21112024-ATR-01.qxd 11/20/2024 11:08 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST FOG IN MORNING MAX 26°C | MIN 09°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 09°C HIGH-TENSION WIRES REMOVED, POLES REMAIN ETCHED RESIDENTS MIFFED OVER CONCRETE RELINING OF CANALS CELEBS CAST THEIR VOTE IN MAHA ASSEMBLY POLL Residents of holy city say that it seems that Power Corporation has forgotten to remove the electricity poles. P2 Water Resources Department had put on hold the relining of 10 km of Indira Gandhi Canal after a protest. P3 Celebs, who cast their vote in huge numbers in the Maharashtra Assembly poll, urge people to do the same . P4 » » SUNSET THURSDAY 5.28 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 7.05 AM » THURSDAY | 21 NOVEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Two damaged drones seized from border area villages Tarn Taran, November 20 The police and the BSF in a joint search operation launched on Tuesday recovered two broken drones from different places in border area villages here. A drone that was seized from border area near Tarn Taran. SSP Abhimanyu Rana said here on Wednesday that one drone was recovered from the fields of Naushehra Dhala village falling under Sarai Amanat Khan and the second was recovered from the fields of Van Tara Singh village. The SSP said the police have registered cases. He said the drones came from across the border and the persons who brought the drones would be identified soon. — OC Admn launches drive to check sale of Chinese string in city Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 The district administration has launched a campaign under which civil and police officials will conduct surprise checks at shops to check the sale of synthetic string, popularly known as ‘China dor’ or ‘Chinese manja’. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney on Wednesday launched a campaign to check the sale of ‘China dor’ in the district. The initiative will involve surprise inspections by joint teams of civil and police personnel as well as awareness classes in schools regarding the detrimental effects of its use on humans and birds. The DC said, “With a view to preventing fatal accidents, Tehsildars and Naib Tehsildars, accompanied by police personnel, will conduct regular checks on shops and will submit weekly reports on actions taken against the sale of this dangerous product.” She also directed the District Education Officers to initiate awareness classes in schools so that students are informed City’s air quality continues to remain in poor category Rising automobile pollution another major concern in city Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Awareness classes regarding the harmful effects of synthetic kite strings on humans and birds will be conducted in city schools. about its harmful effects on both human and bird life. The Deputy Commissioner urged teachers to be part of the mission by involving students who can discourage people from using the Chinese string. Besides, they must be encouraged to surrender any synthetic string they may possess to the authorities concerned for its proper disposal under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) concerned. She requested officials of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the municipal corporation to remove the string stuck to their electricity or advertising poles. She further urged parents and residents to prevent their children from using such strings and opt for the traditional threads for kite flying. Amritsar, November 20 The city’s air quality index (AIQ) continues to remain in the poor category. Though it has improved a lot after remaining in the severe category which was recorded over two weeks ago after Diwali, it continues to be in the poor category. It shows a relatively high level of pollutants present in the air. Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data states that the AQI was about 250 on Wednesday. Environmentalists felt that it was a cause of concern for citizens that the AQI of the city has been recorded in the poor category. The city’s AQI was found hovering between 360 and 400 on the night of November 3. They expressed their displeasure that people did not pay heed to the advisory of the PPCB to avoid the burst- A layer of smog early in the morning on the GT Road in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ing of crackers on Diwali and stubble burning. Rising automobile pollution is another major concern which dominates all around the year. These days, humidity levels remains above 75 per cent at night as a result of which temperature falls at night and the capacity to hold humidity also decreases. It results in saturation of air. Hence, smog causes haze which reduces visibility in the morning and at night. Vinod Kumar, Environmen- Family members protest at Bhandari Bridge