15102025-LT-01.qxd 10/15/2025 12:45 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune FOOD SAFETY TEAM CARRIES OUT INSPECTIONS IN DIST SEWAGE WOES CONTINUE IN AHMEDGARH MEET STARS WHO MADE IT FROM MOVIE SETS TO MUSIC CHARTS One establishment challaned for poor hygienic conditions, 19 samples sent for testing. P2 Non-linking of Maherna drain blamed for delay in inauguration of sewage treatment plant. P3 These Bollywood stars are striking the right chords, proving that true talent knows no bounds P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.52 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:25 AM WEDNESDAY | 15 OCTOBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Dengue cases surge: Urban areas worst hit, health teams mobilised Number of cases rose from 87 on Sept 24 to 190 so far Manav Mander Tribune News Service Man loses leg, arm after falling off moving train Tribune News Service Rise in mosquito breeding is likely due to waterlogging and changing viral patterns, says expert. PREVENTION TIPS HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. DENGUE FIGURES ■ Avoid water stagnation in containers, coolers and flower pots ■ Total cases this year so far ■ Always use mosquito nets and repellents ■ Health teams deployed ■ Go for medical check-ups if symptoms such as fever, rashes appear ■ Breeding inspectors in ■ Support local health teams during inspections and fogging drives ging and changing viral patterns,” said Dr Tarun Sabharwal, medicine expert. “Once temperatures drop, cases may decline but regular check-ups and preventive measures are essential,” he said. To combat the spread, the Health Department has launched an extensive vector-control campaign. Over 325 teams have been deployed across the district, including NGO-led units in urban zones. Of the 100 breeding inspectors appointed this year, more than 55 190 325 55+ urban areas have been assigned to densely populated city areas. Mayor Inderjeet Kaur urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with health teams. “We are doing everything possible to contain the outbreak. Public support is crucial,” she said. ASI dies as service weapon goes off accidentally Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 14 A tragic incident occurred on Monday night on platform number 1 of the Ludhiana railway station when a young man, Khaliulha, a resident of Bihar, fell under the moving train while trying to get off. He lost one leg and one arm in the mishap. The accident caused chaos and people informed the railway police and ambulance service. The injured youth was admitted to the Civil Hospital in a critical condition, where he is undergoing treatment. According to reports, the youth was supposed to get off at Ludhiana, but the train was scheduled to stop at the Dhandari station. In haste, he tried to get off the moving train when it slowed down. However, due to the increased speed, his foot slipped and he fell under the train, resulting in his severed leg and arms. The railway police said they received information about the incident at 9:30 am that a youth was hit by a train. Following which, they arrived at the scene and took the injured to the Civil Hospital, where he is at present undergoing treatment. The police also cautioned people that boarding or alighting from a moving train is dangerous. Passengers should avoid such risky steps. Canada-based bizman duped of ~2.42 crore, couple booked Nikhil Bhardwaj Ludhiana, October 14 A case of fraud has come to light where a person residing abroad was cheated on the pretext of exporting tractors, trollies and modified jeeps. The complainant, a Canadian businessman, informed the police that he had been defrauded of Rs 2.42 crore. Following a probe, the Sadar police have registered a case against Pankaj Bansal and his wife Ruchi Bansal on the charges of fraud, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy, based on the complaint of Roger Sharma. On April 28, while filing a complaint with senior police officials, Roger stated that the suspects, Pankaj Bansal and Ruchi Bansal, together committed a fraud and criminal breach of trust by not exporting the order to the complainant’s firm in Canada, which included 12 tractors, four modified jeeps and four trollies, thereby defrauding them of an amount of ?2.42 crore. Senior police officials investigated the case thoroughly for six months after the complaint and, following the investigation, issued orders to register a case against the suspects. ASI Sukhwinder Singh, said the police on Monday registered a case and further probe was launched. — TNS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 14 To manage the traffic rush in old city markets in the ongoing festive season, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jatin Bansal held a detailed meeting with shopkeepers at Chaura Bazaar and in other markets. Shopkeep- Barricades put up on stretch between Police Division 3 to Girja Ghar Chowk on a trial basis INDERJEET VERMA Ludhiana, October 14 Ludhiana is witnessing a sharp spike in dengue cases, with confirmed infections nearly doubling in over two weeks — raising alarm among health officials and residents alike. According to data from the Health Department, the number of dengue cases rose from 87 on September 24 to 190 till now, marking a substantial increase in over two weeks. On an average, nearly 10 new cases are being reported every day. This year’s tally has already surpassed last year’s count for the same period, when 115 cases were reported. At present, 11 patients are active. Urban pockets of Ludhiana are bearing the brunt of the outbreak. In September alone, 104 cases were reported, with 34 new cases added to the first nine days of October. Health officials attribute the surge to stagnant water from late monsoon rains and the possible emergence of new viral strains. “The increase in mosquito breeding