15092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/14/2025 10:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C CONG MEN VISIT FLOOD-HIT VILLAGES IN PATTI AREA CLEANING OF SILT IN VILLAGES TO BEGIN TODAY RUBIO’S STUNNING CANINE COUTURE AT FASHION WEEK Congressmen visited the flood-hit villages in Patti area farmers and listened to farmers' problems. P2 Efforts are being made to bring life back to normal in the flood-affected areas of Ajnala. P2 Anthony Rubio took centre stage in New York City, showcasing his stunning canine couture collection. P4 » » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.36 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.14 AM MONDAY | 15 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR 10 kg heroin seizure case: Startling facts unfold after Gurbhej’s quizzing Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 14 Startling facts have come to the fore during the interrogation of Gurbhej Singh (50) of Narla village, who was held by the Amritsar police with 10 kg of heroin four days ago. A police official privy to the investigations revealed that Gurbhej Singh, a marginal farmer, was an acute drug addict himself. He got into the cross-border drug trafficking in order to fund his habit of drug abuse. “He owned around 2 acres of land at Narla village. After he got addicted to drug abuse several years ago, he sold one and a half acres of land owned by him for procuring drugs,” said the police official privy to the investigations. Later, he initiated his son into the illegal cross-border drug trade. Gurbhej Singh along with his son Gurdit Singh (22) and Malkit Singh (50) of Dall village in Tarn Taran and Gurjit Singh (29) of Kotli Saka village in Ajnala, were arrested by the Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service The seized drug in the custody of the police in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO city police four days ago and a total of 12 kg heroin was seized from them. “Malkit Singh was also a drug addict. He owned land near the International Border fence and therefore it was easy for him to drone drop drug and weapon consignments,” said an official wishing not to be named. Gurbhej came in contact with Pakistan-based notorious drug peddler with a pseudonym, Pathan. They were using WhatsApp to communicate with each other and with the Pakistan-based smugglers. He used to ask Pathan to drop the drug consignments on agricultural land of Malkit Singh from where the father-son duo used to retrieve the same. Their interrogation led the police to Gurjit Singh from whom they recovered 2.006 kg of heroin along with a .30 bore pistol and a magazine. Notably, the names of Gurbhej and Gurdit cropped up during the interrogation of Gursewak Singh, who along with four others — Soni Singh, Vishaldeep Singh, Gurpreet Singh and Arshdeep Singh — were held with 8.1 kg of heroin five days ago. Three nabbed with country-made pistol Amritsar, September 14 The Gate Hakima police have arrested three persons and confiscated a country-made pistol from their possession. Those arrested were identified as Lovepree Singh, alias Love, of Meeran Kot, Surinderjit Thaw in India-Pak chill must show in all areas, say locals on match Singh of the Meera Kot Kalan road, and Jatinpreet Singh of Bohru village. ASI Jasbir Singh said he received information that the trio, armed with a pistol, was going to the Bhagtanwala grain market to commit some crime. He said immediately a naka was laid and the police signalled them to stop while they were travelling on a bike. During search, the police seized a country-made pistol along with magazine from them. — TNS Amritsar, September 14 Residents of the border district who closely witnessed the intensity of India-Pakistan conflict during Operation Sindoor only a couple of months ago anticipate that the India Pakistan cricket match being played in Dubai during the ongoing Asia Cup on Sunday night may pave the way for resumption of ties. Gurdev Singh, headmaster, Government High School Mode, which is situated close to the border with Pakistan, said sports should also be boycotted if all other sectors are closed to express the country’s displeasure against the attack on unarmed civilians holidaying in Kashmir valley’s Pahalgam. He added that if the cricket match is an initiative to create a positive atmosphere between the two nuclear armed neighbours, then it should gradually be extended to other fields. “There is no denying the fact that no country can live in isolation in this global world,” he said. After closely watching hostilities in general and the drone war in particular, from May 7 to May 10, he described the war as a disas- Since India does not play Pakistan in bilaterals anymore, International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments are the only opportunity for fans to watch their keen contests. FILE PHOTO ter. He recalled that they watched drones flying over their rooftops from close quarters and thanked the air defence system for guarding them. He reasoned that both countries must resolve their differences to