09012026-ATR-01.qxd 1/8/2026 11:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune TWO HELD WITH INTOXICANT TABLETS IN ATTARI 5 JUDOKAS FROM GURDASPUR MAKE IT TO STATE TEAM Gurdaspur players have been selected to compete in the ongoing national games in Ludhiana. P3 FOG IN MORNING MAX 11°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 12°C | MIN 6°C HOLLYWOOD ACTOR SARAH JESSICA PARKER HONOURED The Gharinda police arrested two drug traffickers and recovered 16,500 intoxicant tablets in Attari. P2 FORECAST The Sex and the City actress receives 2026 Carol Burnett Award at the Golden Globes' Golden Eve ceremony. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.43 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.30 AM » FRIDAY | 9 JANUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Admn cracks down on child begging, six minors rescued Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 8 The district administration carried out a major operation against people forcing small children to beg on roads and in public places. During the drive, at least six children were rescued from those making them beg at traffic lights, religious places and outside hotels and restaurants in areas including Ranjit Avenue. The action was taken following complaints by the Akal Seva Foundation. Social worker and Sikh leader Sarabjit Singh Sonu Jandiala said children were being used to collect money on roads while adults stood nearby, pretending to sell items or keep watch. When officials arrived, these individuals attempted to flee the scene. Sonu Jandiala said that in 2025, the Akal Seva Foundation launched a strong campaign against the begging mafia across Punjab, starting from Amritsar’s Golden Gate. With public support, the menace was curbed for some time. However, he said the practice Bihar resident among 5 gangsters linked to Bhagwanpuria gang held Tribune News Service The district administration, along with members of the Akal Seva Foundation, rescues two minor children in Amritsar on Thursday. has gradually resurfaced in a new form and is now visible again at almost every traffic light and public place. He stressed that people must stop giving money to those who exploit children for begging. “If people stop giving money, this system will end on its own,” he said. He added that several government schemes exist for poor families, but those forcing children to beg often refuse to send them to school. The foundation motivates children who wish to study and guides them towards education. “Children are the future of the country. If they spend their childhood begging on roads, what kind of future will they have?” Sonu Jandiala said. Besides, he urged society to support education instead of encouraging child begging. Amritsar, January 8 With the arrest of five criminals, including a Bihar resident, the Amritsar police on Thursday claimed to have averted a targeted killing and busted an extortion racket and organised criminal module linked to A-category gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Aditya Raj, alias Aditya, a resident of Nalanda district in Bihar, was injured in a brief exchange of fire with the city police in the Meerakot area. He, along with his accomplice Kulwinder Singh, alias Billa, of Gurdaspur, had earlier managed to escape from a police trap a day earlier. Sharing details, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that on Wednesday, a police team deployed near Putlighar Chowk for routine patrolling received specific intelligence about an active gang. The gang, led by Kulwinder Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar along with other officials visits the encounter site in Amritsar on Thursday. Singh alias Billa, Vikram Singh alias Mamman, Manpreet Singh alias Bura — both residents of Gurdaspur — and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi of Amritsar, was allegedly operating on the directions of foreign-based gangsters Amrit Dalm and Keshav Shivala. The group was involved in extortion and planning a targeted killing, he said. As per the intelligence input, Kulwinder Singh and his armed associates were present near Pimpti Guest House in a Hyundai Verna car, preparing to execute a crime. Acting swiftly, the Cantonment police conducted a raid and arrested three accused. A Hyundai Verna car, two swords and a datar were recovered from their possession. However, Kulwinder Singh and Aditya Raj, both armed with pistols, managed to flee the spot. On Thursday, the police received reliable information regarding their movement in the Meerakot area. When a police party signalled them to stop, the accused attempted to escape on a motorcycle, with Kulwinder Singh driving and Aditya Raj riding pillion. During the chase, Aditya allegedly fired two gunshots at the police party with an intent to kill, one of which struck the bumper of a police vehicle. Despite repeated warnings issued by Jatinder Singh, SHO, Cantonment police, the firing continued. In self-defence, the SHO fired one round from his service weapon, injuring Aditya Raj in the right leg. He was overpowered with the help of the police team and shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. A 9mm Turkey-made Glock pistol was recovered from Aditya, while a .32 bore country-made pistol was seized from Kulwinder Singh. An FIR under sections pertaining to attempt to murder and the Arms Act has been registered. “Aditya Raj, who is directly linked to gangsters Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Keshav Shivala, was executing criminal activities on their instructions,” said the Police Commissioner. He added that to evade identification and law enforcement, the gang allegedly used an out-of-state associate as a close aide. Kulwinder Singh, alias Billa, is stated to be directly linked to gangster Amrit Dalm. ‘Suffocation’ claims lives of couple in Tarn Taran Jamhoori Kisan Sabha announces Admn imposes night ban on movement protest against Centre’s policies within 500m of Int’l Border near district Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Amritsar, January 8 Leaders of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha have said that farmers can counter the policies of the Modi-led BJP government only by remaining united and organised. Addressing a gathering at Nepal village, Dr Satnam Singh Ajnala, state president of the union and a senior leader of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), strongly criticised the proposed Seed Bill 2025 and the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025. Dr Ajnala said the new Seed Bill aims to hand over research, production and distribution of seeds to foreign seed companies. He warned that such seeds cannot be reused by farmers in the next