02012026-LT-01.qxd 1/2/2026 1:03 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MC CHARTS BOLD ROADMAP FOR THE YEAR ‘PRIDE POINT’ NEW SYMBOL OF PAU CAMPUS IDENTITY THE RISE OF BOLLYWOOD'S ACTION QUEENS MC is planning to make 2026 a launch pad to transform city into a cleaner, smarter and more inclusive city. P2 PAU has added a striking new identity signifier to its campus map with unveiling of Pride Point. P3 High-octane stunts, raw grit & franchise power signal a new era of women taking charge of action in 2026. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 15°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.34 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:19 AM FRIDAY | 2 JANUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA Obtain fire safety NOC within 30 days or face hefty fine, sealing of building MC orders strict enforcement of norms, mandatory for all commercial establishments Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 1 Keeping in view safety of residents, Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal has ordered strict enforcement of the fire safety norms in the city, known as the industrial hub of the state. Citing the Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Act, 2012, residents have been directed to obtain fire safety/no objection certificate (NOC) from the fire authorities within 30 days, otherwise hefty fines would be imposed on defaulters and their buildings can also be sealed. The officials said it was mandatory for all buildings/institutions used for commercial purposes, including educational institutions and coaching centres, to obtain the fire safety NOC. Owners of industrial units should also make necessary fire safety arrangements and obtain fire safety NOC within the stipulated time period of 30 days. Hefty fines up to Rs 50,000 RESIDENTS CAN APPLY ONLINE The residents can apply for the NOC online and the fire brigade has been directed to assist them wherever required. For any kind of assistance, the residents can contact Assistant Divisional Fire Officer (ADFO) Jaswinder Singh (83600 32550) or sub-fire officer (SFO) Dinesh Kumar (98761 85858). The residents can also contact the fire brigade at email:fbludhiana101@gmail.c om. Hefty fines up to Rs 50,000 would be imposed against violators. <<< Fire being doused at a shop that caught fire at Badhaur House in Ludhiana. FILE would be imposed against violators and the authorities can also seal the building if the owner fails to obtain the NOC. For public convenience, the service for obtaining the fire safety certificate has been made available online through the portal https://fasttrack.punjab.go v.in/. Detailed instruc- tions, eligibility conditions and governmentprescribed fees for obtaining the certificate are available on the website. To ensure strict compliance with the Punjab Fire and Emergency Service Act, 2024, residents are directed to complete the required fire safety arrangements as per the National Building Code, 2016, and obtain fire safety NOC from the Fire Department, Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, within 30 days from now. As per orders issued by the Local Bodies Department in the past, coaching centres found violating the norms would also be liable to a fine of up to Rs 50,000 and the premises may also be sealed. Stating that it was important for residents to obtain the fire safety NOC as it is for their own safety too, the MC Commissioner appealed to residents to obtain NOCs within 30 days otherwise, the authorities would be forced to take strict action against violators. Robbery case suspect escapes from police custody Our Correspondent Ludhiana, January 1 The Ludhiana and Khanna police jointly launched a manhunt for a miscreant who had escaped from custody of the Jamalpur police when he was taken to Khanna for recovery of a stolen motorcycle on Thursday. The suspect, who was earlier booked in a robbery case at Jamalpur, has now been booked in another case at the Khanna City 2 police station. The suspect was identified as Santosh Kumar of Majri Mohalla, Khanna. ACP Inderjit Boparai said, police officials, led by ASI Palwinder Pal Singh, was taking Santosh to Khanna city for recovery of a motorcycle which was forcibly taken away by the suspect from its owner in the past. While returning when the police team stopped at a petrol pump in Khanna, the suspect jumped from the police vehicle and fled the scene. A chase by the police officials proved futile following which, the ASI lodged a complaint in this regard at the City 2 police station in Khanna. Youngsters celebrate New Year’s Eve at a shopping complex. Cops remain on toes across city on New Year’s Eve Mahesh Sharma Three brothers from city killed as vehicle hits bike in Hoshiarpur Our Correspondent Garhshankar, January 1 Three brothers lost their lives while their friend was seriously injured after their motorcycle was hit by an unidentified vehicle on the Garhshankar–Sri Anandpur Sahib road near village Boda in the early hours of the morning. The victims were on their way to pay obeisance at the Mata Naina Devi shrine in Himachal Pradesh to mark the New Year. According to the police, four youths were on a motorcycle when the accident occurred around 3.30 am under the jurisdiction of Garhshankar police station. The impact of the collision was severe, resulting in the death of Rinku (30), Dharmender (28) and Lakhwinder (15) on the spot. Their friend Anshu (16) sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, from where he was referred to a hospital in Ludhiana due to his critical condition. Rajesh Kumar, father of deceased Lakhwinder, said they were residents of Malhotra Colony, Ludhiana, and had left home on a motorcycle without a registration number to visit the shrine. “Rinku’s engagement talks had recently begun. Losing all three together has destroyed our family,” he said, breaking down. The grieving mother of the youths was inconsolable and unable to speak. On receiving information, Garhshankar police personnel reached the spot and shifted the injured youth to a hospital. The police took possession of the bodies and the damaged motorcycle and sent the bodies to the Civil Hospital, Garhshankar, for the post-mortem examination. SHO Gagandeep Singh Reduced visibility Were going to pay obeisance at Naina Devi temple, friend hurt The damaged motorcycle at the accident site; and (below) the grieving mother of the deceased. Motorists