23042025-LT-01.qxd 4/23/2025 12:38 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CITY RECORDS GRADUAL IMPROVEMENT IN AIR QUALITY A PAGE FROM ARTISTE NEELAM MANSINGH’S LIFE In four years, pollution levels in terms of AQI have come down in city and it has provided a relief to residents. P2 ON WORLD BOOK DAY, CELEBS REVEAL MOST-LOVED READS Theatre thespian Neelam Mansingh Chowdhry speaks about the books that shaped her life's journey. P4 » I don't read e-books because I just can't. I've tried reading them, but it felt odd, says Rukhsar Rehman. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 40°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 40°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 6.52 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5:50 AM WEDNESDAY | 23 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA PAU students, staff flay police interference in campus activities Say ban entry of outsiders on campus to avoid untoward incidents Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 22 An atmosphere of tension gripped Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) campus on Tuesday as a huge police force was deployed on the campus, turning it into a fortress. University employees and students criticised the police presence, calling it unprecedented interference in campus activities. The reason for deployment of a huge police force on the campus was a protest planned by the PAU Employees Union against the suspension of an employee. The employee was stated to be suspended under political pressure after a confrontation with an AAP leader on the campus. Students and staff demanded that entry of outsiders should be strictly banned on the campus so that no such incidents happen in future leading to such a situation. Morning walkers, students and faculty were taken aback after seeing the campus turned into a police cantonment with official cars and police vehicles parked on the Police personnel on the PAU campus in Ludhiana on Tuesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN UNION HAD PLANNED PROTEST AGAINST EMPLOYEE'S SUSPENSION ■ The reason for deployment of a huge police force on the campus was a protest planned by the PAU Employees Union against the suspension of an employee. premises. All high rank officials, including Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, along a huge police force, comprising anti-riot police personnel, made way to the university early morning. Most of the entry gates of the PAU were closed on Tues- ■ The employee was stated to be suspended under political pressure after a confrontation with an AAP leader. Some students had to face harassment as they were not allowed to enter PAU due to police restrictions. day morning and morning walkers were returned from gates. Only gate number 2 was open where police were deployed in a large number and the entry was allowed only after verifying the identity of the person. Some students also had to bear the brunt and alleged harassment as they were not allowed to enter the university due to police restrictions.“I was not carrying my ID card and not allowed entry to the campus. Police officials were deployed at the gates and even after checking my bags, I was denied entry as I was not carrying my ID card though the PAU sticker was continued on page 2 2 travel agents dupe resident of ~36.50 lakh Ludhiana, April 22 The Sadar Khanna police on Monday registered a case against two travel agents who duped a man of Rs 36.50 lakh on the pretext of sending him abroad. The suspects were identified as Bhupinder Singh and his son Sandeep Singh, residents of Fatehgarh Sahib. The complainant, Beant Singh, of Bhamadi village, near Khanna, told the police that he had met the suspects who assured him that they could easily arrange a visa of the USA. Believing on their claims, he gave Rs 36.50 lakh to them on different dates. When the suspects failed to arrange the visa even after several months, they were asked to return the money. Following which, they started making hollow promises. Now, they have refused to return the money. “In January this year, I lodged a police complaint against the suspects. After months of investigation, the Khanna police on Monday registered a case against them. Now, I hope the police would nab the suspects and help me in getting back my hard-earned money,” the complainant said. ASI Amarjit Singh said a case on charges of fraud and criminal conspiracy was registered against the suspects and further probe was launched in the case. — TNS Vendor abducted, tortured; woman among 7 nabbed The suspects in police custody in Ludhiana on Tuesday. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 22 Armed miscreants abducted a vendor in a car and subjected him to torture, taking him to different locations and tortured him mercilessly. The police received information about the kidnapping and raided a house in Pakhar Colony, rescuing the victim from the clutches of the suspects. Seven persons, including a woman, were arrested. According to ACP Satwinder Singh Virk, the suspects were identified as Naresh Kumar, Sandeep Kumar and Pushpa, residents of Amardas Colony, Amar Nath and Varun, residents of Patra, Patiala, and Jitender Kumar and Pramod, residents of Daba. The incident occurred when Ram Dayal, a vendor selling Pani Puri on a 33-ft road in Daba, was abducted by 12 individuals armed with swords and sickles on the night of April 21. Ram Dayal’s brother Ramesh Kumar said after he got to know about the incident, he filed a police complaint. He stated that his brother was subjected to severe torture by the suspects. Thankfully the police acted swiftly and after three-hour efforts, they raided a house in Pakhar Colony and rescued Ram Dayal. The suspects had taken him to an empty plot where around 20 persons were present and he was beaten severely. Later, they took him to different areas, including Surjit Nagar, where more people joined in and beat him. The police investigation found that the suspects kidnapped the victim due to Ram Dayal’s role as a witness in his friend Rajan’s love marriage to Suresh Rajput’s daughter. Suresh’s family was enraged due to the marriage and when they discovered Ram Dayal’s involvement in it, they planned the abduction. When the police reached the scene, one of the suspects turned off the lights and threatened Ram Dayal with a knife, warning him not to make any noise. However, the police were able to locate the victim and rescued him by jumping over the wall and entering the house. The police seized the car used in the crime and arrested the suspects. The victim was provided medical treatment and sent home after being rescued. Inspector Gurdyal Singh said further probe was launched in the case. GET READY EXPO’25 Powered By: FOR REGION’S BIGGEST REAL ESTATE EXPO NOW IN LUDHIANA, PUNJAB The biggest Real Estate Expo of the region is now in Ludhiana with its new and different possibilities of choices. 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