27122024-ATR-01.qxd 12/26/2024 11:37 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST CLOUDY SKY MAX 19°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 19°C | MIN 6°C SERIES OF EVENTS MARK MARTYRDOM WEEK CRICKET TOURNEY KICKS OFF UNDER IN ABOHAR THEY ROCKED THE RED CARPET Many social and religious bodies held events to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of the four Sahibzadas. P2 An open cricket tournament kicked off on Thursday at the Abha Square Stadium in Abohar. P3 Alia at the Met Gala, Priyanka at the Red Sea Film Fest and Nancy Tyagi aced their fashion game on the global stage. P4 » » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.34 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.29 AM FRIDAY | 27 DECEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Negligence would not be tolerated: MLA to officials Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 26 MLA Dr Ajay Gupta from the Central Assembly constituency held a meeting with newly appointed councillors, volunteers, and officials of the municipal corporation to discuss various development issues in the constituency. During the meeting, Dr Gupta emphasised the importance of completing development projects within the stipulated timeframe. He said negligence in development works would not be tolerated in any ward of the Central Assembly constituency. To address the issue of clogged sewerage systems, Dr Gupta announced that a work order worth ~50 lakh has been issued for sewerage de-silting. He directed officials to start de-silting work immediately in areas where the sewerage system is not working properly. The meeting also discussed the installation of new street lights in the constituency. Dr Gupta instructed officials to complete the tender process as soon as possible and install lights immediately, especially in walled city areas. Paddy procurement woes kept farmers on the edge this year Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 26 This year has been an unmitigated disaster for farmers, marking the toughest year for paddy procurement since the start of the century. The once smooth procurement process which had been in place since 2002 was marred by a bitter tussle between the government and rice millers, coupled with inadequate preparations. As a result, farmers were forced to wait for days to sell their produce, only to be compelled to accept prices lower than the Minimum Support Price. The woes of the farmers were further exacerbated by a severe shortage of diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer, essential for sowing wheat, peas, potatoes and other crops. Joginder Singh, a local farmer, lamented, “Although the shortage of DAP is an annual phenomenon, the problems faced in selling paddy have brought back memories of the 1990s, when we struggled every year.” The crisis has lent credence to the long-standing demand of farmers for a legal guarantee of MSP Farmers argue that . in the absence of laws ensuring a fair price, assurances can be easily reneged upon. The Police nab prime suspect, brotherbrought on production warrant for probe in IED blast case Jashandeep was PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Members of the KMSC squat on the railway tracks during a rail roko protest at a village near Amritsar. FILE PHOTO issue has become a rallying point for farmer unions, which have been protesting against the government’s failure to fulfill promises made at the end of the Delhi Morcha. Meanwhile, the administration has been grappling with the challenge of persuading farmers to abandon the harmful practice of burning crop residue. Despite efforts to educate farmers about the environmental and health hazards of stubble burning, the practice continues unabated, with a large number of FIRs registered against the offending farmers. As the year draws to a close, farmers are left to ponder over the lessons learnt from a difficult year. The struggle for fair prices, access to essential inputs, and sustainable farming practices would certainly continue into the New Year. Amritsar, December 26 Amritsar rural police have brought Jashandeep Singh alias Danny, the prime suspect behind the hand grenade blasts and planting of IED outside Ajnala police station, on production warrant for investigations. Danny, along with his 17year-old brother, was arrested by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) and two China-made hand grenades and a pistol were recovered from their possession on December 13. An IED attached to RDX was found planted outside Ajnala police station on November 23. This was the first incident wherein operatives of foreign-based gangsters-turned terrorists backed by Pakistan-based terrorist organisations tried to blow up the police station. Fortunately, it did not explode. This was followed by two blasts, one at a closed Gurbaxnagar police chowki and Prime suspect Jashandeep Singh in police custody in Amritsar. FILE PHOTO THE MODUS OPERANDI ■ The police said the two brothers were drug addicts. The module first provided them drugs for free but later demanded money for the same. Unable to pay, they agreed to work for them in lieu of drugs. then at Majitha police station. During interrogation in SSOC custody, the two suspects allegedly confessed to planting bombs at Ajnala police station and hurling hand grenades at Gurbaxnagar police chowki and at Majitha police station here. An Amritsar rural police official said that the duo was brought on four-day police remand in connection with the planting of IED at Ajnala police station here. As Jashandeep’s brother was a minor, he was sent back to the Juvenile Home at Ludhiana after being produced in court. The police would also be probing into their