20112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/19/2025 11:09 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 24°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 24°C | MIN 11°C CURTAINS FALL ON KHALSA COLLEGE LIT FESTIVAL TRASH ON THE LOOSE, HEALTH ON THE LINE IN HOLY CITY PARINEETI, RAGHAV OFFER A GLIMPSE OF SON ‘NEER’ Youth continue to energise political movements: Vice-Chancellor on Panjab University row. P2 No door-to-door collection, garbage takes over Amritsar roadsides; expert flags open burning of garbage. P3 Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha have named their newborn son ‘Neer’ — pure, divine, limitless. P4 » » » SUNSET THURSDAY 5.25 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6.52 AM THURSDAY | 20 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Will hold special drives to check narcotics trade, says new SSP Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 Newly appointed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar Rural, Suhail Qasim Mir, steps into office at a time when the district faces some of the most complex policing challenges in Punjab’s border belt. Known for his sharp field instincts and structured policing style, Mir’s posting comes with high expectations from both the government and residents. He has replaced SSP Maninder Singh, who was suspended by the government for alleged inaction against gangsters. He was transferred from Batala. One of the most pressing concerns before him is the persistent threat of crossborder drug and weapon smuggling. With drones becoming the latest tool for Pakistani handlers and local smugglers, Amritsar Rural has witnessed multiple narcotics and arms Newly appointed SSP (Amritsar Rural) Suhail Qasim Mir being welcomed in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR recoveries in recent months which were dropped by drones. Tightening border surveillance and dismantling local supply chains will be among his top priorities. Another major challenge for the new SSP is the growing nexus between local drug operatives and organised gangs, which has contributed to rising incidents of crime. From illegal weapons to intergang rivalries, Mir is expected to intensify intelligence-led operations to curb such activities. Additionally, road safety on accident-prone stretches and tackling illegal mining, remain on his policing agenda. Community members and police insiders say that building strong public trust will be the key to effective policing. With the drug menace deeply rooted in several villages, coordination with health authorities for deaddiction and awareness campaigns is expected to be an integral part of his approach. As he assumes charge, all eyes are on him to steer Amritsar Rural towards stronger security, improved law enforcement and a more responsive policing system. Earlier, he paid obeisance at the Golden Temple and Durgiana temple before taking charge as SSP, Amritsar Rural. He said special drives would be launched to curb drug peddling and cross-border arms and narcotics smuggling from the Pakistan side. Trader dies in house fire, police say short-circuit likely reason SMOG SCREEN Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 A man, identified as Kiran Ahuja, died in a fire incident that erupted at a residence located in a posh locality on the Race Course road here today. The 52-year-old victim was a cosmetics material trader, the police said. Dilbagh Singh, investigating officer, said that that as per the initial probe, short-circuit is said to be the reason behind the incident. The family members were tightlipped over the incident while the police have initiated inquest proceedings under Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). According to the police, a fire suddenly erupted in the upper portion of the building which was being used for storage of cosmetic material, some of which was inflammable. As Kiran Ahuja entered the room to save the material and tried to douse the fire, he became unconscious and could not come out. The entire room was engulfed in fire and his body was badly charred and sent for autopsy. Commuters make their way amid smog in Amritsar on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Police bow to pressure, register case FARMER’S SUICIDE Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, November 19 The Patti Sadar police today registered a case against the husband and wife who abetted the suicide of Satnam Singh, a 40-year-old farmer from Ghariala village, five days ago. The police action comes amid mounting public pressure, with farmers of the area, led by the Kirti Kisan Union (KKU), continuously protesting day and night in front of the police station for the past three days. Addressing the farmers protesting in front of the police station today, district president of the Kirti Kisan Union, Nachhattar Singh Mughalchak, informed that a case has been registered against Ghariala resident Sukhchain Singh and his wife Salwinder Kaur under Section 3(5) and 108 (abetting to suicide) of the BNS. The family cremated the body today after a postmortem of the body was conducted. The farmers' organisation lifted their dharna too. Cops seize 1.1K spools of Chinese kite string Tributes paid to WW-1 & II soldiers at Sultanwind Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 In a major seizure of banned synthetic kite string (commonly known as Chinese dor ), the CIA Staff-1 team of the Police Commissionerate, Amritsar, arrested three persons and seized a huge consignment of the prohibited material from their possession. Those arrested have been identified as Ram Krishan, Banit Sachar and Davinder Singh. