17072025-ATR-01.qxd 7/16/2025 10:12 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune GNDU EXTENDS ADMISSION DEADLINE FOR RURAL STUDENTS SITA’S SANCTUARY RAM TIRATH SUFFERS NEGLECT Due to neglect, tiles have started coming off walls and treatment plants of the sarovar are not functioning. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 27°C ANUPAM KHER RETURNS TO DIRECTION AFTER 23 YEARS Eligible students have been given a final chance to apply for the vacant seats in various courses. P2 FORECAST His upcoming film Tanvi The Great, with which he turns to direction after 23 years, is ready for release. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 7.35 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:37 AM » THURSDAY | 17 JULY 2025 | AMRITSAR Afghan national, granthi among five held with weapons, hawala money Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 16 The Amritsar police on Wednesday claimed to have busted a cross-border arms and narco-hawala network with the arrest of five persons. It seized five sophisticated weapons smuggled from Pakistan along with a drone used for pushing in arms. Besides, 50 gm of heroin, Rs 6.90 lakh hawala money and two bullets were also seized from them. The five pistols seized included two PX5 (9mm) pistols, two Austriamade Glock (9mm) pistols and a .32-bore calibre pistol. Those arrested have been identified as Gurwinder Singh (25) of Chheharta, Jagjit Singh (40), an Afghan national now residing in New Delhi, Arshdeep Singh (20), Karanjit Singh (21) of Gharinda and Harpal Singh (25) of Khalra in Tarn Taran. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Police Commissioner, said that the cross-border cartel was Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar (centre) with the seized weapons, cash and a drone at a press conference in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR involved in smuggling of sophisticated arms from Pakistan and selling these to criminals in Punjab and Delhi areas. They were using unmanned aerial vehicles for the purpose. Sharing details about the modus operandi of the racket, he said that during the upris- ing of Taliban government in Afghanistan in 2014, Jagjit and his brother Gurinder Singh came to New Delhi and settled there. He said during their stay in Afghanistan, Jagjit was in touch with a Pakistan national identified as Pathan, who had also Dinanagar SHO suspended, lawyers to resume work Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, July 16 The Gurdaspur police has placed the services of Dinanagar SHO Amritpal Singh Randhawa under suspension, following which the Gurdaspur District Bar Association (DBA) has decided to resume work from tomorrow. Litigants will get some respite as work had come to a standstill in the judicial complex following the three-day strike. Raj Paul Singh, president of the DBA, confirmed the development. “Lawyers will commence work from tomorrow. Our demand has been met,” he said. A few days ago, the SHO had arrested a disabled exArmy man from the chamber of lawyer Dilbagh Singh Sai- ni, a development which had angered the lawyers’ fraternity. They had decided to strike work till the police suspended the officer, apart from filing an FIR against him. In a day of hectic development and with both sides remaining adamant on their respective positions, the DBA had decided to call a state-wide strike if the police did not suspend the officer by evening. As the deadline was drawing close, news came from the SSP office that the SHO had been suspended. The suspension order has been signed by Dinanagar DSP . Interestingly, Amritpal was due for promotion to the rank of inspector in a few days. Today’s order of suspending him may act as an impediment to his promo- tion. The demand to get an FIR registered against the SHO had been dropped by the striking advocates. This development had opened the doors of a settlement. SSP Aditya had yesterday transferred the officer to the Police Lines and had also initiated a department inquiry against him. Even as the SSP had taken action, the lawyers claimed the police had not done enough and stuck to their demand of getting the officer suspended. Meanwhile, the SHO said he was ready to apologise, but nobody from the DBA asked him to express regret. He was even carrying an apology letter with him and said that he was ready to hand it over to the DBA to ensure that the matter ended amicably. returned to his native country. Bhullar said Pathan was currently running a dry fruit business there. However, the intelligence agencies revealed that the dry fruit trade was a cover-up used by him for carrying out crossborder drug smuggling rack- Fauja Singh’s death condoled Amritsar, July 16 A special condolence meeting was held at the Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) headquarters today, where CKD office-bearers and members expressed deep grief over the demise of world-renowned Sikh marathon runner and icon late Fauja Singh. CKD president Inderbir Singh Nijjar and vice-president Santokh Singh Sethi said that even at the age of 114, late Fauja Singh proved his talent in many countries by participating