In a deeply troubling incident, a stepfather arrested for alleged rape of 13-year-old girl in Zirakpur, a growing town in Mohali district. The 13-year-old bravely spoke out and told her mother about the horrific abuse, which immediately led to a police investigation.

The mother, heartbroken yet courageous, reported the incident to the police. She said, “My daughter told me that my husband had been raping her and threatening to stab her if she revealed it to anyone.” Her powerful statement pushed the police to take firm legal action against the accused.

The accused, originally from Uttar Pradesh, worked as a daily wage labourer in Zirakpur. He has three children, including a nine-month-old baby. The family’s life changed overnight as this shocking case came to light.

Over the past two decades, Zirakpur has transformed rapidly. In 2001, its population stood at around 25,000, but by 2021 it had crossed 100,000. This fast urban growth has brought both development and new social challenges. As communities expand, it becomes crucial to ensure that safety and awareness keep pace with progress.

Because of the seriousness of the crime, the police quickly registered a case against the stepfather. He now faces charges under major child protection laws, including:

• Section 65(1): Rape of a girl under 16 years of age.
• Section 351(2): Criminal intimidation, for issuing violent threats.
• Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act: The strictest section dealing with aggravated sexual assault on minors.

The POCSO Act, introduced in 2012, aims to protect children from sexual abuse and ensure speedy justice. Punjab has actively enforced this law, showing its commitment to child safety through awareness programs, fast-track courts, and community engagement.

However, sexual violence remains a serious concern. In 2021 alone, Punjab reported 814 rape cases, many involving minors. These alarming figures highlight the need for stronger preventive action, education, and public vigilance.

Authorities are working on several fronts to tackle such crimes. Along with strict law enforcement, they are promoting child safety awareness in schools and neighborhoods. They encourage parents to talk openly with their children and teach them about their rights and personal safety.

Community organizations and NGOs are also stepping forward to support victims. They provide counseling, legal aid, and protection services. Their joint efforts with law enforcement aim to ensure that victims receive justice and emotional care.

This case has sparked discussions across the region about how families and communities can better protect their children. It reminds everyone that silence allows abuse to continue, while awareness and action can stop it.

However, in the end, this tragic case, where the stepfather arrested for alleged rape of 13-year-old girl in Zirakpur, must inspire the entire community to unite. Only through empathy, awareness, and responsibility can society safeguard its children and build neighborhoods rooted in trust and safety for all.

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Residents in Punjab fear flooding again as water levels in the Sutlej River rise after new releases from the Bhakra and Pong dams. The situation has once again alarmed people living in border villages such as Kaluwala, Navi Gatti Rajoke, Tendiwala, Nihala Kilcha, Nihala Lavera, Dhira Ghara, and Bandala. Many of these areas had just started recovering from the last flood, but the new surge in water has brought back fear and uncertainty.

On Tuesday, the Sutlej’s flow reached a dangerous level. The discharge at Harike Headworks climbed to 92,000 cusecs, while Hussainiwala recorded around 80,000 cusecs, nearly double the usual flow of 40,000 to 45,000 cusecs. Although the level is still lower than the 3 lakh cusecs peak during previous floods, residents worry that the river might erode its banks and move closer to their homes.

Kaluwala, the last Indian village along the border, faces the highest risk. The river surrounds it on three sides, and earlier floods had already damaged the village severely. About 250 residents who had just returned home are leaving once again. Sixteen families shifted to nearby Langiāna village and built temporary tarpaulin shelters. They now look to the administration for relief and support to rebuild their lives.

Recovery remains painfully slow. Many villagers still struggle to repair their tubewells and borewells destroyed during the last floods. Fallen electric poles have kept much of the area without power, leaving families in darkness. Thick layers of sand cover farmland, and most farmers cannot prepare their fields for the next sowing season.

Swarn Singh, a 55-year-old farmer from Kaluwala, described his hardship. “My four acres of land lie buried under eight feet of sand. No tractor can reach my fields. My sons are studying, but we don’t have enough to pay their fees. I pray that Waheguru helps us survive,” he said, his voice heavy with emotion. His struggle mirrors the pain of many others.

