05052026-ATR-01.qxd 5/5/2026 12:28 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 37°C | MIN 23°C GANGSTRAN TE VAAR: 630 NABBED IN 3 MONTHS IN TARN TARAN DIST GUNSHOTS FIRED AT CANADA CAFE, KAPIL SAYS NOT SCARED JAAFAR JACKSON CHEERS INDIAN MJ DANCE TRIBUTE ‘Operation Prahar’: 236 held in six days, 3.5-kg heroin recovered, 50 teams deployed. P2 Gunshots were fired at Kapil Sharma’s Canada café but the actor says he is focusing on Dadi Ki Shaadirelease. P4 Actor Jaafar Jackson reacts to a viral Indian classical fusion dance videoinspired by Michael Jackson, leaving fans excited. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 7.13 PM » SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5.40 AM TUESDAY | 5 MAY 2026 | AMRITSAR CIA team arrests three persons with illegal firearms MP Gurjeet Aujla inspects mandis, flags irregularities Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, May 4 A police team led by Inspector Rupinderpal Singh, in charge of the local CIA, has arrested three persons and recovered three illegal pistols along with magazines and six live rounds from their possession. In this regard, Superintendent of Police (Detective) Riputapan Singh stated on Monday that the accused have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Panjwar; Shivraj Singh, alias Shiv, a resident of Madar Mathura Bhagi police station (Khalra); and Jobanjit Singh, a resident of Rajoke (Khalra). The police have also taken possession of the motorcycle used by Lovepreet Singh and Shivraj Singh. Respective police stations have registered cases against the accused under the Arms Act. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused allegedly procured illegal weapons from across the border and supplied them further. Further investigation is underway to trace their network and possible links. Amritsar, May 4 Even as large-scale procurement of wheat has been completed across mandis in the district, delays in lifting the produce are causing serious hardship to commission agents and labourers. With stocks piling up in grain markets, stakeholders allege that poor coordination and lapses in the transportation system are disrupting the procurement cycle. According to information gathered from various mandis, despite tenders being awarded for transportation, trucks and other vehicles are not being provided on time. As a result, arhtiyas are being forced to arrange private transport to move wheat stocks, leading to an additional financial burden of Rs 20 to Rs 25 per quintal. Pending payments from previous procurement seasons have further compounded their financial stress. Farmers, arhtiyas and labourers have raised strong objections over the situation, alleging that negligence on the part of government agencies and contractors is causing them economic losses. Highlighting the gravity of the issue, Road accident turns murder case in city Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 4 In a shocking turn of events, an accident in which two youths lost their lives in a road incident has now taken the shape of a murder case, with the police booking a village sarpanch and his associates. According to information, Lovepreet Singh, alias Labha, a resident of Gumtala village near Eidgah Gurdwara Sahib, and his friend Surjit Singh, alias Golu, were riding a motorcycle towards the Mirankot side when an unidentified vehicle allegedly hit them, leaving both seriously injured. They were rushed to Hartej Hospital for treatment, where Surjit Singh succumbed to his injuries. His family later performed his last rites. Lovepreet Singh was undergoing treatment when further details emerged. Family members later informed the police that prior to the incident, the two youths had reportedly been involved in a scuffle with another youth in the village. It is alleged that following the altercation, village sarpanch Sarabjit Singh, alias Sunny, along with two to three accomplices, chased the victims in a car (registration number PB02AQ4986). When the motorcycle reached near Billa Valley Colony on the Mirankot road, the accused allegedly rammed their car into the motorcycle with the intent to kill. Both victims sustained continued on page 2 Swachh survey looms, waste woes persist in city Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla at the Attari grain market on Monday. Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla visited several mandis to take stock of the situation and sharply criticised the Punjab Government. During his visit, Aujla inspected mandis at Basarke Gill, Chheharta Bhakna, Hoshiar Nagar, Raja Tal, Attari and Majitha. In his interactions, farmers and traders complained of mismanagement, delays in lifting and alleged arbitrary deductions during procurement. Reacting strongly, Aujla said the issue was not new but a systemic failure that has now assumed serious proportions. He alleged that large-scale irregularities are being carried out in the name of tenders, while both political and administrative authorities have maintained silence. The MP has demanded a high-level probe into the alleged irregularities and mismanagement in mandis across Punjab, including Attari. He stressed the need to make the procurement process transparent and accountable to safeguard the interests of farmers, traders, and labourers, and to restore confidence in the mandi system. Amritsar, May 4 With teams for Swachh Survekshan 2026 set to visit the city anytime this month, concerns are mounting over persistent shortcomings in solid waste management, despite contracts being awarded to multiple agencies. Although recent efforts by the Amritsar Municipal Corporation have led to some improvement, much more needs to be done to strengthen the city’s cleanliness ranking. Ground-level conditions indicate that door-to-door garbage collection remains irregular in certain areas, while heaps of waste continue to be seen along roadsides. The segregation of wet and dry waste at the source is still not being effectively implemented and the pace of waste processing remains slow — factors that could lead to significant deductions during assessment. According to a communication issued by Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC), field assessment teams deployed under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs will evaluate A view of a garbage dump along Batala Road in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR on-ground sanitation conditions, including waste collection, processing and public sanitation infrastructure. A key concern flagged is the discrepancy between official claims and ground reality. Several waste transportation vehicles are reportedly operating without proper covering, resulting in spillage and unhygienic conditions. The absence of a fully functional waste processing facility, Dust storm, rain disrupt power supply Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 4 A sudden dust storm on Sunday and again on Monday morning disrupted power supply across several urban and rural areas of Amritsar, leaving thousands of residents without electricity for hours and causing