12112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/12/2025 12:02 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 10°C TARN TARAN FARMERS TO JOIN DELHI MARCH ON NOV 14 GNDU HOLDS ITS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEET TU JULIET JATT DI & TWISTED LOVE — FLIPPED NARRATIVE Farmers from Tarn Taran district have announced their decision to participate in a protest march to be held in Delhi. P2 Guru Nanak Dev University hosted its distinguished former students at the annual alumni meet. P2 Tu Juliet Jatt Diflips the narrative where marriage happens first… then they go to college… and then love happens! P4 » » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.32 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6.56 AM WEDNESDAY | 12 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Security beefed up in city after car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 11 In the wake of the blast outside Delhi’s Red Fort Metro station on Monday evening, the Amritsar police have been placed on high alert with tightened security arrangements across the city. Senior officials said that following the incident, security agencies have put Punjab and several other states on heightened alert. In response, the police have intensified vigil in Amritsar by setting up special checkpoints and conducting thorough vehicle inspections at major entry and exit points, including the Golden Gate. A large number of police personnel have been deployed across key areas of the city. Security has particularly been strengthened at busy intersections, markets, religious places, and tourist sites to ensure that no suspicious activity goes unnoticed. Senior officers have directed all teams to remain on round-the-clock alert and to carry out continuous patrolling State food commission asks DEO to submit report MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 11 The Punjab State Food Commission has expressed serious concern over the discontinuation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme in certain schools run by the Pingalwara institution. The commission has instructed the District Education Officer (Secondary) to submit a detailed report at the earliest. In a meeting chaired by Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairperson of the commission, and attended by members Vijay Dutt, Chetan Dhaliwal and Jasveer Singh Sekhon, the commission directed the district administration to ensure that no eligible student is deprived of the benefits of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and that the scheme be re-initiated in the Pingalwara schools without delay. The meeting was also continued on page 2 NGT issues notice to MC over illegal dumping of waste at Ranjit Avenue Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Cops check a car during a special drive in Amritsar on Tuesday. in sensitive zones. At the Golden Gate, one of the main entry points to the city, barricades have been erected and vehicles are being checked throughout the day. Inspector Balwinder Singh, who is leading the naka (checkpoint) operation, said the police have been instructed to remain vigilant and inspect every vehicle entering the city. He added that special teams have been deployed at multiple chowks and strategic locations to maintain a smooth flow of traffic while ensuring strict surveillance. Additional patrolling units have been dispatched across the city to monitor public areas, transport hubs and vital government establishments. Security has also been reinforced around the Golden Temple and other crowded areas as a precautionary measure. Officials said these steps follow the security alert issued after the Delhi blast and that all forces are working in coordination. Amritsar, November 11 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the state government and other authorities over alleged illegal dumping and burning of solid waste in the Ranjit Avenue area here. The matter was heard by a Bench comprising Justice Prakash Shrivastava (Chairperson) and Dr Afroz Ahmad (expert member) on November 7. The application was filed by Saranjit Singh Padda, who alleged that land near Amrit Anand Park in Blocks D and E of Ranjit Avenue, originally allotted for parking vehicles used in solid waste management, was being misused for waste dumping. The applicant informed the NGT that the site is close to schools and training institutes such as Shri Guru Harkrishan Public School and the Industrial A view of a temporary garbage dump at Ranjit Avenue in Amritsar. Training Institute. Instead of vehicle parking, heaps of solid waste are being dumped there, resulting in leachate flow and frequent burning of garbage. Photographs submitted with the application showed waste spread in the open and smoke emanating from burning piles. The applicant further stated that several complaints were made to local authorities, but no effective remedial action was tak- en. The situation, he argued, has created health hazards for nearby residents and students while also violating environmental norms. After hearing the submissions, the NGT observed that the matter raises substantial issues concerning compliance with environmental regulations. The NGT issued notices to all respondents, who must file replies by affidavit through e-filing at least one week before the next date of hearing. The NGT also directed that respondents appearing without legal representation should remain virtually present to assist the Bench during the next hearing. The Municipal Corporation Amritsar has been instructed to take immediate remedial measures to stop the illegal dumping and burning of waste, while the Punjab State Pollution Control Board has been directed to verify the facts on the ground and take both remedial and punitive action against those responsible for the violations. The matter will be heard again on February 3, 2026. GNDU student bodies join Panjab Two more operatives linked to University protest, call for united front gangster-terror network nabbed Tribune News Service Neha Walia Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 11 The Panjab University (PU) grounds witnessed heated protests on Monday as students, farmers and alumni joined hands against the Central Government’s move to dissolve the university Senate. The agitation, which began on the PU campus, has now gained widespread support, with student groups cutting across party lines to present a united stand. Extending solidarity, several active student organisations from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), Amritsar — including the United Sikh Student Federation (USSF), SATH, and a faction of the Punjab Students Union (Lalkar) — joined the protest. Opposing the Centre’s proposed reforms, which they termed an attempt to undermine PU’s autonomy and curtail democratic participation, the student leaders demanded that the 91-member Senate be Members of students’ bodies during a peaceful protest on the Guru Nanak