09052023-ATR-01.qxd 5/9/2023 12:18 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune CITY POLICE TO BEGIN DRIVE AGAINST UNDERAGE DRIVING SONAM PERFORMS AT KING CHARLES’ CORONATION EVENT The event also saw performances by pop stars Katy Perry and Take That at Windsor Castle on Sunday. P3 MAINLY CLEAR MAX 35°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 21°C DAHAAD A CLUTTER BREAKER FOR ME, SAYS SONAKSHI The police are now contemplating to launch a campaign against underage driving in the holy city. P2 FORECAST Actress Sonakshi Sinha is playing the role of a cop in Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti’s web show. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 7.15 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:37 AM » TUESDAY | 9 MAY 2023 | AMRITSAR INBRIEF MAN LOSES ~1.27L IN ONLINE FRAUD Tarn Taran: Mandep Singh, a resident of Fatehbad village, was taken aback when he got to know that a sum of Rs 1,27,600 was fraudulently transferred from his account with HDFC Bank on March 7. The victim lodged a complaint with the Goindwal Sahib police on March 20. The police said the complaint was investigated by the DSP, Punjab Bureau of Investigation (PBI) (economic crime cyber crime), Tarn Taran. Investigation into in the complaint revealed that the money had been transferred to Naveen Kumar, a resident of Panchamrit Budh grah Bagwada (Madhya Pradesh) village. A case under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, had been registered against the accused. OC MAN BOOKED FOR STORING CRACKERS Amritsar: The Gate Hakima police have booked Sahib Singh of Aman Avenue for allegedly storing firecrackers in an illegal manner. The police seized 800 firecrackers and 10,000 empty shells of crackers from the spot while the accused managed to flee the spot. A case under Section 9-B of the Explosives Act was registered against him. TNS Heritage Street blast: Tourism industry worried over fallout Fears inflow of tourists in the peak season may take a hit Neeraj Bagga 37-year-old accountant shot dead in house by assailants Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 The second blast on Heritage Street near the Golden Temple in the city on Monday morning has caused panic among hoteliers, travel and tour operators besides those who earn their livelihood through tourism. Though it is an off season, players in the hospitality industry fear that it may cast a shadow on the peak tourist season, commencing with summer vacation. Most of the room bookings are made online. There are no pre-payments involved and it is easy for the tourists to call off their pre-fixed tour or skip Amritsar. The state’s past history of terrorism has alsobeen affecting people residing out of Punjab. Gurinder Singh Johal, who has been taking tourists on a guided tour for nearly two decades, said it was not a positive development from the tourism point of view. Terror and tourism can not go together, he said. The city’s image of a spiritual centre has been tarnished, he said, adding that he has been receiving messages of ‘is everything good’ and ‘is all well’ They also made off with his cellphone, purse and gold chain Tribune News Service Tourists walk on the Heritage Street near the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR from his previous and prospective customers. Earlier, the siege of a police station in Ajnala by Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh and his supporters had sullied the image of the city and tourists were scared to visit here. A family from Frankfurt asked him prior to catching a flight to India, “Will you take responsibility for our well-being.” Vikram Singh Makhni, who runs a hotel with a heritage look and a centre of handicraft items, said his hotel received some calls for cancellations today. He anticipated that in case the police investigation found the material used in the explosion lethal, it could have a negative impact on the peak tourist season in June. Since the holy city falls in the mountainous tourism circuit, tourists travelling to the northern states may well bypass the holy city. Taxi operators fear that the impact of the blast will be immense on their vocation. A large number of them have five to 18 cars, many of them financed and hypothecated to banks. Ranjit Singh, who owns a couple of taxis, said a major part of the income went to foot the EMIs. He said the government must find out those behind the mischievous act besides plugging loopholes in the system to prevent a repeat sof such incidents in future. Amritsar, May 8 A man was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in Ram Nagar Colony located in Islamabad area here on Sunday night. The victim was identified as Saurav Sodhi (37), an accountant and law graduate. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. The incident occurred around 11.45 pm. The police have started investigations and collected the CCTV footage in the area where the assailants were seen. According to information, the four assailants came on a scooter and a bike. They barged into the house and sprinkled bullets on Saurav Sodhi. A bullet hit him in the chest and he was immediately rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The body was handed over to the family members after the postmortem on Monday. The police were working on different theories to crack the Police officials investigate the incident on the spot in Islamabad area in Amritsar on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO case, whether it was the outcome of personal enmity or a robbery bid. A case under Sections 460 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against unidentified persons in this connection. Dheeraj Sodhi, a relative of the victim, said he did not have enmity with anyone. He was present in the house when the accused came and pumped bullets into him. He said the faces of the suspects were captured on the CCTV cameras set up in the area, which was taken into custody by the police. He said after shooting Saurav, the armed assailants took away his mobile, purse and gold chain from the spot. There was great resent- ment among the residents of the area over the incident. Now people were not safe even in their houses, they lamented. Mohit Kumar, SHO, Islamabad police station, said investigations were in progress to identify the suspects with the help of CCTV cameras. He assured that the accused would be arrested soon. 4 hurt as jeep rams BRTS lane divider near Taran Wala Pul Former sarpanch among three Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 The road stretch between Alpha Mall and Taran Wala Pul has become a major accident-prone spot. Last night, a speeding Jeep met with an accident after hitting the divider of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) lane a few metres away from Taran Wala Pul. Four occupants were injured and the vehicle got badly damaged. The starting point of the BRTS lane divider near Taran Wala Pul has emerged as a major black spot on the old GT Road. While coming from the Golden Gate side, speeding vehicles cross the overbridge at UBDC and drivers often fail to observe the BRTS divider, which is constructed in the middle of the road. Residents of nearby localities claim that accidents have become a routine affair on the stretch. Commuters from other cities and states are mostly The mangled remains of the jeep that rammed the divider of the BRTS lane on the GT road in Amritsar. However, no loss of life was reported in the road accident. TRIBUNE PHOTO victims of the BRTS black spot. Generally people are not aware of the BRTS lanes and corridors constructed in the middle of the roads. People from other cities and states, who travel late at night to reach Darbar Sahib in the morning, account for most of accident victims. “Morning walkers along UBDC often witness vehicles that met with an accident last night. At least, four road mishaps occur along the stretch every week. We have asked local MLA Jeewanjot Kaur and MC Commissioner Sandeep Rishi several times to take steps to check road accidents. In the absence of reflectors or warning signs, commuters often hit the BRTS lane divider. Traffic cops seem more concerned about issuing challans to violators outside the Mall than showing concerns towards regulating traffic to check the rising cases of accidents,” said a local resident. Traffic experts claim that the faulty design of BRTS lanes leads to accidents. A committee, constituted by the state government, had identified nine black spots on the 31-km-long BRTS corridor in August 2019. Deepinder Singh Sandhu, Executive Engineer, Civil Wing of MC, said, “During the past few years, we have installed all safety equipment on the divider. The space at the divider is too little. We install the precautionary shields, lights and reflectors and next day someone hits and damages them. Today, I visited the spot and decided to install solar blinkers, solar stud lights and other equipment to check accidents.” booked for murder attempt Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 The Jandiala police have nabbed three persons, including a former sarpanch, on the charges of attempt to murder, hurting religious sentiments and illegal detention, besides under provisions of the Arms Act after they caught a youth and brutally thrashed him in Bandala village. Two of their accomplices managed to slip away from the spot. The youth, identified as Sarvan Singh, was rescued by the police from their illegal custody. Those arrested were identified as Baljinder Singh, a former sarpanch of the village, Gurdeep Singh and Gurwinder Singh, while Loveroz Singh of Bandala and Gurwinder Singh of Rajewala vil- Cong leader, son booked Punjab has something distinct about it: Actor for attempt to murder Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, May 8 Senior Congress leader Tarsem Singh, Sarpanch of Naushehra Pannuna village and his son Ranjodh Singh Babba, have been booked in an attempt to murder case by Sarhali police on Sunday in an incident which took place on May 5 (Friday). Maninder Singh, a scrap dealer, had lodged a report in this regard with the Sarhali police on Sunday. In his complaint to the police, Maninder Singh said that he along with his brother Baljinder Singh were standing outside his shop dealing with scrap when the accused, the father-son duo, came to the spot and started making a video with the mobile, to which they