22092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/21/2025 11:00 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY SIKH ORGANISATIONS PLEDGE TO REBUILD DAMAGED MP SAHNEY LAUNCHES MAJOR DESILTING OPS IN AJNALA DRAPE IT LIKE THE DIVAS ON THIS NINE-NIGHT FESTIVAL Several Sikh groups have pledged to help in repairing and rebuilding houses damaged in the floods. P2 MP Dr Vikramjit Singh Sahney launched flood rehabilitation and desilting operations in Ajnala. P2 MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C Navratri is a celebration of vibrant colours, music and dance and it’s a time to embrace traditional attire. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 6.26 PM » SUNRISE TUESDAY 6.18 AM MONDAY | 22 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR 3 miscreants open fire at car occupants KMSC raises alarm over deep pit mining in Tarn Taran village Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, September 21 Three armed persons riding a motorcycle opened fire on a car in which three persons of Tarn Taran were sitting near the local bus stand on Friday night. However, the car occupants managed to escape unhurt. The car was being driven by Bhardev while his younger brother Rohit Kumar and Dinesh Kumar were accompanying him. They were returning to their homes in Tarn Taran from Jalandhar after playing cricket at about 11.30 pm. They were chased by the motorcycle-borne miscreants, one of whom fired at them. But they managed to escape from the spot. The incident was reported to the city police in the morning. ASI Kulbir Singh said a case under Sections 125 and 3 (5) of the BNS and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act has been registered by the city police. Tarn Taran, September 21 Leaders of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC), Punjab, have raised concerns over alleged illegal mining activities near Chambal village here. The mining is reportedly creating deep pits on farmland, posing a serious threat to nearby farmers. Nishan Singh Shahabpur, president of KMSC, and Sukhdev Singh, organizing secretary, said illegal excavation on nearly 100 acres has caused significant damage. Farmers fear that their higher-lying lands could be endangered by water accumulating in the deep pits formed by mining. According to the leaders, earth removal from the site was initially about six feet deep in previous years, but has now reached a depth of 12 feet. Heavy machinery, including a Poclain excavator, A Poclain excavator being employed for illegal mining at Chambal village in Tarn Taran. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI was observed at the site actively mining soil. When contacted, Sahil, Executive Engineer (Mining), said mining is permitted up to a depth of only four feet in one location. He also mentioned sending subordinates to inspect the site and assured that appropriate action would be taken against violators. Farmers’ leaders alleged that the excavated earth was being used for the Bharat Mala Project, which requires vast amounts of soil to elevate road levels. They further claimed that a senior leader of the ruling party might be involved in facilitating the illegal mining. Interstate opium supply network busted, two nabbed Amritsar, September 21 The Amritsar police commissionerate has busted an interstate opium supply network with the arrest of two traffickers and seizure of a substantial quantity of contraband. Acting on a secret information, a police team laid a naka near the Golden Gate, Amritsar, and intercepted a vehicle on Saturday. During the operation, the police arrested Harwinder Singh, alias Harry, and Ranjit Singh, alias Rana, both residents of Amritsar (Rural), who were allegedly bringing consignments of opium from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, for further distribution in Punjab. From their possession, the police recovered 12 kg of opium, a vehicle, and Rs 6,000 in drug money. An FIR under Sections 18 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Maqboolpura police station. The seized opium in custody of the police in Amritsar on Sunday. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Harwinder Singh, alias Harry, has been active in the narcotics trade since 2022. His brother Gurpreet Singh is already facing trial in another case where 7 kg of opium was recovered earlier. Harwinder himself has a previous accident case registered against him. Ranjit Singh, on the other hand, has no prior criminal record and holds a diploma in civil engineering but had been working in agriculture. The police said further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify other members of the network. — TNS Akali Dal leader gets Prepare Dasehra ground, surroundings for Farmers’ Assistance threats amid rising festivities, MLA Gupta tells MC officials Centre launched, to hate against migrants help in stubble mgmt Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 21 Amid growing tensions over the migrant issue in Punjab, Mahesh Verma, former director of the