29122025-ATR-01.qxd 12/28/2025 10:22 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CIVIC BODY’S YEAR OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY, SLOW DEVP RISE IN ARMS SEIZURES RAISED SECURITY CONCERNS LEGENDARY ACTRESS BRIGITTE BARDOT PASSES AWAY AT 91 2025 was challenging for the Amritsar MC, marked by political uncertainty and slow-paced development. P2 The scale and variety of weapons seized in Amritsar during 2025 had set the alarm bells ringing. P2 MAX 19°C | MIN 4°C YESTERDAY MAX 20°C | MIN 6°C Known in France merely by initials BB, Bardot tantalised audiences with her raw display of sexuality in the 1950s and '60s. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 5.35 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:29 AM » MONDAY | 29 DECEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR Navjot’s BJP outreach triggers unease, Raju writes to Gadkari Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 28 Former Amritsar (East) MLA and suspended Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s recent political engagements with senior BJP leaders have triggered unease within the local BJP unit, particularly in the Amritsar (East) constituency. Her meetings with Union ministers and public remarks praising the central leadership of BJP have fuelled speculation about her possible entry into the BJP , drawing a sharp reaction from the party’s local leadership. Reacting to Dr Sidhu’s recent meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, BJP’s Amritsar (East) in charge Jagmohan Singh Raju lodged a strong protest, accusing her of attempting to falsely claim credit for development works in the constituency. In a letter addressed to Gadkari, Raju objected to political misrepresentation by a suspended Congress leader. In the letter, Raju stated that Dr Sidhu had met the Union minister, seeking intervention in the Vallah NHAI project while projecting Amritsar (East) as her constituency. He asserted that this claim was incorrect, pointing out that in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, it was her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu, who contested from Amritsar (East) as a Congress candidate and was defeated. Raju further wrote that Sidhu, a former BJP leader, had deserted the party and remained among the most vocal critics of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised that allowing individuals who routinely abuse and criticise the Prime Minister to take credit for BJP-led development works was unacceptable and demoralising for loyal party workers. The BJP leader underlined that he was the current in charge of Amritsar (East) and had himself contested the 2022 Assembly elections from the constituency on a BJP ticket against Navjot Singh Sidhu. He added that he had already made formal representations twice to the Union minister regarding the Vallah bypass issue. “I strongly urge that no credit or legitimacy be allowed to Dr Sidhu, and that all development work in Amritsar (East) is clearly and rightfully attributed to the Prime Minister and the BJP ,” Raju stated in his letter. Dr Sidhu had met Gadkari two days ago and later shared photographs of the meeting, praising the Union minister for assuring prompt redress of Vallah bridge issue. She has also recently spoken positively about Union Home Minis- ter Amit Shah, further intensifying speculation about her political future. Former IAS officer Raju, who remains active in Amritsar (East) politics, had contested the last Assembly election from the seat. In the same constituency, Sidhu had lost to Aam Aadmi Party candidate in 2022. Political observers note that if Dr Sidhu joins the BJP , she is likely to stake claim to the Amritsar (East) seat, something she has publicly hinted at in the past. Dr Sidhu is currently suspended from the Congress following her controversial statement alleging a “Rs 500crore price for the chief minister’s post”, which had drawn strong disapproval from the party leadership. Despite her suspension, she has continued to make sharp remarks against senior Congress leaders in Punjab, keeping her at the centre of political debate in the state. AAP to fight for rights of labourers under VB-G RAM G: Dhaliwal Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 28 The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Central government over the changes made to MGNREGA in its ‘new avatar’. AAP MLA and Punjab’s chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the party would wage a major agitation for the rights of labourers and would not allow their employment to be taken away. He demanded that the government should withdraw the VB-G RAM G Act and restore MGNREGA. He stated that through this Act, the Centre had reduced its 100 per cent funding to 60 per cent, enhancing financial burden on the states. In a release issued here on Sunday, Dhaliwal said the states would have to contribute 40 per cent. He questioned