17092026-ATR-01.qxd 9/16/2026 10:50 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY NDRF CONDUCTS MOCK DRILL IN 2 VILLAGES A RADIOLOGIST WITH A CAUSE AND A MENTOR WITH AN AIM CHANDIGARH TO MUMBAI — SUCHI BIRGI CHASES DREAMS The NDRF equips residents of Mandianwala and Bhagupur Uttar villages with life-saving skills. P2 For Dr Gurmeet Singh Ahluwalia, radiology is about providing doctors with information that helps them look beyond symptoms. P3 From being part of Bareilly Ke Bacchan on Colors TV to working on a SonyLIV series, Suchi Birgi has come a long way. P4 » » » MAX 31°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.31 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:12 AM THURSDAY | 17 SEPTEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Man killed in firing; wife’s ‘illicit affair’ behind attack Divine company Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 16 Motorcycle-borne youths allegedly opened indiscriminate fire at two men in Nawan Pind village, leaving one dead and the other injured on late Tuesday evening. The incident took place outside a police post. The deceased has been identified as Jaspal Singh, alias Kala, a resident of Nawan Pind, while the injured, Sawinder Singh from the same village, was rushed to a private hospital in Amritsar, where he is recuperating. Harpal Singh, SHO, Jandiala police station, said on the basis of preliminary information, the police have booked WIFE FLED WITH ACCUSED Harpal Singh, brother of the deceased, told the police that Jaspal Singh's wife developed illicit relations with one of the accused, Rahul Singh, around two years ago and fled with him. After living with the accused for about nine months, the woman returned. He alleged that around six months ago, the accused had attacked and thrashed Jaspal. four persons on charges of murder and attempt to murder. They have been identified as Rahul Singh, Karan, Prabhas and Varun, all residents of the same village. No arrest has been made so far as the accused are on the run. “Raids are on to nab the them,” the SHO added. As per information, the rea- son behind the attack was the alleged illicit relationship of the victim’s wife with accused Rahul Singh. Harpal Singh, brother of the deceased, told the police that his brother got married nine years ago and the couple had two children out of the wedlock. He alleged that Jaspal’s wife developed illicit rela- tions with Rahul Singh around two years ago and fled with him. After living with the accused for about nine months, she came back to Jaspal. The latter agreed to stay with her only after the family’s intervention. He further alleged that around six months ago, the accused had attacked and thrashed his brother. In the FIR, he stated that his brother’s wife was still in touch with Rahul Singh. Harpal said on Tuesday, he, along with Sawinder Singh, was on the way to Fatehpur Rajputa village when the accused opened indiscriminate fire at them, killing Jaspal on the spot and leaving Sawinder critically wounded. 4 pistols seized; probe launched Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 16 After recovering four pistols along with magazines during a checking drive, the Amritsar rural police launched an investigation into the suspected supply network behind the illegal weapons. Amandeep Singh, SHO, Gharinda police station, confirmed the seizure, saying a probe was in progress. The police have taken the seized weapons into possession and their source, intended recipients and possible links with arms smugglers are being investigated. According to information, the police got a tip-off that someone had got the weapons smuggled from Pakistan through a drone and said the consignment was lying in the fields near Attari stadium. The recovery assumes significance amid the heightened security along the border. Over 100 cops comb Gujjarpura area in early morning op Tribune News Service Devotees take out a procession on the third day of the 10-day festival to mark Ganesh Chaturthi in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, September 16 In an early morning crackdown, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Gujjarpura area of the C Division police station on Wednesday, resulting in the registration of two cases under the NDPS Act. The operation began around 5 am and involved extensive checking of the area, including verification of suspected persons and vehicles. Over 100 police personnel were Two cases under NDPS Act registered led by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Local) Akarshi Jain during the operation. DCP Akarshi Jain said the operation aimed at checking drug-related and other criminal activities in the locality. She said two FIRs under the NDPS Act had been registered during the operation so far. Besides checking for narcotics, the police also carried out preventive checks, including identification and verifica- tion of suspicious persons and scrutiny of vehicles suspected of being used in criminal activities. The police said such search and checking operations would continue in the city to curb drug trafficking and other criminal activities. Police control room City under beguiling spell of Ramayana’s stage version gets more teeth: 126 personnel,10 vehicles Neha Saini Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 16 Commissionerate Police Amritsar has further strengthened its policing and emergency response mechanism with the addition of 10 new PCR vehicles today, taking the fleet to 23 now. “Apart from this, 68 police beats have been created and reorganised to improve area coverage and strengthen the police presence across the city,” said Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill here today. “A total of 126 police personnel from non-essential duties have been redeployed to PCRs and police stations under the revised arrangement, ensuring adequate manpower at police stations and improving field-level policing,” he added. The deployed force was personally briefed by Gill on their duties, beat responsibilities, patrolling, crime prevention and prompt response to emergency calls. During the interaction, their suggestions were invited, and their grievances were also heard and addressed. He said the PCR teams would primarily focus on crime prevention, detection, patrolling and rapid response to 112 emergency