people are questioning us, the probe is also being done if the attack was orchestrated to garner sympathy,” Bhullar told reporters in Amritsar.

Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar on Wednesday kicked up a row by saying that the police are also investigating if the assassination bid on SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal was a ploy to garner sympathy, prompting a sharp reaction from Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia who alleged that police have failed to do their job properly. (ANI File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:04 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Alarm after brazen bid on Badal’s life

The bullet missed Badal after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about seven feet above Badal’s head

A Punjab Police officer fends off the shooter, Narain Singh Chaura, who opened fire at Sukhbir Singh Badal (seated) at the Golden Temple complex on Wednesday morning. (HT )

India News

Updated on Dec 05, 2024 07:44 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva

Re-branding of Aam Aadmi Clinics: State gets ₹164 cr as 2nd instalment under NHM

With this second instalment, the Punjab Government has received around ₹190 crore from around ₹1,200 crore of NHM funds stuck since 2023.

The Centre had strongly objected to this and had stopped the funding under NHM in January 2023. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Dec 04, 2024 07:56 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Wooing rural Sikhs still a work in progress for BJP

Drubbing in the recently concluded four bypolls and Lok Sabha elections clearly depict that the party is still struggling to bridge the gap with rural Sikhs in Punjab

Sikhs have been at the centre stage of the political discourse of the BJP in Punjab ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to withdraw the three controversial farm laws in 2021.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 30, 2024 09:22 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Made in Madhya Pradesh, fired in Punjab

In the past two years, 1,300 illegal weapons manufactured in Madhya Pradesh and to be supplied to gangsters have been recovered by Punjab Police

Kumar’s interrogation revealed that he was working on the directions of foreign-based Khalistani terrorist Harwinder Kumar, alias Sonu, belonging to Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). (HT File)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 27, 2024 10:43 PM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab bypoll: BJP’s expansion plans take a hit

Its attempts to woo influential figures from other parties have failed to yield results in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year and again in Saturday’s bypoll results

The party not only failed to garner good votes in any of the four contested seats but lost its security deposits on three of them, raising serious questions about its strategy and grassroots presence.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 24, 2024 08:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

{Post bypolls results} Punjab BJP gets ready for overhaul

With incumbent state chief Sunil Jakhar expressing unwillingness to continue, the revamp will take place along with its internal polls

Party insiders suggest that the revamp will take place alongside BJP’s internal organisational elections which are expected to commence in December this year. (HT File)

Chandigarh

Published on Nov 21, 2024 10:06 PM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Anmol, a key operator of Lawrence Bishnoi’s global criminal syndicate

As per the Punjab police dossier, accessed by HT, Anmol looks after the cartel of extortion and also oversees the investment of the gang’s money in businesses outside India.

Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi’s brother Anmol Bishnoi alias Bhanu

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 20, 2024 08:12 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab: Fazilka man held in Baba Siddique case

Akash Gill is 24th man to be arrested by the Mumbai police in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique recently. “The accused gave ‘logistic’ help to killers,” mentioned Punjab DGP in a post on his X handle.

This is the second arrest made from Punjab in connection with the murder of Baba Siddique.

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 17, 2024 06:14 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

NHM funds: Centre-state deadlock over, but no clarity on pending ₹621 crore

The Punjab government resolved a funding dispute with the Centre, receiving ₹123 crore but risks losing ₹621 crore for 2023-24 due to clinic naming issues.

The centre had stopped the NHM funds for Punjab in February 2023, claiming that the Mann government was branding the centrally sponsored health and wellness clinics as Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 10:06 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

Punjab BJP chief opposes Centre’s move to allot land for Haryana assembly in UT

Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Punjab, writes to Prime Minister, calling on him to acknowledge Punjab’s “rightful” claim over Chandigarh and fulfill longstanding promises made to the state.

BJP’s Punjab president Sunil Jakhar . (HT file)

Chandigarh

Updated on Nov 15, 2024 09:18 AM IST

ByRavinder Vasudeva, Chandigarh

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Ravinder Vasudeva

Ravinder Vasudeva is a principal correspondent who writes for the Punjab bureau of Hindustan Times.

Punjab special DGP (law & order) Arpit Shukla said that special operations are being launched in all the districts of the state.

The police have booked Jagjeet Singh, a native of Tarn Taran who had moved to Britain in 2010 and is currently serving in the British Army, under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Explosives Act

Delhi Police officers have now asked their Punjab counterparts to inform them well in advance about the movement and security details of leaders from the northern state

As many as 30 SMOs will be sent in the first batch, for which a budget of ₹60 lakh has been sanctioned by the health department.

According to the January 10 and January 14 reports, Dallewal’s haemoglobin, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium level are within range. The blood test reports, however, show high levels of ketones

Be it medical officers or specialists, Punjab’s high attrition rate has remained a big challenge as doctors are now preferring the private sector over government institutions.

The vehicles will also be equipped with body-worn cameras and alcometers (breathalysers) also ensuring prompt action and further reducing road accident fatalities, the official said

The dismissed DSP, according to people familiar with the matter, might have left the country; according to an SIT member, procedures to nominate Gursher has started as the SIT has found him to be the main conspirator in facilitating the TV interview

The orders to dismiss DSP Gursher SinghSandhu, a PPS rank officer, were issued by the state government using Article 311 of the Constitution

The DGP said that a total of five modules have been busted which includes two modules of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF) and three modules of Babbar Khalsa International (BKI)

As per the police dossier, accessed by HT, Jagjeet Singh and his associates were planning to target heads of religious sects to vitiate communal harmony in the state by recruiting youth from Punjab

Of the 961 municipal seats that went to polls on December 21, the BJP managed to secure only 61 wards. In the five key cities of Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Patiala, and Phagwara, the party won only 50 out of 350 seats—a success rate of just 13%.

On Monday, the party finalised tickets for the municipal councils and majority of candidates for the municipal corporations will be finalised on Tuesday

Initial probe suggests Chaura planned the assassination only after Akal Takht pronounced its verdict on Badal regarding the Bargari sacrilege case.

Narain Singh Chaura has been on the radar of central intelligence agencies over multiple terror-related cases.

The bullet missed Badal after an alert police officer in plainclothes grabbed Chaura’s hand, causing the shot to hit a wall about seven feet above Badal’s head

With this second instalment, the Punjab Government has received around ₹190 crore from around ₹1,200 crore of NHM funds stuck since 2023.

Drubbing in the recently concluded four bypolls and Lok Sabha elections clearly depict that the party is still struggling to bridge the gap with rural Sikhs in Punjab

In the past two years, 1,300 illegal weapons manufactured in Madhya Pradesh and to be supplied to gangsters have been recovered by Punjab Police

Its attempts to woo influential figures from other parties have failed to yield results in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier this year and again in Saturday’s bypoll results

With incumbent state chief Sunil Jakhar expressing unwillingness to continue, the revamp will take place along with its internal polls

As per the Punjab police dossier, accessed by HT, Anmol looks after the cartel of extortion and also oversees the investment of the gang’s money in businesses outside India.

Akash Gill is 24th man to be arrested by the Mumbai police in connection with the murder of NCP leader Baba Siddique recently. “The accused gave ‘logistic’ help to killers,” mentioned Punjab DGP in a post on his X handle.

The Punjab government resolved a funding dispute with the Centre, receiving ₹123 crore but risks losing ₹621 crore for 2023-24 due to clinic naming issues.

Partap Singh Bajwa, senior Congress leader and leader of Opposition in Punjab, writes to Prime Minister, calling on him to acknowledge Punjab’s “rightful” claim over Chandigarh and fulfill longstanding promises made to the state.

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