29112024-ATR-01.qxd 11/28/2024 11:19 PM Page 1 c m y b Amritsar tribune FORECAST FOG MAX 24°C | MIN 09°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 09°C SOAR IN RIGHT DIRECTION, ACTOR PIYUSH TELLS YOUTH CAST OF FILM AGNI TALK ABOUT SACRIFICE OF FIREFIGHTERS AR RAHMAN PRAISES LATA MANGESHKAR AT IFFI His words set the tone for three-day literary festival, Kitab Utsav, a festival of stories, organised by LPU. P2 Actor Pratik Gandhi said they underwent extensive physical training with firefighters and talked to their families.P4 Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman honoured the legacy of Lata Mangeshkar in a memorial talk at IFFI. P4 » » » SUNSET FRIDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7.11 AM FRIDAY | 29 NOVEMBER 2024 | AMRITSAR ‘Start Namo Bharat Rapid Rail from city to Chandigarh’ Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 28 In a communiqué to the Union Railway Ministry, the Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) has urged it to start Namo Bharat Rapid Rail from Amritsar to Chandigarh and Jammu. Addressed to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, AVM patron Manmohan Singh Brar requested him to consider and give the approval for the introduction of Namo Bharat Rapid Rail services between Amritsar-Chandigarh and Amritsar-Jammu. These trains, being low-cost and fully air-conditioned, will provide excellent facilities to the common man, ensuring a travel with ease and comfort. Brar said such a service has already been introduced between Ahmedabad and Bhuj and has become an important mode of transport for residents and tourists of that region. Unfavourable weather conditions cause loss to pea cultivators in dist Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 28 After facing difficulties in selling their paddy and basmati, farmers are now troubled by low yield of pea crop as due to unfavourable weather conditions, the yield has fallen considerably. Vegetable cultivators stated that the input cost of pea crop is nearly ~30,000 per acre. Lakhbir Singh Nizampura, president of the Vegetable Growers’ Association, said, “Even as the current yield has no seeds in beans, farmers are earning ~15,000 per acre only.” He said farmers had earlier suffered ~25,000 per acre loss as they did not get a fair price of basmati crop. Many farmers in the district sow peas, potatoes and beans as a third crop between the harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat so as to supplement their income. However, this year, instead of supplementing their income, the third crop has further increased their losses. Farmers stated that usually during this time of the year, temperatures fall consider- Robber arrested after hot chase, encounter by cops Tribune Reporters Labourers harvest peas at a field in Pandhori village in Amritsar on Thursday. PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR ably and weather conditions become conducive for proper growth of pea crop. But this year, the temperature is comparatively high and has not been favourable for pea crop. Farmer leader Bhupinder Singh Tirathpura said, “Farmers are forced to destroy their pea fields as plucking peas requires labour and hence further increase in input cost.” He said early sown pea variety has been completely damaged by unfavourable weather conditions. Bhupinder Singh said the cultivation of crops depends on weather conditions. “We cannot complain about weather but if the government had ensured a fair price for basmati crop, the farmers could have been saved from falling into the debt trap,” he said. Tarn Taran, November 28 A robber escaping after snatching cash from a Harike resident was caught after a hot chase and encounter by the Tarn Taran police from the Harike-Patti road here on Thursday. Angrej Singh of Dinewal village suffered a bullet injury on his leg while his accomplice Gurbhej Singh managed to flee from the scene. According to the police, Angrej shot at a Home Guards jawan, Gursewak Singh, when he was trying to catch him. He had a narrow escape in the incident. The cop then fired at him in selfdefence leading to injury on his leg. He was admitted to the local government hospital for treatment under tight security arrangements. Tarn Taran SSP Abhimanyu Rana said Angrej Singh has several criminal PK Jaiswar Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 28 Mystery shrouds the death of Lakhbir Singh, a resident of Thariyewal village, falling under Majitha police station here. Though family members of the deceased accused his in-laws for the death, the police have registered a case of murder against unknown persons in this connection even as further probe is on. Jasbir Singh, brother of the deceased, told the police that Lakhbir Singh along with his wife Sawinder Kaur alias Sashi and children had gone to attend the marriage of a relative from his in-laws’ side at Jijeani village on November 26. He said that at night, Sawinder Kaur along with her brother Ravi, his friend Karan (son of