17052026-LT-01.qxd 5/17/2026 12:43 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HEALTH DEPARTMENT SEIZES FOOD SUPPLEMENTS THREE HELD FOR SETTING PARKED VEHICLE ON FIRE Samples collected from establishments across district sent for testing during raids by food safety team. P2 HUMA BRINGS BANARASI SAREE TO CANNES FILM FEST Haibowal police nabbed three miscreants who allegedly set a parked Hyundai Creta on fire. P2 » Huma Qureshi wore a plum-hued saree featuring intricate gold zari work at Cannes Film Festival. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 39°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET SUNDAY 7.10 PM SUNRISE MONDAY 5:28 AM » SUNDAY | 17 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Years after gas tragedy, Giaspura Interstate gang busted, 2 held; 17 quintals of beef seized faces contaminated water crisis Locals say dirty water, suspected to be mixed with sewage, flowing through taps Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 16 Still haunted by memories of the deadly gas leak tragedy that had claimed many lives and exposed civic failures in Giaspura, residents of the area are now facing another serious crisis, contaminated drinking water flowing into their homes for the past nearly two months. While the Municipal Corporation continues to project Ludhiana as a “smart city” and spends crores on beautification and infrastructure projects, over 50 families staying in Pritam Colony of Giaspura say even clean drinking water remains a distant dream. The residents alleged that foul-smelling yellow water, suspected to be mixed with sewage, had been flowing through taps regularly, forcing families to spend extra money on private water supply and bottled water. The crisis has again raised questions over why Giaspura, one of the city’s densely populated localities, continues to Residents of Pritam Colony show contaminated water in Giaspura. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN remain neglected when it comes to basic civic amenities, despite repeated promises after the gas leak tragedy. The residents claimed the contaminated water had started affecting their health. Meenu Goswami, a local resident, alleged that she recently developed a skin infection on her stomach and had to seek treat- ment from a nearby doctor. Her family claimed she never suffered from such a problem in the past and blamed prolonged exposure to the polluted water for the infection. Another resident, Sangeeta Devi, said she experiences itching and a burning sensation while using water for bathing and household works. Sunita Devi, who is already suffering from eczema, alleged that her condition had worsened over the past few weeks and doctors had advised her to stay away from contaminated water and unhygienic surroundings. The residents alleged that despite repeated complaints to the Municipal Corporation, no permanent solution had been provided. “During every election, leaders come here promising development and better facilities. But when it comes to basic amenities such as clean water, Giaspura is always left out,” said a resident. Several families said they were arranging private water cans and tanker supply at their own expense, adding an extra financial burden on middle-class households already struggling with rising inflation. Executive Engineer Manpreet Singh said MC teams had been sent to collect water samples from the affected area. “Water tankers will also be provided so that residents do not face any inconvenience and the issue can be resolved at the earliest,” he said. Meanwhile, MLA Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina said she had directed officials to look into the matter. “I had not received any complaint earlier but theofficials have now been asked to address the issue on a priority basis,” she said. Police officials destroy the seized beef in a pit at Ladhowal in Ludhiana. Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, May 16 The police claimed to have busted an interstate gang that has been involved in supplying beef from rural localities of border areas in the region to Delhi. As many as 17 quintals of beef being carried illegally under the guise of plastic crates were recovered from the possession of two suspects, identified as Vicky Kumar and Hussain of Juddi village of Saharanpur district of UP who , were nabbed following action by national president of Gau Raksha Samyukat Dal Gurpreet Singh of Jalalpur village in Patiala district at Ladhowal Toll Plaza here. The Ladhowal police have also booked four other accomplices, Mohammad Tasim of Ghaziabad, Kessar of Juddi village and Suhel and Samir of Nassarke village in Amritsar district. Investigating officer Major Singh said the gang was busted after Gurpreet alerted the police on the night intervening Thursday and Friday. The activists led by Gurpreet intercepted a Mahindra pick-up vehicle (bearing registration number UP 11 CT 0682) at the Ladhowal Toll Plaza that was transporting a consignment of beef from Nasserke village in Amritsar to Delhi on Thursday. It was later found that the suspects had concealed the beef packed in bags under plastic crates, which is usually used for carrying vegetables and fruits. The suspects were booked under various sections of the BNS and the Punjab Prohibition of Cow Slaughter Act and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Perusal of the FIR revealed that dal activists had received inputs about the gang that had been involved in illegally transporting beef from rural localities of border areas to Delhi under the guise of other trade goods. continued on page 3 Key suspect nabbed, 4 booked in murder case Cash stolen from 4 donation boxes at temple Payal, May 16 The police claimed to have solved a case in which the body of a man was found near a school at Jagera village in Ludhiana district. Five persons, Gurpreet Singh Guri of Ghungrana, Taranpreet Singh Honey, Sukhwinder Singh Sukha, Laddi Chahal and their one