01022024-ATR-01.qxd 2/1/2024 12:44 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST CLOUDY SKY MAX 14°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 11°C COMMUTERS SUFFER AMID SLOW PACE OF ROAD WORK NIA LONG TO PLAY MICHAEL JACKSON’S MOM IN HIS BIOPIC NIKKHIL ADVANI STARTS FILMING HIS NEW SHOW Closure of one side of the road has exacerbated the chaos, leading to severe traffic congestion. P2 Actress Nia Long has been roped in to essay a crucial role in late pop singer Michael Jackson’s biopic. P3 Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani is currently working on a new series titled Freedom At Midnight (FAM). P4 » » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.04 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.23 AM THURSDAY | 1 FEBRUARY 2024 | AMRITSAR Trade unions accuse microfinance Ex-sarpanch booked firms of exploitation, stage protest for running illegal de-addiction centre PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Members of labour and trade unions during a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR Amritsar, January 31 The members of various trade unions and labour organisations staged a massive protest outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner here on Wednesday to highlight the ordeal that poor people from the rural areas have to go at the hands of microfinance companies operating in the state. All India Trade Union Congress leader Amarjit Singh Asal said that they also submitted a bundle of 26,000 applications by the residents of the district to the Deputy Commissioner. Asal said that earlier, they had sub- mitted 9,500 such applications to the DC on December 22. He added that the number of persons entrapped by these microfinance companies is much more. “The companies offer a loan of Rs 20,000 to Rs 1 lakh per person. During the sanctioning of the loan, a large cut is made on the pretext of the commission of the middlemen. Then recovery installments are collected every week in cash and no record is given to the persons who had secured a loan,” said Asal, adding that people from rural areas who had taken Light to moderate rain forecast for next 2 days Tribune News Service loan from these microfinance companies are being exploited as they are forced to interest at very high rates. The protesters were also addressed by CPI Punjab Secretary Bant Singh Brar, CPI National Council Member Hardev Arshi, Domestic Helpers Union’s Daswinder Kaur and leaders of various other worker and labour unions. The leaders stated that these companies use anti-social elements and criminals to make recoveries of their loans by visiting the homes of people and intimidating them. — TNS Amritsar, January 31 A day after the police sealed two private illegal drug deaddiction centres in Chheharta and Sultanwind areas, a former Sarpanch is among three persons booked by the police in this connection. They were booked on charges of illegal detention and fraud for running the illegal de-addiction centre at Chheharta. Those booked were identified as Sawinder Singh, former Sarpanch of Basarke Bhaini village (now living in Baba Budda Sahib Colony), Gurpal Singh of Sakri Sarhali village in Tarn Taran, Jagrup Singh of Basarke Bhaini and Chamkor Singh of Mari Kamboke village (now residing in Chheharta). The police said that the accused were running the centre sans government permission and documents. Norms were also not being followed at the centre that was being operated from Baba Budda Sahib Colony on San Sahib road in Chheharta. They were fleecing the innocent and victims of drug abuse for treating them and exploiting them. When the victims wanted to leave the centre and return home, they were threatened and kept in illegal detention. During the raid, police found 24 victims who were admitted to the Swami Vivekananda De-Addiction Centre at Government Medical College here. The team was headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Dr Darpan Ahluwalia and Assistant Commissioner of Police (South) Maninder Pal Singh and Dr Bharti Dhawan from the Health Department. The police found that the victims were being subjected to inhuman conditions and alleged physical torture. There were no trained medical professionals there. Tribune News Service A moist field after a drizzle in Amritsar on Wednesday. SUNIL muting conditions, the Met department also issued a yellow alert for a possible dense to very dense fog in many districts of Punjab for the next three days. Environmental engineers of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) informed that pollution level in the city had improved by some notches with a little shower. They anticipated the environmental condition to improve further in case the rain returned. 