07102025-ATR-01.qxd 10/6/2025 11:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CITY GEARS UP FOR PARKASH PURB OF GURU RAMDAS NEOS AIR’S WEEKLY CITY TO TORONTO SERVICE TO STOP I WON’T DO ANYTHING THAT I DON’T LOVE: SHEFALI SHAH The SGPC along with sangat will organise a Nagar Kirtan to mark the Parkash Purb of 4th Sikh master Guru Ramdas. P2 Italy’s Neos Air has announced suspension of its weekly AmritsarToronto service from October 8. P2 MAX 22°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 18°C Powerhouse performer Shefali Shah, in Chandigarh to attend a film fest, reflects on her cinematic journey. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.07 PM » SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.28 AM TUESDAY | 7 OCTOBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Registrar orders immediate removal of Amritsar Coop Bank director for fraud Walia obtained ~10L loan using fake documents linked to a non-existent plot vidual concerned, it is imperative to take decisive action to stem the rot and restore institutional faith.” The investigation revealed that Walia, in connivance with his father, Satwinder Pal Singh Walia—an employee of the same bank—secured a housebuilding loan of Rs10 lakh. Disbursed in three installments beginning October 16, 2017, the loan was obtained on the basis of fabricated documents tied to a non-existent property. The fraudulent activity persisted even after Walia was elected Director and later Chairman of the Bank on December 15, 2021. Though the loan account was officially closed on March 6, 2025, officials stated that “repayment cannot erase the fundamental deceit of obtaining a loan against a non-existent property.” The order categorically termed this act a criminal offence and a case Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 6 Umesh, Joint Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Jalandhar Division, exercising powers of the Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Punjab, has held Arinderbir Singh Walia guilty of committing fraud with Amritsar Central Cooperative Bank Ltd by securing a housing loan on a nonexistent plot and failing to repay it fully. In an official order issued under Section 27(1) of the Punjab Cooperative Societies Act, 1961, Walia has been removed from the directorship of the Bank with immediate effect. The order, a copy of which is with Amritsar Tribune, emphasised the seriousness of the fraud and the resulting loss of moral authority, stating: “In view of the gravity of the fraud and the complete loss of moral standing of the indi- of “persistent default and moral misconduct” under Section 27(1) of the Act. Walia was served a show cause notice and given 15 days to respond. He submitted his written reply on September 25, 2025, and also appeared in person before the Joint Registrar on October 1, 2025. However, his explanations failed to counter the evidence gathered during the inquiry. A report submitted by the District Manager (letter number 20610, dated March 4, 2025) stated that the inspection team was unable to locate the plot or any construction at the claimed site. Further investigations were carried out by the Deputy Registrar, Cooperative Societies (DRCS), Amritsar, who reviewed the bank’s documents and consulted the Deputy Commissioner, Amritsar. According to the official report (Letter No. DRA/772, dated October 3, 2025), the plot mentioned in the loan documents— Plot No. 146 min/147 (D Block), Khasra Nos. 980 and 981, Sub-Urban Taraf Mahal-2, Abadi Kanwar Avenue Phase-2, Amritsar—was found to be nonexistent based on land revenue records. The DC’s office confirmed that the property detailed in Vasika No. 2020 dated June 8, 2017, does not exist in the specified location. The DRCS report also pointed out that the bank employees responsible for property verification failed in their duties and provided incorrect assessments prior to sanctioning the loan. Concluding the matter, Umesh remarked that such fraudulent acts by someone in a position of power compromise public trust and the integrity of cooperative institutions. Hence, Walia’s removal was deemed necessary to uphold transparency and accountability. Garbage collection stalls in poor colonies as workers demand higher charges Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Cops bust network, unearth explosives, weapons cache Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 6 In a major breakthrough in cross-border terrorism, the Amritsar Rural Police on Monday recovered another consignment of explosives, further exposing an ISIbacked network operating in the region. Acting on leads obtained during the investigation