02102025-ATR-01.qxd 01-10-2025 23:12 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY GURDASPUR POLICE RETURN LOST CELLPHONES TO OWNERS GOVT EMPLOYEES WANT OLD PENSION SCHEME RESTORED CELEBS SHARE THEIR COFFEE LOVE ON WORLD COFFEE DAY The Gurdaspur police returned 101 mobile phones to their owners at a function held in the SSP office. P2 Employees of the state government have demanded the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. P2 Sumbul Touqeer says coffee is my mood-lifter. I enjoy it the most when I'm relaxing after a busy day. P4 » » MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.13 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.25 AM » THURSDAY | 2 OCTOBER 2025 | AMRITSAR City gears up for Dasehra festivities across seven venues Pawan K Jaiswar Amritsar, October 1 With just 24 hours left for the much-awaited Dasehra festivities, the local administration has this year granted permission to only seven organisations to host effigy-burning ceremonies in the city. Despite this, the city is abuzz with excitement as the final touches are being given to the grand celebrations. Once celebrated in almost every prominent locality of the city, the Dasehra festivities were drastically scaled down after the tragic 2018 train tragedy that claimed several lives. Since then, stringent norms and safety protocols are put in place, confining the celebrations to select grounds under administrative supervision. Despite the restrictions, the festive spirit remains undiminished. Organisers are busy erecting towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran, while Ram Leela troupes rehearse their final acts. For over eight decades, the Durgiana Committee in association with the Dasehra Committee has been at the forefront of organizing the grand effigy-burning festivities at the historic Dasehra Ground, located on the backside of Durgiana temple. The ground falls under the Army’s jurisdiction. The celebrations here have become synonymous with tradition, devotion and a spectacular display of faith. Every year, thousands of devotees throng the ground to witness the burning of the towering effigies of Ravan, Meghnad and PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service An effigy of demon king Ravana being carried on a truck for installation on a ground; and (right) another Ravana effigy being transported by some residents on the eve of Dasehra in Amritsar on Wednesday. Kumbhkaran. Adding to the fervour, children and youth dressed as Langoors and members of the Bajrangi Sena enliven the atmosphere by shooting symbolic arrows at the effigy of the demon king, Ravan. This year, the Durgiana temple management has erected a 100-foot-high effigy of Ravan. “Owing to space constraints and safety concerns, we did not instal the effigies of Kumbhkaran and Meghnad this time,” a representative of the management said, adding that while the Dasehra Committee had been solely organizing the event for more than 80 years, in recent years it has collaborated with the Durgiana Committee to shoulder the responsibility together. Lakshmi Kanta Chawla, Seating arrangements being made at Bhadrakali temple near Gate Khazana outside the walled city on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR president of the Durgiana Temple Management Committee, said, “Around 40 religious processions converge on the Dussehra Ground to SEVEN YEARS OF DASEHRA TRAIN TRAGEDY Victims await justice, only four witnesses examined so far mark the occasion. Alongside these, devotees dressed as Bajrangi Sena and Langoors add a unique traditional touch to the celebrations.” Notorious peddler held with 1.08 lakh tramadol pills Tribune News Service Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 1 Seven years after the horrific Dasehra rail tragedy that claimed 59 lives and left nearly a hundred others grievously injured, justice remains a distant dream for the victims’ families. What was once termed a “tragedy of errors” has now become, for many, a tragedy of endless wait. Despite the passage of time, the trial has crawled at a snail’s pace. Out of the 328 prosecution witnesses listed, a mere four have been examined so far. The trial began only in June 2020. Allegations of witnesses being pressured and influenced by the accused have only compounded their despair. The victims and their families, who lost loved ones on that fateful evening in October 2018 when two speeding trains ploughed through a crowd gathered for Ravan Dahan celebrations near Jora Phatak, expressed deep resentment over the inordinate delays. Prominent human rights lawyer and Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) member Sarabjit Singh Verka, who has been representing the