23052026-ATR-01.qxd 5/22/2026 11:12 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 38°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 26°C ACTIVISTS PROTEST OVER DOG ‘CRUELTY’ AT KHALSA COLLEGE FOOD PANEL MEMBER INSPECTS MID-DAY MEALS IN GOVT SCHOOLS INDONESIAN-LANGUAGE ADAPTATION OF DRISHYAM A controversy erupted after a video allegedly showing cruelty towards dogs on Khalsa College campus went viral. P2 Punjab State Food Commission member Vijay Dutt inspected government schools in the Rayya area of district. P2 The Indonesian-language adaptation of Mohanlal-starrer Drishyam is all set to hit theatres on August 20. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.25 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5.28 AM » SATURDAY | 23 MAY 2026 | AMRITSAR 78 heatstroke deaths in 2024: Why city became heat trap for vulnerable A devotee sprinkles water on the floor to cool the ground during a scorching afternoon at the Golden Temple; and (right) commuters cover their faces to shield themselves from the intense heat in Amritsar on Friday. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR Delays, erased footage cloud probe into constable’s ‘custodial death’ Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 22 More than 50 days after the alleged custodial death of Border Security Force (BSF) Constable Jaswinder Singh, his family continues to wait for answers as the investigation remains plagued by delays, missing CCTV footage and a pending viscera report. The Punjab and Haryana High Court recently intervened, directing authorities to preserve CCTV footage from both the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) office where Jaswinder was detained and the private hospital where he was later admitted. The court acted on a petition filed by the deceased’s wife, Lovejit Kaur, which warned that crucial electronic evidence could be erased without immediate judicial intervention. Jaswinder, 35, who was posted with the BSF’s 42 Battalion in Tripura, died under suspicious circumstances on March 30 after spending nearly three weeks in NCB custody regarding a drug-related case. A resident of Diwangarh, a border village in Jammu, he was reportedly apprehended by the NCB on March 3 while on leave and travelling with his mother for her medical treatment. His family members alleged they were denied all access to him during his detention. They stated that Jaswinder managed to make a single distress call from the NCB office in Jammu, claiming he was being Family members of BSF Constable Jaswinder Singh in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR tortured by officials. Suspicions intensified after a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed 34 ante-mortem injuries on his body, including trauma to his private parts. The autopsy report noted that approximately 25 of the injuries were inflicted two to four days before his death, while nine were sustained within 18 to 24 hours of his passing. However, the exact cause of death has been withheld pending the results of a chemical examiner’s report from Kharar. During inquest proceedings before Judicial Magistrate Ankita Gupta, the private hospital’s management informed the court that the relevant CCTV footage was unavailable because their system only maintained a 10- day backup. Sarabjit Singh, the counsel representing the family, challenged this explanation, stating that the sudden disappearance of critical footage strongly suggests foul play. The NCB denied all allegations of custodial torture, maintaining that Jaswinder suffered a cardiac episode on March 20 while being transported from Jammu to Tarn Taran via Amritsar. Following the backlash, NCB Investigating Officer Akash Rai and Assistant Director Amit Kumar (who is on deputation from the Army), were suspended pending an inquiry. “The delay in forensic reports and the disappearance of electronic evidence have completely shaken our faith in the investigation,” Lovejit Kaur said. Amritsar, May 22 The data released this year by a government agency — the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) — shows that maximum 78 deaths due to heatstroke were reported in Amritsar in the year 2024. This is alarming in a city where the share of floating population is extremely high. Samson Masih, Secretary, District Red Cross, said, “The holy city is known worldwide for offering free food for 24 hours all around the year at the Golden Temple’s Guru Ramdas Ji Langar hall. In addition, langar stalls and Chabeel, free of cost sweetened water distribution, are undertaken across the city on auspicious occasions of Sikh, Hindu and other religions.” Yet the high figures of deaths by heat stroke forced the bureau to look at the other side of the picture, he said, adding that, “A large number of destitute and people involved in begging come here from different parts of the country. This is a vulnerable group as they come here unprepared with least belongings. They can be seen sitting outside religious shrines of all faiths, besides mazars (mausoleums). They also occupy space on roadsides and dividers. Over the