24082023-ATR-01.qxd 8/24/2023 12:21 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY COUNSELLING SESSION FOR STUDENTS AT DAV SCHOOL BRITNEY SPEARS IS SEEKING THERAPY AMID DIVORCE ROW FARHAN AKHTAR UNVEILS POSTER OF WEB SERIES BAMBAI MERI JAAN To open up career options, DAV Public School held a counselling session for senior students. P2 Singer Britney Spears is reportedly getting therapy amid her divorce from Sam Asghari. P3 Filmmaker Farhan Akhtar on Tuesday unveiled the poster of his new web series Bambai Meri Jaan. P4 » » MAX 34°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.04 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:00 AM » THURSDAY | 24 AUGUST 2023 | AMRITSAR 526 gm of heroin seized in Gharinda Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 The Amritsar (Rural) police have seized 526 gm of heroin from Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Rorawala Khurd village, falling under the Gharinda police station here. An official said a police team received information that Bhupinder, who was involved in drug peddling, was standing at a bus stand on the Khasa road. The police raided the designated spot and arrested Bhupinder. During a search, the police recovered 526 gm of heroin from his possession, the official said. “A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the suspect, the official said. “Further investigation into the matter is in progress,” the official added. Custodial death: Human rights panel seeks report from ADGP PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PHRC) has sought a report from the Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jails, regarding the custodial death of an alleged snatcher, Gagandeep Singh, who was in police remand after 53 mobile phones were recovered from him and his accomplice on August 18. He allegedly died by suicide on Sunday. Taking suo moto notice of the news published in The Tribune, the PHRC directed the ADGP to look into the case and submit a report ❝ The CCTV footage revealed that Gagandeep woke up around 5.30 am and took a stroll in the lockup for some time. Later, he went to the bathroom and did not return. When a constable did not find him in the lockup, he called Gagandeep’s accomplice Satnam Singh, who was sleeping in the lockup. Later, Gagandeep was found hanging in the bathroom. A senior police official ❞ along with the judicial magistrate’s inquiry report before the next date of hearing on October 3. Gagandeep Singh (27), an alleged snatcher, allegedly died by suicide in the Beas police station lockup on Sunday. According to the police, the entire incident was captured in the CCTV cameras installed in the police station. He died after he hanged himself in the lockup bathroom. Baba Bakala Judicial Magistrate Vikramjit Singh conducted a probe after getting information from the police about the incident. He analysed CCTV footage from police station cameras and interacted with senior officials. A senior police official said the incident occurred between 5.30 am and 6 am. He said CCTV footage revealed that Gagandeep woke up around 5.30 am and took a stroll in the lockup for some time. Later, he went to the bathroom and did not return. When a constable did not find him in the lockup, he called Gagandeep’s accomplice Satnam Singh, alias Sattu, a resident of Dolenangal village, who was sleeping in the lockup. Later, Gagandeep was found hanging in the bathroom by the string of his trousers. The string was tied to a water pipe on the wall. Farmers’ protestcontinuesattollplazasforthirdconsecutiveday dreds of farmers protesting against non-payment of compensation to flood victims. Dr Ajnala said all farmer unions should come together on one platform to effectively fight against government- backed corporate houses. Meanwhile, the protest by the farmer unions demanding release of their arrested leaders entered the third day today. The farmers continued their protest at Mannawala and Kathunan- gal toll plazas in Amritsar district and Mannan and Usma toll plazas in Tarn Taran district. The farmers are also organising langars (community kitchens) at all protest sites. Sukhwinder Singh Sabran, a Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader, while addressing the protesters at the Usma toll plaza accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for getting farmer leaders arrested and the death of a farmer at Longowal. He said the protests against the government at all toll plazas would continue till all their leaders were released. Sabran said 16 toll plazas in the state had been made free for commuters as they were not required to pay the user fee. Tribune News Service 02-EH-4381) at Mehta. The victim said when they reached near Lalka Nagar in Chhapiawali village, six occupants of an I-20 car with covered faces abruptly stopped their vehicle before their mini truck. He said four occupants came out of the car, pointed sharp weapons at them and snatched Rs 93,700 from them. The Jandiala police have registered a case under Sections 379-B, 148 and 149 of the IPC against unidentified persons and further probe is on. Meanwhile, three unknown armed persons snatched an expensive iPhone from a youth identified as Dinesh Thukral, a resident of Kakkar Kalan village, falling under the Lopoke police station here. Thukral told the police that he was taking IELTS coaching in the Kot Khalsa area. The victim said on Monday he went to buy a power bank for his mobile from a shop near the government senior secondary school in Chheharta. The victim said when he reached near New Star Car Accessory shop and took out his mobile, three bike-borne persons came there. One of them pointed a pistol at him, snatched his iPhone and fled towards the Chheharta side. The bike was without registration number plate. The police have registered a case under Section 379-B (2) of the IPC and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act in this connection. Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 Support for the protesting farmers, especially after the heavy crackdown in which hundreds of them were arrested, seems to be growing as a prominent farmer leader Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, associated with the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, has appealed to all unions for unity. The protest is being held by 16 farmer unions from North India which are not part of the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha, a consortium of over 30 unions, which was formed during the agitation against the three controversial farm laws. Many leaders from the morcha, including Kirti Kisan Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee protest at the Usma toll plaza. Union president Nirbhay Singh Dhudhike, had condemned the police action. In a statement, Dr Ajnala, president of Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, said the police had unnecessarily arrested hun- TRIBUNE PHOTO Smugglers in custody of the police; and (right) a drone seized from one of the drug peddlers in Tarn Taran. 3 held with 3.2 -kg heroin in Tarn Taran Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 The Tarn Taran police have arrested three drug peddlers and seized 3.2 kg of heroin from their possession in two separate incidents. Gurmeet Singh Chohan, SSP Tarn Taran, said , besides contraband, the police also seized a drone and Rs 30 lakh of drug money. Those arrested were identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Sonu, and Akashdeep Singh, alias Sajan, residents of Manakpura village, and Jugraj Singh, alias Jagga, a resident of Bhaggupur Uttar village. Chohan said during patrolling in the Jhabal, Gandiwind and Sarai Amanat Khan areas, the police team got a tip-off that Lovepreet and Akashdeep were involved in trafficking of drugs and arms and an immediate raid could lead to major recoveries. He said the police team laid a naka on the Bhuse village road and signalled a Verna car (bearing registration No. PB46-AH2204) to stop. However, the car stopped and its driver tried to take a U-turn. The police team managed to bring vehicle to a halt and arrested its two occupants identified as Lovepreet and Akashdeep. The SSP said during search of the car, the police recovered 1.290 kg of heroin from the dashboard besides a .32 bore pistol with two magazines and eight live bullets. The police also found a bag on the back seat which Programme to merge art with tourism launched A hoarding put up by the municipal corporation in Amritsar. MC installs hoardings Govt orders closure of Chicken supplier robbed of ~93,000 to create awareness on dengue, chikungunya schools till August 26 Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 The Punjab Government has once again ordered closure of schools owing to the flood-like situation in the state after incessant rain in several districts. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced that as per the instructions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and keeping in view floods due to heavy rains in various districts of the state and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, all government, aided, accredited and private schools would remain closed from August 23 to 26. This is the second time that the state government has ordered closure of schools due to heavy rains. Earlier in July, the state government had ordered closure of schools across the state due to floods. On Wednesday, several parts of Punjab witnessed heavy rains which led to flood-like situation in several districts. Most schools, including government and private, have already sent message to parents for holidays. Amritsar district has not yet witnessed any flood-like situation. The adjoining areas of Ajnala and Beas in the rural border belt are flooded and witnessing heavy waterlogging. Amritsar, August 23 Six armed car-borne persons snatched Rs 93,000 from a chicken supplier in the wee hours on Monday. Following a complaint, the police registered a case against unidentified persons in this connection yesterday. The victim, identified as Veera Lal (33), a resident of Indira Colony on the Batala road here, told the police that he supplies chicken at different places and to eating joints. He said on Monday around 3.30 am, he and his driver Harjinder Singh were going to supply chicken on his goods carrier (mini truck bearing registration No. PB- contained Rs 30 lakh of alleged drug proceeds. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered against the duo and further interrogation is on to establish their links. The suspects are currently on two-day police remand. The SSP said in the second incident, a Sarai Amanat Khan police team was patrolling in the Naushehra Dhalla area. On reaching near Gehri Mandi village, the police team intercepted a motorcyclist identified as Jugraj Singh, a resident of Bhaggupur Uttar village. On search, the police team recovered 2 kg of heroin and a drone from his bag. He was booked under the NDPS Act and the Aircraft Act. Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 23 With an objective to create awareness among the general public regarding dengue and chikungunya, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) has put up hoardings at various places listing symptoms of the two mosquito-borne diseases and precautions required to prevent them. The MC has also launched two telephone helpline numbers — 0183-2822222 and 0183-2506149 —for residents. The district has reported 200 dengue and 130 chikungunya cases so far. The MC officials said regu- lar fogging was being conducted in different parts of the city to check mosquito breeding. The officials said mosquitoes spreading dengue and chikungunya diseases mostly bite during the day time and as such people must ensure that their residences and workplaces were safe. The health officials said the people could use mosquito repellents and wear full sleeve clothes to prevent mosquito bites. The health officials said a survey to assess the number of persons affected by dengue and chikungunya was also being conducted in the areas affected by the viral diseases. Amritsar, August 23 Bringing art on the tourism map, the Indian Academy of Fine Arts have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Le Meridien group of hotels to launch a flagship programme to highlight the art landscape of Amritsar. Under the programme, the guests coming to Le Meridien would be hosted by the gallery for art workshops and exhibits. The hotel would provide an experiential art programme through workshops and live artist interactions to visitors. “Usually, tourists who visit the city are not aware of the kind of art scape Amritsar has given its legacy and history of producing tremendously talented and celebrated artists like SG Thakar Singh, Phulan Rani, SN Parasher and others,” said Arvidner Chamak, general secretary, art gallery. He further said, “We also have a lot of art documenting historical milestones and events like nationalist movement, Partition in 1947 and so on. To highlight the significant contribution of artists from Amritsar and the transition of city’s art scape into modern times, this initiative has already generated lot of footfall for us.” — TNS Torch relay for ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ arrives in city Mid-day meal workers’ rally on Sept 3 The tournament envisages starting block-level games across the state from next month Amritsar, August 23 Players and officials of the district administration accorded a warm welcome to the torch relay for ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ Season-2 upon reaching the city on Wednesday. Assistant Commissioner Vivek Modi and District Sports Officer Sukhchain Singh welcomed the torch on its arrival here to create awareness about the Season2 games of the tournament. Modi, while welcoming all sports lovers, players and coaches, said connecting the children and youth of the state with sports would help Officials receive the torch for 'Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan' in Amritsar on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO in creating a healthy, fair and colourful Punjab. It would once again turn out to be a leader in the field of sports in the country, he said. ‘Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan’ was started last year with an objective of catching the sportspersons young. c m y b The tourney envisages to start block-level games from next month across the state. For the past several decades, no competitive sports have been organised at the grassroots level, causing a gap in the formative years of young players. Modi appealed to all the sportsmen of the district to register online to participate in the games. The torch wold stay here today and leave for Gurdaspur in the morning. International players, coaches and players receiving training, besides sports enthusiasts were also present on the occasion. — TNS Amritsar, August 23 The Mid-Day Meal Workers Union, Punjab, today sent a demand letter to Harpal Singh Cheema, Finance Minister, listing their demands. Addressing the programme, state general secretary of the union Mamata Sharma said that before the Punjab Assembly elections, the Aam Aadmi Party chief had promised that the honorarium of mid-day meal workers would be doubled. “Till date, the wages have not been hiked. The mid-day meal cooks and workers are paid meagre wages which is sheer oppression. Our demands regarding the safety of mid-day meal workers Mid-day meal workers from the Majitha block hold a protest demonstration in Amritsar. on duty and incentives including medical and other allowances, also have not been fulfilled,” she said. Mamata said mid-day meal workers should be brought under the minimum wages law and given a salary of Rs 10,700 per month. Their demands also include medical and six-month maternity leave. Workers retrenched from mid-day meal scheme should be adjusted in government schools and ESI, EPF facilities be provided to them, she demanded. The union estimates that there are around 45,000 midday meal workers in the state. “They are all ready to hit the streets if the government is not serious on working out solutions,” Mamata said while announcing that the mid-day meal workers would hold a massive rally on September 3 at Anandpur Sahib in front of the residence of Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains. — TNS