15042025-CT-01.qxd 4/15/2025 12:43 AM Page 1 c m y b Chandigarh tribune MAYOR BABLA PAYS HOMAGE TO UT FIREFIGHTERS SEMINARS MARK BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF AMBEDKAR MEGHNA TO DIRECT KAREENA AND PRITHVIRAJ IN NEW FILM Fire Service Week will be observed from April 14 under the theme ‘Unite to Ignite, a Fire Safe India’. P3 Kataria said Babasaheb envisaged Indian solutions to Indian problems in keeping with interests of people.P3 Kareena and Prithviraj Sukumaran have boarded the new film by Talvar& Raazi director Meghna Gulzar. P4 » » WHAT’S ON CHANDIGARH To roll out new promotion plan offering streamlined facilities for enhanced visitor experience Dushyant Singh Pundir PORTAL WITH REAL-TIME CHECK-IN DATA Tribune News Service Exhibition: “Women of Urban India” by Olympe Ramakrishna, Alliance Française, Sector 36, from April 18 to 28 APNI MANDI Chandigarh: Sectors 29 and 56, & Dhanas Panchkula: Sector 15 Mohali: Sector 71 Please send information about events in tricity at: whatson@tribunemail.com POWER SHUTDOWN CHANDIGARH 10 am to 2 pm: Parts of Sectors 7, 8, 19, 23, 24, 27, 30, 37,39, 44, 50, Mani Majra town, Hallo Majra, Bird Park, Kaimbwala village and Community Centre in Sector 37 Youth dies in accident, auto driver booked Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 14 A 21-year-old youth was killed and two of his friends were injured in an accident near Kalagram here yesterday. The mishap was reportedly caused by a recklessly driven auto-rickshaw, which abruptly changed direction. Ashish Kumar, a resident of Kishangarh, along with his friends Umesh and Yash, was on his way to a petrol station on a bike. When they reached the Kalagram area, an auto-rickshaw abruptly took a turn. Ashish lost control of the bike and all three fell down. A milk tanker coming from the opposite direction hit Ashish. He was rushed to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16, where he succumbed to injuries. Umesh and Yash were admitted to the Government Continued on page 2 Chandigarh, April 14 To make Chandigarh a prominent tourist destination, the UT Administration is likely to unveil a comprehensive tourism promotion plan within the next 15–20 days. The plan is aimed at enhancing the experience of both domestic and international tourists through a slew of modernised and streamlined facilities, including online ticketing, a single-window clearance system and a centralised tourism portal. To make the plan effective, the UT Administration has studied tourism models of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Kerala, Haryana and other Union Territories. Extensive consultations have also been held with the stakeholders from the hospitality sector, tourism associations and hotel owners to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to the plan. The city, known for tourist attractions such as the Capitol Complex in Sector 1, Rock Garden, Sukhna Lake, Bird Park, Indian Air Force Heritage Centre and the Government Museum and Art Gallery in Sector 10, is visited by 30,000 foreign and 12 lakh domestic tourists every year. The new plan is aimed at ■ The Tourism Department will launch a personnel will be trained at the Institute of dedicated portal where city hotels can upload Hotel Management, Sector 42. their real-time data on tourist check-ins. ■ The administration will streamline the ■ ’Tourist Police’ will be deployed at key approval process for film shooting in the city spots to assist visitors. A total of 30 police through a single-window system. Tribune news service Chandigarh , April 15 A Judicial Magistrate First Class has sentenced a city resident to undergo three years of rigorous imprisonment for driving a car with fake registration number plates. An FIR against the convict, Saravdeep Singh, was registered for offences punishable under sections 188 (disobedience of orders given by public servants), 471 (using a forged document) and 473 (possessing counterfeit seals or plates) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) by the Sector 3 Police Station House Officer on April 10, 2020 on the complaint of a cop. TOURISTS VISIT CITY ANNUALLY Union Territory of Chandigarh is visited by around 30,000 foreign and 12 lakh domestic tourists every year. Tourists visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Capital Complex in Chandigarh. FILE PHOTO increasing the number by removing logistical and service-related bottlenecks. The Tourism Department will launch a dedicated portal where city hotels can upload their real-time data on tourist check-ins. Each hotel will receive a unique ID and password to ensure seamless data integration. A toll-free helpline for tourist grievances is also in the pipeline. One of the most notable features of the new plan is the deployment of ‘Tourist Police’ to assist visitors at key attractions. A total of 30 police personnel will be specially trained at the Institute of Hotel Management, Sector 42. Dressed