28022025-ATR-01.qxd 2/27/2025 11:31 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLOUDY SKY EFFORTS BY ARMY TO CURB DRUG MENACE IN GURDASPUR IMTIAZ ALI SET TO CREATE THE SERIES O SAATHI RE PANKAJ UDHAS’ TRACK DEBUTS ON HIS FIRST DEATH ANNIV The Army along with the Red Cross recently organised an awareness camp at a school. P2 Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali is set to reunite with Netflix for O Saathi Re, a romantic drama series starring Aditi Rao. P4 MAX 21°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 17°C On singer Pankaj Udhas’ first death anniversary, his final track, Baithi Ho Kyun Gumsum, has been released. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.27 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.57 AM » FRIDAY | 28 FEBRUARY 2025 | AMRITSAR Two aides of gangster held with weapons Three miscreants nabbed within hours of targeting passenger Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 27 A team of the local CIA staff led by ASI Sukhwant Singh arrested two persons with illegal weapons here on Wednesday. SSP Abhimanyu Rana said on Thursday that the suspects have been identified as Jobanpreet Singh Joban and his brother Jaspreet Singh Jassa of Harike from the possession of whom one Glock with two magazines and five live cartridges were recovered. The SSP said the suspects were working as operatives of gangster Baltej Singh Beju of Harike. He said the suspects are already facing a number of criminal case under relevant sections of the BNS and the Arms Act. The Harike police have registered a case under Section 111 of the BNS and Sections 25 (6), 25 (7), 28 of the Arms Act. The gangster, Baltej Singh Beju, too has been nominated as accused in the case. Priyanka likely to take office as senior deputy mayor soon Development comes after selection of Rintu as AIT Chairman Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service The three looters, who already face several cases, in custody of the police in Amritsar. PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 27 The city police arrested three e-rickshaw-borne persons within hours after they allegedly looted a passenger. The accused had several cases under the NDPS Act registered against them. Those arrested were identified as Jagroop Singh alias Jaggu and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi of Maqboolpura locality and Lovejit Singh alias Babli of Anngarh area. Notably, both these areas are infamous for rampant drug abuse. The police have recovered the snatched goods and the erickshaw used in the crime. According to police, Sagar, a migrant from Uttar Pradesh who now lives on Verka Road in Jandiala Guru and his friend Sonu, had hired an erickshaw from the bus stand to railway station. The accused instead of taking them to the railway station took them to Jahajgarh area where they called their accomplice. He alleged that the accused thrashed them and snatched ~10,000 in cash and mobile phone from them. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the police swung into action and arrested the suspects within hours after the victims approached them. The suspects were produced in court and brought on police remand for further probe. He said Jaggu had five criminal cases and Gopi had one case against him. Amritsar, February 27 After the appointment of former Mayor Karamjit Singh Rintu as Chairman of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), Senior Deputy Mayor Priyanka Sharma is expected to assume her office soon. Sharma, a key member of the Rintu faction in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), had expressed resentment over not being appointed as the city’s Mayor. Since the mayoral election on January 27, she has refrained from taking charge of her position. The election for the Amritsar Municipal Corporation was held on December 22, followed by the swearing-in ceremony on January 27, where the ruling AAP announced Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia as Mayor, Karamjit Singh Rintu Priyanka Sharma Priyanka Sharma as Senior Deputy Mayor and Anita Rani as Deputy Mayor. However, this announcement led to political turmoil, as Sharma, who had been a strong contender for the mayoral post, was reportedly unhappy with the party’s decision. The mayoral election also faced legal challenges. The Congress party termed the election unconstitutional and filed a petition in the High Court, demanding a re-elec- tion. Meanwhile, Rintu and Sharma were dissatisfied with AAP’s decision, as she had played a crucial role in securing the support of independent councillors for the party. Despite Jatinder Singh Moti assuming office as Mayor on January 28, Priyanka Sharma had yet to take charge as Senior Deputy Mayor. According to the information during the swearing-in ceremony, Priyanka Sharma had reportedly come ful- ly prepared to assume