10112025-LT-01.qxd 11/10/2025 12:52 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune DAY 2 OF PAU FEST: CREATIVE EXPRESSION ON DISPLAY Second day of PAU youth festival witnessed a display of creativity, intellect and artistic brilliance. P2 » BOLLYWOOD ACTOR SUNIEL SHETTY IN KASHMIR He says film industry is set to return to Kashmir for shooting, adding that region will regain its “lost glory.” P4 » ACTOR NAMIT DAS EMBRACES NEW FORMATS The versatile actor takes on a unique role as a playful god in Hamara Vinayak. P4 FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 29°C | MIN 12°C YESTERDAY MAX 29°C | MIN 12°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.29 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:44 AM » MONDAY | 10 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Once a lifeline for patients, burns unit at Civil Hospital slips into isolation Drunken driving: 93 challans issued during special drive Traffic police teams deployed at key junctions on two days Nikhil Bhardwaj Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 9 During the Covid-19 pandemic, the burns unit at the Ludhiana Civil Hospital was temporarily converted into an isolation ward to meet emergency space requirements. But what was meant to be a short-term shift quietly became permanent. In a twist of irony, the burns unit itself has gone into isolation — locked away, stripped of its identity and forgotten by the very system that built it. During Covid-19, it was temporarily converted into an isolation ward to meet emergency requirements Just opposite the newly inaugurated ICU ward, the shuttered burns unit stands as a silent witness to administrative neglect. While Health Minister Balbir Singh inaugurated the hospital’s upgraded critical care facility in May this year, no one spared a glance at sealed doors of the burns Opposite the newly inaugurated ICU ward at the Civil Hospital, the shuttered burns unit stands as a silent witness to the administrative neglect. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA ward — once a lifeline for patients with severe injuries across Ludhiana and nearby districts. The burns unit, once a vital facility for treating 20–50 per cent burn cases locally, was established in 2009 with a budget of Rs 3.5 crore. The then Health Minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla had laid its foundation stone, allocating Rs 2 crore for infrastructure and the rest for equipment. By 2013, the unit was operational with 30 beds and a dedicated team of medicine, skin and surgery specialists. Patients from Ludhiana and surrounding districts relied on it for timely care. But over the years, the unit was gradually downsized. By 2018, it had shrunk to just four beds. When Covid-19 struck, the entire ward was repurposed for isolation and the unit’s equipment was pushed into a locked rear section — where it remains untouched to this day. The signage has been removed and the unit has effectively vanished. Now, the isolation ward is opened whenever there is requirement for dengue, gastro or other patients. “The government built an ICU in front of the burns unit, but forgot the burns unit itself,” said a hospital staffer, pointing to the sealed section. The consequences are dire. Burn patients are now referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala or private hospitals in Ludhiana, often enduring painful journeys of 2–2.5 hours. The recent explosion in Indira Colony, where four persons sustained serious burns due to illegally stored firecracker powder, exposed the gap. All victims had to be sent to Patiala for treatment. Senior Medical Officer of the Ludhiana Civil Hospital, Dr Akhil Sareen acknowledged that while Ludhiana Civil Hospital no longer has a dedicated burns unit, six beds have been earmarked within the ICU to manage burn cases. Patients with up to 50 per cent burns are treated here but those with facial or neck injuries are referred to other institutions due to the need for specialised care. When asked about the presence of cubicles — essential for infection control in burn treatment — Dr Sareen admitted that none exist. He also confirmed the absence of a plastic surgeon at the hospital, making the care of burn patients precarious and far from ideal. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 9 As part of its continued focus on road safety and responsible driving, the Ludhiana Commissionerate Police intensified checking on city roads on Friday and Saturday evenings, targeting motorists driving under the influence of alcohol. Teams from the traffic police were deployed at key junctions and nightlife hotspots in the evenings during the special drive. Breathalyzer test was carried out extensively, resulting in 93 challans being issued to offenders. The operation was supervised by Commissioner of Police (CP), Ludhiana, Swapan Sharma, and ADCP Traf, fic, Gurpreet Kaur Purewal, with on-ground monitoring by ACP Traffic–I, Jatin Bansal, and ACP Traffic–II, Gurdev Singh. “Driving after consuming alcohol is not only illegal but also a danger for everyone on road,” said the CP adding , that the Ludhiana police would continue such drives, particularly on weekends and Cops check a man using a breathalyser during a drive against drunken driving in Ludhiana. Neighbour objects to loud music, Speeding bus crushes delivery boy to death beaten up by four women Police officials pacify crowd after victim’s family members vandalise vehicle Ludhiana, November 9 A woman was attacked by a neigbour, along with three other women, when she objected to playing of loud music by her in Jagraon. The victim lodged a complaint and an FIR was registered against the suspects. They were identified as Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Golden Bagh, Kacha Malik Road, Jagraon, Ramandeep Kaur, Prabhjot Kaur and Kato, who are also residents of Golden Bagh, Jagraon. The complainant, Sonia Rani, native of Haryana, at present staying in the Kacha Malak Road area told the police that Gurpreet Kaur, a resident of Golden Bagh, Kacha Malk Road, Jagraon, lives in front of her house. She keeps a loudspeaker on Case filed by Jagraon city police, probe launched her main gate from 4 am till late hours daily and plays loud music on it. “I told her many times to keep the speaker volume low as I am facing health issues. I had also told my landlord Sandeep Kumar and a few neighbours about the matter. My landlord also called Gurpreet Kaur’s son Avneet Singh, who stays in Canada, and informed him about the issue. He was also told that she did not turn off the speaker even when she leaves the house,” he said. Whenever she asks her to turn off the speaker or turn down the volume, the woman would get angry and abuse her. On November 7 morning, she, along with her neighbours Ashok Kumar Gaba, his wife Babli Gaba and Neelam, went to the woman to tell her to stop playing loud music every day. Afterwards, Gurpreet Kaur called Ramandeep Kaur, his daughter Prabhjot Kaur and a girl working at Ramandeep Kaur’s house, Kato. They started arguing with the victim and beat her up, the complainant said. Sonia Rani said later, she lodged a police complaint and on Saturday, the Jagraon city police registered a case against the suspects. ASI Balraj Singh said after registering a case against the four assailants, further investigation was launched in the case. — TNS Ludhiana, November 9 A 21-year-old youth was crushed to death by a speeding school bus near Jain Mandir Chowk in the Dugri area on Sunday. The bus driver, with the help of onlookers, took the injured motorcyclist to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Meanwhile, after coming to know about the incident, the victim’s family members vandalised the bus. Following which, the driver fled the scene. The vandalism caused chaos in the area. Police reached the scene after getting information and pacified the angry crowd. It caused a traffic jam for some time. After which, the police cleared Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 9 Winters have finally knocked on the doors of Ludhiana, with the city waking up to a crisp morning chill. The minimum temperature dipped to 9.6°C while the maximum hovered around 28.0°C, marking a clear shift in the season. Sharp fall in morning, evening temps clear sign that winter is here to stay: Experts Youngsters have pulled out their woollens to brace against the nip in the air in city. ASHWANI DHIMAN nalling that the city is ready to embrace the season. Adding to the winter charm, the smoky aroma of shakarkandi (roasted sweet potatoes) wafts through street corners, a familiar comfort for Ludhianvis. From vil- Speeding car hits stationary vehicle of ex-DGP’s son Tribune News Service Tribune News Service The bus vandalised by victim's kin in Ludhiana on Sunday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN the road blockade by moving the bus from the scene. The deceased was identified as Jatin. He had a brother and a differently abled sister. Jatin managed his father’s scrap business and also worked as a delivery boy with Blinkit. As per information, on Sunday afternoon, the deceased went to deliver some item near Jain Mandir Chowk when the bike hit a bus belonging to a private school. The bus driver took Jatin to a hospital where doctors declared him dead. His family accused the driver of negligent driving. They demanded his immediate arrest. Police Winter chill sets in city as mercury dips to 9.6°C The change is visible on streets. Schoolchildren are now stepping out in fullsleeved uniforms and trousers while commuters on two-wheelers