past few years they have been begging for food outside eateries.” An environmentalist said, “Another major reason behind high number of deaths due heatstroke is that the period from April 2024 to June 2024 marked a severe and long Three injured in firing at Jaura village shrine fair MC launches sanitation drive on Lawrence Road Illegal parrot trader held in Gurdaspur; 34 rose-ringed parakeets rescued Tarn Taran, May 22 Three people were injured in a clash involving gunfire and weapons during a fair at the Baba Bashir Shah shrine here yesterday. Prompt intervention by the Sarhali police prevented the situation from escalating further. The victims have been identified as Jugraj Singh (alias Giani) and his friend Manpreet Singh, both residents of Jaura village, alongside Gora, a resident of Nathuchak village. According to a complaint filed by Jugraj’s father, Nirmal Singh, the attack occurred while he was attending the fair with his son and his son’s friends. A group comprising Akashdeep Singh, Lovedeep Singh, Arshdeep Singh, Nishan Singh and Jobanjit Singh (all residents of Jaura), Sohan Singh (of Dubli village), and at least eight unidentified armed individuals launched the assault. Jugraj and Manpreet sustained gunshot wounds from rifles, while Gora was attacked and injured with a sickle. The incident triggered panic among devotees, who fled and hid to save themselves. While the remaining suspects managed to escape in a Mahindra Scorpio, the Sarhali police arrested Nishan Singh and Sohan Singh from the spot. A case has been registered under Sections 109, 125, 191(3), and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as Sections 25, 27, 54, and 59 of the Arms Act. The injured are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Kairon village. —OC Amritsar, May 22 The sanitation wing of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) carried out a surprise late-night and earlymorning enforcement drive against littering and improper garbage disposal on Lawrence Road. The special inspection was conducted between 9 pm and 11 pm on Thursday, followed by a follow-up checking operation on Friday morning. The campaign aimed to ensure cleanliness on major commercial stretches and curb the practice of dumping garbage on roads after business hours. Led by Municipal Health Officer Dr Yogesh Arora, the team caught several commercial establishments allegedly violating sanitation norms during the night sweep. The MC issued challans under Section 323 of the Punjab Municipal Corporation Act, 1976, against multiple violators — includ- Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service heat wave. This period is the third consecutive year of extreme heat waves in India attributed to climate change.” Dr Gurmit Singh said, “The human body works hard to maintain its core temperature at around 37°C. The primary cooling mechanism of the human body is sweating. However, when external heat rises, specifically when humidity is equally high, sweat evaporates off the skin. It carries heat away with it.” “However, in the flat plains of Punjab in general and Amritsar in particular, there is often little wind and high moisture in the air. Sweat cannot evaporate. The cooling mechanism fails,” he said. Geography is also one of the reasons as the Punjab plains are landlocked. The region heats up rapidly in the absence of a wide water body large enough to moderate temperature. It results in building up of heat which also stays for a long period. During the past decades several studies pointed out high pollution levels due to massive construction work, contributing dust particles, emission from vehicles and industries. Green cover inside the city and around was reduced massively to pave way for the development works, including road widening, four laning of roads, Delhi-Katra expressway, network of elevated roads, setting up of road infrastructure for the BRTS, shopping malls and others. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said he would ask the Health Department to find reasons Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Garbage dumped outside a chemist shop in Amritsar. ing Ram Lubaya Aampapad Wala, a pharmacy and a dosa outlet — for littering public spaces and creating unhygienic conditions. During the Friday morning inspection, officials found garbage dumped outside several other establishments in the area, including a bank and a post office on Lawrence Road, as well as Khanna Sur- behind high number of deaths in the year 2024. He said a forestation drive was carried out every year in the city. He said, “I will find out what is the survival rate of saplings planted earlier.” He pointed out that the district administration issues an advisory to all working in NGOs and educational institutions and students to avoid heatwave by consuming plenty of water, even if one does not feel thirsty and avoid stepping out of the house unnecessarily during the afternoon. The Deputy Commissioner instructed Red Cross to work with NGOs to make arrangements for cold drinking water in public places for the people, install umbrellas and create awareness