27092025-ATR-01.qxd 9/26/2025 10:49 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY RMPI STAGES PROTEST, SEEKS ~40,000 CR FLOOD RELIEF MIRZA SAHIBAN’S LOVE STORY SEEN ANEW SINGER-ACTOR DILJIT DOSANJH NOMINATED FOR EMMYS A memorandum was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Punjab CM through the Amritsar DC. P2 Using Brechtian style, Dastak Theatre transforms this classic tale into a thought-provoking commentary . P3 The singer-actor receives nomination for Best Actor for the Imtiaz Ali film Amar Singh Chamkila. P4 » » » MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.13 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:14 AM SATURDAY | 27 SEPTEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Elaborate security plan in place for Dasehra festivities Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 26 With the festival season picking up, the Amritsar Police have tightened security arrangements for Ramlila and Dasehra celebrations across the city. A high-level meeting was convened on Thursday with various Dasehra committees and Ramlila organisers at the Police Lines under the chairmanship of Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. The meeting was attended by DCP (Investigation) Ravinder Pal Singh Sand- hu, DCP (City) Jagjit Singh Walia, Additional Deputy Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners of Police and other senior officials. During the meeting, the police chief directed the organising committees to ensure proper lighting, CCTV cameras, fire-fighting equipment, barricades and regulated entry/exit routes at all venues. Committees have also been asked to deploy volunteers in a distinct dress code and remain vigilant. Any mischievous activity must be reported to police officials immediately, he told them. Given that thousands of people attend Ramlila and Dasehra festivities every year, the Police Commissioner said that comprehensive security measures have been put in place. He said senior officers were directed to supervise all security arrangements, while additional police personnel have been deployed at sensitive points across all three zones. He also appealed to the public to cooperate with police, avoid creating chaos, use only designated parking and follow the marked routes inside the grounds. “People should remain disciplined so that children, women and the elderly do not face any inconvenience. Anyone found indulging in hooliganism will face legal action,” he warned. The police have also asked residents to stay alert and report any suspicious person or unattended object to on-duty officers or on helpline numbers 112 and 97811-30666. “The city police is committed to ensuring safety and security of the public and will remain on duty round-theclock,” Bhullar said. Final touches A craftsman puts finishing touches on the effigy of demon king Ravan ahead of Dasehra festival in the city on Friday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR HC says purity deadly, grants bail in drug overdose case Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, September 26 Flagging a paradox in Punjab’s drug menace, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has asserted that addicts often survive on adulterated narcotics, but a sudden dose of purer substance can itself turn fatal. “It is a ground reality that the drugs are often adulterated, and mostly, the margin is the adulteration itself. However, sometimes a person might get a pure or mildly adulterated drug and consume the quantity to which the addict is dependent, and on consuming more than the tolerance quantity, the possibility of such a person having an adverse influence on their health would always be there,” the Bench remarked. The assertion came in a case where the police received information on March 10, 2023, regarding a body lying in Sangrur Civil Hospital. During the inquiry, the police was informed by the doctor that the victim had died eight to 10 hours earlier due to consumption of some intoxicant substance. The matter was placed before the Bench after an accused moved the High Court seeking regular bail in the FIR registered at B-Divi- Nihangs disrupt Bhog ceremony Amritsar, September 26 Tension prevailed today when a group of Nihang Sikhs attempted to disrupt the Bhog ceremony of convicted former police officer Suba Singh, who had died following a brutal attack inside Patiala Jail. The protestors, led by Nihang Sikh Paramjit Singh Akali and Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale leader Ranjit Singh, raised slogans against Suba Singh and in support of his alleged assailant Sandeep Singh. They alleged that Suba Singh was responsible for the massacre of several Sikh youths, and termed his Bhog as an insult to them. Heavy police security, supervised by SCP Dr Sheetal Singh, had been deployed at the venue. Despite this, protestors scuffled with the police in an attempt to reach the ceremony site. However, the ACP said the agitators were removed from the place peacefully. Suba Singh, along with two other convicted ex-cops, was attacked on September 10 by Sandeep Singh inside Patiala Jail. He later succumbed to his injuries, while the others remain seriously injured. Sandeep, who is currently lodged in jail, was earlier arrested for the killing of Hindu leader Sudhir Suri in Amritsar in November 2022. — TNS CASE