14102026-LT-01.qxd 10/14/2026 12:42 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune DISTRICT TEAMS BRING HOME BASEBALL TITLES BABA PALLA — DEVOTEE WHOSE FAITH DREW 6TH GURU TO BUTALA IT’S TIME TO CELEBRATE AS WINNIE-THE-POOH TURNS 100 Players delivered fine performances as district teams clinched titles in baseball categories. P2 A tale of faith, humility and selfless service associated with Butala village continues to inspire devotees. P3 From a wartime bear cub to a boy's beloved teddy, the story behind a century-old literary classic. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 30°C | MIN 20°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 19°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5:53 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:25 AM » WEDNESDAY | 14 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA 3.39 lakh voters deleted from final electoral rolls in district Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 13 The final voter list for Ludhiana district has been uploaded on the official website of the district administration — www.ludhiana.nic.in, following the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026. As compared to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, there has been a deletion of approximately 13 per cent of the total votes, which makes around 3.39 lakh votes. The voters can now check their details on the website. Besides, they can also get the details from the respective Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). As per the fresh electoral rolls, there are 23,44,070 voters, including 12,16,462 males and 11,27,537 females while 71 are the third gender voters. The total number of NRI electoral votes is 471. There are a total 3,031 polling stations, including 1,528 in urban and 1,503 in rural areas. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain held an all-party meeting on Monday to hand over the final draft roll to political representatives. Man, mother held on dowry death charge Ludhiana, October 13 A 26-year-old woman was found dead at her residence in the Dhillon Nagar area of Daba on Sunday, nearly five months after her marriage. Her family has alleged that she had been facing harassment over dowry. Following a complaint by the deceased’s mother, the Daba police have arrested the woman’s husband, Sandeep, and mother-in-law, Suman Kaur. The police have registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). According to the complaint, the woman had allegedly told her mother a few months after the marriage that she was being harassed by her husband and mother-in-law. The family alleged that the suspects were unhappy with the dowry brought by her and frequently taunted her over the matter. The mother further alleged that her daughter was physically assaulted and was also blamed for stealing things at her in-laws’ house. She told the police that she had asked her daughter to remain calm and try to manage the situation. However, the family alleged that the woman was again assaulted on October 11. The following day, she allegedly took the extreme step by hanging herself from a ceiling fan. The incident was subsequently reported to the police, following which an investigation was initiated. ASI Surinder Kumar said the FIR was registered on the complaint of the woman’s mother. He said victim’s husband and mother-in-law had been taken into custody and further investigation was in progress. — TNS 23,44,070 electors left in Ludhiana Assembly constituencies. Following the completion of claims and objections process, 7,970 voters were added and 781 voters were deleted from the electoral rolls, bringing the total number of registered voters in the final electoral roll to 3,13,842. Of these, 1,63,198 are male voters, 1,50,638 are female voters and six belong to the third-gender category. Assembly Constituency 105 - Malerkotla has a total of 1,55,751 registered voters across 206 polling booths while Assembly Constituency 106 - Amargarh has 1,58,091 registered voters across 200 polling parts. The electoral roll revision process has been completed across all 406 polling booths in the district. Appeal to public Residents verify their particulars during a Special Intensive Revision camp in Ludhiana. FILE Poll rolls handed over to political parties cial Intensive Revision (SIR2026) of electoral rolls in Punjab, were handed over to representatives of various political parties today. On the occasion, Roll Observer Gurpreet Singh Khaira, IAS, reviewed the electoral revision process dur- In accordance with the directions of the Election Commission, the final electoral rolls of Assembly Constituencies 105-Malerkotla and 106Amargarh in Malerkotla district, prepared under the Spe- ing his third visit to the district. Deputy Commissionercum-District Election Officer Viraj S Tidke was also present. As per details, the draft electoral roll published on August 13 contained a total of 3,06,653 registered voters across the district’s two Meanwhile, both administrations have appealed to residents to verify their names and other particulars in the final electoral rolls. Citizens can visit the Election Commission’s official portal, voters.eci.gov.in, or use the Voter Helpline App to check their names in the electoral roll, apply for new voter registration or request corrections to their electoral details. Ankur Mahindroo is new MC chief Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 13 