09082024-ATR-01.qxd 8/8/2024 10:53 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY 'WALK WITH COMMISSIONER' GETS POSITIVE RESPONSE CHOKED SEWERAGE POSES RISK OF DISEASE IN FEROZEPUR HINDI REMAKES OF POPULAR FILMS CONTINUE UNABATED The ‘Walk with commissioner’ program receives an overwhelming response from city residents. P3 The choked sewerage system has forced the residents of Ferozepur city to go through ‘nightmarish’ conditions.P3 Despite some not going down well with the audiences, Hindi remakes of popular films continue unabated. P4 » » MAX 35°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 28°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.19 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5.52 AM » FRIDAY | 9 AUGUST 2024 | AMRITSAR Scuffle at MC office as BRTS cause turns into high drama Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 8 High drama prevailed at the Municipal Corporation office when a local activist, who opposed former Congress leader Mandeep Singh Manna’s move to submit a memorandum to the Municipal Commissioner regarding BRTS project, had a scuffle with bus drivers here today. The activist, identified as Amritpal Singh Bablu, used to work with Manna but has now parted ways. Bablu had been putting out posts against Manna on social media for the last few days and visited the Municipal Corporation office today to protest against him. Manna had a scheduled programme of submitting a memorandum to the MC Commissioner regarding suspension of BRTS bus service. After a meeting with MC Commissioner, as soon as members of BRTS Employees Union and Mandeep Singh Manna came out to address the media, Amritpal Singh Bablu started speaking Local activist Mandeep Singh Manna (L) during a scuffle with another activist at the MC office in Amritsar on Thursday. against Mandeep Singh Manna. Bablu questioned Manna for not raising his voice in support of BRTS workers during the past one year, while the bus service has been closed since July 2023. After this, members of the BRTS Employees Union manhandled him. The MC police intervened in the matter and pacified the BRTS employees. It may be mentioned that Manna had visited the BRTS bus terminal at Verka bypass and raised the issue on his social media platforms. President, BRTS Employee Union, Sarbjit Singh said that the Metro bus service was suspended in July 2023. “No political party or leader raised their voice. We are now unemployed and facing tough times. At least Manna came forward and supported us.” Municipal Commissioner Harpreet Singh assured the BRTS employee that he was writing to the state government regarding their demands and efforts were being made to resume the bus service. Man assaulted, injured over personal rivalry Amritsar, August 8 A man identified as Gian Chand, a resident of Prem Gali in Chheharta, was assaulted by some persons when he on his way home after finishing his duty. The incident occurred near the Gumtala bypass flyover. The victim was seriously injured in the attack and was admitted to a hospital. According to a preliminary probe, the accused were travelling on two scooters. Gian Chand told the police that he worked in a factory at Majitha and was returning home on his scooter. He said when he passed the Gumtala flyover, around six persons on scooters stopped him. They took out sharp weapons and attacked him. He got serious injuries on his hand and leg and the accused snatched his gold chain and purse containing cash. Passersby passing the flyover informed the police. Assistant Commissioner of Police (West) Sukhpal Singh said as per a preliminary probe, it was found that it was a case of personal rivalry. The police are investigating. — TNS Deadline nears, applications for learner’s licence pour in PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 8 After the Punjab Police decided to tighten the noose on underage driving, the number of applications for getting learner’s licence with the Regional Transport Office (RTO), has increased manifold. RTA authorities said that in August alone, over 3,100 have submitted their applications with the department while it was over 7,200 in the month of July which is much higher than the previous months. Arshdeep Singh, Secretary, Regional Transport Office, confirmed that there has been a substantial increase in the number of applications and the department was in the process of clearing the file after completing the necessary formalities. Punjab Police have recently extended the deadline for enforcing stringent rules of Motor Vehicles Act regarding Residents apply for the learner’s licence at the Regional Transport Office in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR underage driving to August 20. Under the rules, parents of underage children driving two or four-wheelers would be fined Rs 25,000 or could face a jail term for three years. It was to be earlier implemented from August 1, but following requests by the parents, the date was extended by 20 days. Officials at the Regional Transport Authority revealed that on an average, they used to receive 140 applications for learner’s licence on a daily basis. The figure has now jumped to around 520 per day. “From January to June this year, 4,600 applications were received on an average while in July, the number increased to just over 7,200. In August, it is likely to surpass this figure as in the first six days, 3,100 applications have already been received,” said an official requesting anonymity. Last month, around 5,600 applications were approved while this month, 1,600 candidates got learner’s licence. Meanwhile, the education cell of traffic wing of city police continues to hold awareness programmes at government schools informing the children about the hazards of underage driving. Nevertheless, during the grace period granted by the traffic police, the underage