21112025-ATR-01.qxd 11/21/2025 12:09 AM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 24°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 9°C 4,000 TRAINED AS PART OF CPR AWARENESS DRIVE INTER-CKD SPORTS TOURNEY FINALS GET UNDERWAY VARUN BADOLA REUNITES WITH WIFE RAJESHWARI To strengthen community emergency response, a city hospital launched a CPR awareness drive. P2 The Chief Khalsa Diwan kicked off the finals of inter-CKD sports events in Amritsar. P2 Varun Badola has reunited with his wife, actress Rajeshwari Sachdev, for their latest web show CO-ED. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.04 AM » FRIDAY | 21 NOVEMBER 2025 | AMRITSAR CVO team visits MCoffice, scans 3-year record of illegal buildings Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 A five-member team from the office of the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of the Local Bodies Department visited the MC office to scrutinise records related to illegal constructions reported in the city over the past three years. The team also conducted field inspections and collected documents of 15 buildings from the Municipal Town Planning (MTP) Department. The Vigilance wing had reportedly handed over a list of around 125 suspected illegal buildings to the MTP Department after receiving multiple complaints. All complaint-based cases reported between 2022 and 2025 across the city’s five constituencies are now under review. The renewed scrutiny comes barely two weeks after a building inspector was reportedly suspended for allegedly ignoring a complaint related to an illegal structure. CVO teams had carried out a similar exercise around two years ago and have once again begun a detailed probe. Admn issues traffic advisory for Nagar Kirtan in city today Tribune News Service All complaint-based cases reported between 2022 and 2025 across the city’s five constituencies are now under review. Earlier in 2023, a CVO team from Chandigarh had visited the MTP Department and collected records linked to unauthorised constructions. Between January 2022 and now, 7,198 building plans have been approved in the city, of which 95 per cent are residential and five per cent commercial. Officials confirmed that 1,466 cases were flagged as irregular but later regularised after imposing additional penalties. On average, the MC receives about 3,000 residential building plan applications every year. Vigilance officer Sunil Sharma said the team has taken significant records and surveyed multiple sites, adding that the team may need to revisit the city as scrutiny will take time. MTP official Narinder Sharma said all required documents have been provided and full cooperation will continue. “Whatever record is asked for is being supplied without delay,” he stated. Officials did not disclose how many illegal buildings are currently under the scanner or what action may follow. Chheharta murder accused nabbed after police encounter Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 In a major breakthrough, the Amritsar Police Commissionerate arrested the main shooter and his associate involved in the murder of Varinder Singh, who was shot dead on Tuesday near the historic Gurdwara Chheharta Sahib here. With these arrests, the total number of accused held in the case has risen to four. Varinder Singh was returning home after dropping his children at school when two motorcycle-borne assailants fired at him, leaving him critically injured. He later succumbed to his injuries during treatment at a private hospital. A case under relevant sections of the BNS and the Arms Act was registered in this regard. Sharing details, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said during investigation, the police first arrested Gurlal Singh and his wife Paramjit Kaur. Acting swiftly on further leads, the police apprehended the main shooter, Jobanpreet Singh, GURU TEGH BAHADUR’S 350TH MARTYRDOM DAY ANNIVERSARY Police officials at the encounter site in Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR alias Joban, and his associate Sukhbir Singh, both aged 22 and residents of Batala in Gurdaspur district. Neither of them had any previous criminal record, confirmed the police. Bhullar said during interrogation, Jobanpreet disclosed the location where he had hidden the Austria-made Glock 9mm pistol used in the crime. He claimed the weapon was unloaded and agreed to get it recovered. However, upon reaching the spot, he suddenly grabbed the concealed pistol and fired at head constable Gurinder Singh, narrowly missing him. In self-defence, Lovepreet Singh, SHO, Chheharta, fired at the accused, injuring him in the right leg. The accused was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment. The Glock pistol was subsequently recovered from the site. Police investigation has revealed that the shooters were hired by the main accused, Nishan Singh, allegedly residing abroad, who lured