29092023-ATR-01.qxd 9/29/2023 12:18 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST CLEAR SKY MAX 34°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 22°C MINISTER KICKSTARTS COMPOST PROJECT AT FAIR YOUTH CONGRESS LEADERS PROTEST KHAIRA’S ARREST YOUTH THRONG IELTS KIOSKS DURING INQUILAB FESTIVAL Local Bodies Minister Balkar Singh kickstarted ‘Punjab City Compost Project’ at Sodal Mela. P2 Youth Congress activists burnt an effigy of CM over the issue of arrest of Bholath MLA Sukhpal Khaira. P2 “Inquilab festival” commenced in Nawanshahr on the 116th birth anniv of Shaheed Bhagat Singh. P2 » » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.18 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.23 AM FRIDAY | 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 | AMRITSAR City lawyers call off strike after three cops arrested Tribune News Service Murdered victim’s kin meet SSP, seek arrest of suspects Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 The lawyers who were on strike for the past two days at the District Courts Complex here ended their protest following the orders issued by the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana wherein it stated that the matter pertaining to the torture of a Muktsar-based lawyer had been resolved. Pardeep Kumar Saini, president, Amritsar Bar Association, said the matter had been resolved with the intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and three police officials had been arrested. He said the government had also constituted a SIT to probe the matter. Saini said the legal fraternity would resume their duties from tomorrow (Friday). The Amritsar Bar Association had earlier observed no work day on Wednesday and Thursday in protest against the ‘custodial torture’ of lawyer Varinder Singh. Amritsar, September 28 The family members of Gori Singh (26), a resident of Dhodiwind, who was beaten to death by several persons, on Thursday met Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar Rural, Satinder Singh seeking immediate arrest of the suspects. They alleged the accused were using political influence for hampering and delaying the probe. They alleged that efforts were being made to get a clean chit to several accused in the case. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Satinder Singh, however, said there was no political pressure on the police and law could take its own course. He said the accused would be arrested and action taken on merit. The Gharinda police have booked five persons — Bachittar Singh, his son Himmat Singh, Satnam Singh, Ram Singh and Sukhwinder Singh — all residents of the same village on the charge of murder. They had accused Gori Singh of stealing wheat. Dr Sheetal Singh, Station House Officer, Gharinda police station, said the police had already arrested two persons in the case and further investigations were underway. He said raids were on to nab the remaining accused. Joga Singh and Beero, brother and mother of the deceased, alleged that Sukhwinder Singh, alias Satta, who is the prime accused in the case was yet to be arrested. They alleged he was threatening and pressuring the family for a compromise or face the dire consequences. They alleged they were informed that the accused wanted to mark an inquiry into the case for delaying his arrest. Joga Singh urged the police to arrest the remaining accused nominated in the FIR and provide justice to the family. 16 booked for illegal mining at Kot Sidhu village in dist Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 The Bhindi Saida police have booked around 16 persons on the charge of illegal sand mining in Kot Sidhu village here. They were identified as Sukhdev Singh, Mangal Singh, Jatinder Singh, Hardayal Singh and Sarwan Singh, all residents of Kakkar village, Kuldeep Singh of Shahpur, and Kewal Singh, Kala Singh, Gurbaz Singh, Jaspal Singh, Mangal Singh, Hardeep Singh, Fateh Singh, Jagtar Singh and Mukhtar Singh, all residents of Kot Sidhu village, and Baggo of Shahpur village. They were booked following a complaint by Satbir Singh, Mining Officer. A case under Section 379 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 21 (1) of Mining Act was registered against them. As per the complaint, the accused were involved in illegal mining at Kot Sidhu village. Investigations are in progress. Farmers begin three-day ‘rail roko’ protest in dist Seek special package for flood-hit; legal guarantee for MSP Tribune Reporters Amritsar, September 28 The three-day rail roko protest by the farmers union over the issue of special package for flood victims and legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP) began here today with the farmers squatting on the rail tracks at Devidaspura village near Mannawala here on Thursday. The protest caused undue inconvenience to passengers, including children and young and old, many trains had to be cancelled. As the farmer unions seem adamant to continue with their protest till September 30, passengers are surely going to suffer a lot. Leading the protest in Majha area, Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary, Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, said, “We regret the inconvenience being caused to commuters. We had given a notice in this regard This ward no exception to civic woes Woman consumes poison in hotel, dies WARD WATCH WARD NO. 74 PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service AMRITSAR Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 Ward number 74 consists of Prem Nagar, Aman