have pulled out their woollens to brace against the nip in the air. Shawls and sweaters have begun to reappear in homes and markets, sig- festive occasions. Officials further urged citizens to use cabs or designated drivers if they were consuming alcohol, emphasising that such enforcement efforts were meant to save lives and not merely penalise violators. Sharma said the police would continue its drive against drunken driving and strict action woud be taken against the offenders. All SHOs were also given strict instructions to install special nakas and ensure that nobody drives vehicles after consuming liquor. lages, women have started arriving in the city with fresh sarson ka saag, a seasonal delicacy that finds its way c m y b into kitchens as soon as the mercury dips. “The moment the temperature drops, we know it’s time for saag and makki di roti,” smiled Harbans Kaur, a vegetable seller from a nearby village. “We bring fresh saag every morning and people are already buying it in large quantities,” she said. Hot beverages are also making a comeback, with steaming cups of coffee and tea becoming the city’s favourite companions in early mornings and late evenings. Street vendors selling peanuts and gajak are beginning to draw crowds, adding to the seasonal flavour. “There’s nothing like a hot cup of coffee on a chilly evening,” said Rohan Sharma, a college student. “It feels like winter has finally arrived when you see people huddled around tea stalls.” Meteorological experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) note that while afternoons remain pleasantly warm, the sharp fall in morning and evening temperatures is a clear sign that winter is here to stay. “The minimum temperature has dipped below 10°C, which is a strong indicator of the onset of winter in the region,” said a Met official. With the festival season just behind and the wedding season ahead, the city is expected to see more bustling markets, layered clothing and the unmistakable rhythm of state’s winter life. For now, Ludhiana is soaking in the seasonal transition — where the warmth of woollens, the taste of saag and the smoke of shakarkandi together announce the arrival of winter. officials managed to calm Jatin’s family members by assuring them of a speedy arrest in the case. Meanwhile, ASI Dharmender Singh said the police took the body in their custody and sent the same for a post-mortem examination. The absconding driver would be arrested soon. Miscreants open fire at house, boy suffers injury Ludhiana, November 9 Unidentified car-borne miscreants opened fire at a house in Lakhowal village on Saturday night. They shattered the main gate of the house with gunshots. ACP Industrial Area-A, said , the incident occured on Saturday night when the assailants came in a Maruti Swift car and rained bullets at the main gate of the house belonging to Satwant Singh. Occupants of the house remained inside during the incident. However, Satwant’s minor son Jobanpreet, who came behind the gate, suffered a minor injury on his leg as bullet brushed past a boy’s leg. He said the house owner, a manager at a cold storage, and his family had no enmity with anyone. “The registration number of suspects’ car has been traced,” he said. He said soon they would be arrested. — TNS Ludhiana, November 9 Vehicle of son of former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Siddharth Chattopadhyay was hit by a speeding car on the Dandi Swami road here. As per information, the victim was going with his family members to a restaurant in a car on Friday evening and on reaching Dandi Swami Road, Siddhant got out of the vehicle. His family members remained seated inside the car when a white car coming Some of occupants get minor injuries; suspect was reportedly drunk: Cops from the rear hit their vehicle. The rear part of their car suffered major damages. Even the car of the errant driver also got damaged. According to the police, the suspect was reportedly drunk. A case was registered and further investigation was underway in the matter. The complainant, Siddhant, the son of former DGP , was going with his mother and other family members to a restaurant on Dandi Swami Road. The road was quite crowded. He got out of the vehicle and started walking after parking it by the roadside. Others were still seated in the car when a white Hyundai i10 car coming at a high speed hit the vehicle from the rear. Some people suffered minor injuries in the accident. Siddhant informed the police after the incident. Following which, officials from the Police Division 8 reached the scene and registered a case against the errant car driver, identified as Divansh Khanna. ASI Janak Raj said the i10 vehicle hit the victim’s stationary car from the rear. The police started a probe into the matter.