the mayor’s position. She had the backing of Karamjit Singh Rintu and Ritesh Sharma, who played a key role in mobilizing councillors in favor of AAP Howev. er, after the unexpected decision to appoint Bhatia as Mayor, Rintu and the Sharma expressed their displeasure and walked out of the venue immediately. As a mark of protest, Sharma refused to assume her designated post. This sparked speculation that Priyanka Sharma may left the post. Later in an apparent bid to pacify the faction, AAP leadership appointed Rintu as Chairman of AIT. Now, with his appointment, sources indicate that Sharma is likely to assume office as Senior Deputy Mayor in the coming days, along with Anita Rani as Deputy Mayor. Day after, 2 booked for Intermittent rain brings down temperature; BSF seizes drones, firing at barber’s shop hailstorm prediction leaves farmers worried packets of heroin OLD ENMITY SUSPECTED from border villages Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 27 A day after firing at a barber’s shop in Rambali chowk in Vijay Nagar area here that left two persons injured, the police have booked two persons on charges of attempt to murder and under the Arms Act. Those booked were identified as Rajbir, alias Kala, and Sawan, alias Salu, both residents of Pippal Wala Shivala, Batala Road. The police have registered a case under Sections 109 and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act against them following the statement of Bablu, alias Babbu, owner of the shop. He told the police that Rajbir and Sawan were present in his shop when Avinash Singh, Karan Sharma and Amar reached outside his shop. He said when Avinash tried to enter the shop, Sawan stopped him from entering it. He said Man ends life after injuring neighbour in brawl Tarn Taran, February 27 A resident of Jodhpur village who had seriously injured his neighbour with a sharp weapon on Wednesday night following a minor altercation committed suicide on Thursday at his house. The deceased has been identified as Lakhwinder Singh Lakha (45). He had a tiff with Giani, son of Billu Halwai of the same Jodhpur village last night. The injured Giani has been admitted to a private hospital in Amritsar where his condition is stated to be serious. Ajayraj Singh, SP (Investigation), said he was unaware of the incident while Ravi Shankar, SHO, Sadar, refused to give details of the incident. DSP Goindwal Sahib, Atul Soni , could not be contacted in spite of repeated attempts. — OC Tribune News Service ■ Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) Arvind Meena said raids were on to nab the suspects. He said the accused have since been absconding. He said an old enmity is apparently the reason behind the instance. this led to heated arguments between them. He said Sawan took out a pistol and shot at Avinash who moved aside and the bullet pierced through the glass of the door and hit a woman and Amar who was standing outside. The duo later fled the scene. The incident led to panic in the area and on being alerted, a police team reached the spot. Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) Arvind Meena said raids were on to nab the suspects. He said the accused have since been absconding. He said an old enmity is apparently the reason behind the instance, but their arrest would help ascertain the reason. Amritsar, February 27 Intermittent showers throughout the day brought much-needed relief to the region as temperatures plummeted here on Thursday. However, experts have warned that the predicted showers and hailstorms in the coming days could prove detrimental to crops, especially saplings of newly sown vegetable crops. Rain, which started early in the morning, continued intermittently throughout the day, bringing the temperature down by several degrees. Residents welcomed the respite from the heat, but farmers and agricultural experts are worried about the potential damage to crops. “Rain is a blessing, but the prediction of hailstorm in the next few days could be disastrous for our crops,” said Gurdev Singh, a local farmer, adding that they are already Tribune News Service Commuters take shelter under umbrellas during rain in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR struggling with the unpredictable weather patterns and this could be the final blow. Agricultural experts concurred with Gurdev Singh’s assessment. “Hailstorm can cause significant damage to Govt employees to stage protest outside Vidhan Sabha tomorrow Amritsar, February 27 The Purani Pension Scheme Prapti Front, a state-wide body of government employees demanding the restoration of Old Pension Scheme, held a meeting of its state committee and announced a protest march leading to Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 1. State convener of the Front, Atinder Pal Singh and Majha zone convener Gurbinder Singh Khaira said it has been decided to continue the