24032026-ATR-01.qxd 3/24/2026 12:11 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 26°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 16°C TALKS BETWEEN FARMERS, ADMN FAIL TO BREAK DEADLOCK SAVOUR PAHARI FLAVOURS AT SHIMLA'S CAFÉ KHOBLU THE CURTAIN FALLS ON LAKME FASHION WEEK The protest by the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha continued for the second day near the Amritsar bypass . P2 Cafe Khoblu in Shimla offers Pahari flavours like Bhaddu mutton, Bhaddu dal and ‘Mahi’ chicken. P4 Gen Z face Aneet Padda’s ensemble, designed by Aneeth Arora, captured a refined yet playful narrative. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.44 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.28 AM » TUESDAY | 24 MARCH 2026 | AMRITSAR Two held with 5 kg heroin near Dhariwal, Pak link suspected Egyptian held near border without visa Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 23 A case has been registered against an Egyptian national after he was allegedly found without a valid visa near a border area. Acting on a complaint filed by Amit Lokhande, Assistant Commandant and Company Commander of B Company, 181 Battalion of the Border Security Force, the police initiated legal proceedings. Officials said the accused, identified as Hossameldin Moustafa El Sayed Mohamed Hassan, was apprehended near the Kahangarh border outpost (BOP) during routine surveillance. A preliminary inquiry revealed that he did not possess valid travel documents. Sukhchain Singh, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, conducted the investigation and registered an FIR at the concerned police station under relevant legal provisions. Authorities are continuing to probe the matter to ascertain the circumstances of his presence in the sensitive border area. Amritsar, March 23 The Counter Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, has busted a narcotics smuggling module with the arrest of two persons and the seizure of 5 kg heroin, dealing a significant blow to cross-border drug networks operating in the border belt. The accused have been identified as Maninder Singh of Khatrai Khurd and Gurjant Singh of Phirwaria, both residents of Amritsar district. The police also impounded a Hyundai i20 car (with registration number PB10GH0140), which was allegedly being used for transporting the contraband. While sharing information on Monday, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed that the accused were in touch with a Pakistanbased smuggler as well as a foreign-based handler. The duo was allegedly acting on their directions to receive and further distribute narcotics consignments in the region. BJP, Cong, SAD hold protests over Randhawa case in city Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service The seized heroin in the custody of the CI wing in Amritsar. Sharing details of the operation, the DGP said teams of the CI wing had received specific intelligence inputs about the movement of the accused, who had reportedly received a heroin consignment and were on their way to deliver it to another party. Acting swiftly, the police teams set up a naka near Dhariwal village in Ajnala subdivision and intercepted the suspects. During the search of their vehicle, 5 kg heroin was recovered. The accused were taken into custody on the spot and the vehicle used in the crime was seized. Police officials said the probe is now focused on establishing both backward and forward linkages of the network, including identifying the suppliers, handlers and intended recipients of the consignment. They added that more arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation progresses. A case has been registered under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) here. Amritsar, March 23 All major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), on Monday staged demonstrations and organised separate candle marches across the city to protest against the AAP government and pay tribute to Punjab Warehousing Corporation (PWC) district manager Gagandeep Singh Randhawa. Randhawa died by suicide after allegedly consuming celphos on Saturday morning, triggering a political storm in Punjab. In a note, he blamed former Punjab minister Laljit Singh Bhullar for taking the extreme step. Bhullar was arrested from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib on Monday. BJP workers staged a protest at Haathi Gate Chowk, demanding justice Potholes, rain add to chaos on GT Road service lane Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 23 Recent rainfall has further worsened the condition of the service lane along GT Road outside New Amritsar, leading to severe traffic congestion and daily inconvenience for commuters. The service lane is currently handling diverted traffic as construction of a flyover is underway on the main carriageway. With the main road partially blocked due to ongoing construction, vehicles are being routed through the already damaged service lane, which is riddled with potholes. The recent rains have aggravated the situation, causing waterlogging and making commuting even more difficult. Residents said that people travelling in and out of the city are facing immense hardship due to simultaneous construction work on major connecting routes. A long traffic jam at the service lane on the GT road in New Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Localities situated along Jalandhar Road and Mehta Road have been particularly affected, as both key routes are under construction, leaving commuters with limited options to access the city. On one side, the Vallah Bypass bridge project has reportedly been stalled for the past five years, while on the other, a new flyover is being constructed near New Amritsar. As a result, heavy traffic congestion is being witnessed from both ends. Motorists stuck in long queues often divert through residential streets, causing further inconvenience to residents of nearby colonies. The flyover project outside Bhai Gurdas Ji Nagar was inaugurated by Harbhajan Singh ETO on July 21 last year. The project, aimed at connecting the East and South Assembly constituencies along the AmritsarJalandhar highway, is estimated to cost Rs 39.85 crore and is scheduled for completion within two years. However, residents have raised concerns over the lack of proper maintenance