01012026-ATR-01.qxd 12/31/2025 11:51 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 14°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 7°C PLANS, PROMISES & THE ROAD AHEAD SCHOLARSHIP EXAM FOR CLASSES VIII, X ON JAN 4 AMID FOG, LACK OF REFLECTORS ON VEHICLES POSES RISKS As curtains draw on 2025, senior officials across departments in holy city share their 2026 goals. P2 The District Education Officer (Secondary) said all arrangements in this regard had been completed. P2 With foggy conditions expected to continue, timely action in this regard could help prevent accidents, saving lives.P2 » » » SUNSET THURSDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.30 AM THURSDAY | 1 JANUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Hotels, lodges nearly full on New Year’s Eve Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 Hotels, inns and lodges in the holy city witnessed a sharp surge in room occupancy on New Year’s Eve with a record number of devotees arriving to begin the New Year with prayers at the Golden Temple. Braving the biting cold and dense fog, the influx of tourists far exceeded the available accommodation in hotels, inns and lodges located within the walled city. A large number of devotees reached the shrine around midnight to pay obeisance. Surinder Singh Gandhi, a hotelier, said that for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic, such a massive rush has been witnessed. He added that with winter vacations in the schools extended till January 6, the momentum is likely to continue for the next few days. According to Gandhi, neither dense fog nor severe cold could deter devotees from arriving in record numbers to pay their respects at the Sikh shrine. He said the flow of sangat peaks between 10 pm and 1 am, with the maximum rush witnessed around midnight. Devotees will usher in the New Year by paying obeisance at the Golden Temple Tribune News Service A large number of tourists enjoy a walk at the Heritage Street in Amritsar on Wednesday. VISHAL KUMAR as the clock strikes 12 at midnight, amid the resonating strains of Gurbani kirtan. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has made elaborate arrangements to accommodate the heavy influx of devotees. Extra mats and warm carpets have been spread on the stairs and floors to prevent exposure to the cold marble laid in the parikrama (circumambulatory path). These carpets are also placed in inner corridors and open areas outside the Akal Takht. RUSH TO CONTINUE For the first time since the Covid19 pandemic, such a massive rush has been witnessed. Neither dense fog nor severe cold could deter devotees from arriving in record numbers. A hotelier said with winter vacations in the schools extended till January 6, the momentum is likely to continue for the next few days. Special carpets have been laid on the causeway connecting the Darshani Deori to the sanctum sanctorum. Inside the Golden Temple, Robbers posing as policemen loot family in Jandiala Guru Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 Several robbers posing as police personnel entered a house in the Jandiala Guru area early Tuesday and looted a family after detaining its members. The police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the incident. The police have collected CCTV footage of the suspects, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest them. According to information, the house belongs to Nikku, a vegetable trader. At around 4 am, he left for the vegetable market after locking the gate from outside, while his wife Jasbir Kaur and daughter-inlaw were present at home. The accused broke open the lock and entered the house. The robbers introduced themselves as police officials the four doors — traditionally kept open — have been covered with thick curtains to block the cold air, while windows on the first floor have been kept closed due to inclement weather. Ravinder Singh, who runs an eating outlet in the walled city, said the flow of customers has been extremely high over the past two days and is remarkable on New Year’s Eve. He expressed hope that the rush would continue for the next few days. Amritsar, December 31 A 23-year-old youth was shot dead while his brother sustained injuries after a group of armed assailants opened fire on them in the Bal Kalan area falling under the Kamboh police station here on Tuesday. The incident triggered panic in the locality, with the police registering a case and launching a hunt to arrest the accused. The deceased has been identified as Simranjit Singh (23), and his injured brother as Kulwinder Singh, alias Palwinder Singh (25), both residents of Bal Kalan village, is undergoing treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital here. In his statement to the police, the complainant, Kulwinder Singh, alleged that around 5.30 pm, he and his brother Simranjit Singh were standing outside their house and talking when two whitecoloured vehicles arrived from the Ramnagar Colony side (Bhattha side). The vehi- Victim Simranjit Singh cles stopped near them and several persons, armed with weapons, stepped out. He alleged that Sandeep Singh alias Sunny, along with Harpreet Singh, Shiv alias Dana, Vishal Vakil, Bikramjit Singh of Pandori Wariach, Shivpreet Singh, Veeru, Mangu, and one unidentified youth, attacked them. He said Sandeep Singh allegedly fired at them with intent to kill them. One bullet hit Kulwinder Singh on his right leg, while another struck Simranjit Singh in the chest. As the firing took place, the accused shouted and fled from the spot with their weapons. Simranjit Singh collapsed on the spot and was later declared dead, while Kulwinder Singh was rushed to hospital for treatment. The complainant further stated that he had a minor altercation with Sandeep Singh around five to six days ago, which, he believes, led to the attack. The police have registered a case on charges of attempt to murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act. Raids are being conducted at suspected hideouts to nab the accused. Further investigation is underway. Artiste robbed of cash, cellphone in Tarn Taran Five armed robbers looted artiste Bachittar Singh of Pandori Rehmana near a Reliance petrol pump at Kakka Kandiala village on the Tarn Taran-Amritsar road in the early hours of Tuesday. The victim was on his way to drop his two co-artistes at their respective villages after performing at a cultural show. When he reached near the petrol pump, the occupant of a car signalled him to stop and sought his help, claiming there was a technical fault in his vehicle. As Bachittar Singh was preparing to check the alleged fault, four more armed robbers suddenly appeared at the spot and attacked him. The assailants robbed him of his mobile phone, purse, licensed