27042026-LT-01.qxd 4/27/2026 1:09 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune KATHUNANGAL FARMER BUILDS HI-TECH 1,000-LITRE DAIRY UNIT VARSITY ORGANISES ANTI-RABIES SESSION FOR PET OWNERS LEGENDARY PHOTOGRAPHER RAGHU RAI PASSES AWAY AT 83 Says those interested in dairy farming should begin on a small scale with a limited number of milch animals. P2 World Veterinary Day was celebrated with enthusiasm by GADVASU at the Multispecialty Veterinary Hospital. P2 He was the first recipient of Academy of Fine Arts Photography Award – William Klein – celebrating his career. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 41°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 42°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET MONDAY 6:57 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:43 AM MONDAY | 27 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA Over 20 sewer line works lying pending, same contractor allotted 26 ‘critical’ wards Asked officials of O&M wings to complete works soon or face action: MC chief Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 26 Even as several sewer desilting works across the city remain incomplete for years, the Municipal Corporation’s decision to allot 26 major ‘critical’ wards under a project worth Rs 38 crore to the same contractor has raised serious questions over accountability and monitoring of public works. Ground reports reveal that over 20 sewerage desilting works in different wards, earlier allotted to a private contractor, are still pending despite deadlines having lapsed two to three years ago. Instead of enforcing completion or initiating penal action, the civic body has again entrusted fresh high-value works to the same firm. In Ward 54 and 62, sewer works allotted about a year ago at a cost of Rs 46.99 lakh has seen only around 60 per cent completion so far. Similarly, in Ward 79, a project allotted on October 28, 2024, MC officials check inspect the sewer line desilting work in Ludhiana. FILE has progressed merely up to 30 per cent, with work moving at a snail’s pace. In Ward 86, a sewerage project allotted nearly a year ago with an estimated cost of Rs 49.45 lakh is still pending with little visible progress on the ground. Another set of works covering Ward 84, 85, 79 and 95, allotted around one-and-a-half years ago at a cost of approximately Rs 47 lakh, remains only 50 per cent complete. The situation is equally concerning on a stretch of the Tibba Road-Tajpur Road, where a sewer line project worth Rs Panel gives final chance to MC official to submit report in harassment case Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 26 Taking a serious view of delay, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission has given a final opportunity to an Assistant Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, to submit a report in a case related to the alleged caste-based discrimination and harassment of a woman employee. The commission noted that despite earlier directions, no report or status update has been filed so far. It has now directed the official to submit the report at least one week before the next date of hearing, fixed for July 3. The commission made it clear that if the report is not submitted within the stipulated time, the official concerned will have to appear in person and explain why action should not be initiated against him under Section 16 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. A copy of the order, along with the previous directions issued on December 19, 2025, has been sent to the Assistant Commissioner to ensure compliance. The complainant has also been informed. The case The matter pertains to a complaint filed in October 2025 by a woman employee of the Municipal Corporation. She had alleged caste-based dis- crimination, mental and physical harassment and threats of termination by certain officials. In her complaint, the woman stated that she was subjected to repeated harassment and inappropriate behaviour by some officials. She also claimed that other female employees were facing similar issues at the workplace. The allegations include denial of promotions, refusal of medical leave, forced overtime and threats of transfer or suspension. The complainant further alleged that some officials forced women employees to perform domestic chores at their residences, which she termed as illegal and unethical. 43.82 lakh allotted about a year ago has achieved only 20 per cent progress. Residents in these areas continue to face issues such as choked sewer lines, overflowing drains and unhygienic conditions. Adding to the concerns, four new sewer projects in Zone C, allotted just a few months ago, have not even been initiated so far. No groundwork or mobilisation has been observed at these sites, raising doubts over planning and execution. Civic experts and residents have questioned how a contractor who has failed to complete earlier assignments within stipulated timelines continues to secure fresh contracts. They pointed out that such delays not only escalate project costs but also lead to prolonged inconvenience for the public. “The repeated allotment of works without reviewing past performance reflects poor monitoring. There