17102025-ATR-01.qxd 16-10-2025 23:04 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY KARAMJIT RINTU INAUGURATES DEVELOPMENT WORKS IN CITY RANDOMISATION OF EVMS DONE FOR TARN TARAN BYPOLL 4 LOOKS OF KRITIKA KAMRA TO TRY THIS FESTIVE SEASON Amritsar Improvement Trust Chairman Karamjit Singh Rintu has ordered the paving of all the streets. P2 The randomisation of EVMs to be used in the bypoll for Tarn Taran assembly constituency was done today. P2 Kritika carries herself with poise on all occasions, take a cue from her and bring out the fashionista in you. P4 » » » MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.55 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6.35 AM FRIDAY | 17 OCTOBER 2025 | AMRITSAR BSF, police seize drone, over 2 kg heroin at Amritsar border Illegal encroachments surge in city markets ahead of Diwali The seized drone and packet of heroin in custody of the BSF in Amritsar on Thursday. Amritsar, October 16 Alert BSF jawans seized four packets containing 2.2kg of heroin from Daoke village located near Indo-Pak border here on Wednesday. The contraband was later handed over to the Gharinda police and a case was registered against unidentified persons in this connection. A complaint was lodged by State Teacher Award winner Kulwinder honoured Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 Kulwinder Kaur Chabba, an ETT teacher who recently received the prestigious State Teacher Award from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at a World Teachers’ Day ceremony, was honoured by the district education department. Kulwinder Kaur, whose husband Sarabjit Singh is also a teacher, serves at Government Elementary School, Chabba. Kanwaljit Singh Sandhu, District Education Officer (Elementary), Amritsar, praised Kulwinder Kaur during the event attended by school teachers and office staff. He said that the award has brought pride to all government primary schools and teachers in the district. “With her dedication and hard work, Kulwinder Kaur has not only mentored students holistically in academics but has also led them in sports,” said Sandhu. Mahendra Kumar, Company Commander of the 181 Battalion of BSF . The police said the seizure was made in the area of Daoke border outpost. The BSF in a , joint operation with the Gharinda police, searched the area following the suspected movements of drones in the area. They found four packets containing 552 gm, 554 gm, 556 gm and 552 gm, respectively. Meanwhile, the BSF recovered a damaged assembled hexacopter from the border village of Rajatal in Amritsar while in another operation, it seized a DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone with a packet consisting of 536 gm heroin from Kakkar border village. — TNS Amritsar, October 16 With Diwali just a few days apart, Amritsar’s interior markets are witnessing severe congestion due to rampant encroachments and illegal vending at every corner of the city. As a result, chaotic conditions prevail in most streets. Residents and motorists are the worst sufferers as they find little parking space for their vehicles with most roads remaining chocka- block with traffic throughout the day. Even pedestrians feel deprived of their right to walk on pavement. Shopkeepers in various parts of the city have been displaying their goods outside their shops, encroaching onto roads and footpaths, while a large number of vendors and illegal encroachers PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service Ahead of the Diwali festival, encroachments have mushroomed in markets in Amritsar on Thursday. occupy narrow streets using folding beds, carts and temporary stalls. This has left little space for vehicles to move and led to haphazard parking, adding to chaos. Commuters reported long delays and traffic jams even in inner city lanes that usually witness moderate activity. Suman from Katra Ahluwalia said, “It has become impossible to walk in streets. Vendors set up shops wherev- er they can, and vehicles are parked anywhere, blocking movement. The administration seems to ignore this problem completely.” Rajinder Singh, another resident from Guru Bazaar, added, “Every year before Diwali, these markets become unmanageable. Encroachments and illegal parking create problems not only for pedestrians but also for residents and emergency services. Authorities need to take strict action.” Traffic police and civic body officials have been criticized for failing to control the situation despite regular complaints. Many residents have urged the administration to strictly enforce antiencroachment laws, regulate parking and ensure that the festival season does not compromise on public safety. The rising congestion and unsafe conditions in inner city markets underscore the urgent need for a coordinated effort by civic authorities, traders and