29072026-ATR-01.qxd 7/28/2026 10:54 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C ARTISTES BRING CLIMATE CHANGE EFFECTS TO FORE WATERLOGGING, POOR INFRA PLAGUE DEHRA SAHIB ‘CEREMONIAL’ — ARPITA MEHTA'S DEBUT COLLECTION ‘Tapash’ portrays the human impact of extreme heat through the lives of gig workers. P2 Dehra Sahib has been facing a number of civic problems, with residents alleging official apathy. P3 After creating one of the most talkedabout wedding looks, Arpita Mehta unveiled her debut couture. P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.34 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5:43 AM » WEDNESDAY | 29 JULY 2026 | AMRITSAR 650TH PARKASH PURB OF GURU RAVIDAS Maternal uncle held for 15-year-old girl’s murder Tribune News Service Officials say the initiative will help ensure a cleaner, greener and healthier environment for future generations. VISHAL KUMAR Admn on green mission, to plant 6.50L saplings Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 28 To mark the 650th Parkash Purb of Guru Ravidas, the administration has set a target of planting 6.50 lakh saplings across the district. As part of the campaign, various government departments have begun planting saplings at public places throughout the district. Linking the celebration with environment conservation, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said officials were hunting space at common village lands, shamlat lands, urban parks, government and private schools, colleges, government offices, Law & order has collapsed in state: BJP Neha Saini Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 28 As the BJP tasks itself with reassessing its connect with young voters post students’ protest in Delhi, the party’s Punjab leaders have been criticising the AAP government over what they deem ‘law and order lapse’ and security concerns. A day after unidentified men hurled petrol bomb at the BJP’s Sangrur office, its Amritsar unit, led by dsitrict president Salil Kapoor, has condemned the ‘complete destruction of law and order’ by the AAP-led state government. Addressing the media in Amritsar, Kapoor said first the BJP office in Chandigarh was attacked and then the one at Sangrur. This raises ‘serious questions on the governance and security issues’ in the state, he added. Kapoor demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators behind the attack. hospitals, roadsides and canal banks. He added that the objective of the campaign was not merely planting saplings but also ensuring their proper care, protection and growth. Appealing to school students, Gram Panchayats, social organisations, clubs and the general public to actively participate in the campaign, the Deputy Commissioner urged residents to plant at least one sapling each. “The initiative will not only translate the teachings of Guru Ravidas into meaningful action but also help ensure a cleaner, greener and healthier environment for Continued on page 2 Amritsar, July 28 The city police on Tuesday arrested the main accused in the murder of a 15-yearold girl from Jalandhar district. The incident dates back to July 15 when the accused had allegedly assaulted the victim at a house in Amritsar, the police said. DCP (Law and Order) Alam Vijay Singh said the accused, Vineet Kumar, alias Honey, of Roopnagar locality was the victim’s maternal uncle, adding that his accomplices Nannu, Malkeet Singh, alias Kitti, and an unidentified person were yet to be arrested. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had assaulted the victim on the suspicion of theft. Following the victim’s death, the accused allegedly attempted to destroy the evidence and intimidate her family. The DCP said the weapon with which the accused assaulted the victim had also been recovered. After the incident came to ASSAULTED ON JULY 15 ON THEFT SUSPICION ■ The incident dates back to July 15 when the accused brutally assaulted the victim at a house in Amritsar, the police said. ■ DCP (Law and Order) Alam Vijay Singh said the accused, Vineet Kumar, alias Honey, of Roopnagar locality was the victim’s maternal uncle, adding that his accomplices Nannu, Malkeet Singh, alias Kitti, and an unidentified person were yet to be arrested. ■ Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had assaulted the victim on the suspicion of theft. Following the victim’s death, the accused allegedly attempted to destroy the evidence and intimidate her family. The DCP said the weapon with which the accused assaulted the victim had also been recovered. light, a case under Sections 103 (murder), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention) of the BNS was registered at the Gate Hakima police station on July 15. The complaint was lodged by the victim’s elder brother, Sujal Sahota of Phillaur, who alleged that the victim’s maternal uncle, Vineet Kumar on July 15, asked him to bring the minor to his house to discuss an urgent matter. The