15032024-LT-01.qxd 15-03-2024 00:30 Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune TWO-DAY PASHU PALAN MELA KICKS OFF AT GADVASU ABOHAR MLA HANDS OVER LIST OF INCOMPLETE WORKS TO CM SINGER-SONGWRITER DUA LIPA UNVEILS TITLE OF THIRD ALBUM Punjab Cabinet Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian inaugurates Pashu Palan Mela of GADVASU. P2 MLA Sandeep Jakhar meets Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann after the Assembly session. P3 The album, which is her third studio album, consists of 11-tracks, and is set to be released on May 3. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 27°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 27.6°C | MIN 9.8°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6:31 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:31 AM » FRIDAY | 15 MARCH 2024 | LUDHIANA INBRIEF 2 HELD FOR MAKING FAKE PASSPORTS Ludhiana: The police arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in preparing fake passports and other documents. The suspects have been identified as Deepak Dhankar, a resident of Haryana, and Yadwinder Singh of Patiala. Following a complaint by Inspector Amarjit Singh from Crime Branch-I, a case under Sections 419, 465, 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC and Section 12 of the Passport Act has been registered against the suspects at the Model Town police station. TNS Ladhowal man arrested on murder charge Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 14 The police arrested a person in a murder case after the body of a man was found in the forest area of Fatehgarh Gujran. The suspect has been identified as Avtar Singh of Ladhowal. The deceased has been identified as Arjan Kumar (33), a resident of Ladhowal, Ludhiana. In her complaint to the police, Ranjit Kaur, wife of the deceased, alleged that Avtar Singh took her husband along somewhere on March 11. Arjan was allegedly addicted to drugs. Her husband did not return home on the night of March 11. His body was found in the forest area of Fatehgarh Gujran the next day. She alleged that both arms of her husband were tied with cloth and there was a wound on his head. She alleged that the wound was caused by a sharp weapon. She accused Avtar and his aides of killing Arjan. Following her statement, the police registered a case against Avtar Singh and unidentified persons under Sections 302 and 34 of the IPC at the Ladhowal police station. Probe panel finds high organic load, metal concentration in wastewater GIASPURA GAS TRAGEDY Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 14 The Centre’s joint probe panel has reported high organic load and high metal concentration in the wastewater flowing in the sewer lines at Giaspura in Ludhiana, where the sudden release of high concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas from a roadside manhole on April 30 last had claimed 11 lives, including five of a family, and had left four injured. The Central joint committee, comprising senior functionaries of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Delhi, constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to conduct fresh independent probe into the Giaspura gas leak tragedy, has made this finding after analysing the results of physio-chemical parameters in wastewater samples collected from the manholes of main sewer and branched sewer lines on December 15, 2023. In its 58-page inquiry report submitted before the NGT recently, a copy of which is with The Tribune, the joint probe panel submitted that it was evident from the monitored data that wastewater flowing in sewer contains high organic load as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) ranges between 1,232 mg/l and 2,230 mg/l and sulphate ranged between 2,108 mg/l and 3,087 mg/l. Similarly, analytical results for heavy metals in wastewater samples collected from the affected areas also revealed that the wastewater flowing in the sewer contained high metal concentration in terms of iron, which ranged between 9.3 mg/l and 1,562.3 mg/l, while zinc was found between 0.57 The sudden release of high concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas from a roadside manhole on April 30 last had claimed 11 lives, including five of a family, and had left four injured in Giaspura. FILE PHOTO TIMELINE April 30, 2023: Gas leak tragedy claimed 11 lives, left four injured May 2, 2023: NGT take suo motu cognisance, orders probe October 11, 2023: PPCB-led inquiry panel submits 397-page probe report October 13, 2023: NGT “rejects” report, orders fresh investigation by CPCB-led committee January 5, 2024: CPCB seeks more time, NGT grants four weeks March 4: Central joint committee submits fresh inquiry report before NGT March 5: NGT disposes of matter while seeking fresh report from PPCB HOLES IN “REJECTED” PROBE The NGT had pointed out major “anomalies” in the investigation conducted by the PPCB chairman-led joint panel, while ordering a fresh independent inquiry into the incident. mg/l and 304.1 mg/l. Making the concluding remarks on its findings based on the scientific analysis results, the Central joint inquiry committee submitted that the rate of hydrogen sulfide generation was proportional to the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and excess sulfates were available. “Based on analysis results of samples collected from manholes of main sewer and branched sewer near/in vicinity and radius of the affected area, it was found that sulfate value in sewer lines ranges between 2,149 mg/l and 3,087 mg/l and BOD concentration ranges between 1,235 mg/l and 2,230 mg/l. This condition facilitated a high rate of H2S generation,” it mentioned. The Centre’s probe panel further stated that the domestic wastewater and solid waste discarded from meat shops located in the catchment was rich in