11022025-ATR-01.qxd 2/10/2025 11:13 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune STATE COMMEMORATES MARTYRDOM OF ATTARIWALA A function was held to commemorate the martyrdom of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s general, Sham Singh Attariwala. P2 » WHEN IN AMRITSAR, EAT LIKE AN AMRITSARI! FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 8°C MANJOT HAS OFFICIALLY DROPPED HIS DEBUT SINGLE WATCHOUT Celebrating culinary history & Punjabi cooking, The Earth Amritsar has launched a revamped food menu. P4 SUNSET TUESDAY 6.13 PM Rising music sensation Manjot MJ has officially dropped his much-anticipated debut single Watchout. P4 » SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:15 AM » TUESDAY | 11 FEBRUARY 2025 | AMRITSAR Man dies, another hurt in head-on car, bike collision Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 10 One person died on the spot, while another was seriously injured in a road accident on the AmritsarKhemkaran road on Sunday evening. The accident happened when a speeding Fortuner car collided headon with a Bullet motorcycle near Sursing village. The deceased was identified as Prabhjit Singh (25), a resident of Chabal. He was an employee of a private finance company. He along with coemployee Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Maluwal Santa village, were on way back to Chabal after collecting instalments for loans availed by customers of the company. Prabhjit Singh died on the spot, while Gurpreet Singh was admitted to a private hospital in Bhikhiwind where his condition was stated to be serious. ASI Salwinder Singh, in-charge, Sursing police post, said driver of the Fortuner car managed to escape from the spot leaving behind the vehicle. A case was registered against the driver under Sections 106, 281, 125 (A) and 125 (B) of the BNS at the Bhikhiwind police station in this connection, the ASI said. Three operatives of Passian, Rinda terror module nabbed for ‘blast’ near police post Two, who attempted to flee from police custody, injured in brief encounter PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 10 Days after the suspected blast outside non-functional Fatehgarh Churian police post, the Amritsar city police commissionerate have nabbed three alleged operatives of the US-based-gangster-turnedterrorist Harpreet Singh, alias Happy Passian, and Pakistanbased terrorist Harwinder Singh Rinda’s terror module on Sunday night. Two of them were injured in a brief encounter with the city police when they attempted to escape from police custody near the Rajasansi area around 11pm yesterday. According to the police, the duo allegedly tried to escape from the police custody by snatching a pistol of ASI Gurjit Singh. A brief encounter ensued, in which they were injured. The police also seized an AK 47 rifle, a .30-bore Glock pistol and a .32-bore pistol, besides ammunition from the three accused identified as Lovepreet Singh and Karandeep Singh, residents of Jagdev Kalan village in police custody, the CP added. To prevent the duo from escaping and acting in selfdefence, Harinder Singh, SHO, Sadar police station, and Binderjit Singh, incharge, CIA staff-3 fired back from their service weapons leaving Lovepreet and Boota Singh injured. The injured accused were immediately taken to the Civil Hospital where doctors declared them out of danger. A separate case under Sections 109,188 and 189 of the BNS and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered at the Airport police station against the accused in this connection. The CP said a section of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was also added in the FIR. He said the accused were produced in a court and brought on police remand for further investigation. He said during a preliminary probe, the accused confessed to their involvement in the blast. The accused told the police that they got a wrapped material which caused a noise after hitting the ground (road) near the police post triggering a panic in the area, the CP said. The accused in custody of the Amritsar (Rural) police. Man held for robbing fuel station attendant Revolver, cartridges seized from accused Amritsar, February 10 The Amritsar (Rural) police have arrested a man for allegedly looting a petrol station in Jandiala Guru two days ago and recovered a pistol from his possession. The accused was identified as Baghel Singh, a resident of Jodha Nagari village falling under the Tarsikka police station. The police recovered a .32 bore revolver and five live cartridges from his possession. SSP Charanjit Singh Sohal said Baldev Singh, a resident of Chelian village in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, told the police that he works at Royal Filling Station at Bhangwa village. He said on Saturday, around 11am bike-borne youth got petrol filled in his vehicle from the fuel station. The complainant said later, the accused took out a revolver and snatched Rs 6,500 in cash from him. The police registered a case and during investigation identified the accused. Further probe was on and more cases were likely to be solved during interrogation of the accused, the SSP said. The source of the weapon would also be ascertained, the SSP added. 