Gun Violence Grips Amritsar as BRTS Project Faces High Court Scrutiny
Amritsar was shaken this week by multiple shooting incidents, including an attack on a police officer returning home from duty and the killing of popular LGBTQ influencer Mad Sandhu. Meanwhile, the Punjab High Court intervened to halt the government's plan to discontinue the city's Rs 600-crore Bus Rapid Transit System.
Punjab Police ASI Shot by Three Bike-Borne Men Near Amritsar Home
A Punjab police officer was shot by three unidentified bike-borne assailants in Amritsar while returning home from duty, according to India Today. The officer, an Assistant Sub-Inspector, was targeted near his residence in what authorities described as a deliberate attack. The incident drew immediate attention from senior police officials who launched a search for the perpetrators. Akali Dal and other opposition groups used the shooting to criticize the AAP-led Mann government's handling of public safety in Punjab, arguing that law enforcement personnel themselves were no longer safe on the streets. The state government came under pressure to explain why a uniformed officer could be attacked so openly in a major city like Amritsar. Security forces launched an investigation to identify and apprehend the assailants who fled after the shooting. The attack is particularly significant given that the officer's family had already faced tragedy, with a brother reportedly having been murdered earlier. The recurring violence in and around Amritsar has intensified calls for the government to take stronger action against gang-related crime and targeted killings in Punjab. The officer was treated for injuries sustained in the attack. [8]
🏢 Punjab High Court Halts Discontinuation of Amritsar's Rs 600-Crore BRTS Project
The Punjab government has put on hold its planned discontinuation of the Amritsar Bus Rapid Transit System following an intervention by the High Court, which sought detailed answers about the Rs 600-crore infrastructure project, according to The Tribune. The BRTS in Amritsar represents a substantial public investment, and its potential dismantling had raised serious questions about the return on that investment and the future of urban mobility in the city. The High Court's decision to seek government responses effectively paused any moves to wind down the system, at least until the judicial proceedings have run their course. The matter touches on broader questions of urban planning, public transport accountability, and how Punjab's civic authorities manage expensive infrastructure projects over the long term. Amritsar commuters who rely on the bus rapid transit system have watched the controversy unfold closely. Critics argued that discontinuing the BRTS without a clear replacement would be a waste of public funds and would leave residents worse off for urban connectivity. Others pointed to the operational challenges that had dogged the project since its inception. The Punjab government was required to furnish responses to the court's queries before any further steps on the project's future could be taken. [6]
LGBTQ Influencer and Makeup Artist Mad Sandhu Shot Dead in Amritsar
Popular social media influencer and makeup artist Mad Sandhu, known for their LGBTQ identity and significant online following, was shot dead in Amritsar, according to NDTV. The killing drew widespread attention both locally and across the country, with followers and members of the creative and LGBTQ community expressing grief over the loss of someone who had become a recognized and celebrated figure. Sandhu had built a following through their work as a skilled makeup artist and through their openness about their identity in a cultural context where such public visibility remains relatively uncommon. The circumstances of the killing prompted calls from community members and advocates for a thorough and impartial investigation by Amritsar authorities. The death brought into sharp focus the safety concerns and vulnerabilities faced by LGBTQ individuals in India, even those who have achieved a degree of public prominence. Members of the creative community in Amritsar and from across India took to social media to mourn Sandhu and demand accountability from law enforcement. Investigators in Amritsar were expected to work to establish the motive behind the killing and identify those responsible for what was widely mourned as the senseless loss of a vibrant and brave creative voice. [9]
Sources: [8] India Today · [6] The Tribune · [9] NDTV