complainant, along with his parents, sister and a family friend, travelled to Amritsar. While the parents and friend waited outside in a vehicle, the complainant and his sister went inside the accused’s house. Vineet then accused the girl of stealing gold earrings. When the brother denied the allegation, Vineet allegedly assaulted both siblings, forced the brother out of the room, and locked the door from inside. Vineet then allegedly called his brother Nannu, who too reportedly assaulted the minor. The complainant eventually broke into the room to allegedly find his sister lying unconscious. He alleged that after learning that the victim had died, the accused stuffed the body in a car’s boot and left for Jalandhar. On the way near Kartarpur, Malkeet and an unidentified person intercepted them, transferred the body to their vehicle, and forced Vineet’s wife to accompany them. The accused also threatened to kill the entire family if they approached the police. The family suspected that the murder was the fallout of the victim’s refusal to get into a relationship with Vineet. The latter also has an NDPS case registered against him. Author revives lost reading habit in screen-obsessed era NEWSMAKER OF THE WEEK Charanjit Singh Teja Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 28 In times when editors in publishing houses have almost failed to keep journals afloat, Punjabi writer Dr Gurbir Singh Brar has successfully managed to bring out the sixth issue of his literary magazine “Surat”. An acclaimed literary critic and head of the Punjabi department at Guru Nanak College, Batala, Dr Brar has authored eight books on literary criticism. He completed his PhD from Khalsa College, Amritsar, on the literature of the Ghadar Movement, with focus on the novels of Giani Kesar Singh. Dr Brar said Giani Kesar Singh wrote 28 novels, 18 of them based on the Ghadar Movement, which he considered among the most valuable literary sources for historians and researchers studying the revolutionary movement. Speaking about Surat Magzine, Dr Brar said the magazine’s first issue was released by Padma Shri Dr Residents grapple for space as footpaths encroached upon by sellers Manmeet Singh Gill Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 28 Illegal roadside parking and widespread encroachment of footpaths by shopkeepers displaying their merchandise has narrowed the city’s already limited walking space. The illegality has left pedestrians with no choice but to walk on busy roads, putting their lives at risk. In several busy markets, including Hall Bazaar, Putlighar, Majitha Road and areas around the Golden Temple, footpaths have virtually disappeared beneath goods placed outside shops, temporary stalls and illegally parked twowheelers and cars. With no dedicated space left for pedestrians, people, including schoolchildren, senior citizens and women, are compelled to walk alongside moving vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents. Residents said the problem had persisted despite repeated anti-encroachment drives by the Municipal Corporation. “Footpaths are meant for pedestrians, not as shops’ Tribune News Service Amritsar, July 28 The arrest of Jashandeep Kaur with 9 kg of heroin, allegedly smuggled from Pakistan, on Sunday has once again brought into focus the increasing involvement of women in cross-border drug trafficking. “The woman, who was arrested by the Gharinda police, is the daughter-inlaw of a notorious drug smuggler, Gurnam Singh,” said Amandeep Singh, SHO, Gharinda police station. While the reports of women allegedly having been involved in local street-level drug peddling in Punjab are not new, their alleged participation in cross-border smuggling operations is a relatively recent phenomenon that has increasingly come to the fore over the past two years. According to the police, Pakistan-backed drug syndicates are increasingly using women as couriers to store or transport narcotics consignments dropped by drones. Women are also allegedly being used to temporarily store the recovered heroin before it is handed over to the next link in the trafficking chain. The police Surjit Patar in April 2024. Ever since, the publication has continued uninterrupted, receiving encouraging support from readers and subscribers alike. He acknowledged that sourcing quality literary content had become challenging in an age dominated by mobile internet and social media, where readers’ attention spans are shrinking. Nevertheless, he said the editorial team worked extensively with leading Punjabi writers and literary scholars to ensure each issue Continued on page 2 Traders’ grievance redressal priority: DC Tribune News Service An encroached footpath in Farid Chowk, Amritsar. GOODS, TEMPORARY STRUCTURES ALONG ROADSIDES ■ In several busy markets, including Hall Bazaar, Putlighar, Majitha Road Goods put up along a footpath along the Link road in Amritsar. The illegality