23122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/23/2025 12:16 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST FOG IN MORNING DLSA HOLDS WALKATHON AGAINST DRUG ABUSE GURU NANAK DEV DISTRICT LIBRARY AWAITS LIBRARIANS DRISHYAM 3 SET TO RELEASE IN CINEMAS ON OCT 2, 2026 To create awareness against drug abuse, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) organised a walkathon. P2 All four posts of librarians and all four posts of assistant librarians are vacant at Guru Nanak Dev District Library. P3 MAX 18°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 18°C | MIN 10°C Ajay Devgn returns as Vijay Salgaonkar, alongside Tabu, Shriya Saran and Rajat Kapoor in the film. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 5.31 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7.27 AM » TUESDAY | 23 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Youths deported from Malaysia share ordeal with MP Aujla Broken wooden ramp highlights flaws in Summer Palace restoration Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service The deported youths with Lok Sabha member Gurjeet Singh Aujla in Amritsar on Monday. Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 22 Several youths deported from Malaysia have alleged that they were subjected to humiliating and inhuman treatment by Malaysian authorities and airport officials. The youths shared their ordeal with Lok Sabha member Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Monday after arriving at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport here. According to the deported individuals, they had travelled to Malaysia on valid tourist and employment visas. However, upon their arrival, they were allegedly detained, harassed and deported without being given any proper explanation. The youths claimed that they were subjected to physical harassment and degrading behaviour during questioning and detention. Some of them further alleged that members of the Punjabi community were being specifically targeted during immigration checks. Aujla, who met the youths at the airport while returning from Delhi, expressed serious concern over the allegations. Condemning the reported incidents in the strongest terms, the MP said that such treatment of Indian citizens on for- eign soil was unacceptable and could not be tolerated. Aujla stated that the issue would be immediately brought to the attention of Union Minister for External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar. He added that the matter would also be taken up with the Indian Embassy in Malaysia to seek an explanation from the authorities concerned. The MP further said urgent discussions would be held with Malaysian officials to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future. He stressed the need to ensure the safety, dignity and rights of Indian nationals travelling or working abroad. Amritsar, December 22 The Summer Palace, the former summer capital of Maharaja Ranjit Singh located at Ram Bagh (Company Bagh) in Amritsar, took nearly 17 years to be converted into a memorial museum. To facilitate elderly visitors, persons with physical disabilities and children, a sloped wooden access pathway was constructed at the entrance to the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum. However, the quality of work carried out over the prolonged renovation period, which cost several crores of rupees, has now come under scrutiny as the wooden sloped pathway has already broken down. Plastic ropes have been tied on both sides of the damaged path as a temporary measure. The Summer Palace was closed for renovation on October 15, 2004. With an expenditure of approximately Rs 15 crore, efforts were made to recreate the palace as the royal court of Sher-e- The damaged wooden sloped pathway at the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh at Ram Bagh in Amritsar. The palace was opened to public in 2022 after renovation. Punjab. Statues of Maharaja Ranjit Singh seated on the royal throne, his trusted general and right-hand man Hari Singh Nalwa, and his elder son Kanwar Kharak Singh were installed. In addition, MC warns of strict action against illegal tree cutting in city Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar December 22 Taking serious note of the growing incidents of illegal cutting and unauthorised pruning of trees and plants within city limits, the Horticulture Department of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) has warned violators of strict legal action. According to an official letter issued by the Horticulture Department, a large number of trees and shrubs have been planted by the department across Amritsar in parks, gardens, green belts, road dividers, traffic islands and public squares to enhance the city’s greenery and aesthetic appeal. However, it has come to the department’s notice that several individuals and institutions are carrying out tree cutting and pruning activities without obtaining mandatory permission. The department stated that unauthorised cutting has Horticulture Department officials have expressed concern that tree felling and pruning are adversely affecting the city's green cover, ecological balance and long-term environmental health. been observed at multiple locations, allegedly involving not only private parties such as shopkeepers, hotels and commercial establishments, but also certain government agencies, including Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). These activities are often undertaken to serve narrow personal or commercial interests, at the cost of the city’s environment and public property. Horticulture Department officials expressed concern that such unchecked actions are adversely affecting the city’s green cover, ecological balance and long-term environmental health. They reiterated that all trees and plants planted by the municipal corporation fall under Jassa Singh Ramgarhia park turns a refuge for drug addicts, anti-social elements Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 22 Once envisioned as a fitting tribute to the legendary Sikh warrior Maharaja Jassa Singh Ramgarhia, the memorial park located on National Highway No.1 today stands as a stark reflection of official apathy and failure of governance. Developed over three decades ago by the Ramgarhia community in collaboration with the Amritsar Improvement Trust, the memorial was meant to preserve the legacy of the founder of the Ramgarhia misl and educate the public about his role in defending the region against repeated invasions. Residents allege that prolonged administrative neglect has allowed the park to degenerate into a refuge for drug A view of the Jassa Singh Ramgarhia park located on National