01092026-ATR-01.qxd 8/31/2026 10:29 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 27°C SIT-IN BY KISAN MAZDOOR MORCHA OUTSIDE DC OFFICE MILITARY LITERATURE FESTIVAL KICKS OFF AT KHALSA COLLEGE ACTORS SHOW HOW STYLISH AND FUN SHORT HAIR CAN BE Farmers, workers and youth seek loan waiver and relief for debt-ridden farmers on Monday . P2 Veterans believe courage and legacy of armed forces need to be conveyed to the younger generation. P3 From chic and sophisticated cuts to edgy and effortlessly cool styles, shorter lengths are making waves. P4 » » » SUNSET TUESDAY 6.52 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:03 AM TUESDAY | 1 SEPTEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Drug traffickers from Pak weave web around youth, use social media as bait Youngsters offered easy money, asked to carry out small tasks, says top cop Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 31 It may begin with a message on a mobile phone, a promise of easy money or an attractive offer of a car. But for some teenagers and young men in Punjab, the harmless online contact is turning into a gateway to drugs, weapons and organised crime. Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill sounded an alarm over what he described as a changing method of recruiting youngsters into criminal networks. Pakistan-based drug traffickers, he said, were increasingly using the social media to establish contact with youngsters, including minors, before gradually drawing them into illegal activities. He was speaking at a public meeting held under “Operation Sampark” in Subdivision East on Monday. The recruitment, he said, did not necessarily begin with drugs or guns, adding that a conversation could also do the needful. Youngsters are allegedly offered money, vehicles or other incentives for carrying out small tasks. Once they Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill and other officials at a public meeting on Monday. MOST OF THOSE ARRESTED IN 17-25 AGE-GROUP, SAY POLICE ■ Amritsar Police Commissioner Harmanbir Singh Gill said during police action in the border belt over the past nearly two months, several youngsters had been arrested and many of them were in the 17-25 age-group. become part of the network, they are gradually pushed towards more serious offences. And, when they try to walk away, threats and intimidation are allegedly used to keep them trapped. What makes the trend particularly worrying for the police is the age profile of those ■ At a public meeting held under “Operation Sampark”, the top cop said once the youngsters became part of the network, they were gradually pushed towards serious offences. Gill added that the department would help those approaching it. coming under the scanner. Gill said during police action in the border belt over the past nearly two months, several youngsters had been arrested and many of them were in the 17-25 age-group. For the police, the numbers point to a larger social problem than merely a rise in crime cases. The Commissioner urged parents to know what their wards were doing online, talk to them every day and spend time understanding their problems. In an age when a smartphone can put a teenager in direct contact with strangers across the border, he said parental vigi- lance had become as important as policing. Gill recalled the years of terrorism when violence took a toll on the state’s youth, business and industry, with several industrial units moving out of Punjab. He cautioned that attempts to weaken the state were continuing through newer channels, with drugs, illegal weapons and criminal networks being used to draw youngsters into the world of crime. But this time, the battlefield is not necessarily a street or a hideout. It can be a smartphone screen. Gill stressed that the police wanted to intervene before a youngster became a hardened criminal. Those already trapped in drugs or gangsterism but willing to change, he said, could approach the police directly. The department would make efforts to help them leave the criminal network and rebuild their lives. Gill said the residents could report information about drug trafficking or antisocial elements on the Amritsar police drug helpline (77101-04818) or the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200). Municipal Corporation employees load a cart onto a truck in Amritsar on Monday. Footpaths, public places cleared of encroachments Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 31 Stepping up its drive against encroachers, the Municipal Corporation on removed illegal structures from Sultanwind Road, Tarn Taran Road and the area near BK Dutt Gate. The civic body staff cleared roads, footpaths and other public places of encroachments, confiscating goods obstructing the movement of pedestrians and vehicles. Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill said encroachments along roads and footpaths not only added to the congestion, but also inconvenienced pedestrians. Also, the illegality posed a threat to walkers. Civic officials said keeping footpaths and roadsides free of illegal structures was essential for ensuring smooth vehicular movement and pedestrians’ safety. Secretary-cum-Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia said roadsides, footpaths and public places were not meant for displaying goods and other material. The official warned vendors of strict action in case they reoccupied the areas cleared of encroachments. The drive was carried out following the directions of Municipal Commissioner Bikramjit Singh Shergill and Secretary-cum-Estate Officer Sushant Bhatia, with Estate Officer Dharminderjit Singh supervising the operation. Bhatia said similar drives would continue in other parts of the city. The officials appealed to traders, vendors and residents to cooperate with enforcement teams. DLSA chief, secy take stock of sanitation, security in central jail Tribune News Service Garbage lies unattended along a road in Tarn Taran. PHOTO BY WRITEr ‘Mission Clean Punjab’ a farce: Locals Gurbaxpuri Tarn Taran, August 31 The “Mission Clean Punjab” campaign has come under fire, with locals claiming that the garbage crisis has only deepened ever since the drive kicked off. The residents said the Municipal Council has been terming the drive a success, already. On this, Manoj Agnihotri, a resident of Teja Singh Wala street, Railway Road, said the reality was far from different. Area residents Shahbir Singh, Kanwaljit Singh, Maninder Singh Mani and others said the mounting garbage along the street presented a different picture, belying the authorities’ claim. On Sunday, executive officer of the civic body Randeep Singh Waraich issued a statement, claiming that under the “Mission Clean Punjab” drive, Tarn Taran residents had resolved to make the city garbage-free, and the day after, one could see the entire