unidentified accomplice, were booked under Sections 140 (3), 103, 191 and 190 of the BNS for allegedly kidnapping the victim, Onkar Singh Guri (32), of Ghungrana and murdering him at a deserted place on the night interven- ing Thursday and Friday. Old rivalry over relationship between the victim and key suspect’s sister was cited to be the reason behind the murder. SP Payal, Harmanpreet , Singh Cheema, said a police team, supervised by SHO, Malaudh, and in-charge, Sihar Chowki, Harjinder Singh, had solved the blind murder of a man, Onkar Singh Guri, whose body was found lying near a school at Jagera village on Friday. The key suspect, Gurpreet Singh Guri, has been arrested, he said. “It was during investigation that we identified the deceased and collected information from his parents and residents of his native village,” said Cheema, maintaining that preliminary probe had revealed that the brother of a girl had allegedly abducted him from an eatery with the help of four other accomplices. The suspects had allegedly thrashed the victim at some unknown place resulting in his death and dumped his body near the school. The deceased’s scooter was thrown at some distance to simulate a road accident. Deceased’s father Lakhvir Singh told the police that he had received a call from his son Guri late on Thursday night, apprehending threat to his life. “He was in a shock and told me that five persons had abducted him in a Maruti Swift car and were taking to some unknown place,” stated Lakhvir. Working on information received from the family of the deceased, the investigating team registered an FIR against the suspects and started a manhunt for them. The key suspect had already been arrested. — OC Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, May 16 As many as four cash boxes kept at Ram Darbar Mandir at Kitchlu Nagar here were broke open by a thief who entered the temple through ventilator opening about 2 am on Saturday. Though exact loss is yet to be ascertained, officebearers, led by temple management committee president Parkash Chand Sharma, said cash between Rs 35,000-Rs 40,000 was taken away by the miscreant. continued on page 3 Thief prayed before idols before committing crime The priest checks the premises of Ram Darbar Mandir at Kitchlu Nagar after the theft. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Industrial noise, sleepless nights push blood pressure higher in staff NRI, accomplices Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 16 In city’s humming textile and manufacturing units, the relentless roar of machines and the strain of night shifts are quietly driving up blood pressure among workers. On World Hypertension Day, which is observed every year on May 17, cardiologists warn that hypertension often go unnoticed till it turns serious, becoming an occupational hazard in the industrial town. Noise levels above 85 decibels, common in weaving and machining halls, are damaging hearing. “Continuous exposure to high noise causes irritation, hormonal imbalance and changes in the endocrine system, all of which elevate blood pres- World Hypertension Day today Continuous exposure to high noise causes irritation, hormonal imbalance, says expert. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN sure,” said Dr Bishav Mohan, whose voice carries weight not only because he is the chief cardiologist at Hero DMC Heart Institute but also he had consistently led the city’s fight against hypertension, from pioneering studies and awareness workshops to guiding the launch of Mission Swasth Kavach. Sudden loud sounds trigger c m y b the body’s fight-or-flight response, releasing adrenaline and cortisol, narrowing blood vessels and spiking blood pressure. The effect is visible in the workplace as incidences of hypertension were found to be 1.8 per cent higher in highintensity noise zones as compared to quieter areas during the study conducted under the India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) by the DMCH and the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The burden is heavier on night-shift workers. Those on irregular schedules, particularly 9 pm to 4 am shifts, showed significantly higher blood pressure. “Disturbed sleep patterns, combined with high noise and stress, created a dangerous cocktail for cardiovascular health. “Night shifts are associated with irregular sleep and higher stress levels, which directly contribute to hypertension,” Dr Mohan noted. The study also revealed that 22 per cent of the factory workers were hypertensive, with 92 per cent unaware of their condition, underscoring the need for regular workplace screenings. Experts urge the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) to proactively conduct screenings and organise medical camps. Small interventions from dietary changes to stress management workshops could prevent thousands of workers from slipping into chronic hypertension. booked for abducting woman at gunpoint Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, May 16 An NRI from Bhalur village of Moga district and his accomplices were booked under various sections of the BNS and the Arms Act at the Jamalpur police station for allegedly abducting his friend at gunpoint from Jaswant Enclave in Mundian Kalan late on Wednesday evening. The suspects were identified as Sukhwinder Singh and Karamjit Singh of Bhalur village, besides some unidentified accomplices. The complainant, Jot Inder Singh, alleged that the key suspect, Sukhwinder, and his accomplices had abducted his 29year old elder sister at gunpoint from the Mundian Kalan area after he had left home on Wednesday night. The complainant informed the police that Sukhwinder had developed a friendship with his sister and wanted to marry her. “When she declined his proposal, he abducted her at gunpoint on Wednesday and kept her at some unknown place,” the complainant stated before the police. Preliminary investigation confirmed that the key suspect was an NRI.