in white with blue ‘Tourist Police’ badges, these officers will offer support and safety to both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, the administration will streamline the approval process for film shooting in the city through a single-window system. More licensed guides will be recruited, with fixed rates published transparently on the tourism website. A senior official from the Tourism Department said, “We are preparing this plan with an integrated approach. It will not only improve tourist facilities but also focus on interstate collaboration through trade fairs, exhibitions and other tourism events.” The administration believes that the new initiative will redefine Chandigarh’s image as a tourist-friendly city while boosting its economy through increased footfall and better infrastructure. FACEBOOK/CHANDIGARHTRIBUNE ‘Killer’ on the run with ~10 in pocket Sheetal Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 14 An unidentified body was found in the forest area of Sector 54 here this morning. A resident of Panchkula said he came across a man matching the description of the suspect, who claimed he had committed a murder and was on the run, with just 10 rupees in his pocket. According to the police, the body was discovered by a passerby in the morning. Preliminary investigations suggest that the victim was murdered late Sunday night, but the exact time and cause of death will be confirmed following a postmortem examination. It came to light that just minutes after committing the crime — around 9:25 pm on Sunday night — the suspect was seen merely 200 metres from the crime scene in Palsora village (Sector 54), trying to find a way out of the city. The Panchkula resident recounted his disturbing encounter with the suspect in front of Franco Hotel in Mohali. “The suspect looked to be in his mid-twenties and his clothes were filthy. He asked me for directions to Ambala. I was wary and didn’t take my phone out,” he said. The man appeared disoriented. “He said he had committed a murder and was on the run, with just 10 rupees in his pocket. I brushed him off saying that I didn’t have cash,” said the Panchkula resident. What startled him Panchkula resident recounts encounter with suspect minutes after murder in Sec 54 even more was the suspect’s erratic behaviour — at one moment expressing panic and desperation, and the next asking odd questions. “He even asked for my number. When I refused, he gave me his instead. But, I didn’t take it seriously and just nodded to end the conversation quickly,” he added. “The suspect said he was willing to walk to Ambala. At the time, I thought he was just some drugged-up labourer. I didn’t pay much heed,” the Panchkula resident recounted. “But when the cops visited my place today, I realised the man I met had actually committed the murder. Now, I think the dirty clothes he was wearing weren’t just filthy — they likely had blood stains.” While the police are trying to identify the deceased, local residents have raised safety concerns and the need for increased police patrolling, particularly in sparsely populated areas. The police are making efforts to piece together the sequence of events that led to the murder in Sector 54 forest. The authorities have urged anyone who might have seen the suspect to come forward with information. Cop ‘assaults’ family over scuffle between children Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 14 A UT police constable allegedly barged into a home at Nayagaon and assaulted the family over a scuffle between two children. The constable, who was in uniform, also tried to hit a minor child. The incident was captured on a CCTV camera. According to a complaint lodged with the Nayagaon police, the constable, identified as Inderjit, entered the home after a minor scuffle between two children. Instead of resolving the issue peacefully, he allegedly resorted to intimidation and violence. The complainant, Monika VIDEO VIRAL In the viral video, Inderjit is seen entering the house and attempting to physically confront a child. When the other family members intervenes, he manhandles them as well. Sharma, a resident of Nayagaon and an employee of the PGI, has demanded action against the constable. In the viral video, Inderjit is seen entering the house and attempting to physically confront a child. When the other family members intervenes, he manhandles them as well. A woman relative, who tries to deescalate the situation, is also shoved by the constable. Using fake number plates lands Fortuner driver in jail for 3 years Ramkrishan Upadhyay OVER 12 LAKH MAX 35°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 35.2°C | MIN 20.3°C SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6.00 AM /THETRIBUNECHD Admn set to boost tourism with online ticketing, special cops MAINLY CLEAR SKY SUNSET TUESDAY 6.46 PM » TUESDAY | 15 APRIL 2025 | CHANDIGARH FORECAST COVID-TIME INCIDENT The police stopped the accused driving