07022021-ATR-01.qxd 2/6/2021 10:45 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar TRIBUNE PRICKLY BUT PLEASING, MEET NAVTEJ’S THORNY FRIENDS PAGE 2 Navtej Singh’s love for cacti and succulents knows no bounds. He’s a proud parent of thorny beauties. FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY INBRIEF MINOR ABDUCTED, THREE BOOKED Tarn Taran: A 13-year-old girl student, studying in Class VII of a local convent school, was abducted from here on Friday. The police booked three members of a family for abducting the girl. The main accused behind the crime is alleged to be a 16-year-old boy, a student of another local convent school. The other two booked were his father Satnam Singh and mother Jaswinder Kaur. All three are residents of Majjupur village. In his complaint to the police, the victim’s father alleged that the 16-year-old boy committed the crime in connivance with his parents. ASI Gajjan Singh, investigating officer of the case, said the police were collecting details of the mobile calls of the accused to locate them soon. OC ONE DEATH, 15 NEW CASES IN DIST Amritsar: The health authorities reported one Covid-19 related death on Saturday. With this, the toll has reached 584 in the district. The deceased has been identified as Gurnam Singh (50), a resident of Baba Bakala. The district health authorities reported 15 new positive cases with which the count has increased to 15,119. The new cases include nine influenza like illness cases and six contacts of positive patients. Meanwhile, with recovery of 10 patients, the recovery count has improved to 14,392. At present, the district has a total of 143 active cases. OC JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ MOVES TO PEECEE’S FORMER HOUSE MAX 22°C | MIN 7°C | YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET SUNDAY 6:10 PM PAGE 4 He made his debut with Sach Manu Ya Fareb song. Composed by Vipin Patwa, it has crossed million mark already. SUNRISE MONDAY 7:18 AM SUNDAY | 7 FEBRUARY 2021 | AMRITSAR People from all walks lend support to chakka jam Massive public response in Tarn Taran as well Our Correspondent (Clockwise) Farmers block a road as part of their continuous demonstration against the Central Government at the Golden Gate; cops divert traffic as farmers block the highway during the three-hour nationwide chakka jam; and buses parked at the Madan Lal Dhingra ISBT in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTOS: SUNIL KUMAR Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 The three-hour ‘chakka jam’ organised by the farmer unions received an immense response from general public as protests were held at several places here on Saturday. Even people from non-agriculture sectors participated in the protest and demanded from the government to repeal the three controversial agri laws. The protests were held at Golden Gate, Choagawan, Ajnala, Attari, Airport Road, Rayya, Beas, Jandiala Guru and several other places. Leaders of the farmer unions said the ‘chakka jam’ was completely successful besides being peaceful. Rattan Singh Randhawa of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha said, “People are unanimous in protesting against DAMDAMI TAKSAL HONOURS TIKAIT Amritsar: Expressing solidarity with the farmers’ cause, members of Damdami Taksal (Bhindranwale, Mehta) on Friday joined the protest at Ghazipur border, Delhi. Taksal spokesperson Prof Sarchand Singh told that the contribution of BKU leader Rakesh Tikait in reviving the farm agitation with new life after it suffered set back due to January 26 tractor parade violence, was recognised by presenting him with siropa, Sri Sahib and a turban on his head at the Ghazipur stage. While addressing the gathering Giani Jiva Singh, Damdami Taksal activist accused the Modi government of being a puppet in the hands of the capitalists and ignoring the interests of the farmers. He said that nothing short of repealing the three black farm laws could be acceptable to the farmers. He appealed to the the draconian agri laws. Even elected local bodies representatives such as sarpanches and panches from all political parties participated in the protests.” Leaders of the farmer unions said the protest on Delhi borders would con- 295 candidates in the fray for civic elections Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 Former IAS officer Bakhtawar Singh has found his true calling within a year of his retirement from the prestigious service as he is ready with his new film. It depicts how the police-politician nexus and justice eludes the poor and common masses. A poet who has penned numerous lyrics for the likes of Nooran sisters, Yakoob Khan, Saida Begum and others singers, Bakhtawar Singh has donned the hat of story, screen and dialogue writers for the new project which would be launched at Art Gallery on Sunday. “During my days of service, I saw how politician and police nexus prevailed. I