chart out a course of development. A city resident, Pran Aggarwal, said he stood for peace and tranquility in the region. With great regard for the subtle sentiments of patriotism, the other factor is that the India-Pakistan cricket match is a massive revenue generator as the fixture comes after India and Pakistan were saved from a full-blown war. “Both countries can’t ignore the financial benefits of this gala event. The demand for broadcasting rights for India-Pakistan matches is exceptionally high as a private satellite channel is reportedly paying an enormous sum for the exclusive coverage of the match. There is a record sale of tickets, generating huge monumental revenue. At the same time, a 10-second advertisement during the India versus Pakistan match costs around Rs 25-Rs 30 lakh, highlighting the financial power of these encounters. The economic impact of India-Pakistan matches extends beyond direct revenue, with these events attracting a global audience that boosts tourism and hospitality in the host countries. Local businesses also benefit from increased activity, providing a significant boost to the local economy, Aggarwal observed. The entire glamour of the Asia Cup rests upon the fixture of arch-rivals, keen rivalry visible in the oft-repeated rant, ‘In Se Mat Harna’, (Do not lose to them0. A large number of cricket lovers would remain glued to screens. Being a weekend friends and relatives gathered at a common place to enjoy the pulsating tie which came after years. Both teams had last played in Dubai on February 23. India and Pakistan matches remain the most eagerly watched cricket clashes. Since India does not play Pakistan in bilaterals anymore, International Cricket Council (ICC) tournaments are the only opportunity for fans to watch their keen contests. The interest India-Pak cricket ties generates is not visible in any other sporting event. Taking a cue from the keen interest shown by the public, references of this rivalry were found in biopics, advertisements to get viewership. Several Bollywood flicks portray the keen contest between arch-rivals India and Pakistan through scenes of their matches. Of course, the India-Pakistan rivalry, rooted in the bloodshed preceding the Partition of the country, found reflection far beyond the sport. A similar keen rivalry is not visible in other sporting events. There is no denying that cricket has been used as a tool for diplomacy and to mend the relationship between the two neighbours who have fought several wars. Eight youths duped by unscrupulous travel Stray dog brutally killed, accused booked agency deported from Dubai, reach city Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 14 Dr SP Singh Oberoi-headed Sarbat Da Bhala Trust financially helped eight youths, who were deported from Dubai, to return here. These youths have been identified as Atma Singh of Kapurthala district, Vijay Kumar, Harbans Lal, Gagan Kumar, son of Paramjit, Vijay Kumar, son of Binder, Gagan Kumar, son of Binder, Bagga Prakash and Ajay Kumar, son of Balwinder Kumar from Jalandhar. Oberoi, a businessman from Dubai, who has saved hundreds of people from the gallows in the Gulf and saved thousands of houses from being demolished, said they contacted him over telephone and narrated their ordeal. They claimed that they were cheated and financially and mentally exploited by the travel agency. Taking a swift action, he Members of the Sarbat Da Bhala Trust along with the youths who arrived in Amritsar on Sunday. gave them an appropriate advice in this regard, after being deported, they were given air tickets from Chennai to Amritsar and today, in the presence of Punjab president of the Trust Sukhjinder Singh Heir and general secretary Manpreet Singh Sandhu, they were taken to their homes by car from the airport. Dr Oberoi once again warned the youth that if they want to go abroad, they must have complete information about the company they are working for and the visa given by the agents. Upon arriving at the airport, the victim youths informed about the fraud and said that despite making them work hard, the owner of the company they worked for did not give them three-month salary. Narrating their ordeal in the Gulf, they said the owner threatened to deport them and even turned off the lights of their rooms and mentally harassed them. They said when they approached the labour court to put up their plight in Dubai, officials sent us to the police where instead of giving us justice, they sent them to jail for 11 days and from there, they were directly deported them to Chennai. At that time, they did not have a single penny with them and they lost their belongings. At that point they approached Dr Oberoi again on the phone about this. He immediately arranged for them air tickets to Amritsar and also a vehicle to take them to their houses from the airport. The youths profusely thanked Dr Oberoi and the local members of his organisation. — TNS Amritsar, September 14 In a shocking incident, a stray dog was killed by a man, identified as Makhan Gujjar, who was later arrested but released on bail