12032026-ATR-01.qxd 3/11/2026 11:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune NAGAR KIRTAN MARKS TARA SINGH’S MARTYRDOM ANNIV DOCTORS WARN OF SURGE IN SEASONAL ILLNESSES With temperatures on the rise, doctors have warned seasonal illnesses are likely to surge. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 26°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 28°C | MIN 19°C ALANKRITA COLLABORATES WITH KARAN AUJLA FOR SONG The 4-day programme to mark the occassion began with a Nagar Kirtan that commenced at village Wan. P2 FORECAST Actress Alankrita Sahai will be seen opposite Punjabi music sensation Karan Aujla in his new song 5-7. P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 6.36 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.43 AM » THURSDAY | 12 MARCH 2026 | AMRITSAR Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 11 Alert Border Security Force (BSF) jawans on Tuesday arrested two youths along with heroin near the International Border and later handed them over to the police for further investigation. According to police officials, the incident came to light when the duty officer informed the police party present at the Chhanna Pattan police post that BSF jawans had detained two suspects with narcotics. Acting on information, a police team reached the BSF post where Inspector Arun Kumar, Company Commander of the 117 Battalion of the Border Security Force, handed over the accused along with a sealed packet containing suspected heroin. The arrested individuals were identified as Jarnail Singh and Sajjan Singh, residents of Gillanwali village under the Ramdas police station in Amritsar district. continued on page 2 Public smoking persists across city despite COTPA rules Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 11 Despite being declared a smoke-free city more than a decade ago, smoking in public places continues openly across the city, raising concerns about the weak enforcement of anti-tobacco laws and the risks posed to public health. Under the provisions of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), smoking in public places and the sale of tobacco products near educational institutions are prohibited. The Health Department regularly conducts inspections and issues challans to both cigarette vendors and individuals caught smoking in restricted areas. However, officials admit that these efforts have not been sufficient to curb the practice. Health officials said action is taken against violators every month, but monitoring all public places in the city remains a challenge due to limited manpower. They added that effective enforcement requires the involvement of multiple departments, including the municipal authorities and the police. Police solve murder case within 24 hours, 2 held Tribune News Service FILE PHOTO Two youths held with 1 kg heroin by BSF near border Health officials during checking at a cigarette shop in Amritsar. Residents complained that smoking in markets, bus stops and outside government offices remains a common sight. “You can still see people smoking openly in many crowded places. Even near ‘No Smoking’ signboards, people do not hesitate to light a cigarette,” said Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper near Hall Gate. He said that the authorities impose fines occasionally, but regular monitoring is lacking. Many residents also pointed to the lack of awareness and civic responsibility among people. “Passive smoking affects everyone around. Children and elderly people are the worst sufferers,” said Sunita Sharma, a resident of Ranjit Avenue. She added that the government should intensify awareness campaigns so that people understand that smoking in public is not only illegal but also harmful to others. Health experts warn that second-hand smoke exposure can lead to serious health problems, including respiratory diseases and heart conditions. They stressed that stronger enforcement and public cooperation are necessary to make the smoke-free policy effective. Amritsar, March 11 The Amritsar police on Wednesday claimed to have solved a blind murder case within 24 hours of the crime with the arrest of a woman and her alleged lover for the killing of her elderly motherin-law in Indira Colony on Chabhal Road here. The deceased was identified as Kamlesh Rani (65), a resident of Indira Colony. The incident came to light on March 9 when her daughter-in-law Minty Sharma informed the police that unidentified persons had murdered the woman inside their house. Based on her statement, the police on Monday registered a case under Sections 103, 329(3) and 3(5) of the BNS at the Gate Hakima police station and launched an investigation. During the probe, the police found that Minty A video grab of the two accused held by the police in Amritsar. Sharma (39), a housewife, was allegedly having an illicit relationship with Dalbir Singh, alias Ladi (30), a resident of the same locality, who is currently living in Dashmesh City. Kamlesh Rani reportedly objected to the relationship, which often led to disputes between the two. The police said further investigation revealed that Minty Sharma, along with Dalbir Singh, conspired to eliminate Kamlesh Rani. Acting on the plan, the accused allegedly smothered the elderly woman with a pillow, leading to her death. After gathering evidence, the police nominat- Cellphones recovered from Central Jail inmates