have seen how in case of an enquiry, the junior most officers are made scapegoats,” said Bakhtawar. The former IAS officer revealed that his experience of administration has helped in managing the affairs of the shooting. “Film making these days is very professional and administrative experience helps in it a lot,” he said. Bakhtawar said he had retired from the service in February 2020. “A fortnight later, the nationwide lockdown was announced. It was during this time THE PROCESS IS BEAUTIFUL, SAYS ANIRUDH KAUSHAL Jacqueline was looking for a change since quite some time and finally, she seems to have found her new neighbourhood. Former IAS officer turns filmmaker Tribune News service PAGE 3 Bakhtawar Singh exposes police-politician nexus in his latest project ❝ During my days of service, I saw how politician and police nexus prevailed. I have seen how in case of an inquiry, the junior most officers are made scapegoats. Film-making these days is very professional and administrative experience helps in it a lot. ❞ Bakhtawar Singh, FORMER IAS OFFICER that the idea was conceived and I started writing. Later, when restrictions were removed, we started the shooting of the film,” he said. Amritsar, February 6 The final list of candidates for elections to municipal councils and nagar panchayats was released by the electoral officer here on late Friday evening. Now, a total of 295 candidates are in the fray for elections to two municipal councils, three nagar panchayats and one municipal corporation ward in the district. On Friday, 210 persons who had filed their nomination papers withdrew their candidatures. There are a total of 67 wards in the two municipal councils of Majitha and Jandiala Guru and the three nagar panchayats of Ajnala, Ramdas and Rayya. This time 72 persons would contest as independent candidates. As far as political parties are concerned, the BSP is contesting only one seat, which is from Ward No.37 of the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar. Only 21 candidates of the BJP are contesting in the district. No candidate from the BJP is contesting elections in Majitha. As many as 67 Congress candidates are contesting from all wards in the MCs and nagar panchayats of district. Besides, the AAP and SAD candidates are contesting from 65 seats. As many as 58 candidates are contesting from 11 wards continued on page 2 farmers to exercise restraint and continue their struggle. “Damdami Taksal stands with the farmers to meet their demands. Every effort would be made to save the farmers who have been carrying out peaceful agitation in Delhi for 72 days using their rights of democracy. The media reports suggest that the government was all set to suppress the peasant movement it had now become a mass movement and the government would have to withdraw the black law,” he said. Earlier, the Damdami Taksal delegation included SGPC general secretary Bhagwant Singh Sialka, Dharam Parchar committee member Ajaib Singh Abhyasi, Sant Samaj spokerperson Baba Gurbhej Singh, Giani Sahib Singh, Giani Palwinder Pal Singh Buttar, Jatha Sukhdev Singh Anandpur and Jatha Jarnail Singh, Kala Sarpanch Mehta. TNS tinue till their demands were accepted. Dalbir Singh Bedadpur, who along with other farmer leaders blocked the road at Rayya, said, “We are thankful to people who participated in the protest and expressed their soli- darity with us. The government’s tricks to divide people on religious lines have failed.” Members of Students For Society also blocked the GT road outside Guru Nanak Dev University and demanded that all farmers arrested after the January 26 incident in Delhi be released immediately. Raising slogans against the Modi government, members of the Khalsa College Students’ Forum too participated in the protest. SFS leader Jaskamal Singh also criticised the government for restricting internet services. “With such cheap tactics, the government is trying to muzzle the voices for farmers,” he commented. Khalsa College Students’ Forum leader Amiteshwar Singh said, “People should strongly support the cause of the farmers as once corporate giants set up their monopoly, consumers would be at their mercy. We all should stand united against the government in this fight against corporate honchos and privatisation,” he urged the students. Five nabbed with three country-madeweapons The accused in police custody in Amritsar on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 The police have nabbed five persons, including a notorious criminal, for allegedly possessing three country-made weapons. The accused have been identified as Davinder Singh (notorious criminal); Manraj Singh, alias Manu; Manraj Singh, alias Sartaj; Gurmit Singh and Germanjit Singh; all residents of Tarn Taran. The accused were travelling in a car from the Golden Gate to Airport Road and were intercepted at a checkpoint near Vallah. The police recovered c m y b ❝Davinderinwas