01112023-LT-01.qxd 11/1/2023 1:00 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune ARADHYA STARS IN PUNJAB WIN OVER M’RASHTRA DIRECTOR IMTIAZ ALI PREFERS SHOOTING AT NEW LOCALES KIRTI DHIMAN SHINES ON MASTERCHEF INDIA City's Aradhya Shukla played a stellar role in Punjab’s victory over Maharashtra in U-23 State A cricket tourney. P2 Imtiaz Ali, who is known for his movies like Love Aaj Kal, Rockstar, said he always prefers shooting at newer locales.P4 Kriti Dhiman from Gobindgarh, Punjab, is a talented 23-year-old baker with big dreams. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 15°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.38 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:42 AM » WEDNESDAY | 1 NOVEMBER 2023 | LUDHIANA INBRIEF 15-QUINTAL POPPY HUSK, GUN SEIZED Ludhiana: The Sidhwan Bet police seized 15 quintals of illicit poppy husk, a pistol and three rounds during the checking of a truck in Abupura village. According to the Ludhiana rural police, they signalled the truck driver to stop the vehicle at a designated checkpoint for special checking. The police said the driver and his two accomplices managed to flee the scene, abandoning the vehicle after seeing the police team. The vehicle was also seized. During the checking, the police claimed to have found 75 bags containing 15 quintals of poppy husk. One of the suspects has been identified as Gurwinder Singh from Kot Ise Khan village in Moga while the identities of his accomplices remain unknown. A case has been registered under various sections of the NDPS Act. TNS Speeding vehicle kills 40-yr-old Average AQI improves at 186 man, leaves three others hurt Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 On Monday night, driver of a speeding Bolero Pik-Up lost control over the vehicle and hit multiple persons on Tajpur Road here, resulting in a fatality and injuries to three others. The driver, identified as Ajay Kumar, fled the scene but was apprehended by the police later. Reportedly, the vehicle hit three persons, who were standing by the roadside with their motorcycle, before hitting a pedestrian, causing chaos among onlookers. Following the incident, officials from the Division Number 7 police DRIVER FLEES SCENE, NABBED LATER Upon witnessing the Bolero Pik-Up vehicle losing control, passersby raised the alarm and people tried to run towards all directions to ensure their safety. Some of them tried to catch the driver but he managed to escape from the scene. Later, he was arrested. station reached the place. With the assistance of the bystanders, the injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital. The deceased was identified as Jai Ram, a 40-yearold resident of Guru Ram Das Nagar. His brothers- in-law Sunil Kumar and Bimlesh, along with a pedestrian, named Vikas Kumar, sustained injuries during the accident. According to information, Jai Ram worked as a driver with a private company while Sunil and Bimlesh are labourers. They were engaged in a conversation with someone while standing by the roadside when the speeding vehicle rammed into them. Vikas, the pedestrian, was also hit by the vehicle. Upon witnessing the vehicle losing control, the passers-by raised the alarm and people tried to run towards all directions to ensure their safety. Some people attempted to catch the driver but he managed to escape from the scene. Later, he was arrested. The deceased’s body was sent for a post-mortem examination. The police have filed a first information report (FIR) against the driver of the vehicle under Sections 304-A, 279, 337, 338 and 427 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). CM to host open debate at PAU today Mystery shrouds youth’s death Manav Mander Ludhiana, October 31 A young man from Sanjay Gandhi Colony on Tajpur Road was found dead under mysterious circumstances on Tuesday morning. Initially believed to be a murder, the police later claimed that the man had died by suicide. As per the police, Dinesh Kumar is reported to have jumped from a building in an apparent suicide. The police’s probe revealed that he had been subjected to alleged harassment by a few persons, resulting in the registration of an FIR against them. On Tuesday morning, Dinesh’s body was found near his residence. Thereafter, the police were informed about the incident that sent shock waves through the area. Soon, officials from the Division Number 7 police station reached the scene. The police examined Dinesh’s mobile phone and call records, uncovering evidence of his relationship with a woman. They also came across a recorded phone call in which a man had threatened him with serious consequences. Sukhdev Singh, SHO, Division Number 7 police station, said the probe had established that the man had taken his own life. An FIR was filed against three suspects for their role in abetting his suicide. — TNS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 Security has been beefed up in Ludhiana as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will be hosting an open debate, ‘Main Punjab Bolda Haan’, at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here on Wednesday. Strict security arrangements have been made outside Dr Manmohan Singh auditorium of the university where the event will be held. Public entry from gate number one has been banned and only VIPs will be allowed tomorrow from the gate. Barricades have been installed around the auditorium and many roads inside the university have been closed. Throughout the day on Tuesday security reviews were done by the police and every minute detail was observed. After the Chief Minister gave an open invitation to the public to take part in the debate, 50 members of the Krantikari Kisan Union will also be participating in the event. Farmers will be coming from Moga, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala. Union members said they wanted to put forward issues Cops make security arrangements at the PAU for the CM’s visit. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN FARMERS TO ATTEND EVENT After the CM gave an open invitation to the public to take part in the debate, 50 members of the Krantikari Kisan Union will also be participating in the event. related to farmers and agriculture and eagerly waiting for the debate. The PAU is also hosting Saras Mela at the PAU grounds and the youth fest will also kick-start there tomorrow. A student said she was participating in the youth fest tomorrow. “I am worried about my entry as there is a huge security on the campus. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that I will be allowed entry in the morning,” she said. Rajdeep Singh, a resident from Jalandhar, along with his friends, was making plans of attending a musical night by singer Satinder Sartaaj but now, he will first enquire from his friends about the situation before coming as the CM was coming to the PAU tomorrow. Participants in Saras Mela are apprehensive about tomorrow’s sale. “Seeing the security on the campus, I think there will be no visitors tomorrow and hence, no sale,” said an artisan at the fair. Ludhiana, October 31 The average air quality index (AQI) of Ludhiana today was 186. It was better from yesterday, which was recorded at 250. While thin layer of smog continue to engulf the city, making visibility low during early morning and late evening hours due to stubble burning by farmers. People who are asthmatic and suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are having a difficult time. Meanwhile, Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), advocated various in-situ management technologies, including use of surface seeder, super seeder, smart seeder, happy seeder, super SMS on combine, zero till drill, reversible mould board plough, mulcher and cutter for effective paddy residue management. “The idea of paddy straw decomposer has not gone well with Punjab due to climatic conditions,” he observed while promoting J&K man gets 20-yr RI in drug case Legal Correspondent Ludhiana, October 31 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Shiv Mohan Garg has sentenced Mohd Latif, a resident of Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, to 20 years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) for smuggling drugs. The court also ordered him to pay a fine of Rs 2 lakh. According to the prosecu- tion, on June 9, 2020, a case was registered against the accused under the NDPS Act at the Sidhwan Bet police station. On that day, following a tip-off, the police had laid a naka where a truck bearing Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 31 Continuing to carry the dubious distinction of being the “most accidentprone” district in the state, Ludhiana had recorded the highest of 630 deaths in a maximum of 786 road accidents during the past year. It was revealed in the recent report compiled by Punjab Road Safety and Traffic Research Centre (PRSTRC) Director Dr Navdeep Asija, who is also Traffic Advisor for Punjab. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Traffic, Amardeep Singh Rai, told The Tribune, here on Tuesday that Punjab had recorded 4,578 deaths in 5,968 road accidents in 2022, which were less than 4,589 road mishap casualties reported in the state during 2021 and even 2018 when 4,740 persons had lost their lives in the fatal road accidents in the border state. “With 1.68-lakh road acci- Accounts for over 13% of total 4,578 deaths in 5,968 accidents in state LESS THAN 2021 The analysis of the official figures showed that the road accident casualties in Ludhiana had registered a decline of almost 3 per cent in 2022 with the count of deaths going down to 630 from 649 in 2021. However, the road accident deaths were recorded much less at 499 in 2020 and 508 in 2019. KILLER FIGURES Area State Ludhiana Mishaps 5,968 786 Deaths 4,578 630 Injured 2,617 426 (Source: PRSTRC, figures for 2022) THRUST ON ROAD SAFETY: ADGP ❝ We are making all-out efforts to make roads safer with the major thrust on road safety initiatives. Besides awareness and education, we are also resorting to strict enforcement of traffic rules. The new road safety police force will further help in achieving the goal ❞ — Amardeep Singh Rai, ADGP (TRAFFIC) A vehicle that met with a fatal accident in Ludhiana. FILE dent fatalities, the country has recorded a jump of 9 per cent in 2022 while Punjab has reversed the trend with fewer casualties,” he said. He said neighbouring states such as Haryana and Rajasthan, which share similar attributes, have reported an increase of 6.7 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, in road accident fatalities last year as compared to 2021. Rai, who has been spear- heading the sustained road safety campaign for the past few years and has recently constituted the special road safety force, which was firstof-its-type in the country, divulged that the district-wise c m y b data has showed that the highest of 630 persons had lost their lives in a maximum