of alternative routes. They alleged that the construction company has not paid adequate attention to repairing diversion roads, which are in poor condition and pose risks to commuters. Entry and exit routes to New Amritsar have also been restricted, adding to the difficulties. Gurmeet Singh, a local resident, said that while development work is necessary, the government should ensure that alternative routes are properly maintained alongside construction to avoid public inconvenience. Leaders and workers of the Congress during a protest at Lawrence Road Chowk in Amritsar on Monday. for the Randhawa family. The protest was led by district president Harvinder Singh Sandhu, with demonstrators raising slogans against the state government and burning an effigy of Bhullar. The protesters accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of shielding the accused and failing to ensure justice. Former MP Shwait Malik and BJP state general secretary Rakesh Rathore, along with several senior leaders, were present at the demonstration. Sandhu criticised the police for the alleged delay in registering a case against Bhullar, calling it a “deliberate attempt” to protect those in power. He also questioned the delay in forwarding the minister’s resignation to the Governor, saying it reflected the government’s lack of seriousness. Demanding a fair and continued on page 2 Dist Bar Assn members boycott work over case against lawyers Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, March 23 Members of the District Bar Association (DBA) on Monday boycotted work in protest against the registration of a criminal case against more than 20 lawyers for allegedly attacking a police party on Saturday. They have also decided to observe a nowork day on Tuesday. The protesting lawyers staged a dharna in front of the District Courts. Parminder Singh Dhillon, president of the DBA, and Ravinder Singh Khehra, secretary, while addressing members, said that the police had registered the case against the lawyers on what they termed flimsy grounds. Leaders of the Bar Association said that if the case registered against the Advocates stage a dharna in front of the District Courts in Tarn Taran on Monday. PHOTO: GURBAXPURI lawyers is not withdrawn by Tuesday, the call for a “nowork day” would be extended across the state. The DBA leaders further stated that they were con- structing temporary sheds over chambers for new advocates when the police attempted to stop the work, leading to a verbal altercation between the two sides. Dilapidatedroads greetvisitorsatCivilHospital BeautificationofDurgianaTempleroutebegins Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, March 23 A nearly 20-foot-wide stretch encircling the entire Jallianwala Bagh Martyr’s Memorial Civil Hospital building is in poor condition at several places. Pits have developed, which turn into puddles during rains, causing inconvenience to patients and visitors. Ambulances carrying patients over these damaged roads add to their trauma. The bumpy stretch proves to be a nightmare for patients who are already in pain. A visit to the hospital revealed that the top layer of the road has worn off in large patches. The damage is increasing with each passing day as vehicles dislodge loose pebbles, leading to the formation of deeper pits. This encircling stretch serves as an important passage for attendants accompanying patients to access various services, including X-ray, laboratory, CT scan, and advanced diagnostic facilities available at the hospital. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service A view of the broken stretch inside the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital complex in Amritsar. Several dustbins placed along the four-lane stretch are overflowing with garbage. Baljinder Singh, a visitor, said that small dustbins, usually installed near canteens, are often full. He also pointed out that many of these bins are without lids. However, dustbins meant for medical waste are properly maintained and covered. Hospital officials said they have urged the department concerned to undertake necessary patchwork and expressed hope that repairs would be completed in the coming weeks. They added that the hospital continues to perform well in providing medical services. In 2015, it was adjudged among the best government hospitals in the state under the Kayakalp Programme of the Ministry of Health, earning a grant of Rs 50 lakh. In 2016, the hospital was ranked the second-best in the state and received financial assistance. Authorities said the dedication of the staff has brought continued on page 2 c m y b Amritsar, March 23 The second phase of the beautification project along the route leading to Durgiana Temple has commenced at an estimated cost of around Rs 17 crore under the Special Assistance to States fund. The work, which began about 10 days ago, is targeted for completion within nine months. As part of the project, Nanakshahi brick-style walls will be constructed to enhance the heritage character of the area. CCTV cameras will also be installed to strengthen security along the temple route. In addition, heritage gates will be erected at the entrances of adjoining lanes to create a unified cultural aesthetic. Officials said that P-4 LED screens will be installed along the route to provide live telecasts of activities inside the temple for devotees. The municipal corporation will also undertake facade improvement of The facade of old buildings on the road leading to Durgiana Temple being redeveloped under phase 2 of beautification project in Amritsar on Monday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR around 40 to 45 buildings on both sides of the road, giving them a uniform heritage look. The stretch from the BJP office to Bhagwan Parshuram Chowk will be covered under this work. The project also includes the installation of glass-rein- forced concrete elements, standardised signboards for shops and architectural lighting under a light-andsound concept to illuminate building facades. This is not the first phase of development on the temple route. Earlier, the Amritsar Improvement Trust carried out Phase I works between 2014 and 2016 at a cost of approximately Rs 28 crore. These included the construction of a basement parking facility, a shopping complex, continued on page 2