05022024-ATR-01.qxd 05-02-2024 00:10 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 15°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 14°C | MIN 10°C ACTIVIST INFORMS COPS ABOUT MISSING BRTS IRON GRILLS NORA FATEHI SHARES BTS VIDEO FROM THE SETS OF HER SINGLE FOCUSING ON THE DIVINE: ARUN VISITS VAISHNO DEVI TEMPLE The activist said that owing to the negligence of authorities, the iron grills have been stolen again. P2 Actress Nora Fatehi, who has come out with a single I’m Bossy, is unstoppable, going by her post on social media. P3 Sankatmochan Mahabali Hanuman actor Arun Mandola recently visited Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and performed a puja.P4 » » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.07 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7.20 AM MONDAY | 5 FEBRUARY 2024 | AMRITSAR Unscheduled power cuts spell may harm crops increase winter woes Police nab peddler wanted in Farmers welcome 4-mth-old drug trafficking case rain, but further wet Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 4 The Amritsar Rural Police have arrested an alleged drug peddler, identified as Rajwinder Singh, alias Goldy (27), a resident of border village Hardo Rattan falling under the Gharinda police station here. He had been evading arrest for the past four months. He was booked by the Gharinda police in connection with cross-border drug trafficking using drones. A case was registered against him on September 12 last year. Along with him, the police had booked Ranjit Singh of the same village. He was yet to be arrested. According to the police, they had received a tip-off that Rajwinder and Ranjit had links with Pakistan-based narcotic and arms smugglers and they used to retrieve drug consignments smuggled from across the International Border through a drone. The police had recovered a drone from an agricultural field at Hardo Rattan village. However, the duo had escaped from the spot at that time. Manmeetpal Singh, SHO, Gharinda police station, said he had been hiding at his Nanka village in Lopoke Those living in rural areas are worst-sufferers Our Correspondent Tribune News Service An accomplice of drug peddler Rajwinder Singh, alias Goldy, in custody of the Amritsar Rural Police on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO area. The police have recovered a mobile phone from him. The police also found Pakistani mobile phone numbers. He said he was produced in a court and brought on five-day police remand for further investigations. The police hope to make recovery during his interrogation. Meanwhile, the Gharinda police seized 265-gm heroin from Onkar Singh, a resident of Bhindi Aulakh Kalan village. He was intercepted by a police patrol party from near the Dhanoe Khurd T-point. He was travelling on a bike (PB-06-AW-7316) when the police signalled him to stop. According to the police, he took out a polythene bag from his pocket and threw it away. During his search, the police found the contraband from it. A case under the NDPS act was registered against him and further probe was on to ascertain the source of the narcotics. He would be produced in a court tomorrow. Tarn Taran, February 4 After the harsh and dry cold wave that swept the region in the past weeks, the recent spell of rainfall has been deemed beneficial for crops, but farmers here now fear that the continuing overcast sky could have harmful effects on wheat and vegetable crops. According to reports from the Chohla Sahib area, a number of vegetable crops were damaged due to the hailstorm on February 1. Shangara Singh, a farmer from Sabhra village, said the rain was beneficial for the wheat crop. Former Sarpanch of Rattoke village Sukhjinder Singh said the rainfall was being welcomed by farmers as it was good for the wheat and fodder crops as compared to the dry weather that has persisted at this time of the year. He said farmers of Valtoha, Khem Karan and Bhikhiwind were happy with the quantum of rainfall. He said the rain was equally beneficial for the cattle. Ranjit Singh, a farmer, from the Chohla Sahib area said most vegetable crops, especially The cloudy sky has worried farmers as they want no more rain at this time. GURBAXPURI potato and some advanced varieties, had been damaged because of the rain. Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Harpal Singh Pannu said in the reports he had received from across the district, there were no reports of any damage to the crops. The CAO also said that 7 mm of rain was reported today in Tarn Taran, 6 mm in Khadoor Sahib and 9 mm in Patti sub-divisions. This fell under the ‘medium rainfall’ category. He said that the forecast of clear skies and sunny days would benefit crops greatly. The horticulture department also said that the rain was good for the fruit trees. Amritsar, February 4 Long power cuts, especially in rural areas, are causing undue trouble to residents during this intense cold. Residents complain that without electricity, it becomes difficult for them to use electronic appliances to keep themselves warm and comfortable in these harsh winter days. Gurinder Kaur, a resident of Cheema village, said, “Power cuts in our area are mostly from 6 am to 11 am and this is the time when people need fresh water from tubewells, water heaters and other appliances in the kitchen.” She said that owing to power cuts, homemakers find it difficult to complete domestic chores on time. She added that though most homes had inverters as a backup, all appliances cannot be run with the help of them. Kashmir Singh, a dairy farmer, said, “The water in the tanks gets very cold during the night. Animals need fresh water during the morning as it is comparatively Homemakers are finding it difficult to complete domestic chores due to power cuts, especially in the morning. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR warmer.” He added that farmers also have to use electricity-run fodder choppers in the morning. While the government never tires of making tall claims of surplus power in the state, residents wonder why they are being subjected to unscheduled power cuts. “Electricity in the present times is a necessity and not a luxury. How can people do their jobs if they are not getting enough electricity on which their life’s daily activities heavily depend,” said Kultar Singh, another resident, suggesting that the power corporation can apply power cuts in the afternoon when people use less electricity or do not feel much requirement of electricity supply. Residents of urban areas too are affected by unscheduled power cuts, though to a lesser degree as compared to those living in rural areas. They also suggested that the timings of power cuts should be made public so that people can finish their necessary works before the start of a power cut. CKD poll on Feb 18: Police Commissioner, MC Commissioner Speaker inaugurates cancer hospital in city Nijjer announces six review ongoing work on ICCC project candidatesfromteam Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 4 Days after the Opposition announced its five candidates for the ensuing General House election of the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD), Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar’s group announced six candidates for the polls. The election is scheduled to be held on February 18 for the Sikh educational body. Dr Nijjar, who is an AAP MLA, is its current president. These six candidates are: Dr Nijjar for the post of president, Santokh Singh Sethi and Jagjit Singh for the two positions of vice-president, Kuljit Singh Sahni for resident president and Swinder Singh Kathunangal and Ajit Singh Basra for the two posts of honorary secretary. In his address, Dr Nijjar said that in conformity with the thoughts of Bhai Vir Singh (one of the founders), the Chief Khalsa Diwan while being dedicated to “Sikhi and Sikhya” (Sikhism and education), is paving new paths of development by adopting impartial and transparent work policies. He emphasised the commitment to upgrade educational standards to the international level and integration of education with Sikh values in CKD schools. He said during his stint as president of the Diwan, the events commemorating 150th birth anniversary of Bhai Vir Singh, 67th Sikh Educational Conference dedicated to his 150th anniversary, construction of a stateof-the-art school at Batala, the establishment of Bhai Vir Singh Literary Study Centre, introduction of his novel Sundari in CKD schools, placing Bhai Vir Singh’s picture in the principal’s office of every CKD school, re-publishing the Punjabi Patra Nirguniyara started by Bhai Sahib and other commemorative activities were successfully conducted. Miscreants loot bag from shopkeeper Amritsar, February 4 Two unidentified armed persons looted a shopkeeper when he was returning home in his car after closing his shop at Nath Di Khui village falling under the Mehta police station here on Friday evening. The accused snatched the bag containing ~3 lakh cash from the victim, identified as Baljinder Singh, of the same village. He suffered a gunshot injury on his leg. An injured Baljinder was admitted to Guru Ram Das Hospital at Vallah. He told the police that on Friday at around 8 pm, he closed his shop and was to enter his car when the accused stopped him. They threatened him and asked to hand over the bag which also contained a laptop. He said he denied the same following which the unidentified assailants fired at him. The bullet hit his leg near the knee. He fell on the road and the accused snatched his bag and fled the spot. ASI Balkar Singh said a case was registered against unknown assailants. He said CCTV cameras in the area were being analysed to find clues about the perpetrators. — TNS Amritsar, February 4 The Commissioner of Police and the MC Commissioner reviewed the ongoing work of Integrated Command Control Centre (ICCC) project at the MC head office in Ranjit Avenue here on Sunday. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Harpreet Singh visited the Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) and took all details of the project. A private firm has been outsourced for the installation CCTVs in the city. Officials expressed their satisfaction over the ongoing work on the project. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar assured of all possible cooperation from the police department for the ICCC project work. Amritsar Smart City Limited CEO and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Harpreet Singh said the ICCC project was proposed under Amritsar Smart City Limited under Two TV anchors booked for hurting religious sentiments Tribune News Service Police Commissioner Gurpreet Bhullar (2nd from left) along with other officials at the ICCC in Amritsar. which with the help of the police department, activities of all the main roads and streets of the city would be inspected and law and order maintained. The total cost of the project is Rs 91 crore and the work of installing 1,168 CCTV cameras was allotted to a private firm — KEC. So far, 1,006 CCTV cameras have been installed and the remaining work will also be completed Vidhan Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan (4th from left) at the newly opened cancer hospital in Amritsar on Sunday. VISHAL KUMAR soon. The installation of these CCTV cameras will help the police and residents in reducing cases of theft and snatching and arrest criminals. Satisfied with the pace of work on the project, the Police Commissioner assured that the police department would extend full cooperation to the municipal corporation for this venture. Commissioner Harpreet Singh thanked the Police Commissioner for visiting the municipal corporation office. MC Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh, Joint Commissioner Hardeep Singh, DCP (Law and Order) Alam Vijay Singh, and company officials were also present on the occasion. Batala trader loses 50-yr-old dies by suicide, 4 booked gold, cash to robbers Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Amritsar, February 4 The Gharinda police have booked two TV anchors allegedly hurting religious sentiments by making objectionable remarks against the Bible and Jesus Christ. Those booked were Iqbal Singh Dhillon and Deep Bajwa. Locus Masih of New Hamidpura, Naraingarh (Chheharta, told the police that the accused were anchors of a Punjabi TV channel and they had made objectionable comments against Jesus Christ and the Bible on social media. With best diagnostics modalities and treatment processes, doctors from US-based centres would join their Indian counterparts in diagnosis as well as treatment planning for every case, he said. Dr Avtar Singh, chairman, Amandeep Group of Hospitals, said, “We have tied up with Cancer Centers of America to provide international standard cancer care to our patients.” Kultar Singh Sandhwan said, “It is very painful to see the increase in the number of cancer patients in Punjab.” He said with the opening of the centre, patients from the city and nearby areas would get world-class cancer treatment here. — TNS Amritsar, February 4 Cancer Centers of America (CCA) inaugurated its cancer hospital here on Sunday with Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, attending the function. On the occasion, a 24X7 cancer helpline was also launched. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajesh Sehgal, Chairman, Cancer Centers of America, said, “Traditionally, cancer has been considered a terminal ailment with uncertain prognosis. However, over the last few years, technology-driven improvements in diagnosis and treatment have significantly improved the survival rates.” Tarn Taran, February 4 A trader from Batala was robbed by three car-borne masked and armed robbers on National Highway No. 54 near Gandiwind Dhattal village on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. The trader, Rajinder Kumar, a resident of Batala, was on his way back from Ferozepur via Zira in his Brezza car bearing the registration number PB-18 U0086. He informed Sarhali police on Saturday that he was on his way back from c m y b Ferozepur along with his two workers when the three robbers parked their vehicle in front of his car to stop them. The masked robbers pulled them out of the car and snatched cash to the tune of Rs 30,000 at gunpoint, his two gold rings, their mobile phones and the car. After snatching their valuables, the robbers escaped to the Sarhali side. The trader and his workers had to come to the police station on foot at night to lodge a complaint. ASI Dilbag Singh said a case under has been registered in this connection. Amritsar, February 4 Lakhwinder Singh (50), a resident of Nag Khurd village falling under the Gharinda police station, who had consumed some poisonous substance on January 30, died at a hospital here on Saturday. He was perturbed over his constant harassment and allegedly being threatened by a girl’s family who allegedly eloped with his son Karandeep Singh. Sukhwinder Singh, brother of the girl, had allegedly been threatening to eliminate the victim and his family if his sister did not return home. The complainant, Sukhwinder Kaur, wife of the victim, told the police that her husband consumed poisonous substance on January 30 and died at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital on Saturday. Following her complaint, the police booked Sukhwinder Singh, alias Sonu, of Jora Phatak and his three unidentified accomplices on charges of abetment to suicide (Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC). No arrest has been made by the police till now. She told the police that Karandeep Singh was the elder of her two sons. She said he developed a relationship with Neetu, a resident of Jora Phatak, and eloped with him. She said following this, they had debarred Karandeep from family. She alleged on January 26, the accused, Sukhwinder Singh, along with his accomplices came to the restaurant where she worked and threatened to kill the entire family. She said again on January 30 when she along with her husband and mother Kashmir Kaur were present at home, the accused came and abused them while threatening to kill them. She said her husband felt that it had led to his insult in society. Disturbed over this, he consumed some poisonous substance. He was rushed to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital for treatment where he died on Saturday.
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