05112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/4/2025 10:16 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune WOMEN’S PANEL CHAIRPERSON VISITS CENTRAL JAIL UNPLANNED GROWTH, TOXIC DRAIN MAR HISTORIC VILLAGE Raj Lali Gill visited the Amritsar Jail and met women prisoners lodged there. She enquired about their problems. P2 Like many ancient Punjabi villages, Gumtala was founded atop a mound, locally called a theh. P3 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 26°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 17°C PRIYANKA IS THE NEW SERPENT QUEEN SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.37 PM Colors reveals the much-anticipated face of Naagin 7, and it’s none other than Priyanka Chahar Choudhary. P4 » SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:50 AM WEDNESDAY | 5 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Waterlogged slip road near old sabzi mandi makes commuting difficult Tribune News Service Defunct traffic lights at Putlighar Chowk in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR Defunct traffic lights lead to chaos at busy intersections in city Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 Daily commuters in the city continue to face long traffic jams at some of the busiest intersections as traffic lights have remained non-functional for years. The situation is worst at Putlighar Chowk, where lights have been out of order for a long time, creating daily chaos and posing a danger to road users. Local residents say the traffic police try their best to manage the flow of vehicles, but during rush hours the situation becomes unmanageable. With vehicles from all directions moving at once, the risk of accidents has increased sharply. Similar problems exist at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Chowk and Valmiki Chowk, where non-functional or broken lights have added to the traffic woes. During school and college hours, jams often stretch for long time as hundreds of vehicles struggle to pass through without traffic signals. At Hartej Hospital Chowk, a traffic light pole that fell three months ago has still not been repaired. The broken light lies on the ground, creating an additional hazard for both pedestrians and motorists. Residents have expressed strong resentment over the negligence of the authorities concerned. They say despite repeated complaints, no action has been taken to repair or replace the damaged lights. Many fear that the absence of traffic signals could lead to serious accidents, especially during the peak hours. Residents have appealed to the Municipal Corporation and the Traffic Department to immediately restore lights to ensure smooth vehicle movement. They have urged the administration to act quickly so that daily commuters, school buses and emergency vehicles do not remain stuck in long traffic jams. Amritsar, November 4 A slip road connecting GT Road and Hall Bazaar near the old sabzi mandi has remained in a state of neglect for years’ altogether, with chronic waterlogging turning it into a persistent civic nuisance. Despite repeated complaints, the local authorities have failed to find a lasting solution for the issue. Commuters say the stretch has become almost impassable as the road surface, weakened by prolonged water stagnation, has not been repaired for years. Though it has not rained for over a month-and-ahalf, a pool of dirty water still covers the patch, reflecting poor drainage maintenance. The situation has become so bad that many local residents now avoid the road altogether, choosing instead to take a longer route via Bhandari Bridge. “The monsoon is over, and this is the right time to A pool of dirty water stagnates on a service lane near Bhandari Bridge in Amritsar. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR repair the road, but nothing has been done,” a resident said. Months of waterlogging have left the stretch riddled with large potholes and scattered debris, posing a risk to motorists and two-wheeler riders alike. While locals are familiar with its poor state, outstation commuters often fall victim as online maps still direct them through this route to reach the walled city. “It’s a killer stretch for outsiders,” said Karanveer Singh, a nearby shopkeeper. “Vehicles often get stuck in deep potholes and have to be towed away,” he said. Residents allege that the Municipal Corporation (MC) has shown little concern in this connection. They say the least officials could do is install warn- ing boards to alert commuters about overflowing sewer manholes that continue to flood the road. “The MC should at least put up caution signs so that drivers are forewarned about the danger ahead,” said Harnam Singh, a local resident. BSF seize heroin, recover drone Amritsar, November 4 In two separate incidents, the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel deployed along the International Border with Pakistan here recovered a drone and a packet of heroin, foiling yet another attempt by Pakistan-based smugglers to push narcotics into India. According to information released by the BSF Punjab Frontier, the troops recovered one DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone from the rooftop of the cargo building at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari. The drone is suspected to have crashed due to effective technical counter measures deployed along the border. In another incident, during a morning search operation in the suspected area near Gahlewala village in Fazilka district, the BSF personnel recovered a packet of heroin weighing 626 grams. Officials said swift and coordinated action by the BSF personnel, supported by reliable electronic counter measures, once again thwarted designs of Pakistan-based narco smugglers attempting to use aerial routes to smuggle narcotics into the Indian territory. — TNS Gurdaspur, Batala lawyers observe two day ‘pen-down’ strike Tribune News Service Batala, November 4 Advocates of the Gurdaspur and Batala Bar Associations observed a two-day pen down strike in protest against the Punjab Government’s proposed plan to set up ‘Gram Nyayalayas Act2008’ at the tehsil level across the state. Work in the courts remained paralysed for the second successive day. Gurdaspur district comprises the Gurdaspur and Batala Bar Associations (BBA). Batala Bar Association president Gurdeep Singh Randhawa claimed the two day strike was complete. The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 is an Act of the Parliament enacted for the establishment of village courts for speedy and easy access to the justice system in the rural areas of India. The Act came into force on October 2, 2009. However, due to an assortment of reasons it was not implemented and is sought to be applied now. The lawyers submitted a Lawyers of the Batala Bar Association submit a memorandum to the Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner. memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Rand- hawa said implementing the Act would create unnecessary confusion in the judicial system. “It will neither provide relief to the common man nor will it speed up the resolution of