20082026-ATR-01.qxd 8/19/2026 10:59 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 31°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 26°C CANDLE MARCH BY TEACHERS OVER DA BENEFITS, DUES ESI HOSPITAL EMPLOYEES PROTEST DELAY IN SALARY HILARIOUS HARYANVI TWIST TO 2011 HIT SENORITA Teachers from all DAV-run colleges in Amritsar and Batala take to streets, demand DA benefits. P2 Sanitation workers have approached the labour court, seeking release of allowances . P3 Self-taught musician Bodh’s clip went on to explode across social media, amassing over 17 million views . P4 » » » SUNSET THURSDAY 7.03 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:56 AM THURSDAY | 20 AUGUST 2026 | AMRITSAR Illegal mining unearthed in Ajnala; nine tippers, trucks impounded FIRING AT FORMER JATHEDAR’S SECURITY VEHICLE Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Pawan K Jaiswar ~8.65-LAKH FINE COLLECTED SO FAR Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 19 Despite tightening the noose around those involved in illegal mining in the Ajnala subdivision area, the Mining Department here has failed to achieve the desired outcome. Continuing their efforts to rein in the illegality, officials challaned nine vehicles on the intervening night of August 16 and 17. The drive was carried out by Amritsar drainage-cummining division in Sarangdev, Ballarwal, Sahowal, Khanwal and the adjoining areas. Nine tippers and trucks were challaned for transporting minor minerals illegally. A penalty of Rs 8.65 lakh has been recovered so far from four vehicles, while proceedings against the remaining are underway. The latest crackdown assumes significance in the backdrop of fresh excavation being detected at a site in Ballarwal village earlier this month despite action having already been taken by the department against ■ A penalty of ~8.65 lakh has Sand-laden tippers impounded by mining officials in Ajnala, Amritsar. illegal mining there. On August 6, following a tip-off, the Mining Department, along with the Ajnala police, raided Ballarwal and unearthed three sites allegedly being used for illegal sand mining. Three large pits were found at the sites and three trucks loaded with around 1,500 cubic feet of illegally excavated sand impounded. However, drivers and oth- been recovered so far from four vehicles, while proceedings against the remaining are underway. ■ The latest crackdown assumes significance in the backdrop of fresh excavation being detected at a site in Ballarwal village earlier this month despite action having already been taken by the department against illegal mining there. ■ On August 6, following a tip-off, the Mining Department, along with the Ajnala police, raided Ballarwal and unearthed three sites allegedly being used for illegal sand mining. The police have prepared a list of licensed weapon owners living near the residence of Giani Raghbir Singh in New Pratap Nagar. Cops examine licensed arms to trace shooter Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 19 The police have begun the forensic examination of licensed weapons possessed by those living around the New Pratap Nagar residence of former Akal Takht jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh as they struggle to make a breakthrough in the firing incident in which a bullet had hit the bonnet of a security vehicle parked outside his house. The police have prepared a list of the licensed weapon owners in the area and they are being summoned. Over the past week, around 12 residents from the locality have been called to the police station and their licensed firearms examined. The police have also verified their weapon licences. However, so far, investigators have found no evidence linking any of the weapons to the firing incident. Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said the investigation was underway and that the accused would be identified and arrested soon. The police have also examined the CCTV footage, but have failed to got any clue about the shooter, it is learnt. Those investigating the case suspect that the bullet may have hit a surface or structure after being fired before striking the bonnet of the Scorpio vehicle deployed for the former Jathedar’s security. With CCTV footage yielding no breakthrough and the examination of licensed arms yet to establish any link, the police are now pursuing other leads to trace the accused. er persons allegedly involved in digging and loading sand managed to flee the spot. Following a complaint, the police registered a case under Section 303(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 21(1) of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act. The police have also been tasked with the identification of the persons involved and the owners of the land where the alleged illegal mining was being carried out. The drive highlights another aspect of the problem — the movement of illegally excavated material. While raids on excavation sites can disrupt mining, the continued interception of vehicles indicates that unauthorised transportation Valuables, cash stolen from house in Tarn Taran Chennai-based author — jack of all trades Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, August 19 Thieves decamped with valuables from the house of a Lauhuka resident. Dineshpal Singh Rawat, who works at Rana Sugar Mill Limited, Lauhuka, told the police that he was away when the thieves barged into the house and made away with a The grant is meant for a range of development works, including construction of interlocking-tile streets, drains and sewers. 