20062026-ATR-01.qxd 6/20/2026 12:47 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 25°C TIGHT SECURITY AROUND 11 NEET RE-EXAM CENTRES PROCESS TO GET GI TAG FOR AMRITSARI KULCHA BEGINS PEOPLE ARE ENJOYING SEEING US THREE TOGETHER Ahead of the NEET-UG re-examination on June 21, the administration has imposed restrictions around all centres. P2 During a meeting, kulcha manufacturers and traders briefed on the process and its potential benefits. P3 Shahid Kapoor says he is glad that people are praising his chemistry with Cocktail 2 co-stars Kriti & Rashmika. P4 » » SUNSET SATURDAY 7.38 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:25 AM » SATURDAY | 20 JUNE 2026 | AMRITSAR Farmers allege irregularities in grain markets, stage protest Blatant violation Oppose freezing of bank accounts related to ‘procurement scam’ Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Violating MC guidelines, a caretaker burns garden waste in a park in Joshi Colony, Amritsar, on Friday. PHOTO VISHAL KUMAR Woman ‘poisons’ husband to death, arrested Tarn Taran, June 19 A woman allegedly killed her husband by giving him some poisonous substance on June 16. The Sadar police have registered a case against four persons, including the woman, in this regard. The accused woman was arrested by the police. The deceased was identified as Amanjit Singh (33). He was a resident of Shahbazpur (Tarn Taran) and had solemnised court marriage with Harpreet Kaur about five years ago. Soon after the marriage, they allegedly started fighting. Suba Singh, father of deceased Amanjit Singh, told the police that on June 16, he received information that Amanjit Singh had consumed some poison and died. Suba Singh told the police that Harpreet Kaur gave his son some poisonous substance and killed him with the help of three persons. They later cremated Amanjit Singh. A case has been registered. — OC BSF, narcotics task force seize heroin, fake currency, pistol Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 19 The BSF along with the Anti, Narcotics Task Force, in a special operation, seized a consignment of heroin, fake Indian currency, a pistol and drug money on Friday. According to officials, six packets of heroin, weighing 3.875 kg, were seized during the operation. The seized narcotics are suspected to have been smuggled from across the border for distribution through local drug networks. Apart from the narcotics, the security personnel seized a pistol along with a magazine, indicating possible links between drug traffickers and criminal elements involved in illegal arms trade. The agencies further seized fake Indian currency notes (FICNs), worth Rs 1.20 lakh, comprising Rs 500 denomination notes. The police said the fake currency was believed to be circulated in the market to finance unlawful activities and destabilise the economy. In addition, drug money, amounting to Rs 1.25 lakh, and a mobile phone were seized from the accused. The mobile phone is expected to provide crucial leads regard- ing the smuggling network and its handlers. Further investigation is on to identify both local and foreign links associated with the racket. The ANTF has registered a case under relevant provisions of the law and are probing the wider network behind the operation. Amritsar, June 19 Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee (KMSC) staged a protest outside the office of the District Mandi Officer (DMO), Punjab Mandi Board, Amritsar, on Friday. Union leaders alleged irregularities in grain markets and opposing the freezing of farmers’ bank accounts in connection with an alleged procurement scam at Chak Sikandar grain market. The protest was led by KMSC state leader Sarwan Singh Pandher and district president Ranjit Singh Kaler Bala. Addressing the gathering, Pandher said that during the recent wheat procurement season, an alleged fraud of around Rs 62.5 lakh had surfaced at Dana Mandi Chak Sikandar. They claimed that while action was being initiated against a commission agent firm, innocent farmers had been affected as their bank accounts were freezed during the investigation. The farmer leaders demanded that the accounts of farmers be immediately defrozen, arguing that farmer could not be held responsible for any alleged wrongdoing committed by traders or commission agents. They also called for timely issuance of J-Forms at the time of procurement and sought payment to farmers within 24 hours of crop purchase. The union leaders raised concerns over the widespread practice of issuing unsigned temporary slips to farmers during procurement. According to the leaders, these slips often lack the firm’s name, registration number, official stamp and signatures, creating difficulties for farmers in proving the quantity and price of their produce. They urged the government to ensure that farm- Members of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee hold a protest outside the Mandi Board office over an alleged embezzlement case at Bhagtanwala, in Amritsar on Friday PHOTO VISHAL KUMAR ers received authenticated documentation until formal J-Forms were issued. The protesters also highlighted deficiencies in market infrastructure and demanded the upgrade of temporary grain markets into permanent facilities. They sought the construction of adequate sheds, clean drinking water arrangements and proper seating facilities for farmers. The organisation further demanded prompt lifting of procured crops to avoid inconvenience and losses to growers. Calling for more transparency in procurement operations, the leaders demanded the installation of computerised weighing systems and recognised agro-industry weighbridges in mandis. They also sought the mandatory use of certified moisture meters for checking grain quality, alleging that the use of private equipment often led to the exploitation of farmers. The KMSC also expressed concern over reports that the government-owned Mandi ‘ISSUE J-FORMS SOON’ Farmer leaders demanded that their accounts be immediately de-freezed, arguing that farmers could not be held responsible for any alleged wrongdoing committed by traders or commission agents. They also called for timely issuance of J-Forms at the time of procurement and sought payment to farmers within 24 hours of crop purchase. Board land and other public assets could be sold or diverted for alternative purposes. The organisation urged the Mandi Board to oppose any such move and safeguard public property. The farmer leaders further criticised what they described as increasing procedural hurdles in the procurement of wheat, paddy and maize. They alleged that quality-related restrictions, Aadhaar-linked verification and biometric requirements were being used to promote privatisation and create obstacles for farmers. They demanded a return to the earlier procurement system and strict enforcement of restrictions on the sale of produce