into the recent seizure of hand grenades, the police arrested Harpreet Singh, alias Happy, alias Milkha, a resident of Bhikhiwind area in Tarn Taran, and recovered two more hand grenades from his possession. With this, the total number of grenades recovered from the module has risen to four in just four days. Earlier, the police had nabbed Ravinder Singh, alias Ravi, of Talwandi Mohar Singh village, Patti, on October 2, and seized an Arrangements in place for shobha yatra routes unregistered motorcycle from him. Investigations revealed that both accused were in touch with Pakistan’s InterServices Intelligence (ISI) through a handler identified as ‘Tiger’. “During interrogation, Harpreet Singh disclosed that he was in direct contact with a Pakistan-based operative known as Tiger. He admitted that he was receiving instructions to collect drone-dropped consignments of weapons and explosives from Dall village in Tarn Taran for further delivery to criminal and terror Shobha Yatra taken out on eve of Bhagwan Valmiki’s birthday Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 6 The city’s sanitation system is in disarray after the solid waste management company, Award, halted its operations. Municipal corporation officials are now relying on the company’s former workers to lift garbage, but the situation remains chaotic. Residents of low-income colonies have alleged that sanitation workers are now demanding Rs 100 per house for garbage collection. Locals from Jhugian Wala Chowk in Jodha Fatak claimed that private vehicles are only collecting garbage from affluent households, while poorer colonies are being neglected. “Only the rich are getting basic services now. We are being forced to live in filth,” said Harish Dhawan, a resident of Gali No.18, New Dashmesh Nagar. According to sources, around 70 vehicles and 10 tractor-trolleys, previously operated by Award, are currently being used to collect garbage from nearly 70,000 households and various commercial estab- Residents of Jhugian wala Chowk show a garbage dump in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR lishments. However, residents allege that sanitation workers are now demanding double the earlier amount. Instead of Rs 50, they are being asked to pay Rs 100 per house, and larger homes are being charged Rs 300 instead of Rs 200. In some cases, workers are even issuing receipts for the inflated amounts. In New Dashmesh Nagar, garbage has reportedly not been lifted for over a week. “When we asked the workers, they said they will only collect garbage from houses that pay Rs 100 per month,” said Dhawan. Another resident, Sabi, added, “Where are our elected councillors? They never visit our area. We don’t even know who they are or where they live.” Sunny, another resident, said that garbage is being collected regularly from nearby areas like Mahindra Colony, Sundar Nagar, and Pawan Nagar, where more financially secure families reside. “Even those of us willing to pay are being ignored. No garbage vehicle comes here. If this continues, we’ll soon be facing serious health issues,” he warned. Amritsar, October 6 Ahead of the Bhagwan Valmiki Prakat Diwas celebrations, Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia reviewed cleanliness arrangements along the routes of the upcoming shobha yatra. The procession is scheduled to pass through various markets and localities of the city, where special sanitation measures have been undertaken to maintain hygiene and ensure smooth movement. The inspection was conducted in the presence of Punjab SC Land Development and Finance Corporation Director Ravinder Hans, Municipal Corporation Health Officer Dr Kiran Kumar, the Chief Sanitary Inspector, sanitary inspectors and supervisors. During the inspection, the MLA and the Mayor instructed the civic officials to ensure thorough cleanliness along the designated routes and remove all garbage and debris before the procession. CROP LOSS DUE TO FLOODS PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Farmers protest delay in issuing adequate compensation Tarn Taran, October 6 Farmers and labourers took part in a protest organised by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha here on Monday. They also burnt effigies of the Centre and the Punjab Government, demanding immediate action with regard to crop and flood compensation. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said protests were held at 112 places across 19 districts in the state. The protest aimed to highlight the problems faced by farmers after crop damage caused by the floods. Pandher demanded compensation of Rs 70,000 per acre for damaged paddy crops, along with 10 per cent additional compensation for farm labourers. Full compensation was also demanded for the loss of live- SSP, Amritsar (Rural), Maninder Singh (2nd from right) briefs mediamen about the seizure of hand grenades in Amritsar. networks,” revealed SSP , Amritsar (Rural), Maninder Singh He said the arrests have unearthed a wider ISI-sponsored network engaged in pushing weapons and explosives into Punjab using drones. He added that Ravinder Singh is a habitual offender already facing charges under Section 307 of the BNS and the Arms Act in Tarn Taran district. A case has been registered under Section 113 of the BNS and Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosives Act. Police teams are now working to trace other local conduits and foreign handlers associated with the module. “This operation once again highlights Pakistan’s desperate attempts to disturb peace and stability in Punjab. Our investigations are continuing to identify and dismantle the entire network,” said the SSP . Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee during a protest at Golden Gate in Amritsar. stock, poultry farms and damaged homes. Farmer leaders criticised the government for penalising farmers for paddy stubble burning while offering minimal compensation for crop losses. “Farmers do not burn stubble for fun. The government should either make proper arrangements for stubble disposal or provide Rs 200 per quintal or Rs 6,000 per acre to manage it themselves,” said Pandher. They demanded that floodaffected areas receive immediate relief, sugarcane payments be cleared quickly and that wheat, basmati and other crops be purchased at fair prices. The leaders insisted c m y b that water release from dams be investigated by a judicial commission and measures taken to prevent such damage in the future. The protest emphasized that action against farmers for burning crop residue is discriminatory. Pandher said while industrial areas causing 94 per cent of pollution were left unchecked, farmers faced fines and restrictions despite their fields producing oxygen and food all year. The protest involved farmers’ groups and unions, including the BKU Ekta Azad, the BKU Krantikari, the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, the BKU Doaba, the Kisan Mazdoor Hitkari Sabha, the BKU Bhatedi and the Bharti Kisan Mazdoor Union. — TNS Devotees take part in the shobha yatra on the eve of Bhagwan Valmiki birthday celebrations in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, October 6 A grand shobha yatra was organized in Amritsar on the auspicious occasion of Bhagwan Valmiki’s birth anniversary here on Monday. The procession was jointly arranged by Godham Mohalla and the Central Valmiki Temple Committee. Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Om Prakash Soni inaugurated the religious event by cutting the cer- emonial ribbon. The occasion witnessed a massive turnout of devotees, filling the city with an atmosphere of devotion and reverence. The procession, carrying the sacred palanquin of Bhagwan Valmiki, passed through several major routes and markets of the city. Devotees participated enthusiastically, singing bhajans and kirtans accompanied by traditional music and decorative tableaux. The venue and procession routes were beautifully decorated, and special arrangements were made for the convenience of devotees. Addressing the gathering, chief guest Om Prakash Soni said, “Amritsar, the city of Gurus, is blessed to have the sacred site of Bhagwan Valmiki at Ram Tirath. It is a matter of pride for the city. We must draw inspiration from his ideals of simplicity, equality, and truth.” — TNS Alert BSF jawans seize arms smuggled from Pakistan Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 6 In yet another successful operation against cross-border smuggling, alert BSF personnel seized two pistols along the Indo-Pakistan border in Amritsar on Monday. According to BSF officials, the seizure followed the detection of a suspected drone movement in the border area early this morning. Acting swiftly, BSF jawans launched a search operation and recovered two pistols, four magazines and a motorcycle from fields near Nesta village. The recovered pistols were found wrapped in yellow adhesive tape with a metal ring attached — a telltale sign of a drone drop. A BSF spokesperson said the alertness and time- BSF jawans with the seized pistols smuggled via drones at Amritsar border on Monday. ly action of jawans once again thwarted the nefarious attempts of Pakistan-based syndicates to smuggle arms into Indian territory. Further investigations are on to trace the recipients and the network behind the smuggling attempt.