21062025-ATR-01.qxd 6/20/2025 11:21 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MC CHIEF REVIEWS STEPS FOR SAFETY OF AMBEDKAR STATUES CELEBRITIES REFLECT ON THE POWER OF YOGA SUKHWINDER: WHERE MUSIC MEETS MEDITATION AND YOGA The MC Commissioner held a meeting with officials to review security of statues of Dr BR Ambedkar. P2 TV actress Shubhangi Atre says during my divorce, yoga became my therapy. P4 As Sukhwinder Singh gears up for three releases, he draws oxygen from two of his loves — music and yoga. P4 » » » MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 31°C SUNSET SATURDAY 7.22 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5.24 AM SATURDAY | 21 JUNE 2025 | AMRITSAR Police seize 1 kg heroin, five drug peddlers held in two cases Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 19 The CIA staff of city police have arrested two criminals, identified as Bittu Bhaiya of Bihar, now residing at Faizpura area, and Sukesh Kumar of Faizpura area. The police recovered two .32 bore pistols, seven rounds of ammunition and a bike from their possession. Bittu had six criminal cases, including that of attempt to murder and vehicle snatching, against him. He was declared proclaimed offender (PO) in a case. RPS Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations), stated that both the accused were of a criminal nature and wanted by the police in four cases of snatching and firing. The accused were arrested following an intelligence input when they were going on a bike to commit some crime. He said they were produced in court and brought on police remand for further investigations. — TNS Amritsar, June 20 The Gharinda police have arrested two persons and confiscated 1kg heroin from their possession. They were identified as Gursewak Singh of Rai village falling under the Lopoke police station and Kuljit Singh of Harad Khurd village in Ramdas police station area. The police also impounded a motorcycle without registration number on which they were travelling to deliver the consignment, said the police. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Attari, Lakhwinder Singh Kaler said the police a got specific input that the accused were involved in cross-border drug trafficking and have direct links with Pakistan-based smugglers. The police intercepted the duo and during search, seized the contraband. A case was registered against them. They were produced in a court and brought on police remand for further probe. The police are also identifying their proper- Manhole mayhem: Uneven covers pose threat to lives Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Two drug peddlers in custody of the police in Amritsar on Friday. ties earned from illegal drug trade money. It would be frozen after following a legal procedure, he said. Similarly, the Sadar police have arrested three persons, including a couple, for drug peddling and confiscated commercial quantity of heroin from their possession. They were identified as Harpreet Singh alias Harpartap Singh, his wife Priyanka and Shilpa, all residents of Sandhu Colony located on the Batala road. The police seized 260gm of heroin and Rs 5290 of drug money from them. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against them at the Sadar police station here. They were produced in a local court and brought on police remand for further investigations. Amritsar, June 20 Several city roads have become a safety hazard for commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, due to protruding or sunken sewer manhole covers. These covers, found on various roads, pose a risk to motorists, particularly during the rainy season when roads are submerged under rainwater. The unlevelled manhole covers can cause two-wheeler riders to lose control of their vehicles, leading to accidents and injuries. The problem gets exacerbated during the rainy season when waterlogging on roads makes it difficult for riders to even spot uneven covers. A visit to Taylor Road would reveal that the stretch has at least four such manhole covers. Being a low-lying area, the entire stretch is flooded with water and it becomes difficult to guess the location of these ‘deadly traps’. Such manhole covers can also PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Murder bid suspect among two nabbed with pistols A protruding manhole on the Ranjit Avenue road in Amritsar. be spotted in posh areas, such as Ranjit Avenue. Residents have expressed concern over the issue, highlighting the need for immediate attention from authorities. “These unlevelled manhole covers are a potential safety risk to commuters. The authorities must take urgent action to fix this problem and prevent accidents,” said Balkar Singh, a local resident. The maintenance of city’s infrastructure is crucial to ensure the safety of commuters. Raman Behal, a shopkeeper, said, “Authorities must give priority to repairs and maintenance of roads, including fixing unlevelled manhole covers, to prevent accidents and ensure a smooth commute for residents.” He said