04062026-ATR-01.qxd 6/4/2026 12:12 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY VELODROME KEEPS CYCLISTS ON TRACK TO SUCCESS DESPITE BAN, E-CIGARETTES CONTINUE TO LURE YOUTH RITA MEHER HAS WORN MANY HATS…PRODUCER, DIRECTOR Guru Nanak Dev University, home to the velodrome arena, is set to host the World Bicycle Day events. P2 Doctors and experts bust myths, warn of growing health risks associated with vaping. P3 This year, Tasveer has hosted the only official South Asian panel on the main stage at Marché du Film. P4 » » » MAX 35°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 22°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.32 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5.25 AM THURSDAY | 4 JUNE 2026 | AMRITSAR Cops bust cross-border arms-drug NCB raids hospital smuggling network; two nabbed in Attari, nabs doc with intoxicant tablets Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Police seize illicit liquor, lahan from two villages, 1 held Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, June 3 The police during raids at two places in separate villages of the district on Tuesday recovered 11,250 ml of illicit liquor and 200 ltrs of lahan. ASI Kawaljit Singh, posted at the Sadar police station, on Wednesday said that they recovered the illicit liquor from Malkit Singh Mangu of Shahbazpur village and arrested him on the spot. According to another report, the police during a raid at the house of Balwinder Singh, a resident of Miani village, recovered 200 litres of lahan. The accused managed to flee the spot. The police have registered cases under Sections 61, 1 and 14 of the Excise Act. Tribune News Service Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar addresses mediapersons in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR tional Border. The contraband was then supplied to criminal elements in Punjab through local operatives. Expanding the probe, the police further nabbed Harjinder Singh, alias Jinder (37), of Lodhi Gujjar village under the Lopoke police station. During his search, the police recovered four sophisticated pistols, including a China-made .30 bore pistol, two Austria-made Glock 9mm pistols, one US-made Glock 9mm pistol and eight live cartridges. Further recovery was made on the basis of Harjinder’s disclosure statement, leading the police to seize two more Turkey-made .30 bore pistols along with four additional live cartridges. Bhullar said both accused belong to border villages and have previous criminal records. Sukhdev Singh was already wanted in a case registered under the Arms Act at the Chheharta police station in April this year, in which four of his associates had been arrested with seven pistols and 12 cartridges. He said Sukhdev was the key facilitator who allegedly arranged the supply of illegal weapons through contacts continued on page 2 ACTS ON INFO RECEIVED Amritsar, June 3 In a major crackdown on the illegal sale of narcotic medicines, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Wednesday raided a private hospital in the border town of Attari and arrested a doctor after recovering around 800 intoxicant tablets from the hospital’s chemist shop. The arrested accused has been identified as Dr Chanpreet Singh. The NCB has also issued summons to Dr Dilpreet Singh and two other individuals, directing them to appear before the agency for questioning in connection with the case. According to sources, the NCB had received information that narcotic and habitforming medicines were allegedly being sold openly from the hospital for several years. Acting on the inputs, a team of officials conducted a search operation and seized the tablets from the premises. As part of the investigation, the agency has sought records related to the purchase and sale of medicines over the past ■ According to sources, the NCB had received information that narcotic and habit-forming medicines were allegedly being sold openly from the hospital for several years. Acting on the inputs, a team of officials conducted a search operation and seized the tablets from the premises. ■ As part of the investigation, the agency has sought records related to the purchase and sale of medicines over the past 10 years. Officials are examining whether controlled drugs were sold in violation of legal provisions and whether a wider network was involved. 10 years. Officials are examining whether controlled drugs were sold in violation of legal provisions and whether a wider network was involved. The seized tablets have been sent for forensic examination, while investigators are scrutinising documents and financial transactions linked to the hospital. Sources said further arrests cannot be ruled out as the probe progresses. Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 3 Alert Border Security Force (BSF) personnel foiled two smuggling bids and recovered nearly 18 kg heroin from separate locations in the Lopoke sector along the India-Pakistan border on Wednesday morning. According to information, Pakistani smugglers allegedly used drones to drop drug consignments into Indian territory. The first recovery was made near border outpost (BOP) Ramkot, where BSF troops detected the sound of a drone in the early hours. Acting swiftly, the jawans launched a search operation and recovered 11 packets of heroin weighing around 11 kg scattered in the area. In another operation, troops recovered an additional 6 kg heroin near BOP Kakkar. Preliminary investigations suggest that local smugglers were expected to retrieve both consignments after the drone drops. No arrests have been made so far and the intended FILE PHOTO Amritsar, June 3 The Amritsar police dismantled an illegal arms and drug trafficking module allegedly linked to Pakistan-based smugglers by arresting two persons. The police also recovered 2.225 kg of heroin, six sophisticated pistols and 12 live cartridges during separate operations. Sharing details on Wednesday, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that acting on specific intelligence inputs, a team first arrested Sukhdev Singh, alias Sukh (23), a resident of Chicha village under the Gharinda police station. During the operation, the police recovered the contraband from his possession. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused was actively involved in narcotics trafficking and had procured the heroin consignment for further distribution. During interrogation, the police unearthed links to a Pakistan-based smuggler, identified as Maula, who allegedly used drones to deliver consignments of heroin and weapons across the Interna- BSF personnel seize 18 kg heroin along IB JThe first recovery was made near border outpost (BOP) Ramkot, where BSF troops detected the sound of a drone in the early hours. recipients of the narcotics are yet to be identified. The BSF has informed the local police about both recoveries and a joint investigation has been launched. Security agencies are scrutinising the records of known border-based smugglers and drug traffickers operating in the region to ascertain who was supposed to receive the heroin consignments. Efforts are underway to trace the network involved in the crossborder smuggling attempt. The recoveries once again highlight the continued use of drones by Pakistani smugglers to push narcotics and arms into Punjab, posing a significant challenge to security forces deployed along the International Border. Health Dept staff seal 7 quintals of 4,000 cops, paramilitary forces deployed in desi ghee for testing after raid city ahead of Op Bluestar anniversary Tribune News Service Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 3 In a crackdown on food adulteration, the Health Department conducted inspections at dairies and shops selling milk products across the district on Wednesday. During a raid at a dairy in the Rambagh area, officials collected samples of paneer and sealed nearly seven quintals of desi ghee for testing. Assistant Commissioner (Food) Rajinderpal Singh said the department has been running a special drive for the past month to check adulteration in milk and milk products. The raid in Rambagh was carried out following a complaint received by the department. During the inspection, officials collected paneer samples for laboratory analysis. They also sealed 48 tins of desi ghee weighing around seven quintals in total. The ghee was Desi ghee being sealed by Health Department staff in Amritsar. reportedly manufactured in Sirsa, Haryana. Samples of the ghee have also been sent to a laboratory for testing. Civil Surgeon Dr Satinderjit Singh Bajaj said no one would be allowed to compromise public health. “Food adulteration will not be tolerated at any cost. The department will continue strict action against those involved in such practices,” he said. Dr Bajaj added that further action would be taken in accordance with the law after the laboratory reports are received. He also appealed to residents to immediately inform the Health Department about any suspected cases of food adulteration. Amritsar, June 3 The Punjab Police and security agencies are on high alert as the 42nd anniversary of the Operation Bluestar anniversary approaching on June 6 during which anti-national elements may try to create law and order problems. The Punjab Police have rolled out an extensive security plan across the border belt, deploying around 4,000 police personnel and 11 companies of central paramilitary forces to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) PK Sinha, who reviewed security arrangements here on Wednesday, said a comprehensive security grid has been established covering Amritsar city and adjoining police districts, including Punjab police personnel stand guard at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar Rural, Batala, Gurdaspur and Tarn Taran districts. The coordinated security mechanism aims to ensure seamless intelligence sharing and swift response to any potential threat during the sensitive period. Sinha said that security agencies remain vigilant in view of attempts by antinational elements and hostile forces across the border to disturb peace in Punjab. “We are fully aware of the designs of hostile neighbours and anti-national elements trying to create unrest in the border state. Keeping this in view, all necessary preventive and security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful observance of the anniversary and maintain public safety across Punjab,” he said. The Centre has provided 11 companies drawn from the Border Security Force (BSF), Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to strengthen security arrangements in the region. These forces have been strategically deployed at key religious, public and