27032026-ATR-01.qxd 3/26/2026 11:13 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 28°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 18°C AIT TAKES ACTION AGAINST EATERIES AT NEHRU COMPLEX FROM STAGE TO SCREEN, HONING CRAFT TO HOG SPOTLIGHT WORLD THEATRE DAY: FROM STAGE TO SCREEN Cracking down on encroachments, the Amritsar Improvement Trust team carried out an enforcement drive. P2 From backstage struggles to standing ovations, these actors prove that theatre is a lifelong foundation. P4 Before the glamour of films and digital platforms, many Bollywood actors found their footing on stage. P4 » » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.46 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.24 AM FRIDAY | 27 MARCH 2026 | AMRITSAR Fuel stations shut as panic buying depletes daily stock Verka murder case: Police arrest minor, recover pistol Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 26 In a significant development in a murder case, the Verka police have apprehended a minor and recovered a Glock pistol allegedly used in the crime. Baldev Singh, a resident of Patti Bangewali in Verka, was murdered on March 14. According to the police, the incident occurred that night when Shiva and his brother Karan returned home after closing their shop. An argument broke out with two neighbours, identified as Kala and Mithu, along with their relatives, including Abhishek Singh, alias Abhi, who were present in the street outside. The dispute soon escalated into a physical confrontation. During the altercation, Abhi allegedly opened fire with a pistol with the intent to kill, resulting in the death of Baldev Singh, father of Shiva and Karan. Considering the sensitivity of the case, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar directed senior officers to ensure swift action. The investigation was conducted under the supervision of DCP (Investigation) Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, ADCP Harpal Singh and ACP East continued on page 2 Neha Saini Tribune News Service A view of the Amritsar Improvement Trust office at Ranjit Avenue. FILE PHOTO AIT proposes housing locality on 5-acre plot in Ranjit Avenue Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 26 The Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) has finally proposed developing a housing locality on a five-acre vacant plot in E-Block of Ranjit Avenue. This space had long turned into an unofficial dumping site due to the accumulation of garbage. The proposed project, planned alongside the nearby Rose Garden, aims to transform the neglected area into a well-planned residential hub. After finalising the master plan, the AIT has passed a resolution and forwarded the proposal to the Local Bodies Department for approval. Officials said work on the project would begin as soon as the necessary clear- ance is granted. The project includes a mix of residential plots and flats, catering to different housing needs. Keeping in mind the sentiments of local residents, a separate space has also been earmarked for a religious place. Meanwhile, the process of cleaning the site has already begun. The development is expected to significantly improve living conditions in the area. Residents of EBlock, who have long suffered due to the foul smell and unhygienic conditions caused by the dumping, will get relief. The construction of a boundary wall will further prevent encroachments and restrict antisocial activities, enhancing safety in the locality. The location is considered prime, with well-developed infrastructure and easy access to essential facilities. The area already has a developed market and a well-maintained Rose Garden nearby. Officials believe that the project will not only address longstanding sanitation issues but also enhance the overall value of the locality. It is worth mentioning that earlier attempts to develop a residential project at the site had failed due to technical shortcomings in planning. Improvement Trust chairman Karamjit Singh Rintu stated that the proposal has been sent for approval and expressed confidence that the housing units will attract buyers due to the prime location. Amritsar, March 26 Panic buying of petrol and diesel led several fuel stations in the city to suspend operations after long queues of vehicles formed for refuelling. Despite the Government of India’s assurance that the country has sufficient crude oil and fuel stocks to cover 60 days of consumption and that procurement for the next two months has already been secured, multiple fuel stations witnessed kilometre-long lines. “The rush began in the afternoon when many people started getting their tanks filled, citing rumours that the government might announce an energy lockdown. We tried to reason with them, but by evening, the station had to shut down as our stock for the day was exhausted,” said a station manager at a petrol pump near Gol Bagh, one of the busiest outlets in the area. Similarly, a fuel station in Khandwala shut down at 4 pm, citing stock depletion. Stations at Kacheri Chowk and Chherhta refused service to customers carrying canisters, attempting to prevent hoarding. “There is no report