20102026-LT-01.qxd 19-10-2026 22:36 Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SAD, WARIS PUNJAB DE LEADERS SUBMIT PROTEST LETTERS TO MLAS CAMP HELPS IDENTIFY EYE PROBLEMS AMONG CHILDREN B-TOWN CONDEMNS FIRING AT ACTOR TIGER SHROFF Jhota’s killing: SAD and Waris Punjab De leaders stage separate protests and submit letters to AAP legislators. P2 An eye check-up camp at govt school, Moti Nagar, helps zero in on students in need of further examination and treatment. P3 BJP MP Ravi Kishan and filmmaker Ashoke Pandit have condemned the targeting of actor Tiger Shroff. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5.49 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.33 AM » TUESDAY | 20 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Ludhiana, October 19 Dr Ankur Mahindroo, a 2016batch PCS officer, assumed charge as Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation (MC), Ludhiana, on Monday. After taking over at the MC Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar, he held a review meeting with senior officials of the civic body. Dr Mahindroo was welcomed by senior officials, including Joint Commissioner Amanpreet Singh, Joint Commissioner Tapan Bhanot, Assistant Commissioner Neeraj Jain and Assistant Commissioner Jasdev Singh Sekhon, among others. His family members accompanied him at the time of assuming office. He was accorded a guard of honour by a contingent of the Punjab Police. With a strong administrative background, Dr Mahindroo has previously served as Joint Commissioner in the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and is well acquainted with the key issues facing the city. Speaking about his priorities, he said that solid waste management, improved and hassle-free public services, expediting development works, rejuvenation of the Buddha Nullah, implementation of the 24x7 canal-based water supply project and recovery of dues would remain focus areas. He added that efforts would be made to bring improvements at the ground level. — TNS in City police on high alert for 45 drug hotspots identifiedlist dist; cremation grounds top Home Minister Shah’s visit Over 55 kg heroin among major drug seizures since Jan 2025 Nikhil Bhardwaj Ludhiana, October 19 With Union Home Minister Amit Shah scheduled to visit the Daresi Dasehra Ground in Ludhiana on Tuesday, the city police have stepped up security arrangements. According to BJP leaders, Shah will symbolically burn the “Chitta ka Ravan” at the Dasehra venue by pressing a remote-control button. As the Home Minister is expected to visit the densely populated Daresi area and thousands of people are likely to gather for the Ravana Dahan celebrations, the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate has planned a multi-layered security setup to ensure his safe arrival, stay and departure from the venue. Following confirmation of Shah’s proposed visit, senior police officials, including Additional Commissioner of Police Rupinder Singh and Additional DCP-I Sameer Verma, inspected the Daresi Ground and reviewed security arrangements. The Commissioner of Police also held a meeting with senior officers to discuss the security plan. Additional CP Rupinder Singh said elaborate security arrangements had SDMs told to inspect melas, ensure safety compliance Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 19 Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain has directed all SDMs in the district to inspect melas being organised across their respective subdivisions ahead of Dasehra celebrations on Tuesday. Jain said SDMs had been instructed to immediately inspect all melas, carnivals and amusement rides to ensure compliance with safety norms. He told The Tribune that any lapse in safety arrangements could put visitors at risk. “If any violation is found, SDMs will have the authority to stop the mela and get an FIR registered against the contractor, operator and other persons responsible for organising it under the relevant provisions of law. Any laxity in implementing these orders will be viewed seriously. The directions come into force with immediate Tribune News Service Tribune News Service effect,” Jain said. He added that SDMs would also verify whether organisers had obtained the required permissions and were adhering to all prescribed safety measures. The nine days of Navratri and Dasehra hold great significance for city residents. Major Dasehra melas that attract large crowds are organised at Daresi Grounds, Vardhman Chowk, Government College for Girls, Agar Nagar, Sarabha Nagar, Durga Mata Mandir and several other locations across the city. Ludhiana is home to a large migrant population from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, for whom Dussehra celebrations hold special religious importance. Thousands of devotees visit mela grounds with their families to witness the festivities. Large effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnada, packed with firecrackers, are traditionally set ablaze during Dasehra celebrations. Senior police officials review security arrangements ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the Daresi Ground in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN already been made for Dasehra celebrations across Ludhiana. However, with the possibility of the Home Minister attending the event at short notice, additional police personnel may be requisitioned from neighbouring districts to further strengthen security. Senior BJP leader Anil Sareen said Amit Shah had confirmed his visit to the Daresi Dasehra Ground to participate in the celebrations. 