29032025-ATR-01.qxd 3/28/2025 11:19 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY BIS HOLDS SEMINAR ON QUALITY CONTROL, STANDARDISATION TEASER FOR EMRAAN HASHMI’S UPCOMING FILM UNVEILED JEWEL THIEF: THE HEIST BEGINS TO PREMIERE ON NETFLIX Over 45 industry representatives participated in seminar organised by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). P2 The teaser for Emraan Hashmi’s upcoming film, Ground Zero, has been unveiled, promising an intense war thriller. P4 MAX 32°C | MIN 17°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 15°C Saif Ali Khan’s latest movie Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins will make its debut on Netflix on April 25, the streamer announced. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 6.48 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:21 AM » SATURDAY | 29 MARCH 2025 | AMRITSAR Court sends Amritpal’s aides to judicial custody Amritsar, March 28 A sub-divisional court at Ajnala has sent eight aides of Khalistan sympathiser Amritpal Singh to judicial custody after expiry of their extended police remand. Those sent to judicial custody were Basant Singh of Daulatpura Ucha in Moga, Bhagwant Singh, alias Pradhan Mantri Bajeke, of Bajeke village in Moga, Gurmeet Singh Gill of Bukkanwala village in Moga, Sarabjeet Singh Kalsi, alias Daljit Singh, of West Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi, Gurinderpal Singh Aujla of Phagwara, Harjeet Singh, alias Chacha, of Jallupur Khera village in Amritsar, Kulwant Singh Dhaliwal of Rauke Kalan in Moga and Amandeep Singh of Panjgraiyan in Kotkapura. They were arrested in connection with the Ajnala police station attack case that occurred on February 23, 2023. Earlier, they were brought from Dibrugarh Central Jail in Assam where they were lodged under the National Security Act (NSA) along with pro-Khalistan propagator Amritpal Singh after the Punjab Government decided not to reimpose the NSA against them. Amritpal’s term would end on April 22, while his close aide Pappalpreet Singh’s tenure would conclude on April 10. It was yet to be seen whether the Punjab Government would extend the NSA against them or not. The seven aides were brought from Assam jail and produced in the Ajnala court on March 21, which sent them to four-day police remand. The eighth suspect Amandeep Singh, who was arrested from Kotkapura on March 22, was also sent to the police custody. Their remand was extended for three days on March 25. — TNS 540 Pregabalin capsules seized from medical store Amritsar, March 28 Officials of the Health Department along with the Punjab Police today raided various medical stores in Mattewal here. During raid, they seized banned Pregabalin 300 mg capsules worth Rs 16,960 from a chemist shop — Baba Deep Singh Medical Store — at Udhoke village located on the Mehta road here. Drug Control Officer Sukhdeep Singh said the teams seized 540 Pregabalin 300 mg capsules from the store. As the store owner, identified as Balwinder Singh, failed to produce purchase bills of the drug, an FIR was registered in this connection. The store owner also failed to present the sale record and schedule H-1 register. The shop also did not have an AC or refrigerator which was mandatory for storing drugs at certain temperature, he said. The owner did not display licence for running the medical store, he said. The Drug Control Officer said the owner of Guru Nanak Medical Store at the Loharka road also failed to maintain the Schedule H-1 register which was incomplete. Salwan Medical Centre on the Loharka road too did not show the sale record and schedule H-1 register, while the pharmacist was also absent from the shop, he said. Meanwhile, the health authorities took custody orders from the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate regarding drugs seized from Prabh Medical Store located outside Guru Nanak Dev Hospital yesterday. — TNS Budget meeting of MC General Two weapon smugglers arrested with five pistols House set to be stormy affair Tribune News Service Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 28 The upcoming Budget and General House meeting of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) on March 29 is expected to be contentious. The MC House comprises 85 councillors and seven MLAs. At present, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has 24 councillors, along with the support of seven Independent councillors and two BJP councillors. Besides, all seven MLAs in the House belong to the AAP . On the other hand, the Congress has 40 councillors and the support of one Independent councillor. The House also includes seven BJP and four Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillors. The Congress leaders claimed that Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia does not have a clear majority. Any proposal presented in the General House meeting requires the support of 51 per cent members present, they said. The final outcome regarding the strength of each party would The Amritsar Municipal Corporation House comprises 85 councillors and seven MLAs. be determined by the attendance at tomorrow’s meeting, they said. The meeting is scheduled to be held at the main office of the corporation in Ranjit Avenue at 3 pm. The first session would focus on the Budget, in which a financial proposal of Rs 459.45 crore would be presented. Approval of the Budget is crucial, as it ensures the functioning of the MC, including salaries for officials and employees, as well as other operational expenses such as fuel procurement, development work, councillor allowances, electricity bills and other essential services. Due to the necessity of Budget approval for the corporation’s operations, it is unlikely that the Congress, the SAD or the BJP councillors will not oppose it. Besides, a supplementary agenda prepared by the MC’s agenda branch on