27112025-LT-01.qxd 11/27/2025 12:07 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune NEERA WINS 4 MEDALS AT SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP HEALTH DEPT RAISES ALARM OVER ADULTERATED JAGGERY RU-BA-RU WITH YUVA PURASKAR AWARDEE HARWINDER SINGH Neera Batra showed outstanding performance at state-level swimming championship in Mohali. P2 As winter grips region, jaggery becomes a seasonal favourite not only for its rich taste but also for powerful benefits. P3 The 20th Winter National Theatre Fest showcased an impressive spread of performances and activities. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 21°C | MIN 5°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.23 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:58 AM THURSDAY | 27 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Lintel of under-construction Chattar Singh Park set for overhaul factory collapses, worker dies Municipal Corporation prepares to hand over its upkeep to pvt agency Tribune News Service Of the five other labourers injured, one suffers serious injuries Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 26 A major incident occurred late on Tuesday evening in Bhagat Singh Nagar Colony here when the lintel of a threestorey under-construction factory collapsed. A worker died on the spot in the mishap, which occurred shortly after the lintel was laid. Of the five others injured, one was seriously hurt. The incident occurred at Saini Traders’ Cooler Factory on Leo Factory Road in Bhagat Singh Nagar. According to eyewitness Dharminder Kumar, a DECEASED IDENTIFIED AS BIHAR NATIVE The labourer who died in the accident has been identified as Ram Aasre (40), a resident of Guru Nagar Colony, a native of Bihar. Ramesh Kumar (25) of Karnail Singh Nagar was seriously injured. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital. labourer who was among the injured, the accident occurred while dismantling machine parts (shuttering) after laying the lintel on the third floor. He said after the work was completed, labourer Ram Aasre and the mason went to dismantle the shuttering when the accident occurred and they were trapped under the debris. The labourer who died in the accident has been identified as Ram Aasre (40), a resident of Guru Nagar Colony, a native of Bihar. Ramesh Kumar (25) of Karnail Singh Nagar was seriously injured. He was admitted to the Civil Hospital. Among the other injured, Ajay Das (30), suffered injuries on his leg and head. Major fire breaks out at house The house where the fire broke out on Chuharpur Road in Ludhiana. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 26 A major fire broke out in a house late on Tuesday night on Chuharpur Road, engulfing the first floor completely.The rapid spread of the fire reduced household belongings to ash, leaving a trail of destruction. The exact cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained. Fire brigade officials believed a short-circuit could be the reason behind the blaze. The only occupant during the incident, an elderly woman and the mother of the house owner, had just finished her prayers and went to her room on the first floor. Moments later, she witnessed the flames on the floor, following which she rushed outside and saved her life. Before the arrival of the firefighters, residents of Chuharpur Road tried to douse the flames but they failed to control it. The firemen faced an uphill battle. The intensity of the blaze on the first floor was significant but they managed to douse the flames after a sustained struggle. Residents praised the efforts of the firefighters. If they failed to control the situation in time, it would have spread to other buildings. Their swift action prevented a major tragedy. He risked his life to save his injured friend Ramesh. Alok (26) and Meghu (25) also suffered minor injuries and were discharged after first aid. “At the time of the accident, we were opening the parts from the lintel-laying machine. As soon as one part of the machine was opened, there was a loud noise and the entire lintel, including the shuttering, collapsed. Ramesh Kumar said Ram Aasre was the first to fall. The police said an investigation team had visited the scene and appropriate legal action would be taken. Man found murdered in Ram Nagar Ludhiana, November 26 Panic spread in Balaji Colony, Ram Nagar, when a man’s body was found lying in the middle of the road on Wednesday morning. Residents informed the local police station after noticing the body. An eyewitness, Ramesh, said he saw a man lying on the road early this morning. When he got closer, he saw blood flowing from the head of the victim. Following which, he informed the police. The deceased was identified as Sanjay Verma (43), a resident of Balaji Colony. He was married and the father of two children, a son and daughter. The man was working at a factory. The deceased’s father said according to family members, they received a call around 6:30 am, informing them that Sanjay’s body was found on a road. “We live in a different place. We don’t know what happened to him,” he said. SHO inspector Balwinder Kaur said a case of murder was registered based on the family’s statement against an unidentified person. — TNS Speeding Creta crashes into another SUV on flyover Ludhiana, November 26 A road accident occurred this afternoon on the Ghanta Ghar Flyover, where a speeding Hyundai Creta rammed into a Maruti Victoris vehicle moving in front of it. Both vehicles suffered extensive damages, though no major injuries were reported. According to eyewitnesses and the PCR police, the Creta was being driven by a youth, identified as Amrit. He was going on the flyover at a high speed