30062026-ATR-01.qxd 6/30/2026 12:56 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FRESH BREACH REPORTED IN KEY CANAL WITHIN A WEEK GOVT SCHOOL GIRL CHOSEN FOR SPACE PROGRAMME Tiya, a Class XII medical student, will represent country at all-girls’ lunar satellite mission backed by ISRO. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 37°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 26°C TEYANA TAYLOR WINS BIG AT THE 2026 BET AWARDS A week ago, a serious rupture had occurred in the canal at the same place. P2 FORECAST Taylor was a top winner at the Black BET Awards, which honours Black actors, singers & sports stars. P4 » » SUNSET TUESDAY 7.28 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5.24 AM » TUESDAY | 30 JUNE 2026 | AMRITSAR MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH’S 187TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY No attempt by state govt to popularise his Summer Palace housing Panorama, museum Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 29 The state government and Sikh institutions observed the 187th death anniversary of legendary Sikh ruler Maharaja Ranjit Singh on Monday, but hardly any attempt has been made to popularise his Summer Palace, housing museum and Panorama, among tourists. Despite being the last weekend of the summer vacation yesterday, less than 40 tourists visited Panorama and the museum. Every year, the government recalls Ranjit Singh’s immense contribution through advertisements in various dailies to pay tributes to him, stating that the great Sikh ruler would be remembered for his secular regime, extending from the Punjab region to Khyber Pass in the west, Kashmir in the north, Sindh in the south and Tibet in the east. Surinder Singh, a hotelier, Summer Palace at Company Bagh in Amritsar. said so far the government and its agencies concerned had done little to promote Panorama, a visual depiction of the important stages of the Maharaja and museum, depicting rare artefacts of his reign. Even as a record number of tourists visit the holy city daily, the government and its various agencies have failed to divert their flow to Summer Palace, which reminds of his deep and devotional association with the city. An official tasked with issuing entry receipts at Panorama said 30 to 40 visitors pay a visit here daily and equal number of them to the museum. These public installations remain closed on Monday. Hoteliers and guides say the visitors are less compared to the heavy inflow of tourists in the holy city. This despite the fact that Panorama has a nominal entry fee. The vibrant life span of the Maharaja has been showcased here through eight small dioramas in halls on the ground floor. Several other important anecdotes associated with Maharaja, which have immortalised him, are also presented in Panorama building through murals, sketches and canvas paintings. The main attraction of Panorama is a gigantic 12m tall and 100m long painting, depicting six major battles spread in a span of over 40 years of the Maharaja. The battle expeditions depicted in the painting are supplemented by a large circular foreground diorama, displaying numerous mannequins of prominent warriors, soldiers, animals, weapons and so on. Visitors can catch a Amritsar police seize 2 held in snooker centre assault case drugs, illegal arms in multiple operations glimpse of these by buying a ticket for Rs 10 for an adult and Rs 5 for a child. Gurinder Singh Johal, a guide, said an intensive publicity campaign was required to make visitors aware of Summer Palace, housing both museum and Panorama. Signboards indicating its presence and the way from the Golden Temple should be installed to guide the tourists. Late Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee had laid the foundation stone of Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama to mark the bicentenary celebration of coronation of the Maharaja on November 18, 2001. Developed by the National Council of Science Museum, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Panorama was inaugurated by then Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on July 20, 2006. Raman Kumar, in-charge of Panorama, did not pick up the phone despite repeated calls made to him. SGPC call to preserve Maharaja’s rich legacy Remembers Sikh warrior at Summer Palace Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 29 The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) today organised a Gurmat Samagam at the historic Summer Palace in Ram Bagh here to mark the death anniversary of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and paid tributes to the Sikh ruler’s legacy. Addressing the gathering, Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, said Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s life symbolised