21032025-ATR-01.qxd 20-03-2025 23:01 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY KAPURTHALA HERITAGE FESTIVAL BEGINS BOLLYWOOD ACTRESS LISA RAY CRITICISES AIRLINE SERVICE NANDITA DAS AND RANDEEP HOODA SHOWCASE THEIR WIT The fest, organised by govt with the aim of showcasing the state's rich heritage, will prove to be a guiding path. P2 Lisa expressed her frustration with Air India for denying the waiver despite submitting all documents. P4 MAX 30°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 13°C Speaking at the second edition of the Cinevesture International Film Fest, she opens up about her journey. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.22 AM » FRIDAY | 21 MARCH 2025 | AMRITSAR Hand grenade attack at temple: Cops arrest second suspect Amritsar, March 20 The Amritsar city police commissionerate has arrested the second suspect involved in the hand grenade attack on Thakur Dwara temple located on the Sher Shah Suri road in Khandwala area here five days ago. Vishal alias Chui, a resident of Rajasansi area, had fled the scene when his accomplice Gursidak, alias Siddique, of Bal village was killed in an exchange of fire with the Chheharta police on March 18. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar has confirmed his arrest. On the intervening night of March 14 and 15, two motorcycle-borne persons had hurled a hand grenade on the first floor of Thakur Dwara temple, damaging the outer wall apart and creating panic in the area. The people had termed the incident as an attempt to create a divide among different communities for disturbing apeaceful atmosphere in Punjab. Later, the CCTV footage of the incident showed two persons lobbing the explosives. This was first such incident in which miscreants had targeted a religious place. It was the 13th hand grenade blast in Punjab in the past four months. Earlier, major police establishments were targeted by workers of foreign-based gangsters-turned-terrorists supported by Pakistan-based Inter Service Intelligence (ISI). Police officials had claimed the hand of foreign-based gangsters-turned-terrorists supported by Pakistan-based agencies behind the incident. They said the police had already solved all the previous cases of blasts in Amritsar. Two days ago, the police got a tip-off about the movements of the suspects on the Airport road following which the Chheharta police and CIA staff teams rushed to the spot and intercepted the duo. The suspects abandoned the motorcycle and fled towards a field, where they opened fire on a police team. A bullet grazed the turban of Inspector Amolak Singh, another hit the left arm of head constable Gurpreet Singh and the third one hit a police vehicle. Inspector Vinod Sharma opened fire in self-defence, injuring Gursiddak, while Vishal fled the scene. — TNS Migrant from Bihar found dead Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 20 A Bihar migrant, identified as Mohammad Mazid, was found dead in his rented accommodation in Jhand Peer Colony in Chheharta late last evening. The police have arrested another migrant, Dashrath Kumar, who hailed from Uttar Pradesh for the murder. The incident came to light when his brother returned home after opening the roza fast. The police have taken the body into custody and sent for post-mortem examination. Police have launched further probe after registering an FIR against unknown persons in this connection. Vinod Kumar, SHO, Chheharta, said that Mazid has been residing in a rented accommodation in the Jhand Peer locality for the past two years. He said the police received the information at around 10 pm. He was hit by a blunt weapon on the head which ultimately led to his death. “Following a preliminary probe, the police have arrested Dashrath Kumar who also lives nearby for the murder. During investigations, it was found that both were consuming liquor and a quarrel erupted over some issue. Angered over this, Dashrath, a labourer, hit Mazid with a wooden stick leading to critical head injury resulting in his death,” the SHO said. Farmers hold protest, flay state govt for detaining leaders, uprooting tents Say AAP govt is working at the behest of Modi govt; many taken into custody Tribune Reporters Amritsar, March 20 Thousands of farmers and workers, led by the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), staged a massive protest at Ranjit Avenue Dussehra Ground against the Punjab and Central Governments here on Thursday. Last evening, the farmer union, which had been holding the protest at Haryana borders for over the last one year, had given a call for protests at the district headquarters following the detaining of their leaders and uprooting of their tents by police personnel. Though the police managed to stop farmers from reaching the district headquarters, the protesters later held a dharna at Ranjit Avenue. Earlier in the day, the police arrested at least 50 farmers who had reached the place. The police took the protesters into custody and made them sit in buses which were later taken to police stations. The protesters