07022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/6/2026 11:10 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune MINISTER REVIEWS MAKING OF HEALTH INSURANCE CARDS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED PANCHAYATS GET ~5L REWARD Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has reviewed registration for new health cards. P2 The AAP MLAs of Ajnala and Ramdas have distributed cheques worth Rs 5 lakh to unanimously elected panchayats. P2 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 21°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 6°C THE VOICE THAT DEFINED INDIAN MUSIC Every year on Feb 6, Lata Mangeshkar, whose voice became the backbone of Indian cinema, is remembered. P4 » SUNSET SATURDAY 6.09 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7.18 AM SATURDAY | 7 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Guv to lead anti-drug march in Tarn Taran on February 9 Burglars strike at two govt schools in Chawinda Devi Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, February 6 A meeting was convened by the district administration on Friday regarding preparations to be made for the visit of Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria who will lead a march against the drug menace in Tarn Taran on February 9. This was disclosed by Deputy Commissioner Rahul who held a special meeting with officials of all departments. SSP Tarn Taran, , Surendra Lamba also attended the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner gave necessary directions regarding the preparations for the Governor’s visit to the district and the march. The DC said that the antidrug walk, led by the Governor, will start from Sri Guru Harkrishan Public School on February 9 and go up to the Police Lines. A large number of students, members of youth clubs and volunteers will participate in this march and issue an appeal to unite for giving up drugs and eliminating drugs. The Deputy Commissioner gave necessary guidelines to the officers of the departments concerned to ensure security arrangements, traffic control, cleanliness, health facilities, medical teams, refreshments, drinking water etc for the successful completion of this walk. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Sanjeev Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Dr Karanvir Singh, SDM, Tarn Taran, Gurmeet Singh, Deputy Director of Mai Bharat, Tarn Taran, Jasleen Kaur, District Education Officer (Secondary) Satnam Singh Bath and officials of other departments were also present. Amritsar, February 6 Two government schools located at Chawinda Devi village here were allegedly burgled at night, with unidentified persons decamping with electrical wiring and other items after breaking open the locks of classrooms. The Kathunangal police have registered a case under Sections 305, 331(4) and 324(4) of the BNS following the complaints lodged by the principals of Government Elementary School and Government Senior Secondary Smart School at Chawinda Devi village. In his statement, the Navdeep Singh, Principal, Government Elementary School, said that after school hours on February 4, staff members locked the premises and left. When he returned the next morning, he found the locks of classrooms broken. Unknown miscreants allegedly damaged the electrical wiring, pulled out cables and broken switches. The accused also stole an LPG cylinder, steel utensils, including buckets, cooking vessels, and a cooker, from the school kitchen. A steel continued on page 2 Cricketer Abhishek Sharma with his teachers and former schoolmates in Amritsar. FILE PHOTOS City backs its star as Abhishek begins T20 World Cup journey Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 As the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup kicks off, all eyes will be on tournament favourite Abhishek Sharma. The explosive India opener, who has been on a six-hitting spree in recent T20 international matches, has redefined T20 batting with his blistering knocks. In his hometown of Amritsar, excitement and support for the young cricketer are running high. Abhishek’s alma mater, Delhi Public School (DPS), Manawala, recently hosted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup trophy as part of the ICC’s special Trophy Tour. As India begin their World Cup campaign with their opening match against the US, teachers, management and students at DPS shared special messages for their favourite “Abhe”. “He was always brilliant and focused—an extraordinary child,” said Kamal Chand, Principal, Delhi Public School. “He is still fond of his school and visited us in May last year. What was meant to be a 30-minute visit turned into a three-hour memorable meet. Everyone was charged up, including Abhishek.” Kamal added that he hopes Abhishek helps India lift the World Cup this time. “He has the capability to do so,” he said. Apart from cricket, one of Abhishek’s favourite things at school was the rice manchurian from the school canteen. “He absolutely loved it,” recalled Radha Vyas, physical education teacher at DPS. “When he visited last year, we asked if he would like to have it again, but he declined, saying he is on a strict diet now.” Radha added that despite his 100 per cent focus on cricket, Abhishek never compromised on his studies. “Once, he returned from an international tournament against New Zealand and we picked him up straight from the SGRDJI airport and dropped him directly at the examination centre for his Class XII board exams.” Abhishek’s former class teacher, Bhawna Arora, said that despite his growing fame, he remains connected to the school and his former classmates. “He was an allrounder, loved participating in dance events and always completed his homework,” she said, earning him some brownie points. Sukhpreet Singh, cricket coach at the school and a former Punjab player who played U-14 and U-16 cricket with Abhishek, said the India opener is a major inspiration for students. “I am hopeful that in this World Cup, Abhishek will set a new record for the fastest hundred. It’s not easy, but he enjoys his game and his focus is like a laser beam,” he said. Amid the hype and excitement, students at the school see Abhishek as a role model. “I watch all his matches and I believe he is the best in the game right now,” said Agamjot Singh, a student at DPS. He was joined by others as they chanted Abhishek’s name and wished him luck in keeping India’s World Cup hopes alive. Embezzlement case: Court refuses bail to prime accused Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge on Friday rejected the bail application of Ankit Kumar, a resident of Gokul Vihar, who was booked by the police in an alleged Rs 80 lakh fraud case. Advocate Ravi Mahajan, representing the complainant Rohit Bhatia, a cloth trader, said that the Kotwali police had registered a case against Ankit in December last year. He added that Ankit had been working as a cashier and accountant for Bhatia, a resident of Race Course Road, since 2018. The alleged fraud came to light when Bhatia reviewed his business accounts and noticed annual losses running into several lakhs. A detailed scrutiny of the records later revealed largescale embezzlement. Mahajan further stated that during a communitymediated settlement meeting, Ankit admitted to the wrongdoing and agreed in writing to repay the amount. He subsequently paid Rs 9.30 lakh and transferred a house valued at approximately Rs 7 lakh to the complainant. However, continued on page 2 c m y b Blind murder case cracked in 48 hours The murder suspect in the custody of the Government Railway Police in Amritsar on Friday. Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 6 The Government Railway Police (GRP), Amritsar, has solved a blind murder case within 48 hours with the arrest of the prime accused. The deceased was identified as Anu Verma (33), a resident of Batala Road, Amritsar. The police said that during the investigation, the main accused, Pankaj, also a resident of Batala Road, was arrested. Preliminary investigations revealed that a dispute over Rs 5,000 allegedly led to the murder. Sukhwinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), GRP police station, said that two to three more suspects are believed to be involved in the crime and efforts are underway to arrest them. Sharing details, the police said they received information about a body lying on the railway tracks on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The body bore sharp-edged injury marks. Investigators suspect that the accused dumped the body on the railway tracks in an attempt to dispose of it and mislead the police. Balwinder Singh of the Bureau of Investigation said the breakthrough was achieved through a combination of technical surveillance and professional investigative work. “The prime accused, Pankaj, has been arrested and has confessed to the crime,” he said, adding that the weapon used in the murder is yet to be recovered. The accused was produced before a court. He was sent to police custody for two days. Further investigation is in progress to apprehend the remaining suspects.