4,000 cops to guard Daresi Ground According to police officials, nearly 4,000 personnel will be deployed in and around the Daresi Ground during Amit Shah’s visit. The deployment will include additional forces brought in to manage security and crowd control. Located in the heart of the city, the Daresi Dasehra Ground attracts thousands of visitors during the annual fes- tivities. To ensure smooth movement and security, traffic diversions will be enforced and commuters will be provided alternative routes. Meanwhile, BJP leaders have intensified lastminute preparations for the Home Minister’s visit. BJP Rajya Sabha MP and state in-charge Satish Punia has already reached Ludhiana and chaired a meeting with party leaders to review arrangements. Ludhiana, October 19 After hundreds of search operations and an intensified crackdown on the drug mafia, addicts and peddlers, the district administration has identified 45 drug hotspots across Ludhiana district, including areas under the Ludhiana (Rural) Police, Ludhiana Commissionerate and Khanna police district. Of these, the highest number of drug-affected locations, 17, fall under the Ludhiana (Rural) Police, including the Jagraon, Raikot and Dakha areas. Another 15 hotspots are in the Ludhiana Commissionerate, while 13 have been identified in the Khanna police district, including the Payal and Samrala areas. The figures were presented by the Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner, along with the Police Commissioner and the SSPs of Ludhiana (Rural) and Khanna, during a statelevel meeting chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann at Phillaur recently. Shockingly, cremation grounds account for the largest share of the identified hotspots, with around 13 of the 45 locations falling in this category. These include cremation grounds at Mandiani, Khattran, Adina, Hans Kalan, Kothe Khanjura, Malak Malsian Bajan, Salempura Tibba, Talwandi Naubad, Burj Hari Singh, Bija and Guru Nanak Mohalla. Another 10 hotspots are abandoned or unused buildings, including those at Babarpur Focal Point, Ramgarh Sardaran brick kiln, the old dairy at Ghangas, Bondal Sua Puli building, Kaunke Kalan carcass ground, Purain Hospital, Halwara Sewa Kendra, Hans Kalan House, Talwandi Naubad Dharamshala and Bija. Five hotspots have been identified at vacant plots and garbage dumps in the urban areas, including Chitti Colony, Peeru Banda, Basant Nagar, Jaspal Bangar and Dana Mandi, Payal. Six hotspots are located in parks, public grounds and playgrounds at EWS Colony, Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Prem Colony, Arraicha Chowk (Dasehra Ground), Abbupura and Akalgarh. Another eight hotspots are situated near rivers, drains and canals, includ- Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 19 Cracks and signs of deterioration have appeared on Gill Road, where nearly Rs 4.40 crore is being spent on construction and resurfacing, raising concerns about the quality of the work and the supervision exercised by the Municipal Corporation (MC). The road has developed cracks at several locations, while loose gravel and uneven patches are visible despite a substantial portion of the project already being completed. The condition of the road has become a matter of concern as Gill Road is one of the city’s busiest stretches, pro- viding connectivity to Malerkotla and the adjoining areas. Several portions of the road have reportedly required repairs during the course of the project itself, prompting questions about the durability of the work and the qualitycontrol measures being adopted by the civic body. A visit by The Tribune to different stretches of the road revealed that repairs had already been carried out at some locations. However, uneven surfaces and visible cracks continue to be seen at several spots. With a part of the project still pending, residents have demanded a comprehensive inspection to ensure public funds are not Huge recovery by Ludhiana Commissionerate Between January 1, 2025, and October 14, 2026, the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police seized large quantities of narcotics during anti-drug operations. A total of 3,379 FIRs were registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act Act, including 77 involving commercial quantities. As many as 3,892 persons were arrested, while action was taken against 402 drug peddlers and suppliers. The Commissionerate recovered more than 55 kg of heroin, 53 kg of opium, 465 kg of ganja, over 3 kg of charas, around 46,000 intoxicant pills and capsules, three quintals of poppy husk, 147 grams of cocaine and cash worth Rs 23 lakh from drug peddlers during the period. Factory owner assaulted near Families from Agra and Muzaffarnagar have been keeping tradition alive for three generations Gol Market Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 19 Muslim artisans from Uttar Pradesh (UP) are putting the final touches on towering effigies of Ravana, Meghnada and Kumbhakarna, adding colour and grandeur to Dasehra celebrations across Ludhiana and neighbouring areas. For nearly three decades, these artisans have been an integral part of the festival, with the third generation of craftsmen now engaged in effigy-making at the Daresi Dasehra Ground. This year, the Ravana effigy at Daresi stands 121 feet tall, making it the tallest in Ludhiana, while the effigies of Meghnada and Kumbhakarna are around 45 feet high each. Akil Khan, an artisan from Agra, is working against the clock to complete orders for several Dasehra committees. Leading a team of 25 workers, he has been making effigies for venues such as Daresi Ground and Aggar Artisans give the final touches to an effigy of Ravana at the Daresi Ground in Ludhiana. Nagar, as well as nearby towns, for many years. “Our ancestors have been making effigies for decades. We represent the third generation carrying forward this tradition. My father is