30092025-ATR-01.qxd 29-09-2025 23:05 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 23°C ADMN IMPOSES BAN ON USE OF SYNTHETIC KITE STRING MULTIPLE DUTIES OVERWHELM GOVT SCHOOL TEACHERS 13TH INSPIRED BY POPULAR EDUCATOR MOHIT TYAGI Kite flying will only be permitted with cotton thread, free from any sharp components & glass coating. P2 Uproar after Edu Dept issues orders to conduct sports, SMC trainings & exams simultaneously. P3 Nishil Sheth’s web series is an informal name given to students who take a drop yearafterClassXIIandtakeJEEexams.P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.09 PM » SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:16 AM TUESDAY | 30 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Paddy arrival picks up pace in mandis Nurses continue their 19,000 MT reaches; 48 markets operational: DC says payment online in 24 hrs protest despite ESMA Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 29 Harvesting of paddy crop is gradually picking up pace in the district and nearly 19,000 metric tonnes (MT) of the crop has reached the grain markets so far, marking the beginning of the procurement season. A total of 48 markets have been made operational across the district to facilitate smooth procurement. Officials said that while paddy has started arriving in several mandis, it is yet to pick up pace as harvesting of only the early ripening varieties has started so far. Another reason for the slow arrival of produce is the high moisture content in freshly harvested paddy, which makes it unsuitable for immediate sale. Farmers are, therefore, waiting for the grain to dry properly before bringing it to the markets. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said the procurement process is going on smoothly and farmers are being paid within 24 hours of the sale through online transfer of the crop’s price into their bank accounts. She appealed to the farmers to harvest the Tribune News Service Labourers at work in Bhagtanwala grain market as paddy crop arrived in Amritsar on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR crop only when it is fully ripe and ensure that the moisture level does not exceed 17 per cent so that procurement agencies can accept the stock without delay. District Food Supply Controller (DFSC) Amanjit Singh added that agencies will not lift paddy with higher moisture levels. He urged the farmers to avoid rushing through the harvest and instead bring only dry grain to the mandis. To address stubble management, District Mandi Officer Ramandeep Singh informed that Kisan Help Centres have been set up at the gates of major mandis. These centres are providing farmers with machinery support so that they can manage the crop residue without resorting to stubble burning. So far, 149 farmers have registered at these centres and 71 have already availed the machinery facilities, he said. The authorities expect the arrival of paddy to increase significantly in the coming days as harvesting gains momentum. Youth shot dead at bus stand in Naushehra Pannuan Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 29 Panic gripped Naushehra Pannuan bus stand area in Tarn Taran last evening when unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants opened indiscriminate fire on a youth, killing him on the spot. He was identified as Nishan Singh alias Happy Chaudhry of the same village. The police have attributed the incident to ongoing gang rivalry. Eyewitnesses said the youth had arrived at the bus stand on his scooter when the assailants, riding a motorcycle, suddenly appeared at the scene and opened fire. Nearly five bullets struck him, mostly in the chest, following which he collapsed on the ground. Despite being rushed to a hospital, doctors referred him to Amritsar, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Police officials confirmed that the motive behind the attack was gang rivalry. “Initial investigation points to a dispute between rival gangs. We are working on leads to identify and arrest the shooters,” a senior officer said. Police authorities, seeking anonymity, said that though there was no criminal record against Nishan Singh, it has been learnt that he was associated with Gopi Namabardar gangster who had rivalry with Lakhbir Singh Landa and Satnam Singh Satta gang. Their ground operatives allegedly perpetrated the crime. They said the police have got vital clues after scanning the CCTV cameras in the area and raids were on to nab the suspects. The deceased’s father, Gurmeet Singh, had served in the Electricity Department and died years ago in an accident. he had recently secured a job on compassionate grounds. His mother works as an Anganwadi worker, while his sister is married. Police have registered a case and a hunt is on for the attackers. Majitha firing case: Main accused arrested Majitha police have arrested the main accused involved in a firing incident that took place on September 23 during a quarrel over overtaking of a vehicle. The accused, identified as Gurjeet Singh alias Billa, a resident of Jalalapura village, was arrested along with the weapon used in the crime. Police said a Glock pistol and six live cartridges were recovered from his possession. Maninder Singh, SSP Amritsar rural, said that the incident occurred when the victim, Yoel Masih of Supari Wind village, told the police that he was travelling with his friends from Sham Nagar towards Majitha Sabzi Mandi. A scuffle broke out with Billa and his associates, who were on an Activa scooter, while overtaking a combine harvester. In the heat of the moment, Billa allegedly opened fire, injuring Yoel in the foot. Following the complaint, Majitha police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS and Arms Act. The accused is being interrogated, said the police. Amritsar, September 29 The agitation by nurses under the banner of the United Nurses Association of Punjab entered its fourth day here on Monday, with the protesting staff vowing to continue their struggle for their Rs 4,600 grade pay. Tension escalated after the state government, through the Department of Medical Education and Research, imposed the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) on September 27, directing striking nurses to immediately resume their duties. The nurses union, however, termed the move as unjustified. Addressing the media at the protest site in Government Medical College