that when the states’ GST already goes to the Centre, from where would the states arrange this 40 per cent share. Expressing serious con- cern, MLA Dhaliwal said that under the new Act, work would not be provided during the sowing and harvesting agricultural seasons. Earlier, there was a guarantee of 100 days of work and labourers could work whenever they wished, but now this guarantee is also being taken away. He recalled that during the recent floods in Punjab, several areas, including Ajnala suffered heavy losses. The Centre announced Rs 1,600 crore relief, but did not release a single new rupee. He added that funds for rural development are also being withheld. He warned that if these changes were not rolled back, then AAP would launch a major struggle against them. MLA Dhaliwal assured the labourers and poor people of Punjab that AAP would fight for their interests, both at the national level and in Punjab, and under no circumstances would it allow the employment of the poor to be taken away. KMSC to hold protest against Centre today Tribune News Service Amritsar, December 28 The Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee (KMSC) has announced that it will burn effigies of the Central government on Monday to protest against the scrapping of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Addressing mediapersons on Sunday, Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee general secretary Sarwan Singh Pandher said the scheme, which was meant to guarantee employment and livelihood security to rural workers, was being systematically diluted. “MGNREGA is the lifeline of landless labourers and small farmers. Instead of strengthening it, the Central government is reducing work days, delaying payments and cutting funds,” he alleged. Pandher said the protest would be held outside deputy commissioner offices across Punjab. “Burning effigies is a symbolic protest to draw attention to the injustice being done to crores of rural families who depend on MGNREGA for survival,” he said. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangarsh Committee leader warned that if the government failed to address their demands, then the agitation would be intensified in the coming days. “Our struggle will continue until government promises to stop the new law and strengthens the MGNREGA,” said Pandher. The committee appealed to farmers and rural workers to participate in large numbers to make the protest a success. Heavy fog disrupts life, cold wave intensifies Tribune News Service Panj Piaras lead the Nagar Kirtan at Dhotian village in Tarn Taran district on Sunday. GURBAXPURI Nagar Kirtan taken out to mark Gurpurb at Dhotian village Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 28 A colourful Nagar Kirtan was taken out at Dhotian village to mark the birth anniversary Guru Gobind Singh on Sunday, in which a large number of devotees of nearby villages took part with devotion and respect. Panj piaras led the procession, which started from Gurdwara Baba Raja Ram Ji. School students and the band, along with gatka team, added energy to the Nagar Kirtan. The procession passed though bazaars and village localities and tea and other eatables were served to devotees. Later, a religious congrega- tion was organised at the gurdwara, where Sikh scholars and preachers shared Sikh history with the sangat and talked about the martyrdom of the four Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri. The village elders who made the arrangements for the Nagar Kirtan were honoured with ‘siropas’ by the organisers. Gang involved in luring, forcing people to give money busted, one arrested Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, December 28 The local city police here have busted a gang of eight members, including two women, which used to call innocent people to their homes and then intimidate them into giving money or else face charges of rape. The police have arrested one member of the gang. All members of the gang are residents of Mohalla Jaswant Singh, Tarn Taran, and include a couple. City DSP Sukhbir Singh said here today that the accused include Manvir Singh and his wife Gurmeet Kaur, besides Rajwinder Kaur, Angrej Singh, Lovepreet Singh Labhu, Sonu, Arun Singh and an unknown person. The DSP said here today that three days ago Rajwinder lured Jaspal Singh Jugg, a resident of Pandori Gola, to her house and first made him sit in a room of her house and then locked him. Later, six persons came and beat him up and took off his clothes and made a video. The accused even took out Rs 75,000 from his pocket and demanded Rs 1 lakh more. After threatening him at gunpoint, the accused sent their man and took another Rs 10,000 from his brother from somewhere in the city. The accused demanded Rs 40,000 more. The DSP further said that the local city police had registered a case under Sections 115 (2), 308 (5), 308 (4), 308 (7), 127 (2), 190, 351 (2), 351 (3), 61 (2) of the BNS and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. The police have arrested Manvir while the rest are absconding. A family in Guru Tegh Bahadur area of the city was also involved in the same business for years and 12 cases had been registered against that family under similar sections. The DSP said that the police had started raids to arrest the absconding accused. Amritsar, December 28 A thick blanket of fog engulfed the region on Sunday, December 28, 2025 following an alert issued by the Meteorological Department, severely disrupting life across several districts. Dense fog reduced visibility to a few metres in the early morning hours, forcing motorists to drive cautiously and leading to delays in road and rail traffic. The sun remained hidden well past noon, giving the day an unusually gloomy feel and adding to the chill in the air. The minimum temperature too dropped sharply to six degrees Celsius, making it one of the coldest days of the season so far. The combination of low temperatures and persistent fog caused discomfort to residents, particularly the elderly, children and those with respiratory ailments. Many people preferred stay- Man dies in road mishap Amritsar, December 28 Amid the dense fog that engulfed the region on Sunday, a man identified as Harbhajan Singh, a resident of Nehru Colony here, was killed while another narrowly escaped with minor injuries in a road mishap near SG Enclave located on the Amritsar-Majitha road here. The injured has been identified as Gaurav of Friends Colony. He was taken to hospital for treatment. The incident occurred when a speedy milk tanker hit their scooter around 9 am. They were going for their duty in a factory. The police authorities reached the spot and started investigations. The unknown driver of the tanker fled the scene while leaving the vehicle behind. Gaurav, who was riding pillion, said that the truck carrying milk hit their scooter from behind. Their scooter lost balance and the victim Harbhajan was run over by the truck. He died on the spot. — TNS c m y b A man rides a cycle during a foggy morning on Majitha Road in Amritsar on Sunday. ing indoors to avoid exposure to the biting cold. Morning routines were badly affected as daily-wage workers and farmers delayed their activities due to poor visibility. In rural areas, the impact of the fog was more due to open spaces. In view of the temperature dropping further in the coming days, health experts have VISHAL KUMAR advised people to take precautions during the prevailing cold conditions. They recommended wearing warm clothing, avoiding early morning outings and seeking medical attention in case of breathing difficulties or persistent cough. Officials stated that hospitals have reported a rise in patients suffering from cold-related illnesses such as flu, sore throat and joint pain. The weather forecast predicts similar weather conditions to continue over the next few days, making it tough for the residents. With cold wave conditions expected during the night and early morning hours, residents have been advised to stay updated with weather bulletins and follow safety advisories. Joginder Singh, a retired roadways driver suggested, “People should avoid music in cars and should use fog lights. Overtaking should be avoided and speed should be slow.” He said that when fog hinders visibility, drivers should be very careful in spotting other vehicles. Winged guests reach Harike wetland Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, December 28 Harike wetland in the confluence of the Beas and Sutlej is seeing a large number of migratory birds, which have arrived here these days here. A large number of bird lovers are making a beeline to watch these birds. The Wildlife Conservation Department has also appointed guides to help visitors in catching a glimpse of these birds. Harike wetland and bird sanctuary is also known as Harike Pattan. This manmade riverine wetland is spread over three districts of Punjab, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Kapurthala. This bird sanctuary is one of the six wetlands of international importance designated by India under the Ramsar Convention in 1990. Two major canals flow from the Harike headworks, of which one of them is called the Rajasthan Canal. The Harike wetlands ecosystem, with its rich aqua flora and fauna, is an important conservation area for Migratory birds in Harike wetland bird sanctuary. Punjab. Thousands of migratory birds of more than 368 recorded species, while travelling thousands of kilometers from Siberia, Russia and other cold European coun- tries, come here every year during the winter months. To provide a peaceful environment to the birds, an area of 86 sq km is a restricted area for the public, where permis- sion has to be taken from the Department of Forest and Wildlife Preservation, Punjab, to go inside the restricted area. During these days, fishing is also undertaken.