of any A rush of vehicle users at a fuel station at Kacheri Chowk in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR fuel shortage from our company management. People have been misled by rumours about a possible shortage or lockdown. We have been trying to clarify the situation,” said Ram Niwas, a station manager at Rani Ka Bagh. The panic buying also triggered hoarding of groceries and essential items such as ration and medicines in parts of the walled city, though the rush eased by evening. The situation was further aggravated when private fuel retailer Nayara increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs 5 and Rs 3 per litre, respectively. Meanwhile, government-owned oil companies maintained stable prices, with no changes announced by IOCL, BPCL or HPCL. Amid concerns over fuel availability and the global situation arising from the ongoing Iran-US conflict, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh convened a meeting with sales officers of various oil companies in Amritsar district to review the situation. During the meeting, officials confirmed that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel supply. They noted that misinformation has led some people to purchase and hoard fuel unnecessarily. The Deputy Commissioner urged the public to avoid spreading or acting on rumours and to refrain from hoarding fuel. “There is no shortage of fuel, but panic buying and hoarding could create avoidable challenges,” he said. Nursing staff boycott work despite ESMA warning Residents rush to stock essentials in Tarn Taran Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 26 Defying the Punjab Government’s imposition of the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), nursing staff across the state went on strike on Thursday, demanding restoration of the Rs 4600 grade pay, with services affected in several government medical colleges. At Government Medical College (GMC) here, nurses boycotted all routine medical services while continuing to attend emergency cases. The strike call was given by the United Nurses Association of Punjab, which has been pressing for restoration of the grade pay for nearly five years. In a press note issued on March 25, association presi- dent Ramanjit Singh Gill said that nurses in Punjab were being paid less than their counterparts in other states despite having similar responsibilities and workload. He termed the demand long-pending and legitimate, and warned of intensifying the agitation if the government fails to respond positively. The protest has impacted services in medical colleges, including those in Amritsar, Patiala, and Mohali, with patients facing inconvenience due to the suspension of OPD assistance, ward duties, and elective care support. However, emergency services, including critical care, remain functional as nurses continue to report for urgent duties. The development comes a continued on page 2 Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, March 26 Panic has gripped markets in the wake of the escalating USIsrael and Iran conflict in the Middle East, prompting ordinary customers to stock up on essential commodities. Consumers have begun purchasing excess quantities of petroleum products, including petrol and diesel, as well as groceries and dry vegetables such as onions and potatoes. Sabba, a three-wheeler operator, said he had purchased diesel for his vehicle in triple quantity and had even filled the vehicle’s tank and storage space to capacity. Sham Sundar, owner of Aggarwal Filling Station in Kadgill, said that despite panic triggered by the situation in the Middle East, there was no actual shortage of petrol or diesel, but consumers were buying more than usual. Sham Sundar added that there had been no shortage of petrol and diesel in recent days, although some filling stations had remained closed on their own. However, demand at his station had risen by nearly 50 per cent as customers rushed to stock up. Amandeep Singh, a grocery shop owner, said that many customers had been purchasing nearly double their usual quantities of grocery items, especially pulses and edible oil. Jasbir Singh, a resident of Tarn Taran, said that as markets were affected in recent days, people had started stocking pulses, sugar and dry vegetables to meet their future needs. Meanwhile, long queues were seen at gas agency godowns, a stark contrast to earlier days. Punjab orders fresh probe into Call for upgraded radio infra near border district bodybuilder Varinder’s death Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 26 In a fresh development in the death of noted bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman, the Punjab Government has constituted a special committee to conduct a detailed probe into the circumstances leading to his demise. Ghuman passed away on October 9, 2025, at Fortis Escorts Hospital in Amritsar, triggering widespread concern and allegations of medical negligence. Following the incident, the police had booked four doctors from the private hospital, intensifying scrutiny of the treatment provided. According to official orders issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, the