13022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/12/2026 11:24 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY FARMERS, WORKERS PROTEST CENTRAL POLICIES GOAL MACHINE BIKRAMJIT EYES GRANDER PITCHES ‘BOSS LADY’ JASMINE SANDLAS AND HER GULABI GANG Bank, electricity, roadways, telecom, postal and insurance services affected by strike in Amritsar. P2 Injury is no obstacle for the footballer, who believes progress cannot co-exist with excuses. P3 At a Delhi concert, pausing her performance, she said, “Appan gawan ge hi nahi jab tak kudiya safe ni feel kardi hoye.” P4 » » » MAX 00°C | MIN 00°C YESTERDAY MAX 00°C | MIN 00°C SUNSET DAY 0.00 PM SUNRISE DAY 0:00 AM FRIDAY | 13 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Budha Theh shopkeeper gets ~50 lakh extortion calls Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 12 Even though the Punjab Police have been carrying out Operation Prahar to nail gangsters and organised criminals and dismantle their networks, residents in the rural belt continue to receive extortion threats. Accused threatened to eliminate family, police register case In the latest incident, Jatinder Sapra, a resident of Budha Theh village, falling under the Beas police station here, received an extortion call. The unknown caller demanded Rs 50 lakh as extortion and threatened the accused of dire consequences. He has a small grocery shop in Beas. In his complaint to the police, the shopkeeper said that the accused threatened to eliminate him and harm his family. Gurwinder Singh, Station House Officer (SHO), Beas police station, said that a case has been registered and further technical probe was underway to identify the caller. Cross-border drug network busted; two arrested with over 7 kg heroin Tribune News Service Our Correspondent Amritsar, February 12 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted a cross-border narco-smuggling network and arrested two operatives, recovering 7.6 kg of heroin and Rs 21,800 believed to be drug proceeds. The accused have been identified as Sahibpreet Singh, alias Sahib (19), a native of Fatehgarh Churian and currently residing in Chheharta, and Gagandeep Singh, alias Gagan (26), a resident of Guru Nanakpura in the Kot Khalsa area here. Both have prior criminal records, including cases under the Arms Act and for snatching-related offences. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the duo was in contact with a Dubai-based handler, identified as Karan Singh, through virtual numbers. The handler allegedly coordinated cross-border heroin consignments delivered via drones and directed pickup locations and supply channels within the state. He is suspected to have links with multiple narcotics networks and a major NDPS case involving the recovery of 43 kg of heroin by the Tarn Taran, February 12 Dilraj Singh (18), son of Heera Singh of Tharu village in Tarn Taran district, has died in Portugal under mysterious circumstances. Dilraj had gone to Portugal in search of livelihood, hoping to improve his family’s financial condition. His death has cast a pall of gloom over the village. His father, a policeman, said with a heavy heart that he had sent his son abroad for a better future after mortgaging five acres of land to raise Rs 20 lakh. He said that due to the lack of employment opportunities in Punjab and fears about the growing tendency among youth towards bad company and drugs, he decided to send his son to Portugal at the age of 18, soon after he completed his Plus Two. According to the family, Dilraj was living in Portugal and waiting for the completion of his visa process so that he could obtain a two-year visa. His father said that many Punjabi youths are living in difficult conditions there, and continued on page 2 Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar addresses mediapersons in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Amritsar Rural Police. In the earlier case, the Amritsar Rural Police had recovered nearly 43 kg of heroin from Othia village under the Rajasansi police station here. Several persons, including Davinder Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur — mother and sister of Dubaibased prime accused Karan Chheharta — were arrested in connection with the case. A total of six persons have been arrested so far. “We will coordinate with the Amritsar Rural Police and verify the antecedents of Karan Singh,” said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. He added that further investigations are underway to establish forward and backward linkages and dismantle the broader network. Bhullar said the arrests were made following specific intelligence inputs. Acting swiftly, police teams conducted a targeted operation that led to the apprehension of the suspects and the recovery of the contraband and drug money. A case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act at the Chheharta police station in Amritsar. Over 23 lakh elderly receive monthly pension in Punjab Tribune News Service A view of a marriage palace alongside the Army ammunition dump at Vallah in Amritsar. Despite ban, buildings mushroom around Vallah ammunition depot Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 12 The area surrounding the Army ammunition dump located on the AmritsarAttari bypass near Vallah village is witnessing rapid residential and commercial expansion despite a ban on construction within the restricted zone. The development has raised serious safety and regulatory concerns, as the Works of Defence Act, 1903, prohibits any construction or commercial activity within 1,000 yards of an ammunition