Avenue, Adarsh Nagar, Dashmesh Nagar and some other localities. During the last five years, the Municipal Corporation has installed sewer and water lines in the area but the main Ram Nagar Road and streets are in poor condition. The residents also witnessed choking of sewers in some localities. During the rainy season, the potholes get filled with rainwater causing inconvenience to the commuters. A number of streets in the area need recarpeting. The residents Two nabbed in ~1L loot case Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 Division C police station has arrested two snatchers allegedly involved in the looting of Rs 1 lakh from a trader on September 4. Those arrested were identified as Jaspreet Singh, alias Jassi, of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Gujjarpura, and Shivam of Gujjarpura. The police had also booked Sahil, alias Gardilla, and Sandeep Kumar, alias Sanju, of Gujjarpura in the case. They were yet to be arrested. The police had recovered the bike used in the crime from their possession. Malkeet Singh of New Amritsar area told the police that he was running a money transfer book mart shop at Dashmesh Nagar on Tarn Taran road here. He said on continued on page 2 A dilapidated road at Ram Nagar Colony in Amritsar. SUNIL KUMAR alleged that they are being ignored by the government and MC as they have been deprived of basic amenities. “The street and road infrastructure is in poor state in ward number 74. The main approach road is in a pathetic condition. The potholed road leads to several accidents. The accumulation of water on roads has turned them into a breeding ground for mosquitoes leading to outbreak of vector-borne diseases. The MC staff failed to visit the area for fogging. A large number of residents suffer from high fever, dengue and chikungunya,” said Gurpreet Singh, a local resident. “The area has been facing several issues. No doubt, some streets were recarpeted in the past but a number of development works are still pending. The old sewer lines also need desilting to avoid regular choking. Rainwater accumulation in low-lying areas also causes inconvenience. Lifting of garbage is also an issue in the internal streets,” said Raman, another resident. Amritsar, September 28 A 30-year-old woman and her partner attempted suicide in a hotel room in the walled city area here last night. While the woman died, her partner was admitted to the Guru Nanak Dev Hospital and is stated to be out of danger. The duo had consumed some poisonous substance to end their lives. The Assistant Sub-Inspector, Satnam Singh, investigating officer in the case, said that the woman was yet to be identified while her lover was identified as Ajay Kumar, who originally hails from Uttar Pradesh. He along with the victim was living in a rented accommodation at Sharma Colony in Gujjarpura area. “As per preliminary investigation, the duo was in a relationship. We are yet to ascertain the reason behind their taking the extreme step. Ajay was still unconscious at the hospital and his statement would be recorded after he is declared fit for this,” said ASI Satnam Singh. The police released the picture of the deceased woman for identification. In the release, the police said that her body was found in a hotel room in Chowk Karori area in walled city. Her body was kept in the mortuary for 72 hours for identification. The incident came to light when the hotel authorities informed the police about it. They were found unconscious in the hotel room. They were taken to the hospital where doctors declared the woman dead on arrival. They had booked the room yesterday. The police said the family of the man had arrived and further investigations were in progress. Farmers sqat on the tracks at Devi Dass Pura in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR they are not being paid remunerative prices for their produce. At the time of the protest at Delhi borders, the Central Government had in principle agreed to provide a legal guarantee for MSP which has not been done so far.” He said the government had not quashed the cases registered against the farmers during the agitation against the three farm bills. Farmer leader Jarmanjit Singh said, “Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra has still not been sacked from the Cabinet. All these demands were accepted by the government after which the farmer unions had ended their protest.” He said the protest would be extended if the government failed to initiate talks with the farmers. The ‘rail roko’ protest call had been given by 19 farmer unions from the North. continued on page 2 nearly a month ago. It is the government which has forced us to sit on the railway tracks.” Pandher said, “Thousands of people have lost their homes and crops due to the floods, but the Central Government has not released any relief package for their help. Even the state government has announced a compensation of ~6,800 per acre which is nothing. The farmers who have lost their crops must be paid a compensation of ~50,000 per acre.” Ranjit Singh Kalerbala, district president, KMSC, said, “The farmers are being pushed into a debt trap as Sports trials to be conducted today, day after Sessions Judge visits Amritsar Central Jail Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 State-level games under the Khedan Watan Punjab Dian 2023 would be held from October 10-25 in various districts of Punjab. The players from Amritsar are going to different districts to take part in the games. The district-level tournaments