14072026-LT-01.qxd 7/14/2026 12:59 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune RECORDS OF 1.6 LAKH VOTERS YET TO BE RECTIFIED 19 GIRLS DECIDE NOT TO DROP OUT AFTER PU CAMP As many as 44 of 92 participants at youth leadership camp were from 15 colleges of Ludhiana district. P3 District administration data says nearly 1.15L people still to be mapped under SIR exercise. P2 » STARS ATTEND AKANSHA-SHARAN’S WEDDING RECEPTION IN MUMBAI Akansha Ranjan & director Sharan Sharma exchanged vows during an intimate ceremony at their residence. P4 » » FORECAST GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 23°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7:26 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:31 AM TUESDAY | 14 JULY 2026 | LUDHIANA Over 66K e-challans in 3 months; riders without helmet lead charts Senior traffic cop says more AI-powered cameras to be installed in city ated, an official message was sent to the vehicle owner along with a link for payment. One could also check the challan status on Parivahan app or other credible apps available on digital space. Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The e-challaning system of the Police Commissionerate, Ludhiana, has been fully operational now. The high definition cameras installed at various intersections in the industrial town have caught as many as 66,079 offenders from April to June for committing various kinds of traffic violations. The new system has been daily issuing over 700 challans on an average. Details procured by The Tribune from the traffic police have revealed that out of the 66,079 challans, maximum challans of 36,192 were issued for riding without a helmet followed by 9,543 for wrong side driving, 7,835 for red light jumping, 5,592 for triple riding and 6,917 for crossing stop lines at zebra crossings. Further segregating the data, it reveals that 17,356 challans for riding without a helmet were issued in April, followed by 10,346 in May and 8,490 in June. Similarly, 345 challans of wrong side driving were issued in April followed by 5,573 and 3,625 in May and June, respectively. Only 53 challans of red light jumping Cyber criminals targeting people under garb of new system CHALLANS ISSUED VIOLATIONS Without helmet Wrong side Red light jumping Zebra crossing Triple riding Total APRIL TO JUNE 36,192 9,543 7,835 6,917 5,592 66,079 Two-wheeler riders without a helmet in Ludhiana on Monday. ASHWANI DHIMAN were issued in April followed by 2,841 in May and 4,941 in June through e-challaning. The data further reveals that no challan of zebra crossing was issued in April. However, in the following months, 2,813 and 4,104 offenders were caught flouting the zebra crossing norms in May and June, respectively. Regarding triple riding vio- lation, 2,253, 1,463, 1,876 challans were issued in April, May and June, respectively. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jatin Bansal said with the launch of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), the Ludhiana police had been issuing e-challans through AI cameras and in coming days, AI cameras might be added to more locations in the city. Nine types of traffic violations were being detected, including riding without a helmet, pillion rider without helmet, triple riding, overspeeding, zebra crossing violation, wrong-side driving and wrong parking. Bansal claimed that whenever a traffic violation was captured and a challan gener- With the launch of the e-challan system by the Ludhiana police, cyber fraudsters have also become active. AI-based cameras installed at 46 locations to monitor traffic violations are now being misused by the miscreants. Under the garb of the new system, they are sending fake e-challan messages to random people and tricking them into downloading malicious apps on their mobile. Many residents of the city have received such messages. The messages, under the pretext of paying a challan, asks users to download an APK file or click on a link to an unknown app. When the file is downloaded, it consumes mobile data and gives control of the phone to cyber criminals. The fraudsters can then steal sensitive information related to bank accounts, UPI and credit cards. Notorious gangster, 3 accomplices nabbed with two illegal weapons Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 The CIA wing of the Ludhiana police claimed to have nabbed gangster Puneet Bains, along with his three accomplices. The police also recovered two pistols of .30 bore and .32 bore, along with eight live rounds, from their possession. