29092023-LT-01.qxd 9/29/2023 12:25 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MC YET TO RESTORE WATER SUPPLY TO MARATHA COLONY RESIDENTS BID FAREWELL TO LORD GANESHA VETERAN ACTOR MICHAEL GAMBON PASSES AWAY Disruption in water supply to Maratha Colony is a major cause for concern in Ward 48 of Ludhiana. P2 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festivities concluded with Ganpati Visarjan in various parts of city. P2 Michael Gambon, actor who played Professor Dumbledore in Harry Potter movies, dies at 82. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 34°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 22°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.14 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:19 AM » FRIDAY | 29 SEPTEMBER 2023 | LUDHIANA 2-yr-old abducted, violated; man held Ludhiana, September 28 The police today arrested a man on the charges of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a twoyear-old girl in Machhiwara. He has been identified as Baljit Singh (32), a daily wager, of Sehjomajra, Machhiwara. SP (Investigation), Khanna, Pragya Jain, said on Wednesday, the police got an information that a girl child playing outside her house went missing under mysterious circumstances. Following which, the police launched a search operation. With the help of residents and other sources, the police got information that she was abducted by the suspect. Afterwards, the police conducted a raid and recovered the child. The man was found in a compromising situation. Medical examination of the victim was being conducted, the SP said. — TNS 35-yr-old man stabbed to death in Machhiwara Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 28 A 35-year-old man, Brahma Sahni, aka Balram, was stabbed to death in Machhiwara Sahib on Thursday after he had a scuffle with some youths during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. One of his friends, Kundan, also suffered injuries. Sources said a procession of migrant workers had started from Basti Balibeg, which was heading towards the Sarhind Canal via Ratipur road, for immersing the idol of Lord Ganesha. Some youths from the Shanti Nagar area joined the procession and began danc- Balram was stabbed by a youth indulging in ‘indecent behaviour’ during a religious procession ing with women. They also indulged in indecent behaviour. When Balram and Kundan, who were present at the spot, tried to stop them, the youths scuffled with them. After which, one of the youths attacked Bal- ram with a knife, leaving him severely injured. His friend Kundan was also hurt in the incident. Later, Balram was taken to a Samrala hospital in a critical condition where doctors declared him brought dead. Kundan revealed that the assailants who joined into the procession were under the influence of some drug or alcohol and they also engaged in indecent behaviour, which led to the scuffle. Later, Machhiwara SHO Santokh Singh reached the spot. The deceased was a painter and is survived by his wife and two children. A case has been registered against three unidentified persons. c m y b Farmers’ agitation brings rail traffic to a halt Passengers face inconvenience as several trains held up at many places Our Correspondent Ludhiana, September 28 The rail traffic in the region went haywire and several trains were stuck at intermediary stations as farmers resorted to a three-day ‘rail roko agitation in support of their demands, including financial package for crop losses caused by floods, legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) and remission of all agricultural loans. The decision to hold a three-day rail roko agitation, supported by several farmers’ bodies, from Thursday was announced by Sarwan Singh Pandher, general secretary of the Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee after consultation with representa- A farmer leader addresses protesters at Ahmedgarh railway station. tives of 19 farmers’ bodies. As agitating farmers squatted on rail tracks at several places, including Moga, Jagraon, Phagwara. Three trains — 15707 KatiharAmritsar Amrapali Express, 12331 Kolkata-Jammu Tawi Himgiri Express and 04625 Ludhiana-Firozepur Cantt were stopped by the railway authorities at Ludhiana. While officials indicated that Himgiri Express might be allowed to proceed to its destination (Jammu Tawi) via an alternative route after the blockade was lifted, Amrapali Express was short-terminated at Ludhiana and was scheduled to short-originate also from Ludhiana at its scheduled time. With most trains coming to a halt wherever these were as the farmers blocked the railway tracks, passengers on board the trains were a harassed lot. Particularly, those travelling with their family members, including women and children, had a miserable time, more so because the uncertainty over resumption of onward journey. Senior railway officials said the situation was under constant review and after lifting of the blockade by farmers, restoration of rail services would be taken up as per operational possibilities. continued on page 2