26022024-LT-01.qxd 2/26/2024 12:56 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune FORT COLLINS UNITED LIFT JITO CRICKET LEAGUE TROPHY POOR INFRA, STAFF SHORTAGE AIL JALANDHAR CIVIL HOSPITAL FILMMAKER KUMAR SHAHANI DIES AT KOLKATA HOSPITAL Fort Collins United routed M Jain Super Kings by nine wickets to lift trophy in JITO Premier Cricket League. P2 The Jalandhar Civil Hospital seems illequipped to provide emergency health care services to accident victims. P3 Filmmaker Kumar Shahani passed away due to age-related health issues at a hospital in Kolkata. P4 » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 22°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 23°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET MONDAY 6:22 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:56 AM » MONDAY | 26 FEBRUARY 2024 | LUDHIANA Man gets 5-year RI for molesting minor girl Fly ash continues to irk residents as PPCB fails to check erring factories Harshraj Singh Legal Correspondent Ludhiana, February 25 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Amarjit Singh has sentenced Sunny, a resident of Jaspal Bangarh village, here, to five-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) on the charge of molesting a minor girl. The court has also ordered the convict to pay a fine of Rs 30,000. The court further ordered to give compensation of Rs 25,000 to the victim from the total fine amount recovered. According to prosecution, the case was registered on April 9, 2022, by the Sahnewal police under Sections 354A and 354B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 8 of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complainant had stated that she was divorced 13 years ago. She had two children born in the wedlock, a daughter aged about 16 years and a 13-year-old son. She was staying with her children and the paralysed mother. On April 9, 2022, she had gone to market with her son to buy some groceries. Her daughter and her mother were alone at home. When she returned, there was a gathering of our elders at home. Her daughter said in her absence, the accused came to their house and seeing her alone, he started talking to me. Taking advantage of the same, he teased her and started molesting her. She raised the alarm, following which, her uncle came to the place. Afterwards, the man fled the scene. Later, the police registered a case and arrested the man, she said. During the trial of the case, the accused claimed innocence and stated that he was falsely implicated. After hearing arguments of both sides and going through the evidence, the court found him guilty. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 25 Despite repeatedly voicing their concerns about the significant air pollution allegedly caused by various dyeing industries, residents continuously endure suffering and health problems. Fly ash discharged from industrial chimneys not only contaminates the air but also settles in their homes, particularly along Tajpur Road, Tibba Road, Bhamian and nearby areas. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been accused of failing to effectively address the issue, leaving residents to bear the brunt of pollution. A group of residents raised questions over the PPCB’s failure to check industries allegedly violating environmental regulations. They demanded that the PPCB should implement effective pollution control measures. Harjinder Kaur, residing in GK Estate, Bhamian Khurd, expressed that for the past around five years, they had been suffering due to air pollution and the Fly ash emanating from industries collected by a resident on the floor of a house at GK Estate in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO EFFECTIVE POLLUTION-CONTROL MEASURES SOUGHT A group of residents raised questions over the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s failure to check industries allegedly violating environmental regulations. They demanded that the PPCB should implement effective pollution-control measures. falling of fly ash in their homes. However, relief had been elusive. There are a number of industries located at a short distance from their residential area. “The fly ash continues to fall unabated here. The residue is prominently visible on the white marble flooring of our home. It is a big concern for inhabitants of the area. Furthermore, we refrain from hanging wet clothes on the rooftop due to the persistent falling of black ash. The pollution is also causing health problems for us,” she said. Joginder Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, near the Central Jail, on Tajpur Road, emphasised lack of respite from continuous fly ash emissions. Many times, passing through affected areas on Tajpur Road becomes challenging even for two-wheeler riders, as pollution particles cause irritation in the eyes. He said: “The accumulation of fly ash across rooftops further underscores the severity of the problem, with residents witnessing a deterioration in air quality in our area. We had