26092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/25/2025 10:15 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY SCHOOL SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTED TO STUDENTS REVIVING GURDASPUR’S GYMNASTICS GLORY MISS UNIVERSE INDIA MANIKA MAKES HER ACTING DEBUT The dist administration distributed school bags and stationery to students at the border village of Jagdev Khurd. P2 The city remains largely unknown for the remarkable number of outstanding gymnasts it has produced. P3 In Ayodhya’s Ramlila, Manika makes her acting debut as Maa Sita and Rahull Bhuchar as Lord Ram. P4 » » MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.21 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:21 AM » FRIDAY | 26 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR 4 members of Prabh Dasuwal gang injured in police firing Six held with 4kg heroin, 2 pistols in smuggling racket Ward defence committees to assist police in anti-drug drive 2 of Goldy Dhillon gang involved in ~50L ransom call held Amritsar, September 25 Tribune News Service With drug abuse continuing to be a pressing concern in the city, Amritsar (South) constituency is set to get a new layer of community policing by establishing ward defence committees. These committees are being formed in all 16 wards of the constituency to work hand-in-hand with the police in checking the drug menace and safeguarding society from the peril. Chairing a meeting, MLA Inderbir Singh Nijjar said the verification of committee members by the police would be completed soon, after which they would be issued official identity cards. “These committees will serve as the eyes and ears of the police within their respective wards,” he noted. Additional Commissioner Surinder Singh said the draft of the committees had already been prepared and submitted to senior police officers, including Aadditional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) Vishaljit Singh. The ADCP added that the antecedents of proposed members would be checked before giving the final approval. In charge Sanjeev Kalia said the process would be wrapped up under the supervision of the district administration. The meeting was attended by SHOs Rajwant Kaur, Rajinder Singh and Lovepreet Singh, along with local coordinators Ravinder Singh, Balbir Singh Kapoor and Navneet Sharma. — TNS Amritsar, September 25 In a major breakthrough against cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling, the Amritsar Commissionerate of Police arrested six persons and seized 4.03 kg of heroin along with two sophisticated pistols, including a Glock, from their possession. Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav said the accused were in touch with a Pakistan-based handler identified as Shah through social media. The consignments of heroin and weapons were being delivered via drones in the Khemkaran and Ferozepur sectors before being supplied further into Amritsar region. Those arrested have been identified as Jagir Singh (35), Angrej Singh (20), Gurpreet Singh (30), Palwinder Singh (35), Lakhwinder Singh (24) and Baljinder Singh (42), all hailing from Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts. Commissioner of Police (CP), Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said cousins Jagir and Angrej, who run a dhaba in Ferozepur, were first nabbed with 220 gm heroin and a Glock pistol. Their native village is located near the International Border with Pakistan. Their disclosures led the police to arrest four more accused and seized additional consignments of heroin and a .30-bore pistol. In total, 4.03 kg heroin was seized. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Commissioner of Police, addresses mediapersons on the arrest of six persons with heroin and arms in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Investigations revealed that they fell in the trap of drug peddling for the lure of easy money. The CP added that more arrests and recoveries were expected as investigations would progress. A case under the NDPS Act and Arms Act has been registered at Gate Hakima, Amritsar, police station. Over 5kg heroin seized in two major raids In a major crackdown on narcotics, the Amritsar police have seized over 5 kg heroin in two separate operations and arrested three people, including a woman. 17 challans issued to vendors for violations Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 25 The Health Department has taken strict action under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA) and issued 17 challans in the city here on Thursday. Civil Surgeon Swaranjit Dhawan said that smoking in public places was a legal offence and the department was running a special drive to make the district tobacco free. The campaign is being carried out on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney. A special team was formed under the leadership of Dr Jaganjot Kaur, District Dental Health Officer, which included District MEIO Amardeep Singh, SI Gurkiran Singh, Sandeep Singh and some other persons. The team carried out surprise checks at different locations in the city. During the drive, eight shopkeepers at Ranjit Avenue and the market in front of MK Hotel were challaned for selling tobacco products in violation of rules. Another nine persons were fined on the spot for smoking at public places. Dr Jaganjot Kaur, who is also the District Nodal Officer, National Tobacco Control Programme, said that COTPA rules would be strictly enforced in the district. As per the Government of India guidelines, every tobacco packet must carry a standard picture of a warning along with the message, she said. “Tobacco causes painful death and cancer. Selling tobacco without these warnings, selling loose cigarettes or smoking at public places is a punishable offence,” she added. The department has appealed to the public to cooperate in this campaign and help in creating a healthy, tobaccofree environment. Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, September 25 Four members of the Prabh Dasuwal gang were injured in an encounter near Dasuwal village and were later admitted them to a hospital. The police have seized two rifles and a pistol from the injured goons. Apart from this, the police have arrested two members of Goldy Dhillon gang, who had demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh from a businessman of Tarn Taran city a few days ago. They were arrested near Gurdwara Takkar Sahib on Sarhali Road in Tarn Taran on Thursday. Ravjot Grewal, SSP said that , Prabh’s operative first fired at the house of Dr Chopra of Bhikhiwind earlier today after he had refused to pay Prabh ransom. After this, they fired at St Kabir School, Dasuwal, also and then hid inside the house of Gursahib Singh, a resident of Dasuwal and a close relative of Prabh. When the police surrounded the house and repeatedly asked them to surrender, they opened fire. Four persons were injured in the police’s retaliatory fire. Those injured have been identified as Randeep Singh of Jand village, Gurjant Singh of Jauneke village and Malkit Singh and Jagshir Singh of Dasuwal. A police officer said that Jagshir’s mother Sukhwinder Kaur was the sarpanch and belonged to the ruling AAP Two of their . accomplices managed to flee. The police of Patti Sadar police station have registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, those arrested in the ransom case of a businessman have been identified as Yadwinder Singh Yad of Mughalchak Gillan village and Sarwan Singh of Kairowal village. A case has already been registered against them under the relevant sections. The police seized three pistols along with magazines from them. In the first operation, Mehta police arrested Jivandeep Kaur, a resident of Udhonangal village, and seized 3.044 kg heroin along with a Zigana pistol (.30-bore) with a magazine and three cartridges, apart from Rs 20,000 drug money and a car. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Jandiala) Ravinder Singh said the raid followed a tip-off regarding the couple’s involvement in heroin smuggling. “A case under the NDPS Act and Arms Act has been registered against Jivandeep and her husband Baljinder Singh. While Jivandeep has been arrested, Baljinder is currently absconding. Police teams have been formed to track him down,” he said. In an another operation, the Jandiala police arrested Satnam Singh and Jagmeet Singh and confiscated 2 kg heroin along with an Activa scooter. The arrests were made following intelligence inputs about heroin trafficking on Devidas Pura link road. The police further said that investigations were on to uncover the full network behind these operations and ensure that all those involved in drug trafficking were brought to justice. Cash, gold jewellery stolen from house Repeated traffic congestion around Bhagtanwala grain market in city bane of commuters Our Correspondent Police at the site where two gangsters were arrested after firing at Dasuwal village in Tarn Taran district and weapons seized from them. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, September 25 Thieves stole cash and gold ornaments worth lakhs from the house of Jaswant Singh, a resident of Bhalaipur Dogran village falling under Vairowal police station late on Tuesday. ASI Piara Singh of the police station inspected the spot and registered a case under Sections 331 (4) and 305 of the BNS. Jaswant has been living in Kuwait for the past few years. He said that on Tuesday night, he was sleeping inside his house along with his family members. He woke up in the morning and saw that the locks of the bedroom of his house had been broken and the thieves had stolen 23 tolas of gold ornaments and Rs 23,000 kept in a bag. Inspector Naresh Kumar, head of the Verowal police station, said that the police had started examining the CCTV cameras installed in houses in the area. Amritsar, September 25 The Bhagtanwala grain market area has become a major traffic bottleneck, with trucks and tractortrailers parked outside the market premises leading to frequent jams. The problem, residents and shopkeepers warn, is likely to worsen in the coming days as the paddy harvesting season gathers momentum and more produce starts arriving in the market. The roads around the market remain choked for several hours each day as vehicles loaded with grains wait for unloading and auction. With no designated parking space for trucks, drivers are forced to line up on the roadside, spilling on to the main thoroughfare. This not only disrupts smooth traffic flow, but also causes inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters. Trucks parked outside the Bhagtanwala grain market in Amritsar have become a reason for frequent traffic jams. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Shopkeepers in the vicinity complain that the congestion has badly affected their business. “Customers avoid coming here because of the traffic mess. Even small vehicles find it difficult to pass through,” said a trader whose shop is located near the market gate. Local residents also express concern about safety. “Vehicles often get stuck. If this continues during peak season, it could lead to serious emergencies,” said Rajesh Kumar, a resident of a nearby colony. The shopkeepers and residents have demanded that the administration should take urgent steps to streamline traffic. Suggestions include creating a designated parking zone for trucks, regulating the timing of vehicle entry and deploying more traffic police personnel during busy hours. While the market committee officials acknowledge the problem, they say space constraints are a major hurdle. However, they assured that discussions are underway with the municipal and traffic authorities to find a workable solution before the bulk of paddy arrivals begin. Tarn Taran councillor skips NCB summon in drug probe Arrangements for procurement proper: DC Our Correspondent Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 25 Tarn Taran’s municipal councillor Gurpreet Singh Goldy has failed to appear before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) here in connection with last month’s seizure of drugs from three persons. Goldy, who had earlier joined the probe last month, was issued a third summon by the Central agency to appear on Wednesday. According to sources, if he continues to evade questioning, the agency may move court to arrest him. NCB sources revealed that during the probe into Goldy’s role, the names of a sitting MLA and a former MLA, now with the Aam Aadmi Party from Tarn Taran, have surfaced. “Goldy has been closely associated with the two leaders and their call records as well as financial dealings are under scrutiny. They may be summoned for further investigations during the probe,” an NCB official said on the condition of anonymity. The investigation stems from the August 20 arrest of three alleged drug peddlers — Parminder Singh, alias Pamma, Shaifi and Shaka — all residents of Timmowal village in Tarn Taran district. The NCB had seized 80 gm of heroin from them, following which the trio was remanded in judicial custody. During interrogation, the three accused reportedly confessed to their connections with cross-border c m y b smugglers. Forensic examination of their mobile phones has further pointed to a wider network of traffickers and possible political protection. The NCB is now probing deeper into the suspected drug-politics nexus in Punjab’s sensitive border belt, where drug trafficking has long posed a serious challenge. Tarn Taran, September 25 The district administration here has claimed that proper procurement arrangements have been made in the grain markets of the district for the convenience of farmers. Deputy Commissioner Rahul appealed to the farmers to bring only dry paddy to the mandis. He said that an estimated pro- curement of about 9,30,186 MT of paddy in the district during the season was expected. He said that proper arrangements had been made for clean drinking water, electricity, seating and toilets, etc. for the convenience of farmers in the mandis. He said that the officials of the procurement agencies had been instructed to ensure simultaneous purchase of crops in the markets, so that the farmers do not have to sit for a long time to sell their produce. He said that as per the instructions of the Punjab Government, it would be ensured that the farmers were paid for the purchased crops within 24 hours. He said that there were 60 permanent markets in the district and in addition to this, sub-market yards would also be set up if required.