23052024-LT-01.qxd 5/23/2024 1:09 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune AAP CANDIDATE’S WIFE SEEKS VOTES IN SAHNEWAL DANIEL LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW HARRY POTTERADAPTATION ACTOR MATTHEW PERRY’S DEATH BEING INVESTIGATED Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Fatehgarh Sahib AAP candidate Gurpeet Singh, campaigned in Sahnewal. P4 Actor Daniel Radcliffe expressed his anticipation for upcoming Harry Potter series being developed at Max. P4 When the authorities arrived at his Los Angeles home, they found the actor unconscious in a hot tub. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 44°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 41.9°C | MIN 29°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.14 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:24 AM » THURSDAY | 23 MAY 2024 | LUDHIANA border will be opened for 239 held with drugs, weapons, Wagah yearifBJPformsgovt:Bittu trade in cash since poll code imposition INDIA VOTES DIST PROFILE ■ Assembly constituencies: 3 (Khanna, Samrala, Payal) ■ Lok Sabha constituency: Fatehgarh Sahib ■ Police sub-divisions 3 ■ Police stations 8 ■ Polling station locations: 383 ■ Vulnerable: 8 ■ Critical: 5 ■ Inter-district nakas: 10 ■ Hi-tech nakas: 2 ■ CAPF: 2 platoons 2024 Nitin Jain Tribune News Service Khanna (Ludhiana), May 22 The Khanna police have further stepped up crackdown against violators of the model code of conduct (MCC), which had been in force since the announcement of the 2024 General Election on March 16, across three Assembly segments falling under the Fatehgarh Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. The district police have arrested 239 criminals under various offences punishable under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, Excise Act and the Arms Act, from whom a huge cache of drugs, illicit liquor, drug money and weapons have been seized during the past over two months. Besides identifying 48 troublemakers, the police have so far taken 158 history-sheeters and other anti-social elements under preventive custody. Also, 51 POs have been arrested while all 564 non-bailable warrants (NBWs) have been executed in the police district, which is part of Ludhiana administrative district. Also, over 98 per cent of the total 6,445 arms licence owners have deposited their licensed weapons with the police, which was mandatory as per the prohibitory order issued by District Magistrate (DM) Sakshi Sawhney till March 31. Leading the special drive launched by the district police against poll code violations, Khanna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Amneet Kondal has directed the police force to ensure strict implementation of the MCC and allow no violation of the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful elections. Amneet told The Tribune here on Wednesday that 10 inter-district nakas (checkpoints) had been set up across the limits of three police subdivisions and 8 police stations falling under Khanna police district to maintain strict vigil on the movement of anti-social elements and check any illegal activity that might affect the smooth conduct of the elections. Two of these 10 special nakas had been made hi-tech and put under the round-theclock CCTV supervision. The SSP said of the total 383 polling station locations across Khanna police district, eight have been identified as vulnerable and five critical. Amneet said 201 criminals had so far been arrested in 81 FIRs registered under the NDPS Act, Excise Act and Arms Act, from whom a huge Warder gets 10-yr RI for supplying intoxicants to jail inmates Warring assures substantial reforms in agriculture sector Ludhiana May 22 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Shiv Mohan Garg has sentenced a jail warder, Jagroop Singh, a resident of Dhamot village in Khanna to 10-year rigorous imprisonment (RI) for indulging in drug smuggling. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the convict. The accused was deputed at the Sutlej block of the Central Jail, Ludhiana. On February 20, 2018, he was caught by the police when he was trying to enter the jail with intoxicating tablets for supplying to jail inmates. His search was conducted in the presence of the superintendent of the Central Jail. He was found in possession of 292 intoxicating tablets, which he had hidden in his turban. Thereafter, a case was registered on Feburary 20, 2018, against the accused at Division no. 7 police station under Section 22 of the NDPS Act. During the trial, the accused pleaded innocence and claimed that he was falsely implicated by the police. The court after going through the evidence and hearing arguments of both sides, found the warder guilty. — OC Tribune News Service SSP Amneet Kondal supervises a search operation in Khanna on Wednesday. TRIBUNE PHOTO Ludhiana, May 22 Congress candidate from Ludhiana Amrinder Singh Raja Warring while addressing gatherings in Jagraon and Dakha, outlined key promises under the party’s ‘Kisan Nyay’ programme, aimed at introducing substantial reforms to support the agricultural sector. The Congress has pledged to make minimum support price (MSP) a legal guarantee, ensuring farmers receive assured prices for their crops. Additionally, Warring promised to eliminate GST on farm implements, making cache of drugs worth Rs 1.25 crore, illicit liquor, weapons, drug money and unaccounted cash had been recovered. The recovery included 563 litres of licit liquor, 30 litres of illicit liquor, 879.3 kg of poppy husk, 195 gm of heroin, 12.768 kg of opium, 7 kg of ganja, 61 gm of smack, 12 kg of poppy plants, 42,900 intoxicating pills