04102025-LT-01.qxd 10/3/2025 11:40 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune GUV INAUGURATES SENIOR CITIZENS HOME IN DORAHA POTTERS KEEP LEGACY ALIVE IN GHUMAR MANDI Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria inaugurated Heavenly Angels, a house for more than 300 orphans & senior citizens.P2 » PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 23°C ACTOR ADAM SANDLER REACTS TO OSCAR BUZZ Around 200 Kumhar families continue to practice their craft amidst city’s urban landscape. P3 FORECAST Sandler responded to buzz about a potential Oscar nomination for his role in Jay Kelly at the movie’s premiere. P4 » SUNSET SATURDAY 6.08 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6.22 AM » SATURDAY | 4 OCTOBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Youth drowned in Sutlej yet to be traced Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 A 22-year-old youth, who drowned in the Sutlej river near Ladhowal during idol immersion on Thursday, remained untraced on the second day. Though the police and youth’s family members, along with divers, continued the search operation today, failed to trace him. The police will resume the search operation on Saturday with the diving team. The youth was identified as Ankit (22), a resident of Puneet Nagar. He is the only brother of two sisters. Ankit’s sister said, “On Thursday morning, around 9.30 am, we all arrived at the Sutlej bridge to immerse an idol. My brother was at the front, carrying the idol. After placing it in the water, he went a little deeper and suddenly slipped. Due to the strong current, he began to drown. We raised an alarm and the people came running for help. Many tried to grab his hand, but he drowned. He has not been found since then.” Sub-inspector Gurshinder Kaur, Station House Officer, Ladhowal police station (SHO), said they received a complaint from the youth’s family. Divers were called at the spot and a search was still continuing to find youth, the SHO said. Eight hospitals get Transcutaneous Bilirubin meter for newborn care Ludhiana, October 3 Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain handed over state-of-the-art Transcutaneous Bilirubin (TcB) meters to eight government hospitals in the district, significantly enhancing neonatal care. The Sub-Divisional Hospitals (SDHs) in Samrala, Raikot, Jagraon, and Khanna, along with Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Sudhar and Sahnewal, and Urban Community Health Centres (UCHCs) in Vardhman and Jawaddi, will now use these advanced devices to screen newborns for jaundice. The TcB meter offers a non-invasive, pain-free method to measure bilirubin levels, enabling faster diagnosis of the disease and reducing discomfort for infants, while ensuring immediate treatment. Deputy Commissioner Jain expressed gratitude to IDBI Bank for sponsoring the initiative, highlighting the transformative impact of the equipment. “These TcB meters are a game-changer for the newborn care, ensuring accurate, painfree screenings and timely interventions,” the Deputy Commissioner said. Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur emphasised that the devices would elevate childcare standards across sub-divisional and other government hospitals in the district. “This technology will improve outcomes for newborns and support families by minimising invasive procedures,” the Civil Surgeon said. — TNS 20-year-old youth shot dead in Fauji Colony Old rivalry can be reason behind crime: Police Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 A 20-year-old youth was shot dead in front of his father at Fauji Colony in Sherpur Kalan last night. The alleged accused fired three to four rounds at the victim. During the attack, deceased’s uncle, who came to his rescue, was also attacked with a sharp weapon leaving him injured on the head. The incident occurred during a religious event. The deceased has been identified as Monu Kumar who ran a grocery store. He was originally from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. The motive behind murder is yet to be ascertained. A post-mortem of the body of the deceased will be conducted today. Monu’s maternal uncle, Guddu Kumar, said, “I was at the Jamalpur fair. During that time, I received a call from my nephew in which he said that an idol worship ceremony was taking place near his father’s shop in the Fauji Colony and I should come along. While I was on my way, I received a call that some youths had attacked my nephew during the idol worship. When I arrived, my nephew Monu was lying on the ground, covered in blood.” Guddu said when he tried to Monu Kumar. FILE PHOTO 4 MURDERS IN 11 DAYS Four murders have been reported in Ludhiana during the last 11 days. Eleven days ago, a young man was shot dead by bike-borne criminals in the Sahnewal area, while three murders took place yesterday. Of the four murders, three involved gunfire. Illegal weapons were used for committing the crime. intervene and asked assailants about the reason behind attack, they attacked him too with a sharp weapon, inflicted injuries on his head and fled from the spot. After that, Guddu brought Monu to the Civil Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. Guddu learnt that Pappu Kumar, Pawan and Saurav were present at the crime scene. It’s not yet known who fired shots at Monu. Around three to four shots were fired at the victim. Monu was shot in the stom- ach which led to his death, informed deceased’s uncle. Guddu said Monu used to run a grocery store at Makkar Colony in Giaspura. It’s not known whether he had any previous rivalry with assailants. Monu has two other brothers, Sonu and Deepak. His mother is a housewife and father owns a bicycle repair shop. Monu’s mother, Seema Devi, said her son had gone to the fair. A goddess idol was being worshipped near shop. She had told Monu to come to the shop to worship the idol. That’s when Pappu’s sons shot Monu. It has been alleged that assailants