Nikka) and Karan (son of Sarabit Singh) of Jijeani village dropped him home in a drunken state. They locked the doors from outside. He said after some time, Lakhbir Singh came out by jumping over the wall. He was shouting in a drunken state and insisted on going to Jijeani village. He said that out of concern, they called up Sawinder Kaur and asked whether he had reached there or not. He said she told him that he had reached there. Jasbir Singh said when they did not return home, he started asking for his brother. Later, they found his body near the government hospital road turn. He alleged that his in-laws had killed him and later dumped his body there. The police authorities said a case against unknown persons has been registered and the body handed over to the family after post-mortem. The autopsy report would ascertain the reason behind the death, he said, and added that further probe in the case was on. Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, who inaugurated a memorial dedicated to the martyrs of Battle of Saragarhi here on Thursday, said the history of the Battle of Saragarhi will be passed on to the next generation. “It will be assured that the proud history of Saragarhi and the 21 brave Sikhs will be taught in schools of Punjab,” he said, as he addressed a gathering that had former Army chief General JJ Singh, members of the The Saragarhi Foundation from Canada and other dignitaries. He said the battle of Saragarhi is considered one of the greatest last stands in the world and is an example of what a few men could do in the face of adversity, with only courage and belief. Established by the Saragarhi Foundation at the main entrance of the Amritsar at PHOTO: VISHAL KUMAR Mystery shrouds Memorial of Saragarhi martyrs inaugurated man’s death, kin to suspect in-laws’ BattleNewsbe taught in schools, says Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan Tribune Service being established at Brampton in Canada and it will be inauinvolvement Amritsar, November 28 gurated in the coming years. Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan and former Army chief Gen JJ Singh salute the Saragarhi memorial in Amritsar. Golden Gate, the memorial has names and portraits of the martyrs of Saragarhi etched in a memorial stone. Saragarhi Foundation chairman Dr Gurinder Pal Singh Joseon explained how since 1984, the organisation has been working to create memorials for the martyrs of Saragarhi and to promote them all over the world. Avtar Singh Minhas, from the Canada Chapter of the Foundation, said a memorial to the martyrs of Saragarhi is Mandeep Kaur Gill, the fifth generation heir of Havildar Ishar Singh, who led the battle from the front, was among THE dignitaries present to mark the day. Currently based in Canada, she said the family’s ancestral home in Ludhiana hosts a memorial service for Ishar Singh every year to mark the day. “A regiment of the Indian Army every year comes to our home for regimental salute as a tribute. We also host a tribute ceremony in Canada. We are in the process of creating a memorial wall in Brampton, Canada, for the Saragarhi martyrs for which we have also been given the approval by the Canadian armed forces. We would like to open it for the public, so more people from other communities also know about the sacrifices of these brave soldiers,” she said. SSP Abhimanyu Rana (centre) along with other police officials at the encounter site on the Harike-Patti road on Thursday. cases of robbery and under the Arms Act registered against him. He recently came out from jail on bail and started his nefarious activities again. Sharing details, Rana said Angrej Singh along with his accomplice Gurbhej Singh looted a customer from a petrol pump at Jeoneke village. They loot- ed ~10,000 cash from him at gunpoint though their bid to loot his car failed as he opposed their attempt. He fled the scene in a car. On getting information of the incident, the Harike police started chasing the car the driver of which took it towards the Patti side. The Harike police alerted Patti police personnel, who also came from the opposite side to catch them. He said on seeing the police parties from both sides, they turned the wheels towards a kutcha road leading to Pear gardens. He said the police immediately intercepted them. They came out of the car and started firing at the police. “Our Home Guard jawan Gursewak Singh caught Angrej, who fired at him with his pistol. He had a narrow escape and the police team started firing to stop him. A bullet hit Angrej’s leg and he fell down and was caught by the police,” said Rana, while adding that a search was being carried out to find Gurbhej in the dense Pear garden, but he managed to dodge the police and slipped away from the spot. SP (D) Ajay Raj said the police have registered two separate FIRs against Angrej and Gurbhej Singh. He said raids were on to arrest Gurbhej. Road repair, renovation begin in Amritsar North assembly segment Tribune News Service Amritsar, November 28 In