07012026-ATR-01.qxd 06-01-2026 23:32 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST FOG IN MORNING MAX 13°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 13°C | MIN 5°C FARMERS HOLD MOTORCYCLE RALLY; TO STAGE DHARNA QUAINT VILLAGE A TESTAMENT TO SIKH VALOUR, SERVICE RAJNI, SHOW FROM THE 80S, IS BACK IN NEW AVATAR Leaders of farmer unions discussed pending demands of farmers, labourers and employees. P2 A gurdwara here narrates tales of sacrifice of the first martyrs of Gurdwara Sudhar Lehar. P3 Karan Razdan, writer of the original series & writer-director of its 2.0 version, tells us what made him revisit the show. P4 » » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.42 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7.30 AM WEDNESDAY | 7 JANUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Joint SAD-BJP New Year hoardings spark alliance speculation in city Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 6 The installation of large New Year greeting hoardings jointly displaying images of leaders from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at prominent locations in Amritsar has sparked fresh speculation about a possible revival of the erstwhile alliance between the two parties. The hoardings, installed at Lawrence Road Chowk, carried a New Year message along with the photograph of a youth identified as Mansirat Singh. They also featured images of senior BJP leaders, including state president Ashwani Sharma, Sunil Jakhar, Tarun Chugh, district president Harvinder Singh Sandhu, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister, alongside SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal. The unexpected appearance of the hoardings created confusion among the public, with many interpreting them as a signal of renewed political understanding between the SAD and the BJP However, . Fear and uncertainty prevail as crime incidents rise in city Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service A hoarding carrying congratulatory messages and images of BJP and SAD leaders in Amritsar on Tuesday. VISHAL KUMAR leaders from both parties categorically denied any knowledge of or involvement in the installation of the boards. District BJP president Harvinder Singh Sandhu said the party had lodged a complaint with the Police Commissioner, seeking an investigation into who authorised and erected the hoardings carrying joint images of leaders from both parties. He ruled out any possibility of an alliance at present and said the party leadership was taken by surprise by the development. Echoing similar views, Shiro- mani Akali Dal district president Surjit Singh Pehlwan said he had no prior information about the hoardings and came to know about them only after seeing a video showing the boards being removed. He clarified that there was currently no discussion or information regarding any alliance between the two parties. Pehlwan added that if the youth behind the hoardings was found to be associated with the SAD, disciplinary action would be initiated. According to sources, the hoardings were removed later in the evening. Amritsar, January 6 A growing sense of fear and insecurity has spread among residents as incidents of crime continue to rise, leaving common citizens anxious about their safety. People across the city say the situation has worsened in recent times, with violent crimes creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust. Residents from different walks of life admit that the fear of becoming the next victim has begun to affect their daily routines. “Earlier, we could walk back home late in the evening without worry. Now, I think twice before stepping out after sunset,” said Rakesh Kumar, a shopkeeper in a busy market area. He added that many shop owners are closing their establishments earlier than usual due to safety concerns. Women, in particular, say People across the city say the situation has worsened in recent times, with violent crimes creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and mistrust. FILE PHOTO they feel increasingly vulnerable. “Public spaces no longer feel safe. Even well-lit roads make us uneasy. If someone can be murdered in broad daylight inside a marriage hall full of people, the situation is really worrisome,” said Simran Kaur, a college student, referring to the recent murder of a AAP leader behind stalled NH project, alleges MP Aujla Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 6 Member of Parliament Gurjeet Singh Aujla has alleged that a key national highway (NH) project in the district has been deliberately stalled due to the patronage of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. Addressing a press conference here, Aujla accused the AAP leader of misusing power and promoting corruption at the village level. The MP said that during a meeting with Nishan Singh, sarpanch of Sudhar village in the Ajnala area, it emerged that despite having all the required permissions, the sarpanch has not been allowed to lift soil for the NH project. Aujla alleged that pressure is being exerted on the sarpanch to forcibly con- MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla addresses mediapersons in Amritsar. struct a room for an associate of Dhaliwal on the village chhapar (common land). He described this as open corruption and abuse of authority. Aujla stated that soil for the NH project is being legally lifted from several locations after due approvals from the concerned departments. However, he alleged that only the sarpanch of Sudhar village is being stopped from carrying out the work on his own land. He further claimed that some leaders from the same village, who lost the panchayat elections and are now associated with the AAP , are behind the obstruction. According to him, continuous threats are being issued and efforts are being made to provoke the sarpanch into a confrontation. The MP said that all permissions for soil lifting were granted on June 16 after completing all legal formalities. Even the police, after verifying the documents, acknowledged that the work was legal and advised the sarpanch to proceed. “However, whenever the contractor starts the work, either the police stop it or the workers are assaulted,” Aujla alleged. He claimed that these actions are taking place under the patronage of AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal. “Dhaliwal speaks of peace, but under his watch people are being pushed towards confronta- tion,” Aujla said. He also alleged that despite knowing the facts, the police are illegally siding with the opposing party. Aujla warned that the stalled project is not only harassing the sarpanch but is also harming public interest by delaying an important national highway project. He said that if the issue is not resolved and any untoward incident occurs, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal will be held directly responsible. Meanwhile, sarpanch Nishan Singh said he has visited several offices, from the DSP to the DIG, and is repeatedly advised to begin the work. “But as soon as the work starts, the police arrive and stop it,” he said. He demanded strict action against those issuing threats and immediate resumption of the soil-lifting work. sarpanch from Tarn Taran. “There is constant fear while commuting, especially during early morning and late evening hours,” she added. Senior citizens also expressed concern over the changing atmosphere. “At this age, peace of mind matters the most. But rising crime has taken away our sense of security. We worry about our children and the future,” said Harbhajan Singh, a retired government employee. He added that many elderly people feel stressed unless their entire family is at home. Auto-rickshaw drivers and daily wage workers said the growing insecurity is directly affecting their livelihood. “Night rides have dropped because passengers are scared, and so are we,” said Mohan Lal, an auto-rickshaw driver. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which came to power promising improved law and order, had assured people of zero tolerance towards crime, police reforms, increased patrolling and the use of modern technology to curb criminal activities. Even during the Tarn Taran bypoll campaign in October last year, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised to end gangsterism within a week. However, residents allege that instead of taking effective measures, the government is indulging in encounters as a public relations exercise. Residents say visible improvement on the ground is still awaited and are urging the authorities to move beyond assurances and take swift, effective action to restore public confidence. Camaraderie over fire People sit around a bonfire to keep themselves warm in Amritsar on Tuesday. VISHAL KUMAR MC official warns public against Peeved over constant extortion threats, Chohla Sahib fake WhatsApp messages shopkeepers hire private security guards for safety Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 6 In a fresh case of cyber fraud targeting senior civic officials, unidentified scammers have created a fake WhatsApp account using the photograph of Amritsar Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill to dupe officials and members of the public. According to officials, the fraudster used the MC Commissioner’s photograph on a bogus WhatsApp number, reportedly being operated from Vietnam, and sent messages to municipal corporation officials and other individuals seeking money transfers. Terming the incident a clear case of fraud and impersonation, Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill cautioned all officials and citizens to remain vigilant and ignore any such messages or requests received from unknown or suspicious What- OFFICIALS CAUTIONED TO REMAIN VIGILANT ■ Terming the incident a clear case of fraud and impersonation, Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill cautioned all officials and citizens to remain vigilant and ignore any such messages or requests received from unknown or suspicious WhatsApp numbers using his name or photograph. He clarified that he has not authorised any such communication and appealed to people not to fall prey to the scam. sApp numbers using his name or photograph. He clarified that he has not authorised any such communication and appealed to people not to fall prey to the scam. Officials have advised recipients of such messages to immediately report the numbers to cybercrime authorities and refrain from sharing any personal or banking details. They also urged people to verify the authenticity of any financial requests before responding. This is not the first time cyber criminals have attempted to misuse the identity of senior municipal corporation officials. Earlier, similar incidents were reported in which scammers used photographs of former MC Commissioners Kumar Saurav Raj and Sandeep Rishi to create fake WhatsApp accounts and send fraudulent messages seeking money. The municipal corporation has urged its officials and the general public to exercise caution, verify requests for money through official channels, and rely only on authorised modes of communication for financial or administrative matters. Meanwhile, officials said steps are being initiated to lodge a formal complaint with cybercrime authorities to trace the culprits and prevent further misuse of the Commissioner’s identity. Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, January 6 People facing threats from gangsters are reportedly not being granted arms licences for self-defence, raising serious concerns over public safety in the district. The recent killing of sarpanch Jarmal Singh of Valtoha Sandhuan village has shaken residents across the district, particularly businessmen. Jarmal Singh was shot dead by gangsters on Sunday at a marriage palace in Amritsar. He had reportedly been receiving continuous threats from gangsters prior to the incident. There is hardly any village in the district where well-off residents have not been threatened with extortion. After issuing threats, gangsters allegedly collect large sums of money from victims across the district. Besides Patti city, many residents from villages and towns in the border area have report- c m y b The gunmen hired by shopkeepers of Chohla Sahib for their security. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI edly migrated to safer places due to fear. Three years ago, shopkeepers in Chohla Sahib town were fired upon in broad daylight. Following that incident, extortion demands running into lakhs of rupees were repeatedly made from local businessmen. Although the shopkeepers informed the police, they alleged that the administration failed to provide any relief. They further claimed that aides of gangsters, including Lakhbir Singh Landa, are operating openly in the area. Residents alleged that the police exist only in name. Around 400 shopkeepers in Chohla Sahib have reportedly lost trust in the police and have hired four private gunmen for security over the past few years, paying them monthly from their own pockets. Shopkeepers, including Lakhwinder Pal and Rakesh Kumar, said they had received ransom threats and informed the police. They added that after completing all formalities for obtaining arms licences, they submitted their files to the Deputy Commissioner’s office on August 12, 2024. Despite making several visits to the DC office, no action has been taken so far. The residents alleged that the administration is not taking adequate steps to ensure their safety. Deputy Commissioner Rahul could not be contacted as he did not respond to phone calls, messages, or WhatsApp voice calls. They further claimed that this issue is not limited to Chohla Sahib but affects residents across the district, many of whom have been visiting the DC office for years seeking arms licences. They alleged that while some applicants receive licences within days, others continue to wait without explanation. Bhupinder Nayyar, a social worker from Chohla Sahib, has demanded an impartial investigation into these allegations. He also urged the administration to ensure proper security arrangements for residents of villages and towns.