05042025-ATR-01.qxd 4/4/2025 11:24 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SGPC PRESIDENT INAUGURATES NEW PNB BUILDING BOLLYWOOD PRODUCER KARAN JOHAR VISITS THE GOLDEN TEMPLE TOM CRUISE OPENS CINEMACON SPEECH WITH MOMENT OF SILENCE SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami inaugurated renovated branch of the PNB near Gurdwara Baba Atal Rai Sahib. P2 Punjabi actor-singer Gippy Grewal and Bollywood producer Karan Johar on Friday paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. P4 Tom Cruise opened his highly anticipated CinemaCon appearance with a moving tribute to his Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer.P4 » » » MAX 34°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 14°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.52 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:12 AM SATURDAY | 5 APRIL 2025 | AMRITSAR Two arrested with 450 gm opium in Tarn Taran village Election for Tarn Taran MC chief postponed Gurbaxpuri Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, April 4 The Harike police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Gurinder Singh arrested two car-borne persons with 450 grams of opium on Thursday near a village in Taran Tarn district. The police said the arrested accused were identified as Prabhsimran Singh, a resident of Jandiala Guru Road, and Barinder Singh Banni, a resident of Kajikot Road in Tarn Taran district. The police said the accused, who were travelling in a car, were stopped for checking at a naka. During search, the police recovered 450 grams of opium from the possession of the two accused. A case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered against the two accused, the police said. Tarn Taran, April 4 The election for the president of the Tarn Taran Municipal Council (MC) has become a severe headache for the state government and the district administration. This election, which was to be held today (Friday), was postponed due to busy schedule of the Election Convener-cum-SDM, Tarn Taran, at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. A letter in this regard was issued by the office of the SDM vide order No. 4372, April 3, 2025. Most councillors, especially Independents, were unaware of the development. Councillors were apprised about postponing of the election by Executive Officer (EO) Randeep Singh Waraich when they came to attend the first meeting of the MC House today. Eighteen councillors associated with Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, Tarn Taran MLA, opposed postponement of the PSEB Class VIII annual exams: Three girl students from dist in state merit list Tribune News Service Councillors owing allegiance to MLA Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal group protest postponing of the MC president’s election in Tarn Taran. MC president’s election and raised slogans against the administration. Sarbrinder Singh Bharowal, a leader of the MLA group, while addressing councillors at the MC office today alleged that distribution of hefty cash and interference of AAP leaders led to postponement of the election just to defame Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal. Sohal too condemned the role of the outsider AAP leaders and a minister in this connection. As per neutral circles, there were sharp differences among top AAP leaders. In the 25-member MC House there are only eight members of the ruling AAP , 14 are Independents and three members belong to the Congress. The MC House is divided between two groups of councillors, one led by Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal and another by a Cabinet Minister, who has the support of many senior party leaders. Both the groups frequently indulge in a tug-of-war. Since last three weeks, both groups have been trying to lure other councillors to come to their respective sides. Meanwhile, the next date for the MC chief election has not been fixed. The administration had made all arrangements for the MC House meeting in the early morning today. Amritsar, April 4 Three students from the district made it to the state merit list, securing second rank in the state as the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class VIII annual examination results were declared today. Navjot Kaur, Harnoor Kaur and Sarojdeep Kaur, all students of Guru Nanak Public Senior Secondary School, Chanan Ke, Amritsar, secured second position in the state merit list by scoring 599 (99.83 per cent) out of 600 marks . Puneet Verma of Sri Harkrishan Public School, Model Town, Hoshiarpur, scored 100 per cent marks to bag the top spot in the PSEB Class VIII annual examination, while Navjot Kaur of Sant Mohan Das Memorial Senior Secondary School, Kot Santhian, Faridkot, also scored 2,90,471 STUDENTS APPEARED IN EXAM In all, 2,90,471 students from 10,471 schools of Punjab appeared in the PSEB Class VIII annual examination held recently of which 2,82,627 cleared the exam with a pass percentage of 97.30 per cent. The complete result has been uploaded on the PSEB website. 