28122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/27/2025 11:56 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST FOG IN MORNING MAX 20°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 5°C SHWAIT MALIK MEETS RAILWAY MINISTER OVER RIGO BRIDGE CONGRESS PARTY FLAYS MGNREGA NAME CHANGE SUPERSTAR SALMAN KHAN’S 60TH BIRTHDAY BASH Former MP Shwait Malik called on Union Minister Ravneet Bittu to seek early completion of the Rigo railway bridge. P3 The Congress expressed concern over the Centre's decision to change the name of the scheme MGNREGA. P3 Salman celebrated his 60th birthday at his Panvel farmhouse with family, close friends & Bollywood stars. P4 » » » SUNSET SUNDAY 5.34 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7.29 AM SUNDAY | 28 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Panic grips Tarn Taran locality after gunfire erupts Tarn Taran, December 27 Gunfire erupted between two parties along the Rohi Khanda drain near Kajikot Road in the town on Saturday evening, triggering panic in the area. The incident took place in a locality that has both residential and commercial establishments. Residents said people ran in different directions to save their lives after gunshots were heard. According to locals, individuals identified as Mandeep Singh, alias Deepu, and Vishal, alias Mintu, were involved in the incident. They said a verbal altercation between the two parties first broke out, which later escalated into gunfire. On receiving information, DSP (City), Tarn Taran, Sukhbir Singh and DSP (Investigation) Jagjit Singh reached the spot along with police personnel. The police began examining CCTV footage from the surrounding area to gather details about the incident. Both parties fled the scene before the police arrived. — OC MC steps up efforts to clear legacy waste from dump sites Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 27 Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill on Saturday reviewed the ongoing bioremediation of legacy waste at the Bhagtanwala dump site and directed the executing agency, Ecostan Company, to immediately enhance machinery and manpower to meet the stipulated deadline. The MC Commissioner, accompanied by Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh and Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr Kiran, inspected the site and assessed the progress of bioremediation being carried out by Ecostan. Officials informed him that between October 1 and December 25, a total of 1,28,456 metric tonnes of legacy waste had been processed. The work is currently progressing at an average rate of around 1,908 metric tonnes per day. On December 26 alone, 1,830 metric tonnes of waste was processed, taking the total bioremediated waste to 1,30,286 metric tonnes. While expressing satisfaction over the progress achieved so far, Commissioner Shergill noted that the project has a completion deadline of October 2026 and that the current pace of work, along with the existing machinery at the site, may be insufficient to achieve the target within the stipulated timeframe. Taking serious note of this, he instructed Ecostan Company owner Avisesh, who was present during the inspection, to deploy additional machinery and manpower without delay. Officials also shared details of waste segregation and processing carried out during December 2025. The bioremediated waste comprised approximately 39,696 metric tonnes of biosoil, 4,962 metric tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, 3,473.4 metric tonnes of refuse-derived fuel (RDF), and 1,488.6 metric tonnes of other recoverable materials. Subsequently, the MC Commissioner inspected the area where freshly collected waste is being stored by Three R Company. During the inspection, Three R Company manager Pankaj highlighted the need for additional space to ensure safe waste storage and smooth vehicular movement. Responding to the concern, Commissioner Shergill directed Ecostan Company to immediately hand over areas already cleared after bioremediation to Three R Company so that fresh waste can be managed efficiently and vehicle movement remains unhindered. Addressing residents, Commissioner Shergill stated that the Amritsar Municipal Corporation has undertaken a focused and time-bound initiative to clear legacy waste from the Bhagtanwala and Dana Mandi dump sites. He also instructed Three R Company to accelerate the disposal of fresh waste to prevent inconvenience to nearby residents. Poor visibility leads to flight diversions at city airport Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 27 Dense fog disrupted flight operations at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport here on Saturday morning, leading to the diversion of several flights, delays in departures and significant inconvenience to passengers. Visibility at the airport dropped below 50 metres and at times touched near-zero levels, making landing and take-off extremely challenging despite advanced navigation systems. According to the latest