Ex-serviceman killed by wife, as road mishap victim succumbs to injuries her paramour in Baba Bakala Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 Family members of a road mishap victim today held a demonstration by bringing his body to Bhandari Bridge. They alleged police inaction in arresting the suspect who had been absconding since the incident. It may be mentioned that Parkash, who had sustained critical injuries in a road mishap, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital here. His sister Kirti had also fallen from the railway flyover in the incident after their scooter was hit from behind by a speeding car. Her condition is also stated to be critical at a private hospital where she has been admitted. The incident had occurred late on Sunday evening when they were Cops talk to protesters at the Bhandari bridge in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR returning home after paying obeisance at Gurdwara Shaheed Baba Deep Singh. His family members alleged that though the Gate Hakima police have registered a case, it failed to arrest those who were travelling in the car that hit the victim’s scooter. They were heavily drunk at the time of the incident, they alleged. Parkash was dragged for several meters by the car which led to critical injuries and he succumbed in the hospital today. There were three occupants in the car. The dharna continued for nearly one and a half hours. Senior police officials including Assistant Commissioner of Police Parvesh Chopra reached the spot and assured them of appropriate action. The police tried to convince them to lift the dharna while assuring that the accused will be arrested. Traffic on the Bhandari Bridge was diverted during the protest because of which commuters had a tough time. ACP Jaspal Singh said that the Gate Hakima police have booked the driver of the car, identified as Gurpreet Singh of Bhitewad village. He said raids were on to arrest the accused. He denied any negligence on the part of the police. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 An ex-serviceman was strangled to death, allegedly by his wife and her paramour in Baba Bakala sub-division here last night. The police have arrested the suspects from Ferozepur railway station and a case registered in this regard. The deceased was identified as Sukhdev Singh alias Fauji, while the accused were his wife Jaswinder Kaur and her alleged paramour Kulwant Singh, a resident of Bhullar village. Gagandeep Singh, SHO, Baba Bakala police station said that Partap Singh of Vedadpura village informed the police that his niece called him and said that some BOTH ARRESTED The victim’s (Sukhdev Singh) daughter called a relative who informed the police that an unknown person along with her mother Jaswinder Kaur was strangling her father. Gagandeep Singh, SHO, Baba Bakala, said cops were rushed to the spot but they had fled the scene and were arrested later from Ferozepur. unknown person along with her mother Jaswinder Kaur was strangling her father. He said the police teams immediately rushed to the spot but the accused had fled the scene. He said the police analysed footage from the CCTV cameras and arrested the suspects from Ferozepur railway station. As per preliminary inquiry, Jaswinder Kaur had developed illicit relations with Kulwant Singh. The victim used to object to it and they decided to get rid of him. Yesterday, the duo along with an unknown accomplice killed Sukhdev Singh. The police have registered a murder case against three persons. Further probe is on in the matter. Historians, authors dwell on IIM-A, not-for-profit group Viksit Amritsar impact of Partition on literature sign MoU for development of holy city Tribune News Service A book “The Creative Uprising” by Amarjit Singh Grewal being released on the second day of the literature and book festival at Khalsa College in Amritsar on Wednesday. Amritsar, November 20 The literature and book festival at Khalsa College entered its second day on Tuesday with academicians, intellectuals and writers holding discussions on the partition of 1947 and its impact on literature. Dr Sukhdev Singh Sohal, former Head, Department of History at Guru Nanak Dev University, said in his keynote address that the partition of 1947 was one of the most tragic incidents in human history. He said that it impacted lakhs of people who had to leave their homes and face violence of all kinds. Dr Atam Singh Randhawa, Head, Department of Punjabi at Khalsa College, said Partition had impacted the lives of general public and therefore it was bound to impact literature and arts. He said that literature is the mirror of society and authors have captured the suffering of the victims in different genres of literature. A book authored by Dr Amar- jit Singh Grewal titled ‘The Creative Uprising— Igniting a Revolution in the Age of Tech Feudalism’ was also