09052026-ATR-01.qxd 5/9/2026 12:04 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune DRUG AWARENESS TRAINING LAUNCHED FOR TEACHERS DECOR STUDIOS, LIFESTYLE STORES REDEFINE MODERN LIVING SPACES Homeowners are increasingly investing in decor accents to create “Instagramworthy” corners inside homes. P3 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 37°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 21°C SHAKIRA UNVEILS OFFICIAL SONG FOR FIFA WORLD CUP Around 3,238 teachers will be trained in counselling and mentoring students against drug abuse in schools. P2 FORECAST Colombian pop star Shakira is back with a new anthem. She unveiled her official song for the 2026 WC. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.15 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5.37 AM » SATURDAY | 9 MAY 2026 | AMRITSAR BSF, Punjab Police seize over 2 kg heroin along Indo-Pak border Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 Amid heightened security concerns following the IED blast outside the Army cantonment area at Khasa, the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Amritsar Rural Police seized 2.126 kg of heroin in multiple operations along the Indo-Pak border in Amritsar on Thursday. A suspected drug peddler was also arrested by the Gharinda police in one of the operations. Rajbir Singh, investigating officer in the first case, said BSF personnel recovered a packet containing 538 grams of heroin along with packing material and remnants of a drone kit from the area near the Border Outpost (BOP) of Dauke. Following a complaint lodged by BSF author- ities, a case was registered against unidentified persons. In another operation, BSF teams recovered 482 grams of heroin wrapped in a polythene packet from the Dauke border area. A separate case was registered against unidentified persons, said investigating officer Sher Singh. In yet another recovery from the same border belt, SI Rajbir Singh registered another FIR after BSF personnel recovered 561 grams of heroin along with packing material and drone remnants near the border fencing area. Meanwhile, the Gharinda police arrested an alleged drug smuggler identified as Rajbir Singh, a resident of Navi Abadi, Gharinda. He was apprehended near Padhri Mor Adda during a naka operation conducted by the police team. Officials said the accused was found in possession of 545 grams of heroin along with packing material. Deputy Superintendent of Police Yadwinder Singh said the contraband had been smuggled by Pakistan-based drug traffickers using drones. In total, 2.126 kg of heroin was confiscated during the operations. Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s palace: A monument under threat in Dinanagar Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Dinanagar, May 8 Monuments like Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s summer palace tell stories of ancient civilisations and powerful empires. They also serve as physical evidence of a country’s history. In the 2020 ‘BBC World Histories Magazine’ poll, he was named as the ‘Greatest Leader of All Times”. He beat leaders like Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill. Such was his fame and reputation. However, last week’s unsavoury developments pertaining to the vandalisation of his palace have proved that we, as a society, are failing in our duties to safeguard historical sites and monuments. Encroachers tried to construct concrete structures, which were to be later sold for a profit, at exactly the same place where the fortress is located. To their credit, Gurdaspur administration officials and the police acted with alacrity after some heritage lovers pointed out the damage and defacement. The Maharaja was recognised for creating a “golden age” for Punjab that prioritised stability, economic growth and cultural revival. The 19th-century Sikh Empire had established a secular and tolerant state and a modern army. He was also instrumental in the renova- Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s summer palace (Baradari) in Dinanagar, Gurdaspur, in a shambles. FILE for historical and heritage sites by the present generation is an issue driven by rapid urbanisation, changing priorities and a disconnect between the past and present. Baldev Singh Randhawa, president of the Batala Virasat Manch, says “In schools, history books tell us who Ranjit Singh was. But this is quickly forgotten. Students are quick to be back to their favourite pastime of playing games on their mobile phones. Often, school students who visit the palace focus on getting themselves clicked in the palace, rather than engaging themselves with the heritage itself. History is often taught in schools as a burdensome subject focusing on dates and places rather than on inspiring narratives, leading to a lack of emotional connection to the monument.” A majority of people are unable to digest the fact that preserving historical sites adds value to their lives. They view them as impediments to modernisation. Till people have this mindset, sites like Ranjit Singh’s palace will continue to be neglected. As