08042026-LT-01.qxd 4/8/2026 1:01 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune FRESH RAIN ADDS TO FARMERS’ WORRY Growers apprehend losses as rain, strong winds in the district have flattened wheat crop. P2 » SIGH OF RELIEF AS TRAFFIC WOES EASE IN SAHNEWAL SAVOUR ASIAN FLAVOURS BY INDIA JONES AT THE OBEROI Locals say SDM's orders banning entry of heavy vehicles from 7 am to 8 pm brought about change. P3 India Jones from Trident, Mumbai, is offering Asian flavours at The Oberoi Sukhvilas Resort & Spa. P4 » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 25°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.45 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:03 AM » WEDNESDAY | 8 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA War on drugs: 19 arrested in major police crackdown, ~1.37 lakh seized Drive focuses on four municipal wards as cops look to break supply chain Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 7 In a major crackdown on the drug menace under the ongoing ‘War on Drugs’ campaign, the Ludhiana police on Tuesday carried out a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) across several sensitive localities in the city. The operation aimed at dismantling the supply chain of narcotics in highinterest areas. The drive was concentrated on four municipal wards, specifically targeting Himmat Singh Nagar, Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Manohar Nagar and Jawahar Nagar. Demonstrating high-level operational readiness, a special task force comprising 200 police personnel executed the operation. Led by DCP (Investigation) Harpal Singh, it was monitored by nine gazetted officers of ADCP and ACP ranks. The force included 16 SHOs from various zones, along with teams from the crime wing and field units. CP Swapan Sharma and other cops during the search operation in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Multiple checkpoints were established at all entry and exit points of the targeted wards at 5 am to prevent the movement of contraband during the raids. Intensive Schoolgirl abducted, raped at cremation ground by neighbour Ludhiana, April 7 A man abducted and raped a schoolgirl at a crematorium in Sahibana village. The suspect threatened the student while she was on her way to school then took her to the cremation ground. The suspect is a neighbour of the girl. The police registered an FIR against him at the Jamalpur police station, on the basis of a complaint from the victim’s mother. The suspect was identified as Neeraj Kumar (35). The police registered a case and initiated probe into the matter. The victim’s mother told the police in her statement that her 14-year-old daughter left home on the morning of April 1 to go to school. When she reached a short distance from their neighbourhood, Neeraj, who stays nearby, stopped her. He threatened to kill her and forcibly took her on his motorcycle towards Ram Nagar. According to the complaint, the suspect took the girl on his motorcycle for a long time and pressured her to marry him. When she pleaded to return home, the man threatened to kill her and silenced her. Afterwards, the suspect took the girl to the cremation ground in Sahibana village where he raped her. After committing the crime, the suspect dropped her near her locality and fled the place. When the girl returned home after the incident, she was terrified. When her mother asked her, she tearfully recounted her ordeal. Her family informed the police and after five days of investigation, a case was registered against the man on the charges of kidnapping, rape and under the POCSO Act. — TNS search of suspected residential properties and hideouts were conducted between 6 am and 10 am, based on intelligence inputs. Briefing the media on the outcome of the operation, Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma reiterated the department’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against drugs. He said 19 suspects were apprehended during the drive. The police recovered 159 gm of heroin, 2 kg of ganja, 72 bottles of liquor and 75 intoxicating tablets. Additionally, Rs 1.37 lakh drug money and a Honda Activa scooter were seized. Preventive action was also initiated against four other persons involved in criminal activities. “Our objective is to break the drug supply chain and ensure a safe environment for our citizens. Operations such as CASO are not only about enforcement, they also serve as a stern warning that there is no room for illegal activities in the city,” Sharma said. He said the campaign would be further intensified in coming weeks. The Ludhiana police have appealed to the public to remain vigilant and share information regarding any suspicious activities through official helplines, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential. ISSUANCE OF FORGED DOPE TEST REPORTS 2 Khanna hospital employees