20112025-LT-01.qxd 11/20/2025 12:15 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune RESIDENTS RUE RTA OFFICIALS DON’T SIT IN OFFICE EXPERTS CALL FOR SAFER FITNESS PRACTICES Comes amid rise in reports of young men collapsing while doing intense workouts. P3 Confusion prevails over division of services between Sewa Kendras and RTA. P2 » PARINEETI, RAGHAV OFFER A GLIMPSE OF SON ‘NEER’ Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha have named their newborn son ‘Neer’ — pure, divine, limitless. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 25°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.25 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:52 AM THURSDAY | 20 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA armed robbers barge into hosiery, Guards brutally beaten up Two ~50L from owner in Sunder Nagar seek by three robbers at factory Victim expresses helplessness in arranging sum, suspects return empty-handed They were attacked after staff stopped miscreants from looting man outside unit Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 Three persons allegedly entered a factory and brutally attacked two security guards and a supervisor in Dhandari Kalan. They attacked the victims as the employees had stopped the miscreants from looting a man outside the factory on Tuesday night. One of the guards received 25 stitches on his head and his both legs were fractured in the assault. The other victims also suffered serious injuries. Security guard Shiv Kumar said on Tuesday night, the miscreants were trying to rob SUFFERED SERIOUS INJURIES One of the guards received 25 stitches on his head and his both legs were fractured in the assault. The other victims also suffered serious injuries. On receiving information about the incident, the factory owner rushed to the scene and took the injured to a hospital. a man in front of the factory. Hearing the noise, he, along with the other guard and supervisor, came out and saved the man from the miscreants. Following which, the suspects entered the factory and attacked him. “When we returned to the factory gate after stopping the robbers from looting the man, the suspects also reached the place. Armed with sharp weapons and iron rods, they attacked me, guard Gurmukh and security supervisor Ajit,” he said. Sources said Gurmukh was severely attacked by the assailants. He was brutally hit on the head with an iron rod. He received 25 stitches on his head. Both his legs were fractured in the attack. Toll plaza manager firing case cracked, two arrested Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 The Samrala police claimed to have cracked the case of a murderous attack on Ghulal toll plaza manager and arrested two of the suspects. The police recovered weapons and ammunition from them. The manager, Yadwinder, was shot by criminals due to an old rivalry on November 11. He was seriously injured in the incident. One bullet grazed his thigh while the other touched his leg. The attackers came in a Maruti Victim seriously injured in incident, two guns seized from them Swift Dzire car. Superintendent of Police Pawanjit, Samrala DSP Tarlochan Singh and SHO, Samrala, inspector Pavitar Singh addressed press conference in this regard. Police officials said the two arrested suspects were identified as Mangi Singh and Shubham Sharma Pandit, both residents of Dhilwan, Kapurthala. Both attackers have cases of robbery registered against them in the past. The police recovered a .32 bore revolver, along with five cartridges, snatched by them from the toll manager, and one illegal countrymade pistol from them. Officials said Nachattar Singh, an accomplice of the attackers, was yet to be arrested. Yadwinder has a long-standing rivalry with Nachattar due to which he attempted to kill the former. Police teams were conducting raids to nab the remaining suspects. Police personnel address mediapersons in Samrala on Wednesday. Shiv and Ajit also suffered serious injuries. On receiving information about the incident, the factory owner rushed to the scene and took the injured to a hospital. He said he had reported the incident to the Focal Point police station and the police had started investigation in the matter. Hit by speeding bike, pregnant woman dies Ludhiana, November 19 A woman was killed due to serious head injuries after a speeding bike hit her. She was reportedly fourmonth pregnant. The motorcyclist fled the scene after the incident. Passers-by rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. The deceased has been identified as Geeta, a resident of Talwar Colony. Family members of the victim said she was going to a nearby shop to buy some household items when a speeding sports bike hit her. She fell on her stomach and became unconscious. By the time the people took her to the hospital, she had died. The woman’s brother-in-law, Nitish Kumar, said she had two daughters aged seven and five. Her husband works at a factory. The bike driver fled the scene after the accident. ASI Gurmeet Singh of the Jamalpur police station said based on the family’s complaint, the police registered a case against an unidentified suspect. — TNS aged the DVR of CCTV cameras. However, the initial footage of the suspects was found in the online memory. When asked if he had received any threat from any gangster or he had any enmity with anyone, the factory owner denied the same. ACP (North) Kikkar Singh said the police registered a case against the unidentified persons and they were searching for the suspects. Soon, they would be nabbed. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 Two armed robbers barged into a hosiery factory in Sunder Nagar here on Tuesday evening. After pointing a gun at the owner, they asked him to give Rs 50 lakh in cash. They threatened to kill him if the money was not given. However, the suspects failed to get any cash from the hosiery owner and they had to return empty-handed. Harpreet Singh, owner of Shimla Garments and a member of the Hosiery Federation Association, said on Tuesday, two masked robbers barged into his factory around 5.30 pm and one of them pointed a gun at him. They asked him to hand over Rs 50 lakh else he would be killed. When he expressed helplessness in arranging the huge sum, the A video grab of the suspects at the factory in Sunder Nagar. Robbers lose bike’s key, had to drag it while fleeing miscreants asked him to hand over keys of the locker but he told the them that he was not having the same. Later, the suspects ransacked the victim’s office in search of cash but they could not find anything. Afterwards, he also challenged them and tried to caught hold of them. The victim also suffered minor injuries on his face. Failing to extort any cash, dejected robbers had to flee the factory. He said the suspects had told him that they they were sent by some Jaggu and if the money was not given, they would shot him dead. They also dam- Interestingly while fleeing, the robbers lost their motorcycle’s key and they realised the same when they reached near the bike outside the factory. However, they decided to take their motorcycle along. The suspects dragged the bike along and managed to escape from Sundar Nagar. Take part in Nagar Kirtan in big numbers, DC urges people Man, daughter among three booked in ‘~100-cr investment fraud’ Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 The state government’s Nagar Kirtan, organised to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur, will reach Ludhiana on November 20 and pass through the city on November 20 and 21. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain has appealed to residents to participate in the event in large numbers and seek blessings of the Ninth Guru. Route on Nov 20 (entry and night halt) The Nagar Kirtan will enter Ludhiana district from Agwar Lopon Khurd village (Jagraon), proceed through Jagraon city - Mullanpur Ayali Chowk - Wave Mall Lodhi Club - Senior Citizen Home - Sarabha Nagar Police Station - Guru Nanak Procession to reach city today; liquor, meat shops along route to remain closed till Nov 21 midnight Public School - T-Point Malhar Road - Aarti Chowk Bhaiwala Chowk - DC Office - Bharat Nagar Chowk - Durga Mata Mandir and will halt for the night at Gurdwara Shri Dukh Niwaran Sahib. Route on November 21 (departure) The Nagar Kirtan will resume at 8 am from Sri Gurdwara Shri Dukh Niwaran Sahib and proceed via JMD Mall - Clock Tower Chowk - Chand Cinema Bridge - Jalandhar Bypass Chowk - Karabara Chowk Shivpuri Chowk - Basti Jodhewal Chowk - Samrala Chowk Oswal Chowk - Sherpur Chowk - Giaspura Chowk - Dhandari Kalan - Jugiana Chowk - Sahnewal - Doraha Khanna, before entering Fatehgarh Sahib district. Strict orders issued To maintain harmony, public order and respect for religious sentiments during the sacred Nagar Kirtan, District Magistrate Himanshu Jain has given following orders under Section 163 of BNSS, 2023, and Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, — complete closure of all liquor, meat, cigarette/beedi/paan shops and rehri stalls located on the entire route of the Nagar Kirtan. Strict prohibition on any act, slogan, or activity that may hurt religious feelings or disturb peace. These restrictions will remain in force from 5 pm on November 19 to midnight on November 21. Pollution chokehold: How toxic air is quietly damaging brain health With rising cases of dementia, strokes, cognitive decline linked to pollution, it is now being recognised as a serious threat Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 Ludhiana’s skyline has turned hazy again, with smoke from stubble burning mixing with winter fog to form a thick blanket of smog. For residents, it has become an annual ordeal — watery eyes, coughing fits and breathlessness. But doctors in the city are warning that the impact of the toxic air goes far deeper than the lungs. It is now being recognised as a serious threat to brain health, with rising cases of dementia, strokes and cognitive decline linked to pollution. Neurologists explain that pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides, ozone and even heavy metals can penetrate deep into the lungs and seep into the bloodstream. Some particles are so tiny that they cross the blood-brain barrier — the natural shield meant to protect the brain. Once inside, they trigger inflam- DOS & DON’TS FOR NEURO PATIENTS IN SMOG Dos ■ Stay indoors during peak smog hours (early morning, late evening) ■ Wear N95 masks when stepping out ■ Keep hydrated and eat antioxidant-rich food such as fruits, green vegetables ■ Use air purifiers at home, if possible ■ Seek medical help if symptoms such as slurred speech, severe headache or sudden confusion appear Don’ts ■ Avoid outdoor exercise when pollution levels are high ■ Don’t ignore fatigue, irritability or memory lapses — these may be warning signs ■ Don’t keep windows open during heavy smog ■ Avoid smoking or exposure to additional indoor pollutants reduces oxygen supply ❝ Air pollution vulnerable patients. Weto brain, which is dangerous for are seeing dementia and Alzheimer’s patients deteriorate faster during smog season Dr Monika, NEUROLOGIST AT DMCH ❞ mation and oxidative stress, damaging nerve cells and disrupting communication between brain regions. Dr Monika, neurologist at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), said the connection between pollution and neurological disorders was becoming clearer with each passing season. “Air pollution acts like a hidden enemy, it reduces oxygen supply to the brain and inflames nerves, which is dangerous for vulnerable patients. A thick layer of smog engulfs the city. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN We are seeing dementia and Alzheimer’s patients deteriorate faster during smog season, with memory lapses and confusion becoming more pronounced,” she said. The nose was another entry point for pollutants. They c m y b could travel directly into the brain through the olfactory nerve, leading to local inflammation in regions linked to memory and cognition. Over time, these changes might contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkin- son’s, Dr Monika added. Dr Rajesh, another senior neurologist in Ludhiana, said every day complaints of patients should not be brushed aside. “Patients often complain of fatigue, irritability and difficulty concentrating during high-pollution days. These are not just minor discomforts — they are signs that the brain is under stress,” he said. Children in Ludhiana are particularly vulnerable, as exposure to polluted air can delay cognitive development and affect academic performance. Older adults face a greater danger of memory decline, while even healthy middle-aged individuals may experience subtle cognitive fatigue and reduced productivity. While individuals can take precautions, experts say longterm solutions require strong policy measures. Reducing stubble burning, controlling vehicular emissions and stricter monitoring of air quality are essential to protect citizens. As Ludhiana breathes through another smoky season, the toxic air may be doing more than choking lungs — it could be quietly damaging brains. Addressing pollution today is not only an environmental duty but also a public health necessity, adds Rupinder Kaur, resident of Bharat Nagar. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 19 In the Sugandh Vihar area, a man, his daughter and another woman committed an alleged fraud of Rs 100 crore with people in the name of investment in a property development project. They were supposed to allocate land to the investors. But later, the suspects registered the land in the names of their relatives and entangled the company by filing false cases against it. When the company discovered the fraudulent registrations, they informed the police. Following an investigation, the Sadar police on Tuesday registered a case based on a complaint filed by the YBG Action Core Committee, City Plaza, Avon Sugandh Vihar, against Director Gurjit Singh Garewal of Gujjarwal village, his daughter Anjana Garewal and company employee Rajinder Kaur Rashi. At present, the police are trying to locate the suspects. SHO Inspector Avneet Kaur of the Sadar police station said the suspects were supposed to launch a project and got people invested crores of rupees. They purchased a piece of land from officials of the YBG Action Core Committee and gave the company an earnest money deposit. After receiving the money, instead of completing the project, the suspects filed lawsuits against other company directors to secure a larger share and failed to complete the project. The suspects were supposed to execute registry deeds for several people under the project but they invested close to Rs 100 crore from the people and instead of registering the properties in the investors’ names, registered them in the names of Anjana Garewal and Rajinder Kaur Rashi. Inspector Avneet Kaur said the case was registered after a probe by officials. The suspects had been arrested so far. Further investigation would follow soon and they would be nabbed.