18102026-ATR-01.qxd 17-10-2026 22:06 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune VILLAGE SCHOOL GETS ~30-LAKH UPGRADED INFRA BRINGING TO THE SCREEN BHAGAT SINGH’S LAST WISH Bhagat Singh’s rebellion was not just against the British rule, but also deep-rooted prejudices. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 18°C A DANCE OF DEFIANCE AMID PUJO FESTIVITIES Elementary school gets two newly constructed classrooms and a boundary wall at Kotli Sakkianwali. P2 FORECAST A dance drama that delves into women’s enduring quest for identity, dignity and freedom. P4 » » SUNSET SUNDAY 5.52 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:32 AM » SUNDAY | 18 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Drugs worth ~4.66 lakh seized from medicine store; seller in police net Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Officials at the medicine store in Katra Sher Singh, Amritsar. Amritsar, October 17 Amid concerns over the open sale and misuse of pharmaceutical drugs following the killing of an anti-drug activist, Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, the Drug Control Wing of the Health Department cracked down on a trader in Katra Sher Singh here. Among the drugs seized included nine different types of drug formulations, including 20,510 capsules of pregabalin 300 mg, apart from 2,220 tablets of pregabalin (75mg) and lorazepam. The seized stock has an estimated market value of Rs 4.66 lakh. The team comprised Drug Control Officers Bableen Kaur (Amritsar-II) and Sukhdeep Singh (AmritsarIII), who inspected the premises of Maa Chintpurni Traders following classified SALE PROHIBITED ■ Officials seized 20,510 capsules of pregabalin 300 mg, 2,220 tablets of pregabalin (75mg) and lorazepam. ■ The sale of drug formulations above 75 mg has been prohibited by the authorities. information last evening. Bableen Kaur said the store owner, identified as Sajan Trehan, allegedly failed to produce the purchase records for the seized formulations when asked by officials. She said the department subsequently seized the stock and that the officials had submitted a written request to the SHO of the Kotwali police station for the registration of an FIR under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following which, a case was registered and Trehan arrested. Fearing drug abuse, the district administration has prohibited the stocking up and sale of drug formulations above 75 mg. The action comes amid reports of open availability and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs. Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead by a chemist allegedly involved in the illegal sale of medicinal drugs, leading to tension and nationwide condemnation. The incident has once again brought focus back on the illegal sale of pharma drugs in the market. Europe-based handler’s key operative nabbed for ASI attack Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 17 In a major breakthrough, the Amritsar rural police have arrested Gurwinder Singh of Pandori Waraich village, who is said to be the main operative of Europe-based handler Badalpreet Singh and provided the logistic support to the miscreants for carrying out targeted attacks. Gurwinder’s name had recently cropped up in the murderous attack of ASI Jaswant Singh, who was recently shot at by unknown persons near Bhala Pind village in the Rajasansi area on September 11. He had narrowly survived the attack, though he suffered a bullet injury in the head. He had been evading arrest since July after his name figured in the incident of hurling petrol bombs at the residence of a property dealer in Pandori Waraich village for an alleged extortion bid. Three petrol bombs were hurled at Vikram Singh’s residence. Police personnel brief the media about the breakthrough. Though no one was injured, the attack caused extensive damage to the house. Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal, Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, said among the three arrested in the ASI attack case included Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, and Karanbir Singh, alias Nandi, of Jhanjoti village. Karanbir Singh was later killed in an encounter at Kandowal village falling under Jhander police jurisdiction on September 27. He, along with Gurpreet Gopi, was arrested on September 19. He had fled police custody on September 22. 