sulfur-containing proteins. “As the substrate of sulfatereducing bacteria (SRB), the sulfur in sludge has been considered as a key factor affecting the competition between sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and methane-producing bacteria (MPB), and sulfate reduction reaction increases with increasing the sulfur concentration,” the report read. It noted that as per the analysis values of samples taken by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team on April 30, 2023, the H2S valued at 1 pm had ranged from 174 ppm to 195 ppm between the points A to D, which had confirmed the heavy presence of this gas in the main sewer. “Further, the colour of sludge deposited on inside of the manhole cover was found to be black as reported by representative of the Municipal Corporation (MC) to this committee during its visit, which confirms non-formation of methane, since methane formation develops white colour slime on inside of manhole cover,” the experts reported, while stating that the black colour can also be observed from the photograph of the manhole cover taken on the day of the incident provided by the local police. Reporting the H2S formation from reaction of metal sulfide with mineral acids like dilute H2SO4, HCL and nitric acid, the Centre’s joint probe panel said the values sulphides stated in analytical results ranged between 3.2 mg/l and 6.4 mg/l, which were very low for producing such high amounts of H2S causing the fatalities. “The pH of the wastewater flowing in sewer lines upstream and downstream of the affected area was found to be ranging between 6.2 and 6.5 during the visit of this committee on December 15, 2023. Such pH range is favourable for SRB to form maximum H2S,” the experts opined, while presenting the samples depicting the SRB growth against pH. The NGT has, however, disposed of the matter while seeking fresh report on the common effluent treatment plant (CETP) in the area from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). Earlier, the NGT had on October 13 last “rejected” the report of the PPCB chairman-led joint inquiry committee terming it “not convincing” and had ordered a fresh independent probe into the sudden release of very high concentration of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) gas from a roadside manhole in Giaspura here on April 30 last, which had claimed 11 lives, including five of a family, and had left four injured. NGT took suo motu notice Taking a suo motu notice of the incident, the NGT principal bench, headed by the then chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel and comprising then judicial member Sudhir Agarwal and executive member Dr A Senthil Vel, had on May 2 last ordered to constitute the panel to inquire and submit its report to the Tribunal on or before June 30. Taking up the matter on October 13 last, the NGT principal bench, headed by chairperson Prakash Shrivastava and comprising judicial member Sudhir Agarwal and expert member A. Senthil, had said the report had attributed the gas leak to the escape of gases from the sewer line, which “does not appear to be convincing”. Harshraj Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, March 14 Three weeks after a clash broke out between two armed groups at Nawan Mohalla near Subhani Building here, the police arrested nine more persons in this regard. The suspects were arrested from Saharanpur, UP . The police also recovered two cars, two licensed revolvers and 28 live cartridges from them. The incident took place on February 21. A case under Sections 307, 323, 506, 160, 148 and 149 of the IPC and Section 25 of the Arms Act was registered at Division Number 1 police station. Police Commissioner Kuldeep Chahal said the police arrested nine more persons yesterday. Those arrested have been identified as Amarjot Singh, alias Goldy, of Nawan Mohalla, Kulpreet Singh, alias Rubal, of Shastri Nagar, Labhi Singh of Shastri Nagar, Gurkamal Singh, alias Illu, of Basant City, Isanpreet Singh of Field Ganj, Maninder Singh, alias Wife, others yet to be nabbed, probe on Central committee analyses results of physio-chemical parameters in samples Nine more suspects Few visitors at PAU Kisan Mela this year land in police dragnet Large number of farmers away to attend Kisan Mahapanchayat in Delhi NAWAN MOHALLA CLASH Man’s murder case cracked, police suspect ‘supari’ killing Cops carry out an investigation at Khanpur village along the Abohar branch of Sirhind Canal near Dehlon. TRIBUNE PHOTO Mandi Ahmedgarh, March 14 The Dehlon police claimed to have solved the blind murder case of a Kilaraipur man within a few hours of the crime. The deceased has been identified as Harjit Singh. The police got information that a body was recovered from the bushes along the Abohar branch Sirhind Canal near Khanpur village this morning. Analysing circumstantial evidence for around two hours, the police suspected that Mani Kaur, wife of the deceased and her ‘so-called’ brother ‘Bangali’ were the main suspects and it was a case of ‘supari’ killing. Harjit had left the house on Wednesday evening on the pretext of visiting the village bus stop, but did not return. His friends and relatives started looking for him late at night. His body was found lying in the bushes near Khanpur Bridge this morning. After getting information, the Dehlon police, led by SHO 2 jailed for smuggling heroin Legal Correspondent Ludhiana, March 14 The court of Additional Sessions Judge Bishan Saroop has sentenced Mangal Singh, a resident of Amritsar, and Ram Ratan, a resident of Basti Jodhewal, Ludhiana, to 10 years of imprisonment each after finding them guilty of smuggling 570 grams of heroin. The court also ordered them Mannu, of Field Ganj, Ankush Kanojia of Nawan Mohalla, Hemant Saluja of Nimm Wala chowk area and Saurav Kapoor of Radi Mohalla. Three