24022023-ATR-01.qxd 2/24/2023 12:25 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune ARTISTS ADD A DASH A COLOURS TO AMRITSAR SIKH ARTS & FILM FESTIVAL 2023 GETS ROLLING About 20 short films from eight countries will be screened in the fourth edition of Sikhlens. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 26°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 8°C ACTOR SACHIN SHROFF SET TO TIE KNOT AGAIN Artists are working to create paintings and murals at public spaces ahead of the G-20 summit. P2 FORECAST Sachin Shroff, who is seen as Taarak Mehta in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, will marry again. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.24 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:03 AM » FRIDAY | 24 FEBRUARY 2023 | AMRITSAR INBRIEF TWO SNATCHING CASES REPORTED Amritsar: Two unidentified armed persons snatched a mobile phone from Ramandeep Kaur of Supariwind village when she was going to Bhangwa village. Ramandeep told that when they reached near Bhangwa drain, two bike-borne persons came and asked for a route. Later they pointed a pistol and snatched her mobile phone and fled. The Majitha police have registered a case in this connection. In another instance, two scooter-borne armed persons looted a scooter and mobile phone from Angreg Singh of Vallah. The incident occurred on February 3 near Akalgarh Dhapian village while a complaint was lodged with the police on Wednesday. The complainant told the police that he as returning home after attending a function at Akalgarh Dhapiyan. The accused intercepted him and snatched his scooter and mobile before escaping to Khujala village side. The police have registered a case. TNS THREE HELD WITH SNATCHED MOBILE Amritsar: The Verka police arrested three persons who were allegedly involved in snatching with a sharp weapon. They were identified as Bavreet Singh, Karan Bhandari and Sukhdev Singh, all residents of Batala. The police have recovered a snatched phone and the sharp weapon from their possession. TNS 3 NABBED FOR STEALING WOOD Tarn Taran: The Sarhali police have arrested three persons on the charge of stealing some old machinery and wood from the Cooperative Sugar Mills, Sheron. Sub-Inspector Kewal Singh said the mill has been shut for more than the past two decades, and that some machinery and wood had been stored on the mill premises. Police officer Kewal Singh said the suspects have been identified as Gurswwak Singh of Sheron, Sukhwinder Singh of Jatta village and Bakhshish Singh of Thatha village. The suspects had sneaked into the mill premises on Wednesday. A case has been registered under Section 379 of the IPC. OC Ahead of G-20 summit, civic body cracks down on illegal hoardings Soon, GNDU to inspect colleges Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 23 Ahead of the G-20 summit, the Municipal Corporation (MC) has announced a ban on the display of wall posters, hoardings and other promotional material on the newly painted walls of public properties. MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi noted that in view of the upcoming G20 summit, some development and beautification projects are under way in the city. As part of the beautification campaign, the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar is displaying artworks and paintings in various areas of the city. The roadside infrastructure, government buildings, bridges, pillars, parks, walls, intersections are being beautified by the MC. The MC Commissioner Announces a ban on display of posters and hoardings on walls ■ MC Commissioner Sandeep An illegal hoarding at a chowk on the Majitha Road in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Rishi said in view of the upcoming G-20 summit, some development and beautification projects are under way ■ As part of the beautification campaign, the Municipal Corporation of Amritsar is displaying artworks and paintings in various areas ■ The roadside infrastructure, government buildings, bridges, pillars, parks, walls, intersections are being beautified by the MC ■ Besides ensuring proper lighting in the entire BRTS corridor, the authorities are also having broken grills repaired and re-carpeting the GT road rued that artworks and paintings are defaced when posters, banners, boards and hoardings are put up on the walls. “The citizens are requested not to display commer- lighting in the entire BRTS corridor, the authorities are also getting broken grills repaired and re-carpeting the GT road from Golden gate to Gen Sham Singh Attariwala. cial, religious, political unauthorised posters, banners, boards and hoardings at any place in the city. In case of doing so, legal action will be taken as per Section 123 of Punjab Municipal Act-1976 and the Punjab Prevention of Defacement of Property Act-1997. A penalty of up to Rs 50,000 could be imposed on the violator,” Rishi warned. Besides ensuring proper PERIODIC INSPECTIONS ■ The university is going to start Amritsar, February 23 Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) has issued a letter to its affiliated colleges asking them to gear up for the beginning of periodic inspections. The university is going to start periodic inspections in its colleges and these will be done district-wise in different phases. In the first phase, inspections will be carried out in the colleges of Jalandhar and Tarn Taran. The decision of the university has been welcomed by AUCT, the association of college teachers of Punjab. AUCT secretary Prof Jaspal Singh said it was a longstanding demand that periodic inspections be conducted in colleges. He said Vice-Chancellor Dr Jaspal Singh had promised this during a meeting with the representatives of