Highway No.1 in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR addicts and anti-social elements, particularly after dusk. “What was once envisioned as a space for remembrance and public engagement has become unsafe for families and elderly visitors due to the lack of policing, lighting and routine monitoring,” said Gian Singh Saggu, president of the All India Jassa Singh Ramgarhia Federation. Littered syringe wrappers and blackened silver foils scattered across the park bear testimony to these claims. This has forced residents of nearby localities to avoid the area altogether, said Jaspal Singh, patron of the federation. The situation is particularly alarming given the park’s location on NH-1 and its proximity to a route used daily by thousands of devotees travelling to the Golden Temple. Despite repeated representations to civic authorities and the police, residents say no sustained action has followed, said Tejinderpal Singh, vice-president of the organisation. The absence of accountability has effectively ceded continued on page 2 c m y b the protection of the Horticulture Department, and no cutting, trimming or pruning can be carried out without prior written approval. Citing clear directions from the MC Commissioner, the department warned that any individual, institution or agency found indulging in illegal tree cutting or unauthorised pruning will face legal action under the applicable municipal and environmental laws. The department also indicated that inspections would be intensified to identify violations and ensure accountability. The municipal corporation has appealed to residents, traders and institutions to cooperate with the authorities and report instances of illegal tree cutting. Officials emphasised that protecting green spaces is a collective responsibility and urged all stakeholders to contribute towards preserving Amritsar’s greenery for future generations. Man beaten to death over property Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 22 A 70-year-old man, a resident of the border area village of Mari Kamboke under the Khalra police station, was allegedly beaten to death by his younger brother following a property dispute. The deceased has been identified as Jagtar Singh. SubInspector Baljinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Khalra, said on Saturday that the accused include Dilbagh Singh, the younger brother of the deceased, along with his wife Sukhjinder Kaur and their son Gurlal Singh. Amarjit Singh, son of the deceased, in his statement to the police, said that there had been a long-standing dispute over landed property between the two brothers. statues depicting a wedding ceremony of the Maharaja’s family were also set up. Weapons associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh and other historical memorabilia were displayed for visitors inside the museum. After beautification limited largely to the interior of the Summer Palace, it was formally opened to the public as a museum on January 3, 2022, by Union Minister for Culture Meenakshi Lekhi. However, outside the palace, no aesthetically designed structures were created for the two water tanks, nor were proper arrangements made to channel water from these tanks towards the baradari on one side and the fish house on the other. The dry and neglected tanks now present a forlorn appearance. Kulwant Singh Ankhi, principal and patron of the Amritsar Vikas Manch, has demanded that the Union Ministry of Culture conduct an inquiry into the use of substandard quality wood for the sloped pathway. He has also called for a comprehensive inspection of the quality of the remaining renovation work at the Summer Palace. Meanwhile, Dr Charanjit Singh Gumtala has demanded that the two ponds outside the palace and the water channels leading to the baradari and the fish house be developed using high-quality technology and appropriate design to restore the historical character of the site. Divine light Ahead of Christmas, St. Paul's Church is illuminated in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ASI among five booked after undertrialescapes from custody Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 22 An undertrial prisoner escaped from police custody on Friday (December 19) while being taken to the Central Jail, Amritsar. The Harike police took action in the matter on Sunday, after a delay of two days, the reasons for which, officials said, are best known to the district police. The escaped undertrial has been identified as Jaskaran Singh, a resident of Kot Data village in Patti subdivision. The Harike police booked five persons in connection with the incident on Sunday (December 21), of whom two have been arrested, SSP Surendra Lamba said. According to the police, Jaskaran Singh was in the custody of the Harike police and was being taken to the Amritsar Central Jail by ASI Sukhwant Singh and Home Guard jawan Satnam Singh on Friday when he managed to escape from custody while still wearing handcuffs. CASE REGISTERED UNDER SECTIONS OF BNS ■ According to the police, Jaskaran Singh was in the custody of the Harike police and was being taken to the Amritsar Central Jail by ASI Sukhwant Singh and Home Guard jawan Satnam Singh on Friday when he managed to escape from custody while still wearing handcuffs. The Harike police registered a case under Sections 262, 263, 264, 249 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Harike police registered a case under Sections 262, 263, 264, 249 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Those booked in the case include ASI Sukhwant Singh, Home Guard jawan Satnam Singh, absconding undertrial Jaskaran Singh, his father Gurnam Singh, a resident of Kot Data village, and Harmandeep Singh, alias Kaka, a resident of Burj Dewasingh village and a friend of the undertrial. SSP Surendra Lamba said that the police made all possible efforts to trace the undertrial immediately after his escape. However, when he could not be located, a formal case was registered against the police personnel and others involved. Commenting on the delay in registering the case, the SSP stated that priority was initially given to searching for the accused, and legal action was taken only after these efforts failed. The ASI and the Home Guard jawan, along with the escaped undertrial, are currently absconding. Investigations revealed that after escaping, Jaskaran Singh was given shelter at his house by his friend Harmandeep Singh, who later dropped him at an undisclosed location. The SSP confirmed that Gurnam Singh, the father of the undertrial, and Harmandeep Singh have been arrested, while the remaining accused, including the ASI, Home Guard jawan and the undertrial, are still at large.