27052024-ATR-01.qxd 27-05-2024 00:53 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune DESPITE REGULAR CHECK, DEFACEMENT OF PROPERTIES CONTINUES IN CITY Despite a regular check by the administration, defacement of walls is going on during the poll campaign. P2 » MAHIMA TAKES PART IN A BREAST CANCER AWARENESS PROGRAMME Mahima Chaudhary cares! And she shows it through her initiative which aims at creating awareness about breast cancer.P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 45°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 45°C | MIN 26°C PATIALA SUIT, GUTT & JUTTI - JANHVI KAPOOR LIVED IT UP AS A PUNJABI KUDI Janhvi Kapoor spelled it out for us quite literally as she arrived at CP67 Mall in Mohali on Saturday evening. P4 SUNSET MONDAY 7.28 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:27AM » MONDAY | 27 MAY 2024 | AMRITSAR 16-yr-old killed, another hurt over money dispute Tarn Taran, May 26 One person was killed and his elder brother injured with sharp weapon by their associate, a gurdwara priest, at Gohalwar village on Sunday. Inspector Sunil Kumar, SHO, who visited the spot, said the deceased, was identified as Manpreet Singh (16), and the injured as, Jasanpreet Singh (19). He said Jasanpreet was elder brother of the deceased. The SHO said the brothers had demanded Rs 2,000 from one of their associate pathi (gurdwara priest) Subhkaran Singh of Gohalwar village for duties performed in Akhand Paths. This infuriated Subhkaran, who in a fit of anger, attacked brothers with a sharp weapon. Manpreet received injuries on his chest and left hand and Jasanpreet was also hurt in the incident. Both were rushed to the Civil Hospital where Manpreet was declared brought dead by doctors. The condition of Jasanpreet was stated to be stable. A case was registered against Subhkaran. He fled from the spot after committing the crime, the SHO said. — OC Things not-so-good in country, people want change: Tharoor INDIA VOTES 2024 Neha Saini Tribune news Service Amritsar, May 26 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor refrained from delivering a speech while he campaigned for Gurjeet Singh Aujla in Amritsar today. Instead, he shared a small poem in Hindi — Haath Badlega Halaat — coinciding with Congress’ tagline for Lok Sabha polls. “Since, I am in Punjab I won’t say sab change si or what not, because things are not-so-changa. We are witnessing disturbing trends in our country. Democracy is being diluted gradually. Over the last few years, the country has not seen Hindutva grow, instead Moditva grow, wherein we see the picture of One held for firing into air Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 26 A firing incident at posh Ranjit Avenue locality on Saturday evening has raised many eyebrows. However, the police arrested a youth in this connection and recovered a weapon and a car used in the crime. This happened despite the fact that senior political leaders have been visiting the city to canvass for their party candidates. According to the police, the firing occurred following arguments between two youths over an NRI girl near Ranjit Avenue D block here. The police registered a case against the youth and started investigation to ascertain the legality of the pistol used in the crime. As per details, an NRI girl was School employee dies by suicide Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, May 26 Satish Kumar Duggal, Director, and Reetu Duggal, Principal, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Convent School, Sohawa, have been held responsible for the death of a school employee who ended life by jumping in a sarovar of Gurdwara Gurpuri Sahib, Sohawa, on May 22, near the school. A suicide note was recovered from the pocket of the deceased in which he reportedly accused director and principal of harassing him. The deceased was identified as Rajinderpal Singh (55) of Shahbazpur, near Tarn Taran. He was a motivator, who convinced the area residents, to get their kids admitted to the school. He was paid Rs 10,400 per month by the school management. As admissions to the school decreased this year, Satish Kumar and Reetu allegedly started harassing Rajinderpal over the issue. ASI Dilbag Singh said a case was registered on Saturday against the suspects, who are absconding. Area residents expressed resentment over delay in registration of case in this regard. sitting with a youth identified as Gurpreet Singh in an SUV when another youth Abhiroop Singh of Tarn Taran passed by in a car and saw the girl. He objected to the presence of girl there and entered into a verbal argument with Gurpreet. Later, Gurpreet left the girl behind and tried to slip away from the spot, but Abhiroop chased him in a car and fired a couple of gun shots into the air. This led to a panic in the area and the police was immediately informed. Varinder Singh Khosa, Assistant Commissioner of Police (North), said the police had arrested Abhiroop and started a probe. “The police have recovered the pistol used in the crime and its legality is being verified. The car used by the suspect has been impounded,” he said. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor flanked by Lok Sabha candidate Gurjeet Singh Aujla addresses the media in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, May 26 District Election Officer (DEO) has written to Police Commissioner (CP) for registration of an FIR against those employees, who remained absent from poll duty. DEO-cum-Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori today said there were 11 Assembly constituencies that fall in Amritsar and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seats. He said officials, who remained absent from last two poll training duties, were given a chance for clarification. Those, who remained absent from the third poll rehearsals conducted today, would also face the music. Thori supervised the third poll rehearsals at polling stations and counting centres of 11 Assembly constituencies. Thori said counting for Amritsar South constituency would be held at Saroop Rani Government College for Women while for Attari constituency would be held at BBK DAV College here. Counting of votes for Rajasansi constituency would be held at the Govern- Shashi Tharoor, Aujla release vision document for holy city Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 26 Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Gurjeet Singh Aujla met members of the trade and business community in the city while they addressed challenges faced by them. Releasing his vision document for Amritsar, Aujla said his focus would be to revive the traditional industry in the city and strengthen logistics via road, rail and air connectivity. