18082025-LT-01.qxd 8/18/2025 12:57 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SKM TO HOLD ‘VICTORY RALLY’ IN SAMRALA ON AUG 24 ARYAN KHAN’S OTT DEBUT TEASES CHAOS CELEBRATING JOY OF HAPPY ACCIDENTS, LUCKY TURNS The SKM will organise ‘victory rally’ to celebrate its successful resistance against land pooling policy. P2 Much-awaited first look of Aryan’s debut directorial series The Ba***ds of Bollywood is finally out. P4 Serendipity Day: Celebrating life’s gentle magic, unplanned turns and fortunate accidents that lead us to destiny. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 33°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 27°C SUNSET MONDAY 7.02 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:52 AM » MONDAY | 18 AUGUST 2025 | LUDHIANA Malaria cases on rise in city, health officials step up vigil 32 cases have been reported this year so far, nearly matching last year’s total 34 teams are more visible. If we all stay alert, we can keep our families safe.” As Ludhiana braces for the tail end of monsoon, the message from health experts is clear: “Vigilance, prevention and community cooperation are key to keeping malaria at bay.” Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, August 17 As monsoon showers continue to lash Ludhiana, the city finds itself grappling with a surge in malaria cases. While dengue numbers remain relatively low this season, malaria is making a stronger-than-usual appearance — prompting concern among residents and health officials alike. According to the district health authorities, 32 cases of malaria have been reported so far this year — nearly matching last year’s total of 34. What’s more striking is that only 12 cases had surfaced by August last year, suggesting a sharper rise this year. Officials anticipate that the number may climb further in coming months. “We’re seeing cases from both urban and rural pockets,” said a senior official from the Health Department. Health Department’s teams are actively conducting fogging and rapid testing in affected areas. The department has deployed 325 teams across the district to monitor mosquito breeding and raise Steps to prevent malaria Mosquitoes breed on stagnant water near the Lakkar bridge flyover in Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA awareness. Of the 100 breeding checkers hired this year, 56 have been stationed in urban zones, where population density increases the risk of transmission. For many residents, the concern is real. Rajni Sharma, a homemaker from Amanpura, shared: “We’ve had standing water near our lane for days. Even after fogging, mosquitoes are everywhere. I’ve started using nets and repellents but it’s worrying — especially for children.” Experts warn that malaria thrives in stagnant water, making coolers, open containers and clogged drains potential breeding grounds. “People must ensure water doesn’t collect anywhere for over 48 hours,” said a city-based physician. “Simple steps such as cleaning coolers, wearing full-sleeved clothes and using mosquito nets can go a long way,” he said. Interestingly, half of the reported cases this year involve migrant workers, many of whom might have travel histories from highrisk regions such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar. Health officials say they were monitoring these cases closely and conducting targeted interventions. Despite the spike, residents are hopeful that early action will help contain the spread. Gurpreet Singh, a factory worker from Sahnewal, said: “We’ve seen worse situatiuns before. This time, health Abducted from Ayodhya, nine-yr-old girl rescued from city railway station Our Correspondent Ludhiana, August 17 A nine-year-old girl, who was allegedly abducted from Ayodhya by a resident of Aurangabad City in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh (UP) three days ago, was reportedly recovered by a team of the Uttar Pradesh Police from the railway station in Ludhiana on Saturday afternoon. The suspect, identified as Joginder Kumar, had allured the victim on the pretext of giving her candies when the suspect and the victim were in Ayod- hya on Friday morning. Though the Government Railway Police (GRP) police station authorities at the Ludhiana railway station were not updated by the Uttar Pradesh Police about rescuing the abducted child from the possession of the suspect, vendors and passengers claimed that the Uttar Pradesh police personnel had nabbed a migrant labourer with a minor girl. “Usually, a police team from some other police station updates us about their activities and recoveries made from jurisdiction of our police station but the Uttar Pradesh police rescuing the child did not submit any report at our police station in this regard,” said station House officer