22022026-ATR-01.qxd 2/21/2026 11:05 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 11°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C PUNBUS CHIEF FLAGS SALE OF ADULTERATED FOOD HEALTH MIN STRESSES ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN PATHOLOGY THE BOY HAS ARRIVED WITH KOHRRA SEASON 2 Punbus Director writes to Food Safety Dept seeking action against vendors responsible for it. P2 At int’l conference, Dr Balbir Singh highlights steps taken by Punjab Govt to ensure healthcare. P3 Actor Kabir Nanda is back in the spotlight, marking journey from indie cinema to a globally watched series. P4 » » » SUNSET SUNDAY 6.16 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:55 AM SUNDAY| 22 FEBRUARY 2026 | AMRITSAR Dalit leader Nahar dies by suicide, harassment alleged Music mystique President of Municipal Youth Employees Federation shoots himself with licensed pistol |Domestic strife said to be reason Tribune News Service Sarod artiste Soumik Datta, and Debjit Patitundi accompanying him on tabla, perform at The REPORT ON P2 Sacred Amritsar festival in the city on Saturday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Man ends life in Ajnala, woman commits suicide in Rajasansi area Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 21 Pritam Singh (38), a resident of Sarangdev (Jaggiwal) village, allegedly died by suicide here yesterday. He recorded a video message accusing around 11 persons, including an ex-serviceman, of harassment and illegally grabbing his property. The complainant, Rajbir Singh (22), a relative of the deceased, said that Pritam was his maternal uncle. He was unmarried and engaged in farming. He said a longstanding dispute between Pritam Singh and his elder brother, Angrej Singh alias Lakha, an ex-serviceman, over the division of four acres of ancestral land and a residential house in the village, was the reason behind the incident. He said earlier, the elderly as well as relatives had inter- vened and divided the property equally, allocating two acres each to both brothers. The house was allotted to Pritam Singh, while a vacant plot measuring around 10 marlas was transferred in the name of Angrej Singh through a registry agreement. An undertaking was allegedly signed stating that Angrej Singh would vacate the house by January 1, 2026. Continued on page 2 Amritsar, February 21 Ashwani Kumar, popularly known as Ashu Nahar and president of the Municipal Youth Employees Federation and a prominent Dalit leader, allegedly died by suicide late on Friday night at his residence after shooting himself with his licensed pistol. According to police officials, Ashu recorded a video on his mobile phone narrating his ordeal shortly before taking the extreme step. The video was later circulated on social media platforms. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Jaspal Singh stated that the body was handed over to the family after post-mortem examination. The licensed weapon used in the incident and the deceased's mobile phone have been taken into custody. Statements of family members have been recorded, and further investigation is underway. Ashu's brother, Nannu, a CHARGES LEVELLED ■ Ashu, the deceased, had been working as a driver at an auto workshop for several years. In 2016, he married Priya, a resident of Gilwali Gate. The couple had two daughters, and the family was living peacefully initially. ■ However, it was alleged that interference from Priya's family members led to frequent disputes in the household. It was claimed that Priya had left for her parental home several times following arguments but would return after reconciliation. In recent days, she had again left after a dispute and reportedly lodged complaints against Ashu at the C-Division police station. ■ The family has alleged that Priya, along with her mother Neelam, brother Sikandar, and two uncles, Amanjot and Prabhjot, had been mentally harassing Ashu and humiliating him repeatedly. resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, said that Ashu had been working as a driver at an auto workshop for several years. In 2016, he married Priya, a resident of Gilwali Gate under C-Divi- sion police station limits. The couple had two daughters, and the family was living peacefully initially. However, Nannu alleged that interference from Priya's family members led Tributes paid to slain farmer on 2nd death anniversary Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 21 On the second death anniversary of slain farmer Shubhkaran Singh Ballo, who was killed by a bullet during the second phase of the farmers' movement at the Khanauri border on February 21, 2024, the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) Bharat organised a tribute event at Ranjit Avenue here today. Large gatherings were held in several other cities, where participants paid homage to all those who laid down their lives during the farmers' and workers' movements. Leaders of the Morcha stated that massive gatherings of farmers, labourers and women were organised in Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, The