periodic inspections in its colleges and these will be done district-wise in different phases ■ In the first phase, inspections will be carried out in the colleges of Jalandhar and Tarn Taran the organisation in December 2022. Prof Tarun Ghai, AUCT spokesman, said they would keep a close eye on teams that come for inspections so that the process is followed impartially. The fee of students, service book of teachers and balance sheets of colleges would be checked during the inspection. Prof Ghai said that like Guru Nanak Dev University, Panjab University and Punjabi University should also start inspections in their affiliated colleges, which have been stalled for the last 15 years. Palm tree ‘scam’: Vigilance Fear of mishap looms as e-rickshaw summons records of MC drivers in city drive with lights off at night PK Jaiswar COMPLAINT BY AAP MLA Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 23 The Vigilance Bureau today summoned the record from Amritsar Municipal Corporation authorities regarding planting of palm trees at various cross-sections and central verge of the roads. DSP Satpal Singh has been probing into the alleged scam. The investigations started following a complaint lodged by former IG and AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh. The MC authorities were asked to produce the records on Saturday. Kunwar had alleged gross irregularities and corrupt practices in the plantation and maintenance of these trees planted on the road dividers and central verge of the roads. ■ The investigations started following a complaint lodged by former IG and AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh. The MC authorities were asked to produce the records on Saturday ■ Kunwar had alleged gross irregularities and corrupt practices in the plantation and maintenance of these trees planted on the road dividers and central verge of the MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh roads He had shot a letter to the Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau, along with a copy to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Kunwar had alleged that the officers and the Amritsar MC authorities were hand in glove in the scam. He had pointed out that the contractor hired for the plantation of these ornamental trees with the MC officials should be probed. 3 drug peddlers get jail sentence Were held by STF with 6-kg heroin, ~20 lakh in 2017 As per information, as many as 175 palm trees were procured at a cost of Rs 18 lakh which were planted on different road dividers in 2021. The expenditure of planting was separate. However, within a short period of time many of them could not survive and dried up in the absence of proper maintenance and upkeep. MC organises workshop on waste mgmt Tribune News Service FIVE ACQUITTED IN THE CASE Amritsar, February 23 The court of Additional Sessions Judge on Thursday sentenced three drug peddlers to imprisonment in a five-year-old case. They were identified as Joginder Singh, alias Shammi, Nishan Singh and Baldev Singh. They were arrested by the Special Task Force in 2017 with 6 kg of heroin and Rs 20 lakh drug money. The court sentenced Joginder Singh Shammi to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment besides Rs 1 lakh fine, while Nishan Singh and Baldev Singh were sentenced for 12 years each and imposed a fine of Rs 1.20 lakh. The court also acquitted their accomplices Lal Singh, Kaushalya Devi, Gurmej Singh Geju, Jagbir Singh Ladi and Gurjant Singh. In October 2017, the STF had arrested Nishan Singh, his father Baldev Singh of BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS UNDER WAY AUCT wants PU, Pbi varsity to follow suit ■ The court of Additional Sessions Judge on Thursday sentenced three drug peddlers to imprisonment in a five-year-old case. They were identified as Joginder Singh, alias Shammi, Nishan Singh and Baldev Singh ■ The court sentenced Joginder Singh Shammi to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment besides Rs 1 lakh fine, while Nishan Singh and Baldev Singh were sentenced for 12 years each and imposed a fine of Rs 1.2 lakh ■ The court also acquitted their accomplices Lal Singh, Kaushalya Devi, Gurmej Singh Geju, Jagbir Singh Ladi and Gurjant Singh Basti Kishan Singh Wala in Ferozepur, Harmesh Singh of Nihala Kilcha village and Krishna Kumari, alias Bhundi, of Nihala Kilcha village. She is the sister of Joginder Singh, alias Shammi, who was nabbed by the STF after a brief encounter in the Tarn Taran area on September 29. Three cops were injured in the encounter while Joginder Singh’s accomplices and family members had managed to escape at that time. The police had seized 500 gm of heroin and around Rs 35 lakh of drug money from Joginder Singh at that time, the police officials had told. The STF received specific information that the accused were involved in supplying drugs to various parts of Punjab and Rajasthan. They were coming to Amritsar via the Patti-Jhabal area for collecting payments and hand over drug consignments to their clients. The police laid a naka near the Bohru village drain and intercepted a bike and a scooter, driven by the accused. They confiscated 6 kg of heroin and Rs 19.71 lakh of Indian currency from their possession, the police had said. Amritsar, February 23 The Municipal Corporation organised a workshop on capacity building on Solid Waste Management, the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) and community participation along the office of the ADC (Urban Development) here today. Chief Sanitary Inspectors, Sanitary Inspectors, Junior Engineers, Management Information System (MIS) experts, among others, participated in the workshop. The workers from other urban local