unwavering faith in the Guru, humility and justice. He said the Sikh ruler established a Khalsa Raj where people of all faiths and communities enjoyed equal rights, respect and security. Emphasising the need to preserve Sikh heritage associated with Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Giani Gargaj said the historic palace and Ram Bagh in Amritsar are priceless heritage sites. He appealed to Sikh organisations and the public to jointly identify and conserve heritage buildings linked to the Sikh empire. He also urged the younger generation to visit the historic palace to understand and connect with their rich heritage. The Acting Jathedar said activities that do not conform to the historical character of the palace should be stopped and the site should be developed exclusively as a heritage monument. Describing Maharaja Ranjit Singh as a hero not only of the Sikhs but of the entire Punjab and Punjabi community, he said preserving his legacy was a collective responsibility. Referring to other neglected Sikh-era heritage sites, he also expressed concern over the condition of Maharaja Sher Singh’s Baring College in Batala, saying Sikh institutions should come together for the conservation of such historically significant buildings. At Guru’s doorstep PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 29 The Amritsar Rural Police arrested 10 individuals and seized 11 illegal pistols, 10.94 kg of heroin, 1.019 kg of ICE (crystal meth) and Rs 52,000 suspected drug money, apart from a large quantity of ammunition during multiple operations conducted across the district. Among those arrested included Gursahib Singh of Dhanoe Kalan village, Sawinder Singh, alias Shinda, of Sarai Amanat Khan village in Tarn Taran, Amritpal Singh of Jathaul Kalan village, Gurkamal Singh of Dadde Kalas village in Khalra, Tarn Taran, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, of Butari village, Sunny of Ladeh, Lovejit Singh of Sarai and Gursewak Sing of Phulechak village, Swaraj Singh of Teda Kalan and Rawaljit Singh of Timmowal village.SSP Amritsar Rural Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal, at a press conference here today, said that among the major seizures, cops seized 8.48 kg of heroin and five pistols from Gursahib and Sawinder Singh. The police also seized Rs 52,000 of alleged drug proceeds from them. Similarly, Amritpal Singh was arrested by the Gharinda police with 460 gm of heroin and two pistols, apart from 15 live bullets. In a separate case, the police seized 1.019 kg of ICE drug from Gurkamal Singh and Gupreet Singh by the Gharinda police station. Meanwhile, four more suspects were arrested in Ajnala with three illegal pistols and 14 live cartridges, while additional 2 kg of heroin was seized by the Kathunangal police. In another significant move, the police froze properties, worth over Rs 1.20 crore, belonging to three alleged drug smugglers under the provisions of the NDPS Act. The authorities said proceedings were also on to freeze the assets of more than 80 other accused allegedly linked to the narcotics trade. SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said investigations were continuing to identify the backward and forward links of the accused. Amritsar, June 29 The Amritsar city police have arrested two accused in an assault case at a snooker centre in Ranjit Avenue within hours after the incident. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (City-2) S Srivannila said Ranjit Avenue SHO Robin Hans constituted special teams and launched an investigation into the incident. The police have arrested two main accused, identified as Sahil and Ritik, residents of the Chamrang Road area here. According to the preliminary investigation, the victim, Prayas Sharma, had reportedly been involved in an altercation with the accused around Police officers address a press conference in Amritsar on Monday. two months ago at a snooker centre in Shakti Nagar locality. The police said the latest attack was the result of the old rivalry. The ADCP stated that the weapon seen in a viral video being circulated on social media was not a real firearm but a toy pistol. He added that the case is being thoroughly investigated from all angles and an appropriate legal action is being taken. Sharma was playing pool at the club in the Ranjit Avenue area when several “armed” men allegedly surrounded him and launched a violent assault. CCTV footage of the incident showed the assailants repeatedly hitting the victim. An attacker was seen using a heavy iron bracelet to hit Sharma on the head. Truck loaded with tea, turmeric stolen while driver visits Golden Temple Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 29 A truck loaded with tea and turmeric, worth several lakhs, was allegedly stolen by unidentified persons