2 booked for illegal mining; probe launched Waste burning triggers fire near park; Armsseizure:Copsmull morning walkers call out civic body bringing jail inmate on Tribune News Service Charanjit Singh Teja Chahal said during investigation, it was found that Gurwinder had provided the pistol to the accused for carrying out the targeted attack. He had been working on the directions of Badalpreet Singh, a Europe-based criminal and suspected operative of the ISI, who had been running the extortion racket from there, the official added. He is also wanted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the grenade attack on the Thakurdwara temple last year. The NIA had earlier carried out raids at his residence in the village. production warrant Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 17 The Lopoke police have booked two persons for illegal mining. The action follows a complaint by Vishavpal Singh, Executive Engineer, Mining and Geology, Water Resources Department, Punjab, Amritsar. Among those booked have been identified as Surinder Singh and Harjit Singh, both residents of Kohali village. Illegality unearthed on October 16 The complaint was filed withthe Amritsar rural police on October 16. Officials said illegal excavation of sand was being carried out on the land belonging to the two persons. Further investigation is in progress, while a case under Section 21(1) of the Mining Act has been registered against the two. Amritsar, October 17 Waste burning triggered a fire at a temporary garbage dumping site in Block B of Ranjit Avenue near Beant Park on Saturday morning, leaving the area filled with smoke. Morning walkers complained that garbage dumped in vacant plots near the park had caught fire, making it difficult for them to walk and breathe comfortably. Social activist Pawan Sharma said the problem had been plaguing areas with vacant plots for long, adding that the situation was no better at Ranjit Avenue. He alleged that such plots were being used as temporary dumping sites instead of ensuring regular lifting of waste. “We do not have any idea as to who sets the garbage on fire, but such incidents have been occurring repeatedly of late,” Sharma said. He said irregular garbage Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service The site where garbage was set afire in Block B of Ranjit Avenue near Beant Park, Amritsar. lifting and processing and biomining were aggravating the problem. Another area resident said the authorities should ensure that the waste was lifted on a daily basis. He urged the Municipal Corporation to look into such incidents and act against those found responsible. Other residents said such dumping sites should not become a cause of rising pollution levels. Ranbir Singh, a local, said burning garbage produced toxic smoke that caused breathing difficulties, particularly for children and the elderly. He added that such fires could also affect vehicular movement and increase the risk of accidents, especially when smoke reduced the visibility. Amritsar, October 17 The Counter Intelligence wing of the Punjab Police has been contemplating bringing a jail inmate, identified as Ashish Masih, on production warrant after his name cropped up during the interrogation of five suspects arrested in the seizure of an assault rifle, two hand grenades and 13 pistols allegedly smuggled from Pakistan. He is currently lodged in the Hoshiarpur Jail. Sources in the CI revealed that Masih was in touch with Gaurav Masih, a resident of Gounspura village in Batala. He was among the five persons arrested in the case. Among others nabbed included the father-son duo, Gurpreet Singh and Jaskaran Singh, residents of Ballarwal village in Ajnala, Veenu of Sagarpur in Batala and Amritpal Singh of Rasulpur village in Batala. The police said Masih was running the arms and narcotics smuggling module through a mobile phone from inside the jail. He has a number of his operatives working at his behest outside the jail. During interrogation, Gaurav Masih, who is currently on police remand, revealed details of the network and his association with Ashish Masih. Investigators found that Gaurav first came in contact with Ashish at a church in Gurdaspur, following which he was allegedly lured into arms and drug smuggling on the promise of handsome returns. He said around eight criminal cases of drug and arms smuggling and hooliganism had been registered against Ashish Masih, who originally hailed from the Tibri Cantonment area in Gurdaspur. Execute idea, start venture and the world is 4,000 bags of subsidised urea your oyster: Experts' advice to young women seized from factory; 2 arrested Where creativity meets market opportunity Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 17 Got an idea? Execute it and have a venture of your own. This is what young women were told during “Vision to Venture: Yuva Innovation Mela 3.0”. The mela celebrated the power of ideas, enterprise and selfreliance among young women. The initiative being held in collaboration with the National EduTrust of India, a registered organisation under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, aimed at providing students with a platform to showcase their creativity, explore entrepreneurial opportunities and develop solutions inspired by innovation and sustainability. Food, apparel wear, craft, fashion and wellness