season, unlike traditional Indian seeds, which farmers save and sow themselves. He added that agriculture largely depends on seeds, and placing their control in the hands of foreign companies would severely harm farmers. He also criticised the Elec- Amritsar, January 8 The Additional District Magistrate (ADM), Amritsar, Rohit Gupta, has imposed stringent restrictions on all kinds of movement and activities in areas adjoining the India-Pakistan border in the district, citing heightened security concerns. Exercising powers vested under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, the ADM ordered a complete ban on all activities within a 500metre radius of the barbedwire fence along the International Border. According to the order, the restrictions will remain in force daily from 6 pm to 6 am in areas falling under the jurisdiction of police stations in Amritsar (Rural). The prohibitory orders will continue to remain effective till March 6, 2026. The administration noted that the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar district continues to be highly sensitive due to the possibility of movement by anti-national Tarn Taran, January 8 A couple residing on Jandiala Road died of suffocation in their room here on Wednesday night. The incident came to light this afternoon. The deceased have been identified as Gurmeet Singh (42) and his wife Jasbir Kaur (40). Gurmeet Singh’s elderly father, Jaspal Singh, said that the couple had gone to bed on the third floor of the house on Thursday night, while wood was burning in the common room. Gurmeet Singh ran a business of batteries and related items from his residence. He had married Jasbir Kaur six months ago in his second marriage. Jaspal Singh said that when Gurmeet Singh did not open his shop till noon on Friday, he went upstairs to check and found both Gurmeet Singh and Jasbir Kaur dead in their room. The bodies were cremated on Sachkhand Road on Friday. Illegal firearms seized in separate incidents Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 8 The Punjab Police and the Border Security Force (BSF) have recovered three pistols in separate incidents over the past 24 hours, pointing to continued attempts to smuggle illegal weapons into the border district. In the first incident, the Gharinda police arrested Sharanpreet Singh, alias Sunny, a resident of Gumanpura village, and recovered an Austria-made Glock 19 Gen4 pistol allegedly smuggled from Pakistan. ASI Jaswinder Singh said a police team was conducting routine checking near Khasa when they noticed a man approaching on foot from the Khasa side. On spotting the police party, the suspect attempted to flee but was swiftly overpowered and apprehended. During preliminary questioning, the accused identified himself as Sharanpreet Singh. A search led to the recovery of the Glock pistol, though its magazine was found empty. As he failed to produce any valid licence or documents for the weapon, police registered a case against him under the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain the source of the weapon and its intended use. Meanwhile, the BSF recovered two pistols along with continued on page 2 Farmers burn an effigy of the government in Tarn Taran on Thursday. tricity Amendment Bill, saying it would push farmers and poor people into darkness by making electricity costly and inaccessible. Dr Ajnala said such “black laws” could be opposed only through collective struggle. As per the decision of the SKM, protests are being held across the country against these Bills. During the meeting, it was announced that a protest would be held outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office on January 16 to demand the rollback of the Seed Bill, the Electricity Amendment Bill, four labour codes, and the restoration of MGNREGA in its original form. Meanwhile, at Lopoke, activists of the union staged a protest against the alleged US action in Venezuela and burnt an effigy of US President Donald Trump. Dr Ajnala termed the action a violation of international law and alleged that the US was attempting to control Venezuela’s oil reserves. He also criticised the Modi government for maintaining silence on the issue. Several farmer leaders and women activists participated in the protest. A view of the barbed wire fencing along the Indo-Pakistan Border near Amritsar district. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR elements. Such activities, it said, could pose a serious threat to border security and disturb peace and public order in the border belt. The restrictions have been imposed in the interest of safeguarding life and property and to prevent any untoward incident in the area. It is pertinent to mention that cross-border smuggling and infiltration attempts have witnessed a significant rise in recent years. In 2025, the Border Security Force (BSF) arrested as many as 280 Indian smugglers from near the International Border for their involvement in cross-border smuggling activities. This marks a sharp increase com- pared to 2024, when 161 Indian nationals were apprehended. Similarly, the BSF also apprehended 20 Pakistani nationals last year and neutralised three Pakistani intruders during separate incidents along the border, underlining the continuing security challenges faced in the region. Why breakfast remains city’s most cherished meal Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, January 8 Amid the delectable Punjabi cuisine of the holy city, it is breakfast that truly stands out for its abundance of choices. Food buffs wait all year for winter to arrive so they can gorge on their favourite seasonal dishes. Morning breakfast continues to be a gourmet’s delight, thanks to an astonishing assortment of offerings. The famous adage of eating like a king in the morning aptly suits the breakfast platter of the holy city. Even the Guru Ram Das Langar Hall at the Golden Temple expands its menu on cold mornings, serving items that culminate perfectly with tea in steel glasses, reminding one of humility in A worker prepares Gur da karah for customers, while a shopkeeper takes out a plate of Katlama in Amritsar. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR every aspect of life. Regular breakfast items often become a full-fledged main course, as connoisseurs c m y b of food love to savour gur da karah, available only during winter, along with puffed, crispy kachori filled with spicy stuffing and lentils (mah di dal). Gur da karah with Pashori katlama is also relished as a starter. Made with generous dollops of ‘desi ghee’ (clarified butter), these delicacies are consumed in small quantities, though their richness lingers. Old city resident Pankaj Mehra says these dishes are continued on page 2