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who has formerly served as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and on Informational Technology, recalled how it was on the insistence of Aujla that he visited Dera Baba Nanak in 2017 to see how close Kartarpur Sahib was from the Punjab border. “It was Gurjeet, who persuaded me to visit Dera Baba Nanak border, and we realised the long standing AUJLA’S PROMISES ■ Making Amritsar an IT hub ■ Expansion of air cargo terminal at Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport ■ Introduction of new flights ■ Railway freight corridor in city ■ Establishing SEZ in holy city ■ First ring road in Punjab, connecting Rajewal, Taran Tarn, Chabal, Attari and Ram Tirath Road with airport and further to the GT road demand of Sikhs. Fortunately, the right atmosphere was created and the corridor opened and we celebrated. Similarly, we realise how closed borders are impacting trade. Even I feel that the political victimisation of Punjab, largely Amritsar needs to be stopped,” said Tharoor. He said, “As soon as the Congress government is formed at the Centre, the trade corridor would be opened, the policy for the custom duty, which is 200 per cent currently, will be revised and special packages will be given to the small scale industry and MSMEs.” Tharoor said the people want change. While answering questions on drug addiction and largescale migration, Tharoor said, “Part of the problem is unemployment, which is a big issue in Punjab. About four million youth from Punjab have migrated overseas in the last few years. The current unemployment rate in the age group of 18 to 24 years nationally is 45 per cent. There is a huge frustration among people. Realising this, we assure you that trade would develop with our government at the Centre.” Facing questions on demands like air cargo expansion, dry ports for perishable goods, and establishing a convention centre, Aujla replied, “This demand is already on his agenda. Whatever policies have been made in the last 10 years, would be reviewed and amended.” PM on rice bags, his life size cut-outs on railway stations placed for a selfie and even on Covid vaccine certificates. This has now become truly embarrassing. People seek change,” said Tharoor. While addressing the issues of trade and industry in the border belt of Amritsar, Tharoor said, “If INDIA bloc wins at the Centre, sev- eral trade policies and projects will be reviewed and reconsidered. We will ensure that your concerns are heard and promises fulfilled. We had done that during Dr Manmohan Singh’s regime and we will do it now.” Replying to a question of who the PM candidate would be in case INDIA bloc forms a government at the Centre, Four booked for abducting girl Special poll observer tells officials to Tharoor enjoys kulcha provide adequate facilities for voters on his Amritsar outing Tarn Taran, May 26 A teenage girl was abducted from Patti when she had gone from home to attend tuition on Friday. Four members of a family were booked by the police in this regard on Saturday. ASI Kulbir Singh said the suspects were identified as Ram Singh and his sons Ranjit Singh, Kalu and Gohllu. The suspects were originally from Dorangla (Gurdaspur) and presently residing in Patti. The ASI said, the victim’s mother told the police that her daughter had gone to attend tuition near Gurdwara Bath Sahib, Patti, when she was lured by the promise of marriage by Ranjit Singh in connivance with other members of his family. The ASI said a case had been registered against the suspects, who were absconding. — OC Amritsar, May 26 Special General Observer Ram Mohan Mishra, a former IAS officer appointed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to oversee the elections, held a meeting with General Observer A Radha Binod Sharma, Expenditure Observer Baare Ganesh Sudhakar, Police Observer Shweta Srimali, IPS, District Election Officer Ghanshyam Thori, Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP (Rural) Satinder Singh, District Election Tehsildar Amarjit Singh, besides heads of various departments here on Sunday. Reviewing the preparations for the elections, Mishra said keeping in view the heatwave, DEO writes to CP for registration of FIR against absent polling staff Tribune News Service Tharoor said, “The decision on PM candidate in case INDIA bloc wins, will be taken through a parliamentary system unanimously. We are a presidential party that runs on parliamentary system, while one person has been running the parliament in a presidential system.” Later, in an interaction with students, Supriya Shrinate, national spokesperson of the Congress said, “The BJP seems desperate as reflected through the speeches of PM Modi. Using sexist remarks in his speeches like ‘mujra’, choodiyan and all, is a sign that PM Modi considers women as second class citizens. There isn’t a single mention of Manipur violence, unemployment and women safety in speeches. It shows where their priorities lie. It’s clear that the Congress has set the narrative for LS polls, with the Bharat Jodo Yatra and our manifesto, Nyay Patra. They are just responding to it.” Will revive traditional industry, open Attari-Wagah trade route, says Aujla ❝There are 11 Assembly constituencies that fall in Amritsar and Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seats. Officials, who remained absent from last two poll training duties, have been given a chance for clarification. Those who remained absent from the third poll rehearsals conducted today would also face the music. ❞ Ghanshyam Thori,DEO-CUM-DEPUTY COMMISSIONER ment Nursing College for Girls at Medical Enclave; of Majitha constituency at Mai Bhago