08102024-ATR-01.qxd 10/7/2024 11:09 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY EXHIBITION, FEATURING WORKS OF ARTISTS, OPENS AT ARTS ACADEMY LARA DUTTA TALKS ABOUT HER LOVE FOR ALL THINGS PUNJABI DELBAR ARYA SAYS COMPLEX EMOTIONS COME EASY TO HER Displaying 45 paintings on varied themes and media, the exhibition is an attempt to engage art students and artists. P2 MovieslikeRamayana,Suryast&blossoming business venture — Lara Dutta has lots on herplatter,butthere’sstillenoughspace.P4 MAX 32°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 20°C Punjabi actress Delbar Arya recently collaborated with Gurnazar Chattha for a song titled Jaam. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.06 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:29 AM » TUESDAY | 8 OCTOBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Four held for AAP leader’s murder Tarn Taran, October 7 The district police claimed to have solved murder of an AAP leader identified as Bachittarjit Singh, alias Bikkar Singh (35), a resident of Chaudhriwala (Naushehra Pannuan), who was shot dead on September 13 at the village by two bike-borne assailants. The arrested suspects include one juvenile. Addressing mediapersons, SSP Gaurav Toora said except juvenile the other three suspects had been identified as Prabhjit Singh Saifi of Naushehra Pannuan, Randip Singh and Gurpreet Singh Gora, both of Jhugian Kalu village falling under the Patti Sadar police station. The SSP said motorcycle used in the crime was seized from Gurpreet Singh Gora. Second suspect, who was riding pillion on the bike, was yet to be arrested. Revolvers used in the crime too had to be recovered, the SSP said. He said the juvenile and Prabhjit Singh did a recce to gather information about victim’s movement in the village. Randip Singh provided shelter to suspects after they committed murder. The Sarhali police registered case under relevant sections against the four suspects in this connection. The murder was outcome of personal enmity between the victim and some other persons, the SSP said, while adding that the role of foreign-based gangsters in the incident could not be ruled out. The SSP said the victim was murdered on directions of gangsters active in the area. — OC Panchayat elections: Nominations of several candidates rejected Outcome of ruling party’s intervention, allege candidates of Opposition parties Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 After scrutiny of papers for panchayat elections lists of contestants was displayed by the administration yesterday evening. A number of aspirants for the posts of sarpanch and panch alleged that their papers were cancelled deliberately. During a demonstration, residents of Loharka Khurd village alleged that with the intervention of Attari MLA, nominations of Ranjit Singh along with his three covering candidates for the post of sarpanch and 14 panches were cancelled by the administration to favour Aam Aadmi Party supported sarpanch. “Dharmveer Singh was elected sarpanch unopposed as papers of his opponents were rejected. Jaswinder Singh Ramdas, Attari MLA, used his influence to get my papers cancelled,” alleged Ranjit Singh. “Today, we demonstrated against the administration at the DC office. We also met Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, but situation didn’t change. Officials have alleged that our ‘chula tax’ receipts are fake. But these receipts were issued by the block development office. One of our panches Sumandeep Kaur Residents of Loharka village demonstrate against the administration in Amritsar on Monday. also used the same receipt, but her papers were not cancelled. Our nominations have been rejected deliberately,” said Ranjit Singh. Similarly, BJP leader Jaswinder Singh Jahangir claimed that nominations of three out of nine panches for Jahangir village were cancelled without any valid reason. He said, “They have appealed to higher officials of the administration, but reportedly their pleas have not been heard. The papers have been cancelled with the intervention of the ruling party MLAs. The nomination of aspirant for sarpanch of Dhaul Kalan village has also been cancelled without any solid reason.” Jasbir Singh Gill (Dimpa), former Member of Parliament and Congress leader, highlighted two cases in which nominations were cancelled today. He said taking political vendetta, democratic values, ethics and law to another low, the nominations of Congress panchayat candidates Malkiat Singh of Sarja village, Tarsikka block, Amritsar district, and Iqbal Singh of Mudhal village, Verka block, Amritsar district, were cancelled today. “On October 5, the same set of nomination papers were found correct and both the aspirants were eligible to contest polls. But today, nominations of all four Congress candidates for the post of sarpanch, including covering candidates, have been rejected. This is day light murder of democracy with district administration, the police and returning officers being equal partners in this. They have done this in the entire state, but Sarja and Mudhal village incidents are unique where nominations were accepted, but officials rejected them under political pressure,” said Dimpa. “It’s contrary to the government claims to hold free and fair panchayat polls. They snatched people’s right to elect sarpanch of their choice. The government, which desperately wants to get sarpanches of its choice elected, should have brought new law and nominated its men to the post,” Dimpa said, while adding that he had written to the State Election Commission to overrule returning officer’s orders and punish erring officials. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “Returning officers were forced to delete names of Opposition candidates from the final lists post scrutiny. Nomination papers of all SAD candidates were rejected en masse in several villages of Majitha.” 3 die in road mishap Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 A pall of gloom descended on Gumanpura village here after three youths of the village died in a road mishap in the Tarn Taran area last night. The youths had gone to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib and Goindwal Sahib in the neighbouring district. According to their family members, they had last talked to them when they were going to Goindwal Sahib after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib on the birth anniversary of the Sikh saint. The deceased were identified as Vijay Singh (19), Mohan Singh (19) and Gurpreet Singh (20), all residents of Gumanpura village. They were fast friends and used to visit religious places on special occasions together. They lost their lives after their bike collided with another speeding motorcycle near Noor Di village. The police have initiated invest proceedings into the incident as the families of the victims did not lodge any formal complaint. The other three youths, whose bike collided with the victims’ motorcycle, were identified as Navpreet Singh, Inderjit Singh and Mohit. They were also injured in the accident. Jaimal Singh, father of Gurpreet Singh, said his son and his two friends had left for Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib on a bike last evening. Around 8 pm he talked to his son, Jaimal said. He told him that they were going to Goindwal Sahib after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib. Around 11pm they received a call that the trio had met with an accident near Noor di village and they were no more, said Jaimal. Gurpreet used to work as plumber. He is survived by his two brothers and a sister. Vijay Singh’s father Avtar Singh and his wife Lakhwinder Kaur were inconsolable. They have lost their both sons. Vijay was the only caretaker in their geezerhood. He said they had earlier lost their younger son Ajay Singh six years ago due to some illness. Residents of New Amritsar locality hold protest. Three firing incidents Neglected by govt, iconic Golden Gate losing lustre Protest over poor upkeep of New Amritsar locality reported inChabalarea Charanjit Singh Teja Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, October 7 Three firing incidents have been reported in the Chabal area. Miscreants opened fire to threaten candidates of the Opposition parties contesting the panchayat elections and their supporters who were canvasing for them. The police have initiated proceedings in this connection. Sarwan Singh, a resident of Sohal village, in his complaint to the Chabal police stated that four armed persons fired at the gate of his residence on the intervening night of Saturday and Sunday. Sarwan said he was canvassing for his party candidate who was contesting for the post of sarpanch. The complainant said he and his family members saw miscreants firing at the gate from top floor of his house. Sarwan Singh, who is former sarpanch of Sohal village, said he was being threatened for supporting the group which was against the ruling party in the state. Assistant sub-inspector Jatinder Singh of the Chabal police station visited the spot and recovered five empty rounds. A case under Sections 125 (3) and (5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered against suspects. The police said similar incidents were reported from Buraj and Cheema villages too and action had been initiated in this connection. Amritsar, October 7 The Golden Gate, a majestic entrance to Amritsar built at a whopping cost of ~9.50 crore, is losing its shine, literally. Constructed on the AmritsarJalandhar GT Road to welcome travellers from across the country and abroad, the gate’s golden glow is fading due to lack of maintenance. Dust accumulation has stained and rusted parts of the massive golden dome while peepal plants have sprouted in parts of the structure damaging its appearance. Social activist Pawandeep Sharma stated that the gate’s neglect not only affects its aesthetics but also causes trouble to motorists. “The barricades set up by the police under the gate creates problems for those passing through it,” Pawandeep Sharma said. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service A peepal tree grows on Golden Gate on the GT road in Amritsar. “Owing to lack of maintenance, dust and rainwater accumulated on the gate are causing its golden shine to fade. Peepal plants have also grown at many places on the gate, which is spoiling its appearance. Owing to such plight of Golden Gate, questions marks are being raised over the claims and promises made by the Punjab Government. Following the neglect, the appearance of this golden door is deteriorating, which needs immediate attention,” said Pawandeep Sharma. “Despite its attraction as a prime selfie spot, the gate’s neglect raises questions about the Punjab Government’s claims to make Amritsar the state’s best and most beautiful city. Immediate attention is needed to restore Golden Gate’s lost glory,” said Pawandeep Sharma. Amritsar, October 7 Residents staged a demonstration against the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) for poor upkeep of New Amritsar locality and long-pending demands yesterday. They are upset over tardy garbage lifting and poor sanitation in the locality. The AIT has developed the locality and charged hefty development charges from residents, but failed to provide basic amenities. Baljeet Singh Bhullar, a resident of the area, said the AIT spent a minimal amount on maintenance of the locality. He said the condition of locality was deteriorating with each passing day. He said 50 per cent streetlights were lying defunct. LED lights were missing from poles, he said while adding that even poles were missing from some spots in the locality. The AIT had installed fancy streetlights in the area. Ironically after showing poles on papers some of these were removed, he said. Jagroop Singh, another resident said, “The AIT seems unconcerned about green belts as officials removed grills installed by residents outside their houses recently. Six feet tall weed has grown on the green belt near main road. Antisocial elements and addicts hide at the spot. A police post has been shifted from locality. Thefts are common in the area.” Lakhbir Singh, another resident said, “The government had proposed a flyover on the main GT road outside New Amritsar locality. The road witness regular traffic jams and accidents. A flyover should be constructed immediately. A seven acre park is in poor condition despite AIT’s claims of spending Rs 5 crore on it. A Vigilance inquiry should be ordered on funds spent on the park.” —TNS Prominent town before Independence, Fatehgarh Churian yet to be brought on tourist map Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 7 Fatehgarh Churian, a prominent town before the Independence falling on the transit routes of Amritsar to Sialkot and Gurdaspur, and Batala to Sialkot (Now in Pakistan), has lost its eminence. Natives of the area feel that they are being neglected by the state government. People associated with tourism are of the view that concerted efforts by the government could bring the town on the tourist map as it was situated only 25 km from Amritsar. Many reli- gious and cultural edifices raised during the Khalsa Raj continue to retain the glory in the town. Located in Fatehgarh Churian of Gurdaspur district, around 200-year-old historic Panj Mandir is a standing specimen of profound shared cultural legacy of Punjab in the form of unique frescoes adorning monuments. The temple was constructed by daughter-in-law of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Chand Kaur, who belonged to Kanhaiya Misl. In 2011, the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museum, had decided ❝ A decently looking and beautifully preserved town can become a tourist destination. Panj Mandir is a unique and proof of best architectural design and workmanship prevalent during the reign of Ranjit Singh, first Maharaja of the Sikh Empire. ❞ Gurinder Singh Johal, A TOURIST GUIDE A temple built during the Khalsa Raj in Fatehgarh Churian is at least 25 km from Amritsar. c m y b in principal to protect the temple. The same year, a twomember Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team visited the temple. A proposal to take over the site was reportedly made to the ASI’s Director General in 2012. Now, the temple has been restored. There are several historic gurdwaras and temples in the town. Building of the railway station retains the charm of the colonial architecture and stands as a testimony of its importance during the bygone era. A stroll in old bazaars of the town unfolds the vibes of Pre-Partition Punjabi culture which is now rare to find. Gurinder Singh Johal, a tourist guide, said with decent looks and beautifully preserved town could become a tourist destination. A member of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Johal said it was duty of state’s Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to approach local travel agents, who were promoting Amritsar and Attari border among visitors, and ask them to bring Fatehgarh Churian on the itinerary of tourists. He said Panj Mandir was a unique and proof of best architectural design and workmanship prevalent at the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.