24-yr-old woman was three months pregnant Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, January 31 A newly married couple was killed on the spot and another person received serious injuries when two motorcycles collided on the AmritsarKhemkaran road in front of the BSF headquarters in Bhikhwind here on Wednesday. The couple was riding on one of the motorcycles, while the injured was on another. Both motorcycles were hit by a car. The deceased couple has been identified as Arashdeep Singh (25) and his wife Sukhjit Kaur Kajal (24), residents of Padhari Kalan, who were married just six months ago. Sukhjit Kaur was three months pregnant and the couple was on way to Bhikhwind to purchase medicine. The injured, identified as Jaspal Singh (32) of Singhpura, has been admitted to Mangled remains of the two motorcycles; and the couple (inset) who were killed in road mishap at Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran on Wednesday. Anand Hospital in Bhikhiwind where his condition is stated to be critical. Preetinder Singh, DSP , Bhikhiwind, said after the collision of the two motorcyclists, the deceased couple and the injured fell on the road and the car (PB-31 W9219) following hit the victims. Arashdeep Singh and his wife Sukhjit Kaur were killed on the spot as they received head injuries. The DSP said the car was being driven by Jaideep Singh, a resident of Chela village, who fled the spot leaving behind his car. The Bhikhiwind police have registered a case under Sections 304-A, 279 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code against Jaideep Singh. Passengers, vendors want permanent SULTANPUR LODHI GURDWARA CLASH medical room at city railway station SGPC calls general Neeraj Bagga Amritsar, January 31 An overcast sky accompanied by light drizzle marked a change in weather today. Farmers were happy that the weather had become favourable for the fodder and vegetable crop. They said that the drizzle washed the dust off plants and offered a little water to the fields. The Meteorological Department’s forecast of light to moderate rain for three days, from January 31 in some areas of Punjab, proved true as residents woke up to find light rain in the early morning hours. Erratic rainfall and an overcast sky coming after a brief spell of sunshine reminded residents of the shivering cold days back. Cautioning residents about potentially challenging com- Newly married couple killed in road accident Amritsar, January 31 Days after the closure of the solitary medical room on the platform of the Amritsar railway station, passengers, visitors and vendors have demanded the setting up of a permanent (24X7) medical room where the services of a doctor and paramedics must be provided to passengers. Harpreet Singh Grover, a daily passenger, said the local railway station falls under A category which means that it receives a high footfall of passengers. Despite high footfall, the medical room was opened only for a few days at the platform. The railway station was classified under Category A as it used to witness a footfall of around 50,000 people, including The waiting room where a health clinic was functional at the Amritsar railway station on Wednesday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR 20,000 passengers daily prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Railway stations have been divided in the A, B, C, D, E and F categories after evaluating various parameters. Under these conditions, a medical room should invariably be operational at the platform to assist passengers during a health emergency. Sahib Singh, another passenger who frequently visits the holy city, said though the daily count of trains touching the Amritsar railway station drastically came down after the Covid19 pandemic, before that around 130 trains used to depart or arrive at the station daily. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that the number of trains is gradually increasing and medical needs of people in transit could not be ignored, he added. Sources at the railway station stated that a temporary medical centre was opened at the platform as per the instructions of the head office and later it was converted to a waiting room. The Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS), Ferozepur Divisional Railway Hospital, said Northern Railway’s health unit was situated in the circulating area of the Amritsar railway station to provide medical assistance. It is manned by a doctor, a pharmacist and paramedical staff. It was added that all emergencies and station calls were being attended promptly. house meeting today Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 31 SGPC is to decide its next move tomorrow in view of the violation of ‘Maryada’ (conduct) and bloody clash between the police and the two Nihang factions at Gurdwara Sri Akal Bunga at Sultanpur Lodhi on November 23. The SGPC has called up a special general house tomorrow at its headquarters to gather the view point of the members before proceeding in the matter. The dispute was over the possession of Gurdwara Sri Akal Bunga between the two faction of Nihangs. A group headed by Nihang Maan Singh, attempted to take over its control. The situation turned ugly when the police intervened to vacate the gurdwara premises leading to clash. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann was charged of ‘religious misconduct’ by the Akal Takht after taking into consideration the SGPC panel’s probe report into the incident. Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh had held the CM, as he holds the Home Department, responsible for mishandling the situation. It was alleged in the report that the police personnel had opened fire, released tear gas while disrupting the ongoing ‘Akhand Path’ and entered the gurdwara premises without bothering to remove their shoes. Dera head receives ~1 cr extortion Miscreant involved Five Nishan-e-Sikhi students call from gangster Landa Harike in recent brick-kiln clear SSB test, qualify for NDA PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 31 Canada-based notorious gangster and designated terrorist, Lakhbir Singh alias Landa Harike, has allegedly threatened a religious Dera chief and sought Rs 1 crore by way of extortion from him. He had threatened to eliminate his relatives and family members living in Canada and other foreign countries in case the extortion amount was not paid. According to a complaint lodged with the Kamboh police station here, he also threatened to take over the Dera forcibly. Kamboh police have registered a case under Section 387 (extortion) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC against him. Tejkaran Singh, head of Harbhagat Dwar located in Jethuwal, said he inherited the Dera from his ancestors. He said that Lakhbir Landa had orchestrated a murderous attack on him in Decem- EARLIER, LANDA ATTACKED HIM IN 2022 Tejkaran Singh, head of Harbhagat Dwar located in Jethuwal, said he inherited the Dera from his ancestors. He said that Lakhbir Landa had orchestrated a murderous attack on him in December 2022 and a case was registered with Kamboh police at that time. He said that again in May last year, he called from an international number and demanded an extortion of Rs 30 lakh but he did not pay any heed to it following which he threatened to shoot him and his father Surjit Singh dead. He said that yesterday, he again got a call from an Instagram ID saying that he had enhanced the extortion amount to ~1 crore. ber 2022 and a case was registered with Kamboh police at that time. He said that again in May last year, he called from an international number and demanded an extortion of Rs 30 lakh but he did not pay any heed to it following which he threatened to shoot him and his father Surjit Singh dead. He said that yesterday, he again got a call from an Instagram ID saying that he had enhanced the extortion amount to Rs 1 crore. The complainant said that the accused threatened to take over the Dera Harbhagat Dwar and kill him and his father if he did not pay the extortion amount. He also sent him a video of bullets and firing while intimidating him. Amritsar Rural SSP Satinder Singh said that investigation was in progress to identify the person who had made the call. Landa had 33 criminal cases against him and is considered as main operative of the narco-terror gangster network being run from Canada with the help of Pakistan’s ISI for creating trouble in the border state by carrying out target killings and attack on government establishments in order to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere here. robberies nabbed Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 31 Facing flak from the Brick Kilns’ Association over rising incidents of looting at brick kilns in rural areas, the Amritsar Rural Police have arrested a robber while identifying other members or a robbers’ gang that was behind recent robberies at the brick kilns. The arrested robber was identified as Kuldeep Singh, alias Keepa of Dharamkot village, while others involved were identified as Jagdev Singh, alias Jagga, and Gopi of Dhirekot village and Darminder Singh and four others. The police said raids were on to nab them. The Jandiala police said a police team was on patrol at Gadli village when informer told that Kuldeep Singh and his accomplices had formed a gang that was involved in recent loot- c m y b ings at brick kilns brandishing sharp-edged weapons and pistols. The informer told that Kuldeep was going to sell the looted Sonalika tractor in Batala via Dhirekot to Gehri Khazala village. After the police team was alerted and a checkpoint was installed and the accused was arrested. A preliminary probe revealed that the gang had looted the tractor on January 22 at gunpoint from the brick kiln near Ghainye Ke Bangar village. The Amritsar Brick Kilns’ Association had alleged that frequent thefts and robberies by armed persons had caused huge losses to brick kiln owners. The association had pointed out that there were around 200 kilns in Amritsar and a majority of them were in rural areas. He said though incidents of armed looting were taking place almost daily, the police had failed to nab the looters. The students who cleared the SSB test being honoured by Baba Sewa Singh in Tarn Taran. Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, January 31 Five students of Nishan-eSikhi Institute of Science and Training, Khadoor Sahib, being run under the patronage of Baba Sewa Singh of Kar Sewa sect, were honoured on Tuesday for having cleared the Ser- vices Selection Board (SSB) test for recruitment into the armed forces. Major General Balwinder Singh (retd) Director, informed that five selected for the NDA are Sahijpreet Singh, Balroop Singh, Sidakpreet Singh, Jatinjot Singh and Dharwinder Singh. He said that three students of the institute have already qualified for the NDA this year. Baba Sewa Singh congratulated these students and inspired them to work hard during the training. Dinesh, Group Captain Baljit Singh, secretary Waryam Singh, Subedar Kulwant Singh and staff members of the institute were among those present on the occasion.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
The Tribune, the largest selling daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.
The English edition apart, the 133-year-old Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).