available status, multiple incoming flights were diverted due to poor visibility. Air India Express flight IX-192 from Dubai, scheduled to land around 1 am, was diverted to Delhi. An Air India flight from Mumbai (AI2728) was redirected to Jaipur after Air Traffic Control (ATC) denied landing clearance. Visibility at the airport dropped below 50 metres and at times touched near-zero levels, making landing and take-off extremely challenging despite advanced navigation systems. FILE PHOTO Two flights from Delhi — Air India’s AI1703 and IndiGo’s 6E5103 — were unable to land at Amritsar and were forced to return to the national capital after circling in the air. However, a few flights managed to land safely despite the adverse weather conditions. Qatar Airways flight QR548 from Doha landed at its scheduled time of 2.40 am using the CAT III-B instrument landing system. IndiGo flight 6E721 from Pune also landed safely at the airport. Despite the successful land- ing of the Doha flight, Qatar Airways’ return flight QR549 from Amritsar could not take off due to zero-visibility conditions. The aircraft remained grounded as visibility levels were below the minimum required for take-off operations. Aviation experts explained that while the CAT III-B system allows aircraft to land in low-visibility conditions of up to 50 metres, it becomes ineffective when visibility drops to zero. Moreover, the system assists only during landing and not during take-off, for which stricter visibility norms apply. Both aircraft and pilots must also be specially certified to operate under CAT III conditions. Airport officials said passengers were advised to check flight status with their respective airlines before heading to the airport, as further delays and diversions were likely if weather conditions failed to improve. CPI commemorates 100 years Braving bone-chilling cold, devotees throng Golden of struggle and sacrifice Temple on Guru Gobind Singh’s birth anniversary Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 27 A meeting of the district council of the Communist Party of India (CPI) was held here on Saturday to mark the party’s 100th foundation day. The occasion was celebrated with revolutionary fervour by hoisting the party flag. Senior communist leader Anoop Singh Pandori performed the flag-hoisting ceremony. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sukhdev Singh Jagdev Kalan. Addressing the gathering, state incharge and former MLA Hardev Singh Arshi said that the Communist Party has a proud and inspiring history spanning the last 100 years. He spoke in detail about the party’s achievements and the numerous struggles it has led over the decades. He highlighted the significant role played by communists during the freedom movement and in people’s movements after Independence. Speaking about the party’s Leaders and workers of the Communist Party of India celebrate the party’s 100th foundation day in Tarn Taran on Saturday. core objective of establishing a socialist system, Arshi said there is an even greater need today to intensify struggles to achieve this goal. He alleged that the ruling party and its parent organisation, the RSS, are attempting to weaken democratic institutions and distort the history of India’s freedom struggle. He further stated that minorities, especially Sikhs and Muslims, along with women and Dalits, are facing continuous and planned attacks. District secretary Lakhbir Singh Nizampur said the day also marked the martyrdom anniversary of the younger Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh, who sacrificed their lives rather than bow to oppression. He said their martyrdom continues to serve as a guiding light for all those fighting injustice. He also paid tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh. Amritsar, December 27 Braving dense fog and bonechilling cold in the holy city, thousands of devotees from different parts of the country and abroad on Saturday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple to mark the birth anniversary of the 10th Sikh master, Guru Gobind Singh, as well as the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas. No fireworks were held on the occasion. Long queues of devotees were seen from early morning, reflecting deep faith and devotion. The holy shrine was beautifully illuminated, while ragis performed Gurbani kirtan, creating a deeply spiritual atmosphere. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) organised separate bhog ceremonies of Akhand Path at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall in connection with the Prakash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh and the martyrdom day of the Sahibzadas — Baba Zorawar On the occasion of Gurpurb, a large number of devotees pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Singh and Baba Fateh Singh. Both religious observances were marked on the same day. Speaking on the occasion, Golden Temple manager Narinder Singh Mathrewal said a large number of devotees vis- ited the shrine despite the severe cold. He said that although fog prevailed in the morning hours, the devotion and enthusiasm of the sangat remained undeterred. As both the Prakash Purb and the martyrdom day coincided, only simple langar was prepared at Sri Guru Ramdas Langar Hall in the Darbar Sahib complex. Mathrewal said that while special dishes are usually prepared on the occasion of Prakash Purb, simplicity was maintained this time in view of the martyrdom day. He further said that no fireworks were organised in the evening due to the observance of the martyrdom day. However, a symbolic deepmala was performed and ghee lamps were lit in a restrained manner. Earlier in the morning, a religious procession (Prabhat Pheri) was taken out from Bhai Vir Singh Diwan Hall to Harmandir Sahib. The Prakash Purb of Guru Gobind Singh was also observed at various gurdwaras across the city. However, as both the Prakash Purb and the martyrdom day fell on the same day, programmes were held in a subdued manner. It is pertinent to mention that there was some uncertainty among devotees due to both occasions coinciding. However, a meeting of the Panj Singh Sahiban had decided that the Prakash Purb would be observed on December 27, while the martyrdom day was observed on Friday. GNDU adopts flood-hit Gaggar village in Ajnala, launches winter relief drive Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 27 Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has formally adopted Gaggar village in Ajnala tehsil, a hamlet severely affected by the recent floods, under its village adoption programme. On Friday, the university organised a major winter relief drive, distributing essential warm clothing and bedding to economically weaker and flood-hit families, as Vice-Chancellor Dr Karamjeet Singh called it a ‘compassionate effort to heal’ the flood-affected people in the area. Prof Balbir Singh, NSS Coordinator, GNDU, shared while outlining the goals of the adoption initiative. “Driven by the National Service Scheme, foster a strong bond between acade- The GNDU Vice-Chancellor distributes winter essentials at Gaggar village in Ajnala on Saturday. mia and society while instilling values of service, empathy and responsibility in students. We engaged our students in rehabilitation and relief work over past several months and to reach out to people and youth in the area for further hand holding,” he said. While addressing the villagers, Prof Karamjeet Singh c m y b said that as the Prakash Purb og Guru Gobind Singh, and the martyrdom of Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri is being observed, the core principal of ‘sewa’ in Sikhi needs to be practiced. “We interacted with the sarpanch and panchayat members, who highlighted the absence of a primary school — with only an anganwadi functioning — and lack of any health facility. The only primary school in the area got damaged by the floods. We will try to connect the authorities concerned and help in ensuring the health and education facilities are bettered,” said the VC. He promised proactive steps to facilitate primary education and basic healthcare in the village. Prof Singh also distributed blankets, sweaters and warm bedsheets to needy families. Sahiwal cows provided to 23 families who lost livestock Amritsar, December 27 In a major step towards the rehabilitation of flood-affected residents, the district administration on Saturday provided Sahiwal cows to 23 more families in the Ajnala area. These families had suffered heavy losses of livestock during the recent floods. The initiative was carried out under Mission Chardi Kala and Mission Sanjha Upraala under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, with support from social worker Rakesh Handa. Earlier, 16 flood-affected families had already been provided cows under the same effort. The cows were handed over to the beneficiaries in the presence of local MLA and former Punjab Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rohit Gupta, Rakesh Handa, District Red Cross Society secretary Samson Masih and other officials. The Sahiwal breed, known for its high milk yield and resilience, was selected to help the affected families rebuild their livelihoods. These cows were donated by Rakesh Handa along with his family members and friends living in India and abroad. Speaking on the occasion, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal thanked the donors for their generous contribution. He said donating cows is considered a noble act and will also become a steady source of income for needy families. He added that caring for cattle brings economic stability and peace to households. MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar expressed gratitude to all individuals and organisations who came forward to help flood victims. He highlighted the collective efforts being made across Punjab, including rebuilding damaged homes, providing food, drinking water, medicines, household items and restoring farmland and embankments. — TNS