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Harpal Singh, Amandeep Singh Brar, ADCP (Investigation); Harshpreet Singh, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Detective 1); and CIA incharge inspector Avtar Singh, issued a joint statement in this regard. Police officials said on July 11, a police team of CIA staff, Ludhiana, during patrolling in Ghumar Mandi got a tipoff that Puneet Bains, alias Mani, a resident of Labour Colony, near Cheema Chowk, Gaurav Dang of Basti Gujra, Naveen Negi of Geeta Nagar and Aman Malik of Prabhat Nagar, Jalandhar, had been facing cases of murder, attempt to murder, robbery, drug smuggling, etc. They were present in the city and all of them were engaged in illegal activities in collusion with each other. The suspects had also formed an organised criminal gang and were carrying illegal weapons with them. As per the tip-off, the suspects had planned to carry out some major crime incident in the city. They said a police team conducted a raid and nabbed the gang members with illegal weapons. A Honda Amaze car (bearing registration number PB 01 B 7252) was also seized from them. All the suspects are facing criminal cases. Gangster Puneet is facing 16 cases, including attempt to murder, robbery, fraud, forgery, under Arms Act, etc. Gaurav is facing six cases of attempt to murder, drug smuggling, etc. Naveen is facing nine cases and Aman is facing two cases, including of murder. The cases have been registered against them in past years. After coming out on bail, the suspects continue to commit crime. The suspects in custody of police officials in Ludhiana on Monday. Insulated wires to improve power supply 16 snakebite incidents reported this month Manav Mander Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 In a major step to upgrade the city’s electricity distribution system, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has begun replacing traditional aluminum bare conductors with insulated wires. The initiative, already tested successfully in Dugri and Urban Estate, will now be rolled out across Ludhiana in phases. The initiative will not only curb rampant electricity theft but also improve safety and reliability of supply. The enforcement wing of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) detected 354 power theft cases from Sep- Initiative will not only curb rampant power theft but also boost safety & reliability of supply tember 2, 2024, to February 26 this year, and Rs 1.4 crore has been imposed as fine. In the first phase, insulated wires will be installed along 100 km of electric poles. These wires are coated with a special polymer that prevents short-circuits and current leakage when they come into contact with each other, tree branches or the ground. Officials say the new system will drastically reduce the risk of accidents, particularly during rain and storms, when open wires often snap and cause fatalities. Highlighting the safety benefits, PSPCL Chief Engineer Jagdev Singh Hans explained that insulated wires were part of modern distribution system. They offer superior insulation, weather resistance, and durability even in areas prone to heavy rain, humidity, and pollution. “The new system is also expected to curb electricity theft, which is easier with open wires but far more diffi- cult with insulated ones. It will help reduce line losses and revenue leakage for the corporation,” added Hans. Frequent faults and tripping incidents, which have long troubled consumers, are expected to decline significantly. “If the project succeeds, insulated wires will be installed throughout the city,” said a senior PSPCL official, adding that “it will make the electricity supply more stable, reliable, and secure.” Chief Engineer of the PSPCL emphasised: “Electricity supply will improve even during wind and rain. Insulated wires will not only enhance safety but also ensure uninterrupted power supply”. FIRST AID AFTER SNAKEBITE Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 With the onset of the rainy season, Ludhiana is witnessing a worrying rise in snake bite cases. In this month, till today, 16 cases of snakebite incidents have been reported and health experts caution that the numbers are likely to climb further as monsoon showers drive snakes out of their natural habitats into residential and agricultural areas. This year, the Civil Hospital has recorded 52 snakebite cases. This year, no case was reported in January, followed by four cases in February, five in March, five in April and four in May. In June, 18 cases were report- ■ Keep the patient calm and reduce movement to slow venom spread ■ Immobilise the bitten limb and keep it at or slightly below heart level ■ Remove tight items such as rings, bangles, shoes or clothing near the bite ■ Apply a firm bandage and pressure immobilisation, if trained, but not too tight ■ Do not cut, suck or wash the wound ■ Do not apply ice or chemicals ■ Seek immediate medical help and transport to nearest hospital quickly ■ Note details such as time of bite, snake description, if safely possible ed while the number increased this month. This month so far, 16 cases of snakebite have been reported at the Civil Hospital. Areas such as Ladhowal, Machhiwara, Koom Kalan and Sidhwan Bet are considered the hot spots in Ludhiana. Senior Medical Officer (SMO) at the Civil Hospital Dr Akhil Sareen