many accidents have occurred in the past due to these spots. The MC Commissioner recently at a meeting with senior officials asked them to ensure that all dug-up roads must be repaired before the onset of the monsoon. The MC Commissioner had also designated various officials to oversee the condition of roads in their respective jurisdiction. “It would be better if the MC also asks the officials to identify the unlevelled manholes and repair these when the government machinery is already repairing roads,” suggested Harbhajan Singh, a senior citizen. The issue requires immediate attention from the municipal corporation and other authorities responsible for maintaining the city’’s infrastructure. By taking prompt action, they can prevent accidents and ensure the safety of commuters. Metro bus service route to be Chinese kite string International-level kabaddi player nabbed on extortion charge extended till IIM Manawala: DC claims 44-yr-old’s life Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 20 To facilitate the access between city and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) at Manawala, the Deputy Commissioner has directed to extend the route of Amritsar Metro bus service beyond Golden Gate. The DC also assured the delegation from the institute’s management that in the near future, the facility of e-buses will also be provided for them from the city. The Deputy Commissioner asked the General Manager, Roadways, Paramjit Singh to make adequate transport arrangements for this institution till the facility of ebuses is available. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, who chaired a meeting with the IIM administrators regarding the needs of the institution today, said Amritsar, June 20 In a shocking incident, a man lost his life after getting entangled in a dangling synthetic kite string on the elevated road here on Thursday. The incident happened when he was on his way to office (hospital). The victim was identified as Dr Shamsher Singh (44), a resident of Chungawala bazaar located on the Sultanwind road here. Hartej Singh, a relative of the deceased, said his uncle works at a private hospital located on the airport road here. He was discharging his night duty at present. He said last evening, he was going to hospital to discharge his duty and when he reached the elevated road, a Chinese kite string got entangled around his DC Sakshi Sawhney during a meeting with officials and a delegarion of the IIM management in Amritsar on Friday. that the road leading to the IIM should be repaired and proper security arrangements made. “The IIM hosts students from all over the country. Apart from this, guests from all over the country also visit this institution, so all arrangements should be made keeping in mind their needs,” the DC directed the officials concerned. She also directed them to install street lights on this road for lighting. SDM, Amritsar, Gursimranjit Singh has been appointed the nodal officer and he will be responsible for all the needs of the institution on behalf of the district administration, coordinating with all the departments and work for the needs of the institution. neck. Though he tried to get rid of it, the deadly string slit his throat. He was immediately rushed to hospital by passersby, but he died on his way due to excessive loss of blood. He is survived by his wife Tanya and two daughters Leharpreet Kaur (8) and Mehak (4). Advocate Harsimran Singh, president, Just Seva Society, an NGO, who had waged a war against Chinese kite string alleged that the incident has once again pointed out at the district administration’s failure to nail the perpetrators involved in illegal sale and purchase of the deadly kite string. Earlier, on October 15, 2024, Haramrital Singh, alias Rajan, a railway employee, had lost his life in a similar manner. Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 20 Days after some unknown persons fired outside the residence of a doctor, the Amritsar rural police have arrested an international-level kabaddi player on charges of extortion. He was identified as Gurlal Singh, a resident of Sohal village in Tarn Taran. The police recovered a .30 bore pistol along with two magazines from his possession. The police also seized the car used in the crime. Deputy Superintendent of Police Inderjit Singh confirmed his arrest while adding that five of his accomplices are absconding and three of them were kabaddi players. Yuvraj Nanda of Bhilowal Pucca village had lodged a complaint with the Lopoke police on June 4 alleging that some unknown persons had fired outside his house. He told the The kabbadi player in police custody in Amritsar on Friday. police that he runs a medical store near the Lopoke Civil Hospital while he also owned a private hospital at Bhilowal village. The hospital was run by his father. He said a few days before the incident he had received a call from an unknown person who had demanded Rs 30 lakh in extortion from him. The accused had threatened him of dire consequences if he failed