Punjab Parvasi Welfare Board and a senior member of the Shiromani Akali Dal’s Parvasi Wing, has alleged that he is receiving threats from the country and foreign countries. Verma has lodged a complaint with the city police and sent copies to the Chief Minister and the Punjab DGP urging , immediate registration of an FIR and the arrest of unknown suspects. He has appealed to the state government to ensure the safety of his family. He said, “I strongly condemned the ghastly incident in which a minor boy was kidnapped, subjected to unnatural sex and murdered by a man in Hoshiarpur and believe the guilty would be punished as per the law of the country.” He said he has been constant- ly getting threatening calls from unknown foreign and national numbers as he raised the voice against the backlash against migrants in the media. He alleged the callers have been threatening to harm his family. The threats come at a time when anti-migrant rhetoric has escalated following the Hoshiarpur incident. While political leaders have condemned the crime, several migrant welfare representatives, including Verma, have voiced concerns over the safety of migrants. Several village panchayats had passed resolutions against the migrants in Punjab. The police said the matter is under investigation and necessary action will be taken to trace the origin of the threatening calls. “A probe has been marked to Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) for further investigations,” said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. Amritsar, September 21 With the onset of the festive season, special preparations have begun at the Dasehra ground near Durgiana Mandir here. On Sunday, MLA Dr Ajay Gupta inspected the ground along with officials of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation to review the cleanliness and improvement works. Dr Gupta said his visit followed the directions of Shri Durgiana Mandir Committee president Laxmi Kanta Chawla, who emphasised the need for better arrangements ahead of the Navratri, beginning tomorrow, and the upcoming Dasehra festival. “Every year, thousands of people gather at this ground to witness the burning of the effigies of Ravana, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran. It is one of the biggest cultural and religious gatherings of Amritsar, and therefore, the venue must be in a proper condition,” he said. The MLA instructed officials to level the ground completely with the help of Tribune News Service MLA Ajay Gupta (2nd from left) during a visit to the Dasehra ground in Amritsar on Sunday. machinery and remove stray animals from the area. He laid stress on the importance of maintaining hygiene around Durgiana Mandir during the nine days of Navratri, directing that cleaning be carried out at least three times daily. “Cleanliness and proper arrangements are the responsibility of the administration and I appeal to all departments to work in coordination to ensure a smooth festive season,” Dr Gupta said. The municipal corporation has already started work to improve the ground and strengthen sanitation arrangements. Assistant Commissioner Vishal Wadhawan and Superintendent Engineer Sandeep Singh assured that the work would be completed on time. Officials from the Durgiana Committee, including Dr Rakesh Sharma and Dr Saransh Gupta, also joined the inspection. The Dasehra festival holds Red Cross de-addiction centre conducts relief camp Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Gurdaspur, September 21 The Gurdaspur Red-Cross De-Addiction Centre, better known for rehabilitating drug-addicts, successfully ventured into unchartered territory by organising a medical relief and rehabilitation camp in ‘Us-Paar’ (across the Ravi river) villages, a cluster of seven helmets that fall in this district. This is the eighth such camp held by the centre in flood-ravaged areas. The staff of the centre recognised the devastating natural calamity that has hit the district in particular and the state in general. The staff members found courage and daring within them to cross the choppy waters of the Ravi in a boat to reach Toor-Chebe village where the camp was held in a government school. In this cluster, doctors admit that the possibility of severe health diseases origi- Staff of the Red Cross De-Addiction Centre at the relief camp in one of the ‘Us-Paar’ (across the Ravi river) villages. nating from contaminated water is at an all-time high. This was one reason why the organisers selected one of the ‘Us-Paar’ villages. The staff was guided by Shiv Dullar Singh Dhillon, Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (Punjab), and Romesh Maha- jan, Project Director of the deaddiction centre. Villagers told the organisers that the floods had led to loss of human lives and livestock, complete destruction of homes and infrastructure and widespread economic losses due to submerging of their crops. Owing to displacement, it had led to unrest among the villagers. The staff members who distributed essential items and medicines