significant damage to infrastructure. According to information, the storm struck on Sunday morning, leading to widespread outages in both city and border belt areas. Powercom teams took around five to 10 hours to restore supply in many rural pockets, while electricity in most urban areas was resumed within four to five hours. The worst-hit regions fell under the border zone suburban circle, including Ajnala, Lopoke, Rajasansi, Attari, and Chheharta, where several poles were damaged due to strong winds. Multiple trans- primarily due to land constraints, has further slowed the scientific disposal of garbage. However, ongoing bioremediation work at the Bhagtanwala dump site is expected to contribute positively to the city’s scoring if expedited. PMIDC has issued a set of guidelines to improve performance. These include intensive cleanliness drives at entry and exit points, regular maintenance of communi- Wanted criminal held with arms, heroin Tribune News Service Powercom teams took around five to 10 hours to restore supply in many rural pockets, while electricity in most urban areas was resumed within four to five hours. formers also suffered damage, adding to delays in restoration work. In the city, falling tree branches during the storm snapped power lines in areas such as Mall Mandi, Sultanwind Road, Majitha Road, and Guru Ki Wadali, disrupting supply. Feeder-wise outages were also reported in Verka, Batala Road and Islamabad, where electricity remained suspended for five to six hours. Powercom staff worked continuously to clear debris, repair poles and restore damaged lines. Officials said emergency response teams were deployed promptly, but the scale of damage caused by the continued on page 2 ty and public toilets, proper waste segregation and processing, cleaning of sewer lines and drains and ensuring safety and welfare measures for sanitation workers. Authorities have also been directed to maintain proper records and enhance citizen awareness to ensure accurate public feedback. Special focus areas include preventing roadside garbage continued on page 2 Amritsar, May 4 Wanted by the Tarn Taran police in cases of murder and attempted murder, a notorious criminal was arrested by the Sultanwind police in the city police commissionerate, leading to the recovery of two pistols, five cartridges, and 96 grams of heroin from his possession. The accused has been identified as Happy Singh, alias Harpreet Singh, a native of Majitha who is currently residing in the Algo Kothi area of Khemkaran in Tarn Taran district. According to police officials, he has a long criminal history, with at least seven cases registered against him, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, and offences under the NDPS Act. Sharing details on Monday, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Vishaljit Singh said that the accused was arrested a few days ago during an operation and 96 grams of heroin was initially recovered from him. During further interrogation, the police uncovered his extensive criminal background. Records revealed that he had previously been lodged in jail and was released around eight months ago. However, after his release, he allegedly resumed his criminal activities. Two fresh cases under Sections 302 and 307 of the IPC, along with one under the NDPS Act, were registered against him in Tarn Taran, in which continued on page 2 Punjab pushes crop diversification BJP workers celebrate party’s multi-state electoral win with cash support for farmers Neha Saini Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 4 The Punjab Government has announced a financial incentive of Rs 17,500 per hectare to encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive paddy cultivation to Kharif maize during the 2026-27 season. Sharing details, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Chairman of the District Planning Committee, Amritsar, said the scheme has been expanded from six to 16 districts following an encouraging response during its pilot phase last year. He stated that the initiative aims to bring 20,000 hectares (around 50,000 acres) under Kharif maize cultivation across districts, including Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Patiala and Sangrur, among others. The scheme, introduced under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, seeks to reduce dependence on paddy and address the issue of rapidly depleting groundwater levels in the state. Explaining the financial structure, Sandhu said that Rs 4,500 per hectare will be released upon submission of input bills at the Block Agriculture Office. The remaining Rs 13,000 will be disbursed in two instalments after geo-tagged crop verifi- cation. The verification process will be carried out in two phases — from July 15 to 25 and from August 5 to 15 — through a digital farmer portal. He urged farmers to register online and participate in the scheme, adding that submission of a mandatory JForm and geo-tagging of fields will be required to confirm that applicants cultivated paddy in the previous season and are switching to maize this year. Highlighting the broader objective, Sandhu said the traditional paddy-wheat cycle is no longer sustainable and stressed the need continued on page 2 Amritsar, May 4 Dhol beats and distribution of laddoos marked the BJP’s historic victory in West Bengal, Assam, and Puducherry, as Amritsar BJP leadership, led by urban unit president Harvinder Singh Sandhu, hailed it as “a strong encouragement” for party workers across the country. The BJP district office at Shaheed Harbans Lal Khanna Memorial was swarmed with party workers as early trends and news reports began to emerge. “The Jana Sangh, started in Bengal by Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee and later transformed into the BJP has now , established a strong base among the people of Bengal under the leadership of c m y b BJP leaders and workers celebrate the party’s victory in West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry at the BJP oOffice in Amritsar on Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” said Sandhu. He added that the hard work of party workers had given the BJP the required ground strength, calling it a major source of motivation for workers in Punjab. “It’s a strong encouragement for the BJP ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections next year. The lawlessness and anti- people policies of the current state government have made people look for a change. We are very hopeful that party workers will work hard to gain people’s trust here as well,” he said. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader Rajinder Mohan Singh Chhina congratulated the party’s top leadership on its historic victory in West Bengal and a third consecutive win in Assam. Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah the key drivers behind the party’s emphatic success, he said the West Bengal result was a landmark achievement reflecting a shifting political landscape and growing acceptance of the BJP’s vision. BJP workers and supporters continued on page 2