the SUV at a beat box in Sector 10 during the Covid-19 pandemic. The vehicle was impounded after he failed to provide a satisfactory reason for roaming outside amid curfew. A police team had stopped the man driving a Toyota Fortuner at a beat box in Sector 10 during the Covid-19 pandemic. He failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for roaming outside amid the curfew, following which his car was impounded. When the car was checked, it was found that registration number plates affixed on the front and rear side of the vehicle had different numbers. Following an investigation, a challan was presented in court. Charges were framed against the accused to which he did not plead guilty and claimed trial. Counsel of the accused argued that he had been falsely implicated in the case. However, the public prosecutor argued that the prosecution has proved the case beyond a shadow of doubt. After hearing the arguments, the court sentenced the driver to undergo three years of rigorous imprisonment while rejecting the plea of leniency. The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,200 on him. Witnesses claim the officer hurled abuses and threatened the family. He allegedly warned them that if any family member entered Chandigarh, he would take further action against them. Constable Inderjit’s name and belt number (5002) are visible in the footage. The matter has raised serious concerns over police misconduct and abuse of power. The Nayagaon police have begun an investigation into the incident. The victim’s family is now demanding disciplinary action against the policeman, stressing that the misuse of police influence inside a private home, especially involving minors, must not go unpunished. Good Friday public holiday, UT clarifies Tribune News Service Chandigarh, April 14 Following queries by residents, the UT Administration has again clarified that Good Friday (April 18) and Buddha Purnima (May 12) will be public holidays as per the earlier notification in all government offices, boards, corporations, institutions and industrial establishments under the Chandigarh Administration. However, both these public holidays will not be within the meaning of Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. c m y b Players of Kolkata Knight Riders play soccer during a practice session at the PCA stadium in New Chandigarh on Monday. RAVI KUMAR Kings set to defend fortress against Kolkata Riders in crucial tie today Deepankar Sharda Tribune News Service Mohali, April 14 Sitting in the middle of the points’ table, both Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders will lock horns in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur on April 15. So far, both teams have won three matches each. While Riders have played six, Kings have completed five in the ongoing league. In their third home match, Kings, whose skipper Shreyas Iyer had lifted the IPL 2024 title while captaining the Riders, will expect their bowling line-up Kings’—which is yet to play at their best— to step up and take the challenge to batting-driven Riders. Of the five matches, the Kings’ bowlers have allowed the opponent to cross 200-mark in four. To their credit, they have successfully defended the target twice in three matches— against Gujarat Titans (232 runs), Rajasthan Royals (205 runs), Chennai Super Kings (201 runs) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (247 runs)—when their side fielded second. Notably, however, none of the bowlers have an economy rate lower than 9. Even the spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Glenn Maxwell, have leaked runs. The hosts will look to start afresh after their last debacle against Hyderabad, where Punjab lad Abhishek Sharma went on to score 141 off 55 balls, but Lockie Ferguson’s injury during that clash will in all likelihood rule him out of the remainder of the tournament. “The [last game] was disappointing for us. We knew going in that it will be a high-scoring game. We got a great score on the board, but then, unfortunately, our inability to take catches that night cost us,” said Kings’ fast bowling coach, James Hopes. He further confirmed, “Ferguson is out indefinitely and the chances of us getting him back by the end of the tournament are very slim. I think he has sustained a serious injury.” The team is heavily relying on Indian pacer, Arshdeep Singh who is yet to find a ‘bright’ presence on the field. “For starters, I’m really enjoying working with him. He is a world-class bowler. The only thing that’s missing for him is wickets… If some of missed chances start going his way, you’re going to see the wickets pile up,” Hopes added. While keeping aside the bowlers’ concern, Hopes also maintained that the side needs to lift their effort in the field. “I think we’ve dropped 12 catches in the tournament now... If we had taken those catches, I think we could be sitting here with a four-andone record, but we cannot do Continued on page 2