were some of the areas that caught fancy of one and all. By bringing innovation and practical learning together, the initiative sought to MP Gurjeet Singh interacts with students in Amritsar. inspire young women to look at themselves not merely as future job seekers, but also as potential job creators and the harbingers of change. At the venue, BBK DAV College for Women, Amritsar, one could also see textile, phulkari, wool, natural linen and fibrebased products and apparel wear put on display. The event’s chief guest, MP Gurjeet Singh, appreciated the college’s sustained efforts to promote eco-friendly innovation, skill development and women empowerment, lauding students for their ingenuity, fresh perspectives and entrepreneurial enthusiasm. Principal Dr Pushpinder Walia said such initiatives played a vital role in identifying, nurturing and showcasing the entrepreneurial potential of students. Charanjit Singh Teja The mela reflected a vision of education that extends beyond classrooms and textbooks, encouraging students to think independently, experiment with ideas and explore the possibilities of entrepreneurship. Fashion, food and sustainable products continue to offer promising avenues for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young women looking to turn their skills and creativity into viable businesses. From customised apparel, handmade accessories and textile-based products to homegrown food brands, baked goods and innovative packaged foods, these sectors offer opportunities to build businesses around everyday consumer needs. “Most of our students are already running homebased small businesses exploring the local market,” said Priyanka Bassi, a member of the faculty. Amritsar, October 17 In a joint operation, the Agriculture Department and the GST Intelligence seized around 4,000 bags of subsidised agricultural-grade urea from a factory at Ball Kalan on the Majitha Road here. Officials also arrested two persons and registered an FIR in connection with the alleged illegal diversion of the fertiliser for industrial use. The raid was conducted on the premises of Mridul Chemicals on October 16 as part of the statewide drive to prevent the misuse of subsidised fertilisers meant for farmers. The seized stock included urea manufactured by Hindustan Fertilisers Limited, Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited, and KRIBHCO. A team of the GST Intelligence also examined the factory’s records and took rele- c m y b Tribune News Service Officials with the seized urea bags in Amritsar. vant documents into its possession for investigation. The operation continued till late at night, the officials said. DSP Yadwinder Singh said further investigation was underway to establish the circumstances surrounding the storage and alleged diversion of the fertiliser. Chief agriculture officer Amarjit Singh Dosanjh said agricultural-grade urea was a subsidised fertiliser intended exclusively for agricultural use. The government provided substantial subsidies to make it affordable for farmers, and its diversion to industrial units defeated the purpose of the subsidy, he added. He explained that industrial units were required to use technical-grade urea supplied for industrial purposes, Continued on page 2 Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO with an elderly woman. Projects galore in Jandiala Guru amid poll din Tribune news Service Amritsar, October 17 Amid the election hullabaloo, Cabinet minister Harbhajan Singh ETO has gone into an inauguration overdrive. On Saturday, the minister inaugurated various statelevel sports competitions, laid the foundation stone of a bridge project and distributed property ownership cards among residents of the Jandiala Guru constituency. As part of the state government’s “Khelan Watan Punjab Diyan-2026” initiative, the ETO inaugurated state-level archery and rugby competitions scheduled between October 17 and 23. Archery events are being organised at the Guru Nanak Stadium, while rugby matches are taking place at Khalsa College and Khalsa Senior Secondary School. Addressing a gathering, the minister urged youngsters to stay away from drugs and participate in sporting events, laying emphasis on their role in promoting discipline, fitness, confidence and teamwork. The ETO also laid the foundation stone of a two-span bridge over a drain on the road connecting Devidaspura village with the Community Health Centre Manawala in Jandiala Guru. The project has been sanctioned at a cost of ?68.65 lakh, with the completion targeted within six months. The minister also distributed property ownership cards among 119 beneficiaries at Rakh Devidaspur (Amarkot). The focus of the AAP government had been on promoting sports, boosting road connectivity and addressing grievances pertaining to property rights — issues which might crop up during the elections, he added.