struggle for the Old Pension Scheme by rejecting the UPS (Unified Pension Scheme) proposed by the Centre. They said that the Punjab government’s decision to put the notification dated November 18, 2022 on the back-burner and give instructions to the bureaucracy to implement the UPS is a big betrayal of the employees. “Pension is included in the crops, especially those that are nearing harvest and those which have germinated recently,” said Dr Tajinder Singh, an agricultural expert. The weather department has forecast more showers and hailstorms in the coming days, leaving farmers and experts on edge. As the region waits with bated breath, one thing is certain – the next few days will be crucial for the crops, and the fate of the farmers hangs in the balance. Amritsar, February 27 Border Security Force (BSF) personnel recovered two drones carrying suspected heroin from different locations in the district today. Based on the information given by a local villager, a packet of suspected heroin (gross weight 508 grams) was recovered by the BSF troops at about 3:40 am from village Daoke in district Amritsar. The packet of narcotics was wrapped with yellow adhesive tape and two illuminating sticks along with a metal ring were attached to the packet. Another packet (gross weight 600 grams) of suspected heroin was recovered by the BSF troops at about 7:15 am from a field adjacent to the village Roranwala Khurd of district Amritsar. The narcotic was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape and an State List, which gives the state government authority to take a decision. During the budget session, a memorandum will be given to all the cabinet ministers and MLAs from March 1 to 7 on the issue of pension against the Punjab government’s breach of promise. It has also been decided to hold a one-day hunger strike in front of the homes and offices of ministers and MLAs across Punjab on the occasion of Labour Day,” said Khaira. Apart from this, a large number of employees will join the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front and hold four consecutive days of rallies and march towards the Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh to demand the restoration of Old Pension Scheme for employees during the budget session. — TNS c m y b by a local villager, a packet of suspected heroin (gross weight 508 grams) was recovered by the BSF troops at about 3:40 am from village Daoke in district Amritsar. The packet of narcotics was wrapped with yellow adhesive tape illuminating light with copper wire ring was also attached to the packet. Similarly, BSF troops on duty recovered an assembled drone along with a packet (gross weight 505 grams) from a field ahead of border fence, adjacent to village Uttar Dhariwal in the district. The recovered packet was wrapped in yellow adhesive tape along with a metal ring. At another spot, a drone (DJI Mavic 3 Classic) was recovered at about 9.05 am from a field near village Ratankhurd in Amritsar. AAP’s Delhi leadership a drain on state exchequer, say Cong leaders Our Correspondent Government employees during a protest in Amritsar. SEIZED IN WEE HOURS ■ Based on the information given Tarn Taran, February 27 Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring today launched a scathing attack on the AAP government in Punjab alleging that it had allowed its Delhi-based leadership to drain the state exchequer. The PPCC chief expressed his views while addressing a political conference in Sanghwan village in Patti area on Thursday. The conference was organised with the efforts of Harminder Singh Gill, former MLA and district president of the party. Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Charanjit Singh Channi, Lok Sabha Member and former Chief Minister, Punjab, Congress leaders Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Partap Singh Bajwa and other party men in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI besides others leaders were present in the meeting and addressed the gathering. In his address, Raja War- ring alleged that the state government led by Bhagwant Mann was a tool in the hands of its Delhi-based lead- ership and did not have the interests of Punjab at heart. Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi called upon party workers to shun their differences and work unitedly in the coming Vidhan Sabha elections. Partap Singh Bajwa alleged that the state government had lost its grip over the administration because of which the law and order situation was going from bad to worse and gangsters were having a free run. Bajwa said that development works started by the previous Congress-led state government had been stopped as was visible from the stopping of construction work of Sri Guru Teg Bahadur Law University in Kairon village. Former MLAs Sukhpal Singh Bhullar and Kulbir Singh Zira also addressed the meeting.