cases. Moreover, Punjab has an elaborate network of courts and most villages are within the range of sub-division or district courts. Hence, there is no need to duplicate the judicial system in the areas where it is already well-established,” he said. Lawyers contended that the much-hyped “justice at doorstep” concept was being misinterpreted. “The idea that courts should travel to villages is outdated and impractical. ‘Justice at doorstep’ should mean digital access to courts and simplified legal procedures and not physical mobility of courts. Asking judicial officers to hold courts in temporary village settings is not only inefficient, but also derogatory to the dignity of judges. It is totally irrelevant when regular courts are within reach. Actually, a wellorchestrated legal system will be disrupted,” said Randhawa. The advocates said that there was no demand whatsoever from villages to set up such courts. Tributes paid to martyrs of Battle of Saragarhi AK series assault rifles recovered dation recounted the events before and after the battle, describing how 21 fearless Sikh soldiers held their ground against 10,000 wellequipped Afghan tribesmen with indomitable courage and resolve. He also shared details about memorials and models established by the foundation in India and abroad to honour the martyrs’ memory. He said, “The story is taught in military academies around the world as an example of valour and duty.” General JJ Singh (retd), Major General John Kendall, Major Manish Chauhan, and Squadron Leader Mandeep Kaur also lauded the Sikh community’s discipline, valour, mental and physical endurance, and unwavering dedication to duty displayed during the historic battle. A special highlight of the event was the presence of Santokh Singh, the fifth-generation descendant of Havildar Ishar Singh, the leader of the 21 Saragarhi heroes. He was specially honoured by the Chief Khalsa Diwan for his ancestral connection to the iconic commander. On this occasion, the Saragarhi Foundation presented a memento of honour to Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, while the CKD management felicitated the foundation representatives and Army delegates for their contribution to preserving the legacy of Saragarhi. Amritsar, November 4 In a success against cross-border smuggling network, the Amritsar rural police have busted an arms smuggling module with links to Pakistan and recovered a cache of sophisticated weapons and ammunition near the Ravi river in Ghonewal village, close to the Indo-Pak border. Gaurav Yadav, Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, said acting on timely intelligence input, police teams recovered two AK series assault rifles with eight magazines, one .30 bore pistol with two magazines, 50 live cartridges of .30 bore, and 245 live cartridges of 7.62 mm. He said the prompt and alert action by the police averted a major incident, especially amid heightened cross-border activity by Pakistan sponsored elements and inter-gang rivalries in the region. “Further investigation is underway to expose the entire nexus, including backward and forward linkages,” the DGP said. Sharing operational details, Maninder Singh, SSP Amritsar , rural, said following a tip-of, police teams launched a combing operation in the area of Ghonewal village. During search, a bag containing the weapons and ammunition was recovered near the Ravi river, adjacent to the Indo-Pak border. “More recoveries and arrests are expected in the coming days,” the SSP said. A case was registered at the Ramdas police station in this connection. — TNS Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 4 The Chief Khalsa Diwan (CKD) organised a memorial event at Sri Kalgidhar Auditorium to remember and celebrate the heroics of the Sikh soldiers, who displayed unparalleled bravery and made the supreme sacrifice in the historic Battle of Saragarhi. The event revived the glorious memory of the 21 Sikh soldiers. Dr Gurinderpal Singh Josan, Chairman, Saragarhi Foundation, General JJ. Singh (retd), the first Sikh Army Chief of India, and delegates from the British Army were present at the ceremony. The programme commenced with shabad kirtan by students of Sri Guru Harkrishan International School, Ranjit Avenue, followed by an energetic Gatka performance that showcased the martial spirit of the Sikh warriors. Chief Khalsa Diwan President Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar extended a warm welcome to the Army delegates and distinguished guests. In his address, Dr Nijjar described the Battle of Saragarhi as a “towering symbol of the unmatched courage, spirit and sacrifice of Sikh soldiers”, adding that no other episode in history equals their valour. He expressed concern that the younger generation today remains unaware of the Sikh commu- Participants during a memorial event organised to remember the Sikh soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the Battle of Saragarhi; and (below) a British contingent comprising 21 Sikhs of the 36th Sikh Regiment stationed at an Army post in Saragarhi was attacked by nearly 10,000 Afghan Pashtuns in 1897. These soldiers, led by Havildar Ishar Singh, chose to fight to death. nity’s glorious legacy of martyrdom and urged them to stay connected with their faith, heritage, and proud history. “All 21 soldiers were posthumously awarded the Indian Order of Merit, the highest gallantry award available to Indian soldiers at the time,” he mentioned. A Kavishri Jatha from Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School, Sultanwind Link Road, paid homage through powerful poetic verses, depicting the unmatched heroism of the 21 Sikh martyrs, who attained immortal glory in the Battle of Saragarhi. Dr Gurinderpal Singh Josan of the Saragarhi Foun- c m y b Ex-Pathankot MLA Amit Vij honours wrestler Vishakha. Womanwrestlerbrings laurels to Pathankot Ravi Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Pathankot, November 4 Local woman Vishakha has done the city proud by winning a gold medal in the national wrestling championship which concluded at Panipat recently. She is daughter of renowned grappler Deepu Pehalwan. She trains at the “Mahabali Akhara” run by her father. She was felicitated by Pathankot exMLA Amit Vij at a special function held today. Vishakha won a bronze medal in last year’s national championship, while she got the fourth position in the Khelo-India competition. Vij and other exponents of wrestling said Vishakha’s victory had proved that the city’s “Akharas” were best in the state. Amit Vij said, “The city’s ‘Akhara’ culture has got a big boost by Vishakha’s win. Wrestlers from ‘Mahabali Akhara’ have won a total of 15 medals in various national meets this year. Vishakha’s gold medal win is a pride for both Pathankot and Punjab. Akhara wrestling remains popular due to its deep cultural roots in Indian tradition. Such centres provide a sense of community and a path for self-transformation with wrestlers like Vishakha upholding principles of respect and humility.” Vishakha said she was looking forward to the day when she dons India colours. “I will keep the flag of my city flying by playing for India,” she said.