4 held for snatching cellphones, scooter Two held with 1.22 kg heroin in border village Mason booked on charge of molestation The SSP said the duo brought drug consignments through drones into the Indian territory after contacting Pakistan-based smugglers. They sold drug in Punjab and different parts of the country, the SSP said. A case under Sections 21C, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and Sections 10, 11and 12 of the Aircraft Act was registered by the Khalra police against the accused, the SSP added. The motorcycle of smugglers was also impounded by the police, he added. Tarn Taran, February 10 A minor girl, who was playing on the rooftop of her house, was molested by a mason on Sunday. The accused was working at the victim’s neighbour’s house. He was identified as Kishori Das of local Bijli Ghar, Focal Point. He was constructing building of the neighbouring house. The victim brought the matter to the notice of her father. Sub-Inspector Baljit Kaur said on the basis of the statement of the victim’s father, a case was registered against the accused who managed to flee from the spot. — OC Amritsar, February 10 The Sultanwind police have arrested three snatchers, who looted a passersby over two months ago. They were identified as Angrej Singh, Kanwaldeep Singh and Sajandeep Singh, all residents Harike in Tarn Taran. The police recovered two scooters, a mobile phone and a sharp weapon, used in the crime, from the possession of the accused. Vishaljit Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), said Baldev Singh of Sultanwind told the police that on November 14 night, three unknown bike- borne persons stopped him near Lakha Singh’s plot. He said the accused took away his mobile phone and scooter. He said during investigation, the police identified and arrested the three accused. They already had two NDPS cases against them at the Harike police station in Tarn Taran, the ADCP said. Meanwhile, the Civil Lines police also arrested a snatcher identified as Akashdeep Singh, alias Fauji, a resident of Nangli Bhatha village on the Fatehgarh Churian road. He had three similar cases registered against him at various police Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar along with other officials at the encounter spot near Rajasansi. Ajnala, and Boota Singh, a resident of Mukam village. Lovepreet and Boota Singh, who had made an attempt to flee after snatching pistol and were injured in the brief encounter that ensued. Addressing a press conference here today, Police Commissioner (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Passian recruited and allured the accused by offering money for executing different tasks on his instructions. He said Boota Singh had a brother in Dubai, where Happy Passian was also residing at that time. Due to this connection, Boota Singh was in contact with Happy Passian via mobile phone. He introduced Lovepreet Singh and Karandeep Singh to Happy Passian via social media. Passian arranged various sophisticated and automatic weapons and funds through his other local contacts for carrying out the blast. Sharing details of the incident, Bhullar said following Boota Singh’s and stations in the city police commissionerate. The police seized a snatched mobile phone and bike used in the crime. According to the police, a local resident Manoj Kumar lodged a complaint in which he alleged that two youth snatched his mobile phone near Doon Toddler School on January 26. Following Akashdeep’s interrogation, the police named his accomplice in the FIR. Raids were on to nab him, the police said. He had four theft and snatching cases registered against him, the police added. — TNS Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 10 A team of the Khalra police led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Nirmal Singh arrested two motorcycle-borne persons after recovering 1.22 kg of heroin from their possession near the border area Dall village on Sunday. Sharing details with mediapersons on Monday, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana said the accused were identified as Sanni, a resident of Dall village, and Balwinder Singh, a resident of Wan Tarasingh village. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Illegal sand mining rampant in Ravi river at Ramdass: Majithia Actor Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna pay obeisance at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. Vicky Kaushal, Rashmika Mandanna land in city to promote film “Chhaava” Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 10 Vicky Kaushal and Rashmika Mandanna performed Ardas at the Golden Temple and listened to kirtan as the duo made a whirlwind tour of Amritsar today. The two have been touring various cities of India, while promoting their upcoming movie, Chhaava. The historical action drama — “Chhaava” — is helmed by Laxman Utekar. “Chhaava” is a cinematic adaptation of the Marathi novel “Chhava” by Shivaji Sawant. The highly anticipated drama will see Vicky Kaushal as Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, along with Rashmika Mandanna as Maharani Yesubai, Akshaye Khanna as Mughal Shahenshah Aurangzeb, Ashutosh Rana as Sarsenapati Hambirao Mohite, Divya Dutta as Soyarabai and Diana Penty as Zinat-un-Nissa Begum, Aurangzeb’s daughter. Asking Amritsar residents “ki haal”, Vicky and Rashmi- ka also made a pit stop at famous Brother’s Dhaba for lunch, gorging on paranthas and dal makhni as they met their fans and posed for pictures. Rashmika, wearing a magenta Punjabi salwar suit, got out of the car and sat on a wheelchair as they proceeded inside Golden Temple, helped by her co-actor Vicky. “Amritsar is very close to my heart. It’s my home and my “pind”. I take blessings here when I have to begin something new in life,” shared Vicky. Lovepreet’s disclosure, the police confiscated an AK-47 rifle with four rounds and a pistol with five rounds from the Ajnala and Rajasansi areas. Later, the police took along accused Karandeep for further recovery of pistol in the Rajasansi area. The CP said Lovepreet suddenly snatched service pistol from ASI Gurjit Singh and fired at the police party while attempting to escape from spot. Amidst this, Boota Singh also attempted to flee from the Amritsar, February 10 While raising the issue of rampant illegal sand mining in the Ravi river belt at Ghonewal village in Ramdass located near the IndoPak border, former Punjab cabinet minister and senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia said, “The AAP government has miserably failed to contain the menace.” He shared a video of illegal sand mining at Ghonewal village on his social media handle on Facebook while urging Gaurav Yadav, Director General, Punjab Police, to take immediate and strict action in this connection. He pointed out that this was not only loot of natural resources, but also pertains to the national security. He also tagged the post to the Amritsar (Rural) police apart from Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Ajnala is the home town of Dhaliwal. He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of indifference over the matter. Majithia alleged that illegal mining continued day and night, while the administration had turned blind eye towards the menace. He said mining had weakened land thereby endangering bridges on the Ravi river. — TNS c m y b The two accused in custody of the Khalra police. GURBAXPURI Tribune News Service Sewer water overflows in Katra Ahluwalia’s main bazar, irks devotees, tourists, residents Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 10 The main bazar of Katra Ahluwalia, a historic area developed to attract tourists, has been grappling with severe waterlogging due to a blocked sewer line for the last several days. Overflowing sewer is causing significant inconvenience to devotees heading to Darbar Sahib, besides tourists, local residents and traders. Foul smell emanates from water overflowing from manholes and accumulated on streets. A tea seller in the area said, “The stinky sewer water overflows from manholes and accumulates on street every day. None of us and visitors can bear foul smell.” Katra Ahluwalia, known for its centuries-old architecture, is a popular route for devotees visiting Darbar Sahib. A large number of pilgrims use this path daily. Waterlogging in streets has made their journey difficult. “The area is always bustling with devotees, but the present situation is making it hard for them to walk through waterlogged streets,” said a local resident. Waterlogged main bazar of Katra Ahluwalia in Amritsar on Monday. The issue has also impacted tourism in the area. A tourist guide, who frequently brings foreign tourists to explore the historic architecture of Katra Ahluwalia, shared his concerns. He said, “We come along tourists to show them rich heritage, but waterlogging and unhygienic conditions in the area are ruining experience of tourists. It’s embarrassing to explain the situation to visitors, who come here to have a glimpse of the beauty of this historic place.” Residents blamed illegal hotels operating in narrow streets of Katra Ahluwalia for waterlogging on streets. A local resident Ravi alleged, “Illegal hotels in these narrow lanes have put excessive pressure on sewer lines. These inns are the main reason behind blockage of sewer lines and waterlogging on streets. The authorities concerned have to take strict action against such establishments.” Persistent waterlogging has not only disrupted daily life, but also raised concerns about public health and hygiene. Residents and traders are regularly urging the Municipal Corporation authorities to immediately clear blocked sewer line and prevent waterlogging and unhygienic conditions in the area.