08112026-ATR-01.qxd 11/7/2026 11:08 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune INDIAN HOCKEY TEAM AT THE CROSSROADS WHEN HIMACHAL PRADESH CELEBRATED ITS FIRST DIWALI Shimla municipality and province's admn joined hands to celebrate the event at Annandale in 1948. P4 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 15°C HOW OUR FAVOURITE STARS CELEBRATING DIWALI The Indian hockey team is at a crossroads, with many players either retired or in the final phase of their careers..P2 FORECAST This Diwali, our favourite stars are choosing to celebrate the festival of lights with a little more thoughtfulness. P6 » » SUNSET SUNDAY 5.36 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 6:53 AM » SUNDAY | 8 NOVEMBER 2026 | AMRITSAR City all decked-up, security tightened on Diwali 90 patrol teams on guard, checks intensified in 130 spots for peaceful festivities Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Locals purchase decorative items on the eve of Diwali in Amritsar on Saturday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Stay cautious, keep off cracker smoke: Docs Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 7 City-based dermatologists have advised people to take precautions while celebrating Diwali. Dr Amarjit Singh Sachdeva, senior consultant dermatologist, said pollutants released by firecrackers could trigger skin irritation and allergic reactions, especially among those with sensitive skin, eczema and other existing conditions. He advised them to avoid prolonged exposure to firecracker smoke and wash exposed skin gently after the Seek medical intervention in case of burns, locals told celebrations. Highlighting the risk of firecracker-related burns, Dr Sachdeva said people should maintain a safe distance from fireworks, wear cotton clothes and ensure children were supervised. “In case of burns, immediately cool the affected area under clean running water for 20 minutes. Do not apply toothpaste, oil or other home remedies and seek medical attention,” he advised. Warning about the impact of firecracker smoke on eye health, he urged people not to rub their eyes and seek medical attention in case of persistent irritation or injury. Amritsar, November 7 The police have stepped up security in the city and rural areas for peaceful festivities. Checks have been intensified at 130 locations across the city, with 90 police teams on patrol duty. Officials said a quick-response teams had also been put in place to ensure that police teams reached the spot within five minutes of receiving information about any incident. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu said paramilitary personnel, apart from the reserve police force, will guard the holy city. Senior police officials, including the DCPs, ADCPs, ACPs, apart from SHOs, have been directed to remain alert. The city has been divided into three zones, with security in these being supervised by DCPs and ADCP rank officials. With arms and drugs continuing to sneak into the Indian territory from across the border, the Amritsar Rural Police have intensified joint patrolling with the Border Security Force (BSF) in the border belt. Police teams have also stepped up surveillance and security in villages located along the International Bor- Amritsar has been divided into three zones, with security in these being supervised by top police officials. SPREADING CHEER: JAIL INMATES GET SURPRISE VISITORS ■ The Punjab state chapter of the ■The celebrations included festive PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), through its Regional Fashion Tex & Tech Forum, celebrated Diwali with women inmates and their children at the Amritsar central jail here on Saturday. ■ The event held under the Udaan project aimed at bringing festive cheer to women inmates. interactions and distribution of gifts, providing the participants an opportunity to share the joy of the festival. ■ Himani Arora, co-chair, Punjab State Chapter, PHDCCI, who led the initiative, said celebrating Diwali with the inmates and their children was an emotional and meaningful experience. der.SP (Operations), Amritsar Rural, Gagandeep Singh said the police were already on high alert, but security had been further tightened in view of recent seizures of large consignments of narcotics and sophisticated weapons. Joint patrolling, intensified checking and increased surveillance in border villages were part of the measures to thwart any possible threat during the festive season. The police have also urged the residents to remain vigilant. Special security arrangements have been made at the railway station, Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra Inter-State Bus Terminal, Golden Temple, Durgiana Temple and major markets which are witnessing heavy rush ahead of the festival. The traffic police have drawn up a separate plan to regulate traffic in crowded markets and on major roads. The police have also intensified special nakas, vehicle checking, foot patrolling and PCR surveillance in crowded areas. Hotels, guest houses, inns and paying guest accommodations are being checked, with police teams scrutinising check-in and check-out registers to verify the identities of visitors from outside the city. The officials also held a flag march across all three police zones. The march covered prominent and sensitive locations, including the Heritage Street, Hall Gate and Ranjit Avenue, to reinforce public confidence and demonstrate police preparedness. Police remand for 3 open fire at man, rob Golden Temple lit up on Bandi Chhor Divas 3 held in drug case him of cash; arrested Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 7 The police today produced the three accused arrested with 36 kg of heroin before a local court, which sent them to four-day police remand for further investigation. The juvenile was produced before the juvenile justice board and was sent to safety home. Counter Intelligence (CI), Amritsar, had arrested the four on Friday after busting a drug smuggling network allegedly operating on the directions of a foreignbased handler. The accused had allegedly retrieved a drone-dropped consignment of heroin from the Lopoke border area and The fourth accused, a juvenile, sent to safety home were on their way to deliver it to another party when they were intercepted near the Bharatmala Highway bridge. Among the accused, identified as Sahil Singh of Ghanupur and Paramjeet Singh and Kamalpal Singh, both residents of Rajasansi, Paramjeet has three NDPS cases registered against him. Preliminary investigation had revealed that the foreign-based handler was facilitating the delivery of heroin consignments near the International Border and using local operatives for further distribution. Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 7 The Ram Bagh police have arrested three persons for allegedly opening fire at a man and robbing him of cash and artificial jewellery on November 4. The victim, Inderpreet Singh, sustained a bullet injury in his left leg. He told the police that the accused took away Rs 3,000 in cash, an artificial kada and a ring before fleeing the spot. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskiranjit Singh Teja said the accused had been identified as Rohit, alias Same, and Kavijit Singh, both residents of Khandwala, Chheharta, and Sanjay Kumar, alias Motta, a resident of Gali No. 2, Jamun Wala Chowk. Police personnel at a press meet in Amritsar. An Activa scooter, a magazine and four live cartridges were recovered from their possession. The weapon used in the crime is yet to be recovered. The police said they were questioning the accused to trace the pistol, adding that a case had been registered. Amritsar, November 7 Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on today extended greetings to the Sikh community on Bandi Chhor Divas, saying the historic occasion inspires people to uphold freedom, selfless service and the values of truth and justice. In his message, Dhami said the release of the sixth Sikh Guru, Guru Hargobind Sahib, along with 52 kings from the GwaliorFort prison was a unique example of compassion, justice and concern for humanity. He added that the message of Bandi Chhor Divas went beyond personal freedom and emphasised the responsibility to help others break free from bondage and protect their rights. According to the Sikh tradition, Guru Hargobind Sahib A girl lights up a candle at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR was imprisoned at Gwalior Fort by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. When the latter agreed to release the Guru, he insisted that the other imprisoned rulers should also be freed. A condition was reportedly imposed that only those who could hold the Guru’s robe would be allowed to leave with him. The Guru arranged a special robe with 52 tassels, enabling all the imprisoned kings to walk out with him. The Guru’s release and return to Amritsar came to be commemorated as Bandi Chhor Divas. The occasion is marked by special prayers, illumination and celebrations at the Golden Temple. It is also seen as a reminder that freedom has greater meaning when it is secured for others. Dhami urged the sangat to follow the teachings of Guru Hargobind Sahib and strengthen their association with Gurbani, selfless service and devotion. He said the occasion should be marked not only by illuminating surroundings but also by enlightening minds through Gurbani recitation and reflection on Sikh teachings. Meanwhile, acting Jathedar of the Akal Takht Kuldeep Singh Gargaj will deliver a message to the Sikh community from the Darshani Deori of the Golden Temple at 5 pm on November 8. Gurmat programmes dedicated to Bandi Chhor Divas are being held at Gurdwara Manji Sahib Diwan Hall and will continue till November 9. . BSF seizes 2 kg heroin near IB Row over closure of 5 police posts Measureslistedtomakevillagesspick-and-span Tribune News Service Tribune News Servic Amritsar, November 7 The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered over 2 kg of heroin in two separate seizures along the India-Pakistan border in the Lopoke area of Amritsar on November 6. In the first seizure, personnel of the 100 Battalion BSF’s ‘F’ Company recovered a packet containing 1.074 kg of suspected heroin from the border area falling under the jurisdiction of BOP Uttar Dhariwal. The contraband was detected using a drug detection kit and subsequently weighed after being separated from its packaging material. The heroin weighed 1.006 kg, while the packaging material weighed 68 gram. continued on page 2 Amritsar, November 7 The closure of five police posts in Amritsar Rural, reportedly due to staff shortage, has triggered a political controversy, with Congress working president and former Jandiala Guru MLA Sukhwinder Singh Danny Bandala questioning the state government’s priorities. Among the police posts that closed down include Sathiala and Tangra. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jandiala Guru, Baljit Singh said the police posts were closed because of staff shortage as many police officials had retired. Bandala on Saturday criticised the move, particularly the closure of a police post in the Jandiala Guru constituency, saying it would further weaken Pawan K Jaiswar ❝ The move will weaken the police presence in the rural belt. — Sukhwinder Singh ❞ Danny Bandala, MLA the police presence in the rural belt at a time when gangster activities, extortion threats and killings were causing concern. He said the government should have addressed the staff shortage by strengthening the police force instead of shutting down police posts. “People are not safe even in their homes. Gangsters are openly issuing extortion threats, traders are being targeted and incidents of murder are being reported. At such a time, closing police posts amounts to compromising public security,” he said. The Congress leader claimed that prominent businessmen in Jandiala Guru were shutting their establishments and leaving the town with their families due to the prevailing atmosphere of fear. He said police posts served as the first point of contact for residents in towns and villages and their closure could increase the distance between the police and the public, particularly during emergencies.Accusing the Aam Aadmi Party government of weakening the continued on page 2 c m y b Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 7 The administration has directed panchayats to ensure door-to-door garbage collection and segregation of waste in all villages of the district under the Solid Waste Management Project. At a meeting with sarpanches, Block Development and Panchayat Officers (BDPOs) and panchayat secretaries from various blocks, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Rural Development) Pallavi Mishra stressed the need to establish an effective village-level mechanism for waste collection and scientific disposal. She directed the officials to ensure adequate arrangements for door-to-door collection through waste collection carts and sensitise residents about keeping wet and dry Officials meet panchayat heads to discuss plans under the Solid Waste Management Project in Amritsar. waste separately. She also called for implementing a four-way segregation system, under which wet, dry, sanitary and hazardous domestic waste would be collected separately. The ADC said proper waste management was essential for maintaining cleanliness and ensuring a healthy environment in rural areas. She asked officials to organise special awareness campaigns to encourage residents to adopt proper waste segregation practices. Mishra also asked Resham Singh, coordinator of the RoundGlass Foundation, to organise solid waste management activities in as many villages as possible and work in coordination with gram panchayats to ensure effective implementation of the project at the grassroots level. The meeting was attended by sub-divisional engineers of the Water Supply and Sanitation Department, Block Resource Coordinators, Community Development Society representatives, sarpanches and panchayat secretaries.