Pericles, the great Greek general and statesman, said, “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.” tion of the Golden Temple. His palace served as his favourite retreat far away from the scorching heat of Lahore. The resort, also called Baradari for its 12 gates, actually housed his 200-man infantry unit and his artillery making it a prominent cantonment of those times. He had earned the sobriquet of ‘Sher-e-Punjab”. He is remembered not only for uniting various Sikh army factions into one powerful sovereign state but also for his effective governance. In 2010, the Punjab Government declared the site as a protected one after heritage lovers petitioned it. They claimed that historical memorials like the Maharaja’s resort are concrete links to a nation’s past showcasing ancient events and cultural heritage. A protected structure is a site of remnants of archaeological and historical value designated by the government as worthy of preservation. Such monuments are safeguarded against destruction, alterations and encroachments. The Maharaja’s palace had no protection whatsoever from either natural calamities or man-made ones, despite the state government’s directive. Some unscrupulous elements, trying to make a quick buck, tried to encroach upon the Clash erupts at GNDU gate after youths denied entry, 1 arrested Neha Saini Man gets life imprisonment for stabbing youth to death Tribune News Service Charanjit Singh Teja Amritsar, May 8 As Amritsar prepares to commemorate its 450th foundation anniversary in June 2027, concerns are mounting over the deteriorating environmental condition of the holy city founded by the fourth Sikh Guru, Guru Ram Das, in 1577. Revered worldwide for Darbar Sahib (the Golden Temple), Amritsar today faces an escalating waste and sanitation crisis that threatens both its heritage and spiritual sanctity. Seeking accountability from those in power and greater civic responsibility from residents, women from across Punjab have united under the banner of the “Chalo Amritsar” campaign to demand urgent environmental action and sustainable urban management for the holy city. A special screening of a documentary highlighting the growing ecological concerns was organised on Friday and attended by Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, former Cabinet minister and SAD leader Bikramjit Singh Majithia, Amritsar Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia, Khalsa University Vice-Chancellor Dr Mehal Singh and Punjab Pollution Control Board Chairperson Reena Gupta. Titled “Between Reverence and Reality”, the documentary, created by students of Journalism and Mass Communication, highlights the worsening environmental crisis in the old walled city of Amritsar and examines the impact of pollution on the Tribune News Service Drug addict found dead in Tarn Taran Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, May 8 A drug addict was found dead in a maize field at Bugha village here on Friday. The deceased was identified as Ram Singh (35), son of Harbhajan Singh and a resident of Bandala. The body of the victim was discovered in the fields at Bugha village. Family members also reportedly found a drug injection in his arm. Harbhajan Singh, father of the victim, said Ram Singh had been struggling with drug addiction for a long time. He added that his mother-in-law had brought him to Tarn Taran in an attempt to help him overcome the addiction. The deceased’s mother-inlaw, Kulwant Kaur, said Ram Singh had left home on Wednesday and the family believed he might have gone to Bandala to visit his parents. She said they later received information about a body lying in the fields. Upon reaching the spot, the family identified the body as that of Ram Singh. Kulwant Kaur also stated that Ram Singh was addicted to drugs and that a syringe was recovered from his arm. ASI Inderjit Singh of the Sadar police station said proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) had been initiated. The deceased is survived by his wife and two daughters, aged eight and five years. ‘Chalo Amritsar’ campaign raises alarm over city’s environmental crisis Akal Takht Jathedaar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj being felicitated by women of the ‘Chalo Amritsar’ campaign in Amritsar on Friday. spiritual and cultural identity of the city. Led by Samita Kaur, founder of the Vatrukh Foundation, the campaign has brought together prominent voices, including Indu Aurora, Swaranjit Kaur, Dr Amrita Rana, Dr Simarpreet Sandhu, Bhushan Malik, Ritu Malhan, Damanjeet Kaur and Shweta Mehra from organisations such as Voice of Amritsar, OTT Foundation, Earthy Instincts, Green Thumb and several other environmental and civic groups. “The campaign aims to restore the dignity and sanctity of the city envisioned by Guru Ram Das — a city once known for its wetlands, orchards and ecological richness. Our demands include scientific solid waste management, ecological restoration, strict implementation of waste segregation and a complete ban on single-use plastics in and around the holy city,” said Samita. Calling