30102026-ATR-01.qxd 10/29/2026 11:11 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune KEY ACCUSED IN KHEMKARAN SHOOTING INCIDENT NABBED CITY FOOTBALLER MAKES IT BIG, REACHES BAKU FOR MEET City’s Pratham Kumar is representing India in the Under-15 FIFA World Cup at Baku in Azerbaijan. P3 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 27°C | MIN 14°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 18°C A LOOK AT PRIYANKA’S KARVA CHAUTH CELEBRATIONS IN US The police have arrested Manjit Singh Katta, the alleged prime accused in Wednesday’s shooting incident . P2 FORECAST Priyanka Chopra shared Instagram stories about Karva Chauth celebrations with her family in the US. P4 » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:36 AM » FRIDAY | 30 OCTOBER 2026 | AMRITSAR Cops seize cans of extra neutral alcohol; Haryana link under lens Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 Stepping up their checking drive amid Diwali festivities, the Amritsar rural police confiscated a huge quantity of extra neutral alcohol (ENA) used for manufacturing spurious liquor and arrested two persons in this connection. SSP Amritsar Rural, Kan, walpreet Singh Chahal said as the police had been putting up high-tech nakas to nail criminal elements, they intercepted a truck carrying bluecoloured plastic cans, later found to be ENA. A total of 3,080 lt of ENA filled in 88 plastic cans containing 35 lt each was seized from a truck (PB65 AU 3421) on Wednesday. The accused, Rajwinder Singh, alias, Raja and a juvenile, were on their way to the city from Jalalabad. The duo was paid Rs 4,000 per trip to Haryana. Chahal said preliminary investigation revealed that the ENA as smuggled from Karnal in Haryana. He added that the police had identified the prime accused as Jatinder Singh of Tanel village in the Mattewal area and his accomplice Raju of the Police Commissionerate area. Efforts were on to nab him, said the official, adding that Jatinder already had a couple of NDPS cases, apart from charges under the Excise ASI fumes over illegal construction in historic Ram Bagh, seeks swift action Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Police personnel brief the media in Amritsar on Thursday. PAST SEIZURES POINT TOWARDS PILFERAGE ■ ■ 2022, the police seize a tanker carrying 35,000 lt of extra neutral alcohol (ENA) near Banur. 2023, another investigation near Rajpura points towards suspected pilferage from tankers. ■ 2025, the police seize into the seizure of 6,000 lt of ENA 80,000 lt of extra neutral alcohol from two tankers in Bathinda. Act, against him. The accused had three cars and used to pilot the truck in order to avoid any police checking. A probe was on to identify those providing the ENA from Haryana, the police said. The seizure has once again brought the spotlight on the diversion of ENA into unauthorised supply chains in Punjab, where previous investigations have revealed alleged links between pilfered consignments and illicit liquor manufacturers. In 2020, around 121 persons lost their lives across Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Batala (Gurdaspur). The spurious liquor was allegedly manufactured from ENA, pilfered from the trucks in transit for industrial purpose. Several cops have also faced the music following the tragedy. In 2022, the police seized a tanker carrying 35,000 lt of ENA near Banur and investigated an alleged network involved in diverting alcohol during transit. The probe also brought to light a separate seizure of 2,000 lt near Khanna, with investigators suspecting that the consignment was intended for an Amritsar-based dealer allegedly involved in the manufacturing of illicit liquor. In 2023, another investigation into the seizure of 6,000 lt of ENA near Rajpura pointed towards suspected pilferage from tankers. Investigators suspected that alcohol was continued on page 2 Amritsar, October 29 The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has flagged alleged unauthorised construction and encroachment activities at the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in Company Bagh and sought police action against an Amritsar Improvement Trust official regarding the installation of a tubewell at the site. The custodian of the historic garden — Municipal Corporation — allowed construction of a new shed for illegal parking, a badminton court, a cricket ground, installation of a tubewell, a wrestling court, and a granite stone deck in the protected area. In a complaint on October 28, the ASI’s Amritsar subcircle has asked the SHO of the Civil Lines police station to register an FIR against Shamsher Singh Bhullar, Assistant Trust Engineer, Improvement Trust, C-Block, Ranjit Avenue, for installing a tubewell at Company Bagh without obtaining the required permission. The ASI has also requested the police to immediately stop the construction by deploying police personnel. It stated that the site fell within the protected area of the An unauthorised construction at the Summer Palace of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, Amritsar. VISHAL KUMAR CIVIC BODY, IMPROVEMENT TRUST NOT ACTING DUE TO POLITICAL PRESSURE: ASI ■ The Archaeological Survey of India has asked the MC and other authorities to take necessary steps to safeguard the historic complex. However, due to political pressure, the civic body is unable to remove the fresh encroachments. Summer