staged protests against the menace in the past but no relief was provided to us. The PPCB must check erring industries and take action.” Earlier, residents had also demanded from the Municipal Corporation and PPCB to install air pollution measuring devices but to no avail. On the other hand, Pardeep Gupta, Chief Environmental Engineer, PPCB in Ludhiana, said these colonies were located in the vicinity of the industrial area. While asserting ongoing monitoring of industrial activities, Gupta said they were keeping a check on the industries, and if any violation was found, action was taken. He said they had caught around five industrial units violating the norms. However, Ludhiana East MLA Daljeet Singh Grewal could not be contacted for his comments. Ludhiana, February 25 The Jagraon police claimed to have nabbed three persons who snatched a mobile phone from a cyclist. They were captured in CCTV cameras which helped the police in identifying them. The police traced the registration number of the motorcycle captured in a CCTV camera and traced the suspects. They have been identified as Gurnam Singh, alias Gaggu, a resident of Baddowal, here, Arshdeep Singh, alias Guri, a resident of Ajit Nagar, Jagraon, and Chetan Singh, a resident of Ajit Nagar, Jagraon. Snatched mobile phone Visitors enjoy the flower and baby show organised by the MC at Nehru Rose Garden in Ludhiana. The two-day event concluded on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, February 25 The Ludhiana police claimed to have busted a gang of snatchers and arrested three of its members. The police also recovered 25 mobile phones, a sharp weapon and a motorcycle from the suspects. The phones were being looted by the gang from city residents and the seized motorcycle was being used for committing snatching incidents. The suspects have been identified as Arvinder Singh of New Azad Nagar, Kamaljit Singh of Preet Nagar and Ajay Kumar of Basant Nagar. Residents hit as resumption of driving tests delays Tribune News Service The automated driving test centre at Sector 32 in Ludhiana. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN State Transport Commissioner Moneesh Kumar said the driving tests will be resumed soon at the automated driving test and online licence centre in Sector 32 on Chandigarh Road. centre on Chandigarh Road said he was unable to apply for a test at the centre despite his residence being located nearby. He was advised to apply for a driving licence test at another automated driving test centre near SCD Government College, which is around 10 km from the Chandigarh Road centre. Kanwaljeet Singh Bobby, a political leader, said people from the Ludhiana East constituency, Sahnewal, and other areas falling under the Ludhiana East sub-division previously relied on the Chandigarh Road centre for driving tests. However, for the past two months, tests c m y b had not been conducted there for new applicants. As a result, residents from these areas were compelled to travel long distances to reach the test centre near SCD Government College. It is imperative for the authorities concerned to take immediate action to ensure that new applicants can again apply for driving tests at the Chandigarh Road centre. A staff member at the test centre on Chandigarh Road said new applications for driving tests were not being accepted now due to pending matters related to PB-91. It was expected that tests would resume at the centre once the pending issues were resolved. However, State Transport Commissioner Moneesh Kumar said the driving tests would be resumed soon at the centre in Sector 32 on Chandigarh Road. which, the police found out the address of the snatchers with the help of the vehicle registration number and caught them. They would conduct further questioning of the suspects so that their role in past incidents could be inquired and more recovery of snatched valuables be made, the ASI said. According to the police, the suspects were drug addicts and after looting valuables, they used to sell the same. Proceeds of sales were being used by them to buy drugs. The police would also identify persons who had been buying looted items from the trio and action could be taken against them. — TNS The suspects in custody of the Jagraon police in Ludhiana on Sunday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Tribune News Service TESTS WILL RESUME SOON, SAYS OFFICIAL and a motorcycle used in the crime were also recovered. Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Gurcharan Singh said two days ago, the miscreants on a motorcycle had snatched the mobile phone of Chandar Shekhar, a resident of Jagraon, who was going to pay obeisance at a temple on his bicycle. Later, the victim lodged a complaint with the police in this regard. Following which, the police took action and started investigation in the case. The police checked several CCTV cameras installed around the incident site and the registration no. of suspect’s vehicle was captured in one of the cameras. After 3 members of snatchers’ gang held; 25 mobiles, weapon seized Flowery delight AUTOMATED DRIVING TEST CENTRE IN SECTOR 32 ON CHANDIGARH ROAD Ludhiana, February 25 People are experiencing inconvenience due to the suspension of driving tests for new applicants at the automated driving test and online licence centre in Sector 32 on Chandigarh Road, here, for approximately two months. Earlier, driving tests for applicants from Ludhiana East sub-division areas falling under the PB-91 registration code, under the authority of the SDM (East), were conducted at the centre on Chandigarh Road. However, these areas have now been shifted to the jurisdiction of the Regional Transport Office, Ludhiana (PB-10 code). Also, the Transport Department has recently decided to stop the registration of vehicles under the PB-91 code. Jagjeet Singh, a visitor to the automated driving test 3 snatchers land in Jagraon police net; mobile, bike seized ASI Gurdeep Singh said on February 24, when he along with the police party were conducting a patrolling near the bus stand to keep a tab over anti-social elements, he received a tip-off that Arvinder and Kamaljit were running a gang of snatchers. After looting valuables, both suspects used to sell the same to their gang member Ajay Kumar. As per information, both suspects were on the way to sell looted mobile phones to Man booked for sexually assaulting live-in partner’s son Ludhiana, February 25 The Daresi police yesterday registered a case against a man who sexually assaulted an eight-year-old son of his live-in partner at Basti Jodhewal. He has been identified as Parmod Yadav of Basti Jodhewal. The complainant, the victim’s mother, told the police that she had been in a live-in relationship with Parmod for a long time. About a week ago, when she went to the market to buy some houshold items, her son was at home with her live-in partner. After some time when she returned home, she was shocked to see that her live-in partner was sexually abusing her son. After seeing her, he fled the scene. The complainant alleged that on Saturday, she lodged a police complaint after which a case was registered . ASI Harpal Singh said a case was registered against the man and a raid was being conducted to nab him. — TNS Ajay. The police party laid a naka at a strategic place where their motorcycle was stopped and the duo were caught, the ASI said. Later, during the questioning of the suspects, whereabouts of the Ajay were known and he was also arrested. Twentyfive mobile phones were recovered from the suspects, the ASI said, adding that now, their police remand would be sought from court so that the role of the trio in past incidents could be verified and more members of the gang be arrested. A case was registered against the suspects on Saturday. Miscreants make bid to attack SMO Ludhiana, February 25 The Samrala police today registered a case against unidentified miscreants who try to attack the Senior Medical Officer (SMO), Samrala, Tarakjot Singh. Sources said the doctor was returning home in his car on Saturday evening. When he reached the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road, he was cornered by some miscreants. They tried to attack the SMO but he managed to sped away his car and reached the Samrala police station and lodged a complaint. Samrala SHO Rao Varinder Singh, said a case was registered against the miscreants and investigation was launched to identify them. He said once the suspects were caught, their intention could be ascertained. — TNS Youth critically hurt as groups indulge in clash Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 25 A clash broke out between two groups in the city’s busiest Samrala Chowk on Sunday. Over 12 persons from each group indulged in the clash. Members from both sides used sharp weapons and heavy sticks to hit their opponents. They also hurled glass bottles at each other. Sources said the clash reportedly erupted between employees of private bus transporters over some dispute. A PCR team reached the spot to probe the incident. The police recovered sharp weapons from the scene. Sourav, a youth from one of the groups, was cornered by members of the rival group and he was brutally attacked in full public view. He was taken to a hospital in an auto-rick- POLICE SEIZE SHARP WEAPONS A PCR team reached the spot to probe the incident. The police seized sharp weapons from the scene. shaw by passers-by. A roadside vendor, Raman, said members of both groups were carrying sharp weapons and heavy sticks. Hooliganism by the suspects continued for about 15 minutes and onlookers also captured the incident in their mobile phones. After getting information, officials from the Police Division 3 reached the spot. Dharampura police post incharge ASI Balour Singh said most of the people were identified and raids were on the arrest them. The injured youth, who was stated to be in a critical condition, was undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.
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