city littered. Rohi Kanda looks even more dirty, the residents said. Agnihotri said during such drives, officials show up only for getting clicked. He added that the authorities should get serious about making Tarn Taran garbage-free. Waraich is yet to react to the residents’ claims. Illegal mining unearthed in Ajnala village Amritsar, August 31 The Amritsar Drainage-cumMining Department has reported a case of illegal mining at Khanwal village near Chhanna in the Ajnala subdivision here. Complainant Randeep Singh, Mining Inspector, Amritsar Drainage Subdivision, a team of mining officials along with police personnel from the Ajnala police station inspected the site on August 30 following complaints regarding illegal mining. The inspection was carried out at coordinates 31.54.26.59 N, 74.41.09.51 E, where fresh signs of illegal excavation were found. The officials observed that soil had been excavated to a depth of around 10 to 15 ft. The department estimated the affected area at approximately 43,226 sq ft. However, no vehicle or machinery was found at the site when the continued on page 2 Amritsar, August 31 The chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)-cum-District and Sessions Judge, Amritsar -- Jatinder Kaur -- on Monday inspected the central jail here and reviewed security arrangements and other facilities made available to inmates. The inspection was conducted in the presence of DLSA Secretary Amardeep Singh Bains. The DLSA chairperson visited the women’s ward and high-security barracks, taking stock of sanitation, medical facilities, security measures and other arrangements. During the visit, the chairperson interacted with inmates and listened to their grievances and concerns. The jail authorities were directed to take appropriate action on genuine complaints in accordance with the law. The inmates were also Tribune News Service Inmates apprised of free legal aid apprised of the free legal aid services provided by the DLSA and encouraged them to avail of those. Emphasising the need to protect the legal and human rights of prisoners, the chairperson stressed that inmates should have access to legal assistance, healthcare, hygiene and other welfare measures mandated under law. Central Jail Superintendent Rajeev Kumar Arora briefed the chairperson about the functioning of the prison, welfare initiatives being undertaken for inmates and measures in place to maintain security and discipline. The inspection was part of the DLSA’s ongoing efforts to monitor the welfare of prisoners, facilitate access to legal aid and ensure that the rights and dignity of inmates are protected, said the chairperson. The recovery has once again raised concerns over the smuggling of prohibited articles into prisons. Two mobiles, tobacco products recovered Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 31 The Amritsar central jail authorities have recovered two keypad mobile phones, a SIM card and a large quantity of prohibited tobacco products from an unclaimed packet found on the high-security jail premises here. According to information, the recovery was made during a checking operation in the jail. The packet contained two keypad mobile phones, one SIM card, five mobile chargers, two charging adapters along with data cables, 226 packets of beedi, 21 packets of khaini, 10 packets of tobacco leaf, three packets of cigarettes, four cigarette boxes and two lighters. The recovery was reported by Amardeep Singh, Assistant Jail Superintendent, continued on page 2 Book documenting Sikh history piques scholars’ interest at launch Fake currency seized Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 31 “History is factual, and not shaped by narratives,” said GNDU Vice-Chancellor Prof (Dr) Karamjit Singh at an event to launch the book, “Sikh Sangharsh De Dastavez 1920-2022 (Sikh Struggle Documents)”, authored by senior journalist and writer Jagtar Singh. The book launch was followed by a discussion on the significance of historical documents in understanding the Sikh history. The VC said the book documented the Sikh history, adding that researchers could leverage the references and sources given in it to their advantage. Author Jagtar Singh said the book had been compiled with the objective of bringing together original documents related to the Sikh history and Punjab’s political and social journey; and making them available to readers and researchers. He said the book covered documents related to the historical period between 1920 and 2022. “The documents help establish the political and social circumstances prevailing at the time of an event and the positions taken by different parties,” he said. Senior journalist Gurdarshan Singh Bahia said Jagtar Author of 'Sikh Sangharsh De Dastavez 1920-2022' Jagtar Singh (second from right) in Amritsar. Singh had undertaken extensive research to compile the book that could be used by universities and research institutions. Bahia said the author had also attempted to explain the historical context of the docu- c m y b ments, helping readers understand the circumstances in which they were prepared and the political sit- uation around that time. Senior journalist IP Singh said historical documents were an important source for understanding the history of a society, country or movement. Referring to the documents included in the book, he discussed issues concerning Punjab’s waters, Sikh politics, Anandpur Sahib Resolution, events related to Sri Darbar Sahib and developments during different political periods. The GNDU VC stressed the need to strengthen Punjabi and preserve historical documents in digital archives. He said the university would extend cooperation to scholars and researchers. Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 31 In three separate operations along the Amritsar border belt, the BSF and Punjab Police recovered counterfeit Indian currency and drugs from areas close to the International Border here. In the first case, the BSF recovered fake Indian currency notes with a face value of Rs 1.98 lakh from near the Daoke Boder Outpost. BSF personnel handed over the same to the Gharinda police and lodged a complaint following which a case under Sections 178, 179, 180 and 61(2) of the BNS was registered against an unidenti- fied person. The police have launched an investigation to identify the person behind the counterfeit currency. Similarly, in another incident, the BSF recovered a 577-gm packet containing methamphetamine, popularly known as ICE, along with packing material from near the Kahangarh BOP. The recovery was made during an operation by C Company of 181 Battalion BSF. A case under Sections 21-C, 23, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act was registered against an unidentified person. The police have also taken the contraband into possession for investigation. continued on page 2