summoned for questioning Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 7 After busting a major gang involved in issuing forged dope test reports to aspirants of licenced firearms, the ambit of the Khanna police probe has now been extended with summoning of staff of the Khanna Civil Hospital. Senior police officials have hinted that any official, if found involved, or their connivance is proved with the gang issuing forged reports, have to face legal action. The suspects arrested earlier were identified as Ramesh Kumar, alias Tony (55), a resident of Fieldganj, here, and Manchit Kumar (23), a resident of Pirkhana Road, Khanna. Manchit, a BBA dropout, owns a contract of parking at the Civil Hospital, Khanna, while his father runs a tea stall at the institution. Tony owns a parking contract at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. The police also recovered fake stamps of the Senior Medical Officer, Khanna, and other health officials and Aadhaar cards, driving licences and other identity documents of about 30 applicants to whom fake dope test reports were issued by forging signatures and stamps of officials. Interestingly, Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna, Darpan Ahluwalia, had hinted strict action against anyone found connived with the arrested suspects in issuing the forged dope reports. Even firearms holders who had obtained arms licence on forged reports might also be questioned and they also need to undergo dope test again. Police sources confirmed that a lab technician and his assistant working at the Civil Hospital, Khanna, had been summoned for questioning by the special team conducting investigation into the racket. It would be known only after thorough questioning whether the duo connived with the suspects or not in forging the dope test reports. DSP Khanna, Vinod Kumar, , said a lab technician and his assistant were summoned with records and the police would check their connivance, if any. The police would also check if any records of issued dope test certificates was tampered with. “It is too early to comment if any health official was involved in the racket. Let the probe completes first, the police will reveal the final outcome soon,” he said. FTL cylinders available at fuel stations for migrants Ludhiana, April 7 In a unique move to support migrant labourers, the Food Supply Department, in collaboration with the district administration, has decided to make 5-kg Free Trade LPG (FTL) cylinders available at selected petrol stations across the city. District Food and Supplies Controllers (DFSCs) convened a meeting with petrol pump owners, who pledged their full cooperation and agreed to maintain regular stocks of 5-kg FTL cylinders at designated outlets. DC Himanshu Jain said the step further addresses LPG availability challenges faced by migrants and provides muchneeded relief to them. — TNS Now, Arora refutes Bittu’s claims, says no change in flight schedule 10 booked for robbing family Day before, BJP leader had announced revised timings on social media Lovleen Bains Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 7 Again, a clash has emerged between Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Bittu and Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora, this time over Halwara Airport flight timings. On Monday, Bittu announced that flights from the Halwara airport had been rescheduled for the convenience of the public and that the timings had been changed. However, on Tuesday Arora refuted Bittu’s claims. He said no changes had been made to the timings and that the schedule remains the same, with flights continuing to depart from Halwara to Delhi in the morning. Meanwhile, residents of Ludhiana are facing difficul- The Halwara Airport in Ludhiana. FILE ties, as daily flight schedule changes cause confusion among them. The people are again asking questions whether the Airport Authority of India will operate flights from the airport or it’s merely a battle of politics for taking credit. “It is adding to the confusion. Flights have not even started but we hear about change in timings daily,” rued Pankaj Sharma, president, Association of Trade and Industrial Undertakings (ATIU). The old timings remain unchanged and flights would be operational from morning itself. Arora has urged political leaders not to add to the confusion for the public about change in timings as it would add to chaos and uncertainty. “Who are we to announce the change in timings, let Air India decides and as per it, there’s no change in timings,” he said. According to well-placed sources, the confusion over timings of flights caused due to some ‘technical glitch’ and information about change in timings was sent to those who had booked tickets. A spokesperson from the Ravneet Bittu’s office said the minister on Monday had put the changed flight schedule on social media