19032026-LT-01.qxd 3/19/2026 12:49 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CONGRESS FLAGS BROKEN ROADS, GARBAGE WOES Congress leaders, led by Pawan Dewan, submit an MoU to MC chief Neeru Katyal Gupta. P2 » BJP DIST CHIEFS MEET TO STRATEGISE FOR ASSEMBLY POLL KUMAR BRINGS FLAVOURS OF RAJASTHANI CUISINE TO AMRITSAR BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh, national secretary OP Dhankar also attend meet. P2 Chef Kumar, who hails from Chomu, is a second generation specialist in traditional Rajasthani cuisine. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 23°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:26 AM THURSDAY | 19 MARCH 2026 | LUDHIANA NARROWING OF BUDDHA DARIYA, OTHER VIOLATIONS BY CIVIC BODY Produce revenue entries, map of Buddha Nullah: NGT to DC Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 18 Acting on the petition filed in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) regarding the narrowing of the Buddha Dariya and other glaring environmental violations by the Municipal Corporation (MC), Ludhiana, the Tribunal has directed the Deputy Commissioner (DC) to produce the original map of the place on record, revenue entries, along with the complete map of the Buddha Nullah disclosing its width at different places at regular intervals in the entire stretch under consideration. The next date of hearing in the case is April 20. The NGT orders stated that the DC would ensure that no illegal construction was made in the drain or its buffer zone. In the petition, complainants from the Public Action Committee (PAC) highlighted that the width of the drain was being reduced and to verify these claims, a joint committee was formed by the NGT. The committee, in its report on Jan 9, which was submitted before the Tribunal, strongly contested for failing to consider crucial aspects such as the revenue plan, actual on-site measurements and the legally Ensure no illegal construction made in the Buddha Dariya or its buffer zone, says NGT. FILE CONCRETISATION WILL HIT NATURAL VEGETATION: PAC Public Action Committee (PAC) activists Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Singh Khaira said concretisation of sides of a natural water body eliminates natural vegetation, which plays a critical role in filtration, groundwater recharge and ecological balance. It also violates binding directions of the NGT, which prohibit construction in river beds and buffer zones. mandated buffer zone of the natural water body. The activists, in a recent hearing in the NGT, alleged that the report was relying solely on statements of the corporation, including claims that construction of RCC retaining walls would prevent overflow — an assertion contrary to established environmental principles. They claimed that after examining photographs submitted by the activists, the court asked the DC regarding the retaining wall constructed above the ground level and within the Buddha Dariya, to which the counsel of the DC sought time to submit the reply. The activists, Kapil Arora and Kuldeep Singh Khaira, said concretisation of sides of a natural water body eliminates natural vegetation, which plays a critical role in filtration, groundwater Gearing up for Kisan Mela Man found murdered in Sidhwan Bet Preparations in full swing for the upcoming Kisan Mela at the PAU in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN Property dealer assaulted, robbed at wedding resort Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 18 A case of assault and robbery involving a property dealer during a wedding ceremony has come to light. The Sadar police have registered a case and initiated an investigation against a leader of a local religious organisation and his associates. The incident occurred late on Tuesday night at a wedding resort on Pakhowal Road, where a dispute turned violent. The police booked the leader of the religious body, Rohit Sahni, Rana Ahuja, Ashish Narang and around eight unidentified individuals following a complaint by Pankaj Verma, a resident of Shaheed Over 10 suspects flee after snatching his licensed pistol, gold kada Bhagat Singh Nagar. According to the complainant, who is into the real estate business, he had gone to attend a wedding of his friend’s daughter with family on Tuesday night. He alleged that at the entrance of the resort, Rohit stopped him and asked, if he knew him. When Verma declined, the suspect identified himself as a leader of a Hindu organisation and told him to come outside. But he ignored his remark. The victim alleged that around 1:30 am, when he recharge and ecological balance. It also violates binding directions of the NGT, which prohibit construction in river beds and buffer zones. The on-ground measurements conducted on February 27 by the applicants reveal a significant reduction in the width of the dariya at multiple locations. The evidence collected and submitted by the activists before the NGT indicated that the ongoing construction of the RCC walls and continuous dumping of earth within the river bed are narrowing the natural flow channel, increasing the risk of flooding and environmental degradation. went to the parking area, the suspect and his associates surrounded him. They threatened and warned him to not to show interest in a 500 sq yard plot on Pakhowal Road, as it was under their possession. When he