March 27 has been included, proposing sterilisation of 20,000 stray dogs, procurement of chemical for spraying, execution of certain civil development projects, bioremediation of the waste at the Bhagtanwala dump and the establishment of an integrated solid waste management facility in Amritsar. However, the financial allocation for these projects has not been disclosed, and the detailed project report (DPR) for bioremediation and solid waste management is yet to be prepared. There is also possibility of introducing a table agenda during the meeting. The most significant point in this agenda could be the selection of two councillors for the Finance and Contract Committee, along with granting authority to Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia to appoint chairpersons and members of other sub-committees of the civic body. Amritsar, March 28 The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of the Amritsar police has busted a trans-border weapon smuggling module by arresting two operatives of Canada-based-gangsterturned terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa and Satta Naushehra. The arrested accused were identified as Fateh Singh and Gurpreet Singh, both residents of Dhalla village in Tarn Taran district, said DGP Gaurav Yadav in a statement issued here on Friday. The police recovered five sophisticated pistols, including two .30 bore PX5 and three .30 bore star marked pistols, from their possession. “The Tarn Taran wing of the CI Amritsar received reliable inputs that the duo had established relations with Pakistan-based smuggler identified as Amar, a resident of Gharak in Pakistan, who used drones to deliver weapons consignments from across the border,” the DGP said. As per the information, Five pistols confiscated by the Tarn Taran wing of the Amritsar CI. they had recently retrieved a huge consignment of illegal arms and ammunition from international border, he said. They were going to deliver the weapons consignment near Government School of Eminence at Naraingarh in Amritsar, the DGP said. “Acting swiftly, the CI launched an operation and arrested Fateh Singh and Gurpreet Singh with the weapon consignment” he said. A preliminary probe revealed that they were in contact with Pakistan- based weapon smuggler Amar, who along with his asso- ciates was working at the behest of gangsters Lakhbir Singh Landa and Satta Naushehra, both of Tarn Taran district, the DGP said. They were supplying illegal weapons to their associates here with the help of drones for carrying out nefarious activities, he said. A case under Sections 25, 25(1)(A), 25(7) and 25(8) of the Arms Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered with the State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar, in this connection, he said. Further probe was on to establish their links, he added. Back from Dubai, Players, coaches happy with budgetary announcements Every village in Punjab to have playgrounds and indoor gyms man shot by robbers ❝ ❝ on way back home Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, March 28 A resident of Fatehpur Badesa village falling under Verowal police station, Rajbir Singh, was shot at on Wednesday night by two motorcycle-borne masked robbers. He had returned from Dubai and was on his way back home along with his father. Rajbir Singh is under treatment at Guru Nanak Dev Hospital, Amritsar. Sub-inspector Naresh Kumar, SHO, Verowal police station, said here today that Rajbir Singh was picked up from the airport in Amritsar by his father Santokh Singh. They drove towards their village on a motorcycle. The SHO said the father-son duo was intercepted and stopped by two bike-borne masked robbers. The robbers demanded the kit and other items belonging to Rajbir Singh. Rajbir Singh caught hold of one of the robbers. The other robber then shot at him. The bullet hit Rajbir Singh and he fell down on the road. The robbers took away their motorcycle, kit and mobile phone while fleeing from the spot. Santokh Singh, father of Rajbir Singh, said the kit contained passport of Rajbir Singh and Rs 5,000 in cash. The SHO said a case under Sections 109, 304 (2) and 3 (5) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act was registered against robbers who were yet to be identified. — OC Amritsar, March 28 Players and coaches are happy with the budgetary announcements for playgrounds and indoor gyms for every village in Punjab. At the same time they are also cautious as previous announcements by the AAP government have remained unfulfilled. Majha in general and Amritsar in particular have been acclaimed as a powerhouse of sportspersons. Distinguished athletes, hockey players, cricketers, wrestlers, tennis and players from many other sports disciplines have come from these two areas. A cross section of them whom the Amritsar Tribune spoke appreciated allocation of Rs 979 crore for “Khed-Da Punjab Badalda Punjab” initiative. Kabaddi coach Ranjit Singh, who happens to be Although there is shortage of sports infrastructure in villages, there is no dearth of talent. All we need is to provide rural youth grounds, sports material and coaches to tap their potential. Ranjit Singh, KABADDI COACH ❞ president of the Amritsar Kabaddi, daily trains at least 80 players, including 35 girls, all above 14 years of age at a centre located at Harsha Chinna village in Ajnala border sub-division. His trained team did wonders when after 18 years Punjab Kabaddi team won bronze medal in the senior national that concluded on February 23 in Odisha. Welcoming the move, he said there was shortage of infrastructure in villages while there was no dearth of talent. “All we need to provide Government support is completely missing for wrestling in the rural areas. The budgetary announcements if implemented could do wonders in the field of wrestling. Bhupinder Ajnala, WRESTLER rural