18022025-ATR-01.qxd 17-02-2025 23:44 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune TEACHERS UNION SEEKS REGULARISATION OF SERVICES The teachers union protested against the state government’s complacency in regularisation of services. P2 » KIOSKS STILL SELL TOBACCO OUTSIDE SCHOOLS Despite administration’s crackdown, guidelines under the COTPA are being flouted with impunity in holy city. P3 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 8°C CONCLAVE NAMED BEST FILM AT BAFTAS PapaL selection thriller Conclave and period drama The Brutalist were the big winners at the BAFTA Film Awards. P4 » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.19 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:08 AM TUESDAY | 18 FEBRUARY 2025 | AMRITSAR Man ends life by suicide Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 17 A 60-year-old man ended life by shooting himself at his residence on the Batala road falling under the Mohkampura police station here yesterday. According his family, he was under depression due to some heart ailment. The deceased was identified as Jagbir Singh. Yesterday, his family members had gone to attend a function and he was alone home when he took the extreme step. Sumit Singh Aulakh, Station House Officer, Mohkampura police station, said Jagbir Singh shot himself in the face and died on the spot on the first floor lobby of his house. “According to his family members, he had some ailment and was under depression. He was alone at the time of incident. He shot himself with licensed double barrel.12 bore rifle,” the Station House Officer said, while adding that the weapon used in the incident was taken into custody and sent for forensic examination. “The police have started inquest proceedings in the case on basis of the statement of Jaspinder Kaur, wife of the deceased,” the Station House Officer said. Gangster Dony Bal booked for extortion, threatening dairy owner Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 17 In Mehta police have booked gangster Balwinder Singh, alias Dony Bal, for allegedly demanding extortion from a local resident and threatening to blow up his dairy. This is the second case registered against Dony in the last one week. Earlier, the police booked him for threatening a private school principal. Manav Taneja, a resident of Mehta Chowk, in his complaint to the police stated that five days ago he got a call from a foreign number, but he did not respond. Taneja said he then received a voice message from the same number in which the accused identified himself as Dony Bal. He said the accused threatened to blow up his dairy at Mehta as he was not answering his cellphone call. The police registered a case under Section 308 (4) of BNS against Dony Bal in this connection. Earlier on February 9, a school principal had lodged a complaint with the Jandiala Guru police against Bal. The victim told the police that he had been working as principal in a private school for the past 11 years. Since January 25, he had been receiving calls from different foreign numbers. The caller identified himself as Doni Bal Sathiala and demanded Rs 1 crore extortion from him while threaten- ing to shoot him and his family in case of he failed to cough up the money. Bal originally hails from Sathiala village here and has a number of criminal cases, including that of murder, attempt to murder and robbery, registered against him. He is an associate of Bambiha-Rana Kandowalia gang. He somehow managed to flee to foreign shores on a fake passport and forged documents. 5 booked for opening fire in function Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 17 The Kacha Pakka police arrested three persons on Sunday in connection with a three-week-old incident of firing into the air at Maniala Jai Singh village in a marriage function which created panic among villagers. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurmit Singh, investigation officer, said the arrested persons were identified as Jobanpreet Singh and Gurvel Singh, both residents of Maniala Jai Singh village, Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Sandhra village, Nirbhai Singh, a resident of Makhi Kalan village, and Karanbir Singh Kaka, a resident of Kandiala village. Village residents had been pressurising the police to take action against the accused. The investigation officer said on January 23 night, marriage function of Jobanpreet Singh was held during which the accused were also present. The investigation officer said while dancing on the songs played by the DJ, the accused, including Jobanpreet Singh, indiscriminately fired into the air from illegal weapons which created panic in the village. The investigation officer said after conducting probe into the matter, a case under Sections 125, 191 (3) and 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against five accused of which three were arrested by the police. Two accused Nirbhai Singh and Karanbir Singh Kaka were absconding, the ASI said. The police were conducting raids on their possible hideouts to arrest them, the investigation officer said. Saplings near illegal stalls in Bus Rapid Transit System corridor go missing Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 17 A disturbing trend has emerged along the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor, where saplings planted alongside slip lanes are being systematically destroyed to make way for illegal food and other stalls. The Putlighar area has borne the brunt of this destruction, with a noticeable absence of trees alongside road. This wanton destruction of greenery not only undermines the aesthetic appeal of the area, but also highlights the lack of effective enforcement of laws by the local authorities. The saplings, which were planted as part of the beautification drive, were meant to provide shade and improve air quality along the route. However, encroachment by vendors has left the area barren and devoid of any green cover. Astonishingly saplings have grown into full sized trees in the areas where there is no encroachment by food stall vendors, vegetable and fruit sellers and other such businesses. “It is disturbing that saplings are being destroyed in such a way. The authorities The place where saplings were planted in the Putlighar area; and (right) illegal food and other stalls along the BRTS corridor in Amritsar. PHOTOS: SUNIL KUMAR concerned must take immediate action to prevent further destruction of green cover and ensure that vendors are c m y b relocated to designated areas,” said Harkamal Singh, a local resident. The incident has also raised questions over the effectiveness of the local administration’s tree plantation drives launched every year. As the city continues to grapple with issues related to pollution and urbanisation, destruction of saplings on the BRTS lanes serves as a stark reminder of the need for more proactive and sustained efforts to protect the environment.