17082026-ATR-01.qxd 16-08-2026 23:17 Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MC TO LAUNCH CLEANING SERVICE FOR INTERNAL ROADS BJP PROTESTS OVER CONGRESS ‘INSULTING’ VANDE MATARAM SUPERSTART RAJINIKANTH COMPLETES 51 YEARS IN CINEMA Around 45 km of roads will be cleaned daily, with each road being cleaned again after 6 days. P2 The BJP Yuva Morcha, Amritsar, sets effigies of leaders ablaze outside the Congress Bhawan at Hall Bazaar. P2 MAX 34°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 25°C Superstar Rajinikanth completes 51 years in cinema, marking the milestone on the sets of his upcoming film Dharman. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 7.12 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5.57 AM » MONDAY | 17 AUGUST 2026 | AMRITSAR I-Day celebrated with patriotic fervour in district Neeraj Bagga Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 16 The 80th Independence Day of the country was celebrated with enthusiasm and patriotic fervour here on Saturday. At the district-level Independence Day function held at Guru Nanak Stadium, Amritsar, Punjab Cabinet Minister for New and Renewable Energy Sources, Industries, Commerce and Investment Promotion Aman Arora unfurled the national flag. He also announced a holiday on August 17 and felicitated 300 persons from diverse fields for excellently discharging their duties. Meanwhile, the BSF did not exchange sweets with the Pakistan Rangers on the occasion of Independence Day today (Saturday). The tradition was discontinued after the Pahalgam terrorist strike against tourists on April 22, 2025. An impressive march past was presented, under the command of Parade Commander ACP Gagandeep Singh, by contingents of the Punjab Police, Punjab Women Police, Punjab Home Guards, NCC cadets, scouts and guides, along with band teams of the Punjab Police and school students at Guru Nanak Stadium. Students from various schools and colleges also presented impressive programmes depicting patriot- Two killed as car rams into truck-trailer Our Correspondent Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora addresses a gathering during the I-Day function at Guru Nanak Stadium; and (left) the minister distributes sewing machines among needy women in Amritsar. ism and Punjabi culture. Extending Independence Day greetings to the people of the district, he stated that people are living in a free country today because of the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and martyrs. He said that Punjabis had made the maximum sacrifices during the freedom struggle. Showing its commitment to the welfare of serving soldiers, families of martyrs and Labourer dies of electric shock Our Correspondent Tarn Taran, August 16 A farm labourer died of an electric shock at Manochahal Kalan village here on Saturday. The deceased has been identified as Parkash Singh, son of Tarlok Singh. The victim worked as a farm labourer with farmer Balkar Singh, son of Mohan Singh. On Saturday, as soon as he went to the fields to water them, he suffered an electric shock and died on the spot. A case has been registered in this regard. The postmortem examination of the body was conducted at the Civil Hospital here on Sunday. 1.31 kg drug, 3 pistols found hidden near Ravi Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 16 Acting on a tip-off, the Ramdass police recovered 1.31 kg of ICE (methamphetamine) and three illegal pistols from wild bushes near the Ravi river at Ghonewal village in the border belt here on Saturday. The recovery was made during a search operation after the police received information that narcotics and weapons had been concealed in a patch of elephant grass in the area. According to the police, the initial investigation has raised suspicion that the contraband and weapons may have been sent from Pakistan into Indian territory through a drone or another cross-border route. The police are now probing the possible supply chain and the persons who were to collect the consignment. Investigating officer SubInspector Sukhjinder Singh said the police received information on Saturday about narcotics and weapons being hidden near the Ravi in Ghonewal village. Acting on the input, a police team conducted a search of the identified area and recovered the consignment. The contraband and the weapons were recovered in the presence of Ghonewal The contraband in the custody of the police in Amritsar. POLICE INTENSIFY SURVEILLANCE ■ The police suspect that the consignment recovered from near the Ravi may have been smuggled from Pakistan through a drone ■ Following the seizure, police teams have intensified sarpanch Prithipal Singh. The consignment was wrapped in yellow plastic tape, which, according to the police, hints that it may have been smuggled from Pakistan through a drone. The recovery included 1.31 kg of ICE along with three pistols. The police said the intended recipients of the consignment would be established during the investigation. A case has been registered checking and surveillance in border villages to prevent the smuggling of narcotics ■ The Ramdas police have launched a probe to identify those involved in the suspected cross-border supply network against unidentified persons at the Ramdas police station. Police teams are working to identify those involved in the cross-border supply network and determine how the consignment reached the area. The police have also intensified surveillance and checking in adjoining border villages to identify suspicious movement and prevent further attempts to push narcotics and illegal weapons into the state. Remembering Madan Lal 9 health officials feted for outstanding work Dhingra on his martyrdom day Tribune News Service Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Tarn Taran, August 16 Two persons were killed on the spot in a road accident that took place in front of the District Courts Complex on the national highway here on Saturday night. The deceased were identified as Amolakpreet Singh (25), son of Dilbag Singh, a resident of Piddi, and his friend Sukhraj Singh (30), son of Resham Singh, a resident of Rure Assal. They were travelling in their car from Tarn Taran to