BACKGROUND ■ The case originates from an FIR registered at the B-Division police station in Amritsar. The accused sought regular bail in relation to this FIR. ■ The FIR included charges such as culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 IPC), destruction of evidence (Section 201 IPC), and common intention (Section 34 IPC). ■ Concerned with the death of a person due to drug overdose, with allegations around whether the overdose was self-administered or forced. ■ Though the victim was found dead in Sangrur Civil Hospital, the police investigation and FIR registration took place in Amritsar. sion police station in Amritsar for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and other offences under Sections 304, 201 and 34 of the IPC. The Bench, during the course of hearing, observed a perusal of the reply and pleadings in the matter and pointed out that the cause of death was drug overdose. The court, at the same time, added: “At this stage, it is difficult to point out whether the petitioner forcibly administered an overdose of the drug to the deceased or if the deceased had taken it on his own.” Dr Rajnish takes charge as SMO Turning to the law on bail, the Bench observed: “The law of bail, like any other branch of law, has its own philosophy, and occupies an important place in the administration of justice. The concept of bail emerges from the conflict between the police power to restrict liberty of a man who is alleged to have committed a crime, and presumption of innocence in favour of the alleged criminal.” The Bench added that an important factor in deciding bail applications was the delay in concluding the trial: “Often this takes several years, and if the accused is denied bail but is ultimately acquitted, who will restore so many years of his life spent in custody? Is Article 21 of the Constitution, which is the most basic of all the fundamental rights, not violated in such a case,” the court observed The court added that personal liberty was a “very precious fundamental right” and it should be curtailed only when it becomes imperative according to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case. “When the undertrial prisoners are detained in jail custody to an indefinite period, Article 21 of the Constitution is violated,” the Bench added, while allowing the plea. Amritsar, September 26 Dr Rajnish Kumar took charge as the new Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Civil Hospital here on Thursday. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Rajnish Kumar assured that all doctors and staff would work with dedication for the welfare of patients. He emphasised that his priority would be to ensure timely treatment, better patient facilities and compassionate care for everyone visiting the hospital. “I am committed to providing personalised and patientfriendly medical service,” he said. The Civil Hospital here has two posts of SMOs. One of these was lying vacant as Dr Swaranjit Dhawan was recently elevated to the position of Civil Surgeon. — TNS Rural police nab murder accused hours after crime Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 26 In a swift breakthrough, Gharinda police have arrested a migrant who allegedly hacked his neighbour to death and injured another during a violent altercation late on Thursday night. The accused, Rakesh Kumar, who originally hailed from Aswa Muhammadpur village in Uttar Pradesh and was presently residing in Cheecha under Gharinda police station, was held within hours of committing the crime. According to police, the victim Bhairo Prasad, a native of Bilbri village in Bahraich (UP), was attacked by Rakesh Kumar following a heated argument. In a fit of rage, the accused allegedly hit Bhairo with some agricultural tool, killing him on the spot, while his son Raj Kumar alias Chhotu, sustained serious injuries when he tried to intervene. A case under sections 103 and 109 of the BNS has been registered. The investigation is going on to establish the exact sequence of events. Police said the quick arrest prevented the accused from fleeing and ensured justice for the victim's family. City industrialists take up issues related to PSPCL Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 26 Members of the the Punjab Development Commission visited Amritsar and held a meeting with city-based manufacturers at the Industries Department office here last night. The industrialists took up their problems pertaining to Small Power (SP), Medium Scale (MS) and Large Scale (LS) category limits of power consumption. They said the PSPCL has not revised the category limits since their inception. As per New Supply Code 2024, the PSPCL should demand only 30 days of security deposit from all MS and LS consumers instead of the earlier 45 days' security deposit rules. The corporation should refund the additional 15 days of security deposit taken earlier by all MS and LS consumers with a time-bound schedule, it was demanded. The industrialists took up the reimbursement of electricity duty exemptions to new units as the PSPCL was not reimbursing it as per the 2022 Industrial Policy despite having exemption certificates. This was dis- Industrialists felicitate officials of the Punjab Development Commission during a meeting. couraging MSME entrepreneurs of Punjab, they said. The PSPCL is currently facing an acute