children, especially students, continue to ply two-wheelers. Sub-inspector Daljit Singh, in-charge, traffic education cell, said though they were holding awareness programmes at various schools, it was found that children are still violating the norms in a rampant manner. “As the deadline is approaching, we sincerely hope that people understand and desist from this,” he said. Teen dies mysteriously, Three injured in indiscriminate ADGP interacts with senior cops father alleges murder firing over matrimonial dispute INDEPENDENCE DAY PREPARATIONS Tribune News Service ADGP (Technical Support) Ram Singh (C) during a meeting with senior police officials in Amritsar on Thursday. cops were asked to maintain peace and keep an eagle eye on criminal elements. The Punjab Police has carried out a cordon and search operation in the entire state and stringent measures have been taken against suspicious elements and history- sheeters. The police have already been on alert since the sighting of suspicious elements and intruders in Gurdaspur area in the recent past. There has been reports of arrival of intruders from the Amritsar side border with Pakistan and the BSF has apprehended a number of them though nothing objectionable was found from them. Tarn Taran, August 8 The local Sadar police have registered a case in connection with death under mysterious circumstances of Abhiroop Singh (17), son of Bhagwant Singh, a resident of Jhamka Kalan and student of Plus 2. The case has been registered under Section 105, 3 (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on Wednesday. Abhiroop Singh, along with his friend Arashdeep Singh of Jhamka Khurd, was found injured by the roadside on the night of July 30. He was under treatment when he succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Amritsar on August 6. Bhagwant Singh, father of the deceased Abhiroop Singh, informed the police that Arashdeep Singh took Abhiroop Singh to some Six held with drugs under Op Eagle-5 in Tarn Taran Make Software Technology Park functional: MP Gurjeet Aujla Our Correspondent Amritsar, August 8 Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla has raised the demand for commencing work on developing a Software Technology Park in Amritsar, which has been lying suspended since 2022. He demanded that the Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology should give a date for its start. To make Amritsar an IT hub, the park should be developed at the earliest, he said. Aujla said in Parliament that the Software Technology Park was to be set up in Amritsar on the initiative of Minister for Information and Technology, Punjab and the Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. In 2022, an area of 2.72 acres was developed for the establishment of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) facilities and an incubation Tarn Taran, August 8 The district police on Wednesday arrested six persons with drugs. The arrests were made under Operation Eagle-5 launched by the police. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora informed here on Thursday that cops from all police stations led by Station House Officers and DSPs, made the arrests. The SSP said that a total of 170 suspected spots were raided and 12,750 ml of illicit liquor recovered besides 50 litres of lahan and 38 grams of heroin. The Senior Superintendent of Police warned the drug peddlers against their illegal acts and appealed to the addicts to come for treatment to the government-run de-addiction centres. Tribune News Service 2.72 ACRES WAS DEVELOPED FOR PARK Aujla said in Parliament that the Software Technology Park was to be set up in Amritsar on the initiative of Minister for Information and Technology, Punjab and the Department of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India. In 2022, an area of 2.72 acres was developed for the establishment of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) facilities and an incubation centre. But the project is in limbo ever since. centre. But the project is in limbo ever since. “Central Asian countries are a big upcoming market for IT and software and due to its proximity and facilities, Amritsar can become an excellent software exporter,” he stressed. He said that according to Union Minister Jitin Prasad, if the already built IT hubs have become busy cities, then Amritsar is capable of becoming an IT hub in every possible way. He said that a Software Technology Park (STP) has been built on Mehta Road in Amritsar, which is just waiting to become functional. “Hundreds of children from Amrit- sar go to cities like Mohali and Bengaluru to work in IT sector. But if there is an IT hub in their own city, then the border area will also develop and the youth will not have to go out for jobs.” Replying to Aujla, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasad said that Amritsar is on the priority list of the government. “Export is already happening there. Till date, 57 out of 65 Software Technology Parks are in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.” Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnavi also said that the Software Technology Park of Amritsar is ready and will be made functional soon. c m y b undisclosed destination on his motorcycle on the night of August 30. After some time, Abhiroop Singh’s grandfather received a mobile call that he and his friend Arashdeep have been injured in a road accident near a brick kiln in Bakipur village. Arashdeep Singh, a resident of adjoining Jhamka Khurd and a friend of the deceased along with three others, have been nominated as accused in the case. Both were admitted to a local hospital by one Baljinder Singh from where Arashdeep Singh went missing. Bhagwant Singh, father of the deceased Abhiroop, refused to call the death of his son an accident and said that he was killed by hitting him in the head. Police said that further investigations have been initiated after registering a case. Tribune News Service Trader duped of ~50 lakh on loan promise of ~200 crore Indianteam’svictoryinOlympics sends players’ kin on cloud nine Our Correspondent Amritsar, August 8 From anxiety to euphoria, the mood among the family members of Harmandeep Singh, legendary drag-flicker and captain of the Indian hockey squad, exhibited a sudden swing as the match with Spain ended in Paris on Thursday with India clinching the bronze medal. The hockey skipper’s father Sarabjit Singh continued praying to the Almighty for the victory of the Indian team. In the last two minutes of the game when the opponents got four penalty corners, Sarabjit folded his hands and started murmuring prayers. After the match ended, an ecstatic Sarabjit Singh said, “Tonight, I will sleep like a baby, free of care. My diabetes had been giving me trouble for the last two weeks.” As his phone rang continuously with people calling up to congratulate on his son’s suc- Tarn Taran, August 8 A gang of six swindlers, all residents of Tamil Nadu, promised to arrange a loan worth Rs 200 crore to a businessperson Rajinder Duggal, a resident of the local Nehru Gate Wali Gali, and defrauded Duggal of Rs 50 lakh. The victim Rajinder Duggal informed here today that the gang members contacted him about four months back and lured him by saying they could provide a loan of Rs 200 crore for business. They took Rs 70 lakh to prepare the proceedings for the loan. He said after taking money, they used to avoid calls from him on mobile. He went to Tamil Nadu to take the given money. He could take back only ~20 lakh and refused to give him the rest of the amount. On his complaint, the accused have been booked. them following which the suspects fired at them leaving three of them injured. The police have arrested two persons and a case of attempt to murder was registered against around 15 persons in this connection. Those arrested were identified as Amandeep Singh, alias Mota, and his brother Germanjit Singh of Bandala. Among those booked included Sukh’s father-inlaw Surjit Singh, brotherin-law Happy Singh, his cousin Arjan Singh, Prince, Jinder Singh and Gurjit Singh, all residents of Chatiwind, besides seven unidentified persons. Sukh Singh told the police that his wife Tejinder Kaur had been quarrelling with him for the past three days and yesterday she called her family members to her in- Amritsar, August 8 Three persons were injured in an indiscriminate firing at Nangal Guru village in Jandiala here on Wednesday. Ironically, those who came to the rescue of the family members under fire were injured. The injured were identified as Jagmohan Singh, Jagroop Singh and Sandeep Singh, all residents of the same village. They suffered injuries in their legs. They were rushed to hospital for treatment. Sukha Singh, a resident of Nangal Guru, had a matrimonial dispute which took an ugly turn when his in-laws attacked his house. They indulged in firing at the house of the victim. Hearing the gunshots, nearby residents started gathering near his house and tried to save Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service SUNIL KUMAR Our Correspondent Amritsar, August 8 Ahead of the Independence Day celebrations, the Additional Director General of Police (Technical Support Service) held a meeting with senior police officials, including the Police Commissioner, Additional Police Commissioners and Assistant Commissioners, besides gazetted officers and SHOs here on Thursday. He supervised the security arrangements being made ahead of the Independence Day. He along with senior police officials visited Guru Nanak Stadium where the function will be held on August 15. He passed necessary instructions to the cops. He said the city has been divided into zones for security and security of every zone is being looked after by a gazetted officer. He said the Sarbjeet Singh, father of Indian hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh, celebrates India’s victory at Timmowal in Amritsar on Thursday. cess, Sarabjit kept asking everyone to come to his home at Timmowal village for celebrations that ensued soon after the match. Rajwinder Kaur, Harmandeep’s mother, said, “There laws’ house who took along Tejinder and her two daughters with them. He alleged in the evening all the accused who were armed with pistols, baseballs and sharp-edged weapons reached the house of Sukh Singh and started indiscriminate firing to intimidate them. He said they hid in their rooms to save themselves. The accused then started firing at them from outside. He said they raised an alarm. On hearing the gunshots, nearby residents started gathering near the spot and asked the attackers to stop this. However, the accused opened fire on the villagers. The police said a case under Sections 109, 125, 333, 351 (2) (3), 191 (3) and 194 (2) of the Bhartiya Nayaya Sanhita and under the Arms Act has been registered against them. had been a lot of pressure on us. We wanted our son and his friends to get gold for the country. We are satisfied that the boys have made the country proud.” She said that his son has been an icon for the local youth and she is proud to be his mother. With five players from the district playing in the Indian hockey team in Olympics, celebrations were held in various areas as the team registered its win. Guravtar Singh Bhola, uncle of Gurjant Singh from Khalehra said, “We want to congratulate the entire team as well as sports lovers for the win.” He said that the entire village is celebrating the victory and hopes that more hockey players would represent the state and national team in the coming years. Celebrations also broke out at the house of Shamsher Singh of Attari village as the Indian squad won bronze for the second consecutive Olympics.