08012025-ATR-01.qxd 1/7/2025 9:44 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY TENDER FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF RADIAL ROADS CANCELLED SEMINAR ON BIRD SPECIES, THREATS TO THEM AT GNDU BULLET-PROOF GLASS, CCTV INSTALLED AT SALMAN’S HOUSE Tenders for the redevelopment of roads leading to the Golden Temple have been cancelled once again. P2 The GNDU hosted a seminar on the impact of human intervention causing the death of birds. P2 MAX 13°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 14°C | MIN 7°C Salman Khan is not leaving any loose ends to ensure his safety from threats issued by Lawrence Bishnoi. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.43 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:31 AM » WEDNESDAY | 8 JANUARY 2025 | AMRITSAR INBRIEF MAN DUPED OF ~12.4 LAKH Tarn Taran: Gursahib Singh, a resident of Amishah village, has alleged being defrauded of Rs 12.40 lakh by a travel agent, Ranjit Singh, a resident of Danipur village in Samana subdivision, Patiala. The agent had promised to send Gursahib’s son, Jobanpreet Singh, to the United States but failed to fulfil the assurance. According to Gursahib Singh’s complaint to the district police, the travel agent had initially demanded Rs 40 lakh two years ago, taking Rs 12.40 lakh as an advance payment. After receiving the money, Ranjit Singh stopped responding to Gursahib’s calls. Later, he called Jobanpreet to Delhi, where the young man was made to wait for five months with repeated assurances of a departure to America. However, Jobanpreet returned home after the prolonged delay. Following Gursahib’s complaint, an investigation led by the DSP (Homicide and Forensics) found the travel agent guilty. Based on the inquiry report, Bhikhiwind police registered a case against Ranjit Singh under Section 420 of the IPC and the Punjab Travel Professionals (Regulation) Act, 2014. The accused remains absconding, and the Bhikhiwind police have initiated further proceedings to apprehend him. OC Drug trafficking cartel busted, woman among four arrested Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 7 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled a major drug trafficking cartel with the arrest of four individuals, including a woman, and seized 5 kg of heroin from their possession. The arrested suspects have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, (19) and Baljeet Kaur (32), both residents of Muthiaval village in Tarn Taran; Maninder Singh (34), a resident of Bhikhiwind in Tarn Taran; and Harpreet Singh (26), from Lodhi Gujar village in Amritsar. Police also impounded two motorcycles used by the accused. Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the suspects were in direct contact with Pakistanbased smugglers and received drug consignments via drones. He added that investigations are ongoing to establish backward and forward linkages, with more arrests and recoveries expected. Sharing details of the operation, Amritsar Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said acting on reliable information, a police team led by DCP Harpreet Singh Mander, ADCP Navjot Singh, and ACP Detective Kuldeep Singh, under the supervision of CIA Staff-1 in-charge Inspector Amolkdeep Singh, apprehended Gurpreet Singh and Baljeet Kaur on January 1 in the Guru Ki Wadali area. The team seized 3 kg of heroin from their possession. It was revealed that Gurpreet Singh and Baljeet Kaur are related as nephew and aunt. Notably, Baljeet Kaur’s husband, Balbir Singh, was arrested in 2022 under the NDPS Act in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar, where 5 kg of heroin was recovered. He is currently lodged in Karnpur Jail, Rajasthan. The CP stated that efforts are underway to uncover the entire network of suppliers, dealers, and buyers and to determine the total quantity of drugs handled by the arrested individuals. A case has been registered under Sections 21(c), 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Chheharta Police Station, Amritsar. Amritsar, January 7 The Mid-Day Meal Workers Union Punjab announced state-wide protest demonstrations on January 12, accusing the state government of failing to fulfil promises made to them. At a meeting held at Company Bagh, led by state general secretary and district head Mamata Sharma, the union criticised the government for allegedly backtracking on its pledge to PRTC workers call off strike Union accepts offer for meeting with CM Mann on Jan 15 Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Mid-day meal workers’ state-wide protest on Jan 12 Tribune News Service The strike led to a sharp decline in the number of women passengers at the ISBT in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR double the honorarium for mid-day meal workers. Mamata Sharma pointed out that the current honorarium of Rs 3,000 per month is insufficient to sustain families, and even this amount has not been paid for December due to an ongoing strike by mid-day meal office employees, now in its 32nd day. “The Aam Aadmi Party promised to double the honorarium before coming to power, but that promise remains unful- filled. The workers are now left with no choice but to intensify their protests. On January 11 and 12, during Lohri, we will burn effigies of the state government across the state to voice our resentment,” she said. Several workers echoed their frustration, stating that their festivals last year were spent protesting. “We have been demanding a wage hike for two years, but our appeals have gone unanswered. Despite this, we continue to perform our duties, understanding the importance of our role in schools. However, we also need to earn enough to support our families,” said Rajwinder Kaur Jethuwal, another worker. The union warned that the government’s inaction is fostering growing resentment among workers. They urged the authorities to address their demands urgently to avoid further unrest. Amritsar, January 7 The three-day strike by the PRTC Contract Workers Union was called off around 5 pm today after union leaders accepted an offer for a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on January 15. Buses resumed operations