in marathon races, which highlighted the unique identity and glory of Sikhism. “He always carried with him the sweet fragrance of Punjab wherever he went, he was an icon and inspiration for young and old, with grit and consistency to live a healthy life. He gave us all a lesson in respecting life,” said Nijjer. — TNS et. He introduced Jagjit to Pakistani smuggler Shehzad Jatt, following which the former started collecting hawala money in Amritsar area. He used to get 2 per cent commission on every payment. During interrogation of Gurwinder, who had seven criminal cases, including attempt to murder and snatching, registered in different parts of Punjab, the police zeroed in on his three accomplices — Arshdeep, Karanjit and Harpal Singh — in the cartel and seized weapons and a drone from them. The Police Commissioner said Arshdeep’s mother and brother had already been arrested by the Amritsar (Rural) police for weapon and drugs smuggling. They were nabbed with 2 kg heroin, drug money and around 10 pistols. Jagjit did not have any previous record and he worked at shop in Delhi. Arshdeep was a granthi in a gurdwara, Karanjit a labourer and Harpal a painter. Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 16 A visit to the immunisation centre opposite Dharam Singh Market near Darbar Sahib in Amritsar reveals its shocking state of neglect. The health centre, housed in a dilapidated building dating back to 1942, is in dire need of repairs. The Rai Bahadur Lala Ratan Chand AntiTuberculosis Clinic, which was once a symbol of hope and healthcare, now stands as a testament to the apathy of those responsible for its upkeep. The building’s roof is leaking, and the doors and windows are broken, creating an unhygienic environment, that is particularly concerning for the toddlers who are brought here for routine immunisation. The smell of dampness caused by the seepage of water fills the entire building, making it difficult to imagine how medical staff can provide quality care in such conditions. The building’s neglect is An inside view of the immunisation centre near Dharam Singh Market, which is in a dilapidated condition, in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR not just a matter of aesthetics, it poses a serious health risk to the children and staff. Weeds and small plants have grown on the roofs and walls, creating an ideal hiding spot for snakes and other reptiles. Nearby shopkeepers, like Jatinder Singh, have expressed concern about the unhygienic conditions and the potential dangers that come with these. The building’s historical significance adds to the sense of urgency. Constructed before Independence, it is a heritage building that deserves to be preserved. The foundation stone, laid by then Governor of Punjab c m y b MC nod to ~72-crore projects to boost infra Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, July 16 A team of the local CIA staff have arrested one person with three illegal arms. He was smuggling arms from Madhya Pradesh and supplying these in this area. Inspector Prabhjit Singh, in charge of the CIA, said here today that the accused Lovejit Singh Labba, a resident of border village Sabhra, was arrested on July 13 when he was coming from Patti town to Sarhali village on his Bolero Camper and stopped by the police party of the local CIA. One illegal country-made pistol along with a magazine was seized from his vehicle. The others weapons were seized on the information provided by him during his interrogation by the police during his remand, which was given by the court. The accused has been booked under Section 25 of the Arms Act by the Sarhali police. Amritsar, July 16 The Finance and Contract Committee of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation on Tuesday approved development projects worth around Rs 72 crore. The meeting, chaired by Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia, was attended by MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, Senior Deputy Mayor Priyanka Sharma, Deputy Mayor Anita Rani, councillors Sukhbir Kaur and Jagmeet Singh, along with other MC officials. During the meeting, various agenda items were discussed and given approval, focusing on enhancing civic infrastructure and addressing essential public needs. Mayor Bhatia said the approved projects would directly benefit pilgrims and tourists visiting major heritage and religious sites, such as Darbar Sahib, Durgiana Mandir, Gurdwara Shaheedan Sahib, Jallianwala Bagh, Gobindgarh Fort and Ram Bagh Garden, which attract lots of devotees and visitors daily. Key projects sanctioned include road cleaning and maintenance around major tourist destinations, bioremediation of waste at the Bhagtanwala dump site, setting up a biogas plant at Narayan Garh, and improving the city’s potable water supply by installing new tube wells and replacing old water pipelines. Sewer line cleaning using super sucker machines, laying new sewer lines, raising and repairing sewer manholes and covers, installing new street lights, CC flooring, patchwork, road gullies, interlocking tiles, civil works and redevelopment of public parks also received the