21042025-LT-01.qxd 4/20/2025 10:53 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HUMOUROUS DRAMA HIGHLIGHTS ABSURDITIES OF MODERN LIFE EMRAAN HASHMI ON HOW ACTORS SHOULD STAY RELEVANT JENNIFER SAYS HYPNOSIS & MEDITATION CALM HER NERVES Hindi comedy play ‘Stand Up Mr Khurana’ brought to fore the humour of a dysfunctional family. P2 Actor Emraan Hashmi believes the key to staying relevant in the world of cinema is to be open-minded. P4 Actress Jennifer Aniston recently revealed that she had extreme fear of flying, but found ways to manage her anxiety. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 36°C | MIN 23°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.58 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:51 AM MONDAY | 21 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA Bike-borne youths fire shots at gangster’s house Tribune News Service Chaos prevails in an old city market on Sunday, causing huge inconvenience to commuters; and (R) a roadside vendor disturbing flow of traffic in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN Encroachments, autos in old city markets bane of commuters Some shopkeepers allow vendors in front of their shops, take rent from them Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 20 The old city markets in Ludhiana are facing the perennial problem of traffic bottlenecks due to encroachments by shopkeepers and roadside vendors. The old markets are already situated in congested lanes with material kept on roadside, which hinders the movement of vehicles. But despite being a long-standing issue, the authorities concerned have failed to find a lasting solution, leaving commuters in trouble. Another issue that is plaguing the city traffic is the rising number of autorickshaws and their illegal stoppages along road sides. Besides, many autos are running ille- gally in the city. The increasing number of ‘jugad rehris’ (motorcycle-engine fitted vehicles) to transport goods is also a serious issue which needs immediate action. Now, as the temperature will go upwards, there will be more chances of fire incidents as well and in the absence of proper traffic management, even fire fighters will struggle to reach the accident sites. Most of the time it has been observed that fire vehicles get stuck in traffic jam. A recent visit to the area revealed widespread encroachments in various markets, including Chaura Bazaar, Railway Road, Saban Bazaar, Daresi, Police Division No. 3 Chowk, Kambal Wala Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar, Meena Bazaar, Talab Bazaar, Bijli Market, Gurh Mandi and Ghas Mandi. In these areas, shopkeepers have extended their shops on to the roads, while roadside vendors have set up makeshift stalls, significantly narrowing the roads and causing traffic congestion. Although the municipal corporation and traffic police have previously conducted drives to remove the encroachments, the problem persists. Avinash Jain, a resident of Chander Nagar, expressed frustration with the authorities’ lack of seriousness in addressing the issue. He suggested that routine patrolling by the MC and traffic police officials would serve as a deter- rent to offenders. “I’m not against anyone’s business, but shopkeepers and vendors must exercise restraint and not encroach on roads,” he added. Another resident from Shivpuri, Anuj Sharma said, “The civic body officials repeat the encroachment drive almost every second day and remove the goods encroaching roads and makeshift vends, but things return to same situation the day after. Instead of repeating the action, the authorities need to come out with proper planning and provide a separate space to vendors, where they do not disturb the traffic.” He said vending zones were the need of the hour to avoid jams in these markets. Manoj Kumar, a shopkeeper 4 held for assaulting bus owner, conductor, snatching cash Raikot, April 20 The Hathur police have arrested four of the over 12 miscreants who had robbed cash and valuables of a transporter and his conductor after assaulting them with sharp-edged weapons four days back. The suspects identified as Gagi, Goli, Vicky (all of Mallha village) and Amninder Singh of Naromajra village had assaulted Hardeep Singh of Chakar, owner of a private mini bus, and driver of the bus Simarjit Singh when their bus halted at Mallah bus stop on Jagraon-Bilaspur route late on Wednesday. The accused, along with 1012 unknown persons snatched the cash bag carrying Rs 35,000 and gold jewellery before leaving the victims bleeding profusely. Kuljinder Singh Grewal, SHO, said the Hathur police had registered a case under various sections of the BNS Two held for seeking ransom in gangster Bambiha’s name Our Correspondent Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 20 The police claimes to have arrested two members of a gang involved in making ransom calls in the name of notorious gangsters. While two members of the gang, identified as Gurpreet Singh Gopi of Buani near Doraha and Lovepreet Singh Vicky of Dehlon, were nabbed by a joint team of the CIA Mahorana and Malerkotla City 1 police, an NRI accomplice, Jaspreet Singh Jassu, and his aide Gurpreet Kaur are yet to be arrested. Gopi and Vicky were nabbed by members of a special investigating team (SIT) when they had come to receive the ransom amount at a deserted place near here on Saturday. Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh informed that cops had solved a case in which an NRI had allegedly demanded Rs 5 crore from The accused in police custody at CIA wing, Mahorana. Baltej Singh of Model Town, Ludhiana bypass, Malerkotla, by posing as brother of gangster Davinder Bambia over a week ago. “Having received information about the ransom demand call to Baltej Singh, we constituted a SIT under the supervision of SP(D) Sat Pal and DSP (D) Satish Kumar and the team ultimately succeeded in nabbing the two local members when they had come to receive the ransom amount from Baltej Singh late in the evening on Saturday,” said Singh, adding that further investigations had revealed that Jassu had made the call from abroad while posing as Bambiha’s brother. The police are yet to ascertain whether the accused were linked somehow to someone who used to make similar calls over a year ago. on Friday and nabbed four suspects from different places on Saturday. Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused had attacked the victims as they used to stop them from teasing female passengers while travelling without ticket. — OC Two held with 170 gm heroin Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 20 The special cell of the Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, have nabbed two heroin smugglers and seized 170 gm of heroin from them. The accused have been identified as Sahil Atwal of Peeru Banda and Dinesh of Goraya, Jalandhar district. Additional DCP Crime Amandeep Singh Brar said that a police party was conducting patrolling near Ladhowal toll barrier when two bike-borne persons were signalled to stop for checking. During their frisking by the cops, 170 gm of heroin was seized from them. ADCP Brar said that accused Sahil was already facing three cases. After coming out on bail, accused with the help of his aide Dinesh started drug smuggling. During questioning, the accused confessed that they were going to supply the contraband to their clients in Peeru Banda area. c m y b on Railway Road, acknowledged that some shopkeepers do encroach on roads, but argued that not all are guilty. Kumar claimed that some shopkeepers intentionally allow vendors outside their shops and charge them daily rent, which is illegal. Kumar said that many shopkeepers, like him, comply with the authorities’ directions and do not keep goods on the road. Recently, Police Commissioner, Ludhiana, while commenting on encroachments had said that the police would not displace the roadside vendors suddenly as this may hit their employment, but on the condition that a vendor would agree to shift to a space provided with the help of the municipal corporation. Ludhiana, April 20 Around five miscreants riding on two motorcycles opened fire at the house of gangster Puneet Bains near Cheema Chowk, on the back side of the Janakpuri police post, in the wee hours of Sunday. The miscreants first made a video call to someone outside the house and then went away. A few minutes later, they returned and fired bullets and fled from the spot. In the morning, when the officers of Janakpuri police post reached the spot, they grabbed the CCTV footage. The miscreants fired without any fear of the police as the incident happened just a few steps from the police post, which in itself raises questions on the working of the police and effectiveness of night patrolling. Residents of the area panicked after they heard the shots. Puneet’s mother Kamlesh Rani said that they were asleep in the house when suddenly around 2.30 am, they heard the sound of some motorcycles outside the house, but she did not open the door. Then suddenly after a few minutes, they heard the sound of gunshots and got scared. Kamlesh said that her son Puneet does not live in this house, and only she lives with her daughter. The police was informed immediately after the incident. “In 2020, some people had beaten up Puneet near Cheema Chowk. Tomorrow, I have to testify in the same case in the court. The miscreants are trying to intimidate me. About 12 cases are