28082023-LT-01.qxd 8/28/2023 1:06 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune DESIRE TO GET RICH LANDS TRAVEL AGENT IN TROUBLE NIKHIL FINDS SELF-BELIEF TO BE THE KEY TO SUCCESS HOLLYWOOD TAKES NOTE OF THE SUCCESS OF GADAR 2 A travel agent of Machhiwara is under CBI scanner for allegedly securing visas through illegal means. P2 Nikhil Bhambri says, “Focus on strengths, progress relentlessly; and don’t dwell on weaknesses.” P3 Just out of the success of the film Gadar 2, actor Sunny Deol is grabbing headlines all round. P4 » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.55 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:00 AM » MONDAY | 28 AUGUST 2023 | LUDHIANA Factory worker held for raping 15-year-old Jan Aushadhi Kendra sans Cityresidentloses~1.87lakhafter fraudsters sent him link to pay ~2 basic medicines; patients hit Tribune News Service Tribune News Service People are forced to purchase costly drugs from pvt chemists Manav Mander Ludhiana, August 27 A factory worker has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl. In the complaint made to the police, the 15-year-old girl stated that the suspect works at a factory situated in her neighbourhood and they had become friends. She alleged that the man called her over phone on the night of August 25 and asked her to come outside in the street. The girl alleged that the suspect took her to the factory and raped her. The suspect has been identified as Sunil Kumar of Krishna Colony. A case under Sections 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 4 of The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been registered at the Jamalpur police station. POWER SHUTDOWN LUDHIANA 6 am to 12.30 pm: Shivala Road, Maleri Gali, Baag Wali Gali, Thakur Dwara, Roopa Mistry Gali, Karta Raam Gali, Tilak Nagar, Gulchaman Gali, Hazoori Road, Nalvanda Gali, Ahata Sher Jang, Iqbal Ganj Chowk, Khud Mohalla, Bhagar Mohalla, Rehmatulla Road, Nim Chowk, Rekhi Cinema Road, Nizam Road, Ghora Gali, Mandi Kesar Ganj Chowk and Navan Mohalla. 10 am to 3 pm: Gurdev Hospital, Aggar Nagar Enclave, Adrash Colony, Orison Hospital, Madhuban Enclave, Indra Colony, Apex Nagar, Bhai Daya Singh Nagar and Barewal Road. 10 am to 5 pm: Malhar Road area (Ferozepur Road to Hero Bakery Chowk), Well Come Palace, Flames Mall, Brar Eye Hospital, Gopal Sweets, Burger King, Kesar Complex Madhok Tyres, Sarabha Nagar and Gurdev Nagar. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 27 It seems that the motive behind opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been lost somewhere in the oblivion as these often sans basic medicines and are not restocked regularly. Patients are left with no other option but to go back empty handed as there are only a few medicines in the stock at the kendra located at the Civil Hospital here. Jan Aushadhi Kendras were meant to be opened 24x7 for facilitating patients in getting medicines at affordable rates but it seems that they have miserably failed to serve their purpose as basic medicines are not available and these are opened for only 7-8 hours in a day. The main issue is that stock is not updated frequently and secondly, doctors prescribe drugs using brand names. Both these factors make the kendra at the hospital a fruitless venture. During a visit to the kendra, it was shocking to see that most of the racks were lying empty. The hospital also has a Four arrested with intoxicants Our Correspondent Mandi Ahmedgarh/Raikot, August 27 The police claimed to have arrested four persons with intoxicants and another person for gambling. The suspects were booked in separate cases registered at various police stations under Malerkotla and Ludhiana (rural) police districts. Huge quantities of intoxicants and equipment used in continued on page 2 Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN pharmacy. Sometimes patients from outside also come to buy medicines and in case any medicine is not available at the pharmacy, they make their way to the kendra but they have to go back empty handed from there also due to the absence of medicines. Suman, a patient, went to the pharmacy to buy a medicine prescribed by doctor. She did not get the same from there after which she came to the kendra. However, she had to go back disappointed from there also as medicines were out of stock. “Now, I have left with no other option. I will go to a chemist shop located outside the hospital to buy the medicine. Medicines I purchase from outside the hospital are costly and these should be provided here only,” she said. Another patient Kulwinder Singh said every time he comes to the Jan Aushadhi Kendra, he had to return disappointed. “There are some medicines which I used to get from here but now for the past few months, I am not getting these from the kendra. The stock in the shop should be regularly updated,” he said. A patient visiting the skin OPD said a cream prescribed by doctor was not available at the pharmacy and Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Generic medicines are available at the kendra and the list of medicines available here is also provided to