protested, the suspects allegedly pinned him to the ground and beat him mercilessly. The complainant alleged that the suspects fled the scene after snatching his licensed pistol and a gold bangle (kada). A CCTV camera footage of the incident has surfaced on social media. Investigating official Harcharan Singh said while a case was registered, no arrest had been made so far. Investigation was on in the matter. Ludhiana, March 18 A man was found murdered at his house in Jandi village of Sidhwan Bet on Wednesday. He used to stay alone in the house. A sharp weapon was used in the crime. Since the suspects were yet to be identified, the Sidhwan Bet police registered a case of murder against unidentified persons. The deceased was identified as Harjinder Singh. DSP Jaswinder Singh Dhindsa said Harjinder was attacked on head with a sharp weapon by some unidentified persons who barged into his house. He was killed brutally and the reason behind the murder was yet to be ascertained. After the incident, the village sarpanch had informed the police. “The police had been conducting investigation from various angles and soon, the case will be solved,” the DSP said. Youth dies of suspected drug overdose A 22-year-old youth, Shinderpal Singh, allegedly died under mysterious circumstances along the Sutlej, near Parjian Biharipur village, under the jurisdiction of the Sidhwan Bet police station. It is learnt that the deceased, a resident of Parjian Kalan village, was earlier admitted to a drug de-addiction centre and about two weeks ago only, he returned home. On Tuesday, he left home without informing his family and after sometime his body was found on the banks of the Sutlej. He had reportedly gone to Sidhwan Bet to buy drugs. A syringe was also found near the body. SHO, Sidhwan Bet, inspector Hamraz Singh, did not answer calls made in this regard. — TNS c m y b Three booked for Man barges into house, abducting, bidto assaults 13-year-old girl Suspect ‘tries to strip murder minor girl at knifepoint’; family seeks arrest Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 18 A 17-year-old girl, who was visiting her maternal grandmother in Gaddowal village, Machhiwara, Ludhiana, was kidnapped and drugged by three men, who later attempted to murder her by throwing her into a canal. The police have registered a case against the suspects, who have been identified as Gaganpreet Singh, Paramjit Kaur and Sunny. In her statement to the police, the victim said on March 9, Gaganpreet called her and asked to meet him. When she reached the place, Gaganpreet and his companions forcibly dragged her into their car. They forced her to drink a cold beverage that was laced with an After drugging girl, they tried to throw her into canal intoxicant inside the car, after which she fell unconscious. When she regained consciousness, the suspects were preparing to throw her into a canal. She began screaming, due to which they put her back into the car and drove away. The victim said Gaganpreet touched her inappropriately and the suspects abandoned her by the roadside in an intoxicated state. ASI Jagjeevan Singh said a case had been registered against the suspects and raids were on to trace them.— TNS Ludhiana, March 18 A man entered a house, threatened a minor girl, assaulted her and attempted to strip her at Karnail Singh Nagar here. Two children were present at the scene during the incident. According to the victim’s father, when he reached the home around 4:30 pm, the door was locked from outside. Upon entering, he found his 13-year-old daughter and three-year-old son terrified. Blood was oozing out of the girl’s mouth. His daughter told him that a man entered the house, brandished a knife and demanded the girl to remove her pants. When she refused, the suspect brutally beat the victim. When she warned him that her father was about to reach the place, he fled the scene. The police identified the suspect as Mohammad Kalam, a resident of Dugri. Given the seriousness of the matter, the police registered a case and launched a manhunt to nab the suspect. Following the incident, panic gripped the area. The victim’s family has demanded immediate arrest of the suspect. Man alleges land grab attempt with fake papers Ludhiana, March 18 A man alleged that some persons tried to usurp his land worth crores of rupees by preparing fake documents. The complainant, Amarjit Singh, of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar submitted a complaint to Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma and an inquiry was marked. While addressing the media, he said he owns a land at Kanganwal village, which he bought in 2011. Some persons, against whom the complaint was lodged, prepared forged documents of his land and entered into a contract to sell it illegally. He said he had recently lodged a complaint with the CP and the latter had marked an inquiry to ADCP Karanvir Singh. Now, he hopes that the police would do an impartial probe into the complaint. Meanwhile, Balraj Singh, one of the suspects against whom allegations were levelled by Amarjit, also held a press conference on Wednesday and termed the allegations as false. “I had purchased 2 acres from Mela Singh in 1995. I further sold one acre of the land to 7 persons. I am an illiterate farmer. I was unaware that wrong ‘vasika’ (deed) number was entered in the records.” — TNS