residents to maintain order during the festive season. Zonal Youth Festival kicks off MLA Dhaliwal conducts surprise checks to curb black marketing of DAP fertiliser Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 The Zonal Youth Festival of Government Colleges, constituent colleges and associate institutes of Guru Nanak Dev University (GCA Zone), organised by the Youth Welfare Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, kicked off on a vibrant note here on Thursday. The three-day event, inaugurated by Registrar Prof K S Chahal, promises a dynamic showcase of student artistry across multiple venues on campus. Prof Amandeep Singh, in charge, Youth Welfare Department, welcomed attendees and outlined the festival’s vibrant lineup. Notable dignitaries present included Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Parambir Singh Malhi, Dr Gurpreet Singh, artistes and writers Dr Amanpreet Kaur, and Dr Harinder Kaur Sohal, alongside other team members. In his address, Professor Chahal urged students to take part in competitions with zeal, emphasising that participation fosters unity and team spirit far beyond the pursuit of victory. He said festivals help in nurturing well-rounded individuals and enriching the university’s Tribune News Service Youths perform bhangra on the first day of the Zonal Youth Festival at GNDU campus in Amritsar on Thursday. cultural legacy. He expressed hope that such events will continue to inspire emerging talent and contribute to the broader artistic community. The festival opened with the electrifying rhythm of bhangra, setting the stage for a diverse array of performances. On Day One, Dashmesh Auditorium (Venue-1) hosted bhangra, classical dance, western vocal solo and classical instrumental, while Golden Jubilee Convention Centre (Venue-2) featured classical instrumental, classical vocal and folk orchestra. The Conference Hall (Venue-4) buzzed with quiz preliminaries and finals. The second day will see Dashmesh Auditorium come alive with mime, costume parade and one act play, while Golden Jubilee Convention Centre will host group shabad, group song and kavishri. Sangat Hall (Venue-3) will showcase painting, collage and poster making with poetic symposium and elocution events unfolding at the Conference Hall. In his address, VC Prof Karamjit Singh said the event, running through October 18, celebrates the spirit of youth and creativity, cementing Guru Nanak Dev University’s reputation as a hub of cultural excellence. Amritsar, October 16 To curb black marketing of DAP fertiliser and ensure its fair availability to farmers, Ajnala MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday conducted surprise inspections of fertiliser shops across the constituency. Accompanied by officials of the Agriculture Department and other concerned wings, Dhaliwal personally reviewed the stock registers and warned of strict action against those indulging in illegal sales or hoarding. Earlier in the day, the MLA convened a special meeting with departmental officials, instructing them to take immediate steps to prevent black marketing and to act tough against those selling fertiliser above the government-fixed rates. Dhaliwal said complaints were being received that some wholesale dealers and cooperative societies were selling DAP on the black market. He directed officials MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal inspects a fertiliser shop selling DAP in Ajnala on Thursday. to verify the stock records of each dealer to check how much fertiliser was received and to whom it was sold. Dhaliwal said he had taken up the matter with the minister concerned and secretary and assured that any official or dealer found guilty of wrongdoing would face strict legal action. Every shopkeeper must display the availability of fertiliser stock publicly to maintain transparency and prevent exploitation of farmers. The MLA appealed to all dealers not to take undue advantage of the crisis, but stand by the farmers in their difficult times. He warned traders against forcing farmers to buy unnecessary additional goods along with DAP fertiliser. Dhaliwal reminded that the government-fixed rate for DAP is Rs 1,350 per bag, TSP Rs 1,300, NPK (12:32:16) Rs 1,900 and ASP (20:20:0:13) Rs 1,400. He cautioned that anyone selling above these rates would face immediate legal action. Calling the present time a difficult phase for farmers, Dhaliwal said it is every citizen’s duty to support the “annadata” rather than exploit him. Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Baljinder Singh Bhullar, Block Agriculture Officer Harpinder Singh, Dr Kanwaljeet Singh, former Sarpanch Baljeet Singh Arraiya, Dr Jagjit Singh, and other officials were also present during the inspection. Civic body’s proposal to sterilise another Festive spirit grips city as Diwali approaches 20,000 stray dogs await govt approval Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 16 Despite sterilising over 20,000 stray dogs under the first phase of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) project, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation Amritsar finds itself grappling with an exploding canine population across the holy city. The civic body’s proposal to sterilise another 20,000 dogs has been awaiting the approval of the government from Chandigarh for months. In the meantime, city streets remain overrun with stray dog packs and cases of dog bites are on the increase. In August 2023, the Animal Welfare Trust had begun the sterilisation drive through the MC ten- der, operating from the Animal Birth Control Centres at Nariangarh and Fatehgarh Shukarchak. On average, 25 to 30 dogs were sterilised daily. The first phase, targeting 20,000 canines, has been completed successfully. However, the second phase for another 20,000 dogs has hit a bureaucratic roadblock, as the state authorities have yet to approve it, citing the need for a verified survey on the actual number of stray dogs in the city. To ensure that the sterilisation project does not come to a complete halt, the Finance and Contract Committee of the MC has taken an interim decision to continue the process for 5,000 additional dogs with the same firm. Each steril- isation costs around Rs 900 per dog. Yet, the crisis continues to deepen. Civic officials estimate that Amritsar now has over 50,000 stray dogs, far beyond the sterilisation numbers achieved so far. While a citywide survey has been completed, its notification remains pending. Meanwhile, citizens across densely populated localities such as Katra Ahluwalia, Guru Bazaar, Majith Mandi, Kahian Wala Bazaar, Bagh Ramanand, Loon Mandi, Mishri Bazaar and Gha Mandi are reporting frequent dog bite incidents. The situation is equally grim in suburban zones like New Amritsar, Veer Enclave Majitha Road, Fatehgarh Churian Road and Sultanwind Road, where packs of stray dog dominate streets and lanes. Meanwhile, a two-member inspection team from the Animal Welfare Board of India visited the ABC Centre, Naraingarh, on Wednesday to assess ongoing sterilisation operations. The team reviewed facilities for hygiene, animal care, medical waste disposal, and post-operative recovery standards. They examined the availability of veterinarians, pharmacists, and OT assistants, verified feeding and medication records, and inspected the cages, isolation wards, and CCTV surveillance. The Fatehgarh Shukarchak centre had been inspected earlier. c m y b Amritsar, October 16 With Diwali just around the corner, the city has come alive with festive cheer as markets sparkle with colorful lights, decorative items, and vibrant displays. After weeks of subdued activity, the longawaited buzz has returned, bringing smiles to traders and shoppers alike. From traditional diyas and candles to dazzling LED lights, the city’s bazaars are bustling with a wide variety of festive goods. Sweet shops are witnessing heavy footfall as people queue to buy laddoos, barfis, and other delicacies to share with friends and family. Clothing stores, too, are drawing crowds eager to don new outfits for the festival of lights. At Hall Bazaar and Katra Jaimal Singh Market, stalls selling decorative lamps, idols of goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha and colourful ran- A woman buys decorative items ahead of Diwali at a market in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR goli materials have become major attractions. The sight of shoppers bargaining cheerfully, children admiring illuminated shops, and the aroma of freshly fried snacks wafting through the air has filled the city with unmistakable festive warmth. Shopkeepers say business has picked up considerably in the past few days. “After a slow season, the rush has finally returned. People are in a celebratory mood and buying generously,” said Ramesh Kumar, a shop owner in the old city. Municipal corporation authorities have also stepped up efforts to ensure cleanliness and smooth traffic near major markets. Additional police personnel have been deployed to manage crowds and prevent congestion. Meanwhile, environmental groups have appealed to residents to celebrate an eco-friendly Diwali by avoiding plastic decorations and minimising the use of firecrackers. Many families are opting for earthen diyas and organic colours to decorate their homes. As the festival draws closer, the joy and anticipation are palpable across the city. Homes are being cleaned and adorned, gifts wrapped, and the spirit of togetherness is in the air. For many, Diwali this year is not just a celebration of light over darkness but also a revival of community spirit and optimism after a long lull.