112 villages in Attari, Tarsikka get ~7.50 cr for infra upgrade Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 19 For the development of 112 village panchayats of Attari and Tarsikka, the government on Wednesday announced a Rs 7.50-crore grant under the Rangla Punjab Scheme. Attari MLA Jaswinder Singh Ramdas distributed cheques worth Rs 2.50 crore among 60 panchayats of the Attari block, while Public Works Minister Harbhajan Singh, ETO, distributed Rs 5 crore among 52 panchayats of the Tarsikka block in the Jandiala Guru Assembly constituency. The grant is meant for a range of development works, including construction of interlocking-tile streets, drains and sewerage facilities, sports grounds, indoor and open gyms, anganwadi centres, panchayat offices and dispensary buildings. The funds will also support cleaning and repair of village ponds, construction of classrooms, installation of The funds will also support cleaning and repair of village ponds solar lights and CCTV cameras, and development of parks, libraries, community halls and cremation grounds. On the grant, MLA Jaswinder Singh Ramdas said there won’t be any shortage of funds for development works in Attari villages and that the remaining panchayats would also receive grants under the scheme soon. Meanwhile, Harbhajan Singh claimed that the development work carried out in the constituency under the Aam Aadmi Party government was greater than what traditional parties could achieve during their 75 years in power. Both leaders said the Punjab Government was committed to comprehensive rural development and providing villages with modern facilities. Victim suspects colleagues’ hand laptop, a mobile phone and Rs 52,400 in cash and a watch. The complainant accused Pardeep Nayyar and Narindera Joshi, his colleagues from Gurgaon firm, of stealing the valuables. The Patti police have registered a case. remains an important link in the supply chain. XEN, Mining, Vishavpal Singh said the checks would continue in the area. However, the recurrence of excavation after earlier action suggested that sustained surveillance and identification of the persons financing and organising the activity would be crucial if illegal mining was to be curbed effectively. Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 19 This Chennai-based author dons many hats. A hypnotherapist, a spiritual healer, a trained vocalist and a Bharatanatyam dancer, Surekha Kothari, is your goto person when it comes to inner healing. A wellness guide who believes in permanent fixes, Kothari on Wednesday interacted with members of the Phulkari — Women of Amritsar, shedding light on the art of letting go. “Inner healing is more about individual accountability and less about a quick fix. These practices are not about losing control but making things work your way through mindfulness and awareness. When you deep dive into the layers of your emotions, deep-seated fears disappear,” she said. Be it a masterclass through her Chennai-based BodyMindSoulCentre or a women’s event, Surekha’s Author Surekha Kothari (centre) with members of the Phulkari -Women of Amritsar. sessions follow a structured methodology to shift participants from quick mental reactions to deep subconscious healing. Her work draws on practices with deep roots in Indian tradition — chakra cleansing, energy healing, and past-life regression. The session ended with a guided chakracleansing practice. Kothari has also authored “Dharma by Design: A Universe in Harmony” and “Zindagi Falsafe Aur Main”, a Canadian citizen alleges fraud by Indian salon chain collection of Indian poetry. She also offers individual and marital counselling through body, mind and soul, with her practice drawing deeply on ancient Indian wisdom around energy, healing and self-inquiry. The session titled “Healing and Transformation” held at Four Points by Sheraton, Kothari. Held under Phulkari WOA’s Health & Ecology learning pillar, chaired by Tina Aggarwal and Sandhya Sikka, and co-hosted by EmpowerHer Series chairs Dr Jaganjyot and Dr Latika Uppal, the evening drew a houseful gathering of over 250 of Amritsar’s most distinguished women. As Kavita Kahlon, Phulkari chairperson 2026-27, put it, “The evening with Surekha Kothari was far more than a talk. It was an invitation to pause, look within, and begin the real work of healing. Known for her work in hypnotherapy, Reiki and inner transformation, Surekha brought a deeply reflective dimension to the evening. It was about confronting the patterns that hold us back, releasing what no longer serves us, and discovering the strength that lies within. There were no quick answers — only meaningful questions, introspection, and moments of quiet realisation.” The evening also featured the launch of Kothari’s latest book, undertaken by Phulkari WOA’s past chairpersons and founder Praneet Bubber. Amritsar, August 19 A Canadian citizen of Indian origin has approached the NRI cell of the Punjab Police, alleging that she was duped after being induced to invest in the proposed expansion of an Indian salon chain in Canada. In his complaint, Inderjit Boparai alleged that salon founder and promoter Munish Bajaj, along with another