Amritsar

Amritsar police arrested three individuals, seizing 2.02 kg of heroin, four pistols, and Rs 3.5 lakh. The cross-border smuggling ring used drones to import drugs and weapons from Pakistan. Two arrested individuals, having previously been in Malaysia, were linked to Pakistan-based smugglers.

The Indian Academy of Fine Arts commemorated SG Thakar Singh's 126th birth anniversary with a special exhibition of his art. The Amritsar gallery, established by IAFA, houses his works, including renowned pieces like 'Punjab Village Fair' and 'The Golden Temple of Amritsar.' Thakar Singh, a Padma Shri recipient, was celebrated for his realistic landscapes and portraits.

Heavy rains caused houses to collapse in Bhullar village, leaving widows homeless and vulnerable. The RMPI organized a meeting where leaders and residents blamed government indifference for the damage. They demanded compensation for the affected families and criticized the lack of relief efforts.

A bridge repair on the BRTS bypass near Verka Chowk was quickly completed, but another stretch near Vallah Sabzi Mandi suffers from large potholes. These cause severe traffic congestion, especially during peak hours, due to the impact of recent heavy rainfall. Roads citywide are damaged.

Former Punjab CM Channi criticized the AAP government's handling of the floods. Congress leaders, including Bhupesh Baghel, visited affected areas, accusing both state and central governments of insensitivity and withholding data. They are providing relief material, while Warring urged focusing on aid, not blame, initially.

Relief efforts for flood victims received significant support. The Service Club Amritsar, All-India Punjab National Bank Officers’ Association, and Punjab National Bank staff donated financially. The Jai Ho Club distributed essential items. The Vishwaas Foundation and Khalsa institutions provided supplies and funds. The Deputy Commissioner thanked the donors.

Ajnala and Ramdas flood relief efforts face challenges. The DC warns against hoarding relief supplies and urges verification of aid distribution. Concerns arise over unequal aid access, particularly in border villages. Excessive dry rations and alleged looting are also hampering efforts.

An alleged accomplice, Arashdeep Singh Arash, was arrested for the March murder of Jagdeep Maula. This followed the May arrest of Rahul Singh, who provided information leading to Arash's capture. Both suspects face charges including murder and extortion, and had criminal records.

Jagmohan Singh Raju, a former bureaucrat and BJP leader, requested a formal inquiry into alleged misconduct by IAS and IPS officers during BJP-led awareness camps in Punjab. He cited conduct rules requiring political neutrality and adherence to laws, seeking red entries for guilty officers and directions to prevent future interference.

The Gursharan Singh Memorial Trust will hold a scaled-down birth anniversary event on September 13 at his ancestral home in Ranjitpura, due to the recent Punjab floods. Discussions, revolutionary songs, and talks will commemorate his contributions to theatre and social movements. A separate state-level memorial is planned for September 27 in Barnala.

Congress’ Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel accuses the state government of withholding data on deaths, livestock losses and crop damage

The arrest was made possible by information given by the first assailant

Congress leaders protested in Punjab against the killing of party leader Gurmel Singh by gangsters. Led by PPCC president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, they criticized the state government for failing to protect citizens, claiming gangsters now control the state.

Animal Welfare and Care Services Charitable Trust joined Project Rabies Action Week to eliminate rabies in Amritsar. The initiative, led by Mission Rabies and WVS, focuses on vaccinating 40,000 dogs annually to achieve herd immunity and raise awareness. The campaign utilizes a tracking app for data and aims to demonstrate humane solutions to India's rabies problem.

Spring Dale schools in Amritsar organized a flood relief campaign on Teacher's Day. Students, teachers, and parents donated essential items like food, medicine, and clothing. Volunteers are distributing the relief material to affected families. The collection drive will continue for several days.

Instead of protesting, teachers in Punjab, under the Democratic Teachers' Front, focused on flood relief efforts. They donated funds and sent aid, including essential supplies, to affected families and animals in several districts, putting aside their grievances against the government.

MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla visited the flooded Bauli village near the Pakistan border, criticizing the AAP government's flood management. Residents reported no aid, widespread crop damage, and submerged homes for 12 days. Aujla promised relief supplies and appealed for more assistance.

An elderly couple, Ajit Singh and Lakhwinder Kaur, faces hardship after floods damaged their kutcha house roof. Local volunteers are rebuilding the roof while the couple struggles financially and awaits aid. They criticize politicians for only offering photo opportunities.

Ajnala district is providing immediate compensation to flood victims with completely damaged homes and those who lost family members. Relief efforts are underway, focusing on timely compensation, disease prevention, and distribution of essential items. Health teams are conducting surveys and hospitals are stocked with medicines.

A newly constructed house collapsed in Sahibjada Fateh Singh Nagar due to heavy rain, with the family absent at the time. Paramjit Kaur and her husband, Amarjit Singh, lost their home and savings, blaming the weather for the structural failure. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Clear skies after days of heavy rain offer hope to flood-affected areas like Ajnala and Ramdas. The break allows for crop loss assessment and faster delivery of aid, including food and medicine. Officials are monitoring for waterborne diseases and the possibility of more rain.

BSF arrested five smugglers in Amritsar within 24 hours. They seized 3.43 kg of heroin, a pistol, ammunition, and multiple mobile phones. Three suspects from Bhaini Dilawar and two from Dande and Attari villages were apprehended. Investigations into the smugglers' connections are ongoing.

Flooding in Punjab, especially near Amritsar, threatens historical sites. INTACH teams are assessing damage to structures like the Martyr's Well and Shravan Kumar's samad. Dilapidated British-era buildings and Ranjit Singh-era ponds are particularly vulnerable to the ongoing damage.

A 22-doctor team from AIIMS, New Delhi, arrives in Amritsar to aid flood victims in Ramdas, Ajnala, and Gurdaspur. They will set up medical camps, providing specialist care, medicines for 1,000 patients, and mental health support, coordinating with local organizations.

Several historical heritage structures in and around Amritsar can also be counted among the flood affected