02042026-LT-01.qxd 4/2/2026 12:51 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune PANIC AFTER FIRE BREAKS OUT IN HOSIERY GODOWN FOUR INJURED IN GROUP CLASH AT KHERA VILLAGE The fire at the godown in the Punjab Bagh area on Tibba road was controlled within one hour. P2 Four persons belonging to two groups were injured during a clash at Khera village in Ludhiana district. P2 » » PRIYANKA CHOPRA OFFERS SEVA AT GOLDEN TEMPLE Actress made a sombre visit to Amritsar, offering prayers at Golden Temple as she remembered her father. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6:41 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:10 AM THURSDAY | 2 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA 2 parking contractors of civil hospitals held for running gang issuing fake dope test reports Minister Arora books first ticket at Halwara Airport Gave forged reports to about 30 applicants; fake stamps of officials, documents seized Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 1 The Khanna police claimed to have busted a gang involved in issuing fake dope test reports to applicants of arms licences and nabbed two persons. The suspects had issued forged reports to the applicants who applied for arms licences in Khanna, Jagraon police districts and the Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana. The police also recovered fake stamps of Senior Medical Officer, Khanna, other health officials and copies of Aadhaar cards, driving licences and other identity proofs of about 30 applicants APPLICANTS MAY FACE ACTION Police officials said applicants who availed arms licences by submitting fake dope test reports might face legal action. Even the licences may also face cancellation. to whom fake dope test reports were issued by forging signatures and stamps of health officials. Now, further investigation was launched by the police to check if all applicants to whom fake dope test reports were issued got their arms licence or not. The suspects were identified as Ramesh Kumar, alias Tony (55), a resident of Field Ganj, here, and Manchit Kumar (23) of Pirkhana Road, Khanna. Manchit, a BBA dropout, is having a parking contract at the Civil Hospital, Khanna, while his father runs a tea stall in the hospital. Tony is also having a parking contract at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. Manchit is the mastermind of the racket, who wants to have a luxury lifestyle by resorting to such illegal acts. SSP Khanna, Darpan , Ahluwalia, said on March 27, Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Khanna, in a written statement to the police said a gang was involved in issuing fake dope tests and certificates to arms licence applicants. Considering the seriousness of the matter, a case was registered. To investigate the racket and nab the suspects, a special team was formed. During the investigation, Ramesh Kumar was arrested on March 28. After his interrogation, Manchit Kumar was also arrested on March 30 and fake documents, certificates, Aadhaar cards, fake stamps, etc, were recovered from them. “Applicants who could not pass dope tests were primary targets of the gang while others on targets were addicts who hesitated in appearing for test and ready to pay any amount for availing fake reports. The suspects used to take Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 from the applicants depending on negotiations, “ Ahluwalia said. The SSP said so far role of any official of Khanna and Ludhiana Civil Hospitals was not found but if role of anybody comes, they would not be spared. Further interrogation of the suspects might give vital leads about other members of the gang. Ahluwalia claimed that besides issuing fake medical certificates to applicants of firearms licences, the suspects also provided forged medical certificates to two railway job aspirants. In further investigation, more arrests might be made in future. 2 brothers nabbed in illegal cracker unit explosion case Mahesh Sharma Raikot, April 1 The Jodhan police have arrested two brothers from Muzaffarnagar who were booked under the Explosives Act and BNS for allegedly undertaking manufacturing of firecrackers and stocking explo- sives in a hired building on the outskirts of Jodhan village. The suspects, Vajid and Sajid of Vaasi Kalan village of UP were booked after a mas, sive explosion took place on the premises of the building on Tuesday evening. Names of building owners can also be included in the case if their role in supporting the illegal activities is established, the police said. Kaif Shah (19) was killed in the explosion while a minor girl, Alisha, and an elderly person were injured. DSP Dakha Varinder Singh Khosa said police officials had undertaken a rescue opera- tion after receiving reports about the explosion. Help of NDRF and Army personnel was being taken for removing explosives from debris. Preliminary probe revealed that the suspects had hired members of four migrant families for the illegal activity of making crackers. c m y b It also revealed that a large number of families from Muzzafarnagar have been engaged in illegal manufacturing of crackers in parts of Malwa. Former MLA Tarsem Jodhan has urged the administration to conduct a search operation to rule out the possibility of functioning of similar units, if any. Operations will commence at Halwara Airport from May 15. FILE Ludhiana, April 1 In a landmark moment for Punjab’s industrial capital, Ludhiana is all set to take a major leap in regional connectivity as flight bookings from the Halwara Airport opened on Wednesday, with operations scheduled to commence from May 15. Two flights by Air India will initially connect Ludhiana with Delhi, marking the realisation of a long-cherished dream of over 30 years. Minister Sanjeev Arora, along with his wife, has booked the first flight from Delhi to Halwara, scheduled for May 15, symbolising both a personal and public milestone in this historic journey. As per sources in the airlines, the Delhi-Ludhiana-Delhi tickets are selling like hotcakes. Arora said under the lead- ership of AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state government played a pivotal role in reviving and expediting the long-pending project, ensuring that the vision of an operational airport near Ludhiana becomes a reality. The operationalisation of the Halwara Airport is expected to significantly boost trade, industry, tourism and ease of travel for residents and the business community. It will enhance connectivity for exporters, industrialists and entrepreneurs, further strengthening the city’s position as a key economic hub. Expressing gratitude, Arora acknowledged the support of all stakeholders, government agencies and industry leaders who contributed to bringing the project to fruition.— TNS Man dies of electrocution, one nabbed Raikot, April 1 The Sudhar police have initiated a probe into an FIR filed against a man and his son of Akalgarh village in Ludhiana for allegedly causing death of a resident of the Johlan Road, here, by negligence. They were identified as Rulda Singh and his son Balwinder Singh while the deceased was identified as 33-year-old Harpreet Singh, a bar bender. The victim had died following electrocution after an iron bar he was holding came in contact with a power line passing near the under-construction building, where the deceased was working on Tuesday. Balvir Kaur alleged that the suspects had prompted her son to work under an unsafe environment during the bar-bending work for laying a lintel at their house by telling him that the power supply had been temporarily disconnected by the Electricity Department. Harpreet succumbed to injuries while he was being taken to a multi-specialty hospital in Ludhiana on Tuesday evening. Kin of the deceased held a dharna, demanding to register a case against the owners of the house. Later, it was lifted after the police agreed to register a case. Sudhar SHO Gurdeep Singh said Balwinder was nabbed after registering an FIR against him and his father. — OC