12122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/11/2025 11:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR AAM AADMI PARTY REFUTES SUKHBIR’S INTIMIDATION CLAIM GNDU SHOOTERS HIT BULLSEYE AT KHELO INDIA GAMES ALIA BHATT RECEIVES GOLDEN GLOBES HORIZON AWARD Refuting SAD chief's claim of party leaders being intimidated in Majitha, AAP accused him of misleading public. P2 With 17 medals in its kitty, Guru Nanak Dev University team emerged as highest medalwinning team in Bharatpur games. P3 Alia made an enchanting appearance at Red Sea Int’l Film Fest, where she received Golden Globes Horizon Award. P4 » » » MAX 22°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.27 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.21 AM FRIDAY | 12 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Man shoots couple, dies by suicide using same weapon Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 11 A man shot at a couple in Benwalipur village, after which he died by suicide using the same weapon on Wednesday night. The deceased accused has been identified as Simranjit Singh (35), a resident of Jhander Mahan Purkhan village. Complainant Sandeep Kaur, a resident of Benwalipur village, told the police that the deceased used to be friends with her husband, Harpal Singh, but differences arose between them. The accused had previously attacked her husband twice, Husband in serious condition, woman sustains injury on hand the complainant stated. The accused came to their residence in his XUV on Wednesday night, and he shot at Harpal, who was standing at the gate of the house, the complainant said. Harpal fell down, and Sandeep Kaur, too, sustained bullet injury on her hand. Sandeep Kaur said, after firing at them, the accused shot himself dead with the same weapon. Harpal was admitted to a private hospital in Amritsar, where his condition was stated to be serious. The Sarhali police have registered a case regarding the firing incident. A separate report over the accused's suicide has also been filed by the police. A post-mortem examination of the accused was conducted at the local Civil Hospital after which his body was handed over to the family on Thursday. Trust EO faces chargesheet for transferring land to pvt individuals Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 The Punjab Local Government Department has issued notice to Surinder Kumari, Executive Officer (EO), of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT), over alleged violations in handling of land allotted to Indian Airlines for staff housing, nearly four decades ago. According to the departmental notice (includes charges) issued by the Additional Chief Secretary, the government has proposed disciplinary action against the official (The Tribune has copy of the notice). Surinder Kumari has been granted 21 days to submit a written reply, clarify her position on the charges, and indicate whether she seeks a personal hearing in this connection. The case pertains to one acre of land allotted to the Indian Airlines in 1985 in the Ajnala Road The office of the Amritsar Improvement Trust. FILE PHOTO Expansion Scheme at a concessional rate of Rs 270 per square yard (total Rs 13,06,800) for the construction of residential quarters for its staff. The government approval for this allotment was granted in 1987 with explicit relaxation of rules. Both the allotment letter and the 1988 agreement barred the airline from selling or using the land for any purpose other than staff housing. Over the years, the Improvement Trust repeatedly reminded the airline that the plot could not be sold to private parties. Letters issued by the Trust in 1993 and 2002 clearly stated that if Indian Airlines wished to give up land, it must surrender it back to the AIT at the original price, as the plot was allotted at a concessional rate and was not meant for sale. The notice states that despite full knowledge of these conditions, Indian Airlines sold the land to a private individual, Gurdeep Kaur. Instead of cancelling the allotment for this violation, the notice alleges that EO Surinder Kumari acted with mala fide intent and proceeded to approve a change of ownership in favour of Gurdeep Kaur's sons, Arvinder Singh and Tarunjeet Singh, on April 15, 2024. The government accused her of dereliction of duty, causing financial loss to the Trust, and acting against its interests. The notice states that such actions harmed reputation of the government and made the official concerned liable for penalties under service rules. The EO has been asked to clarify whether she accepts allegations or wishes to present her defence. The department has also warned that failure to respond within the stipulated 21 days will be considered as her unwillingness to offer any explanation. Despite attempts, Surinder Kumari did not respond to repeated phone calls. British Columbia Speaker, family pay obeisance at Golden Temple SGPC employees felicitate British Columbia Speaker Raj Chouhan and his family members in Amritsar. Amritsar, December 11 Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Raj Chouhan, on Thursday, along with his family members including brother Surinderjit, wife Inder Chauhan and daughter Amrita Chauhan, paid obeisance at the Golden Temple. On