16032023-ATR-01.qxd 3/15/2023 11:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune HOSPITALITY SECTOR GETS BOOST BECAUSE OF G20 NETFLIX ANNOUNCES SEASON 3 OF ITS TOP 5 WEB SHOWS Successful Indian shows on Netflix from previous years are set to return on the OTT platform soon. P3 GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 17°C I ENJOY DOING ROMANTIC FILMS WITH SRK: MUKERJI Hospitality players are upbeat over the holding of G20 and delivery of quality infrastructure. P2 FORECAST “My favourite genre is romance. I enjoy doing romantic films with SRK,” says Rani Mukerji. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.39 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:39 AM » THURSDAY | 16 MARCH 2023 | AMRITSAR INBRIEF 2 NABBED WITH 150-GM HEROIN Amritsar: The police arrested two persons — Samar Garg and Rohit Sharma of Harkrishan Nagar — for allegedly possessing 150-gm heroin. The police also seized the car they were travelling in. The police said the duo was arrested at a checkpoint near Kale Ghanupur. The suspects were produced in a court and brought in three-day police remand. TNS MAN HELD WITH STOLEN CAR Amritsar: The police arrested Lovepreet Singh of Manakpura village. He was currently living in the Chheharta area and was arrested following a tip-off that he had installed a fake number plate on his car. The police registered a case under Sections 379, 411 and 473 of the IPC against him. The court sent him to three-day police remand. TNS Seven booked for thrashing, kidnapping bus conductor Tribune News Service WOMAN AMONG 2 NABBED Amritsar, March 15 A woman was among seven persons booked for murder bid and snatching after they assaulted and kidnapped a Punjab Roadways bus driver. The incident occurred when the bus conductor allegedly refused to give free bus fare ticket to her. They kidnapped the victim and took him towards Subhanpur area where a police team rescued him. The police took the woman and another person in detention, while the remaining accused were absconding. Saraj Singh, driver of the PUNBUS of Jalandhar depot, said he along with conductor Yadwinder Kumar took a bus ■ The incident occurred when the bus conductor allegedly refused to give free bus fare ticket to a woman, one of the accused ■ They kidnapped the victim and took him towards Subhanpur area where a police team rescued him ■ The police took the woman and another person in detention, while the remaining accused were absconding to Amritsar. From Amritsar, a woman boarded the bus. However, when Yadwinder asked for the identity proof of the woman for issuing free bus ticket, but she failed to show it. The conductor asked her to pay for the ticket. However, the woman entered into an argument over this. Following this, she was asked to leave the bus at Mallian village in Jandiala. He said the bus later reached near Baba Bakala turn when a car came from wrong side and stopped in front of the bus. Five armed occupants of the car came out. In the meantime, the woman along with three other persons arrived on two bikes at the spot. They entered the bus and started thrashing Yadwinder. They hit him with iron rods and pulled him out of the bus. They snatched the bag con- taining cash and his ticket machine. They later bundled him into the car and took him towards Subhanpur side. The police were informed and teams chased the car and rescued Yadwinder near Subhanpur. The police have registered a case under Sections 307, 379B (2), 364, 353, 186, 506, 332 and 341 of the IPC against Gurwinder Singh of Kapurthala and Sarabjit Kaur of Khemkaran, besides six unidentified persons. Sub-Inspector Sardool Singh, investigating officer, said Gurwinder and Sarabjit Kaur were arrested while raids were on to nab the remaining suspects who were identified by the police. Mini Bus Operators’ Union postpones protest against govt Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 15 The Mini Bus Operators’ Union called off their protest, scheduled for March 17, against the government and burning of a mini bus after a meeting with officials of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) and the police department held here on Wednesday. The Police Commissionerate asked the civil administration and the Regional Transport Authority to amicably resolve the demands of the union office-bearers who announced to stage a protest and set a mini bus on fire near the Golden Gate on the GT road on March 17. The union members have been protesting against the government for not listening to their demands for renewal of permit of their vehicles and allowing free travel for women passengers in private buses for the past few months. The Field Officer-cum-In charge Control Room, G20, through a communiqué to the Secretary, RTA, Amritsar, instructed him to resolve the matter by contacting union president Baldev Singh. Baldev Singh Babbu, president of the union, said the union would hold the protest after the conclusion of the international summit and the fresh date would be disclosed following the meeting of the union. One arrested for molesting teenage girl Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, March 15 Harpreet Singh Gora, a resident of Plasaur Kalan, was arrested by the city police on Tuesday for molesting a teenage girl of the same village. The victim in a statement to the police alleged that on March 4 she was alone in her house when the suspect gained entry into her house and molested her. A case under Section 354A of the IPC and 8 of the POCSO Act, 2012, had been registered against the accused on Tuesday. G20 Summit eases traffic jams in holy city Residents delighted, want system to continue even after summit Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 15 Even as city residents anticipated trouble on the roads as they expected the local administration to block traffic to facilitate the travel of foreign dignitaries attending the G 20 summit here, much to the astonishment of most, the city witnessed fewer traffic jams than usual on Thursday. Commuters reported that the frequency of traffic jams had started decreasing in the last few days as the administration removed encroachments, including unauthorised rehris selling food items on the roads. With policemen present at most chowks and intersections on GT road on Thursday, vehicle drivers too did not dare to flout traffic norms. Sneha Sharma, who travels on GT road daily to reach her office, said, “Earlier, it took me nearly 45 minutes to reach my place of work but for the last two days, my travel time has been reduced to merely 15 minutes.” She wondered how it happened overnight. “It is really amazing. Maybe they have synchronised the traffic signals too as I did not get even a single red light,” she quipped. Other residents too shared similar sentiments stating that now that the administration has set its house in order, it must continue with the same system even after the summit concludes. “The G20 summit in the city is a godsent. The administration must now ensure that road encroachments do not return. It must be ensured that no one defaces public property,” said another resident Jagir Singh. Residents said