07122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/6/2025 11:48 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 21°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 6°C LAUHKA SCHOOL EXCELS IN KARATE COMPETITION BROKEN MANHOLE LID RISKS LIVES IN TARN TARAN RAANJHAN SPOTIFY INDIA’S MOST-STREAMED SONG Students of a government school, Lauhka, performed exceptionally well in the karate competition held on Saturday. P2 Broken manhole lids on roads in Tarn Taran city continue to cause road accidents. P2 Kanika Dhillon’s soulful track Raanjhan featuring Parampara Tandon’s voice dominated playlists in year 2025. P4 » » » SUNSET SUNDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 7.17 AM SUNDAY | 7 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Speeding Thar driver held for killing man in Tarn Taran After attack on sarpanch, Cong announces boycott of rural polls Our Correspondent Amritsar, December 6 Calling the attack on the Bhindi Saidan sarpanch during the filing of nominations — and the subsequent registration of an FIR against the victim and his family — a mockery of justice and law and order, the Congress on Saturday announced a boycott of the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections scheduled to be held in three assembly segments: Rajasansi, Majitha and Ajnala. Surjit Singh, sarpanch of Bhindi Saidan in the Rajasansi constituency, was allegedly manhandled by Aam Aadmi Party workers during the nomination process, a video of which later surfaced. Congress leaders further alleged that AAP workers carried out a second attack on his house soon after. The police later booked Surjit Singh, his family members, sitting MLA Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria, and Youth Congress leader Dilraj Singh Sarkaria in connection with the incident. At a press conference, Lok Sabha member Gurjeet Singh Aujla, Dilraj Sarkaria, former MLA Harpratap Ajnala and Bhagwant Pal Singh Sachar accused the government of manipulating the elections in its favour with help from the administration and the police. Calling the elections already rigged, Aujla said they did not want anyone else to suffer the Tarn Taran, December 6 The Bhikhiwind police have arrested the driver of a Thar (XUV) held responsible for the death of a man in a road accident near Mari Nau Abad village. The incident occurred on Thursday and the deceased has been identified as Gurbhej Singh (40), a resident of Bhagwanpur village. Victim was hit from the rear by the speeding vehicle Gurbhej Singh was returning to his village on a moped from nearby Algon Kothi after selling milk when he was struck from behind by a speeding Thar near Mari Nau Abad. He was first taken to a private hospital in Bhikhiwind in critical condition, but due to the severity of his injuries, his family shifted him to a hospital in Amritsar, where doctors declared him dead. Jaswant Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) at the Bhikhiwind police station, said the accused driver, identified as Husanpreet Singh of Narli (Khalra), was arrested on Friday. A case has been registered against him under Sections 106, 281 and 324(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Tribune News Service Day after clash with AAP, 20 Cong workers booked Tribune News Service Amritsar MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR way Surjit Singh had. Congress leaders alleged that Surjit Singh was beaten up in the presence of police and election officials, and that his house was attacked shortly afterwards. “Two people have been hospitalised, and a video of the entire incident has surfaced. Despite this, the police filed false cases against MLA Sukh Sarkaria, Dilraj Sarkaria and others instead of those who had carried out the attack,” Aujla said. The Congress also claimed that Aam Aadmi Party’s chief spokesperson, Kuldeep Dhaliwal, should have been booked, alleging he was behind the entire episode. MP Aujla said the democratic process in Punjab was being mocked and that the administration was being used as a political weapon. The party alleged that nomination papers were cancelled in multiple areas, Congress supporters were threatened and pressure was exerted on nearly 70 per cent of the polling areas through police and hired goons. They added that although Congress candidates had filed nominations in every constituency, most applications were rejected. While the candidates held receipts as proof of submission, the related files were allegedly missing — an act they termed blatant injustice. All candidates whose nominations were rejected were present at the press conference. Amritsar, December 6 Following a violent clash between Congress and AAP leaders at Bhindi Saida village in the Rajasansi constituency over the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections, the police have booked