openly sell heroin in the area. The assailants, who fired shots at the victim, were from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. All of them possessed illegal weapons. Seema said Pappu mostly lived in Bihar and runs the entire racket from there. She demanded that the police should arrest killers of her son. Rupinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Police (City and Rural), said exact reason of Monu’s murder was yet to be ascertained. Preliminary investigation suggested that prior rivalry of the deceased with the assailants could be the cause of his murder, he said. The exact motive behind the crime would be found once the accused were arrested, he said. Sept AQI best in past 3 years Man booked for not returning acquaintance’s No crop residue burning case reported in Ludhiana district three cars Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 The Sadar police station have registered a case against a man who had taken three cars from his acquaintance for selling them in the market. Neither the accused sold cars nor did he return them to the complainant. The accused was identified as Jagdeep Singh, a resident of Basant Avenue. The complainant, Harinderpal Singh, told the police that he was acquainted with Jagdeep Singh. He had given his three cars —Tata Harrier bearing registration number PB-91-Q-0960, Maruti S-Cross bearing registration number PB-91-A-2296 and his friend Dr Sunil Bansal’s Mercedes bearing registration number CH01AW1211 — to the accused for selling around five months. He said the accused did not sell their cars nor returned them to him. Whenever complainant asked the accused for money or to return their cars, the latter threatened to kill him and his family. Sub-inspector Jagtar Singh, investigating officer, said after registering a case against the accused on the charges of cheating, criminal intimidation and criminal breach of trust, further investigation had been initiated into the matter. A farm labourer burns paddy stubble at a village outside Ludhiana district. FILE PHOTO Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 September turned out to be the cleanest in the past three years for Ludhiana district, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recording its best levels, thanks largely to frequent spells of rain. The average AQI in September 2025 stood at 60, compared to 81 in 2024 and 82 in 2023. Officials said the rainfall throughout the month helped keep pollution levels in check. Significantly, no case of stubble burning was reported from Ludhiana district this season, even as 95 incidents of crop residue burning were recorded in other parts of Punjab. However, the AQI levels have begun to rise with the changing weather. On October 2, the AQI touched ❝ We cannot compare a single day’s AQI with the previous year. A better picture emerges when we look at the month as a whole. Since September witnessed good rainfall, the AQI levels were naturally lower. ❞ RK Ratra, CHIEF ENGINEER 102, while till 4 pm today, it was recorded at 96. Experts cautioned that the AQI variations cannot be attributed to stubble burning alone. Chief Engineer RK Ratra told The Tribune that weather conditions, moisture levels, rainfall, cracker bursting during festivals, and stubble burning all contribute to the air quality. “We cannot compare a sin- gle day’s AQI with the previous year. A better picture emerges when we look at the month as a whole. Since September witnessed good rainfall, the AQI levels were naturally lower,” he explained. Amritpal Singh Chahal, Nodal Officer for stubble burning at the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) in Ludhiana, confirmed that while several cases of crop residue burning were reported from other districts, none surfaced in Ludhiana district. Environmental experts, however, stressed that stubble burning elsewhere could still affect Ludhiana district, depending on wind direction. “Festival celebrations like Dussehra and Diwali, along with industrial emissions, will push the AQI levels up in the coming weeks,” one expert pointed out. Man kills youth in Ram Nagar over No sale of syringes allowed without prescription ~50 pending haircut payment Our Correspondent Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 In yesterday’s murder of migrant youth identified as Himanshu at Ram Nagar locality, a minor dispute over Rs 50 of a previous haircut turned out to be the trigger point behind the crime. Accused Gulshan and Himanshu entered into a heated argument over pending payment. Later, enraged Gulshan shot Himanshu in the head with an unlicensed weapon. The accused was drug addict and also possessed an illegal weapon. In his statement to the police, complainant Ravi Kumar said Ritesh and Himanshu were his uncle’s sons. Ravi and Ritesh run a hairdressing shop, while Himanshu works in a factory. As Himanshu had a holiday on Dussehra, so he came to their shop for help. “Our neighbour, Gulshan, came at the shop and asked for a haircut. But Himanshu refused to give him a haircut. He asked the accused to pay him Rs 50 for his previous haircut. An argument ensued, and Gulshan retrieved a revolver from his home and shot at Himanshu, killing him instantly,” said Ravi. Ravi said when he came to the shop around 2.30 pm on Dussehra, Himanshu was sitting on a chair after which the incident happened. Himanshu kicked Gulshan out of the shop for not paying for the earlier haircut, said Ravi. Gulahan returned after sometime and the two began arguing again. During argument, Gulshan fired a shot at Himanshu. The first bullet passed near Himanshu’s ear, while the second struck him in the head. Gulshan was about to fire a third shot, but the bullet got jammed in the revolver’s chamber, otherwise it could have hit other people sitting in the shop. During investigation, the police found CCTV footage showing the accused entering the shop. A gunshot was heard in the video shortly after. Accused Gulshan is a