them with the promise of facilitating their travel to Dubai. Nishan Singh, believed to be the key conspirator behind the murder, is the husband of Arshdeep Kaur. The couple had a marital dispute and Varinder Singh, the maternal uncle of Arshdeep Kaur, was pursuing the case. Varinder wanted the custody of the child. This was the root cause behind the murder, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigations) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu. Paramjit Kaur, who is sister of Nishan Singh, and her husband Gurlal Singh were the co-conspirators, the police alleged. Amritsar, November 20 The Nagar Kirtan being taken out by the Punjab Government on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur entered Amritsar around midnight and was received at the Golden Gate. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO welcomed it and the district administration officials were present at the grand welcome of the sangat. The Nagar Kirtan proceeded towards Sant Baba Bhuri Wala Dera in Tarn Taran via Gurdwara Shaheed Sahib via Ghee Mandi Chowk. As per the schedule, on Friday at 8 am, the Nagar Kirtan will depart from the dera of Sant Baba Bhuri Wala where the guard of honour will be given by the Punjab Police. After that, the Nagar Kirtan will reach Tarn Taran via the Liquor, meat, tobacco shops to stay closed Amritsar, November 20 In view of the functions marking the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the Punjab Government has ordered the closure of liquor, meat, fish, egg and tobacco shops along the designated Nagar Kirtan routes in Amritsar district on November 21. The instructions were issued following a communication from the Principal Secretary, Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh, which directed that the sentiments of Sikh devotees participating in the Nagar Kirtan must be respected. The Nagar Kirtans, which commenced from Anandpur Sahib, are scheduled to pass through various districts between November 20 and 22. ADC Rohit Gupta issued an order under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, and Section 54(1), Punjab Excise Act, 1914, enforcing a complete ban on the sale and consumption of liquor and restricting operation of shops selling eggs, meat, fish, paan, bidi, cigarettes, and tobaccobased products along the notified routes. — TNS Punjab Police personnel during the guard of honour as the Nagar Kirtan headed towards Amritsar. Gurdwara Shaheed SahibBhagtanwala Chowk-Hakima Wala Chowk-Khajana Gate and Jhabal route. In the wake of the procession, the district administration and the police have released traffic diversions for the day. Normal traffic on the route of the Nagar Kirtan will also be diverted. SP (Traffic) Amandeep Kaur said the Nagar Kirtan will move on the morning of November 21 and for the convenience of commuters, normal traffic coming on the route of the Nagar Kirtan will be diverted to other routes. She appealed to the general public to use other routes instead of these routes on the morning of November 21. The Nagar Kirtan is scheduled to enter the city around 9pm via the Golden Gate, leading from Mehta Chowk, and it will take the Ram Talai Chowk-Ghee Mandi-Gurdwara Shaheed Sahib route before reaching Dera Baba Bhuri Wale. From here, the Nagar Kirtan will proceed towrds Sri Shaheed Ganj Sahib Gilwali Gate, Hakima Gate, Khajana Gate, Jhabal Road, and Gurudwara Bir Baba Buddha Sahib on November 21 at 7 am. Cycle expedition dedicated to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom anniv concludes Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 A cycle expedition launched from Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib in Delhi culminated at Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal, the birthplace of Guru Tegh Bahadur, here on Thursday. The expedition was organised by former DSGMC president Manjit Singh GK to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. Upon its arrival in Amritsar, the expedition received a warm welcome at the Golden Gate from Golden Temple Head Granthi Giani Raghbir Singh, SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale and several other prominent personalities. Speaking on the occasion, the SGPC president said the purpose of the year-long martyrdom anniversary events was to spread global awareness about the unparalleled sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur. “Had Guru Sahib not embraced martyrdom, the SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami welcomes the cycle rally, which was organised in connection with Guru Tegh Bahadur’s martyrdom day anniversary, in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR country’s political, cultural and religious freedom would not have been the same,” he stated. He added that the Gurmat samagams, Nagar Kirtans and various processions held across India had served as powerful reminders of Guru