18052026-ATR-01.qxd 5/17/2026 11:52 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MOSTLY SUNNY MAX 44°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 43°C | MIN 28°C BTECH GRAD FINDS ‘SAKOON’, PURPOSE IN ORGANIC FARMING FARMER’S SUICIDE SPARKS CALLS FOR LOAN WAIVERS ADITI RAO'S WOW FACTOR WORKS AT CANNES FEST Jobandeep Singh chose a unique path— one that brought him closer to the soil and, in his words, “sakoon. P2 Villagers in Kallha paid tribute on Sunday to Dilawar Singh, who died by suicide on May 8. P2 Bollywood actor Siddharth’s wife Aditi Rao Hydari made a striking appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 7.22 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:32 AM » MONDAY | 18 MAY 2026 | AMRITSAR EUROPE TO MAJHA EXTORTION NETWORK Walk for a cause PHOTO VISHAL KUMAR (NEWS MANMEET Sarpanches, traders across Majha region on gangster’s radar: Cops Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service People participate in the Livathon walkathon to mark World Hypertension Day at Company Bagh in Amritsar on Sunday. P2 Farmer accuses cop, sarpanch of extortion Duo threatened to implicate me in a drug-trafficking case,said the farmer Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 Gurbir Singh, a farmer of Basarke Gillan village, has accused a cop and a sarpanch of extortion by threatening to implicate him in a false drug-trafficking case. The farmer said the duo was demanding Rs 9 lakh from him or to transfer his one acre land to them, else he would be implicated in a drug-trafficking case. The incident came to light when the victim released a video on social media in this regard, seeking justice and a high-level probe into the matter. The accused ASI was posted at the Gharinda police station near the border belt here. SSP Amritsar rural Sohail Qasim Mir has ordered a probe by Deputy Superintendent of Police, Attari Yadwinder Singh, in this connection. The DSP said he had summoned both parties tomorrow for investigation and recording their statements. In the viral video, Gurbir claimed that the duo threatened to frame him in a heroin trafficking case and send him to jail for 10 years unless he paid Rs 9 lakh to them or transferred an acre of agricultural land in their names after his driver was arrested by the police in a drug case. Amritsar, May 17 What began as a firing and petrol bomb attack in a Punjab village has now exposed an alleged gangster-extortion network with links stretching from Majha to Europe. The Amritsar Rural Police claimed that foreign-based gangster Jeevan Fauji and his aide Sukhjinder Singh, alias Preet, were running an organised extortion racket targeting sarpanchs, traders, commission agents and wealthy residents in rural Punjab. Investigations carried out so far revealed that local operatives allegedly identified businessmen, doctors and influential people with strong financial backgrounds. Information about potential targets was then allegedly passed on to handlers operating abroad, after which threat calls and extortion demands allegedly followed. Investigators believe those refusing to pay were allegedly targeted through firing incidents and petrol bomb attacks to create fear. The probe intensified after firing and petrol bomb attacks outside two houses in Sudhar village in the Ramdass area. The police arrested four accused in the case who, during interrogation, disclosed key details about the network’s operations. Those arrested included Kulwinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh, alias Kauda, Akashdeep Singh, alias Baba, all residents of Jassal village in Ramdass and Jagtar Singh of Mallu Nangal village in Rajasasni. Kulwinder, a drug addict, has several cases of drug peddling against him and he was on anticipatory bail while both Kauda and Baba were also drug addicts. Jagtar Singh is a relative of Sukhjinder Singh. According to the police, the accused were allegedly paid just Rs 10,000 to open fire outside the residence of Jasbir Singh of Sudhar village in Ramdass and Rs 20,000 to hurl a petrol bomb inside the house of sarpanch Nishan Singh of the same village. Jasbir allegedly got a Rs 30-lakh extortion demand, while Nishan was allegedly threatened for Rs 50 lakh. Police sources claim Sukhjinder Singh, a resident of Nangal Sohal village, left India in November 2022 and later joined Jeevan Fauji abroad. Investigators suspect he was allegedly tasked with recruiting operatives and gathering information about wealthy individuals across the Majha belt. The police have now launched a manhunt to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the alleged network. The case has once again raised concerns over the growing influence of foreign-based gangster networks in Punjab and the alleged use of local youths for extortion and violence. Man duped of Rs 10L, one booked Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, May17 The Patti Sadar police have registered a case against Akashdeep Singh, a resident of Bahamanwala (Haryana) village, who allegedly cheated Bhagwan Singh, a resident of Buraj-Ra-Ke, of Rs 10.68 lakh. Bhagwan Singh said Akashdeep Singh failed to send his son abroad. Complainant Bhagwan Singh, in his complaint to the SSP Tarn Taran, said , Akashdeep Singh lured him to send his son to New Zealand and took Rs 10. 