included Abha Sharma, Komalpreet Kaur, Heera Lal, Raj Kumar, Bakshi Raj, Janak Raj, KP Singh c m y b and Jasbir Kumar. The entire expenditure was borne by Dr Simi Mahajan, daughter of Romesh Mahajan. Dr Simi said she would continue to hold such “humane ventures” till the sick get treated, homes get rebuilt and the poor among the displaced find temporary lodging. “Indubitably, these floods caused extensive damage and hence increased poverty. Vulnerable populations, such as the old, sick and the infirm, children and those with preexisting diseases have been badly affected,” she said. The staff were supported in their efforts by BSF Commandant Kamal Yadav. Nearly 250 villagers were examined by the team and provided medicines. School staff and sarpanches of several villages played an important part in making the camp a success. This cluster of villages lie near the International Border (IB). special significance in the city. Apart from being a celebration of the victory of good over evil, the festival here is linked with religious devotion, as the Dasehra ground lies next to Shri Durgiana Mandir, one of the city’s most revered shrines. Thousands of devotees and families from the city and surrounding districts visit the venue, making it not just a local event but a symbol of the city’s shared cultural and spiritual identity. Amritsar, September 21 With the start of paddy harvesting, the district administration has made special efforts to help farmers sow the next crop without burning stubble. Farmers bringing their paddy to the markets are being offered farm machines for stubble management through a simple phone call. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney said that a Farmers’ Assistance Centre has been opened at the District Administrative Complex. Farmers can call 01832220159 to get any kind of help related to stubble management. She said officials are also guiding farmers at the village level to ensure sowing without burning stubble. “This year, all types of machines are available in the district, so farmers will not face any difficulty,” she added. Chief Agriculture Officer Baljinder Singh Bhullar said the department is in constant touch with farmers to provide machinery as per their needs. He added that the farmers who avoided stubble burning in the past have seen better yields, and appealed to others to follow this practice. Assistant Agriculture Engineer Mandeep Singh said the district has 72 balers, 62 rakes and around 4,290 in-situ machines, including super seeders, zero till drills, smart seeders, happy seeders, mulchers, paddy straw choppers and others. Most of these machines have been provided on subsidy and are now being widely used for stubble management. On the occasion, Additional Deputy Commissioners Rohit Gupta and Paramjit Kaur, District Food Supply Controller Amanjit Singh, District Mandi Officer Amandeep Singh and other officials were also present. 90 kg heroin seized in Sept amid spike in cross-border smuggling Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 21 The recent floods forced the Border Security Force (BSF) to vacate certain forward posts, creating opportunities for anti-national elements to increase crossborder smuggling of narcotics and sophisticated weapons from Pakistan into Indian territory. In a series of operations during September alone, various law enforcement agencies — including the BSF, Punjab Police wings such as the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, and Counter Intelligence — have collectively seized approximately 90 kilograms of contraband. The Amritsar Police Commissionerate led the majority of these recoveries, while the BSF, in a joint operation with the Anti- Narcotics Task Force, confiscated 26 kg of heroin in a single raid. Police investigations revealed that smugglers exploited multiple methods. While drones remain a popular tool, they also took advantage of the swollen Ravi river to transport narcotics and weapons into India. “Around the time, the BSF vacated certain forward posts during the floods, smugglers quickly exploited the gaps,” said a police official involved in the investigation, who requested anonymity. Confirming the trend, another senior police officer stated, “Smugglers are constantly innovating. This time, they misused the natural calamity to push drugs and weapons, taking advantage of the floods and the dis- ruption of border security.” Officials noted that the seizures point to a wellcoordinated smuggling network that uses multiple routes to ensure delivery despite tightened Indian security. In response to the rising drone threat, Punjab Police have stepped up surveillance and increased coordination with central agencies to thwart smuggling attempts. Meanwhile, as water levels recede, the BSF has reestablished its forward positions along the border, officials confirmed. Authorities stress that this spike highlights the critical need for advanced technological surveillance and coordinated inter-agency operations to prevent security breaches during natural disasters.