30042026-ATR-01.qxd 4/29/2026 11:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY LIVE-IN TREND FUELLING FAMILY DISPUTES: LALI GILL ‘GOOD LIFE’ NEEDS GOOD END, SAYS JERRY PINTO ITALIAN TREAT AT THE OBEROI SUKHVILAS SPA RESORT State Women Commission chairperson addresses Lok Adalat at Police Lines in Amritsar. P2 Acclaimed author and journalist refers to palliative care as the kind heart of medicine. P3 Anant Mahal at The Oberoi Sukhvilas Spa Resort, New Chandigarh, will host an Italian pop-up from May 7-11 . P4 » » » MAX 35°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 20.6°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.59 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:40 AM THURSDAY | 30 APRIL 2026 | AMRITSAR Illegal colonies razed after repeated notices ignored Officials say demolition drive conducted at same site in 2022 Tribune News Service Workers clear water trapped in tarpaulin sheets used to cover wheat stock at the Bhagatawala grain market in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR MP Aujla flags poor wheat lifting, storage arrangements at mandi Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 Lok Sabha MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla on Wednesday visited the Bhagtanwala grain market and raised serious concerns over “improper” wheat procurement and storage arrangements amid adverse weather conditions. Aujla interacted with farmers, commission agents and labourers. He alleged that the procurement system in Punjab ‘mandis’ has virtually col- lapsed. The MP pointed out that lakhs of wheat bags are lying in the open across ‘mandis’ in Amritsar and nearby border areas, exposing the produce to damage due to drizzle and changing weather. Aujla claimed that around 6.05 lakh wheat bags are currently lying in mandis, while only about 10 per cent lifting has taken place so far. He termed the situation alarming, adding that ‘mandis’ in Ajnala, Lopoke, Bhindi Saidan and Majitha are facing even worse situation due to lack of sheds, tarpaulin covers and proper storage facilities. Aujla warned that if immediate steps are not taken, farmers could suffer heavy financial losses as their produce remains vulnerable in the open. He also alleged irregularities in the tender process, claiming that a large number of contracts have been awarded to parties lacking proper transport infrastructure. Continued on Page 2 Amritsar, April 29 The Amritsar Development Authority (ADA) carried out a demolition drive against unauthorised colonies coming up in the city on Wednesday. The action was taken by the District Town Planner (Regulatory) wing on the instructions of Chief Administrator Nitesh Kumar Jain and Additional Chief Administrator Inayat. Illegal structures coming up behind DR Enclave and near Narayana School at Mirankot Kalan village were demolished. District Town Planner Amarinderjeet Singh said notices had already been issued under the PAPRA (Punjab Apartment ad Property Regulation) Act, 1995, for stopping the work. However, the developers ignored the notices and continued with construction. Officials said that a similar demolition drive was conducted at the same site on November 30, 2022. However, the developers restarted the The Amritsar Development Authority carries out a demolition drive at Mirankot Kalan village. work, leading to the fresh action by the authorities. The department warned that those involved in developing illegal colonies could face strict punishment under the amended PAPRA Act, 2024, including five to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 5 crore. The police are also being informed to take further legal action against the landowners and developers involved in the illegal practice, he added. The ADA has appealed to the public not to buy plots in unauthorised colonies. People are advised to check official approvals and verify details on the authority’s website before making any purchase to avoid financial loss. The authorities also urged residents to obtain necessary permissions from the department concerned before starting any construction work in the district. Youth dies at de-addiction centre, kin allege foul play Amritsar, April 29 A resident of Ajnala died at a private de-addiction centre under mysterious circumstances. The incident has sparked allegations of negligence and foul play by the family members. The deceased had been identified as Sunny. He was admitted to the facility for treatment of mental distress, the family claimed. According to family members, they had been paying a monthly fee of Rs 10,00015,000 to the centre for Sunny’s care. On Wednesday, they received a call from the centre management informing them that Sunny had passed away after his health deteriorated suddenly. Upon reaching the centre, relatives claimed they found a rope tied around his neck, raising the suspicion of murder. Jaswinder Singh, a relative of the deceased, alleged that the centre lacked proper facilities and was overcrowded, with nearly 15 patients confined to a single room. Attari DSP Yadwinder Singh said the body has been sent for the post-mortem examination. He said the statements from the staff and management are being recorded. — TNS Pharmacy student run Health Dept launches crackdown on Shots fired outside over by tractor-trailer unauthorised blood donation camps dairy owner’s house, Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 A 21-year-old girl was killed in a road accident at Chheharta Chowk on Tuesday afternoon, raising serious questions on the traffic management on the city roads. The deceased had been identified as Saloni, a final-year BPharmacy student at Government Polytechnic College, Chheharta, and a resident of Hoshiarpur. She, along with her classmate, was on her way to appear for her final semester examination when the accident occurred. Chheharta police station SHO Lovepreet Singh said the scooter Saloni and her classmate Sudeep were riding was hit by a tractor-trolley, which was reportedly coming from the wrong side. Both fell on the road due to the impact. Moments later, another tractor-trolley loaded with sand came from behind and ran over Saloni. Sudeep suffered serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital. The SHO said with the help of the public, the police arrested drivers of both tractor-trolleys. “Both vehicles involved in the accident have been impounded,” said Lovepreet. Saloni is survived by her parents and a brother who lives in Canada. Police officials said an investigation has been initiated after registering a case. “Strict action will be taken against those responsible. We are also examining the issue of heavy vehicles violating traffic norms in the area,” an officer said. A similar accident was reported on Monday at Maqboolpura Chowk, where a truck had hit a scooter carrying a woman and her daughter, resulting in the girl’s death due to head injuries. Locals have demanded stricter checks and improved road safety measures to prevent such incidents. extortion bid alleged Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 The Health Department