bid absconding a murder case registered with the Tarn Taran police. His brother, Dharminder Singh, alias Goli, is languishing in Patiala jail. Sanjiv Kumar, ❞ SHO, VALLAH POLICE STATION two.315 bore rifles and a .32 bore pistol with 19 live cartridges from them. The accused failed to produce any documents related to the weapons. “Davinder was absconding in a murder bid case registered with the Tarn Taran police,” said Sanjiv Kumar, SHO, Vallah police station. He said his brother, Dharminder Singh, alias Goli, was languishing in Patiala jail. The SHO said during preliminary probe, Davinder told that notorious gangster Shubham had a rivalry with him and he had even attacked him family members in the past. The police said they were produced before the court, which sent them on the police remand for further interrogation. The accused have been booked under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. Tarn Taran, February 6 On a call given by the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha for joining the ‘chakka jam’, a large number of farmers, labourers, employees, political and social organisations, etc, took part in it here on Saturday. Farmers, joined by people, staged dharnas at different parts of the district and demanded the revocation of the controversial farm laws. Activists of the anganwari, ASHA, mid-day meal workers’ organisations also participated in the dharnas. Workers of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, All-Indian Kisan Sabha, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and members of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, par- ticipated in the dharnas. Volunteers of the AAP too organized a protest in the district. Women workers of different organisations, too, participated in the protests. Besides, farmers staged dharnas in Chabal, Bhikhiwind, Harike, Sarhali, Rasulpur, Khadoor Sahib, Patti and other places. Harpreet Singh Sidhwan, Prithipal Singh Marimegh, Daljit Singh Dialpura, Arsal Singh Sandhu, Jasbir Singh Gandiwind, among others, addressed the protesters. They warned the Union Government against using repressive measures against farmers to suppress their agitation. The leaders said the farmers across the country were determined to stick to agitation path till the controversial three farm laws were repealed. A large number of women also take part in the protest in Tarn Taran on Saturday. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI Five booked, 2 held for mining sand Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 The district administration as well as the Police Department have miserably failed in curbing sand mining in the rural belt if the Friday’s seizure is anything to go by. On Friday, the police had registered four separate cases of sand mining with two cases each in Majitha and Ajnala police stations. Two persons were arrested and two tractortrailers loaded with 500 square feet sand each were also seized. Those arrested were identified as Sukhdev Singh of Dharamkot Pattan village in Dera Baba Nanak and Rashpal Singh of Khanoval village, who were intercepted at Nangal Punnuan and Sohian Kalan village, respectively. ASI Kuldeep Singh of the Majitha police station said the police got a tip-off that accused Rashpal Singh was involved in mining sand at the Ravi riverbed at Kot Rai Pattan village and Gaggomahal village. He was going to sell the same via Sohian Kalan village after passing through different villages in Majitha. The police set up a check-point at Sohian Kalan village and arrested the accused. Similarly, Sukhdev Singh was arrested from Nangal Pannun village following a tip-off. The Ajnala police have also booked Kashmir Singh and Mahinder Singh of Khanwal village and Bachan Singh of Sahowal vil- got a tip-off ❝The policeRashpal Singh that accused was involved in mining sand at the Ravi riverbed at Kot Rai Pattan village and Gaggomahal village. He was going to sell the same via Sohian Kalan village after passing through different villages in Majitha. The police set up a check-point at Sohian Kalan village and arrested the accused. ❞ ASI Kuldeep Singh, MAJITHA POLICE STATION lage after the Mining Department officials found mining being done illegally from the lands owned by them. The police said mining officers along with the police parties visited Khanwal and Sahowal village and found mining being done at different places. Though no machinery was found, they came to know that the owners of the land were involved in illegal excavation at night. Therefore, the complaints were lodged with the police. Those residing in the villages along the Ravi river belt pointed that the illegal excavation was more rampant than it appeared. They said the patronage of political leaders irrespective of any political affiliations to the offenders and inefficacy of the police and district administration was leading to the plundering of natural resources.