vulnerable locations, while Punjab Police personnel have been tasked with maintaining round-the-clock vigil. Nearly 30 experienced gazetted officers have been assigned supervisory responsibilities. They will oversee security operations, conduct regular inspections and ensure effective coordination among different continued on page 2 Punjab clears 100% sugarcane Kanwalpreet Singh Four-cornered battle looms in dues for first time: Punsup chief Chahal takes charge high-stakes Gurdaspur civic polls as SSP Amritsar Rural Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 3 Punjab has achieved 100 per cent clearance of sugarcane dues for the first time during the 2025-26 crushing season, with the state government disbursing Rs 695.36 crore to farmers for their produce. This was stated by PUNSUP Chairman Prabhbir Singh Brar here on Wednesday. Brar said that sugar mills across Punjab procured a record 167.20 lakh quintals of sugarcane and ensured complete payment of outstanding dues to farmers. He termed it as a major achievement as in strengthening the agriculture and cooperative sectors. “Timely and direct payment of sugarcane dues has strengthened the confidence of farmers in the government’s Punsup Chairman Prabhbir Singh Brar. policies and provided muchneeded financial relief to sugarcane growers,” Brar said. He said the government’s efforts to encourage farmers to move beyond the traditional wheat-paddy cycle were yielding positive results. Sugarcane cultivation is emerging as a viable alternative crop that can contribute to crop diversification, improve farm incomes and support sustainable agricultural growth, he said. He said sugarcane cultivation and the sugar industry have long played an important role in generating employment and supporting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families across the state. To further promote sugarcane farming, cooperative sugar mills have introduced several farmer-centric initiatives, including the supply of quality seeds, subsidised agricultural machinery, fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides, he said. He added that facilities such as soil testing, awareness camps and training programmes are also being provided to farmers to improve productivity and encourage the adoption of scientific farming practices. Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 3 Senior Punjab Police Service (PPS) officer Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal on Wednesday assumed charge as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar Rural, following the transfer of Sohail Qasim Mir, who has been posted as AIG Personnel-I as part of a major administrative reshuffle involving 11 police officers in the state. Mir’s transfer came just hours after he addressed a press conference in Amritsar and shared details regarding an FIR registered at the Majitha police station in connection with the alleged storming of the police station c m y b SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal by senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia and his supporters. The case pertains to an incident in which Majithia allegedly led supporters to the Majitha police station while seeking the release of party activist Jobanpreet continued on page 2 Gurdaspur, June 3 The Gurdaspur civic body elections will witness a fourcornered contest even as the main contenders to control the 29-member House of the municipal committee (MC) are the AAP and the Congress. The stakes in these elections, touted as the semi-finals, are high. Not only reputations will be at stake, but they will also set the tone for the assembly polls. This election will also help leaders to establish a grassroots level machinery to mobilise support. AAP is being helmed by former MC chief and halqa incharge Raman Bahl. He has also remained the Chairman of the Punjab State Subordinate Services Selection Board (PSSSSB) and the Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC). These are two of the most powerful state government undertakings after the Punjab Mandi Board. The Congress is being led by sitting MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra while the BJP’s district chief Baghel Singh is in-charge of the BJP The SAD . is being steered by old warhorse and former MLA Gurbachan Singh Babbehali. The previous House was controlled by the Congress which, incidentally, had won all the 29 wards. By virtue of being the MLA’s brother, Baljeet Singh Pahra’s ascendency as the MC chief was never in question. Political observers claim that “ruling parties seldom lose municipal elections”. Allegations of government machinery being misused in the recent elections were conveniently swept under the carpet. In Gurdaspur, too, the likelihood of political chicanery taking place is not being ruled out once candidates start filing their nominations. The BJP is seeking to strengthen its cadre. “The response of ticket seekers has been overwhelming. In certain wards, there have been more than three candidates vying for the ticket. We expect to perform well and we will make ourselves heard,” said Baghel Singh. Leaders want to control the MC as they gain direct access to the grassroots workers and allow them to influence voter behaviour. The ability to resolve everyday civic complaints positions a politician as the primary problem solver. continued on page 2