the occasion, Raj Chouhan said he had received an invitation from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to attend the 350th centenary of the martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, but due to the ongoing session of the Legislative Assembly, he could not attend at that time. So, he made it a point to visit the holiest Sikh shrine to bow before the Guru Sahib after the conclusion of the Assembly session. Chouhan said, “This holy place is a source of spirituality for the entire humanity, from where its gets inspiration for mutual brotherhood.” He also thanked SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami for the invite sent by committee. Dharam prachar committee member Ajaib Singh Abhiasi, secretary Balwinder Singh Kahlwan, manager Jaspal Singh, information officer Randhir Singh and Canada resident Balbir Singh were also present along with others on the occasion. — OC Municipal Corporation demolishes two illegal colonies in Kanwar Avenue, Sultanwind Town Planner (MTP) Narender Sharma and an enforcement team demolished two illegal colonies, one located inside Kanwar Avenue on Sultanwind Link Road, and another situated behind flats on Bhai Manjh Sahib Road in the Sultanwind area. Officials said both sites had been developing rapidly in violation of the layout norms, posing risk to residents due to absence of basic infrastructure such as roads, drainage and sewerage. The drive was executed with the support of ATP Angad Singh, Build0ing Inspectors Navjot Kaur and Vikas Gautam, a police team and the Corporation’s demolition staff. Heavy machinery was deployed at both the locations. Unauthorised structures, boundary walls and partially raised foundations were demolished during the operation. Police teams were stationed at both the sites to prevent any lawand-order problems and ensure smooth execution of the demolition drive. Municipal officials said the crackdown was part of an intensified campaign against unauthorised development, which had been causing unplanned urban expansion, loss of government revenue, and compromising public safety. The Corporation reiterated that strict action would continue against illegal constructions, colonisers who violate norms, and those attempting to sell plots without mandatory approvals. The Municipal Corporation has also appealed to citizens to verify all permissions before purchasing property or starting construction. Officials stressed that buyers should insist on checking approvals granted by the Corporation under the applicable rules, as many illegal colonisers lure residents with lower prices, but fail to provide essential services. Armed persons barge Two shooters of Jaggu Police bust cross-border weapons into house, attack family Bhagwanpuria gang held supplymodule,keyoperativearrested Aujla raises issue of stalled flyover projects in Lok Sabha Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 The Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) carried out a special enforcement drive against illegal colonies in the city. The operation, led by the Municipal Town Planning wing, targeted unauthorised colonies that had sprung up without approvals or compliance with norms. Acting on the instructions of Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill, Municipal The Municipal Corporation staff raze structures at an illegal colony in Sultanwind, Amritsar. Accused identified as Sam & Navjot One hurt; probe initiated into matter Batala, December 11 mother Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 Several armed persons allegedly barged into a house and attacked a family in Aman Avenue falling under the Sadar police station here last night. The police have initiated probe into the incident. The CCTV footage of the incident, which went viral, showed a group of armed persons outside a house smashing its gate. Nirmal Singh, owner of the house, said his son, who was injured in the attack, was hospitalised because of head injury. Assistant Commissioner of Police Rishabh Bhola said police teams led by duty officer reached the spot. He said the police received complaints from both the sides and launched an investigation into the matter. He said appropriate action would be taken against whoever was found at fault. Nirmal told the police that he had sold his house to the accused who was defaulting in depositing instalments. Nirmal said when he repeatedly requested him to pay the remaining amount, the accused got infuriated and abused him. Later, accused’s son, along with several persons, barged into complainant’s house. Nirmal demanded immediate registration of an FIR against the accused. — TNS The Batala police, in what officials claim as a major breakthrough, arrested two gangsters from Delhi after following human intelligence and technical leads. SSP Mehtab Singh said the police were on look-out for both these shooters for the last few weeks. They were a part of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang. A team comprising SP Sandeep Kumar, DSP (D) Sameer Singh and Inspector Sukhraj Singh had been formed by the SSP ever since one Kulwant Singh had been shot dead by Masih and Navjot on September 12. Kulwant Singh had given shelter to gangsters who had killed Jaggu Bhagwanpuria’s and cousin