doctors of the Civil Hospital so that they can prescribe medicines according to salt and not brand. Civil Surgeon Hitinder Kaur said: “A pharmacy is available for patients at the Civil Hospital where they could buy medicines. However, I will look into restocking of medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Key objectives The key objectives of opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras are promote awareness about cost-effective drugs and their prescription, make available unbranded quality generic medicines at affordable prices through publicprivate partnership, encourage doctors, more specifically in government hospitals to prescribe generic medicines and enable substantial savings in health care, more particularly in case of poor patients and those suffering from chronic ailments requiring drugs for longer periods. Ludhiana, August 27 Fraudsters, posing as employees of a courier company, targeted a city resident and managed to transfer Rs 1.87 lakh from his bank account. Following a complaint, the police booked three persons, identified as Aarif Maula from West Bengal, Santa Begam from Assam and Aisha Khatun. The complainant, Dr Sham Sundar Singla, stated that in May 2023, he had sent a parcel to Karnataka. He alleged that when he dialed a toll-free number to inquire about the parcel’s status, an individual instructed him that he would get a call from a different number. Subsequently, Dr Singla began receiving calls from various numbers, with callers claiming to represent the courier company. The fraudsters informed him that the parcel had been placed on hold and requested a payment of Rs 2 through a link sent to his mobile to resolve the issue. On clicking the link, Dr Singla’s mobile malfunctioned and during the period, transactions totaling to Rs 1.87 lakh took place in his bank account. In this manner, the fraudsters took Rs 1.87 lakh from the complainant’s account, he alleged. A case under Sections 420, and 419 of the IPC and 66-D of the IT Act, 2000, has been registered at the Salem Tabri police station against the suspects. Woman falls prey to cyber fraud Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 27 Under the guise of a workfrom-home opportunity, a city-based woman fell victim to a group of fraudsters. The suspects promised the woman that she could simply earn a good income daily by subscribing to YouTube channels. However, they deceitfully swindled Rs 1.35 lakh from her bank account. Harpreet Chawla, a resi- dent of Model Town, here, filed a complaint with the police, stating that in March 2023, the suspects contacted her and lured her with the prospect of working from home. On further communication, they proposed a job involving subscribing to YouTube channels to earn money. Subsequently, the suspects cheated the victim and got Rs 1.35 lakh transferred into their bank accounts on differ- ent occasions. In the case, the police have booked three persons, who have been identified as Jaisukhbhai Phulabhai Pansurya from Surat, Gujarat, Badmama from Karnataka and Kesar from Rajasthan. An FIR has been registered against them at the Model Town police station under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as well as Section 66D of the IT Act. 890-gm heroin seized, 4 held Ludhiana, August 27 In two separate incidents, the police have arrested four persons allegedly involved in drug peddling. The police seized over 800 gm of heroin from them. In the first incident, Inspector Amritpal Singh of the anti-narcotics cell-2 said three persons were arrested when they were travelling in a car near a private hospital on Chandigarh Road. During checking, 530 gm of heroin and Rs 24,700 in cash were seized from the vehicle that had also been seized. The suspects have been identified as Harjinder Singh, alias Buddhu, of Ramgarh Road in Sahnewal, Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, of Lehri Nagar, Jamalpur, and Sukhvir Singh, alias Goldy, of Jandiali village. A case under the NDPS Act has been registered. In the other case, the police arrested a 38-year-old man and seized 360 gm of heroin from his possession. He has been identified as Shinderpal (38), alias Shindi, of Talwandi Kalan. In-charge, STF Ludhiana , Range, Naresh Kumar, said the suspect was going towards Ludhiana on a motorcycle when he was nabbed near Ladhowal. When his handbag was checked, 360 gm of heroin, a small electronic weighing scale and 30 empty transparent pouches were seized. The police said Shindi revealed during the interrogation that he had purchased the drug from his cousin, Mandeep Singh, alias Deepi, of Allowal. The latter is yet to be arrested. A case has been registered. — TNS Three of the suspects held with heroin in police custody in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO Civic body fails to check sewage woes at Ganpati Vihar, other areas Properties worth over ~4cr of 13 accused Tikona Park is being neglected, say residents of Kuliewal village; occasional supply of contaminated water common issue to be attached dents, an open garbage dump Ludhiana, August 27 WHAT RESIDENTS SAY? adjacent to the park