that the presence of traffic cops at all major choke points should be continued even after the event concludes. The commuters on Lawrence road stated that after the removal of unauthorised food stalls, the space for parking of vehicles too has increased. Apart from the actions taken by the administration, traffic on roads too remained thin as residents, especially those from the rural areas, avoided coming to the city anticipating traffic jams caused by the barricading of roads to facilitate travel on VIP routes. However, as the police had earlier announced that local traffic would be stopped only for a few minutes before the VIP cavalcade has to pass, the residents did not face much trouble. NO SNARLS: In view of the G20 Summit, there was less traffic on various roads in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Y20 at GNDU: Agri-tech, youth Nooran sisters, Rani Randeep enthrall audience migration remain key issues The 3-day Sufi festival kicks off on sweet note at Qila Gobindgarh as part of the G20 Summit Amritsar, March 15 Celebrated Punjabi Sufi singers Rani Randeep and Nooran sisters — Jyoti and Sultana — gave the three-day Sufi festival a powerful start with their performances in the backdrop of the beautiful Qila Gobindgarh. Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 15 Scholars from various national and international institutions addressed the youth from India and other countries as the Y20 Consultation Summit was inaugurated by Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains today at GNDU. More than 50 international and a large number of national delegates from G20 and other countries deliberated in the four sessions dedicated to agricultural, future in industry and global opportunities in jobs market. Bains said the youth is the key of success for every nation and education is a weapon in the hands of every nation that is essential for all round development and growth of every country. The panelists deliberated on issues such as genetically modified crops, receding groundwater level, conservation of soil in an early session on agri-tech and future of agriculture. They discussed the Government of India’s policy towards genetically modified crops and how the increased effect of climate change and urbanisation are creating the need for food innovation and conservation. In the second session of the day on global job opportunities, international panelist finance management expert Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains being felicitated; and (below) international delegates at GNDU on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTOS and academician from Finland Dr Shab Hundal stressed on the need to slow down youth migration and need for creating job creators rathan job seekers. In the third session on nanotechnology and metatronics, the panelist recommended that the youth should make themselves aware on artificial intelligence-based research and technology. All panelists recommended that the governments of G20 countries should devise a policy of inviting visionary ideas from their young population before making a policy, which will also strengthen the democratic traditions of G20 nations. Education Minister and MLA Dr Vijay Pratap honoured the panelists by presenting them with a phulkari shawl and memento. The day ended with a cultural program at Golden Jubilee Convention Centre. The third performer of the evening was singer Akidat. The Nooran sisters received a resounding applause as they sang their popular Bollywood numbers, including “Pataka guddi…” (from the movie ‘Highway’) and ‘Tung Tung Baje…’ (Singh is Kinng). Cabinet Ministers Kuldeep Dhaliwal and Harbhajan Singh ETO inaugurated the festival in the presence of DC Harpreet Singh Sudan. The festival is being organised by the Department of Tourism, Government of India, the Government of Punjab, and the district administration from March 15 to 17 as part of hosting the G-20 Summit. Dhaliwal said since the city had always been an epicentre of art and culture, especially Sufi and folk music, this festival would be an annual affair. Entry for public would be free on March 15 and 16 and on March 17, the festival would exclusively be open for the G20 Summit delegates. On Thursday, Feroze Khan, Masha Ali and Hashmat Sultana will perform live and the timings of the event will be from 6 pm to 10 pm. — TNS BKU Ugrahan protests policies of G20 Amritsar, March 15 Members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan) organised a rally in Doburji near here to protest against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) stating that its policies are against the interests of poor masses. While addressing the gathering, state president Joginder Singh Ugrahan said the government had disrespected the martyrs of Jallianwala Bagh by inviting and treating the British and other pro-corporate nations to the city. He claimed that the present G20 Summit in Punjab is discussing ways to loot natural resources of the land. Ugrahan said the government claims that foreign investment would boost development of the area but the corporate houses always work to maximize their profit. He said the three controversial agricultural laws by the Centre were brought on the suggestions of organisations such as G20 and WTO. “Plans to loot a country’s natural resources and labour force by the imperialists are formulated on a regular basis through these forums,” he said. The gathering was also addressed by union’s general secretary Shingara Singh Mann, Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union leader Lachman Singh Sewewala and others. — TNS Members of the BKU (Ugrahan) stage a protest. TRIBUNE PHOTO Lucknow girl dies by suicide in city hotel, three booked Amritsar, March 15 A Lucknow girl allegedly died by suicide after a youth made physical relations with her and later refused to marry. The victim identified as Rachel Mathew hanged herself in a hotel room here earlier this month, though a complaint was lodged by the deceased’s mother yesterday. c m y b Following a probe, the police have booked the prime suspect, Guminder Singh of Jalandhar, and his parents on the charges of abetment to suicide. No arrest has been made so far in the case. As per the information, a love affair between two started in Dubai, where they were working. Her mother Reena Mathew stated to police that her daughter went to Dubai for a job around three years ago. She said Rachel came in contact with Gurminder Singh there and both came close to each other and the suspect made physical relations with her on the pretext of marriage. The suspect later returned to India. She said on February 23, Rachel came to meet Gurminder but he and his family refused to tie the knot because she belonged to a different religion. Perturbed over this, the victim allegedly died by suicide. Next day her body was handed over to the family after the autopsy. The police said a probe was on and raids were being conducted to nab the suspects. A police official added that earlier, the victim’s family had refused to take any legal action and now her mother had lodged a complaint in this connection. — TNS