for community-led sensitisation, Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said, “Our sacred spaces cannot be allowed to crumble under piles of garbage. It is the moral responsibility of every individual to understand that sewa, sidak and Sikhi go hand in hand. A collective effort is needed to ensure that Sri Amritsar Sahib, especially the old walled city, remains clean and preserved ahead of the 450th year celebrations. The government must also ensure strict enforcement of laws.” Highlighting the environmental implications, Harwinder Singh from the AirCare Centre said, “Amritsar’s air quality is not merely an environmental concern; it is deeply connected to public health, heritage and the city’s identity. The Bhagtanwala dumping ground, located close to the Golden Temple, continues to release toxic emissions that affect residents as well as the spiritual ambience of the city. Urgent scientific waste management, legacy waste clearance, stronger monitoring and coordinated urban climate action are now essential to restore Amritsar’s environmental dignity.” c m y b Amritsar, May 8 A man was sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court in Amritsar for fatally stabbing a youth during a street altercation near Chattiwind Chowk in 2022. The case related to a tragic incident that occurred on May 11, 2022, near Sakattari Bagh, Chattiwind Chowk, Amritsar. As per the prosecution, complainant Shankar Dass and witness Balkar Singh were present near the main gate of Sakattari Bagh when they noticed two young men quarrelling and hurling abuses at each other. The dispute appeared to escalate suddenly despite efforts made by the witnesses to pacify them. During the altercation, the accused allegedly took out a knife and inflicted a fatal blow on the left side of the neck of the continued on page 2 palace and adjoining land. That was until they were stopped in their tracks by an FIR registered by the Gurdaspur police on a complaint filed by heritage lovers. In 2016, the government floated a Rs 1.60-crore tender for its restoration. However, the contractor developed some differences with the powersthat-be following which work never started. The preservation of such sites is crucial for future generations. “The fact is that the present generation does not even know who the Maharaja was. And what exactly is his contribution to Sikh history,” opined cultural enthusiast Inderjit Singh Harpura. The apparent lack of care Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 Tension flared at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) on Thursday when a group of youths clashed with security personnel at the rear entrance gate on Ram Tirath Road. The incident came to light after a video of the scuffle went viral on social media, raising concerns over repeated law and order disturbances allegedly caused by outsiders within the university premises. According to reports, the confrontation began when security guards asked the youths to show identification before entering the campus. When they failed to produce valid IDs, they were denied entry, which led to a heated argument and eventually a physical altercation. The accused reportedly claimed that they had come to drop off a student. Station House Officer Jatinder Singh Khara of the Can- A video of the scuffle that took place between miscreants and gate staff at the GNDU gate went viral on social media. tonment police station confirmed that an FIR was registered on the statement of security guard Deepak Singh, who sustained a head injury during the scuffle. The police arrested one of the accused, identified as Lovepreet Singh of Ram Tirath Road, and impounded the car allegedly used in the attempted forced entry. Efforts are underway to arrest his two accomplices. The incident follows a recent case in which an outsider allegedly entered the boys’ hostel at GNDU and created a disturbance. The police had earlier registered a case against Rajan Bedi in connection with that incident. Following the episode, university authorities tightened security measures and made verification of outsiders mandatory before entry into the campus. Authorities reiterated that security protocols would continue to be strictly enforced to prevent further breaches and ensure the safety of students and staff. MC continues action against illegal dairies Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 The Amritsar Municipal Corporation on Friday conducted a special enforcement drive against unauthorised dairies operating in residential areas of Kot Khalsa and New Model Town. During the operation, officials identified two unauthorised dairies and initiated action to remove The seized cattle being shifted to a cow shed in Amritsar. the animals. A total of seven cattle were seized and safely shifted to a gaushala as part of the civic body’s ongoing campaign to tackle the issue of stray and illegally housed animals within city limits. The drive was carried out in the presence of health officials Dr Rama and JP Babar, along with enforcement staff of the municipal corporation and support continued on page 2