role in the blast inside Majitha police station, he said. The police said the two brothers were drug addicts. The module first provided them drugs for free but later demanded money for the same. Unable to pay, they agreed to work for them in lieu of drugs. Preparations for R-Day parade reviewed 40-year-old man falls off elevated road, dies Full dress rehearsal on Jan 24, Addl Deputy Commissioner chalks out plan Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 26 Republic Day celebrations would be held with great zeal and enthusiasm at Guru Nanak Stadium here, stated Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Gursimran Singh Dhillon after a meeting with officials from various departments. During the meeting with officials, Dhillon emphasised the importance of starting preparations for Republic Day celebrations immediately. He outlined the schedule of events, which included the chief guest hoisting the National Flag, followed by a spectacular march past by Punjab Police personnel, women platoon of Punjab Police, Home Guards, NCC and band teams of cadets and Speeding truck crushes Govt ITI student Tarn Taran, December 26 A girl student of Government ITI, Kadd Gill, was crushed by a speeding truck at the local Jandiala Guru crossing here on Thursday. The deceased was identified as Rajwant Kaur (23), a resident of Gali Bagi Wali, Sachkhand Road, Tarn Taran. The victim was on her way back home from the ITI. She was crossing the road to return home when a speeding truck run her over killing her on the spot. The city police visited the spot and on the statement of Kuldeep Singh, brother of the victim, a case has been registered against the driver of the truck who has not been identified. The truck driver had fled the spot leaving behind the truck. — OC Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 26 A local resident, identified as Sonu Pal Sharma, lost his life after an unidentified vehicle hit his motorcycle leading to his fall from the elevated road here. The incident occurred on Officials during a meeting convened to review preparations for the R-Day celebrations in Amritsar. ASI, who had ‘lent’ his service gun to gangsters, suspended Our Correspondent school students. The event would also feature glimpses of development projects and a cultural programme showcasing Punjab’s rich heritage. Students from schools and colleges would participate in the celebrations, presenting a wonderful programme filled with patriotism and culture. Freedom fighters and individuals who have achieved fame in various fields would be felicitated during the event. Rehearsals for the cultural programme and parade would begin on January 19, with a full dress rehearsal scheduled for January 24, stated Dhillon. ‘Drug smuggler’ hurt in encounter Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 26 A drug smuggler was injured in an encounter with the city police here on Wednesday midnight. The drug trader has been identified as Lovkaran Singh, a resident of Bakipur. The Deputy Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran (City), said a team of personnel of the city police led by ASI Gurdeep Singh was on night patrol when they saw a car coming towards them. They signalled the car to stop. Instead of stopping the car, occupants of the car fired at the police party and a gunshot just passed by the turban of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurdeep Singh and another gunshot was fired in the air. In a retaliatory fire by the police, one of the car occupants, who was later identified as Lovkaran Singh, An injured drug trader being taken to a hospital in Tarn Taran. was injured. The DSP said Lovkaran Singh was admitted to the local Civil Hospital and a case has been registered against him by the city police. c m y b Tarn Taran, December 26 Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Pawandeep Singh, who had allegedly mortgaged his service revolver to gang members associated with terrorist-turned gangster Lakhbir Singh Landa of Harike, has been suspended with immediate effect. The ASI was posted as the head munshi at the Chohla Sahib police station. The Assistant Sub-Inspector was arrested on Wednesday after an encounter with the police in which three gangsters were arrested and two were injured in the encounter that took place on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Those arrested were identified as Yadwinder Singh Yada, Kuldeep Singh and Prabhdeep Singh. The gangsters had fired at the gate of Rudiwala village resident’s house at night a few days ago. The gangsters revealed that the revolver used in the firing was that of Assistant Sub-Inspector Pawandeep Singh who had allegedly mortgaged it with them in lieu of ~10, 000 to procure drugs. Senior Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Rana has confirmed that the Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) has been suspended and arrested. the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Following a complaint by his brother Brahmkumar Sharma, a resident of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Gillwali Gate here, the police have registered a case against an unknown person in this connection. He said his brother worked at a private hospital. As per his daily routine, he was returning home on his motorcycle from the hospital. When he reached the elevated road, some unidentified vehicle hit his bike near the Pingalwara branch due to which he fell off it leading to his death. The police said they got a call from a passerby that a youth had fallen off the elevated road. Immediately, a PCR team reached the spot and rushed him to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The police said further investigation was in progress.