and injections, 6 gm of intoxicating powder, 119 gm gold worth Rs 8.38 lakh, Rs 79.54 lakh unaccounted cash, Rs 1.75 lakh drug money, six .32-bore pistols, four countrymade .315-bore pistols, one countrymade 7.65 mm pistol and 18 cartridges. “In a major operation, we had intercepted Rs 25 lakh unaccounted cash at a hi-tech naka on March 30 and later also, similar recoveries and seizures had been made following which cases had been handed over to the Income Tax Department for further proceedings in the matter,” she said. The district police chief further stated that 48 troublemakers had been identified so far with preventive action already been taken against 39 agriculture more affordable for farmers. A loan waiver commission would be established to ease the financial burden on farmers and tailored crop insurance would be introduced to provide comprehensive protection. In a fervent appeal to the people of the state, the PPCC chief urged voters to retaliate against the BJP for the deaths of over 700 farmers by voting for the Congress. “The sacrifice of our farmers will not go in vain. By voting for the Congress, we will ensure that their families are supported and such tragedies should never happen again. Under ‘Kisan Nyay’, we will of them while 38 of the total 46 historysheeters had also been rounded up with the remaining eight already behind bars. Under other preventive action, 51 had also been arrested while three parole-jumpers were still on the run. Besides, the total 564 NBWs received since January 1 had already been executed as well. The action against POs and absconders has led to the arrests of several wanted criminals while certain such elements were still on the run. However, the entries of 53 POs and absconders have been deleted from the police records following the due legal process. The SSP revealed that 6,445 arms licence holders possessed 7,668 licensed weapons in the district, of which 7,523 arms, accounting for 98.11 per cent, had already been deposited with the police while 247 weapons had been exempted as per the laid down rules, leaving only 145 licensed weapons yet to be deposited as per the mandate given in the MCC and prohibitory order issued by the DM. She has urged all arms make MSP a legal right and remove GST on farm implements, ensuring that farming becomes a viable livelihood again,” declared Warring. The Congress plan also includes the formation of a statutory commission for agricultural costs and prices (CACP) to ensure fair pricing and timely settlements. Crop insurance premiums will be based on the sum insured, with all claims settled within 30 days. To facilitate easier access to markets, retail markets will be established in large villages and small towns, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to consumers. Former union minister Sachin Pilot campaigns for Congress candidate Amrinder Singh Raja Warring in Ludhiana on Wednesday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN c m y b licence owners, who had not yet deposited their licensed weapons, to hand over their licensed arms to the nearest police post or station without any further delay to avoid action. “A special screening committee to scrutinise the licensed arms licenses and gun houses has been formed and is fully functional,” Amneet said, adding that there was no gun house located within the jurisdiction of the Khanna police district. No let-up in security, surveillance: SSP “There is no let-up in the security and surveillance while ensuring the strict enforcement of the poll code. Adopted a zero tolerance for violation of the MCC across the district and the district police are continuing with its routine exercises as well. We have set up special nakas to conduct search and seizure operations and are taking out flag marches to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections,” said Amneet Kondal, Khanna SSP . Akalis ask PM questions ahead of his visit to state Ludhiana, May 22 Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders in the city, including Maheshinder Singh Grewal and Harish Rai Dhanda, have asked PM Narendra Modi some questions, who will visit the state tomorrow. While addressing a press conference, they said due to the controversial farm laws, which was taken back later by the government, about 800 farmers had lost their lives. Who would be responsible for these deaths? The leaders want the PM to answer the question when he will visit Punjab tomorrow. They also asked the PM that in the election manifesto of the BJP in 2019 poll, it was mentioned that farmers’ income will be doubled by 2022, which has not implemented till date. “What happened to that promise? they asked. Both Grewal and Dhanda said Punjabis were not interested in repeated statements of the Prime Minister on the surgical strike and Pulwama attack. “We want to listen about the SYL issue and making Chandigarh part of the state, which are relevant issues for Punjabis. Talk and tell us about these issues, Mr PM,” they said. — TNS Says farmers protesting against saffron party are sponsored by Congress, AAP BJP candidate Ravneet Bittu during campaigning in Ludhiana. had no time to indulge in such activities as they were busy harvesting and preparing for paddy plantation. Bittu said he was surprised to see that an atmosphere of tension was prevailing in all villages. In the past, residents of villages were at the forefront to enjoy the fervour of elections. The Lok Sabha poll was the biggest festival of democracy and it was people’s right to participate and elect their representatives. He said small farmers needed the support of the government more than anybody else. But the protest