has been The Khanna police have WARD WATCH I have witnessing overflowing sewers ❝area forbeenpast one decade. It poses a in our the WARD NO 25 threat of a disease outbreak and will also hit foundations of neighbouring houses. Even five minutes of rain results in a four-hour water accumulation. We are suffering as some dairies in Sarpanch Colony are disposing of waste into the sewers. We appeal to the MC to urgently address the issue. Ajit Singh, RESIDENT OF GANPATI VIHAR LUDHIANA ❝ Harshraj Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 27 Residents of Ganpati Vihar colony, located in Ward number 25, which falls under the Sahnewal Constituency, are desperately seeking attention of the civic body authorities for the persistent issue of overflowing sewers and dismal sanitation conditions. The foul-smelling water from the clogged sewers is accumulated in vacant plots and streets of the colony. In a street, a considerable amount of cow dung has been accumulated following recent rains. Affected residents are pointing fingers at nearby dairies in Sarpanch Colony for the mess in their Waste from nearby dairies accumulates in a street of Ganpati Colony. PHOTO INDERJEET VERMA locality as they claimed that the municipal authorities have turned a blind eye to the problem. They asserted that the sewer system remains choked due to the dumping of dairy waste and the situation worsens during rainy days. A group of residents said when it rains, sewers overflow significantly, causing sewage and rainwater to accumulate in streets of Ganpati Vihar as it was a lowlying area. They demanded that the Municipal Corporation must take immediate measures to rectify the issue and prevent dairies from disposing of waste into sewer lines and in open spaces. A businessman in Ganpati Vihar said: “The MC authorities should visit our area, especially during rainy days, to know how the people are forced to suffer.” Meanwhile, inhabitants of some other areas of the ward are also encountering various difficulties. In Sarpanch Colony, a resident, Sheela Devi, complained about occasional supply of contaminated water supply. In Master Colony, Mohammad Ismail Ansari, a resident, complained about inter- c m y b ❞ We have been cleaning a portion of Tikona Park and planted some saplings. We urge the MC to facilitate the development of the park. Lights should be made functional. We previously opposed the dumping of garbage near the park and it was eventually cleared. Residents of Kuliewal and Jamalpur Awana will benefit greatly if the park gets a facelift. Ashok Kumar, A RESIDENT STAYING NEAR TIKONA PARK ❞ mittent disruptions in their water supply, sometimes lasting up to two days. He insisted that the issue must be addressed promptly. Reetu of Master Colony raised concerns about a clogged sewer line near her rented accommodation in Street number 2. She said during rainy days, sewers consistently overflow. She also emphasised on the men- ace of stray cattle in their area. Another resident raised the issue of attack on people by stray bulls. They have attacked several people in Sarpanch Colony and Master Colony in the past. He alleged that a person reportedly died after being attacked by a bull. Kuliewal village boasts a famous Tikona Park, but it is in a dilapidated state. After repeated requests from resi- removed. But the civic body has failed to maintain the park, which has damaged boundary walls. Wild grass has spread across the park and lights have been nonfunctional for a long period, according to a group of young and elderly residents. Davinder Singh, a resident of Kuliewal, said: “During the ongoing rainy season, we received contaminated water many times. The authorities must address the issue. Furthermore, the park in our area urgently needs development and regular plantation. We want our children to play in the park, which has been neglected for a long time. Benches should also be installed there for public convenience.” Additionally, some residents have expressed concerns about high-tension wires near their houses and transmission towers situated in the middle of streets in Ahluwalia Colony, requesting a prompt resolution. In the 2018 elections, Satinder Kaur of the Congress was the winner in Ward 25. succeeded in getting prepared seizing/freezing orders of 13 persons who are either accused or family members of the suspects of various commercial quantity NDPS Act cases.These accused belong to five different commercial quantity NDPS Act cases. According to the Khanna police, all cases belong to the Sub-Division, Samrala. Among these, three cases belong to Samrala and two to Machhiwara police station. An official said the freezing orders of the properties of these amounting to total of almost Rs 4.75 crore approximately, both moveable and immovable, have been accepted by competent authority of the Central Govwernment. Notices to all 13 persons have already been served by the authorities concerned. Once the property of all suspects is forfeited, it is going to be a big blow to the drug smugglers as their illgotten property will go back to the state again, the official said. — TNS