Sahib’s teachings and principles. Giani Raghbir Singh said observing the anniversary gives the sangat an opportunity to reconnect with the his- tory of Guru Sahib and imbibe his invaluable teachings in daily life. Meanwhile, Baba Kashmir Singh Bhuriwale praised the noble message of the cycle expedition and urged the public to recognise its environmental significance. He stressed the need to adopt Guru Sahib’s principles to tackle rising pollution and encouraged people to plant more trees. Manjit Singh GK expressed gratitude to the SGPC president, various Sikh organisations and the sangat along the route for their wholehearted support and warm welcome. The yatra was also welcomed by representatives from Damdami Taksal, Baba Bidhi Chand Samparda, Budha Dal, Tarna Dal Baba, Bakala, and several other Sikh sects. GNDU urges UN to mark Oct 24 as ‘Moral Awareness Day’ Panic in Bhikhiwind Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 20 Guru Nanak Dev University has sent a proposal to the United Nations to dedicate its United Nations Day celebrated every year on October 24 to the universal moral legacy and human rights of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib. In this proposal, which has been forwarded by Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh, the university has proposed to celebrate United Nations Day as "Moral Awareness Day". Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh, in an official letter sent to the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, has proposed that Guru Tegh Bahadur not only protected Hinduism with his martyrdom, but also wrote a golden chapter of religious freedom and protection of ideas for the entire human race. “That is why, the university proposes to the UN that this day should be celebrated globally as “Moral Awareness Day” as a symbol of the thought of ‘the good of all’ to strengthen the global community,” states the letter. Guru Nanak Dev University is the first university in India to submit such a global proposal to the United Nations. The university has appointed Jaspreet Singh, Attorney at Law (New York) and Professor of Eminence, at GNDU as the authorised representative to convey the proposal directly and securely to the United Nations. The VC said that he GNDU VC Prof Karamjit Singh shows the proposal letter he has sent to the UN to declare October 24 as ‘Moral Awareness Day’. has been authorised to personally visit the UN Headquarters in New York to deposit copies of the proposal and the declara- c m y b tion with the Office of the Secretary-General and to maintain contact with relevant UN officials to take forward this important global initiative. The Amritsar declaration based on this ‘Moral Awareness Day’ was adopted with the consensus of more than 70 scholars during the national seminar on the martyrdom of ninth Sikh master, Guru Tegh Bahadur, organised by the university on November 11 and 12, which was formally read out and presented by Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjit Singh. The declaration adopts Guru Tegh Bahadur’s universal message to humanity, “Bhai kahu kau det nahi nahi bhai maanat aan” (meaning: ‘Do not frighten anyone and do not fear anyone’) as its central element. “The main objective of ‘Ethical Awareness Day’ is to protect human rights to freedom of belief and moral ideals at the global level, honour the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur for humanity, inspire countries to make ethical decisions and strengthen the principles of justice, equality and human dignity enshrined in the United Nations Constitution. This day will inspire the world to reflect on moral courage, compassion, peace and human values every year,” said VC Prof Karamjeet Singh. Considering its national and religious importance, Guru Nanak Dev University has also sent copies of this resolution and declaration to the chief constitutional officers of India. colony as two gangs exchange fire Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, November 20 A clash between two groups of gangsters at Chela Colony near the border town of Bhikhiwind on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday left residents terrorised. The confrontation, which continued for nearly an hour, created panic in the area. Despite the fact that the DSP Bhikhiwind office, equipped with round-theclock police security, is located close to the site, police failed to reach the spot dur- ing the incident. The gangsters, armed with pistols, sharp-edged weapons and sticks, challenged one another, opened fire, and managed to flee the area after the clash. Terrified residents remained inside their homes throughout the night. The Bhikhiwind police claimed that local youths have formed several gangs and that such clashes occur frequently in the colony. Many of these gang members are already booked in cases related to drug smuggling, extortion and violent crimes.