must be strict accountability and time-bound completion of projects,” said Amreek Singh, a city resident. However, MC Commissioner Neeru Katyal Gupta said: “I have directed officials of O&M wings to complete all pending works as soon as possible otherwise, strict action will be taken against the contractor”. Now, Ahmedgarh woman found dead in Brampton 29-year-old was found dead near her rented house Mahesh Sharma Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 26 Tragedy struck a family from Ahmedgarh, when it got information about the death of their only daughter Pratibha Gupta (29), settled in Brampton in Canada. On Thursday, a family from Manuke village of Ludhiana, now residing at Akalgarh Sudhar, had lost their daughter Anmoldeep Kaur in Canada under mysterious circumstances. A social activist, Rakesh Kumar Sharma, said Sanjiv Kumar Jindal and his wife Indu Jindal were yet to comprehend circumstances under which they lost their only daughter, who was sent to Canada by them for her brighter future. Apparently bearing no injury marks, her body was found lying near the stairway of the house, she was staying on rent. Though some members of the landlord’s family were in their house, the victim did not receive any help as the owner was in America. Several calls made by Pratibha’s parents on her number went unanswered after which they informed her employer who sought intervention of the CanadiPratibha Gupta an Police in the matter. Though the Canadian Police are yet to arrive at some conclusion, the aggrieved family said some police personnel had inquired about the routine of the victim. “Both Sanjiv and Indu Jindal were happy during the daytime on Saturday as Pratibha was in high spirits during a routine phone call, before she went to sleep. They became upset when their evening call went unanswered,” said Rakesh Sharma. Pratibha had moved to Canada on work permit over three years ago and was at present working with a private transport company in Brampton. An MSc in Mathematics, she was into teaching before shifting to Canada in search of greener pastures. Her mother is recollecting memories of about four months spent with Pratibha in Brampton last year when she returned after celebrating her daughter’s birthday in July. Both Sanjiv and Indu were planning to celebrate their daughter’s birthday with her this time but got the bad news. The family is facing double blow of losing the only daughter and daunting process of bringing her body back to Punjab. Pratibha was yet to receive Permanent Residency Status in Canada. The family was informed that the Brampton police had initiated a probe into the sequence of events leading to Pratibha’s death when she was alone at her home. The police were collecting footage of CCTV cameras and recording statements of eyewitnesses. The exact cause of death will be ascertained after the arrival of the autopsy report, the family was told. Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh Boparai said he had already initiated the process for seeking intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs in expediting the procedure for the repatriation of the body of the victim to Punjab. Bizman’s vehicle set on fire in Haibowal Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 26 Panic gripped Ludhiana’s Surjit Enclave near Sangam Palace late on the nigh intervening Saturday and Sunday when two unidentified men set a Hyundai Creta vehicle parked outside a house on fire. The entire incident was captured on a nearby CCTV camera, prompting the police to launch a probe. According to reports, the incident occurred around 3:49 am. CCTV footage clearly showed two miscreants riding a Honda Activa coming into the street. One of them sprinkles a flammable substance (petroleum) on the vehicle and sets it ablaze. The vehicle is engulfed in flames A CCTV grab shows a man setting the vehicle afire in Haibowal. and the suspects flee the scene. Family members came out after hearing noise. Hosiery businessman Sarthak Malhotra said the entire family was asleep at the time of the incident. A loud explosion was heard outside. When they came out, they saw their vehicle was engulfed in flames. “We mus- tered courage and began pouring water from buckets,” he said. After a lot of efforts, the fire was brought under control, otherwise it could have caused a major tragedy. Surprisingly, according to Sarthak, about six months ago, a similar attempt was made to vandalise his car. The businessman’s family is in a state of fear after the incident. Upon receiving information about the incident, police officials reached the scene. The police registered a case on the basis of victim’s complaint. CCTV footage was collected from all CCTV cameras in the area. The forensic team was called to trace the suspects. The police launched a probe to know whether the incident occurred due to some old rivalry or the act was done by some miscreants active in the area. ASI Sukhwinder Singh from the Jagatpuri police post said the incident occurred in the wee hours and the complainant suspects the role of a neighbour who committed the act due to some old rivalry. The police investigation was on and soon the case would be cracked. About five days