18032026-ATR-01.qxd 3/17/2026 11:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C GNDU APPROVES BUDGET ESTIMATES OF OVER ~773 CR CHEF VIKAS KHANNA HOSTS ZOHRAN MAMDANI FOR IFTAR LAUGHTER, MUSIC & MEMORIES AT CHANDIGARH UNIVERSITY 200 research scholars to be provided with a fixed scholarship of ~8,000/month. P2 New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited celebrity chef Vikas Khanna at his restaurant, Bungalow, for Iftar. P4 Kapil Sharma & his team turn a campus stop into a high-energy spectacle filled with comedy, nostalgia & sing-alongs.P4 » » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.40 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6.35 AM WEDNESDAY | 18 MARCH 2026 | AMRITSAR Qatar Airways resumes limited Doha-city flights from today Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 17 In a partial restoration of international connectivity, Qatar Airways will resume limited flight operations between Doha and Amritsar from March 18. According to the revised schedule, flight QR548 will operate on the Doha-Amritsar sector on March 18, while the return flight, QR549, from Amritsar to Doha is scheduled for March 19. The airline has announced that it will operate a limited number of flights between March 18 and March 28, offering greater flexibility to passengers during this period. In an official statement, the airline acknowledged the disruption caused to travellers and assured that efforts are underway to ensure a safe and gradual resumption of normal services. It stated that full-scale operations will recommence only after the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority declares the complete reopening of Qatari airspace. “We recognise this situation may be unsettling and are working to keep you moving Cricketers welcome announcement of international stadium in Amritsar Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service A view of Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. while we prepare for the safe return of our usual operations. Your patience and understanding mean a great deal to us,” the statement read, while expressing gratitude for continued passenger support. Passengers holding confirmed bookings on affected routes will be contacted with updated flight details. The airline has advised travellers to check schedules and book tickets through its official website, mobile application, or authorised travel agents. Meanwhile, Yogesh Kamra, convener of the Fly Amritsar Initiative, welcomed the move, terming it “good news for Punjabis” as international connectivity from Amritsar begins to improve. “Further updates regarding schedules and operations are expected in the coming days as the situation evolves,” he said. It is worth noting that Qatar Airways flights between Doha and Amritsar had been suspended since March 3 due to airspace closures following joint strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel. Amritsar, March 17 The announcement of setting up an international cricket stadium in Amritsar during a press conference in Chandigarh on Monday has generated enthusiasm among cricketers, veteran players, coaches and cricket administrators. Ravneet Singh Ricky, a former Ranji player from Amritsar, said the move would fulfil a long-pending demand of the city’s cricketing community. Having represented Punjab for nearly 15 years, Ricky played 75 first-class matches between 1997 and 2011. He observed that promoting sports and developing quality cricket infrastructure can play a vital role in encouraging young people to pursue sports as a career. He was adjudged the best batsman with over 300 runs in the 2000 ICC Under-19 Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, had announced plans to establish a world-class cricket stadium in the city during his address on May 27, 2024. FILE PHOTO World Cup held in Sri Lanka, which the Indian team, led by Mohammad Kaif, won. Ricky scored a century against Australia in the semi-final. He added that tapping into the immense popularity of cricket in Amritsar, the proposed stadium could prove to be a milestone in further popular- ising the sport. Notably, the city has produced legendary international cricketers such as Mohinder Amarnath, Bishen Singh Bedi and Madan Lal. In recent years, players like Harvinder Singh and Abhishek Sharma have also brought recognition to the city. Tilak Raj Bhatia, who has been associated with cricket at Gandhi Ground since 1958, said the project was long overdue. Bhatia was selected for the Punjab cricket team in 1965, when players like Bishen Singh Bedi, Madan Lal, Mohinder Amarnath, and Surinder Amarnath were regulars at the same ground. He was selected for the Ranji Trophy in 1972 and played until 1978, later representing Punjab veterans until 2003. He resumed his association with the ground as an executive member, selector and coach from 2019 to 2025. He said the announcement of initiating work soon lends credibility to the project and expressed hope that, being an election year, the stadium could finally become a reality. Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, had announced plans to establish a world-class cricket stadium in the city during his address on May 27, 2024. Over the past decade, local politicians have repeatedly promised to upgrade infrastructure at Gandhi Ground — the city’s only cricket venue — to host at least IPL matches, if not international fixtures. However, these promises largely remained unfulfilled. Illegal property of Encroachments removed from key city areas Man killed, wife hurt suspected drug in robbery attack peddler demolished Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 17 The district administration demolished an illegally acquired property linked to a suspected drug peddler in Subash Colony on Batala Road on Tuesday. Officials said the demolished structure, measuring around 80 square yards, belonged to Mukhtar Singh (41), a resident of Subash Colony, Mustafabad. He is reportedly an e-rickshaw driver and has been booked in multiple cases under the NDPS Act, along with preventive proceedings registered at the Sadar police station. According to police records, two FIRs and three daily diary reports (DDRs) have been registered against the accused between 2023 and 2025, including cases under Sections 21, 21-B, 27-A, and 29 of the NDPS Act. He is currently out on bail. The demolition was carried out by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation as part of efforts to dismantle assets allegedly created through proceeds of drug trafficking. Authorities said such actions are intended to send a strong deterrent message against the narcotics trade. Police officials reiterated their commitment to intensify action against drug networks across the district and urged public cooperation. Citizens have been encouraged continued on page 2 Amritsar, March 17 In a bid to remove encroachments and ease traffic congestion, the municipal corporation launched a special anti-encroachment drive across key stretches of Amritsar, covering Ranjit Avenue, Ram Talai Mandir, and extending up to the Mall Road. During the drive, civic teams removed illegally set up rehri-phadi vendors and temporary structures occupying footpaths and roadside spaces. Goods displayed by shopkeepers on roads and pavements were also cleared, providing relief to pedestrians and commuters. Officials said that in recent weeks, encroachments on footpaths in these areas had increased significantly, with vendors and shopkeepers extending their businesses onto public spaces. This not MC Estate Wing workers remove encroachments in Amritsar. only obstructed pedestrian movement but also led to frequent traffic congestion on busy stretches. Acting on complaints, an MC team carried out on-thespot action and ensured the British feared Indian unity, say speakers at lecture on Jallianwala Bagh massacre Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 17 The Jallianwala Bagh Chair, Guru Nanak Dev University, hosted a series of lectures on the 1919 massacre’s history and impact. The speakers were Prof Jagmohan Singh, former faculty, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, who is also the nephew of Bhagat Singh and Prof Bodh Prakash, former Professor of English, School of Letters, Ambedkar University, Delhi. Prof Amandeep Bal, Chairperson, Jallianwala Chair, while introducing the speakers said, “The purpose of organising these lectures is not merely to raise awareness about what transpired on that day and its consequences, but also to critically examine the many facets of imperialism.” Prof Jagmohan Singh, prominent academic, engineer and activist, who is also the nephew of revolutionary Four speakers being honoured by Prof Amandeep Bal in Amritsar. freedom fighter Shaheed Bhagat Singh (son of Bhagat Singh’s younger sister, Bibi Amar Kaur), in his lecture on the ‘Empire’s Response to the National Unity Movement’ reflected on the unity aspect of the now famous Ram Naumi on April 9, 1919, just days before the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, in which Hindus and Muslims came out in strength for a common cause, alarming the British. “It justified its action by declaring the peaceful gathering as a rebellion similar to 1857. This thought was based on the observation of British military historians, Kaye and Malleson, in their detailed history of 1857, which was reconfirmed by GW Forrest in his book, ‘History of1857’, published in 1904 and the danger of unity was further reconfirmed in Rowlatt Report by quoting a German politician’s observation that if the Indian society united above religion and caste, then it could be the biggest challenge to the British empire. They devised means to break the village unity, he said, ironically, highlighting the current divisive political discourse in the country. He also said that Mahatma Gandhi understood the contradiction between the Conservative viceroy of India and the radical liberal Secretary of State and gave a call for the boycott of Rowlatt Bills. Prof Bodh Parkash, in his lecture on ‘Indian English writing and the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh’, said