to give him the money. He said as he did not give the extortion money, the accused fired at his house. DSP Inderjit Singh said as per an initial probe, Gurlal Singh had got the weapon from a foreign-based gangster, identified as Nav. He said the accused was in police remand and raids were on to nab the absconding accused. City gears up for Int’l Yoga Day events today GNDU alumna Mandeep Aulakh wins Yuva Sahitya Award 2025 for her poetry book Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 20 A day ahead of International Yoga Day, a number of programmes have been slated to be held in the holy city on Saturday. Under the Punjab Government’s health scheme “CM’s Yoga Shala”, International Yoga Day will be celebrated at a massive scale at Guru Nanak Stadium (Gandhi Ground) on June 21 at 6 am. Giving more information in this regard, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development) Major Amit Sarin said the 11th International Yoga Day under the district-level CM Yoga Shala will be celebrated with the active participation of the district administration and the Ayurveda directorate. He said that group yoga practice programmes, yoga performances and health awareness activities will be organized, besides a large participation of general public, students, yoga instructors, health workers and social organizations is being Students perform exercises during a rehearsal in Amritsar on Friday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ensured in this event. He said under the “CM’s Yoga Shala” scheme, hundreds of trained yoga teachers are already conducting free yoga classes in localities, parks, schools and community places across the state. The Border Security Force (BSF) will celebrate the 11th International Yoga Day at all units and headquarters in Punjab. A special function will be held at Joint Check Post (JCP), Attari. This significant event aims to unite BSF troops with residents of border villages, eminent sports personalities and Padma awardees will take part in a spirit of strength, peace, and harmony. The initiative is geared towards promoting the holistic benefits of yoga and fostering wellness, unity and camaraderie. Atul Fulzele, IPS, Inspector General, BSF Punjab Frontier, , will be the chief guest. The highlights of the event will be a guided yoga session led by certified instructors and demonstration of various yog asanas showcasing the benefits of yoga practices for all ages. The Sant Nirankari Mission will hold yoga sessions at 6 am across more than 1,000 locations in India simultaneously. These events will be conducted in open grounds and parks under the guidance of local yoga instructors, where devotees, sewadars, volunteers and local citizens will participate with great enthusiasm. This year, the theme declared by the United Nations for International Yoga Day is – “Yoga for One Earth, One Health”, which conveys the message to all humanity that true health is only complete when a person is physically, mentally, socially and spiritually balanced and aware. Joginder Sukhija, secretary, Sant Nirankari Mandal, said since 2015, the Sant Nirankari Charitable Foundation has been organizing yoga day nationwide on a regular basis. c m y b Mandeep is inspired by works of Punjabi literary greats like Surjit Patar Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 20 Mandeep Aulakh, a young and upcoming writer of the Punjabi language, has won this year’s Yuva Sahitya Puraskar given by the Sahitya Akademi. Aulakh has won the award for her poetry book, Girls Hostel. Mandeep Aulakh’s first book of poetry, ‘Man Kasturi’, was hailed as a fresh piece of Punjabi poetry by linguistic and literary experts. In the second book ‘Girls Hostel’, Aulakh is more diverse and intense as she writes about personal experiences and introspects life through social lens. Punjabi literary experts have hailed Mandeep’s poetry as refreshing, created by exploring the social and natural contexts of the self. Her The cover of the book “Girls Hostel” by Mandeep Aulakh. book Girls Hostel’s reviews call it a narration of how a girls’ hostel is an exclusive space for girls, where they move around free from the cultural discourses of patriarchy and the pressures of the physical existence of men for some time. The poems are not completely political in nature but merge the narratives together through skilled use of language. Based in Ludhiana, Mandeep is highly inspired by the works of Punjabi literary greats like Surjit Patar. She is an alumna of the Department of English, GNDU. Thanking the Sahitya Akademi for the award, Aulakh said the recognition to the Punjabi language needs more applause. The Sahitya Akademi, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and considered the apex body of Indian literature, declares these awards every year to recognize the unparalleled contribution of young writers. This award is given to honour the creative talent of young litterateurs of India, their dedication to the language and their powerful writing on contemporary issues.