Palace, a centrally protected Monument of National Importance. According to the complaint, construction within 100 m of a protected monument is prohibited, while activities in < the next 200 m require permission from the competent authority. The ASI said no valid permission had been obtained for the tubewell installation and described the activity as ■ As the elections are approaching, ■ The ASI said no valid permission local leaders of the ruling party often give the green signal to the MC and the AIT to facilitate encroachments in the park. In the past too, several people have been allowed to occupy parts of the garden had been obtained for the tubewell installation and described the activity as a violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and its subsequent amendments. a violation of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958, and its subsequent amendments. The complaint follows an earlier stop-work-cumremoval notice issued by the ASI on October 14 to the Municipal Commissioner, directing the civic body to stop unauthorised construction and remove structures and materials from the prohibited area. The earlier notice referred to the construction of a new shed for parking and excavation activities within the protected area. It directed the civic body to restore the site to its original condition without causing damage to the monument and warned that non-compliance could invite further legal action. However, the Municipal Corporation failed to remove Seizures, raids, a lot on police’s plate Punjab trapped in financial ruin, law & order gone for toss: Bajwa Eatery employee stabbed to death by coworker Let’s nip drug evil in the bud, SDM urges locals Pawan K Jaiswar Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 An employee of a restaurant was stabbed to death by a fellow employee over a minor dispute in the posh Ranjit Avenue area today. The deceased was identified as Angad. The accused, Sachin, a resident of Faizpura locality, was arrested within Amritsar, October 29 Sub-Divisional Magistrate Alka Kalia on Wednesday visited Maqboolpura and interacted with locals, appealing to them to stay away from drugs. Accompanied by police officials, the SDM said drug abuse was a serious social evil and that the cooperation of every section of society was essential to eradicate it. “The fight against drugs is not merely the responsibility of the administration; active public participation is equally important,” she stated. Kalia said the government was taking strict action against drug traffickers while providing free treatment to those affected. She added that the Punjab Police, under the Yudh Nashian Virudh drive, had made huge recoveries and Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 Lashing out at the AAP government in Punjab, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Thursday said the current dispensation had pushed the state to financial ruin. On the law and order front too, it had miserably failed, he added. Terming both the BJP and the AAP two sides of the same coin, Bajwa claimed that the two parties were working with each other to weaken the Congress by splitting its traditional vote bank. Addressing the media, he announced that the Congress would hold a massive “Insaf Rally” in Sangrur on November 4, with Rahul Gandhi scheduled to address workers and supporters around 11.30 am. Bajwa said Sangrur had been Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa (third from left) at a press conference. VISHAL KUMAR deliberately chosen as the venue as it was considered the political stronghold of the AAP . The rally, he added, would seek accountability from the ruling party for what he described as five years of unfulfilled promises and governance failures. He also questioned the action taken by central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation, against AAP leaders. Despite questioning ministers and officials, the BJP had not taken decisive action against the Seeking crop residue fix? Help a call away Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 Farmers now have a dedicated helpline to seek help on crop residue management without resorting to burning. Launched in association with Clean Air Punjab, AirCare Centre and Saanjh Punjab, the Sanjha Mittar Farmer Support Centre’s helpline can be reached at +91 79737 27514 (to be operational between 9 am and 5 pm in a few days). It aims at offering practical and accessible support to farmers, who often feel pressured to clear their fields quickly before sowing the next crop. With a narrow window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing, farmers frequently struggle to find affordable and effective ways to manage paddy straw. Limited access to appropriate machinery and a lack of timely information can make burning an easier option. The helpline seeks to bridge this gap by guiding farmers on modern crop residue management machinery, its availability and effective use. It will also educate them about the consequences of stubble burning, including its impact on soil fertility, human health continued on page 2 AAP leadership, Bajwa said. On the state’s financial position, Bajwa said Punjab’s debt had crossed Rs 4.72 lakh crore and could exceed Rs 5 lakh crore by the end of the present government’s tenure. He recalled that before coming to power, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised to curb corruption and revenue leak. He had also vowed to generate additional resources by checking illegal mining and help reduce the state’s debt. The Congress continued on page 2 the fresh encroachments even after the notice. In a separate letter dated October 28, the ASI also listed other unauthorised activities in Company Bagh, including a parking area, a badminton court, a cricket ground and the installation of a tubewell and granite stone. The locations mentioned included Zone 6, opposite the Amritsar Club and Leechi Park. The ASI has asked the Municipal Corporation and other authorities to take necessary steps to safeguard the historic complex. However, due to political pressure from the ruling party, the MC is unable to remove the fresh encroachments. As the elections are approaching, local leaders of the ruling party often give the green signal to the MC and the Amritsar Improvement Trust to facilitate encroachments in the park. In the past too, several people have been allowed to occupy parts of the garden under political patronage by creating personal enclosures, private sports grounds and sports clubs. The Municipal Corporation and the ASI, meanwhile, have largely remained confined to exchanging letters, with little effective action on the ground. Accused in police net two hours of the incident, said Assistant Commissioner of Police Gagandeep Singh. He said the Ranjit Avenue police received information that Angad and Sachin had a quarrel and the latter stabbed Angad with a kitchen knife. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital, where he died. A case is being registered. The cause of the dispute was being ascertained, the police said. All smiles 18.5 kg heroin, 50 kg charas, poppy husk destroyed Tribune News Service SDM Alka Kalia (third from left), along with officials, visits the Maqboolpura area in Amritsar on Thursday. arrested hundreds of drug peddlers and criminals during the past couple of years. The SDM urged the residents to encourage those struggling with drug addiction in their neighbourhood to seek treatment at a government health centre, while appealing to thepublictoimmediatelyinformtheadministrationor the police if they came across anyone involved in the illegal sale or trafficking of drugs so that timely action could be taken. Collective efforts were required for building a drugfree society, she emphasised. Amritsar, October 29 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police on Thursday destroyed narcotics seized in 138 cases registered under the NDPS Act. The contraband was destroyed through incineration method at Khanna Paper Mill under the supervision of the Drug Disposal Committee. The destroyed contraband included 18.5 kg of heroin, 50 kg of charas, 71.8 kg of poppy husk, 3.353 kg of intoxicating powder, 857 gm of smack, 2.17 kg of ganja and 198 gm of cannabis. Apart from this, the police also destroyed 15,831 intoxicant capsules, 3,955 continued on page 2 Police comb drug hotspot Narcotics, pistol seized Tribune News Service Women get clicked on Karva Chauth in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR c m y b Amritsar, October 29 The Amritsar Commissionerate Police conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Maqboolpura area, a drug hotspot, in the early hours of Thursday and rounded up 13 suspects for questioning. Ganja and tablets were recovered from one person, against whom action was being initiated, said Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Ravinder Pal Singh Sandhu. The DCP said Maqboolpura, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar and adjoining localities had been identified as drug hotspots. During the operation, police teams cordoned off the area and conducted systematic 2 HELD WITH HEROIN The police arrested two persons with 4.29 kg of heroin on the Harike bridge on Wednesday night. Prabhjit Singh, SHO, Harike police station, said the accused had been identified as Dev, a resident of Sri Muktsar Sahib and Lovepreet Singh from Faridkot district.The duo was produced before a local court, which sent them to police remand. searches at various locations. Suspected persons and places were checked as part of the drive to curb drug trafficking and strengthen law and order. The police also checked vehicles passing through the area and issued challans for traffic violations. Sandhu said the drive against drug smugglers would continue. Tribune News Service Amritsar, October 29 The BSF on Wednesday recovered over 11 kg of narcotics, including heroin, apart from a pistolandadamageddronealongthe International Border in two separate operations. The BSF handed over the seized drug consignments to the Gharinda police for the registration of an FIR and launched a probe to find out the intended recipients of the contraband. During the first crackdown, the BSF recovered 5.5 kg of intoxicating powder, a pistol and a damaged drone near the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari. Apart from the contraband, a Zigana pistol manufactured by Tisas, Türkiye, The seized contraband. and a damaged DJI Matrice 400 quadcopter drone were also recovered. A separate case under the NDPS Act, the Arms Act, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, has been registered. Meanwhile, over 5 kg of heroin was recovered from the Kahngarh border outpost area and a case registered.