Government Polytechnic College; and of Amritsar North constituency at Government Institute of Garment Technology located inside Mai Bhago Government Polytechnic College on the Majitha road here. Similarly, counting of votes casted at polling stations of Amritsar Central constituency would be held at ITI, B block, Ranjit Avenue, for Amritsar West constituency at Government Polytechnic Col- lege, Chheharta; and for Amritsar East constituency at Saragarhi Memorial School of Eminence, Mall Mandi. Counting of votes polled at Ajnala constituency would be held at Government College, Ajnala, while of Jandiala and Baba Bakala constituencies falling under Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha seat at common room mess, Senior Secondary Residential School for Meritorious, and basement hall of Sri Mata Ganga Girls Senior Secondary School, Baba Bakala, respectively. Thori said adequate security arrangements had been made to ferry EVMs from polling stations to strong rooms. He said there were 2,134 polling booths in 11 Assembly constituencies where EVMs had been attached with VVPAT machines. At least 64 poll staff members remained absent from their duties in Jandiala Assembly segment during the third rehearsals today. Assistant Returning officer Gursimranjit Kaur when supervised the centre found the employees absent. She immediately wrote to the police station concerned for lodging an FIR. c m y b Tribune News Service Special General Observer Ram Mohan Mishra (left) at a meeting with heads of departments in Amritsar on Sunday. Amritsar, May 26 When in Amritsar, eat like a Punjabi. That’s what Congress MP Shashi Tharoor did as he enjoyed a meal of famous Amritsari kulcha on his brief visit to the holy city to campaign for party’s candidate Gurjeet Singh Aujla. Tharoor, who addressed a closed door meet-and-greet session with trade and industry experts in the city, later indulged in some culinary tourism, with a big smile for cameras. Of course, a crispy, hot loaded kulcha slathered with butter, served with tangy, and spicy chutney would do that do anyone. Later, Tharoor visited Jallianwala Bagh where he paid tribute at the memorial and also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. Earlier, in the day, at a business conference along with Aujla, he recalled how he gave Aujla the title of Singh is King after the Parliament security breach incident in December 2023. “Without giving a thought to his own safety, he just grabbed the intruders. It was brave of him and I asked him why he is not talking about it. That’s when I said Singh is King and I am surprised that he was never awarded for it,” he shared with the audience. there should be adequate provision for drinking water, fans, and candles at polling booths. He said wheelchairs should be available, especially for disabled voters. He said no political party’s symbol, poster, banner etc should be displayed outside polling booths. The number of male, female and transgender voters should be written outside each polling station, he said. He directed officials to make strict security arrangements outside polling booths. He said no one would be allowed to breach the peace. He asked the police to give special priority to security arrangements to avoid untoward incident. — TNS Only 3 days left for canvassing 375 residents above 85 yrs, physically challenged cast vote from homes Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 26 Candidates in fray for the Lok Sabha (LS) elections have practically three days for campaigning as the silence period during which no canvassing is allowed would begin on May 29. The election for the LS seat would be held on June 1. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, silence period comes into force 48 hours before the election day during which no candidate can hold campaigning events. Candidates are sweating it out in the heat along with senior leaders of political parties who are addressing rallies in their support. With the highest temperature already touching 44°C, campaigning, especially roadshows, rallies, and door-to-door visits have already become difficult. Candidates are preferring indoor events instead of going out in the open. The rising temperature is also expected to pose a challenge to the ECI’s efforts to increase poll percentage. In the previous LS elections, only 57.04 per cent votes were polled in the constituency. Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 26 In view of the Lok Sabha elections, 375 people in the district have cast their vote at their homes as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. Out of these 292 persons are aged above 85 years and 83 are persons with disabilities (PwD). District Election Officer Ghanshyam Thori said Amritsar Central and Amritsar West segments had achieved 100 per cent voting target as all persons in the two categories had cast their votes. He said nine voters in Amritsar Central and 52 in Amritsar West had exercised their right to franchise from their respective homes. Thori said that the ECI had given the facility to cast votes from home to persons over 85 years and PwD. He said in all, 409 people were allowed to vote from their respective homes as per the ECI guidelines. Forty-nine from Rajasansi constituency, 29 from Majitha, 26 from Jandiala, 67 from Amritsar North, 52 from Amritsar West, nine from Amritsar Central, 27 A polling official helps an octogenarian cast his vote through ballot paper in Amritsar on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO and Amritsar West ❝In the district, Amritsar Centralcent voting target as segments have achieved 100 per all persons in above 85 years and physically disabled categories have cast their votes. Nine voters in Amritsar Central and 52 in Amritsar West have exercised their right to franchise from their respective homes. ❞ Ghanshyam Thori, DISTRICT ELECTION OFFICER-CUM-DEPUTY COMMISSIONER from Amritsar East, 33 from Amritsar South, 20 from Attari, and 57 from Baba Bakala segment had exercised their right to vote. Thori said among 409 vot- ers were nine, who could not cast their vote, as they had died. He said others, who did not cast their vote, were out of station or admitted to hospitals.