22082026-ATR-01.qxd 8/21/2026 10:30 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY CKD SCHOOLS LAUNCH PROJECT TO REKINDLE READING HABIT AUTHOR GHOSE REFLECTS ON HIS GROWTH JOURNEY BLEND OF JAPANESE FLAVOURS AND INDIAN HOSPITALITY The Chief Khalsa Diwan has taken an initiative across its schools to pique interest of students in reading. P2 At a session by Ehsaas, a women-led literary forum, author Chandrachur Ghose speaks about his career shift. P3 At OKO, The LaLiT Chandigarh, Executive Chef Krishan Chaddha brings magic to the table with pan-Asian experience . P4 » » » MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.58 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 5:53 AM SATURDAY | 22 AUGUST 2026 | AMRITSAR Bandh brings city to halt; shops shut, transport hit; activists briefly detained Demanding release of Sikh prisoners, protesters take to the streets, raise slogans Charanjit Singh Teja MARCH BY LEADERS IN TARN TARAN Tribune News Service Amritsar August 21 The statewide bandh called by the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha on Friday to demand the release of Sikh prisoners (Bandi Singhs) held in various jails across the country crippled normal life across the city brought. Commercial establishments and educational institutions remained largely shut, with the transportation network being hit during the seven-hour shutdown. Major markets, retail outlets and shopping complexes across the city kept their shutters down in solidarity with the protest. Interstate bus services operating from the central terminal remained suspended, drastically cutting passenger movement, though limited private vehicles were seen on roads. Members of various organisations, including the Akali Dal Waris Punjab De led by Shamsher Singh Padhri, urban president Amandeep Singh Dadduana and youth wing president Sukhbir Singh Cheema, extended gratitude to shopkeepers and residents for their support. While the Bandh remained largely peaceful across the city, brief tension flared near the Golden Gate on the JalandharAmritsar highway. Activists from the Sikh Youth Federation Bhindranwale attempted to disrupt the Support poured in for the Punjab bandh call by the Qoumi Insaaf Morcha, demanding the release of Sikh prisoners, on Friday. Schools witnessed poor attendance, with commercial establishments remaining closed in Chabal, Sarai Amanat Khan, Sursingh, Bhikhiwind, Khalra, Khemkaran, Valtoha, Gandiwind Saran, Harike, Sarhali and Naushehra Pannuan. Under the leadership of Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) Daljit Singh Bajwa, party workers took out a march The police detain a protester at the Golden Gate in Amritsar on Friday. Those detained took to sloganeering, demanding immediate from the Goindwal bypass to Chowk Bohri in Tarn Taran. release of prisoners who had completed their sentence. Police personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incident at the Hall Gate Market; and (below) buses parked at a terminus. Members of various farm unions hold a rally in Amritsar. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR vehicular movement. Following a heated 10minute standoff, the police led by ADCP Harpal Singh detained federation president Ranjit Singh Damdami Taksal, vice-president Bhupinder Singh, general secretary Gagandeep Singh Sultanwind, and a few other leaders and activists. Those detained took to sloganeering, demanding immediate release of prisoners who had completed their sentence, specifically condemning the denial of parole to Jagtar Singh Hawara. The police released the detainees around 3.30 pm. Senior Sikh leaders Mohkam Singh and Manjit Singh stated that the shutdown reflected public anger towards the Central government regarding the prolonged detention of Sikh prisoners. Representatives from the Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) and other regional outfits also took part in the mobilisation, describ- ing the bandh as a unified demonstration of public solidarity across Punjab. Although normalcy returned towards the evening, commuters resented the inconvenience they had to go through. Pak smuggler under ‘Shah’ pseudonym keylinkindrugracket Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 21 A day after the Lopoke police arrested two alleged drug suppliers with 4 kg of heroin, the initial investigation has pointed towards a Pakistanbased smuggler operating under the pseudonym “Shah” as a key link in the supply network. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused — Sandeep Singh and Saurf Singh — were allegedly in contact with the Pakistani smuggler and had earlier supplied at least three consignments of heroin in Punjab. The duo was produced in a local court on Thursday, which remanded them in a five-day police custody. They are being interrogated to identify their associates and trace the recipients of the previous consignments. The arrests were made by the Lopoke police following a tip-off that the two accused were allegedly procuring heroin smuggled from Pakistan and subsequently supplying it to different districts of Punjab, especially in Tarn Taran. Acting on the information, a police team intercepted the duo at Vanike village and recovered 4 kg of heroin from their possession. The recovery has provided investigators with a possible lead into a wider cross-border drug distribution network operating through the border belt. The police are now trying to establish how the consignments were received, as to who facilitated their movement from the border and where the previously sup- IN FIVE-DAY POLICE REMAND Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused Sandeep Singh and Saurf Singh - were allegedly in contact with the Pakistani smuggler and had earlier supplied at least three consignments of heroin in Punjab.The duo was produced in a local court on Thursday, which remanded them in a five-day police custody. plied heroin was distributed. Investigators are also examining the financial transactions and communication records of the accused to establish their backward and forward linkages. The probe will focus on identifying the other members of the network, and the channels used for transporting and distributing the contraband in Punjab. Saurf Singh has a criminal case registered against him, the police said. His previous record is also being examined as part of the investigation into the latest seizure. With the recovery of 4 kg of heroin and the emergence of “Shah” as a suspected Pakistan-based contact, investigators are now attempting to connect the dots between local suppliers, previous consignments and the larger cross-border network. 