bodies of Tarn Taran and the Amritsar district were also present. A team of the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) Chandigarh has come to deliver a presentation about steps to be taken for improving solid waste management and activities to be done under the Swachh Bharat Mission in the city. — TNS c m y b Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 23 As battery operated e-rickshaws gain currency in the city, residents are staring at a new problem: Most rickshaw drivers do not switch on the lights even after it gets dark. Auto rickshaw drivers often keep the lights switched off to conserve the battery power so that they can use it for covering more kilometers. Other commuters are caught off guard when an e-rickshaw, with the lights off, enters the main road from a side lane. “While it is understandable that e-rickshaw owners want to get mileage with the battery power. However, by not switching on the lights, they are risking their own lives as well as the safety of other commuters,” rued Kawalpreet Kaur, a resident. As the government is promoting the use of e-rick- RESIDENTS RAISE ALARM ■ Auto rickshaw drivers often keep the lights switched off to conserve the battery power so that they can use it for covering more kilometers ■ Other commuters are caught off guard when an e-rickshaw, with the lights off, enters the main road from a side lane ■ Residents rue that some erickshaw drivers are not sensitive towards the safety of the commuters << Battery operated e-rickshaws ply on a road in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO shaws under the Rejuvenation of Autorickshaw in Amritsar through Holistic Intervention (RAAHI) project, and is offering a subsidy of Rs 1.25 lakh and assistance in bank loan, the number of battery-operated rickshaws is expected to further rise. The administration plans to replace at least 12,000 diesel- run auto-rickshaws with the eco-friendly e-rickshaws with an objective to check pollution. The e-rickshaws are also finding favour with the drivers and the commuters as their width is much less than the diesel rickshaws which make it easier for travelling in narrow streets. It is also easier for these e-rickshaws Notorious gangster among 8 acquitted for lack of proof Tribune News Service CASE DATES BACK TO DECEMBER, 2012 Amritsar, February 23 The court of Additional District and Session Judge today acquitted eight persons, including notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in an attempt to murder and arms act case registered with Mattewal police station in December 2012. Among others who were acquitted including Gurdeep Baba, Major Singh, Milkha Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Ankul Khatri, Vipin Kumar and Pardeep. Advocate Amandeep Singh Pahwa said that Amritsar rural police claimed to have arrested five gangsters after an exchange of fire at Mattewal village in Majitha subdivision on December 25, 2012. According to the police, three of their accomplices, ■ The court of Additional District and Session Judge has acquitted eight persons, including notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh, alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, in an attempt to murder and arms act case registered with Mattewal police station in December 2012 ■ Among others who were acquitted are Gurdeep Baba, Major Singh, Milkha Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Ankul Khatri, Vipin Kumar and Pardeep ■ Advocate Amandeep Singh Pahwa said that Amritsar rural police claimed to have arrested five gangsters after an exchange of fire at Mattewal village in Majitha subdivision on December 25, 2012 ■ The police had recovered two 315 bore rifles, two 315 bore pistols and a .32 bore revolver from the spot including Sulakhan Singh Babbar, son of a slain terrorist, and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, had escaped from the spot at that time. The police had recovered two 315 bore rifles, two 315 bore pistols and a .32 bore revolver from the spot. The police had claimed that following a tip-off, a police team surrounded the outhouse at Mattewal village at about 2 pm. It has information that Sulakhan Singh, son of slain militant Seetal Singh Mattewal, was involved in forming a gang of looters and that they were hiding in the outhouse. As the police team proceeded towards the outhouse, they were fired upon by the accused and the police team had retaliated. Pahwa said that the court acquitted them on the basis of the forensic reports which did not prove the charge of the police. to navigate through traffic jams. “Everything is good about these e-rickshaws except for the fact that some drivers are not sensitive towards the safety of the commuters as they do not switch on the lights at night,” complained another resident, Gurbinder Singh. Conference on forensic medicine begins today Amritsar, February 23 The Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology at Sri Guru Ram Das Institute of Medical Sciences and Research is set to host the three-day annual national conference on forensic medicine from Friday. In a press conference on Thursday, officials from the institute said the conference being organised under the aegis of the Indian Academy of Forensic Medicine would witness participation of delegates from across the country and abroad. The rising incidents of violence against medical professionals would be the key discussion topic. Organising Secretary Dr Pankaj Gupta said the conference would be inaugurated by Dr Sukhchain Singh Gill, Inspector General of Police and nodal officer to the CM, and guest of honour Priyank Kanoongo, chairperson, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights on Friday. — TNS