as told to him by the authorities. Sahnewal, April 7 The house and shop of a resident of Inder Enclave at Jugiana village here was ransacked and its occupants were beaten up by around 10 masked miscreants recently. On March 22, the owner of the house, Nisar Ali, was sitting with his children and his tenants when the incident occurred. His shop is located adjoining the house. The miscreants fled after taking Rs 20,000 from the drawer of the owner’s adjoining shop, along with three boxes of cold drinks. A case has been registered against two identified and around eight unidentified persons on Monday. The masked men assaulted the occupants, vandalised property and took away Rs 20,000. Nisar Ali filed a complaint with the police, alleging that Statue of Major Bhupinder Singh returns at Bharat Nagar Chowk Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Major Bhupinder Singh’s statue at Bharat Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, April 7 At last efforts made by residents and members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) and intervention of the Army bore fruits as the statue of Major Bhupinder Singh, MVC, and the captured tank are back at Bharat Nagar Chowk. Further, the authorities are in the process of getting it installed in a proper manner. It marks an important step towards restoring the city’s heritage and honouring the memory of a national hero. Welcoming the move, members of the Public Action Committee (PAC) said the organisation acknowledges the constructive role played by residents, ex-servicemen and the media in bringing c m y b Authorities are in process of getting it installed in proper manner attention to the issue. “We also note that representations made by ex-servicemen to the Army authorities, including Northern Command, helped facilitate engagement with the civil administration and contributed to the outcome”, said Kapil Arora, Jaskirat Singh and Kuldeep Khaira of the PAC. The PAC, Mattewara, has also emphasised that the restoration work must be carried out with full dignity and in a manner befitting the sacrifice of Major Bhupinder Singh. The design, placement, lighting and mainte- nance of the memorial should ensure high visibility, safety and lasting respect. It is also important that the original name ‘Bharat Nagar Chowk’ is prominently restored. The existing damaged signage should be replaced with proper and uniform signage, with due use of Punjabi language in accordance with legal requirements and local cultural context. The statue was removed from the chowk when the overbridge had to be constructed but when it was completed, the insignia of a leading bicycle company was placed at the spot, to which people and social organisations had raised objections. Even the Army had to intervene to make a request to the district administration to reinstall the original statue at the place. All efforts brought positive results and the statue was placed again at the chowk on Tuesday. Justice done at last, says alma mater employee After years of apathy, at last justice had been done by the administration in placing again the Patton tank (of Pakistan) in Bharat Nagar Chowk, captured by Major Bhupinder Singh during the Indo-Pak war, which made the battle decisive in the nation’s favour. Alumnus of SCD Government College, Ludhiana, he graduated from there in 1947 after doing matriculation from Sultanpur Lodhi in 1943. The administration should also mention the fact at the site, said Brij Bhushan Goyal, organising secretary of the college. though the attackers were wearing masks, he was able to identify two persons, Manga of Giaspura and Sonu Pal of Jugiana. They attacked him, his 13-year-old nephew and tenant Sahib Hussain. The assailants also smashed two motorcycles and ransacked his shop. “According to the complainant, the motive behind the attack was some grudge. One of the suspects, Manga, had previously attempted to snatch a mobile phone from Nisar’s brother-in-law Aftab. Nasir had caught the suspect at that time. A case had been registered against around 10 suspects, eight unidentified, and search is on to nab them,” said investigating officer Gurmit. Man dies by suicide at village Ludhiana, April 7 A man dies by suicide by consuming some poisonous substance at Kothe Bagu village in Jagraon. The victim, Jwala Singh, was staying separately from his wife. Before taking the extreme step, he shared a post on social media blaming his wife and some individuals for his death. Jwala and the woman, who were in a relationship, got married three years ago. A settlement was reached between them through a panchayat due to marital discord three months ago. Later, they began staying separately. On Tuesday, Jwala reached outside his wife’s house and called her, saying that he was now setting her free. He consumed the poisonous substance. He died during treatment on Tuesday. — TNS