19052026-ATR-01.qxd 19-05-2026 00:01 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 43°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 42°C | MIN 25°C MERCURY TOUCHES 43°C IN CITY AMID SEVERE HEATWAVE STUDENTS TURN FARM WASTE INTO GREEN FUEL ACTOR SOPHIE CHOUDRY KEEPS IT REAL Several roadside vendors report a sharp decline in business during peak hours. P2 Biomass-cooking system adjudged ‘Best Project under District Category’ at Viksit Bharat Buildathon. P3 With Famously Fit with Sophieon MX Player, the singer-host blends workouts & candid conversations. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 7.22 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:31 AM » TUESDAY | 19 MAY 2026 | AMRITSAR 13-year-old boy killed in mishap Tarn Taran, May 18 A 13-year-old boy on his way to school was killed on Monday after being struck by a truck carrying LPG cylinders. The deceased has been identified as Dheeraj Tejpal Singh, son of Narinder Tejpal, a resident of Fatehabad. A Class VIII student at the government school in his village, Dheeraj was cycling to school when the accident occurred. Eyewitness Nirmal Singh stated that the boy was riding with friends when a speeding truck (registration number PB-08 EQ-1594) approached from behind and hit him, killing him on the spot. Following the accident, local residents apprehended the truck driver and handed him over to the police. The Fatehabad police outpost seized the vehicle involved. The driver has been identified as Guriqbal Singh of Khadoor Sahib. The accused fled the scene immediately after the incident. Family members of the deceased staged a protest demanding strict action against the driver. The police have assured that appropriate legal proceedings will follow. — OC HC orders Vigilance probe into Oppn alleges misuse of excess rooms at Circuit House machinery in civic polls Officials’ role under lens, Director told to take appropriate action Saurabh Malik Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 18 The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Vigilance Bureau Director to verify whether a private hospitality firm constructed 19 rooms in excess on stateowned circuit house land in Amritsar. The Bench observed that such construction could not have been carried out in a concealed manner, while indicating possible involvement of senior officials. Justice Jagmohan Bansal also asked the Director to identify officials responsible –– if excess construction was confirmed –– and take appropriate action. During the hearing, the State counsel submitted that the petitioner-firm, under the contract, was permitted to construct 70 rooms, but 89 rooms were built on governmentowned land. Taking up the matter, Justice Bansal remarked: “A room cannot be constructed in a concealed or stealth manner. It was impossible to construct 89 rooms without CONSTRUCTION ON GOVT-OWNED LAND ■ During the hearing, the state counsel submitted that the petitioner- firm, under the contract, was permitted to construct 70 rooms, but 89 rooms were built on government-owned land. Taking up the matter, Justice Bansal remarked: “A room cannot be constructed in a concealed or stealth manner. It was impossible to construct 89 rooms without the connivance of senior officers of the respondent.” ■ The court directed: “The VB Director is hereby directed to verify whether 70 rooms are constructed or 89 rooms are constructed.” Justice Bansal further called for a report on those responsible for constructing 19 rooms in excess the connivance of senior officers of the respondent.” The court directed: “The Director, Vigilance Bureau is hereby directed to verify whether 70 rooms are constructed or 89 rooms are constructed.” Justice Bansal further called for a report on those responsible for constructing 19 rooms in excess, if confirmed, and asserted: “Appropriate action be taken against the officials of both sides found responsible.” The matter has been fixed for further hearing on May 29. Rise in extortion-linked shootings rattles district rural belt residents Cross-border drone network smuggling Majithia criticises govt over deteriorating law and order arms busted Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 Two back-to-back firing incidents linked to alleged extortion attempts within just 30 minutes have sparked panic across the Amritsar rural belt. The first incident occurred at 6.32 pm outside Dhalla Jewellers near Nath Di Khui on Mehta Road, where unidentified assailants opened fire. Angrej Singh of Chananke village, the shop owner, was reportedly the target. No injuries were reported, but the attack triggered fear among local traders and residents. Barely half an hour later, at around 7 pm, two motorcycleborne attackers allegedly fired nearly eight rounds outside a Kajaria showroom in Rayya under the Beas police station. The showroom belongs to Harpreet Singh Happy, an Akali Dal candidate from Ward No. 4 and son of late SGPC member and former Rayya Municipal Committee Bullets marks at the Kajaria showroom owned by SAD leader Harpreet Singh at Rayya. president Gurvinder Pal Singh Rayya. Sources claimed Harpreet Singh had earlier received extortion threats. The police have launched a probe and confirmed the extortion angle. These incidents follow a recent crackdown in Sudhar village, where Amritsar rural police busted an extortion racket. Four persons were arrested for allegedly working for foreign-based gangster net- works linked to Jeevan Fauji and his associate Sukhjinder Singh, who were recruiting foot soldiers for Fauji. Investigators revealed that businessmen and residents were receiving extortion calls through virtual numbers and encrypted applications, making it difficult to trace the origin of communication. In one case, Jasbir Singh allegedly received a demand for Rs 30 lakh before assailants opened fire outside his residence. In another, village sarpanch Nishan Singh was threatened with a demand for Rs 50 lakh, after which attackers hurled a petrol bomb at his house. The spate of incidents has intensified concerns over rising gangster activity and targeted firing cases in Punjab. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the state government for failing to control crime, alleging that the trading community across the state was living under fear. Amritsar, May 18 A routine intelligence input has exposed a dangerous cross-border network allegedly supplying heroin and sophisticated weapons into Punjab using drones. In a major breakthrough, Punjab Police dismantled a narco-arms smuggling module in Amritsar and arrested 26year-old cloth trader Khush Kumar, who is linked to notorious gangster Bobby Malhotra. The police seized 2.1 kg of heroin along with seven foreignmade pistols before they could reach criminal networks. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that the accused was allegedly in direct contact with a Pakistanbased smuggler through virtual numbers and encrypted communication channels. Investigators suspect consignments of drugs and weapons were being dropped across the border via drones in the Attari and Ajnala sectors, before continued on page 2 “The Director, Vigilance Bureau is requested to personally look into the matter,” Justice Bansal concluded. The matter was brought to the court’s notice after Sarb Alliance Hospitality Pvt Ltd filed a petition against the State of Punjab and other respondents. It was seeking directions to respondents to release “compliance certificate” in terms of a clause in the agreement dated May 27. The petitioner, among other things, submitted that it had entered into a concession agreement with respondents to develop, operate and maintain project –– Circuit House Building –– for 30 years. The respondent, other the other hand, was demanding annual concession fee Referring to a clause, the petitioner contended annual concession fee was payable after 18 months from the compliance date, which was when the compliance certificate was issued. The respondent, as such, had withheld compliance certificate, but were demanding Annual Concession Fee. DSP’s ‘misbehaviour’ with MLA Ganieve sparks outrage Tribune News Service Amritsar, May 18 The scrutiny of nominations for the upcoming civic body elections was marred by controversy, as the election office failed to release the list of successful candidates. Opposition parties, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) in Majitha Municipal Council, accused the administration of misusing official machinery to favour Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidates. As per the election schedule, the scrutiny of the papers filed by the candidates of different parties was scheduled for today. A total of 476 candidates filed nominations for 67 wards across five local bodies in the district. Elections will be held for the Municipal Councils of Jandiala Guru, Majitha and Ramdas and the Nagar Panchayats of Ajnala and Rayya. The delay in releasing the list of rejected candidates has fuelled suspicion that the ruling party may attempt to secure an upper hand by ensuring some seats are won unopposed. Opposition leaders pointed out that similar tactics were allegedly used during panchayat elections, where ruling party candidates won a large number of seats unopposed. In Majitha, SAD MLA Ganieve Kaur and senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused election staff and the returning officer of harassing opposition candidates. “The SAD candidates were called in around 2 pm, but even after one and a half hours no scrutiny was conducted. To harass the candidates, even the fans were switched off,” Majithia alleged. He further claimed that candidates were being rejected on flimsy grounds to benefit ruling party nominees, and that the Returning Officer and Executive Officer of Majitha Municipal Council were changed at the last minute to facilitate rejection of opposition nominations. Major Shivcharan Singh, a close associate of the Majithia family, alleged that a DSP-rank officer acted inappropriately and disrespectfully towards MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, stopping her at the gate of the SDM office. She had sought entry to ensure Akali Dal candidates’ views were properly heard. Later, she lodged a protest, claiming their names were displayed on the list of rejected candidates without being given an opportunity to represent their case. Opposition leaders, including former Deputy CM Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, Sunil Jakhar and Sukhpal Singh Khaira, slammed the government for misusing police and misbehaving with a woman MLA through their social media posts. They said such conduct was against Punjab’s culture, where women are accorded respect. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the Punjab government of misusing police machinery ahead of the elections, terming it a “murder of democracy”. Addressing party workers in Majitha, he alleged that police personnel misbehaved with his wife, MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia, and other women party workers. He demanded the immediate suspension of the DSP involved. The incident happened outside the SDM office in Majitha during the scrutiny of nomination papers for the local body elections. Estd. 2008 NEW COURSE - PHARM D ( DOCTOR OF PHARMACY ) Air India Express resumes Amritsar-Dubai flights Charanjit Singh Teja Amritsar, May 18 Air India Express has resumed direct flight operations between Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar and Dubai. The airline reinstated its daily Amritsar–Dubai service on May 16. Meanwhile, IndiGo is set to restart its Amritsar–Sharjah flights from May 20, according to booking availability on its website. The daily Air India Express flight departs Amritsar at 2:20 am and arrives in Dubai at 4:55 am. The return flight leaves Dubai at 5:55 am and lands in Amritsar at 11:40 am. FILE Tribune News Service For Sharjah, IndiGo’s service departs Amritsar at 12:15 pm and arrives at 2:40 pm, while Air India Express departs at 1:15 pm and reaches Sharjah at 4:05 pm. Return flights from Sharjah depart at 5:05 pm, arriving in Amritsar at 10:45 pm and 10:30 pm, respectively. Residents and aviation activists have welcomed the gradual restoration of direct flights between Amritsar and the UAE. Operations had been disrupted due to geopolitical tensions, including the Iran–Israel escalation and temporary airspace closures across the Middle East. Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of the FlyAmritsar Initiative, said: “With regional airspace stabilising, international carriers are restoring normal schedules. These routes are vital for passengers from Punjab, the diaspora, workers and tourists. They form the backbone of Amritsar’s international traffic.” He noted that SpiceJet’s Dubai flights remain unavailable for booking until August. “If SpiceJet cannot restore the route soon, we urge IndiGo or other Indian carriers to introduce Dubai flights to fill the gap,” Gumtala added. c m y b MERIT BASED EARLY BIRD B PHARMACY, D PHARMACY ( GNDU ) WINNERS OF 10 INTERNATIONAL / NATIONAL AWARDS