26072026-ATR-01.qxd 7/25/2026 10:39 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY GARBAGE DUMP ALONG RAM TIRATH ROAD SPARKS PROTEST ON KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS, VETERAN RECALLS TIME SPENT ON WAR FRONT AADESH CHAUDHARY PAYS TRIBUTE TO INDIA’S BRAVEHEARTS A garbage dump site along Ram Tirath Road has triggered outrage among residents. P2 “There hasn’t been a tearful goodbye than the one I received from my wife that morning of departure,” says Col HP Singh (retd).P3 MAX 30°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 26°C Kargil Vijay Diwas is not just a commemoration of a historic military triumph but a reminder ofprice paid by our brave soldiers.P4 » » SUNSET SUNDAY 7.31 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5.42 AM » SUNDAY | 26 JULY 2026 | AMRITSAR PSPCL staff’s stir leaves residents ‘powerless’ Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 25 The protest by the power corporation employees has left residents high and dry. Their repeated attempts to get through to the staff to address their power outage complaints have gone futile, they say. Arshdeep Singh of Gurdwara Guru Ka Khoo area in Tarn Taran city said, “A power cut was imposed around 9 pm last night. We filed a number of complaints on the mobile app as well as on helplines, but nobody responded, forcing the residents to bear with the heat and humidity.” The supply to the area was restored after 18 hours. Kewal Singh, a resident of of Bohri Wali Chowk, said, “It’s been going on like this for the past four days as the power corporation employees are on a strike. Every night, we have to face power cuts. A couple of days ago, the power supply was restored after 23 hours.” Ditto is the situation in the holy city. Harpreet Singh of Kot Mit Singh said, “Even as the weather is not as hot and humid as it was a few days ago, without electricity, we are unable to fill water tanks. The employees' demands include equal pay for equal work and filling of vacant posts. LONG OUTAGES; RESTORATION AFTER 23 HOURS ■ Arshdeep Singh of Gurdwara Guru Ka Khoo area in Tarn Taran city said, “A power cut was imposed around 9 pm on Friday night. We filed a number of complaints on the mobile app as well on helplines, but nobody responded, forcing people to bear with the heat and humidity.” The supply Imagine leaving for work without taking a bath during peak summer.” Harpreet demanded that the government should initiate talks with the protesting employees and people should not be made to suffer. Meanwhile, the protesting employees have extended their agitation till July 26, the day they would decide Air-conditioning amiss at airport, flyers seek repairs Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 25 It’s been a month since the central air-conditioning system at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, has been lying non-functional. Flyers say the summer is in full throttle, still the authorities are not doing anything to fix the defunct system. Commenting on the state of affairs, an elderly flyer said though the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had installed air coolers and fans at various spots, the high humidity level made it almost impossible for those catching flights from the airport to sit in the lounge or waiting area. Seeking measures to sort out the problem, FlyAmritsar Initiative has urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the AAI to repair the central air-conditioning system and keep flyers updated with the ongoing work. FlyAmritsar Initiative global convener Sameep Singh Gumtala said despite repeated com- plaints and social media posts by flyers and the organisation, there had been no visible action or official update on the expected timeline for repairs. He said the airport’s official social media handles continued to post routine updates, but had not responded to flyers’ concerns over the AC breakdown. The organisation’s India convener, Yogesh Kamra, said the Amritsar airport handled over 3.5 million flyers annually and served as a key gateway to the Punjabi diaspora, pilgrims visiting the Golden Temple and international travellers. He said if the system had not been working, it was the duty of the authorities to do the needful. The organisation demanded immediate repair or replacement of the AC system, transparent public communication on the restoration timeline and additional interim measures to ensure passenger comfort until the system became operational. ■ to the area was restored after 18 hours. Another resident of Kewal Singh of Bohri Wali Chowk said, “It is been going on like this for the past four days as the power corporation employees are on a strike. A couple of days ago, the power was restored after 23 hours.” their future course of action. The protesting employees alleged that the large-scale installation of smart meters was being pushed without adequately addressing the concerns of workers and consumers. They also raised several long-pending service-related demands, including regularisation of contractual employees, equal pay for equal work, withdrawal of punitive actions against staff and filling of vacant posts in the corporation. The unions claimed that despite repeated representations and discussions, the PSPCL management had not taken concrete steps to resolve the issues, forcing employees to continue their agitation. Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 25 The police heaved a sigh of relief after notorious gangster Jobanjit Singh, alias Billa Arjan Manga, a key operative of the Bambiha-Doni Bal gang, was deported from Jakarta, Indonesia, on Saturday following a six-month international manhunt. Wanted in over 12 criminal cases, including four murders, murder attempts, extortion, NDPS Act and Arms Act offences across Punjab, he had been evading arrest by operating from multiple countries while allegedly running an extortion network through his local associates in Punjab. According to the police, his deportation was secured by the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Punjab, in coordination with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking & Extradition Cell (OFTEC), Punjab, and Central agencies under Operation Nomad Hunt, an intelligenceled operation involving sustained surveillance, strategic intelligence gathering and coordination with national and international agencies. A police team from Amritsar Rural reached Mumbai after his deportation. The accused was produced before a Mumbai court, which sent him to a fourday transit remand to Beas. He is expected to be brought Wanted in four murders, NDPS cases KEY OPERATIVE OF BAMBIHA-DONI BAL GANG ■ Jobanjit Singh, alias Billa Arjan Manga, a key operative of the Bambiha-Doni Bal gang is wanted in murder attempts, extortion, NDPS Act and Arms Act offences across Punjab. ■ Sources said Billa had fled India several years ago and was traced to Jakarta. Before to Punjab for custodial interrogation in connection with multiple pending cases. Sources said Billa had fled India several years ago and was traced to Jakarta. Before that, investigators had tracked his movements in Dubai. Despite being abroad, he allegedly continued to orchestrate extortion and targeted firing incidents in the Amritsar rural belt through his network of local operatives. His name prominently figures in the sensational murder of gangster Jarnail Singh, who was shot by armed assailants outside a flour mill in Sathiala village under the Beas police station on May 25, 2023. The police had been pursuing his extradition in that case. On May 18, 2025, the accused, along with two other associates, were booked by the Jandiala Guru police for firing and extortion. The police arrested his alleged associate Panthic unity that, investigators had tracked his movements in Dubai. Despite being abroad, he allegedly continued to orchestrate extortion and targeted firing incidents in the Amritsar rural belt through his network of local operatives. Deepak Kumar of Navi Abadi, Jandiala Guru, while another accused, Hardev Singh of Thathiara Bazaar, was also booked. The complainant, Lovepreet Singh, alias Love, of Sarli Kalan village in Tarn Taran, had alleged that the accused demanded Rs 50 lakh from his brother and threatened to eliminate the family if the money was not paid. On July 7, 2025, he was booked for allegedly demanding Rs 30 lakh from a grocery shop owner, Ranjit Kumar, of Udoke Kalan village. Again, on July 19, 2025 another FIR was registered after Chandan Sunder of Chawinda Devi village alleged that Billa demanded Rs 40 lakh from him. Three motorcycle-borne armed men had also opened fire outside his bakery. Kanwalpreet Singh, SSP , Amritsar Rural, said his interrogation was expected to provide crucial leads. Tribune News Service The Miri Piri Khalsa March leaves for Darbar Sahib, Tarn Taran, from Gurdwara Bir Baba Budha Sahib. GURBAXPURI Cong: New infra in Ajnala priority Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 25 The district health department on Saturday expanded its primary healthcare network with the inauguration of 14 new Aam Aadmi Clinics. The clinics, aimed at providing free and accessible medical services to residents, were inaugurated as part of a statewide initiative under which Punjab Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, along with senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, dedicated 100 new Aam Aadmi Clinics across the state to the public. In the district, the newly established clinics were inaugurated by MLAs Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Dr Ajay Gupta, Jeevan Jyot Kaur, Dr Jasbir Singh Sandhu and Halqa incharge Karamjit Singh Rintu. The clinics have been set up at Arya Samaj Mandir, Central Jail, Kangra Colony, Labour Colony (Khandwala), Baba Deep Singh Colony (Nangli), Mule Chak near Arya Samaj School, New Amritsar, Sant Channan Singh Colony, South City, Sri Guru Hargobind Stadium, Daburji