by the Airport police. A case was registered following a lot of effort by the Animal Welfare Organisation, Voice of Animals. The incident occurred at Palm Groove locality. A postmortem was conducted on the dog at the veterinary polytechnic hospital. A case under Section 325 of the BNS and Section 11 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act was registered against Makhan Gujjar. “We were informed by a local resident that the street dog, named ‘Sundroo’, was killed by a man. According to eyewitnesses, his legs were tied before he was brutally beaten with sticks that led to his death,” said Nidhi Adlakha, A case was registered following a lot of effort by an animal welfare organisation. president of the organisation. She said the accused was living as a tenant in Gurpreet Singh’s house. He fled immediately after the incident, but was later arrested. She said residents of the area had also submitted complaints against him, but authorities turned a blind eye and did not bother about taking action, she alleged. “Timely intervention could have prevented Sundroo’s tragic death,” she pointed out. Adlakha claimed that the police have registered an FIR. She pointed out that the police did not take Sundroo’s body into custody nor arranged for a post-mortem. Instead, animal lovers had to arrange ice to preserve the body for two nights. Today morning, Sundroo’s body was taken to the Veterinary Polytechnic Hospital for a post-mortem. FILE PHOTO She stressed the need for public awareness and strict enforcement of animal protection laws. Meanwhile, Nitesh Singhal, general secretary of Blue Cross Society, also condemned the incident and said society would ensure stringent punishment to the accused. He said free legal aid would be given to the complainants. Gursharan Singh remembered on birth anniv for revolutionary spirit, pro-people theatre Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 14 Famous playwright and theatre actor Gursharan Singh, fondly remembered as Bhaji, was remembered on his 96th birth anniversary at a function organised by the Gursharan Singh Yadgar Trust at his ancestral home, Guru Khalsa Niwas in Ranjitpura, last night. Rich tributes were paid to the son of the soil who was instrumental in shaping the career of several theatre artists who earned a name for themselves in Punjabi and Bollywood cinemas. A discussion was held about the valuable contribution made by Gursharan Bhaji in the field of revolutionary theatre. On the occasion, the leaders of the supporting organisations released a book, ‘Voice of Palestine’, edited by Amolak Singh and Yash Pal, which raises awareness against the genocide of the people of Palestine. Earlier, the event began with an expression of grief and sympathy with the families killed and displaced in the floods. The keynote speaker at the event, Prof Atul from Jawaharlal Nehru University, while expressing his views on the valuable contribution made by Gursharan Bhaji in revolutionary theatre and social-democratic field, said he, by firmly upholding revolutionary principles through the medium of Members of the Gursharan Singh Yadgar Trust release a book ‘Voice of Palestine’ on the occasion of the 96th birth anniversary of famous playwright Gursharan Singh in Amritsar on Sunday. c m y b pro-people theatre, dedicated his entire life to sensitise and organise the oppressed, working class, farmers, workers, women, youth and backward classes for democratic rights. He devoted his entire life to theatre to create a healthy culture and a society free from exploitation and equality. Renowned human rights activist Dr Navsharan said that the current government was imposing severe restrictions on the freedom of expression and social activists, including Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam and Gulfisha Fatima, have been detained in jails for the last five years without any charges or evidence under the stringent UAPA law and they are not being granted bail under a conspiracy. Eminent democratic thinker Dr Parminder said that Gursharan Bhaji fearlessly confronted communal terrorism and government oppression and exhorted people to raise their voice against the oppression by domestic and foreign governments on tribals, Palestinians, Maoists, Dalits, farmers and workers. Shiromani playwright Kewal Dhaliwal shared his memories of the theatre he did with Bhaji. He said his acting influenced him to join theatre. Amolak Singh said sincere efforts to take forward the legacy of Gursharan Bhaji should be put in. Buta Singh Mahmudpur, convener of the Operation Green Hunt Anti-Democratic Front Punjab, said that it is a good practice to raise one’s voice against the mistreatment of tribals and Maoists in public democratic institutions. At the beginning of the event, artists of Manch Rangmanch, Amritsar, Kushagar Kalia, Harshita, Dharminder Masani and Jagsir Jida, presented their songs. Dr Areet, daughter of Gursharan Bhaji, thanked the Gursharan Singh Heritage Conservation Committee and various supporting organisations and the audience on behalf of the Gursharan Singh Memorial Trust.