against political leaders had isolated the marginal growers. The BJP leader said farmers visit the city and other towns, they do shopping and attend family functions but they behave differently when return to their villages. Such a behaviour would damage the brotherhood in villages and bitterness would spill over even after the elections. He said if residents would not participate in the elections, how their problems would be mitigated? Bittu said villages were getting maximum funds under Central schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojna and MGNREGA. — TNS Preeti Sapru lauds Modi-led govt for its welfare schemes Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 22 Noted Punjabi actor and BJP leader Preeti Sapru said under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several welfare schemes have reached the people in the country. Addressing a press conference, she said there was a time when poor citizens had to make repeated rounds of offices even for small benefits and had to give up their rights in frustration. But the situation has now changed, she observed. Preeti Sapru said during the past 10 years, the Centre had been successful in bringing many schemes and eligible were being given benefits by following the principle of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’. She said the Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra was a new con- INDERJEET VERMA Khanna police crack a whip against MCC violators, 98% licensed arms deposited Ludhiana, May 22 Ravneet Bittu, BJP candidate from Ludhiana, today expressed anguish over spoiling congenial atmosphere and the festivity of elections in villages of the state by “so called farmers” at the behest of the Congress and AAP . He said farmers should help the Central Government to implement schemes which were beneficial for the state. One of the major steps of the Narendra Modi-led Central Government would be opening of the Wagah border for trade. He said Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had already made a blueprint and the Wagah border would be opened within one year of formation of the BJP government at the Centre. Bittu in a statement issued today appealed to farmers and other rural residents to be aware of designs of handful of miscreants and the latter should not be allowed to end harmony for which the state was known. He said he had no doubt that those protesting against the BJP were sponsored by the Congress and AAP . He said genuine farmers BJP leader Preeti Sapru addresses the media in Ludhiana. cept aimed at saturating all government schemes such as Ujjwala Yojana, Swanidhi, PM Awas Yojana, etc. She said 45,116 farmers of Ludhiana were getting Rs 6,000 every year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana. Besides, 4,981 Soil Health Cards had been made in Ludhiana and 7,34,338 card holders in the Ludhiana constituency were getting free ration under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana and 40,2,024 people were getting free treatment under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. 26,803 youth of Ludhiana were trained under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana. The actor appealed to voters to not to fall in the trap of the Congress, AAP and SAD and vote in favour of the BJP only. 2 die as bus carrying pilgrims rams into stationary truck Man posing as cop tries to extort cash from salon owner Ludhiana, May 22 A tourist bus carrying pilgrims rammed into a stationary truck on a highway at Chehlan village near Samrala early this morning. Two women died in the mishap while over 12 persons suffered injuries. After getting information, officials of the Sadak Suraksha Force and Samrala police reached the scene. They took out the injured from the bus and took them to a hospital. The deceased have been identified as Meenakshi (51) and Saroj Bala (54), residents of Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Rishabh, a resident of Indore, said they were residents of Indore. After completing the Char Dham yatra, they were going to Vaishno Devi shrine, J&K, from Haridwar. When they reached Chehlan village near Samrala around 5.30 am on Wednesday morning, their bus (MP20ZJ9199) collided with a truck parked on the highway. Afterwards, the people present in the bus started shouting for help. Following which, people from nearby villages reached the scene. They took out the injured devotees and called the ambulance. With the help of ambulance and other vehicles, they were taken to a government hospital in Samrala where doctors declared Meenakshi and Saroj Bala dead. Pappu Gehlotra, a resident of Indore, said there were 50 passengers on board. After the accident, villagers helped the passengers and arranged vehicles to take them to the hospital. — TNS Ludhiana, May 22 The Ludhiana police yesterday nabbed a man who by posing himself as an official from the Special Branch of the city police attempted to extort money from a salon owner at Dhyan Singh Complex here. He has been identified as Gurpreet Singh of Mansura village here. Sheikh Sonu told the police that on May 20 two persons came to his salon. One of them introduced himself as Pawandeep Chopra, an official from the Special Branch, Ludhiana police. He was also carrying a pistol. The suspect asked him to give Rs 5,000, else threatened to implicate him in a false case. ASI Paramjit Singh said the man was nabbed and a .32 bore pistol was recovered. Probe was on to identify the other suspect. The police said the suspect was working as a private security guard and he used his licenced gun to commit the crime. — TNS
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