alleged that the AAP government, led by CM Bhagwant Mann, is working at the behest of the Modi government and is oppressing the farmers. Farmer leaders claimed Batala MC razes drug smuggler’s house Tribune News Service Batala, March 20 In the absence of any provision under the NDPS Act to demolish properties of drug smugglers, the Batala Municipal Corporation (MC) virtually donned the role of the police and bulldozed the house of a known heroin smuggler in the Gandhi camp area, notorious for housing several drug runners. This afternoon, more than 300 people gathered at the Gandhi camp after news spread that the house of smuggler Jeewan Kumar would be demolished using a JCB machine. MC Commissioner and Batala SDM Vikramjeet The house of smuggler Jeewan Kumar being demolished in Gandhi camp area of Batala. Singh Panthey, SSP Suhail Qasim Mir and top officers of the Batala police were present when the JCB razed the house leading to an uproar. However, officials and workers of the MC went ahead and continued with their demolition drive despite people protesting. Jeewan Kumar had three cases of NDPS Act registered against him in various police stations of Punjab. Sources say Jeewan Kumar was on the police radar for quite some time. Police sources say they could not demolish the house just because he was a drug smuggler “as we have no power to do so.” “That is why we sounded the MC which went ahead and did the job,” said the officer who preferred anonymity. MC sources say based on the recommendations of the Batala police, eight more houses are to be razed in the coming weeks after all the relevant paperwork are completed and technical aspects are taken care of. Farmers raise slogans against the Punjab Government in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR that the Punjab Government had called them for talks, but instead detained them, a move they described as a deceitful and unprecedented step. They also accused the government of brutally canecharging farmers, jailing women and destroying their stage at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The protesters criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who, they claimed, had once called himself a well-wisher of farmers, but is now suppressing them at the behest of the Modi government. They alleged that the Punjab Government is acting as the “B-team” of the BJP , supporting the Central Government’s actions. This protest is part of a broader agitation that has been going on in the state with farmers demanding better prices for their crops, loan waivers, and other concessions. The protest has highlighted the deepening rift between the state government and the farmers, who feel that their interests are being ignored. Protests also witnessed in Tarn Taran The detaining of leaders of farm and labour organisations soon after the talks with the Union Government ended on Wednesday has made the situation tense in the district with a large number of members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), Punjab, holding a protest near the District Administrative Complex here on Thursday. They were demanding to release their detained leaders at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The farm leaders are worried over the fate of the six women and two male leaders of the organization, who were sitting at dharna site at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. The police conducted raids, throughout the night, at the houses of KMSC leaders in different villages, but none of them could be traced. Members of the farm organisation immediately reached Gurdwara Baba Sidhana, Sheron, and called a number of workers there and discussed how to deal with the situation. On Thursday morning, farmers and labourers, gathered at the gurdwara in a big number, started proceeding to National Highway No.54 to block traffic, but a heavy police force stopped them on the way. Soon they were allowed to proceed to the District Administrative Complex (DAC) to stage a dharna, but were detained before they could reach the DAC. Sukhwinder Singh Sabhra, state president, Ranbir Rana, state general secretary, Satnam Singh Pannu, Sawinder Singh Chutala and other leaders of the KMSC, termed the detaining of the farm leaders as a shameful act as it would sabotage the table-talk process. However, SSP Abhimanyu Rana responded neither to the mobile calls nor SMSes. The agitating members were gheraoed by the police. Edu Dept launches admission drive in dist Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 20 The district Education Department launched its annual admission campaign in line with the Education Department, Punjab, under the slogan “Better Experience, Quality Education, Pride of Punjab’s Government School” from Nursery to Class XII. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney flagged off an awareness van from Government School at Gawal Mandi here. Addressing officials, teachers, children and parents on the occasion, Sahni said all government schools in the state are undergoing a transformation. She appealed to the parents and said that for the Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney flags off an awareness van in Amritsar on Thursday. better future of their children, they should get their children admitted in government schools so that they can get maximum benefit from the numerous facilities provided by the government in these schools. “At present, the stu- dents studying in government schools are making great strides in every field. Now, it is continued on page 2 Cops arrest another member of Two unlicensed food Judge inspects Asr Central Jail, gang involved in drug smuggling outlets sealed in city informs inmates about legal aid Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, March 20 Taking stern action against drug traders involved in smuggling narcotics from across the border, the police arrested one more member of a gang whose four members were arrested a few days back with drugs and illegal weapons. The police recovered drug money worth Rs 12 lakh, a cash counting machine, a licensed revolver with four cartridges and a car. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana informed here today that the smuggler arrested on Thursday has been identified as Iqbal Singh, a resident of Khabbe Rajputan. The SSP said that the police also seized drug money worth Rs 10.10 lakh from the residence of Satnam Singh Sagar, a resident of Basarke Tribune News Service The drug money seized from the smugglers. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI Gillan (Amritsar) who along with three others was arrested on March 17 in Chabal area. The remaining three smugglers have been recognised as Varinder Singh Vijay, Gurjant Singh Janta (both residents of Bharobhal village) and Jashanpreet Singh Jashan of Basarke Gillan (Amritsar). The Chabal police have already registered a case in this regard and provisions of the Arms Act have been added to the case registered. Amritsar, March 20 In a bid to ensure food safety, a team of the district health department sealed two unlicensed food outlets manufacturing chaamp and momos in Anngarh area of the city on Thursday. Assistant Food Commissioner Rajinder Pal Singh along with Food Safety Officers Amandeep Singh and Satnam Singh raided the outlets and stated that the kitchen area at these places was unhygienic and no effort was being made to ensure cleanliness. He said that the factory owners had not obtained licence from the department which is required under the Food Safety and c m y b Standards Act (FSSA). He said that the factories were sealed and the samples collected from the place have been sent to the food testing laboratory at Kharar. The team also raided a wholesale shop at Rambagh, to collect samples of chaamp and momos. The shopkeeper was issued a challan and the samples were sealed due to the lack of a food safety licence and unhygienic conditions. The official said that a total of five samples were collected during the raid. He said that the health department’s action aims to prevent the sale of unhygienic and unauthorised food products, ensuring the safety of consumers. Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 20 Administrative Judge, Sessions Division, Anupinder Singh Grewal, today visited the Central Jail here. He inspected the barracks, kitchen (Langar Ghar), prison legal aid clinic and jail hospital. He also tasted the food to check the quality and found it to be satisfactory. Amarinder Singh Grewal, District and Sessions Judge, and Amardeep Singh Bains, Chief Judicial Magistratecum-Secretary, District Legal Sevices Authority (DLSA), accompanied him during the inspection. Jail Superintendent Hemant Sharma and Assistant Jail Superintendent Kanwar Surteg Singh were also present during the inspection. TASTES FOOD TO CHECK QUALITY ■ Administrative Judge, Sessions Division, Anupinder Singh Grewal also tasted the food to check the quality and found it to be satisfactory. He inspected the barracks, langar ghar, prison legal aid clinic and hospital. The Administrative Judge also inaugurated Radio Ujala within the jail premises. Several inmates appeared before him to express their grievances which were taken up with the jail authorities. The inmates were guided about free legal aid services being provided by the Punjab State Legal Services Authority at the Prison Legal Aid Clinic. They were also informed that all the inmates in the jail, whether convict or undertrial, are entitled to free legal aid under Legal Services Authority Act, 1987. They were told that an inmate can submit a simple application for getting a free legal aid counsel. Similarly, in case a person is convicted by the court and intends to file appeal/revision against the order of conviction, he/she can also file an application in the office of District Legal Services Authority or Prison Legal Aid Clinic in Central Jail, Amritsar. It was further explained that all the expenses incurred during the case are borne by the District Legal Services Authority, Amritsar. A “Neem” sapling was also planted on the occasion under the “Ek Ped, Maa Ke Naam” initiative by him.