Class IV employee of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA). The police sought his records from GLADA. Inspector Balwinder Kaur, SHO, Jamalpur police station, said a murder case was registered against accused and raids were on to arrest him. She said the victim’s body was handed over to family after an autopsy. Mandi Ahmedgarh, October 3 The Health Department authorities have been advised to ensure that chemist shop owners are not allowed to sell syringes and scheduled pharmaceutical medicines without a valid prescription of an authorised physician or practitioner. Instructions were given by Malerkotla Deputy Commissioner Viraj S Tidkey during the concluding session of the periodical meeting of district-level norco coordination committee. The administration, identifying drug abuse as a social crisis, besides being a law and order problem has also called upon members of social, constitutional and religious bodies to join hands with the government personnel in fight against the drug menace and Deputy Commissioner Viraj S Tidkey chairs a meeting of the district-level norco coordination committee in Mandi Ahmedgarh. rehabilitation of youths undergoing drug de-addiction treatment. “Drug addiction is entirely different from normal crime as it is a social crisis which can’t be resolved without coordinated efforts of all sections of society, besides the civil and police administration,” said Tidkey. He claimed that the Malerkotla district norco coordination committee had drafted a multi-dimensional plan to rope in social, constitutional and religious organisations for making the region drug free during the concluding phase of the ensuing Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign. Mandi Ahmedgarh and Malerkotla SDM Gurmit Bansal, Amargarh SDM Surinder Kaur and Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr Rishma Bhaura were advised to ensure that medical stores and other related establishments were inspected and raided to check violation of instructions regarding sale of scheduled drugs. No counter should be allowed to sell syringes without valid prescription of a physician, said Tidkey. DSP (D) Satish Kumar informed that the police under SSP Gagan Ajit Singh had arrested 24 drug peddlers after registering 13 cases under the NDPS Act during the month of September and recovered drugs and narcotics, including 323 gm heroin, 300 gm opium, 121.5 kg poppy husk, 320 habit forming capsules and tablets and four vehicles used in the crime. MC achieves all-time high recovery of property tax Do not occupy road beyond yellow Over ~123.39 crore dues recovered from owners till September 30 this year line: Officials to shopkeepers Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 3 The Municipal Corporation (MC), Ludhiana, has achieved an all-time high recovery of property tax till September 30 this year (current 2025-26 fiscal). The civic body recovered over Rs 123.39 crore as property tax till September 30, 2025. This is a record high recovery of property tax till September 30 in any financial year. Last year (2024-25 fiscal), the civic body had recovered Rs 112.94 crore under the head of property tax till September 30, 2024. Mayor Inderjit Kaur and MC Commissioner Aaditya The office of the Municipal Corporation in Ludhiana. FILE PHOTO Dachalwal appreciated the staff of all the four zones of the civic body for record breaking recovery of tax. Under the leadership of Mayor and MC Commission- er, a number of initiatives were taken to expedite the recovery of property tax including sending bulk messages on mobile phones of owners and organising c m y b camps to facilitate residents deposit their pending dues. Officials of the property tax wing concerned have been directed to continue working hard for the recovery of remaining dues from residents. The officials said these funds were utilised for providing basic amenities to residents and for taking up development works in the city known as the industrial hub of the state. The civic body officials said residents would not get any rebate on payment of property tax for the current financial year from now onwards, but they could still deposit their dues without any penalty till December 31. Initiative aims at managing traffic during festival season Ludhiana, October 3 With an aim to manage traffic in markets situated in the old city areas, Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar, along with senior officials of Municipal Corporation (MC) and the traffic police, held a meeting with members of the market associations of Chaura Bazaar and a few other nearby markets. MC Joint Commissioner Vineet Kumar, Assistant Commissioner Gurpal Singh, ACP (Traffic) Jatin Bansal, officials of the civic body’s Tehbazari wing and the traffic police were present at the meeting which was held at the MC Zone A office near Mata Rani Chowk recently. The officials said, “Heavy rush is witnessed in the old city areas during the festival season. It’s important to manage vehicular movement, otherwise heavy traffic snarls are witnessed in these areas.” During the meeting, officials and market associations took unanimous decision to allow only one way traffic in Chaura Bazaar. Further, members of market associations were directed to ensure that shopkeepers and vendors do not occupy the road portion beyond the yellow line. Wherever possible, volunteers/ mar- shals should be deployed to manage the traffic, officials said. Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar said similar directions were issued to the market associations of Field Ganj and Shahpur Road among other markets in the old city areas. Prashar said the MC does not want to take action against any shopkeeper/vendor during the festival season. He said action would be taken in case there was any hindrance in smooth movement of the traffic. He said avoiding encroachments would improve footfall in the markets as ample parking space would be available for visitors. — TNS