pistol and other important articles. The purse contained Rs 1,200 in cash. After committing the robbery, the accused fled the spot and also took away the car. ASI Satnam Singh of the city police visited the spot. A case under Sections 304, 351 and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered. Dalwinder Singh Pannu, a social activist, said robbers are ruling the roost due to the absence of night patrolling in the area. He demanded that night patrolling be strengthened to ensure the safety of residents. — OC Seeking New Year blessings LOCK TWO WOMEN OF HOUSE IN A ROOM ■ According to information, the house belongs to Nikku, a vegetable trader. At around 4 am, he left for the vegetable market after locking the gate from outside, while his wife Jasbir Kaur and daughter-in-law were present at home. The accused broke open the lock and entered the house. The robbers introduced themselves as police officials and claimed they had received information that the family was involved in illegal drug trade. They later pulled out sharp-edged weapons, snatched the mobile phones of Jasbir Kaur and her daughter-in-law, and locked them inside a room. and claimed they had received information that the family was involved in illegal drug trade. They later pulled out sharp-edged weapons, snatched the mobile phones of Jasbir Kaur and her daughter-in-law, and locked them inside a room. The accused then searched the house and decamped with gold ornaments and around Rs 80,000 in cash. The incident came to light when Nikku returned home and found his family members locked inside a room. The house had been ransacked by the unidentified robbers. The police said the accused appeared to have prior knowledge of Nikku’s routine of leaving for the vegetable market early in the morning. The suspects had arrived on motorcycles and were captured on CCTV cameras installed outside the house. The police said vital clues had been obtained and raids were being conducted to trace and arrest the accused. Peddler held with 985 gm ICE Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 31 The Amritsar police have seized 985 gm of methamphetamine (ICE) from an alleged drug peddler, identified as Manjinder Singh, alias Toti, a resident of Bhandiar village under the jurisdiction of the Gharinda police station. According to the police, a team of the Gharinda police led by Sub-Inspector Kulwant Singh received a specific tip-off that Manjinder Singh, along with his unidentified accomplices, was involved in the trafficking and supply of the synthetic drug. The informer disclosed that the accused was standing near the Dhotiwind village turn and waiting for a prospective buyer to deliver the contraband. Acting swiftly on the information, the police team con- Youth shot dead, brother hurt in firing at Bal Kalan Braving the severe cold, a massive number of devotees queue up to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tarn Taran DC Rahul 444 drug FIRs, 751 arrests mark extends New Year eventful year for Pathankot police 29 OFFENDERS HELD UNDER ARMS ACT IN 2025 greetings to people Tribune News Service Our Correspondent The suspect in the custody of the police in Amritsar on Wednesday. ducted a raid at the designated spot and apprehended the accused. During a search, the police recovered 985 grams of methamphetamine (ICE) from his possession. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against the accused. Further investigations are underway to trace the source of the contraband and identify other persons involved in the drug supply chain. Tarn Taran, December 31 Tarn Taran Deputy Commissioner Rahul has extended New Year greetings to the residents of the district on the occasion of the New Year 2026. He prayed that the coming year would bring happiness, peace and prosperity to the people of the district, as well as to Punjabis living in the state, the country and across the world. The Deputy Commissioner said that under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the district administration would work with full determination and honesty in the New Year to realise the c m y b dreams of the great freedom fighters. He emphasised that efforts would be made to ensure that the impact of development is clearly visible at the ground level, with special focus on making the lives of the poor easier. Calling upon the people to come together in the New Year, he urged them to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, peace and harmony and to usher in a new era of development and prosperity. He also appealed to the public to follow the path shown by the Sikh Gurus, saints and prophets to further strengthen national unity, peace, love and religious tolerance. Pathankot, December 31 The year remained an eventful one for the Pathankot police as the force successfully dealt with the menace of arms being brought in the city from the neighbouring state of HP and the Union Territory of J&K even as it launched an intensive antidrug drive in which a record 444 FIRs were registered and 751 persons were arrested. SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said 29 offenders had been nabbed under the Arms Act. The cops also cracked down on units manufacturing illicit liquor and registered 116 cases under the excise act and subsequently arresting 136 persons engaged in producing unauthorised liquor. A majority ■ SSP Daljinder Singh Dhillon said 29 offenders had been nabbed under the Arms Act. The cops also cracked down on units manufacturing illicit liquor and registered 116 cases under the Excise Act and subsequently arresting 136 persons engaged in producing unauthorised liquor. A majority of these persons were arrested from rural areas. One working still was raided and closed. Around 6.5 kg pure-grade heroin and 15 kg of poppyhusk was seized. Around 242 gm of opium and more than 10,000 capsules were taken into possession. of these persons were arrested from rural areas. One working still was raided and closed. “Around 6.5 kg pure-grade heroin and 15 kg of poppyhusk was seized. Around 242 gm of opium and more than 10,000 capsules were taken into possession. A total of Rs 10 lakh drug money, too, was confiscated,” said the SSP . “The Pathankot police, this year, remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of citizens through continuous vigilance, strict enforcement of law, and coordinated action against all forms of crime. Such operations will continue with the same intensity in the future to maintain peace and public order in the district. We will try to take our performance to the next level in 2026,” he added. A senior officer said, “Policing is all about solving complex crimes and problems. We are constantly dealing with street and drug crimes, drunk driving, domestic violence and the list goes on.”