A day after a stormy General House meeting of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC), which witnessed heated exchanges between councillors and officials and a walkout by over 300 MC employees, the state government on Tuesday transferred MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar and Joint Commissioner Vineet Kumar in a late-evening order. PCS officer Ankur Mahindroo will replace IAS officer Ojasvi Alankar as the MC Commissioner. Mahindroo is expected to join the post on Thursday. Speaking about his priorities, Mahindroo said his focus would be on making Ludhi- Ankur Mahindroo MC Commissioner, Joint Commissioner transferred day after stormy House meeting ana cleaner, addressing public health concerns and ensuring that basic civic amenities were provided to residents on a priority basis. “My priorities will be to make Ludhiana cleaner, focus on health-related issues and ensure that the basic amenities that the corporation is responsible for providing are delivered on priority,” he said. The transfers came a day after the General House meeting witnessed sharp disagreements between councillors and officials over civic issues, including mechanical sweeping and the extension of the contract of 1,208 sanitation workers. The proceedings were marked by heated arguments, including an altercation between AAP councillor Nidhi Gupta and Sanitary Inspector Nishu Ghai. Despite protests by opposition councillors and some members of the ruling party, the MC passed 34 agenda items. Meanwhile, Mayor Inderjeet Kaur welcomed the government’s decision, expressing hope that the new appointment would help accelerate development works in the city. “The government has taken the decision in the interest of Ludhiana and its development. We hope the new officer will work with the elected representatives and officials to ensure that development projects move forward smoothly and that the city’s civic issues are addressed on a priority basis,” she said. The Mayor said the focus should remain on improving civic services and ensuring the timely completion of development projects for the benefit of city residents. Ruling party serves show-cause notice on Nidhi Gupta Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 13 The dispute between AAP councillor Nidhi Gupta and chief sanitary inspector (CSI) Nishu Ghai, which had triggered a heated exchange during the Municipal Corporation General House meeting on Monday, was resolved during a meeting at the Mayor’s camp office on Tuesday. The meeting focused on sanitation related problems in Gupta’s ward, with senior MC officials assuring that the issues would be addressed. However, the development came amid a separate political issue, with the Aam Aadmi Party serving a show-cause notice on Gupta over allegations of factionalism, lack of coordination with the party leadership and involvement in activities against the party. The party has sought her reply within seven days. The controversy had erupted during the General House meeting when Gupta raised questions over sanitation arrangements in her ward. The meeting later witnessed heated exchanges between councillors and MC officials, with several employees leaving the House amid the commotion. Employees, including Nishu Ghai, Ashwani Sahota and Vijay Danav, had objected to the manner in which the CSI was allegedly addressed during the meeting. They maintained that officials and employees also deserved respect while performing their duties and indicated that a written complaint could be submitted, if required. Gupta, however, maintained that she had raised the SANITATION ISSUE AT THE CENTRE OF DISPUTE The controversy had erupted during the General House meeting on Monday when AAP councillor Nidhi Gupta raised questions over sanitation arrangements in her ward. The meeting later witnessed heated exchanges between councillors and MC officials, with several employees leaving the House amid the commotion. Employees, including Nishu Ghai, Ashwani Sahota and Vijay Danav, had objected to the manner in which the CSI was allegedly addressed during the meeting. issue on behalf of residents and that officials should have answered questions related to sanitation instead of leaving the meeting. Councillor initially opposed camp office meeting After the General House episode, Gupta had initially refused to attend a meeting at the Mayor’s camp office. She insisted that the Mayor and MC Commissioner should visit Zone D and hear problems faced by residents. She said her concern was not personal and that she would continue to raise civic issues affecting her ward. Later, she reached the camp office for the meeting. Councillor Gaurav Bhatti also reached Zone D in support of her. Officials assure action on sanitation According to Gupta, the meeting was attended by Mayor Inderjit Kaur, MC Commissioner Ojasvi Alankar, Nishu Ghai, Vijay Danav, Ashwani Sahota, zonal commissioners Jasdev Singh Sekhon and Amanpreet Singh, besides councillors Amrit Varsha Rampal and Maninder Kaur Ghuman. The sanitation problems of the ward were discussed in detail. Gupta said the CSI accepted that there had been a lapse and assured that the issues would be addressed. She further said the Mayor and Commissioner assured that transfers of the CSI, inspectors and other employees would be carried out within a week. Sahota said the dispute had mainly arisen due to a communication gap between the councillor and the CSI. He said the matter