nearly 20 Congress workers and leaders under charges of attempt to murder and the Arms Act. Several individuals from both sides were reportedly injured in the confrontation. The case was registered on the statement of Lakhwinder Singh, an AAP candidate for the Zila Parishad from Jasraur village. In his statement, he claimed that he and his associates were heading to the residence of their supporter, Billa Singh, on Friday morning when armed accused allegedly surrounded and attacked them. Lakhwinder Singh in his statement alleged that the attack was carried out at the behest of senior Congress leader and MLA Sukhjinder Singh Sukh Sarkaria and Dilraj Sarkaria. He alleged that the assault was politically motivated and linked to the ongoing Zila Parishad elections. According to him, the attack An injured AAP activist at a private hospital in Amritsar. CONG, SAD LEVELLING FALSE ALLEGATIONS: AAP ■ Referring to a clash in Bhindi Saidan village on Friday, Dhaliwal alleged that Congress workers opened fire on AAP’s Zila Parishad candidate Lakhwinder Singh Lakha and accompanying party members. While condemning the incident, he said that Congress and SAD were resorting to violence out of desperation and frustration. ■ He said the Opposition parties were unable to find suitable candidates and were, therefore, levelling baseless allegations. He said the government won’t tolerate intimidation and hooliganism. was carried out with the support of associates of Congress leader Surjit Singh and at the behest of senior Congress leaders from the constituency. The complainant claimed that Surjit Singh’s associates — including Satnam Singh, Sabba Singh, Sonu Singh, Kuldeep Singh, Jassa Singh, Lekha Singh, Harman Singh, Pappu Singh, and others — blocked their path with the intention to launch an attack. Two women, Simar Kaur and Kashmir Kaur, were reportedly among the group present during the confrontation. As tensions rose, Satnam Singh, the village sarpanch, allegedly opened fire with intent to kill, injuring Gopi Singh and Bhanjit Singh in the chest. Several others, including Sabba Singh and Sonu Singh, reportedly assaulted the complainant with sharp-edged weapons, causing injuries to his head and limbs. Supporters Billa Singh and Harman Singh, along with the complainant’s brother Surinder Singh, also suffered injuries, while women accompanying them were allegedly attacked with sharp weapons as well. The police reached the spot, but the accused reportedly fled with their weapons before arrests could be made. The injured were shifted to a private hospital, where they are currently undergoing treatment. It is noteworthy that Congress leader Dilraj Sarkaria has already accused the Amritsar Rural Police of bias. He alleged that AAP leader Lakhwinder Singh and his supporters had attacked the residence of Congress candidate Surjit Singh, located on the outskirts of the village. He claimed they had informed senior police officials beforehand, anticipating an attack, but no preventive action was taken, which ultimately led to the incident. SSP , Amritsar Rural, Suhail Qasim Mir did not respond to repeated calls. Two drug peddlers held in raids MC deploys 30 new mini tippers for waste collection Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 6 The Anti-Gangster Task Force of the Amritsar Police Commissionerate has arrested two persons allegedly involved in drug trafficking in separate operations, recovering 1 kg of heroin and Rs 1.10 lakh in suspected drug money. In the first instance, the police arrested Gurwant Singh, a resident of Bachhiwind village in the Lopoke subdivision, from the Chheharta area. The police initially recovered 200 grams of heroin from his possession. However, during interrogation, he disclosed the location of an additional 800 grams of heroin, which was later seized from his residence. The accused has been remanded to police custody for two more days, and officials expect further recovery of contraband and drug proceeds. Meanwhile, the police arrested Karambeer Singh of Gumanpura, under the jurisdiction of the Gharinda police station. The police team, led by ASI Gurpartap Singh, apprehended him on December 2 near the Meeri Peeri Academy turn on the Bhaini village road. During his custodial interrogation, the police recovered Rs 1.10 lakh in alleged drug money from his residence on December 4. The investigation is ongoing, and the police anticipate additional recoveries of heroin and drug funds. Karambeer Singh also has an NDPS case registered against him at Verka police station from October 2021. Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 6 In an effort to streamline the city’s waste management system, the Amritsar Municipal Corporation on Friday flagged off 30 new mini tippers for door-to-door garbage collection. With these additions, a total of 55 vehicles —30 newly inducted and 25 already in operation — have now been deployed across the city. MC Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill said the new fleet will first be stationed in the walled city, after A new garbage collection vehicle being flagged off in Amritsar. which the remaining vehicles will be diverted to areas with a high frequency of complaints. He said the corporation is exploring the possibility of collecting waste twice a day to curb overflowing garbage points. At present, Amritsar generates nearly 650 metric tonnes of waste daily. Shergill added that the contractor is paid based on the weight of garbage transported to the dumpsite, a system that incentivises proper collection and timely lifting. Teams from the municipal corporation will also visit wards to raise awareness among residents about the door-to-door system. The awareness drive will begin on Sunday from Ward No. 4, with plans to cover Wards 7 to 8 each day. Officials said the MC aims to expand the fleet to 350 vehicles in phases to ensure seamless waste collection across the city. Mayor Jatinder Singh Moti Bhatia said new vehicles will be added every week. In the first phase, an intensive cleanliness campaign will be carried out in areas around Darbar Sahib and the inner city, which witness heavy footfall from tourists and pilgrims. He said these zones have been prioritised to maintain the city’s heritage character. Actors Helen, Rajat Bedi attend fashion PITEX provides a key platform for economic showcase celebrating Punjab’s craft heritage growth, says Haryana Governor prof Ghosh Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 6 Craft Forward, an initiative under PITEX 2025 aimed at preserving Punjab’s handicraft heritage and empowering artisans and women, presented the Punjab Heritage Show — a fashion showcase featuring ethnic collections by designers Rachit Khanna, Farah Sanjana, Hikari Arora and The Couture by Khurana. The event was curated by Fashion Tech Forum chair Himani Arora, who said the initiative seeks to provide visibility to artisans while promoting skill development, job opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for village artisans, women and self-help groups. She added that the initiative includes specialised training programmes for women in prisons and projects focused on rural areas. The glittering evening witnessed celebrity appearances, with actor Rajat Bedi Amritsar, December 6 Haryana Governor Prof Ashim Ghosh has said that PITEX is playing a key role in strengthening economic relations and fostering brotherhood among the northern states of the country. Speaking at a seminar on Trade, Industry and Regional Growth during the 19th PITEX, organized by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, here on Saturday, the Governor said the event provides new business opportunities to traders, industrialists and young entrepreneurs every year. He said that progress in regions like Punjab and Haryana contributes significantly to national development. “Punjab and Haryana share a long history of culture, agriculture, business and strong people-to-people relations. As neighbours and partners, both states support Yesteryear actor Helen (centre) at the Punjab Heritage show in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR and legendary star Helen gracing the event. Advocating for sustainable fashion that supports livelihoods and retains timeless appeal, Helen said Punjab’s heritage crafts have made a global impact. Bedi shared experiences from his Bollywood journey and described his comeback through the web series Badass of Bollywood as “life changing.” The evening concluded on a lively note with singer Hargun Kaur performing popular numbers, drawing the audience to sing along. c m y b Haryana Governor Prof Ashim Ghosh at the PITEX venue in Amritsar on Saturday. each other’s development. If both states grow together, the entire northern region becomes stronger socially, economically and strategically,” he said. Prof Ghosh emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between governments and industries to drive industrial growth in the country. He highlighted innovation, MSME support, and agriculture and food processing as key areas for strengthening the agricultural and food sectors. “Punjab and Haryana are among India’s top food-producing states, and their agriculture sector can contribute even more to the national economy through modern storage, value addition and global market linkages,” he added. Earlier, Karan Gilhotra, Chair (Punjab chapter) of PHDCCI, said that PITEX was launched to promote trade and build stronger ties between Punjab and its neighboring states. Senior Regional Director Bharti Sood said the Chamber plans to organize similar events in Haryana and added that support from the Haryana government will be crucial for these efforts.