is likely due to waterlog- Festive season: ACP meets traders to ease traffic snarls Ludhiana, October 14 Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) posted with the DIG, Ludhiana Range, died as his service revolver went off accidentally at the DIG’s residence on Tuesday morning. The policeman was cleaning the weapon when it went off and a bullet hit his head. The ASI could not survive and died on the spot due to severe injury. The deceased was identified as 50-year-old Tirath Singh. He was originally from Mullanpur Dakha, Ludhiana, and had been posted here as an ASI for about five years. On receiving information, Victim was cleaning revolver when it went off and a bullet hit his head the police arrived at the spot and investigated the matter. They also took custody of the body and sent the same for autopsy. The deceased had three children who stay in Canada. The police have informed his local relatives and the children. According to the police, Tirath Singh worked as a storekeeper at the DIG’s residence. He was on night duty. Around 3 am on Tuesday, he was cleaning the weapon when it went off accidentally. The bullet struck his head, causing his death on the spot. After getting information about the incident, senior police officers had also reached the spot. Assistant Commissioner of Police, Civil Lines, Guriqbal Singh, said the ASI had died due to accidental firing from the service weapon. Earlier, the police were suspecting that the victim might have died by suicide but later during the preliminary investigation, they found that accidental fire caused his death. Even the ASI’s colleagues told the police that accidental firing led to the death of the policeman. Minister’s swift intervention helps kin bid final goodbye to son killed in Canada crash Ludhiana, October 14 A grieving family from Ludhiana was able to bring home the remains of its 27-year-old son, Harnoor Singh, who tragically passed away in Canada, following the timely intervention of Punjab Cabinet Minister for NRI Affairs Sanjeev Arora. Harnoor, the son of prominent Ludhiana industrialist Gurcharan Singh, lost his life on October 6 in Oro-Medonte, Ontario, when his motorcycle was struck by a truck driven by an intoxicated driver. The family, devastated by the loss, faced significant challenges in navigating the repatriation process, which typically spans about two weeks. Seeking urgent support, the family reached out to the minister through Badish Jindal, president of the World MSME Forum, on the night of Octo- Victim, son of city bizman, lost his life on Oct 6 in Ontario, when his bike was struck by a truck driven by intoxicated driver ber 8, requesting expedited arrangements to bring Harnoor’s body back to India. Acting promptly, Arora wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), seeking urgent assistance. In his letter, the minister stated: “The bereaved family is devastated and in an acute state of sorrow following the tragedy. As the Minister of NRI Affairs, Punjab, I earnestly request your urgent and compassionate intervention to ensure the repatriation of the mortal remains of Harnoor Singh to India at the earliest.” The minister coordinated directly with the High Commission of India in Ottawa and the MEA to expedite the process. He also contacted officials overnight to ensure that the victim’s mortal remains could be returned to Ludhiana without further delay. After the request, the Indian Embassy in Canada coordinated with the Canadian authorities to expedite the process. The embassy requested the Canadian Government for a fast-track release and after the Government of Canada issued the death certificate, the body was cleared for transport. The minister said thanks to the swift coordination, Harnoor’s mortal remains were flown back to India and cremated in Ludhiana on Tuesday, allowing his family to perform the last rites as per Sikh tradition. — TNS c m y b ers offered full support to the ACP and agreed to abide by rules and regulations. Taking the initiative, the ACP along with traffic police , personnel, had also conducted a survey in old city markets to decide a strategy to man the traffic in the festive season. Talking about the initiative to control the festive rush, Bansal said: “From today onwards, a stretch between Police Division 3 to Girja Ghar chowk will be curtailed for the movement of fourwheelers, which usually become the cause of traffic bottlenecks. Barricading will be installed on the both sides of the stretch where traffic police will remain deployed ACP (Traffic) Jatin Bansal meets shopkeepers at Chaura Bazaar. and they will not allow big vehicles to enter the market during daytime. Only threewheelers will be allowed to enter the market during day time” adding that for the convenience of shopkeepers who had to get supply of goods through commercial vehicles barricading will be removed during night hours so that business of shopkeepers might not affect. “Barricading will remain intact for restricting the movement of four-wheelers from 11 am till late hours when footfall of vehicles usually remain high. We have already informed the shopkeepers that they must ensure delivery of goods in night hours or before 11 am everyday so that traffic rush can be managed in the markets. So far, it will be done on a trial basis and if successful, it will be implemented for the festive season,” Bansal said. About the people whose residences fall within the stretch between Police Division 3 chowk to the Girja Ghar chowk, their cars and other vehicles will be allowed to enter the market anytime of the day, he said. “Since the festive season is on, I will be in the field with my team for maximum time so that traffic can be managed. The traffic police are always in the service of city residents and they should also ensure compliance of traffic rules and directions for better traffic management,” the ACP added.