here, state chairman of the association and district president of GMCH Nursing Association, Ramanjit Singh Gill, said that the government’s claim of emergency services being disrupted was “factually wrong”. He insisted that emergency services in all medical colleges were continuing without interruption. “We have suspended only routine services, not emer- Nursing staff union held a protest at Government Medical College in Amritsar on Monday. TRIBUNE PHOTO gency care,” Gill clarified. He also rejected the government’s contention that the strike had been launched without notice. “For the last four years, we have been writing letters and reminders to the government about our demands. Even before this agitation, two reminders were sent, clearly warning that if our legitimate demand for grade pay was ignored, we would be forced to intensify our struggle,” he said. Union leaders accused the government of adopting a dictatorial approach by slapping ESMA on the birth anniversary of Shaheed Bha- gat Singh. “A government that claims to follow the ideals of Bhagat Singh has chosen this day to curb our democratic protest,” they said. State president of the association, Aarti Bali, declared that the nurses would not bow to government pressure. “We will continue our fight with strength. If needed, we are prepared to court arrest and fill the jails,” she warned. The protesters reiterated that their movement is not just for pay but also to safeguard the dignity of the nursing cadre, and vowed to carry on until their demands are met. Durga Puja fervour Devotees pray during the Durga Puja festival in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Sharma family beams with pride after Abhishek’s Asia Cup heroics Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 29 An elated family of cricketer Abhishek Sharma awaits his arrival as the wedding of his sister is scheduled this week. His sister Komal Sharma said Abhishek being declared Man of the Tournament has given a fillip to the wedding celebrations at her home. Family members, relatives and former teachers of Abhishek Sharma are happy at his superb performance in the Asia Cup in which India defeated arch-rival Pakistan. “We are proud of the Indian team, they did a fabulous job. When the opener got out, it gave jittery moments but after that, they overcame the loss with their consistent performance and came out with flying colours,” they said. The entire family of Abhishek here is busy in organising his sister’s wedding ceremony scheduled this week. Taking time out of his busy schedule, Abhishek’s father Raj Kumar Sharma said they Sister’s wedding celebrations set to become more joyous after cricketing star’s return Abhishek Sharma receives the Man of the Tournament Award for Asia Cup in Dubai; (right) MP Gurjeet SIngh Aujla offer sweets to Komal, sister of cricketer Abhishek Sharma while his father Raj Kumar and mother Manju Sharma look on in Amritsar on Monday. ANI/TRIBUNE PHOTO were all waiting for him to return after India won the trophy. Himself a cricket coach and bank employee, his father trained Abhishek from a young age. He said Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy, Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah bowled well with a controlled line and length that did not allow the opponents to post a big score. They were well supported by batsmen, including Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson and Shivam Dube. He thanked all Indians for praying for the team and showering love on Abhishek. He said with the blessings of the Guru Sahib, Abhishek batted well and congratulated all residents of Amritsar for their good wishes. His mother Manju Sharma was all praise for the team which displayed discipline and appreciated the camaraderie between Abhishek and Shubhman Gill. She said they were receiving congratulatory messages from across the country and thanked their well-wishers. Member of Parliament from Amritsar Gurjeet Singh c m y b Aujla today paid a visit at Abhishek’s home and congratulated the family. After Shubman Gill, Punjab has given another hardhitting batsman in the shape of Abhishek Sharma, who hails from the holy city. Both had their skills honed by none other than veteran Punjab batsman Yuvraj Singh. Abhishek and Shubman’s cracking performance in the match against Pakistan paved the way for a final clash between the archrivals. Before the final, Abhishek had emerged as an aggressive batsman with a blistering knock of 75 runs off 39 balls against Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf. The 25-year-old, adjudged the best batsman of the tournament in the just concluded Asia Cup, amassed 314 runs in seven games with three scores of 50-plus and an astounding strike rate of nearly 200. He has studied at Delhi Public School and attended DAV College here. Before the Asia Cup, Abhishek’s fiery performance on the field made him one of the fastest scorers of a 100 in the IPL 2025 season. He had impressed one and all with his flamboyant batting while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Following his scintillating performance, he visited his alma mater, Delhi Public School (DPS), Amritsar, on May 29. Considered a hard-hitting lower-order batsman who also chips in as a left-arm spinner, he guided India to victory in the U-19 Asia Cup in 2016 and has a World Cup to his name as an U-19 cricketer. As a young cricket star, he was part of the Indian squad for the ICC World Cup. He came to limelight with a century while mak- ing his U-19 debut for Punjab in the Vinoo Mankad Trophy. He had already shared his dream with the media — to make it to the senior squad — in which he became successful last year when the BCCI included him in the national team. Kamal Chand, DPS Principal, congratulated Abhishek and his parents and said it was a proud moment for the school as its former student had made history in the international cricket arena. He recalled that in May, he had visited the school and interacted with faculty and students. Returning to his alma mater DPS, Abhishek, had said, “It’s heart-warming, a special occasion for me as memories of all my teachers are still fresh. I remember every corner of my school, cafeteria and my favourite, the sports room.” Pushing them to dream and realise those dreams, he exhorted them: “The only thing I would like to share with you is that pursue your dreams with 100 per cent commitment.”