GRP Palwinder Singh. The Uttar Pradesh police team had reached the Ludhiana railway station while chasing Joginder Kumar who had allegedly abducted a minor girl from Ayodhya on the pretext of getting her candies. Working on the basis of investigations, the team arrested Joginder Kumar when he was trying to flee the Ludhiana railway station on Saturday. The suspect had confessed to abducting the child from Ayodhya but the motive behind the abduction was not yet clear. The Uttar Pradesh police will continue investigation on the basis of information to be obtained from the suspect during his remand in Ayodhya. Keep it dry: Empty water from coolers, flower pots, buckets and open containers every 48 hours. Ensure no stagnant water gets collected in drains and on rooftops Use protection: Apply mosquito repellents, especially during early morning and evening hours. Sleep under mosquito nets. Wear fullsleeved clothing to reduce skin exposure and avoid dark colours that attract mosquitoes. Boost immunity: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables and iron. Stay hydrated and avoid junk food. Stay alert: If you experience fever, chills or body aches, get tested early. Don’t ignore mild symptoms, early detection helps prevent complications. Man arrested with heroin Ludhiana, August 17 The Salem Tabri police have booked two persons, including a woman, for allegedly running an illegal trade of drug peddling. The suspects were identified as Ashwani Kumar and Alisha, residents of Salem Tabri. The police seized 30 gm of heroin from main suspect Ashwani, who was arrested by police officials. Perusal of records revealed that the police had intercepted Ashwani at Mohalla Peeru Banda on the basis of suspicion on Saturday and seized 30 gm of heroin from him. During probe, it was found Ashwani used to purchase contraband from Alisha, who is yet to be arrested. — OC Near-death experience for youth as car plunges into Sirhind Canal Survives mishap by breaking windowpane, swimming his way out Lovleen Bains Doraha, August 17 A 20-year-old Faridkot youth, who was on his way from his hometown to Chandigarh where he resides in a flat to pursue his studies, had a near-death experience on Sunday. To save a biker coming from the opposite direction, he hit a pole and fell into the Sirhind Canal. Karanveer Singh Brar was heading towards Chandigarh on the Doraha-Neelon stretch. As he came near Rampur village, he found a biker coming at a high speed from the opposite side. Finding no rescue for the biker as he took a steep cut, least had he thought that he was putting himself into trouble. His car hit a pole and fell into the Sirhind Canal. He tried to open its windowpane but failed. He shouted for help from within the vehicle but to no avail. HIT CAR WITH A POLE TO SAVE A BIKER To save a biker coming from opposite direction, the victim hit his vehicle with a pole and fell into the Sirhind Canal. However, the victim waved to the biker for help but the latter did not move from his place. Later, he fled the scene. The car was getting submerged into water and he was not able to do anything. The biker who was the cause behind the accident was watching the whole scene unmoved. Karanveer waved to him for help but the latter did not move from his place. “When water began to rush in, I thought of my parents and drawing all my strength from within, broke the window pane with all my might. With immense effort, I swam to the surface and made my way to the bank, thus narrowly escaping the tragedy,” Karanveer said. He told this correspondent that as he emerged from water, the motorcyclist fled the scene. “Meanwhile, villagers, who gathered at the spot, tried to throw their turbans towards me to save me but these failed to reach me. It was solely due to God’s grace and my parents’ prayers that I managed to save myself,” he said. Harchand Singh, an onlooker, said the youth acted on the spur of the moment and broke the windowpane with a huge force and swam his way out. “Our turbans failed to reach him, though we tried our best. The biker was so mean that he fled the scene and failed to save the youth. The Doraha police reached the scene and took out the car with the help of cranes and divers. “The biker fled the scene,” Kulwinder Singh, a policeman said. The ill-fated vehicle that fell into the Sirhind Canal on Sunday. Policewoman duped of ~79L on pretext of customs duty on ‘gifts’ Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, August 17 The cyber cell of the Ludhiana (rural) police district has initiated a probe into an incident in which a lady policewoman posted at the DIG office here has been duped of Rs 79,17,000 on the pretext of customs duty on “expensive gifts” allegedly sent by a swindler. The victim, identified as Amarjit