31122024-ATR-01.qxd 12/30/2024 11:27 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune HARIVALLABH SAMMELAN ARTISTES STRANDED TWO HELD FOR ~1.59 CR CYBER FRAUD IN ABOHAR A team of the Sriganganagar police station has arrested two persons for ~1.59 crore cyber fraud. P3 COLD WAVE MAX 17°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 7°C DITCH THE CHILL WITH COZY NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS Several artistes were stranded at the Jalandhar Cantt Railway Station due to the Punjab bandh. P3 FORECAST Presenting some innovative recipes which can elevate your dining experience at home. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7.30 AM » TUESDAY | 31 DECEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR Dharna, protests held as city observes complete bandh Farmers caution govt against police action, want demands fulfilled Amritsar, December 30 The call given by Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and United Kisan Morcha for “Punjab Bandh” garnered massive support, with protests held at various places across the district here on Monday. While the road and rail routes remained blocked, the streets in the city had much less traffic as compared to normal days. Though none of the farmer groups moved through the markets here to enforce the closure of shops, a majority of the establishments remained shut till the evening. The farmers also staged a big dharna near the Golden Gate and shouted slogans against the BJP government and Prime Minister, accusing them of failing to fulfill promises made to farmer unions at the end of Delhi agitation earlier. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher, who is leading the protest, expressed gratitude for the widespread support, stating that Punjabis stand firmly in support of the demands of the agitation. The protests, which included roadblocks, market closures and rail roko, were largely peaceful with exemptions given to essential services like medical and health, weddings and airport travel. Pandher stated that the cooperation of shopkeepers in closing markets voluntarily demonstrated the growing understanding of the government’s pro-corporate policies. GNDU puts off exams post bandh, Jan 12 next date PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service (Clockwise from top) Farmers raise slogans during the Punjab bandh at Golden Gate; Hall Bazaar wears a deserted look; passengers wait for their trains at the railway station; no movement of buses at the bus stand in Amritsar on Monday. The demands include a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops, implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations and minimum 200 days of employment under the MGNREGA and waiver for the debt of farmers and farm workers. Pandher emphasised that the struggle would continue till police action at the Khanauri border, citing the Supreme Court’s orders. He urged the government to desist from deploying police force, stating that such actions would be met with resistance. Pandher also expressed City airport takes off but faces Elaborate arrangements in place turbulence in terms of amenities for New Year Eve celebrations Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 30 Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) postponed all annual and semester (theory) exams originally scheduled for today, December 30, due to the call for Punjab shutdown given by farmer unions. These exams will now be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at the same time and examination centres as previously scheduled. The update follows the earlier postponement of exams scheduled for Friday, December 20, due to MC polls, which were rescheduled to be conducted on Monday, December 30. Professor in-charge, Examinations, Shalini Bahl, stated that students were advised to refer to the university website to avoid any miscommunication or inconvenience. The bandh resulted in suspension of all rail and road services in district making commuting difficult for the students. Therefore, the exams were postponed. At Amritsar’s Golden Gate, scores of farmers staged a ‘dharna’ near the city’s entry point. Police assisted some stranded foreign tourists by arranging autorickshaws for them to reach the Golden Temple. these demands are met. In a warning to the Punjab government, Pandher cautioned against taking any The airport lacks city-side facilities, including modern visitors’ washrooms and hotels. VISHAL KUMAR Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 30 As the year draws to a close, Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport in Amritsar has achieved a significant milestone, recording its highest passenger footfall and aircraft movement since its establishment in 2024. The airport has also witnessed considerable improvement in both international and domestic connectivity, with direct non-stop flights to various destinations. Additionally, the installation of an in-line X-ray baggage handling system has enhanced the infrastructure at the airport. However, despite these achievements, the airport continues to grapple with several challenges. One of the major concerns is the service delivery, which falls short of the standards set by major international airports. The pick-up and drop-off area is also poorly defined, leading to congestion and jams which turn out to be an eyesore in general. Furthermore, the parking contractor has been accused of regularly overcharging passengers, despite multiple complaints and letters to the ministry. Another significant challenge facing the airport is the lack of public transportation to the city and other major cities in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu region. This has made it difficult for passengers to commute to and from the airport. The proposed terminal expansion, which was announced four years ago, is still in the pipeline, and the privatisation of the airport, proposed before the Covid-19 pandemic, remains pending. The BRTS connectivity promised by government was also not implemented yet. The airport also lacks city-side amenities, including modern visitors’ washrooms, multistorey parking and hotels. The shifting of defence land and monetisation through the development of 3/4-star hotels and food courts are also pending. As the airport looks to build on its achievements in the coming year, addressing these challenges will be crucial to providing a world-class experience for its passengers. c m y b Amritsar, December 30 In order to nail hooligans on the eve of New Year celebrations, the city police have geared up to maintain the law and order situation. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has passed instructions to senior police officials to remain on field duty and keep a watch on any untoward instance during the period. Elaborate police arrangements have been made at the Lawrence Road, the Mall Road, posh Ranjit Avenue locality, etc. Usually these areas witness a heavy rush due to the presence of a large number of hotels and restaurants where New Year parties will be held. Arrangements were also made in Hall Bazaar area, leading to the Golden Temple, as a huge number of people prefer to pay obeisance at the shrine praying for a prosperous and better New Year. In the evening, the Lawrence Road would be closed for normal traffic so that people can walk freely on the road and enjoy street food. “Cops would remain present at these spots and as many as 90 PCR teams would also be deputed there. They would reach the spot within minutes if anybody tries to create a ruckus or indulge in hooliganism,” said Bhullar. The police have been put on alert and senior officials would be on the road to supervise security, he said, while adding that those who create trouble would be taken to task. He said the police have been carrying out nakabandi and checking vehicles entering and exiting the city. The credentials of suspicious elements were being verified. Police, BSF seize 504-gm heroin Tarn Taran, December 30 The Khalra police and BSF jawans in a joint search operation launched in the fields of Rajoke village seized 504 grams of heroin here on Sunday. SSP Abhimanyu Rana said on Monday that the police received an information in this regard and it was shared with the BSF The joint team . recovered the contraband from the fields. The SSP said there are reports that the consignment was brought from across the border through a drone. The district police head said a case under Cops and BSF personnel with the seized heroin in Tarn Taran. Sections 21-C, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act and Sections 10, 11 and 12 of the Aircraft Act has been registered by the Khalra police and the police have initiated proceedings to locate the drug trader who had brought it from the border. — OC concern about the health of farmer leader Dallewal and criticised the government’s stubborn attitude. Man robbed, assaulted near Manawala, three booked Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 30 Chatiwind police have booked three persons for allegedly assaulting and robbing a man near Manawala in Amritsar on Sunday. Those booked were identified as Prabh of Manawala Kalan, Guru Kirat of Jagga village and Jashanpreet Singh of Manawala Khurd. The victim was identified as Hardeep Singh of Jotisar Colony in Jandiala Guru. His brother Lakhbir Singh told the police that his brother was returning home on his bike from his dhaba and reached near Delhi Public School when scooter-borne three persons with faces covered intercepted him. They assaulted him with sharp weapons, leaving him seriously injured. They decamped with his purse that contained Rs 2,000 in cash and his mobile phone. They also took away the keys of his bike so that nobody could follow them. He called from the mobile phone of a passerby and was taken to a hospital. They later identified the suspects and lodged a complaint with the police. A case has been registered in this connection and raids were on to nab them, the police said.
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