brother on June 26. After killing them in a busy area Sam Masih; and of the (below) Navjot Singh. town, the assailants fled towards the house of Kulwant Singh and stayed there for some days. “Investigations are still in progress in the case,” said SSP Mehtab Singh. — TNS Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 In an intelligence-based operation, the Amritsar rural police have cracked a crossborder arms supply module and arrested its key operative involved in supplying illegal weapons in the region. The accused, identified as Akashdeep Singh, was apprehended following a swift police action. The police recovered a cache of foreign-made firearms, live ammunition and a mobile phone suspected to have been used to coordinate with handlers across the border. Among the weapons recovered were a Starmarked pistol (.30 bore), a pistol (.30 bore), a PX5 pistol (.30 bore), a Glock Gen-19 pistol (9mm), six live rounds (.30 bore) and a mobile phone from the possession of accused. SP (Investigations) Aditya Warrior, while sharing details, said the Special Cell received a tip-off that Akashdeep Singh, a resident of Ranike village, and Sukha Singh, a resident of Achintkot village, were in direct touch with Pakistan-based smugglers. The duo was allegedly procuring large consignments of weapons via drones and supplying them to gangsters across Punjab, the SP said. The recovered consignment was allegedly intended to disturb peace and security in Punjab, he said. Acting promptly, the police team apprehended Akashdeep Singh and seized four pistols including three .30 bore weapons and one 9mm pistol along with live rounds, a mobile phone and a motorcycle from his possession. However, co-accused Sukha Singh, who has been named in the case, is currently on the run. Police teams have launched raids to ensure his early arrest. A case has been registered at the Gharinda police station under Sections 25(8) of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the BNS in this connection. Further investigation is underway. The Special Cell is conducting an in-depth probe to trace the forward and backward links of the network. Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 Long-pending flyover projects in the district have once again come under scrutiny, with Lok Sabha MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla raising the issue in Parliament on Wednesday. Calling the stalled structures a symbol of administrative neglect, Aujla questioned Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari over continuous delay in completing the Baba Bakala, Vallah and Loharka Road flyover projects. Aujla said the stalled projects were causing daily misery for commuters. Aujla told the House that the incomplete flyovers had Continued on Page 2 Roadside parking of vehicles triggers traffic congestion on roads across city Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 11 Traffic congestion across key stretches of the city continues to worsen as haphazard parking along roadsides leaves little room for smooth vehicle movement. From commercial hubs to residential pockets, vehicles parked in double rows or squeezed onto narrow lanes have turned daily commuting into a persistent struggle. Areas around Hall Gate, Lawrence Road, Ranjit Avenue, and key market streets witness the worst chaos, especially during the peak hours. Motorists say that even a minor increase in traffic volume brings vehicular movement on roads to a standstill because illegally parked vehicles eat into the passage. Shopkeepers and vendors add to the problem by allowing customers to park their vehicles right outside their shops, further narrowing the space. Traffic officials admit that roadside parking remains one of the biggest contributors to conges- Vehicles parked along a road at Katra Jamal Singh in Amritsar. PHOTO VISHAL KUMAR c m y b tion, but enforcing penalties becomes difficult due to limited manpower and constant public pushback. While vehicles are towed and challans are issued regularly, officials say the sheer scale of the problem demands a long-term change in public behaviour. Residents, however, argue that the high charges at authorised parking lots discourage people from using official facilities. Many prefer parking vehicles on the roadside for quick access, even if it causes inconvenience to others. “One can see the seriousness of the administration from the fact that the entrance to the multi-storey parking at the Nehru Shopping Complex on Lawrence Road is permanently closed,” said Rohan, a local resident. “Parking rates in several city lots are too high for daily use. People will willingly use authorised parking if charges are lowered,” a commuter from Ranjit Avenue said, adding that inconsistency in ticketing further confused the public. Shopkeepers also support the idea, saying lower parking fees would encourage customers to park their vehicles in designated spaces instead of blocking shop fronts and roadside passages. Residents say the Municipal Corporation (MC) must apply uniform rates for parking of vehicles in city. They also suggested that multi-level parking projects should be revived in the city. They said the areas with dense commercial activity must have adequate space earmarked for parking of vehicles.