has constituted a special team to inspect blood donation camps being organised in the city, especially outside religious places, in an unauthorised manner. The team comprises District Health Officer Dr Jaspal Singh, Blood Transfusion Officer Dr Rekha Rana and supporting staff. Following a complaint, the team conducted a surprise inspection in areas near Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib, where several blood donation camps were reportedly operating. The team found multiple camps running without proper approval. Several serious violations, including lack of permission, shortage of qualified staff and absence of trained medical professionals, were also observed. Even the basic clinical Tribune News Service Health Department team has found several camps running without proper approval. infrastructure was missing at many camps, the officials said, adding that essential medicines and emergency facilities required for donor safety were not available at these camps. The officials added that as soon as the organisers got a whiff of the inspection, many of them abruptly shut down blood donation camps and fled the spot. Dr Jaspal Singh said detailed reports regarding the unauthorised camps have been prepared and sent to the Civil Surgeon’s office for further legal and administrative action. Civil Surgeon Dr Satinderjit Singh Bajaj said a warning has been issued to all blood centres and NGOs, stating that blood donation camps must strictly follow the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the guidelines of the National Blood Transfusion Council (NBTC). He emphasised that donor safety and blood quality are of utmost importance. Dr Bajaj warned that any blood centre found operating without proper technical staff or in violation of norms will face licence cancellation and strict legal action. The Health Department will be closely monitoring such activities to ensure that the noble cause of blood donation is not compromised by unsafe practices. Amritsar, April 29 Panic gripped Pandori Waraich village after an unidentified assailant opened fire outside the residence of a local dairy owner in an alleged extortion bid. Dairy owner Shamsher Singh reported that the masked gunman fired several shots at his gate on April 25 night while he was having dinner with his family. The attacker fled immediately after firing the shots. The police recovered three empty bullet shells from the scene and took possession of the CCTV footage of the incident. However, Singh claims that even five days after the incident authorities are yet to identify or arrest the culprit. Shamsher Singh, SHO, Kamboh police station, said the police were verifying the Getting threatening messages, says villager claims as the investigation was still in progress. Soon after the attack, Singh said he received threatening WhatsApp messages from individuals claiming to be members of notorious foreign-based gangsters Prabh Dasuwal and Dony Bal. They demanded Rs 30 lakh and warned of him dire consequences, including death threats to his family, if the amount was not paid. According to the complainant, the intimidation has continued with repeated calls over the past several days. In one alarming instance, he claimed, the caller allegedly spoke to local police chowki in-charge and investigating officer Jasbir Singh, reiterating the demand. ~1 crore down the drain: Musical fountain defunct for years 2 held for chain snatching Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 29 The musical fountain at Company Bagh, once the talk of the town, has apparently become a victim of politics. Installed 10 years ago, at a cost of Rs 1 crore, the fountain has been lying defunct for years. Anil Joshi, the then Cabinet minister in the SAD-BJP government, had inaugurated the fountain on March 5, 2016, heralding it as a historic occasion. Lying defunct for a long time, even moss has dried up without water. Rain turns it into a stinking pool. Manish Bajaj, a resident of Joshi Colony, said people avoid going close to the fountain as stinks badly. “After all, A non-operational musical fountain at Company Bagh in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR people come to the spacious Company Bagh for a leisurely walk and to enjoy fragrance coming from flowers,” he added. Expressing his resentment over the wastage of public money, Gurjeet Singh, a resi- dent of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Mall Mandi, recalled the time when the government had invested Rs 1 crore c m y b on the project. When the authorities concerned know that it is difficult to maintain the projects, which require dedicated manpower for cleaning and involve high operational costs, such public attractions should not be set up, he added. Local BJP leaders accused the Congress government of ignoring the project, as its success would have gone in favour of the saffron party. In September 2022, Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh’s tried to revive the musical fountain, but to no avail. After Joshi, Kunwar visited Company Bagh and interacted with morning walkers. However, his relation with the party soured and eventually he was sus- pended for five years on June 29, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities. According to information, the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) had hired a company to operate the musical fountain. Later, the company reportedly stopped making payment to the operator after the six-month contract ended. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had no role in the installation of the musical fountain as the then minister Joshi had bypassed the MC House and funds for the project were secured through the AIT. When contacted, the AIT officials stated that the issue of restoring the fountain would be taken up in the next meeting. Amritsar, April 29 The B-Division police have arrested two persons for allegedly snatching a gold chain from a woman near Chatiwind Chowk and recovered the stolen jewellery, along with a motorcycle used in the crime. The accused have been identified as Gurlal Singh, alias Lali (32), a resident of Lakhna village; and Yadvinder Singh, alias Yada (47), a resident of Akbarpur, both in Tarn Taran district. Assistant Commissioner of Police Kamaljit Singh said the incident occurred on April 25 around 5.30 pm when the complainant, Jasbir Kaur, a resident of Dilbagh Nagar, was intercepted by two motorcycle-borne miscreants near Chatiwind Chowk. The duo snatched her gold chain and fled the spot. A case under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at the B-Division police station. The ACP said a police team led by SHO Baljinder Singh arrested the accused and recovered the gold chain and motorcycle (PB46AN1735). The police said the accused have a criminal background. Gurlal Singh is involved in one case previously, while Yadvinder Singh has three cases registered against him, including one under the NDPS Act and others related to assault and rioting. The accused were produced before a court and remanded to police custody. — TNS