objected. He said that Ranjodh Singh Babba, in a fit of anger, took INCIDENT TOOK PLACE OVER MAKING VIDEO Maninder Singh, a scrap dealer, said he along with his brother Baljinder Singh was standing outside his shop when the accused, the father-son duo, came to the spot and started making a video with the mobile, to which they objected. Taking offence to it, Ranjodh Singh Babba, in a fit of anger, took out his revolver and fired two shots at his brother. out his revolver and fired two shots at his brother. Baljinder Singh escaped by lying down on the earth. Maninder Singh said that he raised the alarm and the accused fled from the spot with the weapon. SI Iqbal Singh visited the spot and recovered two empty cartridges. The Sarhali police have filed a case. Amritsar, May 8 Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal, who will be seen in the upcoming thriller IB-71, on Monday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple as he came to Amritsar on a brief promotional tour. Jammwal, who plays the role of a spy in the film, shared his love for Punjabi warmth and food. “I have come to Punjab after many years. There is a distinct fragrance in the air of the state and it touches your heart. I definitely would love to try lassi and kulchas here,” he said. Known for his action-oriented films and screen image, Vidyut said IB 71 would definitely continue his action-hero streak but in a different way. “The film not just tells the story of a Bollywood actor Vidyut Jammwal pays obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR particular incident during the 1971 Indo-Pak war, but also puts the spotlight on the secret agents that work tirelessly, behind the scenes to ensure peace and safety of the nation. Not many c m y b people are aware of the work secret agencies do, not many people know about the war itself. Not many details are in public domain,” he said. The film, which is based on the true events of the Ganga hijack, infamously called ‘The Hijack That Never Happened’, exposes India’s topsecret mission run by the Intelligence Bureau that won India the 1971 war. “The action sequences and scenes are drawn from reality but of course some cinematic liberty has been taken. IB 71 is a film that will give you a glimpse into the thrilling world of India’s Intelligence Bureau,” said Vidyut. The film’s recent special screening with actor Anupam Kher received a good response and Vidyut said it’s time more stories about Indian soldiers, secret agencies and real-life heroes must come to screen. “We must make films that tell stories that not many know. Of course, the story is about people, the agents who worked undercover to make things possible.” lage, fled the scene. Balwinder Singh, father of the victim, told the police that on Saturday at around 9 pm, Gurwinder Singh and Loveroz Singh along with three unidentified persons equipped with firearms barged into their house and tried to nab his son Sarvan Singh. He alleged Gurwinder slapped his son and removed his headgear besides throwing his Siri Sahib. He said the accused held his son by the hair, dragged and took him to to their home. Balwinder said he along some people from the village went to get his son released from their illegal custody. He said they saw that Baljinder Singh Balli who was armed with a rifle, his son Gurwinder Singh along with Gurdeep Singh who also had a rifle, Loveroz and Gurwinder who were equipped with revolver and other unknown persons were thrashing his son. He alleged that on seeing him, they started firing indiscriminately at them. He said he hid behind the walls for safety. In the meantime, police teams reached the spot and rescued his son. He said the reason behind the incident was that some unknown persons had created a fake identity of Gurwinder Singh and the accused suspected that his son had done it. Jandiala police said that a case under Section 307, 295, 342, 452, 506 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against the accused. The police said raids were being conducted to arrest those have been absconding. Youth held while stealing iron grills Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 8 Some alert local residents arrested a youth while stealing iron grills installed around the walled city under the Smart City project here on Sunday night. He was identified as Rahul of Aman Avenue area. His interrogation led to the arrest of his two accomplices — Ajay of Aman Avenue and Yuvraj of Anngarh area. Investigating officer ASI Hardeep Singh said the police had recovered around four iron grills from their possession. According to information, Rahul was caught red-handed by people while breaking and stealing iron grills His interrogation led to the arrest of his two accomplices adorning the green belt around walled city near Gate Hakima. He was thrashed by passersby who made his video. He was later handed over to the police for further action. The ASI said a case under Sections 379 and 411, IPC, was registered against them at the Gate Hakima police station and further was probe on. During interrogation, they revealed that they had stolen the grills for the first time. However, the police said investigations were still in progress.