from the Jhabal Road area here on Sunday while its driver had gone to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple. According to the police, the complainant Darbari Singh, a resident of Palpora in Jammu and Kashmir, stated that he owns and drives a six-tyre truck with registration number JK-03A-7798. He said he had come here on June 26 to transport goods to Jammu and Kashmir. On June 27, he loaded 96 bags of tea and 105 bags of turmeric from a transport company and parked the truck at Frontier Transport, Jhabal Road, where several other Jammu and Kashmir-bound trucks were also stationed. continued on page 2 Sikh MLAs and ministers of the Aam Aadmi Party govt appear before the Akal Takht to present the govt’s stand on the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act on Monday. Foreign pistol, empty magazine seized Our Correspondent TarnTaran, June 29 A joint party of the Khalra police and the BSF led by , woman sub-inspector Asharju, yesterday seized a packet from the fields of farmer Sukhwinder Singh of Daliri village in the border area, from where an empty magazine, along with a foreign pistol, was seized. Sub-inspector Asharju said she was patrolling the area along with the police party when on the basis of infor- mation, she jointly searched the fields of farmer Sukhwinder Singh of Daliri village and seized a packet from his fields where the pistol and empty magazine was seized. In this regard, a case was registered. Mini ground to come up for cricket lovers at Dhaba Khatika 199 gm of heroin seized Amritsar Central Assembly segment MLA Dr Ajay Gupta inaugurates construction work Tribune News Service Amritsar, June 29 The Amritsar Central Assembly segment MLA Dr Ajay Gupta inaugurated the construction of a mini ground for cricket lovers on a vacant land adjacent to Janana Hospital at Dhaba Khatika here on Monday. He announced that a gym would also be built alongside this ground, adding that the government was developing playgrounds for the youth of Punjab as part of its war against drugs. Under this initiative, the mini cricket ground would be created on the vacant land adjacent to Janana Hospital by installing an Astro turf. Twenty-foot-high nets would be installed around the ground. The ground would be fully lit so that cricket lovers could practise here even at night. He elaborated that the mini ground would be the centre of attraction for the people of Dhaba Khatika and the surrounding areas. He added that this valuable space had previously gone unnoticed. When this came to his Dr Ajay Gupta inaugurates the construction of the mini ground. attention, a tender was issued to build a turf mini-ground for cricket fans. He stated that the work order had been issued and work had begun at a cost of approximately Rs 45 lakh. He added that work on a gym would also begin alongside the ground, which would benefit the youth. c m y b Dr Gupta stated that development work was being continuously carried out in the Central Assembly constituency, focusing on the convenience of the people. In a series of developments, the construction of Gali Suniarian and its surrounding streets in Ward No. 55 was inaugurated today. The sewerage system in this street would be repaired and the street would be paved with concrete. He added that he was visiting the people daily, listening to their problems, and resolving these on a pri- ority basis. He added that the benefits of the Punjab Government’s public welfare schemes were being extended to the people. He said that under the Chief Minister’s Pilgrimage Scheme, pilgrims were being sent on holy pilgrimage routes. This scheme being implemented by the Punjab Government to facilitate people’s pilgrimage to religious places was a commendable initiative. He said ration kits were being distributed to needy families through the “Chief Minister Meri Rasoi” scheme. Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, June 29 A police party, led by ASI Mehal Singh of the local CIA staff, arrested a person yesterday with 199 gm of heroin. His accomplice is at large and raids were being conducted to arrest him. ASI Mehal Singh said here today that the accused had been identified as Karamjit Singh, a resident of Colony Patti Road, Sarhali. He had brought this narcotic substance from Baba Gurpreet Singh, a resident of his colony, Patti Road, Sarhali. The police have arrested Karamjit Singh, while a raid The accused was identified as Karamjit Singh was launched to arrest Gurpreet Singh. Mehal Singh said while the police party was patrolling the area under his leadership, the accused was arrested under suspicious circumstances near Gurdwara Baba Hisoana in Naushehra Pannuan and 199 gm of heroin was seized from him. A case was registered against the accused under Sections 21-B, 29, 61, 85 of the NDPS Act.