30122024-ATR-01.qxd 12/29/2024 11:34 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune GNDU FOR MAKING EDUCATION ACCESSIBLE TO ALL IN 2025 THE SCREEN BELONGED TO THESE DEBUTANTS From Lisa Mishra to Lakshya Lalwani to Junaid Khan, here are actors who made impressive debuts. P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 16°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 12°C SONU SOOD BACK IN ACTION WITH HIS MOVIE FATEH University’s vision document seeks to expand outreach, aims to become inclusive. P2 FORECAST Sonu Sood makes his debut as a director and writer with his ‘high action thriller’. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 5.33 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:18 AM » MONDAY | 30 DECEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Police arrest five members of Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 29 A team of the local CIA staff led by ASI Lakhwinder Singh arrested five members of the notorious gangster Jagdeep Singh alias Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Amritpal Singh alias Amrit Bath of Mianpur (Tarn Taran) last night from Khabbe Dogran on Tarn Taran-Jandiala Guru road with arms and ammunition and thwarted possible targeted killings. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana informed here on Sunday that the arrested gangsters have been identified as Gurmeet Singh alias Rawal of Bhagwanpur village (Batala), Harpal Singh of Nurpur village (Gurdaspur), Lovepreet Singh alias NP of Nawapind village (Amritsar), Shamsher Singh alias Shera Passian and Sandeep Singh alias Goli of Kot Khalsa (Amritsar). “Police teams have recovered four weapons, including one sophisticated USA-made 9mm Glock pistol, two .32 bore Arms seized, targeted killings thwarted, says SSP Abhimanyu Rana The accused in custody of the police; and (right) arms and ammunition seized from their possession. TRIBUNE PHOTOS pistols and one country-made pistol along with 15 live cartridges and three magazines, besides impounding their Hyundai Creta car without a number plate, used in committing crime,” said the SSP . “During questioning, the arrested accused confessed that the seized weapons were supplied by Jaggu Bhagwanpuria through his associate and they were planning to execute targeted killings at the instance of gangster Amritpal Bath. The arrested individuals are linked to multiple criminal cases, including attempted murder, illegal arms possession and gang-related vio- lence,” the SSP added. The SSP said that important information has been revealed about the shooter involved in a recent targeted murder by the gang in Tarn Taran area. Further investigations are going on to trace their backward and forward linkages. SSP Rana lauded the efforts of the police teams led by SP (Investigation) Ajayraj Singh and DSP (Investigation) Rajinder Minhas. A case under Section 111 (3) of the BNS and Section 25 and 27 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Tarn Taran Sadar police station. Gangster Dasuwal’s 2 aides held for demanding ~30L ransom Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 29 Three days after gangster Prabh Dasuwal was booked for allegedly demanding Rs 30 lakh ransom from a goldsmith, the Division B police have arrested two persons, including a woman in the case. The accused have been identified as Rajdeep Singh, alias Raja, of Daburji village in Tarn Taran and Kajal of Majitha village in Tarn Taran. “Raja was in contact with Dasuwal and provided him information about the movements of the victim,” said, Investigating Officer Sukhbir Singh. Lovepreet Singh of New Partap Nagar on the Sultanwind road told the police that he he got a call from a virtual number. The caller identified himself as Prabh Dasuwal and demanded Rs 30 lakh while threatening to kill his father Sarabjit Singh and his son in case he failed accede to his demand. Later, the accused sent a video and picture of our house, said Lovepreet, adding that he got a voice message in which the caller used abusive language and threatened to kill his father One of the accused in custody of the Amritsar police on Sunday. and son. The victim’s father also got a call from another number demanding ransom. On analysing CCTV footage, the police found a girl recording video and picture of the victim’s house and fleeing from the spot on a car. Raja was arrested on Friday from near Vallah vegetable market. As Raja dodged cops while being taken to a washroom, a separate case has been registered against him in this regard. Raja’s interrogation led to the identification of Kajal, who recorded the video. She was arrested from her aunt’s home from Gilwali Gate. Elections over, MC General Drones to keep tabs on people using Chinese kite string Cordon and search operation launched in city Sale rampant, House still awaits formation Cong, AAP struggle to get majority allege residents PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 29 After a two-year wait, the people of Amritsar are eagerly awaiting the formation of a new MC General House with the election process having ended on December 21. However, even eight days after the results were declared, there is no clue as to when the new MC House would be formed. After getting 40 out of 85 seats, the Congress leaders are making efforts to prove their majority. Meanwhile, the ruling AAP is trying to get around the rules. There are speculations that the government will issue a notification for the rotation of reservation for the post of Mayor. Currently, the government is yet to issue the notification for rotation of Mayor’s term, which will determine whether the position will be allocated to the General category, Scheduled Caste, or a woman. Only after the notification is issued will the political parties in race decide on their candidate for the post of Mayor. The AAP and Congress are engaged in an intense battle for the Mayorship. Despite having 41 councillors (40 from the Congress and one Independent), the Congress falls short of the majority mark of 46. In contrast, the AAP has 24 councillors and with the support of five MLAs, the party has a support base of 29. Additionally, five Independent councillors are reportedly ‘negotiating’ with the AAP leaders. The AAP may also count on the votes of MLAs from Attari and Jandiala as some localities lie in these Assembly constituencies. If the AAP manages to poach Congress councillors, its numbers will increase while the Congress tally will decrease. Even if the other parties such as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) support the Congress or AAP it would become easy , to prove majority in the House but it seems next to impossible because of the current political situation in the state. Though the AAP appears far from getting majority, its local leaders are confident of proving it in the House. According to sources, CM Bhagwant Mann is on a foreign tour and this is one of the reasons for the delay in issuing the notification. After his return, a floor test might be conducted, said an AAP activist. Amritsar, December 29 The police have started using drones to keep tabs on persons who use and sell plastic kite string also known as ‘Chinese string’. So far, the police have nabbed two persons for selling Chinese kite string and seized 72 spools. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jaspal Singh said the accused have been identified as Manoj Sharma, alias Manu, of Gali Calcattian Wali, and Kunal Bhalla of Dhab Ghatika. “The children involved in flying kite using Chinese string were left after warning in presence of their parents. In case they are again found using plastic string, a case will be registered against their parents,” said the ACP . Earlier in the day, the police teams carried out cordon and search operation (CASO) in three zones of the city to check illegal sale of Chinese string. The operation was carried out in the walled city and areas under Cantonment, Sadar, Chheharta, Kotwali, Division B and Division C police stations. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar urged Amritsar, December 29 The Anti-Crime and Animal Protection Association today held a demonstration outside the Hall Gate against rampant sale of plastic kite strings in the holy city. Accompanied by members of the Human Rights Suraksha Society, the protesters distributed local string to the people. Rohan Mehra, chairman, Anti-Crime and Animal Protection Association, said the plastic string had been completely banned by the state government, but it was still available in the market. Montu Chawla of Human Rights Suraksha Society said, “Many people and birds get injured due to the plastic string. In January, a 14-year-old child died as the string stuck around his throat. In February, a sixyear-old girl who was going on a bike with her father died after plastic string cut her throat. Every day, thousands of birds die due to Chinese string.” The police have seized 42 spools from Kuldeep Singh, alias Bhola, of Bhakna Khurd village. Kuljeet Kaur, SHO, Airport police station, said a case under Sections 223 and 125 of the BNS has been registered against Bhola. Similarly, the Gate Hakima police have nabbed Kunal Bhalla of Gali Khatika Wali with 30 rolls of Chinese string. — TNS Police personnel inspect a kite shop in Amritsar on Sunday. the people to share the information related to those indulging in illegal sale of deadly string. “It is a collective responsibility. The people should come forward in eradicating this menace. They should not only share information about the violators but also boycott using Chinese string,” said Bhullar, adding that drones would be used to check the offenders regularly and strict action would be taken against them. Members of Anti-Crime & Animal Protection Assn protest on Sunday. PUNJAB BANDH Man held with 200 gm heroin Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 29 The CIA Staff has arrested Gurpal Singh, alias Akash, of Basarke village falling under the jurisdiction of the Gharinda police station for allegedly possessing 200 gm of heroin. ACP Kuldeep Singh said during patrolling in Chheharta, cops intercepted Akash. During his search, the police seized contraband from him. He was produced before the court, which remanded him in the police custody. Those heading to hospitals, airports Winter warmth helps keep chill at bay will be given free passage: Pandher Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 29 As farm unions prepare for the Punjab Bandh on December 30, farm leaders said those going for interviews, heading to hospitals and airports would not be troubled at all. Sarwan Singh Pandher of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee said, “We have asked our members not to stop people going for Road, rail routes to remain closed from 7 am to 5 pm interviews, hospitals and airports.” He said those going to attend marriage ceremonies and cremations would also be given access. Pandher said road and rail routes would remain closed from 7 am to 5 pm on Decem- ber 30. “Most of the unions of government employees along with bar associations and trade unions have already lent support to the Punjab Bandh,” he added. He said the people had been requested to observe bandh as a show of solidarity with the farming community. “All establishments will remain closed. Except for emergency services, it will be complete bandh,” said the farm leader. c m y b Amritsar, December 29 The recent showers have ushered in the winter chill with the mercury dipping considerably and the city preferring to drape itself in a cosy layer of warmth to ward off the chill. Long, heavy coats and gumboots have made a comeback, and for the young, they are a fashion statement. Piles of dried logs line the streets, waiting to be lit into bonfires that will warm the hands and hearts of those that gather around them. For those who can’t afford the luxury of staying indoors, the intense cold has added to their daily struggle. Shawls, mufflers and monkey caps are their armour against the chilly wind. Daily wage earners, such as rickshaw pullers, vegetable sellers and manual workers, brave the cold without respite. A roadside bonfire, lit early in the day, turns out to be a blessing for workers, offering warmth and comfort for those out in the rigour of the early morning cold. In the old city areas, com- mon bonfires in localities have become a heartwarming sight. The cold wave, however, has failed to dampen the spirit of pilgrims, who take a dip in the icy waters of the holy sarovar at Darbar Sahib every morning. The hazy fog adds a mystical layer to the spiritual experience, making it even more surreal. The hosiery traders are rejoicing, as the sale of warm clothing has skyrocketed. Special weekly bazaars have sprung up alongside roads, offering a colourful array of winter clothes. Farmers, too, are taking advantage of the cold weather, using irrigation to help their saplings fight the effects of frost. On a sunny Sunday as it followed two days of cloudy and rainy weather, parks and grounds were filled with people basking in the sunshine, a luxury not many can afford in these fast-paced times. As the city snuggles under the winter warmth, it’s clear that the season has brought more than just cold weather – it has brought comfort and a sense of togetherness in the community.