released. Prominent among those who took part in the discussions included Dr Ravel Singh, general secretary, Punjab Kala Parishad, Dr Mehal Singh, vicechancellor, Khalsa University, poets Sawarnjit Savi and Jaswant Zafar, Dr Gurmukh Singh, Dr Rajinderpal Brar, Dr Yograj Angrish, Dr Krantipal and others. — TNS Amritsar, November 20 The Indian Institute of Management, Amritsar (IIM-A) and Viksit Amritsar, a visionary not-for-profit organisation inspired by Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian ambassador to the US, have formalised their collaboration through an MoU. The partnership aims to drive transformative initiatives that elevate Amritsar’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, social infrastructure and overall development. Dr Mahima Gupta, Dean of Academics & Programmes at IIM Amritsar, and Dr Sanjiv Lakhanpal, founder-president and CEO of Viksit Amritsar, formally signed the MoU. With an initial funding commitment of Rs 1 crore from Viksit Amritsar, the partnership represents the beginning of a collaborative effort to transform the socio-economic landscape of Amritsar. It aims to foster develop- c m y b Officials of IIM Amritsar and Viksit Amritsar sign an MoU. ment, generate employment opportunities and promote sustainable growth. Sandhu said that the initiative is a collective effort of IIM and Viksit Amritsar organisation. “The members of Viksit Amritsar basically hail from Amritsar only. They are committed to provide the seed money to bring about development and provide opportunities, making Amritsar a better place. I will be facilitating them in their initiative for the good of holy city and its residents,” he said. Prof Nagarajan Ramamoorthy, Director of IIM Amritsar, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “Together, we aim to empower Amritsar through sustainable and impactful initiatives.” Viksit Amritsar is an organisation formed in the US with the goal of ‘Amritsar Da Vikas’ through partnerships between Indophiles with a special bond to Amritsar, spread the world over. Its Board members include Dr Sanjiv Lakhan- pal, Dr Sudhir Sekhsaria, Mukesh Aghi, Jesse Singh, Dr Gurdeep Chhabra and Gurpreet Takhar. The collaboration will focus on three key areas. First, it aims to foster an entrepreneurship ecosystem by having IIM Amritsar solicit and evaluate innovative startup proposals. Viksit Amritsar will provide funding for shortlisted ventures after mutual deliberation. Second, it seeks to promote cleanliness and hygiene through joint efforts to position Amritsar as a model clean city. This will involve active participation from local stakeholders and administrative bodies. Finally, the initiative will address the issue of drug addiction by partnering with US-based pharmaceutical companies to provide medical supplies and implement rehabilitation programmes. IIM Amritsar will facilitate these efforts through the necessary government approvals and partnerships. tal Engineer of the PPCB, said the recent mild rain in the district three to four days ago brought down the levels of pollution by around 30 per cent. He expected the pollution to wane with another spell of rain. Insurance agent dupes residents of ~1.34 crore PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 An insurance company agent posing as a bank employee duped several local residents of over Rs 1.34 crore allegedly after stealing the stationery of Punjab National Bank, Rayya branch, and issuing fake FDRs (Fixed Deposit Receipt) to the victims. The incident came to light when a woman customer approached the PNB officials for renewal of her FDRs which were later found to be forged. Similarly, another woman revealed that the accused insurance agent took out Rs 1.02 crore from her account for FDRs but did not issue the same. The accused was later identified as Amandeep Singh, a resident of Krishna Nagar, located on Tarn Taran road here. The bank authorities have submitted a complaint to SSP Amritsar (rural) Charanjit Singh seeking registration of an FIR and appropriate action against the suspect. They also urged the police to take measures so that he does not escape to foreign shores. SSP (rural) Charanjit Singh said a probe has been marked to DSP Baba Bakala, and , appropriate action would be taken after the probe. As per the complaint, Amandeep Singh worked with a private insurance company and used to sit in the PNB Rayya branch. During this, he developed contacts with the customers. He allegedly stole some stationery regarding FDRs from the bank. He got his mobile number registered with the accounts of the victims and started net banking facility. He later transferred Rs 1.34 crore of different bank accounts to his own account and that of his family members. The police have summoned records from the bank and are also recording the statements of the victims and bank officials, it is learnt.