when the car in front of him applied brakes. Amrit failed to control his vehicle, resulting in a collision with the Maruti vehicle. Sachin, who was driving the Maruti vehicle and works at a private shop, said he was driving at a normal speed. He said: “When the car going in front of me applied sudden brakes, I also applied brakes but the Creta vehicle, which was coming at a high speed, rammed into my car from the rear with Vehicles badly damaged, no loss of life reported such a force that the silencer, rear portion and even car seats were damaged.” Sachin said the Creta driver appeared to be driving at not less than 80 kmph, which caused the person to lose control over the vehicle and hit the other vehicle. Truck hits divider In another incident, truck laden with construction material hit the divider on the Dugri flyover here on Wednesday. A major tragedy averted as the truck driver and other commuters remained safe in the accident. After the mishap, the police reached the scene and started a probe. The truck was reportedly being driven at a high speed as after the collision, tyres of the vehicle got separated from it. — TNS c m y b Ludhiana, November 26 The Municipal Corporation (MC) is preparing to hand over the upkeep of the historic Chattar Singh Park in Model Town to a private agency, aiming to restore the once-celebrated green space after years of neglect. The centrally located park, surrounded by a prominent residential area, has long been a source of concern for residents and activists. Once a hub for morning walkers and families, it has gradually slipped into disrepair, with overgrown patches, broken pathways and garbage piling up in corners. Civic activists have repeatedly flagged the deteriorating condition, calling it a “symbol of administrative apathy.” MC officials admitted that the park’s current state reflects the failure of the earlier maintenance contract. “The previous arrangement did not deliver results and the park was reduced to a dumping ground,” an official The move aims to restore the once-celebrated green space after years of neglect. INDERJEET VERMA said. In response, the corporation’s horticulture branch has drawn up a new plan to entrust the park’s management to a private firm on a build, operate and maintain (BOM) basis. The proposal, awaiting clearance from the Finance and Contracts Committee, outlines a two-year contract during which the selected firm will shoulder complete responsibility for the park’s upkeep. It includes covering expenses for electricity, water supply, salaries of watchmen, landscaping and incidental development costs. Any damage caused during development work will also have to be repaired by the firm at its own expense. The focus will be on reviving the park’s heritage character and ensuring it remains a clean, safe and welcoming space for the public. Residents of Model Town have cautiously welcomed the move, hoping that private involvement will bring accountability and visible improvement. “We want the park to regain its charm. It should not just be a contract on paper but a genuine effort to restore its beauty,” said a local resident. Encounter probe makes further headway, three land in police net in Sri Ganganagar Our Correspondent Abohar, November 26 Interrogation of two criminals who were injured in an encounter with the Punjab Police near Ladhowal in Ludhiana last Thursday helped in nabbing three Sri Ganganagar-based operatives. A Punjab Police team had visited Sri Ganganagar after the encounter. Later, a Rajasthan Police team visited Ludhiana for further probe. The police conducted raids in different areas and arrested three individuals with illegal weapons. These arrests appear to link to a larger criminal network, including the recent police encounter in Ludhiana, involving a Pakistani handler and a notori- ous gangster imprisoned in Jharkhand. Superintendent of Police Amrita Duhan confirmed that cases had been registered against all suspects under the Arms Act. Rakesh, alias Rocky Nehra (26), of Chak 26-GB Haripura, was arrested near Kings Vasudha Colony. A .32-bore pistol and two cartridges were recovered from his possession. Amit Nayak (22) of Takhranwali village was also apprehended. A magazine loaded with two 7.65mm cartridges was recovered from his possession. Amit is also linked to their network. Bhupendra Yadav (32) of Chak 9 BGD village was arrested on Haripura Road. A .32 bore pistol and two 7.65 mm cartridges were recovered from him. The SP said the arrest of Rakesh was connected to last week’s police encounter in Ludhiana, in which Ram Lal of Takhranwali village in Sri Ganganagar district was apprehended with grenades. Sources said Ram Lal and his associate, Deepak, alias Deepu, of Fazilka district, were sent to Ludhiana to receive a delivery of Chinese grenades on the instructions of a Pakistani handler, Jasveer, alias Chaudhary. These grenades were brought by bus from the Attari border in Amritsar. According to police sources, Rocky revealed that he was in contact with Sunil Kumar Meena, alias SK Meena, alias Mayank Singh, a notorious criminal from Gharsana, located near the Indo-Pak border, who is lodged in a Jharkhand jail, through the virtual WhatsApp number of Jasveer. At Mayank Singh’s request, Rocky had recently provided five pistols. One pistol was given to Bhupendra Singh, two to Ram Lal and his friend Deepak and one pistol and some cartridges were given to Amit. Investigation indicated that Rocky maintained constant contact with gangster Sachin Thapan, who is in Ajmer jail, Jagga Pehalwan, who is hiding in the US, Jasveer, alias Chaudhary, and Kala of Haryana. On their instructions, he provided men to supply weapons, in exchange for around Rs 2 lakh.