had now been discussed and resolved and expressed hope that a similar situation would not recur. Show-cause notice adds political angle Meanwhile, the show-cause notice issued to Gupta by AAP Punjab state general secretary Harchand Singh Barsat has added a political dimension to the incident. The notice reportedly alleges that Gupta has not been coordinating with the party, has formed a separate group and has been involved in activities against the party. She has been asked to explain her position within seven days. The party has also stated that failure to give a satisfactory explanation could lead to action under its constitution and disciplinary guidelines. The developments come a day after the MC General House meeting witnessed strong protests over several issues, including the proposed mechanical sweeping project and the extension of the contract of 1,208 sanitation workers. The meeting ended with 34 agenda items being passed amid opposition from the Congress, BJP and some AAP councillors. AAP councillor Nidhi Gupta at the MC's Zone D office in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Garbage continues to plague Lakkar Bridge footpath 14-yr-old alleges rape by youth Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 13 The pedestrian walkway along the Lakkar Bridge flyover continues to remain in a state of neglect, causing inconvenience and raising safety concerns for hundreds of commuters who use the route regularly. Despite repeated complaints from residents and shopkeepers, the pathway remains littered with garbage and marked by damaged infrastructure. Overgrown plants and vines have spread across the stairs at several places, obstructing the movement of pedestrians. Once considered a safe passage for pedestrians, the walkway has gradually turned into a dumping ground, with heaps of garbage, filth and discarded liquor bottles strewn across it. The walkway, which con- INDERJEET VERMA Shivani Bhakoo Dispute between chief sanitary official, AAP councillor resolved The pathway along Lakkar Bridge remains littered with garbage. nects the Old Court traffic lights with the Railway Station area, is frequently used by shopkeepers and residents. However, accumulated waste, damaged railings and poor upkeep have made the route increasingly difficult and unpleasant to use. A visit to the site revealed garbage scattered across the pathway, leaving pedestrians with little space to walk comfortably. Plastic waste, food wrappers, liquor bottles and other refuse could be seen strewn along the stretch. At several points, railings have either come loose or are visibly damaged, posing a safety risk to commuters, particularly during evening hours. c m y b Pedestrians alleged that despite repeated complaints over the past two years, the civic authorities had failed to carry out proper cleaning or repair work. They said the condition of the walkway had, in fact, deteriorated over time. Harish, an employee at a shop in Chaura Bazaar and a daily user of the walkway, expressed frustration over its poor condition. “Nothing has changed in the past few years. We continue to face same problems every day. Garbage occupies much of the walkway, forcing pedestrians to navigate through narrow spaces. Walking on the main flyover is dangerous due to sharp bends and heavy traffic. We have no option but to use the neglected pathway,” he said. A resident, who frequently uses the route, said its condition reflected the authorities’ neglect of pedestrian infrastructure. “It is a key link between the old city and the railway station. Many people pass through the pathway every week. Yet the walkway looks abandoned. Empty liquor bottles and other waste suggest that antisocial elements continue to frequent the area. There is lack of monitoring and regular cleaning,” he said. Traders from nearby markets said the unhygienic conditions also created a poor impression on visitors and customers entering the busy commercial area. They complained that accumulated waste often resulted in foul odours, particularly during warm weather and after rainfall. Residents have demanded regular sanitation drives, installation of dustbins, repair of damaged railings and increased surveillance to check littering and anti-social activities. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 13 The Haibowal police have registered a case against a youth after a 14-year-old girl alleged that he raped her at her house and sexually assaulted her repeatedly over several days. According to the complaint, the suspect had befriended the girl on social media around five months ago. The two started talking regularly, after which the youth allegedly pressured her to meet him. The girl’s mother told the police that she had noticed a change in her daughter’s behaviour over the past few days. The girl appeared upset and depressed. When her mother questioned her, she disclosed the alleged sexual assault. The girl told her mother that on September 28, when both her parents were away at work, the suspect came to their house and raped her. She further alleged that he sexually assaulted her on several occasions over the following days and threatened her against disclosing the matter to anyone. After coming to know about the incident, her mother approached the police and lodged a complaint. Sub-Inspector Kulwinder Kaur, the investigating officer, said a case had been registered under Section 65(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.