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the police conducted a targeted raid at their premises and recovered 1,100 spools of Chinese kite string, which is notorious for causing fatal injuries to humans and birds due to its razor-sharp, nyloncoated composition. According to police officials, the trio had devised a deceptive method to procure the banned string from suppliers outside the city. During preliminary questioning, it emerged that the accused would falsely declare the product as material meant for fishing nets or operation theatre (OT) usage, enabling them to bypass regulatory checks and restrictions. Once the consignments reached Amritsar, they allegedly sold the string illegally to kite-fliers and local distributors, particularly ahead of festival seasons when demand spikes. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that the police have identified their source and more arrests are likely in near future. He said initially, the Islamabad police nabbed one Ram Krishan with 35 spools of banned string. His interrogation led the police to kite seller Davinder Singh and his accomplice Banit Sachar. "Investigations revealed Supply chain probe on CHINA DOR THREAT ■ Initially, the Islamabad police nabbed one Ram Krishan with 35 spools of banned string. His interrogation led the police to kite seller Davinder Singh and his accomplice Banit Sachar. ■ Police officials emphasised that the sale and use of Chinese kite string is strictly prohibited due to its highly dangerous nature, which has been responsible for causing severe injuries to people, damage to vehicles and the death of several birds. that the accused had been operating this racket for several months and had developed a widespread customer network. The police are now probing the supply chain and financial trails to identify additional accomplices and the main suppliers behind the operation," Bhullar said. The police officials emphasised that the sale and use of Chinese kite string is strictly prohibited due to its highly dangerous nature, which has been responsible for causing severe injuries, damage to vehicles and the death of several birds. The police have reiterated its commitment to enforcing the ban and taking stringent action against the violators. The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the BNS. The Police Commissioner urged the public to refrain from using banned kite strings and to immediately report any information related to its sale or storage. Officials stated that such illegal activities not only violate the law but also pose a serious threat to public safety and can not be tackled effectively unless people themselves cooperate. Neha Saini Amritsar, November 19 The sacrifice and indomitable courage of Sikh soldiers, who fought in World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), was solemnly commemorated today at a grand annual function held in Sultanwind, Amritsar. The event was organised by the Vishav Yudh 1st & 2nd Shaheed Welfare Society, Sultanwind, Amritsar. The ceremony featured tributes and a solemn wreathlaying at the local memorial (where a plaque is installed by the British) to honour the gallant soldiers. The event had chief guest Jathedar Baba Major Singh Sodhi, Head, Dasmesh Tarna Dal. Numerous esteemed exArmy officers, civil guests, schoolchildren and NCC cadets attended, with the Punjab Home Guards presenting a guard of honour. A special moment was the attendance of the family of Risaldar Badloo Singh, who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC), the highest decoration for gallantry in the British Empire. Their presence served as a powerful reminder of the ultimate sacrifice made by Sikh soldiers. The day commenced with Sri Sukhmani Sahib Path, followed by the event at Pathshahi Sixth Gurdwara Atari Sahib, Sultanwind Pind, Amritsar. A march was organised from Gurdwara Attari Sahib to the historical plaque, which was installed by the British to honour the Sikh soldiers and martyrs of World War I, who went to war from village Sultanwind. A guard of honour was also presented by a contingent of Punjab Home Guards there. Sikh scholar and historian Bhupinder Singh Holland (Sikh historian) and several other dignitaries presented their views on reserving memories of Sikh soldiers of World