100 per cent marks, but was adjudged second due to the age difference. As many as 2,90,471 students from 10,471 schools of the state appeared in the PSEB annual examination held recently. A total of 2,82,627 students cleared the exam, with a pass percentage of 97.30 per cent. The complete result has been uploaded on the PSEB website. Supplementary examinations for the same class would be held in June. ADA demolishes unauthorised Homeopathicdoctorheld Minister Dhaliwal meets doctor colonies on Ram Tirath Road for taking ~3.5 lakh bribe who got ~50 lakh extortion call Amritsar, April 4 The regulatory wing of the Amritsar Development Authority (ADA), led by District Town Planner Gursewak Singh Aulakh, took demolished unauthorised colonies being built on the AmritsarRam Tirath road today. The action was taken in the presence of Duty Magistrate Jagbir Singh, Sub-Divisional Engineer (JAS) and officials from the Kambo police station. Officials of the regulatory wing of the ADA said as per instructions of the government to control future development, notices were sent under the PAPRA Act, 1995, to unauthorised commercial colony at Goansabad village on Ram Tirath Road and an unauthorised colony developed at Wadala Bhittevad village, RT (Extension), to stop the construction work and demolish it, as their owners were violating rules by not heeding to the government Police carry out search operation at secluded places Amritsar, April 4 The city police carried out search operation in public parks, secluded buildings and places falling under the jurisdiction of the Division C police station here today. These places were being misused by drug addicts and criminal elements. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, (ADCP) Vishaljit Singh said the police carried out search operation in the areas of Parshuram Chowk, Beri Gate, Lakkar Mandi and Golbagh. The police also questioned suspicious elements during the operation, the ADCP said. He said the Punjab Government had launched a crackdown on drug peddlers, gangsters and criminal elements since the last month. He said a large number of miscreants and drug peddlers were arrested with contraband and weapons during the operation. He said the search operation was part of the drive to ensure that such places were not misused by miscreant. — TNS Tribune News Service A JCB machine razes an unauthorised colony at Goansabad village. instructions. Aulakh clarified that as per the 2024 amendment to the PAPRA Act, a person who constructs an unauthorised colony could be punished with imprisonment for five to 10 years and asked to pay a fine of Rs 25 lakh to Rs 5 crore. So far, the ADA has written to the Police Department to register FIRs against 15 colonisers, who cut an unauthorised colony and builders, who carried out unauthorised construction. Besides, the regulatory wing of the PUDA checks unauthorised colonies and constructions in Amritsar district from time to time and issues notices to stop the construction work, while asking police officials concerned to take further legal action against violators. — TNS Amritsar, April 4 The Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested a homeopathic doctor for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 3.5 lakh from Ashok Kumar, a resident of Patra in Patiala district. Dr Arvind Kumar was arrested red-handed while taking bribe from the complainant in Tarn Taran. According to the VB, the victim in his complaint alleged that Dr Arvind took bribe on the behalf of Dr Sumit Singh who was currently posted as Senior Medical Officer at Manawala. The accused had demanded Rs 5 lakh bribe, but the matter was settled at Rs 3.5 lakh. A VB spokesman stated here today that the matter pertains to a case registered under the PNDT Act and the NDPS Act against Ashok Kumar and several others at the Patra police station. Dr Sumit Singh was the main witness in the case, he said. Following a preliminary probe in the complaint filed by Ashok Kumar, the VB arrested Dr Arvind Kumar from the office of Sarhadi Lok Sewa Samitee, a national-level organisation working for the welfare of border residents, dowry victims and for women empowerment. The accused was arrested in the presence of two government witnesses, while he was taking bribe amount from the complainant. During probe, the victim handed a voice recording which proved the allegations of demanding bribe against the accused. A case was registered against Dr Arvind at the Mohali VB police station. The VB spokesperson said the role of Dr Sumit Singh and others involved in the case was also being verified. Amritsar, April 4 Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal today met Dr Rajbir Singh, who recently got an extortion call from unknown persons, from a foreign number. The police have registered an FIR in this connection. The minister assured Dr Rajbir Singh of all possible help including arrest of those behind this incident. The doctor told Dhaliwal that a couple of persons were seen doing a recce of the area in which he had residence. Taking serious note of the incident, the minister called Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Maninder Singh and asked him to provide policeman for doctor’s security. Dhaliwal said one policeman should be deployed for doctor’s security. Dr Rajbir, who runs a private hospital in the area falling under the Jhander police station, stated to the police that Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal with Dr Rajbir Singh in Amritsar. three days ago, he got a call from a foreign cellphone number. The caller threatened to kill him and his family members if he failed to pay Rs 50 lakh extortion, the doctor said. The police registered a case under Sections 308 (2), 308 (6) and 351 of the BNS against unknown persons in this connection and initiated further investigation into the matter. Dhaliwal said Dr Rajbir was not alone in this fight and the Punjab Government was standing with him. “I have told the SSP that if there is shortage of policemen, he could take my security back and provide it to the doctor,” Dhaliwal said. The minister warned gangsters and criminal elements to mend their ways or face consequences of instilling fear among the public. — TNS Khasa-Bhakna road stretch a nightmare for commuters Woman held for posing as Station House Officer Tribune News Service Amritsar, April 4 Travelling on the 4.5-km road stretch heading from Khasa to Bakna, a historic and important village, has become an ordeal for commuters. This crucial road, which connects dozens of villages beyond Bakna and the city, has been in a deplorable state, with large potholes dotting the stretch. Khasa, known for its distillery, and Bakna, the native village of freedom fighter Baba Sohan Singh Bakna, are significant destinations, but commuters get a painful experience while driving down the battered road. The stretch is vital for residents of over two dozen villages, providing access to medical and educational facilities in the city. To make the matters worse, an RCC slab on the nullah bridge near Chak Mukand village on the stretch has caved in, posing a significant safety risk. Strangely, no warning signs have been placed to alert commuters about the potential danger ahead. Tribune News Service The road heading from Khasa to Bakhna, a historic village in the border belt, near Amritsar is in deplorable condition. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Residents of the affected villages are frustrated with the authorities’ apathy. “We’’ve been complaining about the road’s condition for months, but nothing has been done,” said Bikkar Singh, a resident of Bakna village. He said the bad road has become not only a nui- sance, but also a safety hazard. Commuters have urged the authorities to take immediate action to repair the road and restore the bridge. The road is also used by government and private employees living in the city to reach their offices, workplaces and shops in the rural areas. c m y b Expressing his woes, Sandeep Singh, a daily commuter, said, “The stretch gives us trouble daily, forcing us to shift vehicle gears every few seconds to cross hurdles.” He said people had to spend more on the vehicle maintenance as the battered road takes a toll on the wear and tear of vehicles. Residents say the condition of the road was turning from bad to worse with each passing day as the authorities did not seem concerned about repairing it. They demanded that the stretch be re-carpeted to end the miseries commuters were experiencing. Amritsar, April 4 Following a complaint by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Amit Sareen, the Civil Lines police have arrested a woman posing as a Station House Officer (SHO). The imposter was trying to influence the ADC and his staff for taking action against certain colonisers after misguiding them. “I got suspicious during conversation with the woman and asked her belt number which was found to be fake during investigation,” said ADC Amit Sareen, while talking to The Tribune. The incident occurred around a week ago. The woman was arrested yesterday when she came again to meet the ADC. Later, she was handed over to the police. The arrested woman was identified as Ranjit Kaur (45), a resident of the Partap Nagar area. A case under Sections 319 (2) (Punishment for cheating by personation) and 204 (personating a public servant) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against woman at the Civil Lines police station here. While sharing details, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Alam Vijay Singh said Ranjit Kaur already had two FIRs registered against her at the Ajnala and Civil Lines police stations here. First case of illegal mining was registered at the Ajnala police station in October 2023 against Ranjit Kaur when she posed as inspector Ramandeep Kaur Randhawa and the second case of fraud and forgery was registered against her at the Civil Lines police station in March 2023 when she posed as reader of the Amritsar rural Senior Superintendent of Police. The Deputy Commissioner of Police said the accused told complainants that her belt number was 1288R/ASR which found to be of some other policeman during verification.