68 lakh from him more than a year ago. Bhagwan Singh said Akashdeep Singh failed to send his son abroad nor did he return his money. He approached the police in this matter. The investigation in the case was conducted by DSP Sarabjit Singh, PBI Economic Offences Cyber Crime Branch, and on the basis of the report, the Sadar police, Patti, registered a case under Sections 318 (4), 316 (2) of the BNS against Akashdeep Singh. Further action in the case will be taken by ASI Harpal Singh, said the police here today. Government, ITIs in district seek Snatching gang busted, 4 held opinion of manufacturing units Tribune News Service Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service The sewer sludge left on road. TRIBUNE PHOTO Residents protest sewer sludge left on the Majitha road Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 17 Residents of Indra Colony on Majitha Road have raised concerns over the manner in which sewer desilting work is being carried out in the area, alleging negligence by workers and inconvenience to the public due to heaps of sludge left on the streets. According to local residents, a large quantity of silt and sludge was removed from sewer lines during the ongoing desilting operation and dumped in the middle of the streets. They said that while it is common practice for sludge to be left by the roadside for a few days to dry, in this case the waste has remained unattended for several days without being lifted. Locals fear that if rainfall occurs before the sludge is cleared, the waste material may flow back into the sewer lines, undermining the purpose of the desilting exercise. They also complained that the heaps of silt scattered across the roads Allege negligence in desilting work, claim dumping of sludge is causing foul conditions in Indra Colony Amritsar, May 17 In a move aimed at collaboration between industry and technical institutions, government and aided ITIs in the district have sought the views of industrialists for introducing new courses relevant to local industries. This has long been a demand of industrialists to introduce those courses in the technical institutions which have market relevance. During their meetings with ministers and officials of the government, they have been demanding those courses which are in sync with the need of local manufacturing units and latest machinery to train them on the same. Industrialists say it is a baby step in the direction in which a lot needs to be done. Introducing new courses in technical institutions relevant to industry Capt Sanjeev K Sharma, principal of Government ITI Ranjit Avenue, in a message to industrialists across the board in the district, asked for their suggestions on courses that could be introduced in the coming time in the border district. He specifically asked for courses that would be beneficial to local industries and what kind of skilled mechanics, technicians, operators or other trained manpower was needed. “This will help us introduce courses that can provide students with training and create placement opportunities in local industries,” he said, adding that valuable sugges- tions and guidance would be highly appreciated. At the same time, he enquired from them in case courses of the choice of local industrialists are introduced, what kind of support or benefits industry can provide to students during the training period or after the completion of the course. He said the students require support in nature of internships, industrial exposure, apprenticeships, stipends, placements and several other forms of assistance. At present, 11 government technical training institutions in the district are operating different types of courses for electricians, refrigerator and AC technicians, motor mechanics, fitters, turner, CNC, mechanic electric vehicle, 3d printing, robotics, solar technicians etc . Amritsar, May 17 The Chheharta police, on Sunday, said they have busted a gang involved in robbery and snatching incidents in the city, arresting four persons and recovering mobile phones, sharp-edged