registered against my son too, but now he has decided to return to the mainstream by leaving the crime world,” said Kamlesh. ASI Satnam Bhullar, in charge, Janakpuri police post, said the police team was busy identifying the bike-borne accused. “The reason for the attack is not clear yet. The police have found two bullet marks. The family’s statements have been recorded in this case. The accused will be arrested soon. Besides, Puneet has been out on bail for the last two months,” said a police official. Family shocked over ~48,000 bill for only 60 units usage Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 20 A family in Ludhiana is confused and shocked after receiving an electricity bill of over Rs 48,000 for a house that has remained locked since February and consumed just 60 units of electricity. The house, located in Pink Park in Barewal area, has remained unoccupied since the passing of its owner Rajni Setia in February. In March, the premises were completely locked and no appliances were in use, according to relatives. However, the latest electricity bill received last week, issued by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), shows a bill of Rs 48,560 for the month, an amount that defies logic given the state’s provision of free electricity for up to 300 units per household. “This house has been hardly used at all since February. We were shocked to see this bill. How can there be such a huge amount when barely any power was consumed?” said a family member, holding up the bill that mentions just 60 units of usage. The anomaly has left the family baffled, whether it is a technical error or an issue of faulty meter reading. They have filed a complaint with the PSPCL and sought a thorough investigation into the matter. Under the Punjab government’s policy, domestic consumers are entitled to 300 units of free electricity each month, which makes this case even more confusing. The PSPCL has not yet responded officially to the complaint. The incident has stirred concern among local residents, who now wonder if similar billing errors could go unnoticed in other cases, especially when properties remain vacant. 41 challaned, 6 cases registered in cordon & search operation Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 20 The Ludhiana rural police arrested eight alleged drug peddlers during a cordon and search operation carried out at Ghalib Kalan village near Jagraon. This operation was led by Senior Superitendent of Police, Ludhiana Rural, Ankur Gupta and Superintendent of Police (Detective) Harkamal Kaur. The operation involved 157 policemen, including three DSPs, who thoroughly searched the village after sealing all entry and exit points. In a statement issued by the police, it stated that 33 gram of heroin, 80 intoxicant pills, and ?4,600 drug money were seized from the accused. During the operation, the police checked 133 individuals and 319 vehicles, issued 41 challans and registered six cases. Ludhiana rural police officials during a cordon and search operation at Ghalib Kalan village near Jagraon on Sunday. The SSP appealed to the people to abandon drug trade, assuring that Punjab police would continue to take strict action against peddlers. The operation was aimed at curb- ing drug trafficking in the area and to send a strong message against illicit activities. Asked to shift room, grandson, aides thrash elderly couple Ludhiana, April 20 An elderly couple was thrashed by their grandson, along with his accomplices, when the former asked the latter to shift upstairs from his present room downstairs. Both were rushed to the Civil Hospital with injuries last night. The elderly woman had an injury on her shoulder, while the elderly man sus- tained some internal injuries. Dalia Singh (85) said that he lived in New Shiv Puri area. About one-and-a-half-years ago, he had given a room on the ground floor of his house to his grandson to live in because his wife was pregnant. He said that yesterday when he went to DMC Hospital for checkup, the doctors told him not to climb the stairs. Due to this, he went to the room on the ground floor and asked his grandson to shift his room upstairs as per doctor’s recommendation. In anger, the grandson called his brother and other friends and beat them up. Shanti Devi said that their grandson had beaten her earlier also. Yesterday was the fourth time they had thrashed her and her husband. She alleged that they had complained several times at Daresi police station, but no action had been taken. Now, her grandson had also threatened that he would kill them by suffocating them with a pillow. Shanti said she and her husband had suffered critical injuries and the police should help them get justice. — TNS