youth grounds, material and coaches to tap their potential,” he said. His centre has produced some international and several national players in the game which has its origin in Punjab countryside. Rajbir Singh was among the 20 best players chosen across India, who participated in the junior national kabaddi championship held last year. The centre has produced 25 national and six sub-junior (U-16) national players. Wrestler Bhupinder ❞ Ajnala, 36, who is running an academy at his native Bholion village, where he trains 30 youngsters keen to carve out their career in the field said, “The government support is completely missing for wrestling in the rural areas. The announcement if implemented could do wonders in wrestling.” A retired coach IS Bajwa, while stressing on the need to honour the budgetary announcement recalled that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had launched the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme to promote sports infrastructure and competitions in villages and block panchayats, while encouraging sports and games in the rural areas through annual competitions, when MS Gill was the Union Sports Minister. A Union Government initiative, it provided basic sports infrastructure, sports equipment, Kridashrees or sports volunteers for each centre, starting from blocks, districts, state and the national level. Provisions of the ambitious plan were rarely implemented in this part of the country, said Bajwa. The provincial government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann must ensure its implementation to elicit a favourable result in sports in the future, he said. Quest for mileage, drivers of e-rickshaws Improve academic standards at ignore commuters safety during night hours GNDU, MLA says in Assembly Amritsar, March 28 As the holy city embraces eco-friendly revolution with battery-operated e-rickshaws, a new challenge has emerged, putting commuters’ safety at risk. Despite benefits of these environmental friendly vehicles, many drivers are neglecting a crucial aspect of road safety which is switching on headlights after dark. The quest for mileage and battery conservation has led some drivers to keep their erickshaw lights off, even when moving onto main roads from side lanes. This reckless behaviour has left other commuters vulnerable to accidents and near-misses. Expressing dismay, Harmanpreet Kaur, a concerned resident, said, “While we understand the desire to maximise battery power, drivers must prioritise safety of commuters. By not using headlights, they are not only risking their own lives, but also those who travel on their vehicles during night.” Headlights of e-rickshaws are mostly switched off during the night time in Amritsar. PHOTO: SUNIL KUMAR The government’s initiative to promote e-rickshaws under the Rejuvenation of Auto-rickshaw in Amritsar Through Holistic Intervention (RAAHI) project has led to a surge in adoption of such vehicles. With subsidies and assistance with bank loans, the number of e-rickshaws is continuously increasing. The project aims to replace at least 12,000 diesel run autorickshaws to combat pollu- tion in the city. E-rickshaws have won over drivers and commuters alike with their narrower width, making navigation through narrow streets and traffic jams easier. However, failure of some drivers to adhere to basic safety protocols has raised concerns. Voicing his frustration, Satnam Singh, another resident, said, “Everything about erickshaws is great, except for c m y b the irresponsible behaviour of some drivers. They must be educated and sensitised about the importance of using headlights for the safety of all road users.” “As the city continues to embrace benefits of e-rickshaws, it is crucial that drivers prioritise safety and adopt responsible driving practices to ensure a secure and sustainable transportation system for all,” he said. — TNS Amritsar, March 28 MLA from Amritsar North Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh has said in Punjab Vidhan Sabha that there was an urgent need to upgrade the academic standards of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) here. The MLA called for the attention of Minister of Higher Education towards vacancies of teachers in various university departments and recommended to fill them on priority basis. He also asked the minister to open the departments of geography and geology. The MLA pointed out that there was an urgent need to teach geology at the GNDU. “Falling water level in Punjab, especially in border areas, has posed a serious threat. For study and research in the area, geology as a subject can contribute a lot. So, there is a dire need to teach geology. Similarly, area studies, developmental studies and socio-economic research in the under-developed border areas are much required. So, The Guru Nanak Dev University campus in Amritsar. education and research in the field of geography is needed at the GNDU,” he said. “Departments like agriculture, economics, hotel management, sociology, mass communication, foreign languages, Urdu and Sanskrit do not have their own heads and are being headed by teachers of some other subjects,” the MLA said. “Keeping in view the need to maintain academic sanctity, heads should be from the same department and appointed on a regular basis,” he emphasised. “In Punjabi Language Department, only five teachers are regular and 13 are contractual or work on part-time basis. The Law Department has 11 regular teachers, while 18 are on contract or part-time basis,” the MLA said. “Even the University Business School has only 10 regular teachers, while 21 are either on contractual or part-time basis. In Agriculture Department, only three teachers are regular whereas 13 are on contractual or part-time basis. It is in the interest of students to ensure regular appointment of professors,” he said. — TNS