calls, with an aim to reach the spot within approximately five minutes. The police beats have been realigned according to ground realities and police station jurisdictions to eliminate overlapping areas and ensure more effective patrolling. Red alert points have also been identified to facilitate quick nakabandi during emergency situations. To further enhance field preparedness, beat books containing important information about roads, hospitals, ATMs, railway lines and other important locations have been provided to PCR personnel. In addition, reserve motorcycles have been kept ready to ensure immediate replacement in case of mechanical failure, thereby maintaining uninterrupted police response. Around 68 police beats have been created and reorganised to improve area coverage and strengthen the police presence. Amritsar, September 16 The city and the mythological epic, Ramayana, are somewhere connected. For, Ram Tirath and Sita Rasoi substantiate this historical fact. Ram Tirath is considered the abode of Rishi Valmiki, the author of Ramayana, while it is believed that Goddess Sita lived with her sons, Luv and Kush at Sita Rasoi. And, on Wednesday, the city got the chance to relive the ancient epic. “Hamare Ram”, the stage version of the Sanskrit epic left the audience spellbound for nearly three-anda-half hours at Dasmesh Auditorium in Guru Nanak Dev University. Icing on the cake was actor Ashutosh Rana’s commanding portrayal of Ravana. Organised by the Punjab Government as part of its efforts to promote the Two arrested with heroin Our Correspondent << (Above) Actor Ashutosh Rana plays Ravana during the screening of the play, Hamare Ram, in Guru Nanak Dev University. VISHAL KUMAR state’s cultural and spiritual heritage, the production seeks to present the story of Lord Rama not merely as an epic narrative, but as a vehicle for values such as truth, righteousness, compassion, unity and harmony. The initiative also comes at a time when traditional stories are increasingly being presented through modern visual and theatrical formats to connect them with the younger audience. “Hamare Ram” combines elaborate sets, LED visuals, original music, choreogra- phy, traditional costumes and special effects while retaining the spiritual core of the Valmiki Ramayana. Before the inaugural show, MLA (Amritsar Central) Dr Ajay Gupta said the Punjab Government was organising 41 shows of the play across 12 cities. Four performances are scheduled in Amritsar on September 16 and 17, with the shows being free of cost. “Theatre can make timeless teachings accessible in an effective manner,” Gupta said, emphasising the role of such cultural programmes in introducing younger generations to India’s spiritual and ethical heritage. The presentation of Ramayana through distinct light and sound direction, powerful dialogues, music and visual effects added to the spectacle, while the performances provided the emotional core of the production. Ashutosh Rana, a seasoned actor, playing Ravana, drew sustained applause for his intense stage presence and dramatic delivery. His portrayal gave particular prominence to the complexity and theatrical grandeur of the character, making Ravana a memorable presence throughout the performance. Directed by Gaurav Bhardwaj and produced by Felicity Theatre, “Hamare Ram” has been staged extensively in India and abroad since its debut in 2024. Crusade against drug abuse not a Structured upskilling political stunt; efforts genuine: BJP for Census officials Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, September 16 The police arrested two persons with 7.749 kg of heroin near Mughal Chak village. ASI Sher Singh said the accused, Jagatbir Singh, a resident of Mari Megha village, and Ranjit Singh, a resident of Narla village, were on their way to Khalra village on a motorcycle. They were stopped for checking and the contraband was recovered from them. A case under Sections 21, 21-C, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered. Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 16 Ridiculing those calling the “Nasha Mukti Yatra” a political exercise, the BJP has begun stepping up its organisational activity in the city. The rally is scheduled to reach the city on September 23. BJP Amritsar (Urban) district president Salil Kapoor convened a meeting of the district core group to coordinate preparations for the three-day programme scheduled between September 2325. Senior party leaders, including former MP and former state president Shwait Malik, Rakesh Gill, Sanjeev Khanna, Bakshi Ram Arora, Sukhminder Singh Pintu, Dr Ram Chawla, Harjinder c m y b BJP leaders meet in Amritsar. The party’s ‘Nasha Mukti Yatra’ will reach Amritsar on September 23. Singh Thekedar, Gurpratap Singh Tikka and more, discussed route planning and strategies to expand public participation as the yatra moves through the city’s five Assembly constituencies. The campaign will begin its Amritsar programme from the West Assembly constituency before moving through other parts of the city. The BJP says its outreach will focus on communicating the anti-drug message to residents and young people while involving local communities in the campaign. Politically, the Amritsar programme gives the BJP an opportunity to convert a continued on page 2 Amritsar, September 16 A two-day training programme for Census 2027 Phase-II (Population Enumeration) was held by the CensusOperations authorities from September 15 to 16 at the Zila Parishad Hall, Amritsar. The programme was conducted under the aegis of the Directorate of Census Operations, Punjab, Chandigarh. It was attended by census charge officers and other officials, including charge clerks and technical assistants engaged in Census 2027-related duties. The programme aimed at equipping the officials with skills and information required for the upcoming Phase-II population enumeration and ensuring a clear understanding of their roles, responsibilities and prescribed procedures. Renu, assistant director and national trainer, along with master trainers Rajwinder Singh and Amritpal Singh, imparted comprehensive training to participants. The trainers provided detailed guidance on various aspects of the population enumeration process, field-level responsibilities, data collection procedures and other operational continued on page 2