Canadian citizen Kamalpreet Khaira, described as the company’s administrator/appointee for its Canada expansion programme, failed to honour the terms of an agreement entered into with him, causing him a substantial loss to the tune of over Rs 4 crore. Jagjit Singh Walia, AIG, NRI cell, said they had received the complaint, adding that an investigation was in progress. He said appropriate action would be taken in the case after completion of preliminary probe. Meanwhile, Bajaj refuted the allegations, saying he had nothing to do with the fraud. He claimedthat he had given franchise to Khaira, who had further committed the fraud. He said he did not even have the agreement with her. A complaint was also filed in this connection, he added. Boparai claimed that she was not the only investor affected and that at least six other Canadian investors from London, Brampton and Etobicoke in Ontario, Calgary in Alberta and Vancouver in British Columbia had allegedly invested. She alleged that Khaira collected huge sum from various investors for construction, store build-outs and inventory for proposed franchise outlets. Despite receiving the payment, the outlets were allegedly not established and commitments made to investors remained unfulfilled. Boparai alleged that Bajaj and his Canadian accomplice induced investors with promises of franchise opportunities and good returns. The complainant alleged that Bajaj was now refusing to implement the agreement, while his accomplice had stopped responding to his requests. Boparai, who identified himself as an OCI cardholder, requested the NRI cell to investigate the allegations, identify those responsible and take legal action. He also urged the police to act promptly so that other prospective investors were not affected. AAP creating tension before poll: BJP on Akali venue tussle Neha Saini ‘NO TRANSPARENCY IN ALLOTMENT PROCESS’ Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 19 Reacting to the tussle between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal and the rebel faction SAD (Punar Surjit) headed by Giani Harpreet Singh over the venue allotment, Punjab BJP spokesperson and Sikh scholar Prof Sarchand Singh Khiala said the Aam Aadmi Party government was deliberately trying to create an atmosphere of political conflict and tension ahead of Assembly elections. He said by allowing the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) to hold a rally at the same place to mark the 41st death ■ BJP spokesperson and Sikh scholar Prof Sarchand Singh Khiala said the Aam Aadmi Party government was aware of the political differences between the two Akali factions. Still, it gave permission to both parties to hold the event in the same market. It is not an administrative failure, but a well-thought-out political move. “There is also no transparency in the process of allotting the place for the rally,” he added. ■ On Tuesday, a war of words reportedly started between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal and the rebel faction SAD (Punar Surjit) headed by Giani Harpreet Singh after they were allotted separate portions of the same venue — the grain market in Longowal, Sangrur, to hold the August 20 event. anniversary of Sikh scholar and former SAD president Sant Harchand Singh Longowal on August 20, the government had made it quite evident that it did not want to prevent conflict, but to encourage it. “The government is aware of the political differences between the two Akali fac- c m y b tions. Still, it gave permission to both parties to hold the event in the same market the same day. It is not an administrative failure, but a well-thought-out political move. There is also no transparency in the process of allotting the place for the rally,” he said. On Tuesday, a war of words reportedly started between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) led by Sukhbir Singh Badal and the rebel faction SAD (Punar Surjit) headed by Giani Harpreet Singh after they were allotted separate portions of the same venue — the grain market in Longowal, Sangrur, to hold the August 20 event. SAD leaders, including Daljit Singh Cheema, accused the state administration and the local authorities of bias, alleging collusion between the AAP government and SAD (Punar Surjit). Meanwhile, SAD (Punar Surjit) leader Parminder Singh Dhindsa denied any such allegations, saying they had no idea that SAD (Akali) would also request the same venue. Khiala said the legacy of Sant Longowal was not of any one faction, but the common heritage of every Punjabi, who believed in peace, harmony and brotherhood. Sant Longowal played a historic role in restoring peace in Punjab during the turbulent period of the 1980s. The 11-point Punjab Accord signed with the then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, on July 24, 1985, was an important step towards ending the violence of that time, creating stability, connecting the Sikh youth with the mainstream and overcoming the lack of trust between the Centre and Punjab and restoring peace. The path of peace that Sant Longowal chose in the interest of Punjab and the country proved to be suicidal for him as he was shot on almost a month later on August 20, 1985. He added that Sant Longowal’s death anniversary should not be a platform for political confrontation, but should be made a message of peace and unity in Punjab.