victims’ families, alleged that the accused continue to enjoy political patronage. “Witnesses are being influenced, which explains why many The spot where the horrific train tragedy took place on the occasion of Dasehra in 2018 at Jora Phatak in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO are reluctant to appear in court,” he said. Even the Government Railway Police’s (GRP) challan had admitted the reluctance to arrest the accused, citing their political clout and possible law-and-order repercussions, he added. For Deepak Kumar, an eyewitness who lost both his father and uncle in the carnage, the pain remains raw. “I have not even received summon from the court till date. The incident still haunts me every night,” he shared. Despite initial promises of accountability, action against officials came only after the PHRO made the magisterial inquiry report public, a year after it was filed with the government. The report was submitted by the then Jalandhar Divisional Commissioner, squarely blamed official lapses and termed the tragedy a “tragedy of errors”. Subsequently, departmental proceedings were initiated against officials of the Railways, the municipal corporation, and the Amritsar police. In June 2020, a charge-sheet was finally filed against seven accused —Saurav Madaan (now a Congress councillor), Rahul Kalyan, Deepak Kumar, Karan Bhandhari, Kabul Singh, Deepak Gupta, and Bhupinder Singh. However, the charges were framed only under Sections 304-A (causing death by negligence), 337 and 338 of the IPC, significantly watering down the case from culpable homicide to negligence. The next hearing has now been fixed for October 29, 2025. Amritsar, October 1 The Amritsar Rural Police arrested a notorious drug peddler and seized a massive consignment of narcotic tablets along with an illegal weapon from his possession. The accused has been identified as Jobanjeet Singh, alias Joban, a resident of Yodhe village under the Beas police station. Acting on a tipoff, a Special Cell team of the rural police intercepted him near Umranangal village while he was waiting in his Volkswagen Polo car (PB-02 DP 6257) to deliver the contraband. Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh said the team recovered 1.08 lakh tramadol tablets, a Glock pistol with five live cartridges, a mobile phone and the car used in the crime. The SSP disclosed that Jobanjeet is a habitual offender with multiple criminal cases of theft, robbery, conspiracy, and NDPS Act violations registered against him at various police stations, including Islamabad, Goindwal Sahib (Tarn Taran), Lopoke (Amritsar Rural), and Jalandhar. Investigations revealed that the accused sourced the drugs via tourist buses from Delhi, disguised as household packages. During the continued on page 2 c m y b Another effigy programme which attracts a huge crowd is organized by Panch Rattan Sri Krishana Mandir at Naraingarh in Chheharta area. Tarsem Lal, president of the management, proudly recalls that their committee has been organising the iconic Dasehra programme at the Chheharta grain market for the past six decades. “We have been holding the effigy-burning event since 1955,” he said, adding that this year too, despite delays in the granting of NoC, the preparations are in full swing. “We received the permission only today, though we applied a month ago. Still, our teams are working overnight to ensure the timely installation of the effigies,” he said. The grand spectacle here will feature a towering 65-foot effigy of demon king Ravan, flanked by 55-foot figures of his brothers Kumbhkaran and son Meghnad. Tarsem Lal said the traditional religious procession from nearby areas, with various organisations staging episodes from the Ram Lila, would culminate at the ground before the symbolic burning of evil. Similarly, Arun Kumar Salwan, director of the Rama Krishna Dramatic Club, said their committee has carried forward this tradition for over three decades. “Earlier, we organised the programme in the open ground near the Verka milk plant. For the last five years, we have been holding it at Guru Nanak Stadium,” he said. The club, known for its vibrant Ram Lila performances, once staged the drama near the Verka railway tracks. “But after the train tragedy near Jora Phatak, we were forced to discontinue that venue due to stringent safety norms,” he explained. Another grand celebration takes place at the traditional Dasehra ground near Bhadarkali Temple at Khazana Gate. Organiser Gurminder Singh said their festivities, which have continued for nearly three decades, remain a centre of devotion and community gathering. “Every year, hundreds of devotees throng the ground to witness the burning of Ravan’s effigy, symbolising the eternal triumph of good over evil,” he said. The permission was also granted to Dusshera ground Peer Baba Tahli Sahib on the Majitha road bypass, Dusshera ground, Ram Nagar Colony, Islamabad and 88 foot road Baba Jeevan Singh Marg. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said elaborate arrangements would be in place to thwart any untoward incident during these programmes. Joshi switches to Cong after 113 days in SAD Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 1 Just 113 days after rejoining the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Anil Joshi has switched over to the Congress, upsetting the political permutations in the Amritsar North Assembly constituency. His return to the Congress is expected to shake up the political landscape in Amritsar, where he could emerge as a strong candidate for the Assembly seat. Observers believe he may attract support from both BJP and Akali workers in a constituency that already has a strong Congress base. According to political analysts, Joshi now faces the challenge of balancing workers from the BJP Akali Dal , and Congress in the con- Former cabinet minister Anil Joshi. FILE PHOTO stituency to consolidate votes. If successful, he could pose a formidable threat to sitting MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh. Kunwar was suspended by the AAP for five years in June over alleged “anti-party activities”, after which Karamjit Singh Rintu was appointed halqa-in-charge of Amritsar North and has since been leading the party’s programmes in the segment. Analysts added that Congress leader Sunil Dutti, who lost the last Assembly election from Amritsar North, will also need to be accommodated politically. Any rebel candidature within the party could disturb the vote share. Joshi had earlier returned to the SAD on June 9 this year, seven months after quitting the party. His move came a day after BJP president Sunil Jakhar called for a stronger Shiromani Akali Dal. He had resigned from the SAD on November 21, 2024, stating the party was “only focused on Panthic issues and was bereft of progressive thinking and brotherhood”. Joshi’s political career began with his appointment as district president of the Bajrang Dal in 1988. He unsuccessfully contested the 2024 Amritsar Lok Sabha seat as the SAD candidate. Born and raised in Sanghe village, Tarn Taran, Joshi was forced to abandon farming on his family’s land after the killing of his father, Kishori Lal, a retired government teacher, by terrorists in 1991. He then shifted to Tarn Taran city, where he entered politics and set up business with his brothers, Raja and Vijay. Joshi was elected MLA from Amritsar North in 2007 and again in 2012. In 2017, he lost to Congress candidate Sunil Dutti. During the 2012 Parkash Singh Badal government, he was appointed Minister for Industry and Technical Education, later handling the portfolios of Local Bodies and Medical Education. Drug smuggling network busted, 5 nabbed Racket was being run from jail by Sachinpreet Singh, who directed operations Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 1 In a major success against cross-border drug smuggling, the Amritsar Police Commissionerate has busted a narco network with the arrest of five men and recovery of 3.03 kg heroin and two motorcycles from their possession. According to the police, the racket was being run from jail by Sachinpreet Singh, who directed operations through his brother Navpreet Singh. The first breakthrough came on September 26, when a patrol team intercepted two motorcycles near the Sada Pind bypass. During the operation, the police arrested Lovepreet Singh, alias Love (19), and Navpreet Singh, alias Nav (18), with 100 grams of heroin and Rs 500 drug money from a black Splendor motorcycle. During the raid, Gurlal Singh (18) and Manpreet Singh, alias Karan (21), were nabbed with 120 grams of heroin and Rs 500 drug money from a red Bajaj motorcycle. Further interrogation led the police to a massive recovery of 2.812 kg heroin from Navpreet and Manpreet. The probe also resulted in the arrest of Sachinpreet Singh from Goindwal jail on a production warrant. Investigations revealed that the accused have a criminal past. Manpreet Singh is already facing murder and NDPS cases in Tarn Taran, while Sachinpreet has multiple cases registered under the NDPS and Arms Acts against him. Lovepreet Singh too has a theft case registered against him in Amritsar. Officials said the arrests mark a “significant breakthrough” in the ongoing crackdown against cross-border drug cartels operating in Amritsar-Tarn Taran areas. Further probe was on to establish their backward and forward linkages to smash the entire network.