Sanyukt Kisan Morcha held a district-level programme in the city on Saturday in memory of Shubhkaran Singh, who was killed in firing at Khanauri border on February 21, 2024. VISHAL KUMAR Karaikal (Puducherry), Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana and Punjab. Addressing the gatherings, the leaders alleged that the BJP-led Central government had adopted a repressive approach to suppress the farmers' agitation. They further claimed that in Punjab, despite the registration of a police case in connection with Shubhkaran Singh's death, no substantial progress has been made, leaving the family without justice. The farmer leaders asserted that the sacrifice of Shubhkaran Singh would be remembered and that the farmers' movement would be intensified. Addressing the gathering, Sarwan Singh Pandher, senior leader of KMM, alleged that the Union Government is entering into international agreements affecting the agriculture sector, which could harm Indian farmers. According to them, policy decisions related to import duties and tax relaxations on agricultural commodities have led to a fall in domestic prices, adversely impacting farmers. During the events, speakers also raised objections to the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, Seed Act 2025, implementation of the four Labour Codes, and changes related to MGNREGA. They announced preparations for larger protests at both the national and Punjab-level. The gatherings concluded with a collective pledge that the sacrifices made during Delhi Movement Phase 1 and Phase 2 would not go in vain. to frequent disputes in the household. He claimed that Priya had left for her parental home several times following arguments but would return after reconciliation. In recent days, she had again left after a dispute and reportedly lodged complaints against Ashu at the C-Division police station. The family has alleged that Priya, along with her mother Neelam, brother Sikandar, and two uncles, Amanjot and Prabhjot, had been mentally harassing Ashu and humiliating him repeatedly. They claim that the alleged harassment drove him to take the drastic step. The bereaved family has demanded that the police register a case against the accused and ensure justice. Police officials have maintained that all aspects of the case, including the contents of the video and the allegations made by the family, are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. Girl shot at in Johal Raju Singh village; in critical condition Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, February 21 A girl was shot at in Johal Raju Singh village which falls under the jurisdiction of the local police station by miscreants who forcibly entered her house on Friday night. The police have registered a case on the basis of statement given by Mandeep Kaur, mother of the girl. ASI Nirmal Singh of the local city police said that the accused, who has been identified as Nirvair Singh, entered the house in the village. As he entered a room, a girl of the family was studying there. When he tried to open the cupboard, the girl made a noise. The accused shot and injured the girl. The other family members gathered at the spot and the accused then opened fire and fled from the spot in which a bullet hit the girl in her head. ASI Nirmal Singh said that a case has been registered under Sections 109 (2), 309 (6) and 333 of the IPC and Sections 25, 27, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. The injured girl has been admitted to a private hospital in Tarn Taran. The condition of the girl is said to be critical. MC officials review waste processing at Bhagtanwala Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 21 The Municipal Corporation has claimed significant progress in clearing legacy waste at the Bhagtanwala dumping site, stating that 2.44 lakh MT of bio-soil have been recovered through scientific bio-mining of approximately 3 lakh MT of old waste at Bhagtanwala dumping ground. According to the latest progress report, a cumulative total of 3,05,345 MT of legacy waste has been processed so far. Out of this, 2,44,499.5 MT of bio-soil have been recovered. Civic officials said the city currently has around 11 lakh MT of legacy waste, to be processed within the next one year. The report further indicates steady performance at the site. Between February 1 and February 19 this year, daily processing ranged from about 3,860 MT to 4,495 MT, reflecting consistent operational output. In addition to bio-soil recovery, Construction and Demolition (C&D) waste and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) are being regularly segregated as part of the bio-remediation process. Acting under the directions of MC Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill, Joint Commissioner Dr Jai Inder Singh, conducted an inspection of the ongoing bio- remediation work at the Bhagtanwala site. The inspection was carried out in the presence of Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran, Sanitary Inspector Raman, and officials of the company. The officers reviewed operational