said they had sufficient stock of antisnake venom injections. “Snakes usually come to a place where food and shelter are available. If you keep your surroundings clean, remove piles of wood, garbage and tall grass, you cut down rodent activity and deny snakes a place to hide. A clean, rodent-free environment is the simplest way to keep the reptile away.” A medicine expert said most of the snakebites happen when people accidentally step on or provoke snakes. Always wear thick boots and long trousers when working in fields. Keeping your surroundings clean and rodent-free also discourages snakes from entering homes. “The most important thing is not to panic. Panic increases heart rate and spreads venom faster. Keep the patient still, reassure them and immobilise the limb. Quick but calm transport to a hospital is the safest response,” he said. Hoax bomb threat email triggers panic at KVM School Shiv Sena leader, aides Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 13 Panic gripped KVM School after some unidentified person sent a threat via email, stating to blow up the school with a bomb. The message triggered immediate concern among the school administration and parents. As a precautionary measure, the school management evacuated the premises without delay and sent all children home safely. Parents were asked to pick up their wards as soon as possible. A police team, along with the bomb disposal squad and dog squad, reached the school. The police cordoned off the school and launched a massive search operation. After hours of intensive searching, no suspicious object was found. According to information, the message stated that a Students were evacuated safely from the school after which a search operation was launched. bomb had been planted on the school premises and the entire building would be blown up. Police officials present at the school said special teams conducted a thorough search of every nook and corner of the school, including classrooms, laboratories, playgrounds, rooftops, washrooms and storerooms. After the search operation lasting nearly three hours, no explosive material or suspicious object was found, confirming that the threat was a hoax. Inspector Paramveer Singh, SHO, Kotwali, said the police received information about a bomb threat at the school. As a security meas- c m y b ure, immediate action was taken and the entire premises were thoroughly checked. He expressed relief that no explosive material was found inside the school and all students and staff were safe. It is not an isolated bomb threat received by a school. Earlier too, many schools in the city had received similar threat emails. On June 17, the DC office and the MC office received threatening emails warning that the respective offices would be targeted in a human bomb attack. On May 25, panic gripped civic officials after an email warning of bomb blasts at the Ludhiana Mayor’s office and the residence of Punjabi singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh was received on the official email account of the MC. On May 18, six Ludhianabased schools received bomb threat emails. These also mentioned a bomb threat to Halwara International Air- port. The schools included Bal Bharti School in Dugri, Sacred Heart School, The Asian School and Bharatiya Vidya Mandir (BVM) branches in Kitchlu Nagar, Udham Singh Nagar and Sector 39. On March 10, 10 schools in Ludhiana received a similar email. On February 10, 16 schools in Mohali received bomb threats. On April 23, four Ludhiana schools also received similar threatening emails. On January 9, panic gripped the District Courts Complex after a bomb threat email was received on the official email ID of the Sessions Division, Ludhiana, prompting judges to vacate their courtrooms for police checking and bringing judicial work to a complete halt. All threat emails received in Ludhiana in the past have turned out to be hoax, with senders attempting to create a panic in the industrial hub. booked for hurting religious sentiments Tribune News Service Ludhiana July 13 Sharing an alleged inflammatory video on social media platform lande5d Shiv Sena Punjab national chairman Rajiv Tandon, his associates in trouble. An FIR was registered at the Ladhowal police station here. The complainant claimed that Pawan Maan, Bhanu Pratap and Rajiv Tandon used objectionable words against Sikhs in the video and after his complaint, a case was registered by the police on Sunday. According to sources, the video of Tandon went viral about three days ago. It was later removed from social media. Bhawandeep Singh, a resident of Sidhwan Kalan village in Jagraon, filed a complaint at the Ladhowal police station in this regard. Notably, Nihangs and the Shiv Sena leader had come face to face outside the Police Commissionerate a few days ago. The Nihangs had cornered the vehicle of Tandon and also smashed the front glass of the gypsy. Timely intervention of the police had averted a clash.