brought from outside Punjab in the state’s grain markets. The committee also raised issues related to the vegetable market, alleging that the long-running 49:51 commission ratio system had become a tool for exploitation. It demanded an inquiry into the practice and action against erring traders. Farmers also sought compensation for packaging material used while transporting vegetables or the return of the material after sale. Following the protest, District Mandi Officer officials assured the delegation that written recommendations had already been sent for restoring the bank accounts of five out of seven affected farmers, while the remaining two accounts would be reactivated within a week. Officials also assured the protesters that complaints received from the farmers would be addressed promptly. Social media becomes battleground Army soldier on leave BKU(Ugrahan)toorganiseprotest in Khemkaran’s pre-election contest dies in road accident against free trade deals on July 4 Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 19 The bugle of Punjab’s Assembly elections may not have been officially sounded yet, but in the Khemkaran constituency of Tarn Taran district, the opening act appears to be well underway. And if early exchanges are any indication, voters may want to stock up on popcorn rather than policy papers. Traditionally, political parties reserve their sharpest attacks for the closing stages of a campaign, when nerves are frayed and tempers run high. Not this time. Congress hopeful Sukhpal Singh Bhullar and Shiromani Akali Dal stalwart Virsa Singh Valtoha seem determined to begin where others usually finish. For the past several days, social media users have been treated to a daily dose of political theatre, with videos circulating across platforms faster than election promises. Bhullar has taken to the field personally, while Gauravdeep Singh ‘POLITICAL DISCOURSE LOW ON IDEAS’ ■ Many residents are beginning to question whether Punjab’s political discourse is becoming less about ideas and more about insults. A senior citizen observed, “Instead of presenting solutions, our leaders seem busy entertaining us with gimmicks. Unfortunately, elections are not meant to be reality shows.” ■ As the state edges closer to another electoral contest, voters may reasonably expect debates on governance, development and public welfare. Valtoha has stepped in to defend his father’s corner. The result is an increasingly animated contest in which threats, taunts and name-calling have occupied centre stage. Political messaging has given way to verbal sparring, with each side seemingly intent on outdoing the other. The more troubling aspect is not who delivers the sharper punchline, but how little room remains for discussion on issues that directly affect voters. Roads, schools, healthcare and agriculture are struggling to compete with a barrage of personal attacks and viral soundbites. To be fair, Khemkaran has never been a constituency known for political restraint. Fiery rhetoric has long been part of its electoral folklore. Yet this phenomenon is hardly confined to one constituency. Only recently, Majitha witnessed a similar war of words between AAP MLA Talbir Singh Gill and senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia. Many residents are beginning to question whether Punjab’s political discourse is becoming less about ideas and more about insults. As one senior citizen observed, “Instead of presenting solutions, our leaders seem busy entertaining us with gimmicks. Unfortunately, elections are not meant to be reality shows.” As the state edges closer to another electoral contest, voters may reasonably expect debates on governance, development and public welfare. Whether politicians choose to meet those expectations or continue treating politics as performance remains to be seen. Our Correspondent Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, June 19 An Army soldier, Harjinder Singh (30), a resident of Ghariala, who was on leave, died in a road accident on National Highway No. 54 near Naushehra Pannuan on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. His relative Sukhbir Singh, who was with him, was injured in the mishap. Harjinder Singh was serving in the 22 Sikh Regiment in the at Dibrugarh and was returning home. His relatives Sakattar Singh and Sukhbir Singh were bringing him from Amritsar in a car. Near Naushehra Pannuan, a tractor-trailer loaded with wood was in front of their car. Sakattar Singh, who was driving the car, was seeking pass from the tractor-trailer driver when his car hit the tractor-trailer on its rear side. Harjinder Singh suffered head injuries and died on the spot. Sukhbir Singh sustained injuries and was Amritsar, June 19 The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) has announced to hold a protest against free trade deals being done with the USA and other countries and the impact of inflation on the common man, in Chandigarh on July 4. This was decided at a meeting held here on Friday. A joint meeting of members of the Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) of Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts was held at Gurdwara Baba Jiwan Singh Gaggomahal. It was led by district presidents Kashmir Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, respectively. In his address, state president of the union, Joginder Singh Ugrahan, said there was an economic crisis in the country and the Union government was burdening the common man “by using the excuse of war and giving discounts to corporate houses”. The prices of oil and gas have been hiked due to which the common man is being hit hard. c m y b Harjinder Singh. admitted to the Civil Hospital in Tarn Taran. The tractortrailer did not have reflectors and lights on its back. The tractor driver fled from the spot, leaving behind the trailer. A case was registered against the unknown driver of the tractor-trailer under Sections 106 (1) 106 (2) 281 of the BNS. The Armyman has a twoand-a-half-year old daughter. Says Centre burdening common man by using the excuse of war & giving discounts to corporate houses The Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) holds a meeting in Amritsar. The agriculture sector has been greatly affected by the increase in the price of diesel. Farmers are already suffering from debt, deepening the economic crisis in agriculture. Farmer leaders said amidst the shortage of diesel, petrol, gas cylinders, urea and electricity, the government was doing free trade deal under the USA’s pressure. They said two farmer organisations, Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan) and Dakounda, were protesting in Sector 34, Chandigarh, on July 4. They said district meetings were being held for the success of the protest. After the meeting, activists of the farmer unions carried out a march at Gaggomahal village.