Aseem Bassi

Sewadar’s thrashing: Month on, SGPC suspends 2 employees

A month after its employees allegedly thrashed a ‘sewadar’ (volunteer) brutally, the Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has suspended the accused employees.

Video: Congress MLA slaps Sewa Dal chief just before Captain Amarinder’s dharna

Congress MLA Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa slapped the Pathankot district chief of the party’s Sewa Dal (workers’ body), IS Gulati, just before the arrival of state unit chief Captain Amarinder Singh for the first dharna in a series of protests against the state government. The slap was followed by a scuffle among party men at the show-of-strength rally, which was attended by Amarinder’s arch rival, former state unit chief Partap Singh Bajwa too.

Sikh couple awaits 7-yr-old son lost to Pakistan

Wish to see him before I die: 32 yrs on, Sikh couple awaits son lost to Pakistan

For Nanak Singh’s parents, international boundaries do more than just separate countries. Sometimes, they gobble up loved ones.

5-yr-old Nanak strayed into Pak in 1984: Family still waiting for his return

Living just a-kilometre-and-a-half from the international border, this family is waiting to reunite with its eldest son who strayed into Pakistan 32 years ago.

Amidst tight security, Bluestar anniversary passes off peacefully

The 32nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar witnessed tension as radical groups raised pro-Khalistan slogans in front of the Akal Takht in Amritsar on Monday. In contrary to the last two years, no violence was seen this year.

Operation Bluestar anniversary on June 6, Amritsar a fortress

Three-tier security is in place to prevent trouble on the 32nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar on Monday. Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) is guarding against violence at the Golden Temple.

Resolve Sikh issues for closure, says Damdami Taksal head Dhumma

For the 400 men who have chosen to make the Damdami Taksal at Chowk Mehta their home, there is no authority beyond that of their head — the mukhi — Harnam Singh Dhumma.

Priest who didn’t give ‘siropa’ to Badal defies transfer order

Accusing the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) of transferring him under political pressure, ‘ardasia’ (priest) Balbir Singh, who on Friday denied a ‘siropa’ (saffron scarf of honour) to Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal at the Golden Temple, has said he’d resign but not leave the shrine.

Operation Bluestar anniv: CCTV cameras keep vigil in Amritsar

Taking no chances, the Amritsar police that already has around 8,000 security personnel keeping vigil in the run up to the Operation Bluestar anniversary has put the area around the Golden Temple under electronic surveillance.

Op Bluestar anniv: Paramilitary forces hold flag march in Amritsar

Aiming to infuse a sense of security among the people ahead of the anniversary of Operation Bluestar to be observed on June 6, paramilitary troops on Wednesday conducted flag march in various parts of the city.

Central forces take guard in Amritsar ahead of Operation Bluestar anniv

Paramilitary forces have been deployed in Amritsar ahead of the Operation Bluestar anniversary falling on June 6.

Amritsar cops clueless as crime goes up

Gang wars, firing incidents, murders, robberies, chain snatchings — it’s all happening in the holy city, while the police are left grappling with investigations. With such crimes happening almost every day, raising concerns about the safety of residents, the working of the city cops has also come under the scanner.

Panthic divide: Dhumma slams Akal Takht, says govt siding with Dhadrianwale

Snubbing the Akal Takht call to keep mum, Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma on Thursday accused the state government of favouring Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale

No-vehicle zone around Golden Temple: BJP comes out in traders’ support

The district administration’s move to make the area around the Golden Temple a no-vehicle zone has hit a political hurdle, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) senior leaders have come out in support of the agitating traders, and announced that if the barricades are not removed, party workers will uproot these.

Akal Takht to break ice between Dhumma, Dhadrianwale

Akal Takht jathedar says both the leaders will be contacted to diffuse the tension, asks them and their supporters to refrain from issuing statements

Dhumma admits to ‘Damdami Taksal hand’ in Dhadrianwale attack

Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhumma on Monday virtually admitted to Taksal supporters’ role in the May 17 attack on Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale near Ludhiana.

Now flight from Amritsar to Singapore in Rs 5,000

From Tuesday, the holy city gets a direct flight to Singapore after eight years, courtesy Scoot Air.

Amritsar admn firm on no-traffic zone in Golden Temple’s vicinity

Putting its foot down, the Amritsar district administration on Sunday decided to go ahead with its move to convert the road leading to the Golden Temple into a ‘no-traffic zone’, despite the recent tension it evoked among the shopkeepers.

10 pilgrims killed in road accident near Amritsar

Ten pilgrims were killed and seven injured when a vehicle they were travelling in rammed into a stationary truck on the Mehta-Amritsar road near Mattewal, 25km from Amritsar, in the wee hours of Sunday.

‘World’s largest’ single rooftop solar plant opened at Beas dera

Touted to be the biggest one of its kind in the world, an 11.5 MW rooftop solar energy plant was inaugurated on Tuesday by Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal at the Radha Soami sect headquarters at Beas, 45km from Amritsar, on Tuesday.

UP man returning from Pak nabbed with 4 pistols at Attari

Customs officials on Thursday seized four pistols and seven magazines being smuggled into India from Pakistan at the Attari border.

Innings with SAD is over, says former CPS Inderbir Bolaria

SAD MLA from Amritsar (South) Inderbir Bolaria, who was recently removed from the post of chief parliamentary secretary (CPS), on Friday said his innings with the Akali Dal is over and there are no chances of a patch-up in future.

Will not campaign in Punjab polls, says Navjot Singh Sidhu after RS oath

Finally breaking his long silence, newly nominated Rajya Sabha MP Navjot Singh Sidhu on Thursday ruled out any bonhomie with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), saying he would not campaign for the alliance in the next Punjab assembly polls.

After 23 years, Khalistani leader Bhullar gets 21-day parole

Former Khalistan Liberation Force militant and 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar was on Saturday released on parole after 23 years.

After Khera, Punjab govt okays Devinderpal Singh Bhullar’s parole

The Punjab government on Saturday approved the parole of 1993 Delhi bomb blast convict Devinderpal Singh Bhullar.

RS seat will keep my husband away from Punjab: Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu

Even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to nominate former MP Navjot Singh Sidhu to the Rajya Sabha, the cricketer-turned-politician’s wife doesn’t seem to be too happy with the move.

Don’t give schools f(r)ee hand, parents tell dy commissioner

Parents protesting against the exorbitant fee and other means being adopted by the schools to fleece them marched up to the office of deputy commissioner Varun Roojam, seeking his intervention and action against erring managments. Parents also staged protests outside a couple of schools.

Pakistan hands over Kirpal’s body, autopsy conducted

The body of Kirpal Singh, the Indian prisoner who died under mysterious circumstances in Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail, was brought to the Wagah border on Tuesday afternoon.

Admn sets July as deadline for wrapping up most Amritsar projects

The hardships city residents are facing due to the ongoing development works may end by July this year as the administration plans to wrap up the project by that time.