newly formed committee comprises senior doctors and subject experts from multiple disciplines, including forensic medicine, general medicine, surgery and medical education. The panel has been tasked with examining all aspects of the case, particularly the line of treatment administered and the facilities provided to the patient. The committee will also fix responsibility if any negli- Professional bodybuilder Varinder Singh Ghuman (R). FILE PHOTO gence or lapse is established during the course of the inquiry. The government has directed the panel to submit its report within 15 days, after which further action will be initiated. The move comes after objections were raised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over the earlier inquiry. The association had pointed out that the district medical negligence board, which conducted the initial probe, did not include an IMA representative, a requirement under established norms. IMA (Punjab) president Dr RS Sethi had termed the earlier process flawed on procedural grounds. However, he welcomed the government’s decision to reconstitute the committee and include an IMA member, expressing hope for a fair and transparent investigation. The case has drawn significant attention from both the public and the medical community, with the outcome of the fresh probe likely to determine the next course of legal and administrative action. Amritsar, March 26 Radio listeners have demanded the expansion of All India Radio’s FM tower and the addition of new infrastructure at Gharinda, located on the Amritsar-Attari GT Road, to increase its current coverage area. They said the existing guywire-supported 100-metrehigh tower is insufficient to relay signals across regions in both India and Pakistan. Prof Mohan Singh suggested that until Prasar Bharati finalises a new design for a 400-metre-high concrete monolithic structure, the existing 203-metre-high tower could be utilised to double the coverage range of All India Radio Amritsar. He said this interim measure could benefit listeners in Lahore and Amritsar. He further proposed that global tenders be invited to construct a 400-metre tower featuring an observation deck with dining facilities at a height of 300 metres. Such a development, he added, could boost tourism in Amritsar, given Gharinda’s proximity to the International Border. Calling for an overhaul of infrastructure at the site, he said an office-cum-studio complex should also be built. c m y b A view of the Gharinda tower near Amritsar. He emphasised that Amritsar, considering its size, status, and proximity to Lahore, deserves a full-fledged programme-originating facility. Over 19 years ago, the proj- ect was conceptualised to counter alleged propaganda from Pakistan in the border belt. Under the plan, a 300metre-high transmission tower was to be constructed in Gharinda with a 100-km range, covering parts of both India and Pakistan, including Jalandhar. The tower was completed after six years of construction. However, a team from IIT Roorkee later found a tilt in its upper portion, raising safety concerns. Prasar Bharati had asked the contractor to rectify the defect, but the issue remained unresolved. Subsequently, a smaller 100metre tower was constructed nearby, and the FM-transmitting antenna from the original tower was installed on it, reducing the effective range to around 50 km. Harjap Singh Aujla, a retired engineer, said there is an urgent need for a second FM transmitter at Gharinda. He said that until a few months ago, five hours of the nine-hour daily Urdu Service were being relayed by AIR Amritsar. However, the evening and nightly segments of 3.5 hours are currently not broadcast. He added that the Punjabi service ‘Des Punjab’ was earlier reduced by 30 minutes and later by an hour. While some adjustments have been made, including the reduction of certain Hindi news bulletins, no English bulletin has been introduced despite its relevance for audiences in Lahore. He suggested that the nightly 9.15 pm Urdu news bulletin and the full Urdu Service from 9.30 pm to 1 am should be restored on 103.6 MHz. He also recommended that the 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm broadcast from the Golden Temple be aired on AIR Amritsar’s FM frequency. With the addition of another transmitter, he said, the station could carry the full primary channel of AIR Jalandhar, while the second transmitter could broadcast the complete ‘Des Punjab’ and Urdu services. Aujla, who recently visited the Gharinda site, said he was surprised to find no visible signs of rust on the freestanding 203-metre-high remnant of the original 300metre radio and TV tower. He said that the structure should ideally have been repainted in red and white by now. Parts of the dismantled structure, he observed, are lying on the ground near the tower. “I did not observe significant corrosion, but the components have been exposed to stagnant water after heavy rainfall. After a proper engineering inspection, the tower could potentially be recommissioned as an interim arrangement,” he said, adding that a team of experts should be sent to assess the site conditions.