Harike and rammed the rear of a truck-trailer parked on the roadside in front of the District Courts Complex. The car driver applied the brakes, but the vehicle got crushed under the truck-trailer. They died on the spot. Inspector Baljit Singh, SHO, Sadar police, said the police had registered a case. ex-servicemen, the government has increased the exgratia assistance for the next of kin of martyred soldiers from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Agniveers have also been brought under this financial assistance scheme. He said that the government had also made provision for providing financial assistance of Rs 1 crore each to the families of police personnel who sacrifice their lives in the service of the state and the country. The financial assistance provided to Dharmi Fauji was increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month. Aman Arora said that freedom fighters are a matter of pride for Punjab. The pension provided to freedom fighters of the state or their heirs has been increased from Rs 9,400 to Rs 11,000 per month. A provision of one per cent reservation has also been made for the heirs of freedom fighters in direct recruitment by the government. The foundation stone of a new Government Degree College costing Rs 15 crore was laid in Ajnala, a border subdivision here. Besides, a Government Polytechnic College is being constructed at Mallian village in the Jandiala Guru Assembly constituency, about 10 km from here, at a cost of Rs 15 crore. Arora honoured the families of freedom fighters, Veer Naris and individuals who had achieved excellence in various fields. On the occasion, the District Red Cross Society distributed tricycles, wheelchairs and sewing machines among needy persons. Amritsar, August 16 On August 17, 1909, when the gallows closed around the life of 25-year-old Madan Lal Dhingra in a London prison, an empire may have claimed to have silenced a young revolutionary. But his sacrifice travelled far beyond the walls of Pentonville Prison, becoming a lasting chapter in India’s struggle for freedom and a proud part of Amritsar’s history. Born in Amritsar on September 18, 1883, Dhingra grew up in a prosperous and influential family. His father, Dr Ditta Mal Dhingra, was a respected surgeon and a supporter of the British establishment. Yet, the young Madan Lal gradu- A memorial to Shaheed Madan Lal Dhingra ally developed a deep resentment towards colonial rule and the injustice suffered by Indians. After his education in Amritsar and Lahore, Dhin- gra went to England in 1906 to study mechanical engineering. The London he encountered, however, became more than a place of education. It brought him into contact with Indian nationalists and revolutionaries, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. His student life slowly gave way to a life of political conviction and sacrifice. On July 1, 1909, Dhingra shot Sir William Hutt Curzon Wyllie, a British official, at a gathering in London. Arrested immediately, he refused to retreat from his actions. During his trial, he maintained that he had acted out of patriotism and resistance to British rule. His calmness in the face of death stunned continued on page 2 Inspector Ravi Kumar among 34 cops honoured Tribune News Service Amritsar, August 16 A police officer associated with several major seizures of heroin and illegal weapons allegedly smuggled from Pakistan, Inspector Ravi Kumar has been recognised for his policing career spanning the border belt, narcotics operations and the fight against organised crime. The Anti-Gangster Staff in-charge was among 34 police personnel honoured during the district-level Independence Day celebrations in Amritsar by Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday. He has served as the SHO of the Ramdass and Khemkaran police stations, both located in the sensitive border belt of Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts, respectively. His postings brought him close to cases involving cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons. He also served as in-charge of Narcotics Wing, where he was involved in investigations and operations against drug trafficking networks. In recent years, teams associated with his postings have made substantial recoveries of heroin and illegal weapons allegedly smuggled into Punjab from across the International Border. Currently heading the continued on page 2 c m y b Amritsar, August 16 Nine officials and employees of the Health Department were honoured for their outstanding performance during the district-level Independence Day function, recognising their contribution to improving public health services in the district. The awards were presented by Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora at the Independence Day function held at Guru Nanak Stadium. The awardees included Senior Medical Officers Dr Jaspal Singh, Dr Mona Chatrath, Dr Rajiv Thakral, Dr Vineet Kaur and Dr Samia Kohli, along with Virender Randhawa, Poonam Saini, Fatehdeep Singh and Sandeep Kaur. Earlier, the Health Department had organised a flaghoisting ceremony at the Civil Surgeon’s Office under the Health officials who were honoured during the Independence Day celebrations in Amritsar. leadership of Civil Surgeon Dr Rashmi Vij. She paid tribute to the freedom fighters and remembered their sacrifices for the country’s independence. Addressing the officials and employees, Dr Vij called upon them to serve humanity with dedication and a strong sense of patriotism. She said that sincere and committed efforts by health workers were essential for strengthening public healthcare services and ensuring better facilities for people. Dr Vij congratulated the nine officials and employees who were honoured, saying their dedication and hard work served as an inspiration for the entire department. She encouraged all staff members to continue work- ing with the same honesty, commitment and sense of responsibility in the service of the public. Assistant Civil Surgeon Dr Rajinder Pal Kaur, DDHO Dr Jaganjot Kaur, District Health Officer Dr Manjit Singh Rattol, DMC Dr Sarabjit Singh, Senior Medical Officers Dr Rajnish Kumar continued on page 2