late in the evening, but not before commuters, especially women, faced significant hardships due to the strike. The strike led to a sharp decline in the number of women passengers at the Shahid Madan Lal Dhingra Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), as private bus operators hiked fares on short-distance routes, exploiting stranded passengers. Karamjit Kaur, a daily commuter from Khasa, shared her plight, stating that she usually relies on government buses for her commute due to the free travel scheme for women. However, for the past two days, she has been forced to pay Rs 40 for a one-way trip, which usually costs only Rs 10. Jasbir Kaur from Attari vil- Women passengers at a bus stand in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR lage echoed similar concerns, saying she was also charged Rs 40 to travel to the city. “I had to request my employer to cover the fare, as I could not afford it,” she said, urging the government to monitor private transporters to prevent such exploitation during strikes. The government operates approximately 270 buses in its two depots, staffed by around 500 contractual and outsourced workers, alongside 15 regular employees. In contrast, private transporters dominate the district with over 700 buses, including mini-buses. The strike underscored the challenges faced by commuters when public transport services are disrupted, highlighting the need for effective contingency plans and stronger regulation of private operators. Police nab six with heroin, City continues to struggle with waste mgmt in New Year opium, ~4.5-L drug money Manmeet Singh Gill FAULTY GARBAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 7 The Amritsar rural police arrested six drug peddlers on Tuesday, recovering 2 kg of heroin, 300 gm of opium, Rs 4.5 lakh in drug money, and a car from their possession. The accused have been identified as Balbir Singh, alias Bira, and Ajay Verma, residents of Majari village near Banga in Nawanshahr district, along with Sukhdev Singh, alias Sukh, Harmandeep Singh, alias Honey, and Harman Singh, residents of Tarn Taran district. Another accused, Shubeg Singh, alias Shega, from Chogawan, was also apprehended. Senior Superintendent of Police (Rural) Charanjit Singh stated that under the supervision of SP (D) Harinder Singh Gill, a special checkpoint was set up by Bhindi Saidan police station officials. During the operation, they intercepted a car and recovered 2 kg of heroin and Rs 1.5 lakh in drug money from passengers Balbir Singh and Ajay Verma. Both were arrested, and a case was registered against them under Sections 21, 25, 29, 61, and 85 of the NDPS Act. Further interrogation revealed that the heroin was procured from Sukhdev Singh, alias Sukh, Harmandeep Singh, alias Honey, and Har- man Singh. Based on their confession, the three were arrested and named in the case. In a related operation, the Lopoke police apprehended Shubeg Singh from Sonewali Gali, Chogawan, with 300 gm of opium and Rs 3 lakh in drug money. SSP Charanjit Singh confirmed that all six accused would be presented in court, and police remand would be sought for further questioning. It was also revealed that one of the accused, Sukhdev Singh, is already facing charges under Sections 302, 452, 148, and 149 of the IPC in a case registered at Sarai Amanat Khan police station in Tarn Taran district. The accused in police custody in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar, January 7 The New Year has brought no respite from garbage woes for the city, with heaps of waste piling up across the place, including roadsides and vacant plots. A visit to areas like IDH market, Nehru Shopping Complex and Majitha road reveals missing dustbins, forcing residents to throw waste everywhere. In the absence of dustbins where people can put aside litter in a proper manner, the roads have turned into garbage dumping sites. The Municipal Corporation’s (MC) faulty garbage disposal system and irregular emptying of dustbins have exacerbated the problem. Despite administrative orders to take action against those throwing waste at undesignated places, implementation has been lacking. Residents blame both themselves and the MC for the unhygienic conditions. “People must think before throwing waste on roads, and the MC vehicles must follow proper protocol,” says Baldev Singh Sandhu, a local resident. Open tractor-trailers carrying garbage are often spotted in the city, highlighting the need for proper waste management, he says. c m y b ■ In the absence of dustbins where people can put aside litter in a proper manner, the roads have turned into garbage dumping sites ■ The Municipal Corporation's (MC) faulty garbage disposal system and irregular emptying of dustbins have exacerbated the problem ■ Despite administrative orders to take action against those throwing waste at undesignated places, implementation has been lacking ■ Residents blame both themselves and the MC for the unhygienic conditions ■ The MC must take immediate action to address the issue of garbage disposal, including providing more dustbins and ensuring regular emptying ■ Residents must also shoulder their responsibility in maintaining cleanliness ■ The situation is a wake-up call for the authorities and residents to work together to maintain a clean and hygienic environment << Heaps of garbage near IDH Market in Amritsar on Tuesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Residents demand more covered dustbins for disposal of waste. “Shopkeepers are hesitant to allow dustbins near their shops due to uncertainty over whether they would be emptied on time,” says Ram Kumar, another resident. He emphasises that a proper garbage collection and disposal system is essential to tackle the issue. The MC must take immediate action to address the issue of garbage disposal, including providing more dustbins and ensuring regular emptying. Residents must also shoulder their responsibility in maintaining cleanliness. Until then, it seems that the city’s garbage woes would continue to plague the city. The situation is a wake-up call for the authorities and residents to work together to maintain a clean and hygienic environment.