Kaur (35) of Pamal village, had received a call from a WhatsApp number (+44 7354296841), suspectedly from England, in response to an advertisement given in a newspaper by her for matrimonial alliance. The suspect accepted the proposal and claimed to send some expensive gifts to her. The caller, introducing himself as Jassi from England, had asked to transfer Rs 79,17,000 towards customs duty on the gifts, which never reached her. Following which, she sent the money. Having verified allegations levelled by the complainant, the cyber cell police station, Ludhiana (rural), initiated a probe into the incident after registering an FIR under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Bizman nabbed for breaking MC seals Cong Bhawan row: Next date of hearing on August 21, party leaders move court Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, August 17 Sunil Maria of the Sunil Maria Group, here, was arrested by the Division Number 8 police in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly breaking seals of the Municipal Corporation on locks of an unauthorised office situated in Dhaulagiri Apartments on Mall Road here. The office was sealed by the Building Branch Department of the Municipal Corporation over three months ago as the authorities noticed that the owner allegedly illegally converted a residential block into a commercial office. Assistant Town Planner Mohan Singh said he was not aware of the latest development in the case but a complaint had been lodged after officials of the department reported that the premises had been opened again by breaking the seals in the past. Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Supporters of bizman Sunil Maria gather outside Police Division 8 in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN SHO Amarjit Singh said Maria was arrested in the afternoon on Sunday, in connection with a case registered against him earlier on the complaint lodged by the Town Planning Department of the Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana. Maria had remained in news for a long time after his house, which opened in a park in Kitchlu Nagar, was sealed by the Municipal Corporation. He was also booked in a case registered at Division Number 5, here. Though the man was brought to the Police Divi- sion Number 8 in the afternoon, the authorities did not declared his arrest for a long time. His supporters had gathered in front of the police station with an intent to pressure the authorities to not to arrest him but most of them had left by the evening. c m y b Ludhiana, August 17 The controversy surrounding the Congress Bhawan here has already brought disrepute to the party cadre. Since the Congress men are adamant on their stand that they did not receive any summons from the Punjab and Haryana High Court to be a part of the hearing of the case as the bhawan was lying locked for the past many months, they have moved the court, requesting it to listen to their pleas also. The next hearing in the case is on August 21. Talking to The Tribune, president of the District Congress Committee Sanjay Talwar said the other party, a private person, who claims to have purchased the property from its original owner, had The Congress Bhawan in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN moved the court for vacating the property. “But for long, ever since the ceiling of the Congress Bhawan had fallen, it was locked and nobody was visiting the place. The court may have sent summons but since the premises was locked, the same were not received by anyone, following which the court issued Ex-Parte orders. The possession of the property is still with us, the other party may have won the case. Hence, we have finally moved the court to give us a hearing so that we can tell the court our pleas,” said Talwar, hoping to retain the property at the prime location in the city. He also agreed that contempt of court orders were issued against them by the court. As per rough estimates, the Congress Bhawan in question is spread in around 400 sq yards and the current price of the property would be around Rs 3-4 crore. A few days ago, the Congress men had gathered at one of the party leader’s house in Sarabha Nagar over the issue and the meeting was attended by Sanjay Talwar, PPCC chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Surinder Dawar, Pawan Dewan, Gurdev Lapran, Kuldeep Singh and others in which the issue was discussed thoroughly. While some of the leaders wanted to sell it to the owner, who had got the court orders to vacate the bhawan, there were a few who wanted to “fight” the case in the court as it was a prestigious property of the party in which big leaders such as Indira Gandhi, Beant Singh and Sat Pal Mittal had held meetings in the past.