Dev University campus in Amritsar on Tuesday. reinstated through longpending elections. “It is not just about one university, it’s about representation,” said Jugraj Singh, national president of the United Sikh Student Federation. “Panjab University is the only university in the state that allows student representation through a democratic process, whereas GNDU, Amritsar, and Punjabi University, Patiala, have nominated Senates with no student voice. The Centre’s so-called reforms aim to end that representation. Without students in the Senate, no one will speak for student welfare.” Jugraj, who heads a federation of over 5,000 student members across Punjab’s universities and colleges, has also been campaigning for the restoration of student elections at GNDU, which were discontinued years ago citing campus violence. “These are excuses to deny students their voice,” said Jaskaran Singh, vice-president of SATH. “Universities are meant to nurture leadership and provide platforms for representation. What’s happening at Panjab University will have far-reaching consequences for students across the state and could alter the democratic character of higher education institutions. We will not let that happen,” he asserted. Amritsar, November 11 The State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar, in a joint operation with the Counter Intelligence (CI), Pathankot, has arrested two more operatives linked to a gangster-terror network active across Punjab and recovered a 9mm Glock pistol along with three magazines and five live cartridges from their possession. Those arrested have been identified as Harpreet Singh, a resident of Baupur Afgana village in Gurdaspur, and Navpreet Singh, a resident of Machhiwal village in Amritsar. Both were taken into custody after coordinated intelligence-based operations were carried out across Amritsar and Pathankot districts. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations indicate that the duo was working on the instructions of their UK-based handler, who had arranged for The arms seized by the Amritsr Rural Police on Tuesday. the weapons and tasked them with conducting reconnaissance of specific targets in Gurdaspur, Batala and Amritsar. The accused were allegedly planning targeted killings intended to spread fear and disturb communal harmony in the state. The DGP added that this operation follows the earlier arrest of two members of the same module, from whom a hand grenade and a pistol were recovered. The latest arrests were made during the ongoing investigation into that case. AIG, SSOC, Sukhminder Singh Mann said the arrests were the result of a sustained intelligence-gathering effort and close coordination between the SSOC, Amritsar, and the CI, Pathankot. Acting on leads from the earlier operation, the joint teams conducted a detailed probe that exposed the wider network and led to the identification and apprehension of the two accused. Mann said further investigation is underway to trace the module’s entire network, including its foreign-based handlers, financiers, and arms suppliers. More arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days as part of the continuing operation to dismantle the network completely. A case has been registered under Section 25 of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Explosives Act at the SSOC police station in Amritsar. From 100-yr-old to first-timers, Light & sound show marks 9th Guru’s martyrdom anniv scores turn up to vote in bypoll Tribune News Service TARN TARAN BYPOLL Tarn Taran, November 11 The Tarn Taran byelection witnessed several interesting moments as voters from all walks of life came forward to exercise their democratic right. Sajjan Singh, a 100-year-old resident of Noordi village, expressed great happiness after casting his vote. He proudly said that he has never missed voting in any election, having participated in assembly polls even before the Partition of India in 1947, when Punjab was still undivided. For Sumanpreet Kaur of Tharu village, it was an emotional moment as she voted for the first time. She appealed to the government to take strict action to eradicate the menace of drugs, revealing with sorrow A 100-year-old voter, Sajjan Singh, shows his finger after casting his vote in Tarn Taran on Tuesday. that her 27-year-old brother had lost his life to addiction. Another first-time voter, Mehakpreet Kaur, said she felt honoured to be a part of the democratic process. She arrived at the polling station with her mother and aunt, expressing pride in fulfilling her civic duty. The district administration also introduced several voterfriendly initiatives. Three Pink Booths, staffed entirely by women, were set up to encourage female participation, while a special booth for persons with disabilities (PWD) ensured inclusivity. Additionally, four model polling booths were also established. — OC Amritsar, November 11 The Punjab Government has started hosting state-level events dedicated to the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur as part of which a special light and sound show highlighting the life of the Sikh master was organised at Ranjit Avenue this evening. Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said such events were significant not only for Punjab but for the entire country as these highlighted the sacrifice of the Guru for the protection of humanity. “On the occasion of the 350th anniversary of the Guru’s martyrdom, the Punjab Government is organising various religious events in all the districts of Punjab during November so that children, the younger generation and people of all age-groups can be c m y b A light and sound show was conducted to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur at Ranjit Avenue in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR made aware of the life lessons of the great martyrs. Commemorative events will take place at Anandpur Sahib, the holy city founded by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, from Novem- ber 23 to 25,” he said. An all-faith conference, an exhibition at Virasat-e-Khal- sa, a first-of-its-kind drone show depicting the life and sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur and a Kirtan Darbar along with a grand Nagar Kirtan, ‘Sis Bhet’, will start from Sri Kiratpur Sahib and reach Sri Anandpur Sahib. “Also, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will hold a special session at the memorial of Bhai Jaita Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib and on November 25, after the Bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib, famous Kirtan bands will perform on the 9th Guru’s varied hymns,” said ETO. Thousands of devotees enjoyed the light and sound show organised by the Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department at Ranjit Avenue ground. At the beginning of the event, Bhai Sukhdev Singh Booh’s Dhadi Jatha enthralled the audience by singing vars related to the life and martyrdom of the Gurus.