ago, three bike-borne miscreants had allegedly vandalised a Maruti Suzuki Ritz car parked outside a house in Smart City Colony. They had come on a scooter without having registration number plate, smashed the vehicle’s windowpanes using some hard object and then fled the scene. The incident was also captured on a CCTV camera installed outside the house. It was the second incident occurred in the jurisdiction of the Jagatpuri police post (Haibowal police station) in six days. Global study at vet varsity focuses on role of History-sheeter Movish Bains carcass disposal sites in rabies transmission lands in police net with heroin Collaborative research project has been launched in partnership with University of Sydney Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 26 Stray dog-mediated rabies remains one of the country’s most pressing public health concerns, claiming thousands of lives each year despite being a preventable disease. In a bid to strengthen surveillance and control strategies, a collaborative research project has been launched at Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, in partnership with the University of Sydney, Australia. The study, initiated by PhD scholar Christine Hong, focuses on the role of carcass disposal sites in rabies transmission and seeks to determine whether these areas act as potential hotspots for the disease. Christine Hong explained her motivation for choosing India as the setting for her research, “Growing up in PhD scholar Christine Hong puts a camera trap on a tree for her project at GADVASU in Ludhiana. Australia, I learned that it is free from dog-mediated rabies but my parents came from countries where rabies is still present. That contrast stayed with me. When I learned that carcass disposal sites attract free-roaming dogs as a reliable food source, I realised these sites could be critical points for transmission. If even one rabid dog is present, the risk of spread increases significantly.” She added that India’s large population of free-roaming dogs makes even small improvements in surveillance potentially transformative. The project will employ camera traps to study dog behaviour and spatial patterns in six villages, three with carcass disposal sites and three without, by comparing activity levels, frequency of visits and behavioural interactions such as competition or aggression. The study aims to identify whether disposal sites concentrate dog populations and thereby heighten transmission risks. Christine noted: “If these sites consistently attract a large numbers of dogs, they could serve as targeted surveillance locations. Better management of carcass handling and restricting access may also reduce opportunities for transmission.” The research is being conducted under the guidance of Dr Balbir Singh, co-ordinator, research, GADVASU. He emphasised the importance of the study. “Rabies is always fatal once symptoms appear but it is entirely preventable. By generating scientific evidence on how waste disposal practices influence c m y b disease dynamics, we can design more effective vaccination campaigns and animal birth control programmes. The work will help policymakers focus resources where they are most needed.” he said. Vice-Chancellor Dr JPS Gill lauded the collaboration, stating: “The partnership highlights the importance of global cooperation in addressing zoonotic diseases. It reinforces the ‘One Health’ approach, which recognises that animal and human health are deeply interconnected. Findings will not only benefit the country but also contribute to global rabies control strategies.” As pilot fieldwork begins, the study underscores the need for both scientific evidence and community awareness. Rabies prevention depends on vigilant surveillance, timely treatment and public participation. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 26 The Ludhiana police arrested a history-sheeter, Movish Bains, ands seized 300 gm of heroin from his possession. The suspect, a resident of Daresi Ground, Kila Mohalla, was nabbed near Kadiyan village by the CIA2 wing of the police. ADCP (Crime) Amandeep Brar in a statement issued stated that acting on a tip-off, the police had laid a naka at a strategic place where the suspect was stopped for checking and during search, 300 gm of heroin was seized. Brar said the suspect was a habitual offender as eight FIRs were already registered against him in the past related to attempt to murder, Arms Act etc. Now, he was arrested in connection with a scuffle registered on March 26 at the Division Number 4 police station. Movish, along with his father Kuldeep Kumar, alias Vicky Bains, The suspect in police custody in Ludhiana. their aides Manav, Satnam Satta and others had assaulted a man and his two sons with baseball bats and pistol butts in Disco Colony. Police sources said Movish was believed to a member of Puneet Bains gang, which was involved in criminal activities, including violent clashes, firing incidents, drug trafficking and carjacking. Investigating official subinspector Mamta Minhas said Movish was being interrogated to bust the entire drug supply chain so that other big players involved in the racket could be identified and arrested.