green signal. Mayor Jatinder Singh Bhatia emphasised that the municipal corporation is fully committed to the all-round development of the city. He assured that funds would not be allowed to become a constraint in completing development works. Stir against toll plaza contractors enters Day 3 Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 16 Residents of villages in border areas near Attari led by farmers’ organisations, including the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha and Border Area Sangharsh Committee, staged a protest for the third consecutive day today against the contractors of the toll plaza on National Highway No. 1 near Chiddan village. They have been demanding an exemption from paying toll, reasoning that they have to come to the city even for their basic needs such medical facilities and as such they have to pay the toll every time they cross the toll plaza. The protesters, led by Nirmal Singh Mode, Mukhtar Singh and Baba Arjun Singh, strongly demanded that the contractors provide exemption to the local residents as Immunisation centre built in 1942 awaits repairs Manmeet Singh Gill Three illegal weapons seized, 1 held Bertrand James Glancy, is still intact, a reminder of the building’s rich history. While the surrounding area has undergone significant development and become a popular commercial hub, the old hospital building stands out as an aberration. It is imperative that the authorities concerned take immediate action to restore this historic building to its former glory. The health and well-being of the children who visit this centre depend on it. Moreover, preserving this heritage building will not only be a nod to the city’s history, but also a step towards promoting tourism and cultural heritage in the region. The Health Department authorities stated that the higher ups have been writing about the condition of the building. “It is a matter for which funds are required. The condition of the building is dilapidated for the past many years. The staff posted at the place has also often complained about the same,” stated an official pleading anonymity. Villagers at the protest site at Chiddan toll plaza on Wednesday. had been the case with all previous contractors. They stated that border area residents have to face incontinence during tensions with Pakistan. Baba Arjan Singh said, “Even for medical emergencies people have to rush to hospitals in the city as we do not have much facilities in the border region.” He said that asking people to pay toll every time they cross Chiddan village is just like an extortion. He added that people even come to sell their produce at agricultural markets in the city. Senior farmer leader Rattan Singh Randhawa said, “The government already charges road tax from the public when anyone buys a vehicle.” He said that the government could provide an alternate road for the benefit of the local residents. The protest was attended by former and incumbent sarpanches of 40 villages in the area, who asked the administration to find a solution to the problem faced by the residents. Come rains, residents make beeline for mouth-watering ‘puras’ Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 16 Customers here are lining up to grab varieties of ‘puras’, a traditional dish associated with the month of ‘Saawan’. The dish easily qualifies for the category of heritage delicacy being rolled out in the Punjabi kitchens for years. It is a tradition in Punjabi homes to prepare ‘puras’ at home. After keeping a moderately sweet dough made from a mixture of condiments and milk for an hour or so, these are then deep fried with a pinch of ‘saunf’ (fennel seeds) and a piece of black pepper over it placed like a crown. Then it is consumed with ‘kheer’, usually during breakfast. Hence, this variety of ‘pura’ is called ‘kheer pura’. This heritage food item is a gourmet delight, which is available in three prominent varieties here. In addition to ‘kheer pura’, its A sweet shop worker in Amritsar with ‘malai pura’. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR other varieties are ‘maal pura’ and ‘malai pura’. ‘Maal pura’ is a dish usually savoured in breakfast. Its circular shape and jumbo size brings an expression of awe on the face of an onlooker. Stuffed liberally with ‘khoya’, it is liked for its crispy outer layer and soft fluffiness from inside. Normally, sweet shops place the ‘maal pura” over ‘halwa’ and sell these together. For the evenings, connoisseurs of food prefer to savour soft and velvety ‘malai pura’, which is dished out directly from a hot sugary dip. Pricing of these varieties of ‘puras’ vary, depending whether its preparations is in pure desi, ghee or vegetable oils. Cooked in the latter, pricing of these three varieties can be found between Rs 200 to 280 per kg. The shops selling only in clarified butter price these between Rs 650 and Rs 700 per kg. However, temples which are operating sweet shops on noloss, no-profit basis are selling all three varieties at Rs 440 per kg. Ashima Seth, in her sixties, said decades ago the dish used to be first offered at a temple before being savoured by families at home.