a bid to improve the condition of roads and streets in Amritsar North assembly constituency, local MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh has got repair and patch work initiated in several areas. These roads have been in a state of disrepair and neglect by the Municipal Corporation for months. The condition of roads had been deplorable, with numerous areas like Ranjit Avenue, Akash Avenue, Green Avenue, Kashmir Avenue and Gopal Nagar, requiring immediate maintenance. The situation had become so dire that even walking had become a challenge in some localities. Residents of these areas complained to the MLA about the dangers posed by these roads, particularly for twowheeler riders who are prone to accidents. Taking cognisance of the situation, MLA North Kunwar Vijay Pratap Road repair work has begun on streets and roads ahead of the elections to the municipal corporation in Amritsar. Singh took up the matter with the authorities concerned to ensure that repair work commences immediately. The MLA emphasised the importance of regular maintenance, stating that if roads are not properly maintained, they will need to be recarpeted, resulting in significant financial losses for the government. He assured the public that the repair work will be completed soon. Dhaliwal inspects street lights at Malawali village residents threaten to boycott Golden Temple plaza, Galiara MC elections over shifting of polling booths Amritsar, November 28 Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal visited the Golden Temple plaza and Galiara to inspect the lights which were lying defunct here this evening. Dhaliwal had directed the Public Works Department to repair the defunct lights at the Golden Temple plaza within 48 hours. Cabinet Minister Dhaliwal claimed that the target was achieved this evening. During the gratitude visit of the newly appointed president Aman Arora and vice-president Sherry Kalsi of Aam Aadmi Party to Darbar Sahib on November 26, Dhaliwal noticed the darkness at the Golden Temple plaza and instructed the officials to turn on the lights within two days. After the minister took notice, PWD workers completed half of the work in 24 hours. Today, after turning on all the lights, Dhaliwal inspected the site and checked the Tribune News Service Cabinet Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal inspects the works done at the Golden Temple plaza in Amritsar on Thursday. quality of work. He emphasized that such negligence should not happen in the future and directed the officials to install additional lights where needed. Dhaliwal instructed all departments to regularly inspect public facilities and repair them immediately. He assured that the city’s potable water and sewer drainage issues would be resolved soon. MC Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, Executive Engineer Sandeep Singh, Executive Engineer (Public Works Department) Rajiv Sharma and other officials were present on the occasion. — TNS c m y b Amritsar, November 28 Perturbed over the shifting of polling booths from their village and discrepancies in electoral rolls for the upcoming Municipal Corporation elections, the residents of Malawali village here have threatened to boycott the elections. The residents stated that their village Malawali falls in ward number 2 of the Municipal Corporation. Earlier, two booths (208 and 209) were set up for polling of votes in villages Malawali and Tabowali, they stated. The residents alleged that for the upcoming elections, the booths have been shifted out of their village which would pose a problem for the elderly who may find it difficult to exercise their franchise. The residents further alleged that some votes from their booth have also been shifted to another ward to benefit a local Residents of Malawali village under the MC limits have written a letter to the Deputy Commissioner threatening boycott of the upcoming civic body elections in Amritsar. leader of the ruling party. Advocate Kuljeet Singh Malawali said, “The shifting of the booths to another place which is over two kilometers away and transfer of around 350 votes to another ward is a result of internal fighting in the ruling party.” However, the residents would have to pay the price for it as the village has been divided into two wards and after the elections, none of the councillors would be interested in the development of the village as a unit. Amarjit Singh Malawali from the village said, “Though our village was included in MC limits around three decades ago, it still has unpaved streets and problem in outflow of sewage and rainwater.” He said that they would boycott the elections and demanded that their village be converted into a panchayat. Another resident Sandeep Singh said, “The villages which have their own panchayats are better than our village. We are suffering since our village was added to the Municipal Corporation.” He said that they have also written to the Deputy Commissioner and other officials regarding their problem.