Makhan Singh, another villager aged 60, spoke about his loss. “The floods washed away twelve acres of my land; it feels like the river swallowed it. A snakebite killed one of my cows, and two rooms of my house collapsed. I don’t have money to rebuild,” he explained. Even though an NGO gave him another cow, he still fears more flooding.

Surjit Singh, another farmer, expressed worry over his damaged fields. “My four acres are full of sand and mud. If we don’t clear it soon, I won’t be able to plant wheat this season,” he said. He urged the government to act quickly to restore the fields.

Former Sarpanch Balbir Singh from Gatti Rajoke said that floodwaters once again entered farmlands after the embankment broke on the Pakistani side. “The gushing water carved deep channels across our fields and swept away the topsoil,” he explained. Many farmers now fear losing another crop cycle if conditions don’t improve soon.

Sandeep Goyal, Superintendent Engineer of the Water Resources Department, explained that heavy rainfall in the catchment areas forced both Bhakra and Pong dams to release more water, increasing the flow at Harike to 93,000 cusecs. He added that the level has now dropped to 85,000 cusecs and should stabilize soon, giving villagers some hope of relief.

The rising waters have caused immense stress among families living near the Sutlej. Many people are displaced, searching for safe shelter and food. Community groups and volunteers continue to supply food, clothing, and medicines, but recovery remains uncertain.

Experts point out that unpredictable rainfall and weak river management make border districts more vulnerable to floods. They urge the government to strengthen flood warning systems, repair embankments regularly, and coordinate better with Pakistan to manage shared waterways.

For now, residents in Punjab fear flooding again as they watch the Sutlej’s strong currents with both anxiety and hope. Their courage and unity keep them going, but they need quick government action, reliable relief, and lasting flood protection to secure their future.

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Chandigarh introduce new litigation policy to make the legal system faster, clearer, and fairer for everyone. The Chandigarh administration officially announced this new initiative through its gazette on October 8, 2025. The goal is simple, to reduce unnecessary court cases and promote peaceful solutions through mediation and arbitration.

The new policy encourages people and departments to solve disputes through discussion rather than through long legal battles. It also aims to make legal work more efficient and transparent. All government departments in the Union Territory (UT) have been directed to focus on resolving conflicts early by using Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods. This move supports the Mediation Act, 2023, which promotes a culture of dialogue and cooperation across India.

The policy outlines several key measures to improve coordination and accountability. First, it emphasizes teamwork among departments. When multiple government departments are part of a dispute, they must coordinate from beginning to end. This approach avoids confusion and helps manage cases smoothly.

Secondly, the policy ensures easy access to legal information. All important documents, rules, and guidelines will be made available online on official department websites. This will help citizens, lawyers, and government officers understand processes better and save time.

Thirdly, every government contract, project, or agreement must include ADR clauses. These clauses allow for mediation or arbitration to resolve disputes without going to court. As a result, issues can be handled quickly, saving both money and public resources.

Another important point of the policy is discouraging unnecessary appeals. The administration advised departments to avoid filing appeals in higher courts unless the case involves serious or important legal issues. This will help reduce the heavy burden on the judiciary and allow courts to focus on major matters.

Additionally, the policy promotes the use of technology in managing court cases. A new IT-based case monitoring system will track all ongoing legal matters in real time. This system will also help departments monitor deadlines, manage data efficiently, and improve coordination between legal teams.

Officials believe that this step marks a big change in how Chandigarh handles government-related cases. By using technology and teamwork, the administration aims to set new standards in governance. Moreover, these reforms align with India’s broader vision of transparent and efficient public administration.

Chandigarh, already known for its clean and well-managed infrastructure, has now taken another step toward modern governance. Chandigarh consistently ranks among the top cities in Swachh Survekshan surveys, and this new initiative further strengthens its record of good governance.

Experts say that such a policy can serve as a model for other Union Territories and states. By adopting ADR and technology, Chandigarh is showing how a government can make justice simpler, faster, and more accessible for its people.

Overall, the Chandigarh introduce new litigation policy represents a major step toward reforming the legal system. With teamwork, transparency, and technology at its core, this policy promises quicker resolutions, fewer disputes, and a more efficient justice process for all citizens.

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