2 DCPs assume charge 15-year-old boy found dead; attempt made to project murder as accidental death, say police Tribune News Service The 7.4-km circular road connecting Amritsar’s 12 historic gates was developed under the Smart City Mission. ‘Smart’roadlosessheen, illegal parking, poor upkeep mar project Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 21 Encroachments and illegal parking have taken sheen out of the Rs 125-crore smart road project. The 7.4-km circular road connecting the walled city’s 12 historic gates was developed under the Smart City Mission between 2020 and 2025. The project was inaugurated by then Cabinet Minister OP Soni in September 2020. The aim was to give a facelift to the area around the historic gates and ease congestion. What once aimed at attracting tourists, now looks like a mess. Several features promised under the project have either been damaged or gone missing. Grills installed along the road have been stolen at several places, while footpaths have been occupied by mechanics, vendors, vehicles and other encroachments. The stretch from Bhagtan- wala Gate to Lohgarh Gate has been illegally occupied by car mechanics. Ditto is the situation of footpaths, where vendors are ruling the roost. The encroachments force pedestrians to walk on the carriageway, increasing the risk of accidents. Outside the Beri Gate petrol pump, one can see stray cattle roaming around. At several locations, heavy vehicles are parked along footpaths, damaging tiles, utility ducts and manholes constructed as part of the project. Condemned vehicles can also be seen parked near the Hakima Gate police post. Social activist Pawan Sharma said the utilisation of funds under the Smart City Mission should be examined. He alleged that the road had not been developed in the manner shown in the project plans and claimed that there was little that could now be termed “smart” about the road. Amritsar, August 21 Two new Deputy Commissioners of Police assumed charge in the Amritsar Commissionerate with Prabhjot Singh Virk, taking over as the DCP (Investigation) and Jaskaranjit Singh Teja as the DCP (City). Virk, who was earlier serving as the AIG, CID, Amritsar, said strengthening professional and impartial investigation, ensur- ing timely justice to victims and preventing crime would remain among his priorities. He stressed the need for greater use of scientific and technological tools in the investigation of serious crimes. He said police personnel would be encouraged to maintain professionalism, transparency and accountability during investigations. He also underlined the need for coordinated action against drug trafficking, continued on page 2 Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 21 A 15-year-old boy was found dead under mysterious circumstances at Jabbowal village in Jandiala Guru on Friday morning, with the police suspecting that he was murdered and an attempt was made to project it as an accidental death due to electrocution. The deceased, Gursewak Singh, a Class X student at a government school in his village, had reportedly left home with two youths, including village resident Luvdeep Singh, on Thursday evening. When he did not return at night, his family tried getting through to him. His phone initially rang, but later became unreachable. The family also contacted Luvdeep Singh, but he did not respond. Following this, the family began looking for Gursewak early on Friday morning. Around 9 am, his body was found near the fields of a farmer, Avtar Singh. As per the police, the boy had injury marks on his body and bluish marks around his neck, raising suspicion that he may have been strangled to death and resisted the attack. In an apparent attempt to Wrongly installed traffic lights leave motorists flustered Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 21 Traffic lights are rarely spotted at the dead end of a road. But in the city, it’’s exactly the opposite. On failing to spot a traffic signal, motorists either get confused or pull over before or after the stop sign. A local said: “At times, it becomes difficult to spot the traffic lights and one ends up in the wrong lane.” Another local said such was the placement of the signals that most motorist often failed to figure out if they were to stop or go. “It becomes difficult to keep a check on the signal, especially when you are stuck between vehicles,” said Jagtar Singh, who mostly takes the Lawrence Road intersection. On failing to spot a traffic signal, motorists either get confused or pull over before or after the stop sign. Another commuter said the problem was more pronounced for drivers who stopped slightly behind some other vehicle. “The traffic lights should c m y b ideally be placed where these are clearly visible to all motorists. Such is a situation right now that one does not come to know if the signal is green or red,” said Surbhi Arora, another commuter. Pedestrians crossing these roads compound the commuters’’ woes at some intersections, especially when heavy vehicles, three-wheel- ers or two-wheelers are waiting to take a turn. Locals said the clear visibility of traffic signals was essential for both road safety and smooth vehicular movement. “A driver should be able to see the signal without changing lanes or taking his eyes off the road for too long. Proper placement can prevent confusion and unnecessary delays,” she said. The issue has raised questions over whether the positioning of traffic signals is based on the actual viewing angle of motorists waiting at the stop line. Commuters said the authorities should review the placement of signals at major intersections and consider installing additional overhead or centrally positioned signals wherever the visibility is poor. make the death look like an accident, the accused allegedly placed both arms of the victim near exposed electric wires leading towards a water pump. However, there was reportedly no electricity supply at the time, strengthening the suspicion that the electrocution scene was staged. Tarsikka police station SHO Avtar Singh said a continued on page 2 Man beaten to death, 3 booked Tarn Taran, August 21 The police have booked three persons for allegedly beating a resident of Bahmniwala village to death. The deceased, Gurdev Singh (46), was going to market on his two-wheeler when trio attacked him. — OC Drug smugglers’ houses razed Tarn Taran, August 21 The civic body with the help of the police demolished the houses of two drug smugglers in Bhikhiwind Nagar Panchayat today. The police said Surinder Singh and Satnam Singh, alias Sona Lamma, residents of Chela Colony, had illegally occupied the land. — OC