Wars. The president of the Vishav Yudh 1st & 2nd Shaheed Welfare Society, Dr Gurinder Singh Mahal, reiterated the event's mission — to not only remember the sacrifices but also to inspire future generations with the universal values of duty, courage and selfless service demonstrated by the soldiers. The commemorative ceremony featured moving tributes and a solemn wreath-laying at the local memorial in Sultanwind village of Amritsar district on Wednesday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Cops clueless in ISBT murder case GNDU non-teaching Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 Even after more than 24 hours elapsed, the city police was yet to make any breakthrough in the Makhan Singh murder case. Makhan Singh was gunned down by several armed assailants at the Inter-State Bus Terminus (ISBT) in broad daylight here on Tuesday. Soon after the incident, notorious gangsters Donny Bal, Kaushal Chaudhary and Prabh Dassuwal had taken responsibility for the murder while claiming that the deceased was a close confidant of their rival and category-A gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. The police have formed around six teams for scanning the CCTV cameras near the spot and in the city to identify the perpetrators and their subsequent arrest. Jasroop Kaur Bath, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), said that efforts were on to identify and arrest the culprits. The Assistant Adda Incharge of a private transport company was shot dead at the ISBT here on Tuesday. Makhan suffered four bullet injuries and died on the spot. The police had recovered six empty shells from the spot and are scanning CCTV footage to identify the assailants. The incident stemmed from a heated dispute between employees of two private bus transport companies over picking up passengers first. Eyewitnesses told the police that while the argument was on, one of the employees, in a fit of rage, pulled out a weapon and opened fire. The assailant fled immediately after the shooting. Bypoll jolts Waris Punjab De hopes TARN TARAN RESULTS Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 A year after winning the Tarn Taran assembly segment with a thumping majority, the fortunes of Akali Dal Waris Punjab De has sharply declined in the bypoll, the result of which was declared on Friday. Akali Dal Waris Punjab De, a party headed by jailed Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha MP Amritpal Singh, won the Panthic halqa of Khadoor Sahib, which includes the Tarn Taran assembly segment, with a thumping majority. Collectively, the Waris Punjab De, SAD faction headed by former Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh and the SAD group led by Simranjit Singh Mann endorsed the candidature of Mandeep Singh, the brother of Sandeep Singh Sunny, main accused in the 2022 daylight murder of Shiv Sena c m y b leader Sudhir Suri who attacked three excops, killing one and injuring two others inside Patiala jail on September 10. He ended up third in the bypoll with 19,620 votes while Amritpal had gained a lead of about 24,000 votes over his nearest opponent only a year ago from the segment. Considered a staunch Panthic seat, it went to a candidate of the secular political outfit AAP while SAD (B), known as , a moderate Sikh party, stood second. Continued on P2 staffers stage protest Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 19 Guru Nanak Dev University Non-Teaching Employees Association, with the support of the Officers Association and Teachers Association, carried out a march with thousands of employees to protest the Punjab government's backtracking on several poll promises. President of the GNDU Non-Teaching Employees Association, Hardeep Singh Nagra, spoke against the Punjab Government, saying that there is a wide gap between what the government says and what it actually does. He criticised the government's U-turn in policies and reminded that the promise made to employees-to implement the Old Pension Scheme in Punjab-has still not been fulfilled even after issuing a notification. "Employees in Punjab are receiving 16 per cent less DA (Dearness Allowance) compared to neighbouring states. The arrears of the old DA also remain pending. IAS and PCS officers are still being given the full DA due to them. The 4-9-14 policy, which used to remove disparities among employees, has been discontinued. The Central Government is going to implement the 8th Pay Commission for its employees in January 2026, but the Punjab Government has still not fully implemented the 6th Pay Commission's recommendations," he pointed out. "The government claims that it wants to raise the standard of education, but the educational institutions (universities) are not even being given their due grants," he said. The protest march was also addressed by Teachers' Association president Dr Balwinder Singh, secretary Rajinder Singh, Officers Association secretary Manpreet Singh, Aman Arora and Ajmer Singh.