persons — Shubham Arora of New Madhopuri, Mohammad Nadeem of Aadarsh Nagar and Akbar Ali, alias Kaku, of Punjabi Bagh on Tibba Road — were arrested on February 26. The police claimed to have recovered a total of three revolvers, one pistol, cartridges and two cars from the suspects so far. Shubham and his accomplice Nadeem suffered bullet injuries during the clash. They were rushed to a hospital while members of another group sustained minor injuries. According to information, Nadeem suffered a bullet injury in his back while Shubham sustained a bullet injury on his thigh. Ludhiana, March 14 During the Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana today, there was noticeably less crowd amidst the Kisan Mazdoor Mahapanchayat organised in Delhi. A similar scenario unfolded during the Pashu Palan Mela organised by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). In the morning, many stalls lacked the usual bustling crowds despite the favourable weather conditions. However, by afternoon, the situation somewhat improved as more visitors arrived to attend the events. Several stall owners were observed eagerly awaiting visitors. Moreover, there was a notable absence of rush or traffic congestion on Ferozepur Road outside PAU, a common occurrence during past events. Rakesh Lohar, who was selling agricultural tools on the first day of the Kisan Mela, noted a decrease in the number of visitors compared to People during a visit to the Kisan Mela at the PAU in Ludhiana on Thursday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN past events. “Typically, there’s a rush on the first day of the festival, but the visitors were noticeably fewer today morning,” he observed. “It appears that many farmers may have gone to attend the Mahapanchayat being organised in Delhi today, which is why a lesser number of visitors have shown up here so far,” he said. Rakesh Lohar emphasised the importance of such events, stating, “These events provide a valuable opportunity for us to sell our tools. We c m y b hope that the situation improves and more visitors attend the remaining events tomorrow. I also believe that the sellers should be allowed to sell their articles during events organised in Faridkot and at other places.” A worker at a jalebi stall at PAU mentioned that they have been attending Kisan Melas for the past 10 years, but this time the rush seemed less. One of the main reasons could be that many farmers from Punjab and Haryana had gone to attend the farmers’ Mahapanchayat in Delhi. Similar sentiments were shared by Jaswinder Singh from Raikot, who had come to buy seeds at PAU. He remarked that it had been difficult to walk through the crowds during past events, but there were fewer people today as many farmers had gone to Delhi to voice their pending demands. He also mentioned that some of his relatives had gone to attend the Mahapanchayat in Delhi. to pay a fine of ~1 lakh each. The prosecution told the judge that after getting a tipoff, they laid a naka at the Ladowal Chowk. The police arrested the suspects and presented them in the court. After appreciating the evidence on record and hearing the arguments of both parties, the court found them guilty and sentenced both accused to undergo 10 years of imprisonment each. Pakhowal CHC nursing sister hangs self to death Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Two cars, two revolvers, 28 live cartridges recovered Ravinder Kumar, reached the spot and started investigation into the matter. After the investigating teams suspected the involvement of Mani Kaur in the murder, she, along with ‘Bangali’, fled from the village. Assistant Commissioner of Police Guriqbal Singh claimed that analysis of circumstantial evidence had suggested that Mani Kaur and ‘Bangali’ were among the main suspects and it was a case of ‘supari killing’. “Though we are yet to ascertain the exact sequence of events leading to the youth’s murder, preliminary investigations revealed that Harjit’s wife and ‘Bangali’ were the main suspects. They hired around two supari killers to murder the youth,” said DSP Guriqbal Singh. It is also suspected that Harjit was murdered with sharp weapons at some other place and the body was hidden in the bushes to be dumped in the canal. — OC Ludhiana, March 14 A 49-year-old woman allegedly died by suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Khanna Colony, Thareeke Road, here. The deceased has been identified as Amandeep Kaur. She was working as a nursing sister at the Community Health Centre (CHC), Pakhowal. After receiving information, the police reached the spot and initiated an investigation. The woman’s kin blamed SMO Dr Neelam, two Class IV employees, six staff nurses and one Bittu for allegedly harassing her mentally. One of the Class IV employees has been identified as Gurpal Singh. They have been booked for abetment to suicide. On the basis of the statement by Amandeep’s husband Jagtar Singh, a case under Sections 306 and 34 of the IPC has been registered against the suspects at the SMO, two Class IV employees, six staff members booked Sadar police station. He alleged that his wife ender her life due to harassment by the SMO and other CHC staff. He alleged that his wife was being humiliated at CHC, Pakhowal. Amandeep was posted as a nursing sister at the CHC, Pakhowal, around five months ago. Earlier, she was posted at Raikot. Jagtar alleged that his wife was mentally disturbed after she was posted at the CHC, Pakhowal. A doctor from the department alleged that Amandeep was under depression. He alleged that Amandeep also wrote to the Director of Health Services, expressing her desire to leave the designation of the nursing sister at the CHC, Pakhowal, as she wished to return to the SDH, Raikot, as a staff nurse.
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