Link Road, Ward No. 10 Ganda Singh Wala, and Ward No. 12 Tung Bala. Civil Surgeon Dr Rashmi Vij said the Aam Aadmi Clinics were playing a vital role in strengthening the state’s healthcare system. Amritsar, July 25 A group of Congress leaders from the Christian community in Punjab has threatened to sever its ties with the party, alleging persistent neglect and bias. The leaders claimed that despite serving the party honestly for years, they were never given the respect or recognition they deserved. Emmanuel Rehmat Masih, a former general secretary, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee, alleged that those close to senior party leaders and the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) continued to enjoy prominence, while sincere workers and leaders from the community were sidelined. He, along with other community leaders, claimed that despite repeated assurances by senior Congress leader and now Leaders from Christian community allege bias, neglect Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi between 2018 and 2022 regarding the strengthening of the party through organisational elections, nothing of the sort had happened. Referring to a meeting of the community representatives held on February 14, 2022, at Flower Convention School in Dhariwal, Gurdaspur, they said around 30 members of the community took up their grievances with Rahul Gandhi, but no meaningful steps were taken after the meeting, he added. The leaders demanded that at least two members from the community be given Congress ticket in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections. Govt measures to rein in underage driving prove futile Pawan K Jaiswar Manmeet Singh Gill Amritsar, July 25 Despite the Punjab Government taking measures to check underage driving in the city, the illegality continues unabated, raising concerns over the effectiveness of enforcement and the growing threat to road safety. Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema had recently announced that strict action would be taken not only against minors found defying the orders, but also their parents and guardians. He had made it clear that there would be no compromise on road safety. As per the government’s orders, a minor caught driving would be liable to attract a heavy on-the-spot fine, while THE ORDERS Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 25 Sukhjinder Singh Aujla, Senior Congress leader from the Ajnala Assembly constituency, on Saturday visited Dhariwal Kaler village, where he interacted with residents, reviewed ongoing and proposed development works, and assured villagers that every effort would be made to accelerate the area’s development. Sukhjinder, the brother of MP Gureet Singh Aujla, listened to the grievances of locals. He said the comprehensive development of villages and the provision of better civic amenities remained his top priority. He said projects related to Continued on page 2 14 new Aam Aadmi Clinics come up Minority group threatens to sever ties with Cong Tribune News Service Air coolers and fans have been put in place as a tentative measure. It took cops six months to trace notorious gangster c m y b ■ Finance and Transport Minister Residents say strict action against parents and vehicle owners is the need of the hour. Also, checks near schools and markets are a must. Harpal Singh Cheema had recently announced that strict action would be taken not only against minors found defying the orders, but also their parents and guardians. ■ He had made it clear that there would be no compromise on road safety. ■ As per the government’s orders, a minor caught driving would be liable to attract a heavy on-the-spot fine, while the vehicle’s registration could also be cancelled. the vehicle’s registration could also be cancelled. In addition, the offender may be declared ineligible to obtain a licence until the age of 25. The measures aimed at strengthening road safety, Amritsar, minors can still be seen riding two-wheelers. Ankur Gupta, a local, said the issuance of orders was not enough. The need of the hour was regular checks near schools, educational preventing accidents and fixing accountability, the government had stated while issuing the orders. The warning, however, appears to have had little impact on the ground. In institutions, markets and residential areas. Strict action against parents and vehicle owners, as promised by the government, is also required. With road accidents involving young and inexperienced drivers remaining a matter of concern, residents feel that the government must ensure that its zero-tolerance policy is implemented in letter and spirit. Another local said given the coaching culture in the city, parents did not stop their wards from driving. “There is no public transport in the city. The BRTS off road for long,” he added. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Amandeep Kaur said the police had already been working on creating awareness.