01032026-ATR-01.qxd 2/28/2026 10:41 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY POLICE HOLD ANTI-DRUG OUTREACH MEETING TOURISM CONCLAVE DRAFTS ROADMAP FOR GROWTH TARANJIT KAUR PLAYS MOTHER IN SHABAD REET AUR RIWAZ ‘Operation Sampark’ was held to strengthen community participation in tackling narcotics. P2 Suggestions would be compiled into a “Amritsar Tourism 2.0 Plan” document for city administration. P2 MAX 28°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 13°C The actor and theatre artiste says the story is rooted in Punjab, which is close to her own upbringing. P4 » » SUNSET SUNDAY 6.27 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6.56 AM » SUNDAY | 1 MARCH 2026 | AMRITSAR Smuggling bid foiled at city airport Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 28 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a major smuggling racket and seized a large consignment of high-end mobile phones and counterfeit cigarettes from three international passengers at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. According to official sources, the action was carried out on the basis of specific intelligence inputs. The three passengers had arrived from Sharjah on an Air India Express flight when they were intercepted by DRI officials for detailed examination. During the search of their baggage, officials recovered a total of 45 iPhone 17 Pro Max (512GB) devices. In addition to the premium smartphones, a substantial quantity of counterfeit cigarettes was also seized from their possession. DRI officials stated that the cigarettes fall under the category of prohibited goods in India, making their import a punishable offence under the law. The mobile phones, brought in commercial quantities, cannot be treated as continued on page 2 Farmer leaders held for sugar mill land transfer protest freed Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 28 The 17 farmer leaders, who were held captive two days back, were released unconditionally on Saturday. A large number of farmers welcomed their leaders released from Central Jail, Goindwal Sahib, and issued a warning to the state government that they would continue to oppose the transfer of the land of Cooperative Sugar Mill at Sheron to other departments. These 17 farmer leaders were sent to Central Jail, Goindwal Sahib, till March 3, but due to pressure from the Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), they were released unconditionally today. A meeting in this regard was held by the district administration at the residence of Cabinet Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Friday where the farmer leaders strongly demanded the unconditional release of their colleagues in jail and the restarting of Sheron sugar mill. The minister issued instructions to the district administration to withdraw the case. Today, a large number of farmers and leaders of organisations reached the Central Jail, Goindwal Sahib, to welcome the released leaders —- Gurpreet Singh Gandiwind, Nachhattar Singh Pannu, Daljit Singh Dialpura, Rattan Singh Dhand, Jassa Singh Kadgill, Gurdial Singh Warnala, by raising slogans and honouring them with siropas and garlands. The farmer leaders announced that the struggle to make the sugar mill operational will continue and demanded that the district administration fulfill its promise of holding early talks between the farmers and the Chief Minister without delay. The farmerlabour leaders who arrived to receive the released comrades included Mahabir Singh Gill, Jatinder Singh Chhina, Sahib Singh Dal, Pargat Singh Jamarai, Puran Singh Marimegha, Ajaib Singh Dinpur and Tara Singh Khehra besides employee leaders Gurbhej Singh Dhillon, Kulwinder Singh Bagrian, Mangal Singh Nagoke and others. Three held with 1 kg heroin, drug money Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 28 The Amritsar Rural Police arrested three members of a heroin supply network in separate operations on Friday night, recovering over one kilogram of contraband, drug money and a motorcycle. Two separate cases have been registered under the NDPS Act in this connection. Amandeep Singh, SHO of the Gharinda police station, said the police received specific information that Gursewak Singh, alias Sebo, and Surjit Singh, alias Kaku, both residents of Dhanoe Khurd village located near the International Border with Pakistan, were transporting a consignment of heroin for delivery. Acting swiftly, the police set up a naka near Ranike village and intercepted the duo under suspicious circumstances. During the search, the police recovered over 1 kg of heroin from their possession. Preliminary interrogation revealed that the consignment had allegedly been dropped in a nearby field by Pakistani smugglers using a drone on Thursday night. The accused were reportedly on their way to distribute the narcotics further. continued on page 2 Two smuggling modules busted, 10 arrested with 5.4 kg heroin Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 28 The Amritsar Police Commissionerate on Saturday claimed to have busted two organised smuggling modules, arresting 10 persons and recovering over 5.4 kg of heroin along with three sophisticated pistols and live ammunition from their possession. During the investigation, the police uncovered networks allegedly being operated from Goindwal Sahib jail as well as from Pakistan and certain European countries. The action followed three separate cases registered under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at the Cantonment, Islamabad and Mohkampura police stations in the city. Sharing details, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the first breakthrough came on February 18 with the arrest of Gurpreet Singh, alias Billa (21), a resident of Guru Ki Wadali, who was found with 230 grams of heroin. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Lovepreet Singh, alias Love (25), of Boparai Baaz Singh village, from whom a Zigana 9mm pistol Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Saturday. was recovered. Further probe led to the arrest of Satnam Singh, alias Judge (28), of Sursingh village in Tarn Taran district, who was allegedly in possession of 2 kg of heroin, a Glock 9mm pistol and 32 live cartridges. An additional 1 kg of heroin was seized during follow-up raids. Lovepreet was also wanted in a murder case registered at the Lopoke police station in Amritsar Rural. In a related operation, Manpreet Singh, alias Manna (30), of Patti and Gurlal Singh, alias Dima (38), of Mastgarh village were arrested with 205 grams of heroin, Rs 4,500 drug money and a motorcycle. Further investigation led to the formal arrest of Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi (24), of Patti from Goindwal jail. Subsequently, Shankar Kumar (53), Anish, alias Yakki (23), and Ravi, alias Ganja alias Takla (30), all residents of Patti in Tarn Taran, were apprehended. Acting on their disclosures, the police recovered another 2.3 kg of heroin. Investigations revealed that Gurlal Singh was in contact with foreign-based smugglers identified as Rahul and Satnam Singh, who allegedly coordinated consignments from Pakistan using drones. The police said the cartel operated under common handlers who managed the procurement, transportation and distribution of heroin and illegal weapons to criminal elements across various districts. In a separate arms recovery, Rohit Sharma, alias Dakku (21), of the Sundar Nagar locality was arrested with a .32 bore pistol and two live cartridges. Ajnala massacre martyrs of 1857 recalled for valour, sacrifice at INTACH event Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 28 Riarki Public School, Tughalwala, hosted a moving and historically significant commemoration to honour the 282 martyrs of the First War of Independence in 1857, who were brutally massacred at Ajnala. Organised by INTACH Punjab in collaboration with Riarki Institutions, the event was held at the school’s MS Randhawa Hall and marked the 12th anniversary of the historic 2014 excavation that unearthed the skeletal remains from the infamous well once derogatorily referred to by the British as “Kalianwala Khooh”. The programme featured a special lecture detailing the events of the 1857 uprising and the rediscovery of the well, along with a curated historical exhibition showcasing rare photographs, archival docu- Two held with heroin, pistol Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 28 The Khalra police led by Sub-Inspector Gursahib Singh arrested two motorcycle-borne suspects and recovered 270 grams of heroin and a broken pistol from near Daliri village on Friday night. The police informed here today that the suspects have been identified as Jagbir Singh Jaggu of Kale village and Kishan Pal Singh Babbu, a resident of Dall village. The police recovered 270 grams of heroin, a broken pistol, two mobiles and a motorcycle from their possession. The police have registered a case under Sections 21-C, 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act in this connection. Historian Surinder Kochar and students being honoured at Riarki Public School, Tughalwala. ments and visuals from both the colonial period and the 2014 excavation. The exhibition offered students and attendees a powerful visual narrative of sacrifice, suppression and eventual historical restoration. The event began with a soulful Shabad Kirtan and an Ardas performed by students, offering floral tributes to the martyrs in a sacred and patriotic atmosphere. Students of Riarki Public School also delivered impressive and thoughtprovoking lectures on the historical significance of the Ajnala massacre. Adding emo- tional depth to the occasion, the students presented a powerful play dedicated to the martyrs, dramatically portraying the events of 1857 and the suffering endured by the soldiers. The performance left the audience visibly moved and reinforced the educational impact of the commemoration. Amritsar-based historian Surinder Kochhar, who was behind the identification and excavation of the site, was the chief guest and keynote speaker. He shared his journey—from discovering references in colonial records such as Frederick Henry Cooper’s “The Crisis in the Punjab”, to persuading the local gurdwara committee, overcoming scepticism, and ultimately leading to the excavation on February 28, 2014. The excavation revealed hundreds of skeletons, skulls, jawbones, teeth and related artefacts, continued on page 2 Docs seek justice after alleged misbehaviour by jail inmates Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 28 Days after the alleged misbehaviour by jail inmates with doctors, the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) has sought a thorough inquiry and fixation of responsibility for what it termed a major lapse. The incident, which occurred on February 10, came to light after association members led by Dr Sumeet Pal Singh wrote to the Amritsar Civil Surgeon in this regard. A medical camp had been organised in the jail on the directions of the District and Sessions Judge. The Civil Surgeon has also written to the District and Ses- sions Judge, with copies marked to the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab, and the Deputy Commissioner, seeking necessary instructions to the authorities concerned and measures to ensure the security and safety of doctors. In its complaint submitted to the Civil Surgeon, the PCMS Association stated that the team of doctors who visited the Amritsar Central Jail had approached it seeking justice. The doctors were conducting a medical camp at the Central Jail on February 10 when two inmates allegedly misbehaved in an inappropriate and disrespectful manner with the medical officers. They alleged that the incident occurred in the presence of jail police personnel, who remained mute spectators and failed to intervene in time to control the situation or ensure the safety of the medical staff. The association said such instances raise serious concerns about the safety, dignity and working conditions of medical professionals. The doctors have also submitted a written complaint to the Central Jail authorities. The association has requested the Civil Surgeon to take up the matter with the jail authorities and ensure a thorough probe. “Responsibility should be fixed for any lapses in maintaining discipline and ensuring the security of the medical team,” the association stated. c m y b Turn your skills into a powerful portfolio - master real projects through hands-on modules! 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