dump. However, over the past few years, several marriage palaces and commercial establishments have reportedly come up within a few metres of the sensitive installation. In addition, many existing buildings have been expanded and new residential structures have emerged in the vicinity. While the Municipal Town Planning (MTP) wing often acts against violators on the Sabzi Mandi side following complaints from Army authorities stationed at the dump, establishments located along the main bypass road, Tarn Taran youth dies in Portugal including marriage palaces and commercial units, have largely escaped action. Residents of nearby colonies have alleged discriminatory enforcement, questioning who permitted commercial construction so close to the ammunition depot. They claim that selective action has encouraged further illegal construction within the restricted belt. The ammunition dump is spread over approximately 120 acres and is divided into old and new sections. The land measuring 66 acres and 2 kanals for the old dump was requisitioned in 1966 and acquired in 1971. Gazette notifications were issued by the Punjab Government on March 20, 1970, and February 19, 1972. At present, no construction or habitation is legally permitted within 1,000 yards of the site. Political leaders have raised the issue from time to time. Former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu had earlier sought the relocation of the ammunition dump. In 2022, BJP candidate from the East constituency Jagmohan Singh Raju proposed reducing the no-activity zone from 1,000 yards to 350 yards after meeting senior Army officials. More recently, BJP leader Taranjit Singh Sandhu is learnt to have taken up the matter with the Defence Minister. However, no concrete decision has been announced regarding relocation or modification of the restricted zone. On February 23, 2019, the MTP wing of the Amritsar Municipal Corporation sealed four marriage palaces — Utsav Forest Resort, Lily Resort, Grand Celebration and Western Villa — for allegedly violating norms near the dump. The action followed a major fire incident at one of the palaces located a few yards from the depot. However, the establishments reportedly broke open the seals and approached the court. All the marriage palaces are currently operational. Officials of the Municipal Town Planning wing stated that one marriage palace was regularised in 2019 as it existed prior to the notification issued under the Works of Defence Act. Two other establishments located on the opposite side of the road have challenged the action in court, and the matter remains sub judice. Amritsar, February 12 The Punjab Government has released over Rs 3,806 crore under the Old Age Pension Scheme till January 2026 in the current financial year, ensuring monthly financial assistance to more than 23.62 lakh elderly beneficiaries across the state, MLA Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar said on Thursday. Addressing mediapersons, the Amritsar South MLA said the state government is committed to safeguarding the dignity and welfare of senior citizens. He said the government considers the elderly not only an integral part of society but also the living legacy and pride of Punjab. Dr Nijjar stated that more than 23.62 lakh eligible senior citizens are receiving a monthly pension of Rs 1,500 under the scheme. “The initiative reflects the government’s resolve to translate the slogan ‘Sade Bazurg, Sada Maan’ into reality. The pension ensures that elderly citizens can lead their daily lives with dignity, security, and independence,” he said. He further informed that, to guarantee the timely and transparent disbursal of pensions, the state government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 4,100 crore for the scheme. This allocation, he added, aims to ensure that no eligible beneficiary faces inconvenience in receiving financial assistance. The MLA said that sustained financial support for the elderly reflects the government’s welfare-oriented approach and its determination to build a secure and inclusive society where every senior citizen can live without anxiety and with full state support. c m y b Congestion, litter mar pilgrim parking facility Vehicles being parked on the ramp at the Saragarhi parking lot in Amritsar on Thursday. VISHAL KUMAR Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 12 The Saragarhi multi-level parking facility in the city has come under sharp criticism from visitors and commuters, who have alleged gross mismanagement, poor sanitation and lack of regulation despite the collection of parking fees. Several commuters claimed that vehicles are being parked in a haphazard manner, including along internal pathways meant for smooth movement. The absence of staff to guide drivers or regulate traffic inside the complex has further compounded the problem, leading to congestion and confusion, particularly during peak hours. The Saragarhi parking complex is the only dedicated parking facility near the Golden Temple for devotees. However, visitors say the current state of affairs defeats the very purpose of facilitating pilgrims and calls for urgent corrective measures by the authorities. Adding to the concerns, some washrooms on different floors were found locked, forcing visitors to relieve themselves near parked vehicles. This has raised serious hygiene and public health concerns. Rameshinder Singh, a city resident who visited the parking complex on Tuesday, said he was shocked by the prevailing conditions. “They are charging Rs 40 as a parking fee, but there is no one to continued on page 2