of 786 road accidents in Ludhiana district in 2022. These included 356 deaths in 458 road mishaps in the Ludhi- a J&K registration number came. The occupants of the vehicle were signalled to stop. However, one of the accused fled the scene. During checking, 30 bags (35 kg each) containing poppy husk were recovered from the accused. He was arrested and presented before a court. After appreciating the evidence on record, the court found him guilty. Cops begin probe in woman’s murder case Our Correspondent Police officials during a probe near the Sidhwan Bet area. Man ‘strangled to death’ by wife, her paramour Ludhiana, October 31 A woman, along with her ‘paramour’, has been accused of strangling her husband to death at Madhepur village in the Sidhwan Bet area. The victim has been identified as Gurdeep Singh (35). After receiving information about the crime, the police started a probe into the case. The suspects have been identified as Baljit Kaur and her paramour Charanjit Singh. It has been alleged that Charanjit frequently visited Madhepur to meet the woman. When Gurdeep raised objection after he came to know that Charanjit had visited the place to meet his wife, Baljit Kaur and her paramour allegedly strangled him to death, as per information. The police investigation in the matter is underway. Meanwhile, DSP Satwinder Singh could not be contacted for his comments. — TNS Dist most accident prone, records highest 630 deaths in 786 mishaps Nitin Jain in-field solution to paddy straw which was sustainable environmentally and economically. Agricultural Engineer from the State Agriculture Department Sardar Jagdish Singh said during the past year, the farmers were equipped with substantial number of machines and this year also, they were getting machines and subsidy for straw management. “It is essential to motivate the farmers to opt for in-field management technologies rather than going in for offfield solutions,” he said. ana Police Commissionerate, 183 fatalities in 211 accidents in Khanna police district and 91 casualties in 117 road crashes in the Ludhiana rural area last year. It accounted for 13.76 per cent of the total deaths and 13.17 per cent of the total mishaps reported in the state. Besides, 426 were left injured, including 332 with serious injuries, in mishaps in Ludhiana. Among other districts and commissionerates, Amritsar CP had reported 68 deaths and 84 injuries in 114 road accidents, Amritsar Rural 138 deaths and 116 injuries in 165 mishaps, Barnala 131 deaths and 110 injuries in 158 accidents, Batala 92 deaths and 70 hurt in 101 crashes, Bathinda 246 fatalities and 261 injuries in 339 accidents, Faridkot 96 casualties and 129 hurt in 134 mishaps, Fatehgarh Sahib 211 died and 193 injured in 268 accidents, Fazilka 139 fatalities and 114 injuries in 161 crashes, Ferozepur 132 casualties and 75 hurt in 149 mishaps, Gurdaspur 70 died and 52 hurt in 87 accidents, Hoshiarpur 230 fatalities and 127 hurt in 272 mishaps, Jalandhar CP 91 casualties and 77 injuries in 129 mishaps, Jalandhar Rural 196 deaths and 142 hurt in 228 crashes, Kapurthala 124 died and 88 injured in 138 mishaps, Malerkotla 40 dead and 34 injuries in 51 mishaps, Mansa 149 casualties and 93 hurt in 188 crashes, Moga 195 died and 113 injured in 214 mishaps, Pathankot 74 killed and 48 hurt in 91 accidents, Patiala 418 deaths and 411 injuries in 657 mishaps, Ropar 229 died and 244 hurt in 296 crashes, Mohali 296 deaths and 314 injured in 486 accidents, Nawanshahr 131 killed and 116 hurt in 162 mishaps, Sangrur 206 dead and 207 injuries in 320 accidents, Muktsar 130 died and 77 hurt in 138 mishaps and Tarn Taran had recorded 106 deaths and 76 injuries in 122 accidents. Besides, 10 deaths and four injuries were reported in 14 accidents under the jurisdiction of the GRP . Mandi Ahmedgarh, Oct 31 The Ahmedgarh Sadar police have initiated a probe into the death of a woman, aged around 25, whose body was recovered from a drain near a marriage palace on the outskirts of Mandian village on the Khanna-Malerkotla road near here on Monday. An FIR under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC was registered against unidentified persons who are suspected to have dumped the body into the drain after strangling the victim with her dupatta. The body has been kept at the mortuary of the districtlevel Civil Hospital in Malerkotla for identification of the deceased. Hardeep Singh of Mandian village informed the police on Monday afternoon that the body of an unidentified woman had been recovered from the drain passing near his fields. Tightly wrapped dupatta around the neck of the victim suggested that the suspects had strangled the victim and tried to destroy the body by dumping it into the drain. Jaure Pul Chowki SHO Sayeed Shakeel said the exact reason behind the death would be ascertained after getting the postmortem examination conducted. After keeping the body for identification for 72 hours, the autopsy would be conducted. “Meanwhile, we have initiated a probe into the sequence of events leading to the recovery of the body, on the basis of CCTV footage of video cameras installed in the region,” he said. Shakeel said residents of the region were being informed about particulars of the deceased through social media and public announcement system at religious places. Apparently looking like a married migrant woman, the deceased was wearing a scarlet embroidered shirt, brown trousers and a brown dupatta at the time of the incident.