06022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/5/2026 11:05 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY BJP IS ANTI-PUNJAB, SAYS MP GURJEET SINGH AUJLA GURDASPUR JUDOKA HEADS FOR ASIAN, C’WEALTH GAMES KESARI, BORDER 2: A DREAM RUN FOR HARWINDER AUJLA Congress MP accuses saffron party of not doing enough for Punjab, restricting itself to mere homilies. P2 Karanjit Singh Maan, a five-time national champion, is set to represent the country at these events. P3 After leaving a mark in Kesari, actor Harwinder Aujla is earning acclaim for his powerful turn in Border 2. P4 » » » MAX 21°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 5°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.03 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.10 AM FRIDAY | 6 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR nabbed Farmers stage dharna outside Drug peddlersnetwork:part of cross-border Police residence of ruling AAP MLAs Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Special House session sought; US trade deal, labour code flayed Tribune News Service The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha holds a dharna outside the residence of Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 5 Following a call given by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a day-long dharna was staged in front of the residences of MLAs of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in the district by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), Punjab, today. Women participated in the dharna in large numbers. District president Satnam Singh Manochahal informed that farmers and labourers took part in the dharna at the residence of Tarn Taran MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu in Tarn Taran, Khadoor Sahib MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura in Lalpura village, Patti MLA Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar’s residence in Patti and Khemkaran MLA Sarwan Singh Dhun’s office on Khalra Road, Bhikhiwind. Manochahal said that senior leaders of the organisation like Harjinder Singh Shakri, Jarnail Singh Nurdi, Fateh Singh Piddi, Dayal Singh Mianwind, Balwinder Singh Chohla, Harminderjit Singh Kang, Ranjit Kaur, Davinder Kaur, Upjit Kaur Chabal and others addressed the protest held at different places. He said that the organisation raised demands such as rolling back decision to install prepaid electricity meters and granting compensation for damage worth Rs 3.77 crore caused to the equipment and machinery of farmers at the Khanauri and Shambhu borders during protest, among others. District president of the organisation, Satnam Singh Manochahal, warned the state government to accept the demands or be ready to face a fierce struggle. The KMSC members submitted a memorandum to the MLAs at their residences. Amritsar, February 5 In Amritsar, the farmers’ protest was held outside the residence of Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. During the protest, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha announced that the martyrdom anniversary of Shubh Karan will be observed on February 21. A memorandum was also submitted to minister Harbhajan Singh ETO. Later in the evening, the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) reached the protest site and assured that the issues would be looked into and resolved. The protesters demanded that the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government call a special session of the Vidhan Sabha and pass resolutions against the India-US agreement, the Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Act and the four labour codes, which they termed as anti-people. They also opposed the Central Government for bringing in what they called were antipublic laws and appealed to the people to be ready to launch a bigger struggle in the coming days. The protesters also raised concern over the alleged inhuman treatment of youth and their families in the name of action against gangsters. They demanded an immediate end to mental harassment and custodial torture of relatives of alleged gangsters without proven charges. Another major issue raised was drug abuse. The KMM demanded proper treatment and rehabilitation of drugaffected youth, along with employment opportunities. They also sought strict action against the alleged nexus of drug mafia, politicians and police officers, and stronger steps to stop drug smuggling across the international border. The Union Budget was criticised for allocating very little for farmers, labourers and the common people, cutting fertiliser subsidy and for being pro-corporate. The KMM also sought compensation worth Rs 3.77 crore for losses caused during the removal of the Shambhu and Khanauri morchas. Amritsar, February 5 Four alleged drug peddlers, arrested by the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police with 5 kg of heroin, were part of a cross-border network that had smuggled over a dozen drug consignments into India in the past, preliminary investigations have revealed. As per the preliminary probe, the accused were in direct contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler operating under the pseudonym, "Chacha Chaudhry." Investigators estimate that the network may have brought in over 30 kg of heroin through multiple consignments using illegal cross-border channels and delivered in different parts of district and Punjab. The four accused — identified as Sukhchain Singh alias Mani, Navdeep Singh, Sukhpal Singh and Akashdeep Singh, all residents of village Daoke in Amritsar district — were produced before a local court on Thursday. The court remand- ed them to five days of police custody for further interrogation. It may be mentioned here that the Daoke village located near the India-Pakistan border is surrounded by Pakistan on three sides. A Counter Intelligence official, requesting anonymity, said that three of the accused already have cases registered against them under the NDPS Act, pointing to their prior involvement in narcotics trafficking. Police suspect the group was actively coordinating with the Pakistan-based handler, who allegedly used drones to drop heroin consignments across the international border. With their arrest, their associates active in the border belt, including Bharopal and Bhaini border villages, have gone underground. CI Amritsar had received credible information that Sukhchain Singh alias Mani was running a drug smuggling network with the help of his associates and had recently received a fresh consignment of heroin. The accused were allegedly planning to deliver the contraband near the Kala Ghanupur area in the city. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, police teams set up a naka on the Amritsar-Attari bypass road and intercepted the suspects. A thorough search led to the recovery of 5 kg heroin from their possession. Police also seized two motorcycles allegedly used for transporting the contraband. Officials said several accomplices of the accused have gone underground following the arrests. One arrested with pistol, cartridges Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 5 The Patti Sadar police led by ASI Palwinder Singh arrested a suspected person with an illegal weapon on Wednes- day from the grain market in Dubli village. The police said that the accused was on his motorcycle and was moving around in the area under suspicious circumstances. The suspect has been iden- tified as Vishal Singh, a resident of Chatiwind (Amritsar). The ASI said that the police recovered a country-made pistol and three cartridges. The police have registered a case under the Arms Act. Anti-encroachment drive continues Oz author dwells on idea of India as nation on Court Road, Railway Link Road Inez Baranay’s book explores country through eyes of a Turkish nationalist Neha Saini Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 5 In a continued effort to ensure smooth flow of traffic, pedestrian safety and the availability of public spaces, the Municipal Corporation conducted a special antiencroachment drive on Court Road and Railway Link Road on Tuesday. The action was taken to remove illegal obstructions that had been causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters and pedestrians. The drive was carried out under the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and Joint MC Commissioner Dr Jai Inder Singh. Acting on these instructions, Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia initiated the operation with the objective of reclaiming public roads and footpaths from unauthorised encroachments. During the drive, enforcement teams of the MC removed both temporary and permanent encroachments from the identified stretches. Several shopkeepers and vendors had illegally placed goods, stalls and other mate- The Amritsar Municipal Corporation initiated anti-encroachment drives on Railway Link and Court roads in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR rials on roads and footpaths, leading to frequent traffic bottlenecks and posing risks to pedestrians. The illegally placed goods were confiscated on the spot in accordance with municipal rules and regulations. The operation was led by Inspector Aman Sharma along with officials and field staff of the Municipal Corporation. The team conducted a detailed inspection of Court Road and Railway Link Road to ensure that all unauthorised structures and obstructions were removed and public spaces were restored for their intended use. MC Commissioner Shergill also issued strict warnings to the encroachers, clearly stating that reencroachment would not be tolerated. He emphasised that repeat violations would invite strict action, including confiscation of goods and the imposition of penalties as per the Municipal Act. Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia stated that such anti- encroachment drives will be carried out on a regular basis across different parts of the city. The objective, he said, is to maintain traffic discipline, ensure the safety of pedestrians and improve the overall urban environment of Amritsar. The Municipal Corporation also appealed to traders and residents to cooperate with the administration and refrain from encroaching upon public land in the larger interests of the city. Anganwari worker dies by setting herself ablaze Amritsar, February 5 A 45-year-old woman, identified as Vandana, allegedly committed suicide by setting herself ablaze at her room in Sandhu Colony area here. Harparkash Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), said that the police sent the body for autopsy. As per the initial probe, Vandana was alone at home. The incident came to light when people in the neighbourhood saw smoke coming out of the house. They alerted the police. When the police reached the spot, it was too late as she had died of burn injuries. Initial probe revealed that she used to work as an Anganwari worker. She had reached home at around 1 pm, bolted the doors from inside and allegedly set herself ablaze. A sense of shock pervaded the area following the incident. The police was trying to ascertain the cause behind the extreme step. It has started inquest proceedings for now. — TNS c m y b Amritsar, February 5 Roughly between 1919 and 1923, Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Ansari was at the centre of the Khilafat Movement, a political-religious movement launched by Indian Muslim leaders against the dismantling of the Ottoman caliphate, after the World War I. During the time, various historical and political streams were underway in India and in Turkey, where Mustafa Kemal Ataturk overcame the Allied Forces and gained complete independence in 1924, while India was in the throes of its independence movement. In between, Dr Ansari and Halide Edib, a prominent Turkish nationalist and feminist figure, met while he was a part of the Red Crescent mission to Balkans and connected over their shared beliefs on nationalism, social reforms and the idea of a free nation. This connection brought Halide 'Hanam', a Turkish suffix used for a distinguished woman, to New Delhi in 1935 and that is where Inez Baranay's latest book, Soul Climate, begins. Chronicling the journey of Halide Edib in India, her idea of Indian nationalism and how it resonated with her own political and religious beliefs, Inez’s book merges historical facts with fiction, where she traces the journey of three young Muslim women charting different paths at a time when the Indian nationalist movement witnessed various undercurrents. "Halide Edib visited India to deliver a series of lectures and while here, she met Dr Australian author Inez Baranay was in Amritsar for a special session on her recent book, Soul Climate, based on Turkish social and political activist, Halide Edib. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Ansari and in his home, she came in contact with several noted Indian leaders, including Sarojini Naidu and Gandhi. In her memoirs, she writes about India with empathy, as she states that it was a country where she found her 'soul climate'," said Inez in a conversation with former diplomat and author Navdeep Suri at Majha House. Her ninth book, Soul Climate, talks about fraught ideas of nationhood, religion and idealism of what connects us and what divides us. Inez has written nine novels as well as non-fiction and short prose. She has lived and travelled in India over the past many decades, she's a world citizen having lived in Turkey for six years and in Europe, before returning back to Australia. "Edib's conversations in India revolved around socialism, nationalism and how religion should be a matter for individuals and community and not governance. That's what drove her in exile from Turkey as Ataturk, once her comrade, once in power, forced Turkey into a modern transition, moving away from the caliphate. Her India visit had profound impact on her," said Eniz. As Preeti Gill, founder, Majha House, added, "The debates and conversations, including those with Gandhi that Inez describes, are of special concern to us, especially when we are witnessing an era of unprecedented hate-mongering, violence and divisiveness — it's like the devils have crawled out of the closet and are marauding and destroying every decent idea and intent." The conversation soon progressed to Palestine and to Gaza with Navdeep Suri, a retired diplomat, who has done several stints in the Middle East, and shed light on why the Gaza genocide would have larger implications on geopolitics. "Despite the death toll, the bombing and destruction, killing of children and babies and massacre of civilians, the world just sat and watched. I personally believe that the Gaza issue does not have a practical solution in the current global political climate, the fact that it sets larger, rather concerning precedents, is hard to ignore," he said.