weapons and a motorcycle from their possession. The accused have been identified as Vansh Sharma alias Vansh, Mandeep Singh alias Manu and Raj Kumar alias Raju, all residents of Hargobind Avenue on Sher Shah Suri Road, and Ajay, a resident of Guru Amar Dass Colony, Naraingarh. The police said a case under Sections 310(4) and 310(6) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered at Chheharta police station on May 13. According to police, the arrests were made during a special operation conducted on specific information that the suspects, along with another accomplice identified as Sabi, were allegedly waiting near Max City with weapons to commit a robbery. Following the input, police carried out a planned raid and arrested the four accused, while one suspect managed to evade arrest and remains at large. The police recovered four mobile phones, two datars, a kirch, a baseball bat and a Splendor motorcycle from the accused. Further investigations are underway to determine their involvement in other criminal cases, officials said. Literary event relives legacy of Pandit Tara Singh Narotam Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service are causing severe inconvenience to pedestrians and commuters, while a foul smell from the waste has made living conditions difficult in the locality. Residents further alleged that sanitation workers are demanding Rs 50 from each household during the process, terming it an illegal collection. They have urged the Municipal Corporation to investigate the allegations and ensure transparency in sewer cleaning operations. A local resident, Rajinder, has demanded that the Municipal Corporation immediately lift the sludge from the streets and dispose of it at a designated dumping site to prevent further inconvenience and unhygienic conditions in the colony. The accused in police coustody. Amritsar, May 17 A special programme dedicated to the life and works of Sikh scholar and Nirmala thinker Pandit Tara Singh Narotam was held at Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in collaboration with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) Punjab, with speakers stressing the need to reconnect younger generations with Punjab’s forgotten literary heritage. The event focused on Pandit Tara Singh Narotam, regarded as one of the most significant scholars of the Nirmala tradition. Speakers described him as a thinker who devoted his life to the study, interpretation and preservation of Sikh literature and Gurbani. Despite his extensive contribution, they noted, his name remains unfa- Function organised on Pandit Tara Singh Narotam at Baba Aya Singh Riarki College in Amritsar. miliar to many today. Researchers and scholars said Narotam came from a modest farming family but went on to pursue learning in centres such as Kashi, Amrit- c m y b sar and Bengal. His writings, spanning over 4,000 pages, covered Gurbani interpretation, Sikh philosophy, dictionaries and religious literature. His celebrated work ‘Guru Girarath Kosh’ was described as a pioneering reference text that later influenced modern Sikh lexicons. Addressing the gathering, Prof Naresh Kumar said soci- eties that forget their scholars eventually lose their roots. He added that remembering forgotten intellectuals was not merely a tribute but an academic responsibility. Balwinder Singh said INTACH Punjab was committed not only to preserving historical buildings but also literary and intellectual heritage. He announced efforts would be made to republish unpublished works of Pandit Narotam so they could reach researchers and readers once again. During the programme, speakers also highlighted Narotam’s key works, including ‘Sri Gurmat Nirnay Sagar’, ‘Bhagat Bani Steek’ and ‘Gur Tirath Sangrah’. It was noted ‘Gur Tirath Sangrah’ contained one of the earliest published references to the significance of Hemkunt Sahib. The event also examined the role of the Nirmala tradition, established during the time of Guru Gobind Singh. Speakers said Nirmala scholars played a key role in interpreting Gurbani through commentaries, grammar and comparative analysis. Presiding over the function, Swaran Singh Virk said Narotam’s lifelong devotion to writing and learning should inspire students. He said the scholar continued writing until his final moments, making his life an example of complete dedication to knowledge. Punjabi poet Gurbhajan Singh Gill, who joined the programme online, praised the college for bringing forgotten literary figures back into public memory. He said educational institutions become centres of cultural heritage when they move beyond degrees and actively preserve literature and history.