has left pedestrians with no choice but to walk on busy roads, putting their lives at risk. PHOTOS: VISHAL KUMAR extension. Every day, we are forced to risk our lives because there is simply no space left,” said Balkaran Singh, a resident. Another commuter Harbhajan Singh said, “Removing encroachments and illegal parking will not only make walking safer but will also ease traffic congestion in the city’s busiest markets.” Although the Municipal Corporation has periodically launched drives to clear encroachments from key roads, residents allege that the action remains temporary, with vendors and shopkeepers returning within days. They have demanded regular monitoring, strict penalties for repeat offenders and designated vending zones to prevent public spaces from being occupied again. Road safety advocates and areas around the Golden Temple, footpaths have virtually disappeared beneath goods placed outside shops, temporary stalls and illegally parked two-wheelers and cars. ■ Residents said the problem had persisted despite repeated antiencroachment drives by the Municipal Corporation. “Footpaths are meant for pedestrians, not as shops’ extension. Every day, we are forced to risk our lives because there is simply no space left,” said Balkaran Singh, a resident. believe reclaiming footpaths is essential for making the city pedestrian-friendly. With the holy city attracting thousands of tourists and devotees daily, residents demand ensuring unobstructed footpaths and curbing illegal roadside parking should become a civic priority rather than an occasional enforcement exercise. The situation had raised concerns over road safety, traffic congestion and the lack of sustained enforcement by the civic authorities, they added. Women’s role in cross-border drug smuggling comes to the fore Pawan K Jaiswar Dr Gurbir Singh Brar ARRESTS MADE SO FAR ■ In 2025, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested three women in separate cases linked to the cross-border drug smuggling. ■ In March 2025, the city police arrested Mandeep Kaur and recovered 5.2 kg of heroin while busting a cross-border drug trafficking module. In another major operation, Kuljit Kaur and Rajbir Kaur, both residents of Bharopal village, were arrested with 2 kg of heroin and 10 pistols, exposing the nexus between narcotics and illegal arms smuggling. believe smugglers perceive women are less likely to attract suspicion during transportation and storage of contraband. The trend has been evident in Amritsar over the past two years. In 2025, c m y b the Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested three women in separate cases linked to the cross-border drug smuggling. In March 2025, the city police arrested Mandeep Kaur and recovered 5.2 kg of heroin while busting a cross-border drug trafficking module. In another major operation, Kuljit Kaur and Rajbir Kaur, both residents of Bharopal village, were arrested with 2 kg of heroin and 10 pistols, exposing the nexus between narcotics and illegal arms smuggling. The trend continued in 2026. In April, the city Police arrested Jasbir Kaur, an alleged associate of notorious drug smuggler Ranjit Singh, alias Cheeta. Investigators say these arrests indicate a shift in the modus operandi of crossborder drug syndicates. Instead of relying solely on male operatives, traffickers are increasingly recruiting women to collect, transport and conceal consignments of heroin and, in some cases, illegal arms, making it more challenging for enforcement agencies to detect the networks. The latest seizure of 9 kg of heroin by the Amritsar Rural Police further underscores the evolving tactics adopted by Pakistan-backed narcotics smugglers operating along the border. Amritsar, July 28 Punjab State Traders Commission (PSTC) vice-chairman and Aam Aadmi Party trade wing president Anil Thakur on Tuesday directed district officials to ensure speedy disposal of pending complaints filed by traders and industrialists on the PSTC portal. Chairing a review meeting at the District Administrative Complex, Thakur reviewed department-wise pending complaints and asked officials to resolve them within the prescribed time. On this, Deputy Commissioner Dalwinderjit Singh said traders were the backbone of the state’s economy and resolving their grievances remains a priority for the administration. “Weekly review meetings are being held to monitor Continued on page 2 Man held for defaulting on excise payment Amritsar, July 28 The Excise Department on Tuesday arrested a resident of Rupowali Brahmana for defaulting on payment of outstanding excise revenue. A case under Section 69(1) of the Punjab Land Revenue Act, 1887, has been registered against Rakesh Kumar, alias Rakesh Bhanot. DS Cheema, Assistant Excise Commissioner, Excise Range, Amritsar, said the operation was led by Inderjeet Singh Sahijra, Excise Officer, Tarn Taran. Cheema warned of strict legal action against defaulters. — TNS