currently preparing effigies in Surat, Gujarat, while other family members are working in Haryana and Pune, Maharashtra,” Khan said. According to Khan, work begins at least one-and-a-half months before Dasehra. The intricate detailing requires specialised raw materials sourced both from their hometown and local markets. With nearly 70 artisans working across the country, it usually takes around 50 days to complete the effigies and the Lanka structure. “I am a BTech graduate, while my son Sohail holds a BSc degree and is preparing for competitive examinations. He joins me every year in making effigies. My father, Asgar Ali, is growing old but does not want to give up the family tradition. This work is in our blood, although rising costs have reduced our savings. Despite being engaged in effigy-making, our family has always prioritised education. My nephew is a civil engineer and my brother-inlaw is also an engineer. Our elders never compromised on our studies, and I have followed the same principle,” Khan said. Dinesh Marwaha of the Shri Ram Leela and Dasehra Committee, Daresi, said the committee was among the oldest in the city and attracts large crowds every year. “The artisans from Agra are masters of their craft. Every year, they introduce something new in the effigies, which becomes a major attraction for visitors,” he said. On the cost of preparations, Marwaha said the effigies would cost more than Rs 5 lakh this year due to the rising prices of raw materials and labour. “Every Dasehra, we add a surprise element to the Ravana effigy. We cannot reveal it in advance. People should visit the Dasehra Ground to experience it themselves,” Khan said. “We eagerly wait for Dasehra every year. Before starting work, our team sits together and plans meticulously to incorporate a unique feature into the Ravana effigy that will captivate the audience,” he added. Cracks on Gill Road raise questions over quality of ~4.40-crore civic works Sukhpreet Singh ing Bihari Colony, Tibba Road (Buddha Nullah), Talwandi Kalan (Sutlej), Chaunta Forest-Ghangas Canal, Abbupura drain, Malak and Malsian Bajan. The remaining six hotspots are located at village chowks, roads and grain markets across the district. Muslim artisans from UP make city’s tallest Ravana effigy TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Mahindroo takes charge as MC Commissioner A peeled off surface of Gill Road which was re-carpeted five months ago. INDERJEET VERMA repeatedly spent on repairing newly constructed roads. The stretch from Gill Chowk to Gill Bridge has largely been completed, while resurfacing work on the opposite carriage- way, from Gill Bridge to Gill Chowk, is yet to be undertaken. Residents have questioned how cracks have appeared on sections where construction work has been completed. c m y b AAP Deputy Mayor Prince Johar has also raised concerns over the quality of the road project on two occasions. In a letter to the Punjab Chief Minister, he sought an inquiry into the construction work, alleging deficiencies in its execution and supervision. He further demanded accountability and appropriate action if any lapses were established. Kuldeep Khaira, a city resident, said, “A vigilance inquiry should be conducted into the road construction work. The road was rebuilt in 2022 as well, but its condition and the quality of the latest work have again raised serious concerns. Public money cannot be spent repeatedly on roads that fail to last. The authorities should examine the work and fix responsibility wherever negligence is found.” Another resident, Jaspal Singh, said, “Gill Road is a busy stretch used by a large number of commuters every day. Cracks and uneven patches appearing soon after construction are a matter of concern. The MC should have the entire stretch inspected by an independent technical team rather than carrying out repairs only at selected spots. The contractor should be held accountable if the work is found to be below prescribed standards.” Superintending Engineer Harkiran Singh said the MC had already begun a detailed examination of the issue. “We are inspecting the work minutely. Nearly half of the project is still pending, and the contractor has already been directed to repair the stretches where cracks have developed,” he said. Ludhiana, October 19 A steel factory owner was allegedly assaulted and robbed of his gold chain by occupants of a Kia Seltos car near Gol Market late on Sunday night following a minor altercation. The victim, Sonu, a resident of Urban Estate, Focal Point, and owner of Jandu Steel factory, was travelling with his wife when the incident took place. As he was turning his car near Gol Market, an unidentified youth standing there allegedly began abusing him without any provocation. When Sonu questioned him, the youth became aggressive, grabbed his gold chain and assaulted him. According to victim, the accused entered his car and repeatedly punched him. A woman accompanying the accused also allegedly joined in assault. Sonu tried to resist and save his chain, but the attackers overpowered him, snatched chain and fled in their car. Sonu suffered injuries to his face and chest and was rushed to the Civil Hospital. He alerted the police by calling the emergency helpline. The police have initiated an investigation into the incident. — TNS 2 cops suspended for dereliction of duty Ludhiana, October 19 Malerkotla Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh has suspended Jodepul police chowki incharge ASI Gurjant Singh (No. 2521/Sangrur) and ASI Bhinder Singh (No. 2512/Sangrur) with immediate effect for alleged dereliction of duty. The SSP said negligence in the discharge of duty would not be tolerated under any circumstances in the Malerkotla district police. — TNS