ride with headlights on amid dense fog on an elevated road in Ludhiana on Thursday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN SUICIDE BY BHUDAN FAMILY MEMBERS Bodies cremated after week, SIT to conduct investigation Mahesh Sharma Sekhon said the police were investigating the incident and efforts were on to identify the unknown vehicle and its driver. “Strict legal action will be taken once the vehicle involved is identified. After post-mortem, the bodies will be handed over to the family,” he said. The police suspect that the motorcycle may have been hit by a tipper as gravel was found scattered at the accident site. However, officials said the exact cause would be confirmed only after investigation. CCTV footages from nearby areas was being examined to trace the vehicle involved. Malerkotla, January 1 The administration heaved a sigh of relief as the bodies of 33-year-widow Inderpal Kaur of Bhudan village, her mother Hardeep Kaur and nineyear-old son Jordan Singh were cremated a week after they allegedly died by ‘suicide’ on December 24. Police officials, led by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, had been on their toes since the tragedy. A case was registered against 10 persons on the basis of a video that was recorded before the death of the victims. The police were in a tight spot as residents of the village had launched a protest to get the case against 10 suspects cancelled whereas kin of the deceased demanded immediate arrest of all of them. They have also demanded addition of murder charges to the case against the suspects. As two of the suspects, Bhola Singh of Bhudan and his son Sukhpal Singh, are office-bearers of the BKU (Ugrahan), senior functionaries of the union joined the protest with active support from BKU (Kadian), BKU (Sidhupur) and BKU (Krantikari). On the other hand, activists of another farmer union, led by BKU (Dakaunda) president Karamjit Singh of Rampur Channa, supported the kin and demanded to arrest all suspects, including Charanjit Kaur, mother-in-law of Inderpal Kaur. The Sandaur police booked the 10 persons on the basis of a video recorded by Inderpal Kaur before her alleged death by suicide and arrested three of the suspects but the kin of the deceased have been protesting continuously for the arrest of all suspects and addition of murder charges to the case. The kin accused the police c m y b of acting at the instance of the opposite group. However, persistent efforts by police officials, led by SP (D) Sat Pal Sharma and DSP Vikramjit Singh, bore fruit on Wednesday evening when the BKU (Dakaunda) leaders agreed to cremate the bodies, following which the last rites were conducted. The SSP appreciated the police for maintaining patience and persistence following the mysterious death of the three members of the family. “As prime facie it seemed to be a suicide case, we registered an FIR on the basis of a video recorded by one of the deceased. However, both complainants and the suspects have given contrary claims. We will get the case probed by constituting a special investigation team (SIT),” he said, adding that a free and fair investigation would be conducted to provide justice to the victims. Ludhiana, January 1 The police remained on toes making security arrangements at markets for the New Year celebrations on Wednesday. Kipps Market, Sarabha Nagar Market, Paragon Market, Ghumar Mandi, Chaura Bazaar, Kailash Nagar, Dandi Swami area, Gill Road, Bus Stand, Ferozepur Road and the Atam Park area were among significant spots where the police had to remain extra vigilant as these areas are visited by a large number of youths on special occasions. Advance declaration about deployment of extra forces at strategic points proved as a deterrent against hooliganism and eve-teasing at such spots. Traffic management remained a major issue for the police officials as an unprecedented number of vehicles, including luxury cars, reached venues where various events were held. However, the police had to invariably use mild force to disperse gatherings of youths shortly after midnight inside hotels and restaurants and on roads. No untoward incident was reported from any party of city or localities situated on the outskirts of the city. ADCP Karanvir Singh claimed that the New Year celebrations had passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from any part of the city. He appreciated that police officials posted at various strategic points had performed their duty diligently under the supervision of their seniors. Altercation, hot exchange of words and minor scuffles were not ruled out by the police. Residents give nod for compressed biogas plant at Mushkabad village Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 1 The New Year has brought much-needed respite to all stakeholders involved in the proposed compressed biogas plant (CBP) at a factory in Mushkabad village near Khanna. On Thursday, villagers agreed to give their nod to the CBP following sus, tained efforts by the state government and the district administration. Not only did they allow the factory owner to install the plant but they also held a Sukhmani Sahib path to extend their support. Talking to The Tribune, Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said it was certainly an achievement as all doubts of residents were cleared and they finally allowed the CBP to come up in the area. “The factory owner and the villagers held a path and now, the work would start soon. The biogas plant will come up in the next A path underway in support of the biogas plant in Ludhiana. few months,” he said. SDM, Samrala, Rajneesh Arora, said since 2023, the villagers and the person who had to install the plant were at loggerheads. “All NOCs were provided by departments to the factory owner and the state government also wanted the plant to start as it was beneficial for all. After forming a committee of experts from the PGI, AIIMS, IIT, PAU and other leading institutions, doubts of the residents were cleared. Now, since they are satisfied, the plant will come up at the same place,” he said. The CBP was proposed at a factory in a village, near Khanna, after the owner obtained clearances from major departments. However, on learning about the proposal, the villagers started objecting, fearing health hazards such as cancer, groundwater contamination from toxic chemicals and foul odours, if the plant was installed in the area. They continued on page 3