arrangements, safety measures and day-wise progress of legacy waste processing. The Joint Commissioner directed the agency and field staff to keep daily processing targets without interruption, ensure proper segregation and disposal of RDF and C&D material, strengthen dust control and fire prevention measures, and strictly adhere to environmental compliance norms. GNDU VC hails ‘inspiring stories for young Punjab’ for their feats Residents flag roadside WORLD PUNJABI CONFERENCE: DAY 2 Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 21 Marking the International Mother Language Day (Maa Boli Diwas), the World Punjabi Conference being organised at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) hosted a special ceremony for distinguished Punjabis as vicechancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh called them "inspiring stories for the young Punjab". Prof Satbir Singh Gosal, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, Prof Sarabjinder Singh, vice-chancellor of Sunny Oberoi Vivek Sadan: Futuristic University, Sri Anandpur Sahib, were the chief guests. Prof Karamjeet Singh emphasised that the university is preparing collaborations with leading GNDU VC Prof Karamjeet Singh with the honoured Punjabi dignitaries on Saturday. VISHAL KUMAR global institutions to connect students with future technologies and to strengthen Punjabi on the global digital platform. "With the participation of the NRI community, plans are underway to sponsor IT and AI laboratories, introduce international certificate courses and offer scholarships to students," he said Prof Karamjeet Singh's book "Meditation to Martyrdom: The Legacy of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji" was formally released on the occasion. In his keynote address, Prof Sarabjinder Singh underlined that the authenticity and ethical framework of Artificial Intelligence must be defined carefully, especial- c m y b ly in relation to religion. Noted educationist Sukhhi Bath remarked that this is the world's first conference focusing on AI in relation to Punjabi language and stressed that children's literature should also be linked with emerging technologies. Renowned scientist Kanwarpal Singh Suri announced a contribution of Rs 1 crore to support technological development at the university. Three eminent personalities, who have brought global recognition to Punjab and Punjabi culture-Bhai Mohinder Singh (UK), Kanwarpal Singh Suri and Baldev Kang, a noted US-based entrepreneur, were felicitated. Baldev Kang said that the youth of Punjab need to tap their strength and become Punjab's most valuable resource. "We need to upgrade ourselves with quality education, skills and resource management to ensure that we run at pace with the world and not lag behind," he said. Kang, an international industrialist, leads global enterprises in logistics, steel and real estate and has emerged as a role model for Punjabi entrepreneurship by integrating family values with corporate culture. Bhai Mohinder Singh, head of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, Birmingham, is internationally recognised for promoting Sikhism, interfaith dialogue and humanitarian service. Through gurdwara construction across Africa, Europe and India, along with Nishkam Healthcare Trust and Nishkam Schools, he has created a global model combining service with scientific management. Kanwarpal Singh Suri has earned worldwide distinction as a skilled engineer and scientist, bringing laurels to Punjab through his professional achievements. waste dumping, burning Tribune News Service Amritsar, February 21 Daily door-to-door garbage collection in Golden Avenue along Head Water Works Road has been disrupted, forcing residents to dump waste on roadsides and leading to instances of open burning, local advocate and community leader Naresh Gill has alleged. Gill, who is Chairman of the Bhagwan Valmiki Teerth Dharm Prachar Committee, has written to MC Bikramjit Singh Shergill, urging immediate enforcement of daily garbage lifting in the locality. He claimed that garbage collection vehicles are arriving only once or twice a week, compelling households to store waste for days. "In the absence of regular pick-ups, residents are left with no option but to throw garbage on the roadside. This not only affects the city's cleanliness but also poses serious health risks," Gill stated in his letter. He further alleged that accumulated waste is often set on fire by unidentified persons, releasing toxic fumes and worsening air quality in the area. The complaint comes at a time when the city continues to grapple with solid waste management challenges. Over the past decades, large quantities of municipal waste have accumulated at dumping sites, while several localities have reported irregular lifting and sporadic incidents of roadside burning. Gill pointed to the MC’s agreement with a private agency for daily door-to-door collection but claimed that compliance remains inconsistent. He sought strict monitoring by health officials and penalties on those found burning garbage.