of some games were not held in Amritsar, the trials of these games will now be conducted in different schools and colleges of the city. District Sports Officer Sukhchain Singh stated that on September 29, gymnastics trial will be held at BBK DAV College (Girls). On September 30, gymnastics trial would be held at PBN Senior Secondary School for Boys. Rugby trials will be held on October 1 at Guru Nanak Stadium. District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa visits the Central Jail in Amritsar on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Amritsar, September 28 District and Sessions Judge Harpreet Kaur Randhawa visited the Central Jail here on Thursday. During her visit, she inspected the Vocational Literacy Campaign being run by the DLSA. The judge said the women prisoners in jail were being taught how to cut clothes, sew suits, cut them to make children’s clothes, etc. “The objective is to make women self-reliant and earn a livelihood for themselves and their families and do not commit any crime in future,” she said. CJM Rachhpal Singh, who is also the Secretary, DLSA, said the campaign was launched to teach them various skills as masonry, construction work, electrical fitting, carpentry, leather work, tailoring and fabrication of garments, agriculture, floriculture, and baker. — TNS Two held with 1.75-kg heroin MC to observe Swachhta Diwas on Oct 1 Amritsar, September 28 The Amritsar Rural Police confiscated 1,750 gm of heroin and ~2.01 lakh of alleged drug proceeds from two persons here on Thursday. Those arrested were identified as Vishal Singh of Bhalla Colony in Chheharta and Gurbaz Singh of Guru Ki Wadali area. Their third accomplice Musa of Sarai Amanat Khan village in Tarn Taran was yet to be arrested. SSP Amritsar Rural Police, , Satinder Singh said the police got a tip-off that the trio had links with Pakistan-based smugglers and they used to smuggle drugs in a large scale. Following this, police teams were dispatched at a designated place at Attari and a checkpoint was laid. He said the police intercepted an Innova (PB-46-AA-0263) in which Vishal Singh and Gurbaz Singh were travelling. He said during search, the police recovered the The two suspects in custody of the Gharinda polive in Amritsar. contraband and the drug money from them. The police also seized two mobile phones and a dongle from their possession. “Musa’s name cropped up during the interrogation of Vishal and Gurbaz. Raids were on to arrest him,” said the SSP . The accused were produced in a court which remanded them in one-day police custody. A probe was in progress to establish their backward and forward links, the police said. Meanwhile, the police have booked a drug peddler, identified as Mukhtiar Singh, alias Tara of Daoke village, in connection with the seizure of 1,445 gm of narcotics seized by the Border Security Force on Tuesday evening. Harinder Singh, Assistant Commandant of the 144 Battalion of BSF had , informed the police about the seizure of the contraband. BSF officials said around 7.30pm on Tuesday, the troops heard the noise of something being dropped along the border fence near the Daoke border outpost. During search, the BSF seized three packets of the contraband wrapped in yellow adhesive tape. A purple polyster bag was also found near the fence. Following a preliminary probe, it was found that the contraband was allegedly got smuggled by Mukhtiar Singh, alias Tara of Daoke. The police said raids were on to arrest him. — TNS c m y b Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 28 Though the Amritsar Municipal Corporation is all geared up to observe Swachhta Diwas on October 1, sanitation in the city is far from satisfactory as the solid waste management company entrusted with waste collection does not have enough number of vehicles to lift the garbage. Despite a warning by the MC officials to the staff of the solid waste management company and imposing of a penalty, there has been no improvement in service. A number of refuse compactor vehicles are worn out and there is no replacement for them. Due to defunct waste compactor vehicles, lifting of garbage from the collection points to dumping ground has been affected. Heaps of garbage can be seen lying at the collection points as lifting has been regularly A garbage dump on Batala Road in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR getting delayed in the absence of waste compactors. Similarly, door-to-door collection of garbage has also been affected in most city areas as a large number of vehicles are lying defunct. The solid waste management company had recently acquired some vehicles but is still facing a shortage of mini-collection trucks. Office-bearers of the waste management company claimed that the MC had assured that the lifting rate would be revised but they did not do so. The company is already facing a financial crisis and is therefore finding it difficult to replace the worn out vehicles with new ones. Meanwhile, following a call given by the Government of India, the Municipal Corporation has appealed to the residents to donate one hour for cleanliness collectively on October 1 at 10 am. The appeal is to mark the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation, under ‘Swachhta Hi Seva Abhiyaan’. MC Commissioner Raul said on Sunday at 10 am, the Municipal Corporation will organise programmes related to cleanliness in all five assembly constituencies. Municipal Commissioner Rahul held a meeting with the officials of MC health wing in this regard.