among people to prevent heatstroke. gical on Circular Road. MC officials expressed concern over repeated incidents of irresponsible waste disposal despite regular awareness campaigns and daily sanitation services. They warned that surprise enforcement drives would continue across the city and strict penalties would be imposed on individuals, shopkeepers and institutions found violating sanitation rules. Appealing to residents, traders and market associations to cooperate with sanitation staff, officials urged the public to use designated garbage collection systems instead of dumping waste on roads, footpaths or drains. While comprehensive night sweeping operations are being carried out regularly on major commercial corridors, officials stressed that sustained cleanliness can only be achieved through active public participation and responsible civic behaviour. Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, May 22 The Gurdaspur police have arrested a major supplier of illegal pet parrots who targeted the town’s elite, selling “speaking parrots” for Rs 4,000 and “non-speaking” ones for Rs 3,000. The accused, Rajinder Singh, reportedly ran a thriving business, sourcing birds from various states to sell in Gurdaspur and its suburbs. His clientele allegedly included prominent local figures. The arrest triggered a panic among local traders. Fearing imminent raids, pet shops across the city and neighbouring areas quickly downed their shutters. The ripple effect even reached Pathankot, located 35 km away. Acting on an online complaint, animal welfare Accused Rajinder Singh in custody of the Gurdaspur police. organisation People for Animals (PFA) and its Punjab- based activist, Sahil Sharma, flagged the operation. PFA Chairperson Maneka Gandhi contacted two senior Gurdaspur police officers regarding the violation. While the officers were initially reluctant to act without a formal complaint, Gandhi directed Sharma to file one immediately to initiate the rescue. A preliminary raid on Singh’s city-centre shop yielded no incriminating evidence. However, under sustained interrogation, Singh confessed, leading police to his residence. On the first floor, the police discovered 34 rose-ringed parakeets hidden in a large cage. An FIR was registered at the city police station under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The rescued birds were handed over to the Wildlife Department. SVEEP core committee outlines strategy for 100% voter registration in district Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 22 A meeting of the SVEEP core committee was held here on Friday to review preparations, strategies and public participation for the voter awareness campaign being conducted under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)2026, as per the directions of the Election Commission. The meeting was chaired by SVEEP Nodal Officercum-District Education Officer (Secondary Education), Rajesh Sharma. Addressing the participants, Sharma stated that the upcoming door-todoor voter verification campaign, scheduled from June 25 to July 24, aims to ensure successful implementation, achieve 100% registration of eligible voters and eliminate duplicate votes. He informed the committee that 88.29% of the pre-SIR mapping work in the district had already been completed, while the remaining 2,30,843 voters would be covered under this special awareness drive. Sharma emphasised that special focus would be placed on promoting the Election Commission of India’s new digital initiative, “Book a call with BLO,” across the district. Under this facility, citizens can book a direct call c m y b with their area Booth Level Officer (BLO) through the ECINeT app or the official ECI website. This initiative allows residents to resolve issues related to new voter registration, corrections, name changes or voter ID cards right from their homes. To engage the younger generation, Sharma announced that the committee had decided to enlist local sports personalities, cultural icons and youth influencers as SVEEP icons. Additionally, a largescale awareness campaign featuring infographics, short videos and reels would be launched across social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the SIR2026 schedule, as well as the claims and objections process. Officials would also spread awareness in the rural and semi-urban areas to enrol vot- ers ahead of the publication of the final error-free electoral roll on October 1. Furthermore, Voter Awareness Forums (VAFs) would be established in all educational institutions to ensure 100% registration of eligible students in the 18–19 age group. The Nodal Officer appealed to residents of Amritsar district to cooperate with BLOs during their door-to-door visits by providing accurate information. He also encouraged the public to use the tollfree voter helpline number, 1950, for assistance. The meeting was attended by Election Tehsildar Rajinder Singh, Assistant Public Relations Officer Yogesh Kumar, District SVEEP Coordinator Saurabh Khosla, Pankaj Kumar, and SVEEP team members Munish Kumar and Ashu Dhawan, among other officials.