Tribune News Service AAP district in-charge Prabhbir Singh Brar (centre) addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR AAP announces registration drive for women welfare scheme Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 11 Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Amritsar Urban district president Prabhbir Singh Brar, Amritsar Rural district president Gurpratap Sandhu, women wing urban in-charge Kamana Anand and women wing rural district in-charge Geeta Gill announced that special registration camps will be organised under the Mukhyamantri Masik Satkar Yojana to enrol every eligible woman. Addressing a joint press conference here on Wednesday, they said the scheme — under which every woman above the age of 18 will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste (SC) women will receive Rs 1,500 per month — will be launched on the occasion of Baisakhi on April 13. They expressed confidence that the scheme will play an important role in providing economic strength and selfreliance to lakhs of women across Punjab. The AAP leaders said that this is not just a scheme but a decision to honour the mothers, sisters and daughters of Punjab. The government has allocated about Rs 9,300 crore in the Budget for this initiative, making it one of the largest direct financial assistance schemes for women in the country. They added that the amount will be transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries, eliminating the possibility of middlemen and corruption. Ex-Pravasi Welfare Board director alleges police inaction over threats Amritsar, March 11 Former director of the Punjab Pravasi Welfare Board and a member of the Shiromani Akali Dal’s Parvasi Wing, Mahesh Verma, on Wednesday accused the Punjab Police of inaction in registering an FIR against unidentified persons who allegedly issued threats to him and his family. Verma also alleged that the police have failed to provide adequate security to him despite directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in November last year. According to Verma, he began receiving threats amid heightened tensions surrounding migrant issues in Punjab following the abduction, sexual assault and murder of a minor boy in Hoshiarpur last year. The incident had triggered widespread backlash against migrant communities in the state. Amritsar, March 11 Amritsar Central Jail staff recovered several prohibited items, including mobile phones, from inmates during a search operation inside the prison premises on Wednesday. Officials said the recovery was made during routine checking inside the jail barracks. According to information, a total of seven mobile phones, including three touch screen phones and four keypad phones, along with a Super VOOC charger and data cable were recovered from the possession of inmates lodged in the jail. The inmates from whom the prohibited items were recovered have been identified as Sawarn Singh, of Kohra Kalan, Sangrur district; Amarjot Singh, of Guru Arjun Dev Colony, Tarn Taran; Karna Bir Singh, alias Kannu, of Ghumanpura, Amritsar; Jeevan Singh of continued on page 2 Tribune News Service Verma claimed that after he raised his voice in the media against the backlash targeting migrants, he began receiving threatening calls from unknown national as well as foreign numbers. He said he lodged a formal complaint with the city police and also sent copies of the complaint to the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police, urging them to ensure the immediate registration of an FIR and the arrest of those responsible. When no action was taken, Verma approached the High Court seeking protection. The High Court subsequently directed the local police authorities to examine his grievances and take appropriate action. The Police Commissioner later issued a “speaking order”, stating that no confirmed evidence of threats against Verma had been found and that no DDR or FIR was regis- tered in the matter. The inquiry was conducted by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP). The order further stated that routine security checks are being carried out near Verma’s residence through duty officers and PCR patrolling vehicles, and therefore there was no need to provide separate security cover. He also directed the ADCP to ensure Verma’s life and liberty and asked the cybercrime unit to complete the inquiry into the alleged criminal intimidation. Verma alleged that being a leader from the opposition party, the police authorities were not paying heed to his complaints. However, police authorities have refuted the allegations, adding that further appropriate action will be taken after the completion of the probe by the cybercrime unit. ed both accused in the case and arrested them. Ladi runs a dairy shop and had no previous criminal record. The police said further investigation into the case is in progress. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that Minty Sharma chose March 9 because on that day the rest of her family members had gone to attend a wedding ceremony at Dinanagar in Pathankot. On that day, only Minty Sharma and her mother-in-law were present at home. “Minty Sharma called Ladi to the house on the pretext of repairing the air conditioner. After entering the room, the two strangled Kamlesh Rani with a pillow and murdered her. After committing the murder, they broke the cupboards in the room with a hammer and scattered the belongings to create a false scene of theft,” said Bhullar. Pensioners, senior citizens burn effigy of state govt Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, March 11 The Pensioner and Senior Citizen Association of Tarn Taran held a meeting at the bus stand here today. While protesting against the state government for not giving any relief to the retired and the working employees, association members burnt its effigy. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Ajit Singh Dhotian, the district president of the organisation. Dhotian condemned the attitude of the Punjab Government towards the demands of the retired employees. Ajit said the government had not given any relief in the budget with regard to employees and pensions, due to which there was strong resentment against the government among the employees and pensioners. The leaders said that the government would continued on page 2 Public urged not to panic over GNDU wins shooting inter-university championship LPG, fuel supply concerns Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 11 As fuel and LPG supply concerns rocked the Punjab Vidhan Sabha amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, Amritsar Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dalwinderjit Singh on Wednesday held a meeting with petroleum and LPG officials, along with representatives of petrol pumps and gas agencies in the district. The DC stated that there is no shortage of LPG, petrol or diesel in the district and urged residents not to panic after holding discussions with the main suppliers. “No one will be allowed to engage in black marketing or hoarding. Strict legal action will be taken against hoarders,” he said after the meeting. He said that 67 gas agencies and 303 petrol pumps are currently functioning in the district, and there is no shortage of domestic gas, petrol or diesel at any of these outlets. He added that the supply of these fuels is continuing without interruption. However, the DC noted that there is currently some shortage of commercial gas, and if any such issue is reported, it will also be addressed promptly. The Deputy Commissioner appealed to the residents not to panic, stating that there is no problem with the availability of domestic gas or petrol and diesel in the district. He also urged residents to avoid hoarding fuel or LPG cylinders. If anyone notices any supply-related issue, they should immediately inform the district administration. The meeting was attended by District Food and Supply Officer Harvinder Kaur, Food Supply Inspector Jagvinder Singh, Indian Oil Corporation sales manager Yash Pathak, manager Ankit Kumar, and representatives of various gas agencies and petrol pumps. – TNS Amritsar, March 11 Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) shooters once again proved their mettle by winning the overall champions trophy at the All India InterUniversity 25 m and 50 m Shooting Championship 202526 held at SAS Nagar, Mohali. The championship witnessed participation from more than 71 university teams from across the country, with nearly 350 shooters competing, making the event highly competitive and prestigious. During the championship, shooters from Guru Nanak Dev University delivered exceptional performances and secured the Overall General Championship Trophy in both men’s and women’s categories in the 25 metre c m y b PROUD MOMENT: A shooter shows her medal. and 50 metre events. In the men’s section, Guru Nanak Dev University secured first position, while Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, finished as runners-up and Panjab University, Chandigarh, secured third position. In the women’s category as well, Guru Nanak Dev University emerged as the winner, followed by Panjab University, Chandigarh, in second place and Savitribai Phule Pune University in third place. One of the major highlights of the championship was the remarkable achievement of international shooter and twotime Olympian Aishwarya Pratap Singh Tomar, who broke his own national record in the 50 metre prone men’s event, setting a new benchmark in the competition. In addition, the university’s renowned international shooters and Olympians Sift Kaur Samra, Ashi Chouksey and Adriyan Karmakar also delivered commendable performances. Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh stated that GNDU is steadily emerging as one of the leading institutions in the country in the field of sports. A 25-time winner of the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Trophy, GNDU has also emerged as India’s shooting powerhouse with its star athletes winning multiple medals at the Asian Shooting Championship 2026 held earlier in February. The university had drafted a new sports policy last year, introducing the provision of monthly diet money for outstanding sportspersons across various sports disciplines from the academic session 2025-26 onwards. Since last year, more than 300 sportspersons from different games have been benefiting from this scheme. For the current year, the university has distributed approximately Rs 80 lakh towards diet support for players. Under this scheme, diet money ranging from Rs 3,500 to Rs 10,000 per month is being directly credited to the players’ bank accounts depending on their level of performance and achievements. This financial assistance enables athletes to continued on page 2