shortage of linemen and junior engineers leading to delayed and inefficient services to consumers. PSPCL should take care of staff shortage by appointing qualified and competent per- sons, they said. The present time limit for Dispute Settlement Committee (DSC) is 45 days to settle disputed matters. But there are cases that have lingered on for more than three years at Amritsar. DSC decisions require to be implemented in a time-bound way, they said. Decades-old transmission lines and equipment in the power sub-stations require upgrade for uninterrupted and smooth power supply to consumers. This will also help PSPCL in reducing their transmissions losses and frequent break-downs. Presently, offices of PSPCL officers are scattered all over the city. For example, the office of the Chief Engineer, Border Range, is on Raja Sansi road, Superintendent and Executive Engineer's offices are outside the Hall Gate and the SDO office is at Mall Mandi. They suggested that the PSPCL set up an integrated office here where officials can work under one roof for speedy results. Unfortunately, majority of consumers are unaware of MSME schemes introduced by PSPCL for the welfare of industry, it was stated. All eyes now on Abhishek, says father Prefab houses model for disaster-hit areas: DC Raj Kumar on Asia Cup match eve Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, September 26 India’s current batting sensation Abhishek Sharma's father Raj Kumar Sharma is a busy man. Besides juggling hundred congratulatory calls a day, with people praising Abhishek’s scintillating batting performance in the Asia Cup 2025, he is also organising things for his daughter's impending wedding ceremony. “We are all waiting for him to return after India wins the trophy,” he says brimming with confidence. After Abhishek and Shubman Gill’s cracking performance in the last match against Pakistan, Raj Kumar Sharma says that all eyes will be on Abhishek as India plays a India-Pak game has its pressures, says Raj Kumar Sharma. high-stake Asia Cup final against arch- rivals Pakistan. “He has a lot of people's blessings and good wishes behind him. It’s a high-stake game and there will be tremendous pressure on the players of both teams.” As for Abhishek, he said, “He has a natural flair for hitting, he is confident and gives it his all.” Abhishek’s blistering knock of 75 runs off 39 balls against Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf is a testament of that. Raj Kumar is hopeful that he will make a century, or a double century, one day. As for the on-field aggression that dominated the India-Pak game, Raj Kumar said that everyone knows there is pressure on players in the India-Pakistan matches. “But Abhishek played well for however long he played, we are confident that even this match is going to be high on entertainment and performances,” he said. He did have a word with Abhishek after the previous match. “He is cool and calm but once someone provokes on the field, it is natural to react. It happens in the heat of the moment. That’s sports.” Like many, he too was looking forward to the Sunday clash. c m y b Amritsar, September 26 For two brothers from Muzaffarpura village in Amritsar, the recent floods had washed away not just their homes but also their sense of security. Today, that despair has turned into hope as they step into brand-new houses built for them under the “Mud Vaseba Punjab Da” campaign of the Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib, which has joined hands with the district administration for providing pre-fabricated houses to flood victims. Sandeep Singh, a Granthi Singh, and his brother Sukhdev Singh, a labourer, had been left homeless in the recent devastating floods. Within just four days, the Trust erected two modern prefabricated houses of 1,000 square feet and 850 square Prefabricated houses have been provided to people affected by floods in Muzaffarpura village by Kalgidhar Trust, Baru Sahib. feet area for their family, respectively. Apart from homes, the Trust also provided essential ration supplies and household goods. Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney, along with members of Kalgidhar Trust, inaugurated the houses on Thursday. The DC appreciated the initiative adding that such innovative prefabricated structures could be a model for disaster-hit regions. Jagjit Singh aka Kaka Veer ji, vice-president of the Trust, shared that nearly 100 such houses, between 400 and 900 square feet in size, are planned for flood-affected families across Punjab. He said work has already begun on another house in Gurdaspur district. “It would take around a decade for the people, especially those from economically weaker sections, to recover from the loss caused by the floods while construction of their house remains a distant dream,” he pointed out. Meanwhile, Akal Sewa teams of the Trust continue to run flood relief camps across Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Fazilka and Ferozepur. From Akal Academy centres in Tibber, Dinanagar, Sujanpur, Vachhoa, Dadehar Sahib, Theh Kalandar, and Dera Baba Nanak, volunteers are reaching villages to repair household items, unblock bathrooms, distribute medicines, and even carry out fogging drives to prevent diseases. So far, 5,500 people from 153 villages have been rescued and relocated to safer places.