creative writers have written on all three events –— perhaps the most on 1947 and much less on 1857. His lecture looked at the intersection of history and creative writing, with particular reference to the brutal killing of unarmed protestors in Jallianwala Bagh on April 13, 1919 by General Dyer. continued on page 2 c m y b removal of encroachments. The drive was conducted under the supervision of MC Secretary Sushant Bhatia. During the operation, officials also issued warnings to violators, stating that strict Man injured in road accident succumbs to injuries Tarn Taran, March 17 The man who was injured in a road accident on Sunday near Brahampura village succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a hospital on Monday. ASI Amarjit Singh, investigating officer (IO) in the case, informed here today that the deceased has been identified as Sawinder Pal Singh (35), and his associate as Jarnail Singh of Brahampura. He is under treatment in a Tarn Taran hospital. The deceased and the injured, identified as Jarnail Singh, were going to the nearby Naushehra Pannun village on a motorcycle when they met with an accident after a car collided head-on with their bike. Both were admitted to a local private hospital where Sawinderpal Singh succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The condition of an injured Jarnail Singh is said to be stable. ASI Amarjit Singh of continued on page 2 action would be taken against anyone found encroaching on footpaths or roads in the future. A similar drive was conducted on Monday near Guru Nanak Dev University, covering the UT Market and Mall Road areas, where several rehri carts were seized. Speaking on the issue, Sushant Bhatia said the civic body is conducting continuous drives under the directions of the MC Commissioner to maintain cleanliness and ensure an orderly urban environment. He emphasised that footpaths are meant exclusively for pedestrians and encroaching upon them is a violation of rules. He also appealed to shopkeepers and street vendors to adhere to regulations and refrain from occupying public spaces so that the city’s civic order and traffic flow can be maintained effectively. Tarn Taran, March 17 A man from Dadehar Sahib village near Sarhali was killed in a robbery attempt, while his wife was seriously injured in the attack on Tuesday. According to information, the deceased has been identified as Harjinder Singh (50). He was returning home from Sarhali town on a motorcycle with his wife, Ranjit Kaur, when they were intercepted by robbers on the way. The assailants allegedly attempted to snatch Ranjit Kaur’s purse. During the struggle, Harjinder Singh lost control of the motorcycle, which collided with a roadside tree. The robbers then attacked him with sharp weapons before fleeing the scene. Both Harjinder Singh and his wife were rushed to a private hospital in Tarn Taran in critical condition, where doctors Victim Harjinder Singh declared Harjinder Singh dead. SHO Inspector Binderjit Singh of the Sarhali police station inspected the spot along with a police team. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and further investigation is underway. The deceased is survived by his three daughters, one of whom is married, and a son. Ranjit Kaur is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital and her condition is reported to be stable. — OC MPs pay tribute to Gandhi after Lok Sabha suspension revoked Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 17 Following the revocation of their suspension from the Lok Sabha, MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla, along with other Members of Parliament, paid tribute by bowing before the statue of Mahatma Gandhi before entering the House. During the moment, PPCC president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and several other MPs were also present. MP Aujla delivered a strong message on democracy, stating, “India’s democracy is strongest when voices are heard, not silenced.” He reiterated Gandhi’s timeless belief, adding, “Truth and non-violence are as old as the hills.” He further said, “We stand firmly to protect democratic values, the Constitution, and the voice of the people. Our fight is not against any individual, but to further strengthen the democracy of the country. We will continue to raise the voice of the people on every platform.” On February 3, the Lok Sabha The reinstated Congress MPs after paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi in Amritsar on Tuesday. suspended seven Congress MPs and one CPI(M) MP for the remainder of the Budget session due to unruly behaviour. Those suspended included Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Hibi Eden, C Kiran Kumar Reddy, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, B Manickam Tagore, Prashant Yadaorao Padole, Dean Kuriakose, and S Venkatesan of CPI(M). The suspension took place amid heated protests over an undisclosed article related to the India-China conflict. It was revoked today through a voice vote following a consensus in the House.