07122024-LT-01.qxd 12/7/2024 12:33 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune FIRE CLAIMS LIVES OF SEVERAL ANIMALS IN ABOHAR VILLAGE SHAHANA SAYS ACTING WITH BAJPAYEE WAS REWARDING DOCUMENTARY ON YO YO HONEY SINGH TO DROP ON OTT A fire broke out in an animal enclosure. Seven goats, a buffalo and its newborn calf burnt alive. P3 Shahana Goswami is a woman with many interests. Acting is her true calling, and so are writing and directing. P4 It is directed by Mozez Singh and offers an exclusive look into the life of the hip-hop artiste and rapper. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 24°C | MIN 7°C YESTERDAY MAX 25°C | MIN 7°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.23 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 7:06 AM SATURDAY | 7 DECEMBER 2024 | LUDHIANA 2 arrested with illegal weapons, six cartridges Tribune News Service Wrong-side driving a norm on Lakkar Bridge RUB closed for widening of tracks | No traffic cop deployed on either side of flyover to prevent rule violation Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service ludhiana, December 6 As the city’s busy railway under bridge (RUB) has been closed due to the ongoing project for widening of railway tracks, commuters have been taking the wrong side of Lakkar Bridge, putting their lives at risk. Despite clear violation of rules, no traffic cop has been deployed on either side of the bridge to prevent violation of traffic rules. Notably, the underpass will remain closed for 90 days due to ongoing work on the bridge, which is part of the ambitious doubling project connecting the Ludhiana railway station to Mullanpur. Significant progress has been made in recent months, with the doubling work already completed in at least eight key crossing points within the city. It is pertinent to mention here that after the closure of Damoria bridge, traffic load has increased on Lakkar Bridge, a stretch between Pavilion chowk-Mata Rani chowk and between Railway road to Pavilion chowk but because of the wrong side commuting, mainly on the Commuters driving on the wrong side on Lakkar Bridge, posing risk to their lives in Ludhiana on Friday. PHOTOS: INDERJEET VERMA stretch between Pavilion chowk to Mata Rani chowk, the rush of vehicles has increased manifold on the bridge, posing a potential risk of mishap. On Friday, the Tribune team while doing a reality check of the situation, Capturing moments in time found that vehicles, mostly two- wheelers and threewheelers, were going on the wrong side of the bridge. Vehicles take to this bridge from Mata Rani chowk and get down at Pavillion chowk traffic lights, but the right way to reach Pavillion chowk is to take the Lakkar Bridge from Railway road side only. Due to this violation, commuters endanger their lives as the chances of collision between the vehicles have increased because vehicles coming on the right side of the bridge are usual- ly being driven at high speed in the belief that no vehicle will come from the opposite side. Interestingly, when a twowheeler rider was asked why he was driving on the wrong side, the person in question said, “Since he has to reach Pavillion chowk on time, he did not take a long diversion from the Railway road side, where one has to crawl in traffic jam which might take more than 10 minutes. Hence, I decided to go on the wrong side which only takes two minutes to reach Pavil- A group of friends get themselves clicked, capturing joyful moments. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, December 6 The police yesterday registered two separate cases against nine persons for committing a fraud of Rs 16.70 lakh. The first case was registered on the complaint of Sahil Sharma of Bhamian Kalan against Pardeep Kumar of Dehradun, Lokesh Jain of Bank Colony, Haibowal, Kimti Rawal of Chandar Nagar, Pooja of Green City and Tarlok Singh of Mundia Kalan. The complainant alleged that the accused had taken Rs 10 lakh from him and in lieu of it, assured to send him to Australia. Despite taking the money in advance, when the accused failed to arrange for visa, he repeatedly asked him to at least return the money but he refused. The accused had committed a fraud with him intentionally, he stated. Investigating Officer ASI Iqbal Singh said that after registering a case, further investigation was launched in the case. Meanwhile, another case of fraud was registered on the complaint of Balbir Singh of Kaithal, Haryana. The accused booked were Shatrujit of Kaithal, Rakhi, Shashi Kumar of Jalandhar and Vikramjit Thakur of Nabha, Patiala. The complainant alleged that the accused had promised to clear the pending appeal of his daughter Manisha filed in Canadian embassy and had taken Rs 6.70 lakh from him but the accused had failed to fulfill their promise. Investigating officer ASI Harmesh Lal said that after registering a case, further investigation was launched by the police. — TNS Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains interacts with students. Tribune News Service Woman among 2 held Health Minister inaugurates 30-bed hospital with 50 gms of heroin Manav Mander Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 6 The Ludhiana police claimed to have nabbed two persons, including a woman, and recovered 50 gram heroin from them. The accused have been identified as Pushpak Malhotra and Ritu Malhotra, both residents of Ranjodh Park, Haibowal. Pushpak is a graduate while Ritu is Class XII pass. Inspector Rajesh Kumar, in-charge Crime Branch -1, said the police yesterday arrested the duo and recovered heroin from them. Both the accused were on the way to deliver heroin to their clients when a police party nabbed them. Inspector Rajesh added that Pushpak is already facing trial in four cases. After coming out on bail, the accused continued the drug trade. The police said now the accused would be interrogated to bust the entire drug supply line and big suppliers involved in the drug chain would also be nabbed. Even the properties, if any, made by the nabbed smugglers with the proceeds of drug money would also be attached. A case under NDPS Act has been registered against the accused. The accused in police custody in Ludhiana on Friday. lion chowk.” Another motorcyclist said he drives daily on the wrong side to Pavilion chowk as it is more convenient and takes less time. The biker said he knows driving on the wrong side poses a risk of mishap, so he drives carefully. Police book 9 for ~16.70L Bains lays stone of fraud in visa-related cases SoE upgrade work PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Ludhiana, December 6 The Ludhiana police yesterday arrested two persons and recovered three illegal pistols .32 bore, six live cartridges and an SUV from them. The accused have been identified as Jashandeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh, both residents of Lalto Kalan. The police said during patrolling on Pakhowal Road, cops noticed some suspicious persons standing in a vacant plot. The cops conducted checking of the car and frisked the suspects and recovered three weapons with cartridges. The police added that a case under Arms Act was registered against the accused and further investigation was launched to inquire about the purpose of possessing illegal weapons. The police would also probe if the arrested persons used these illegal weapons in committing some crime. As per sources said the police have launched an investigation to identify the illegal weapons suppliers from whom the nabbed accused might have bought weapon. Ludhiana, December 6 After a gap of 10 years, the Urban Community Health Centre (UCHC) at Civil Surgeon Office was inaugurated by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Friday. In the first phase, the hospital will operate with 10 beds and later will be expanded to 30 beds. Th plan is also to start a free dialysis centre with the help of a NGO. The hospital will be operational 24X7. Currently, two medical officers will be running this 10-bed hospital. In addition to them, one staff nurse, one pharmacists and one class IV have been deputed here. Currently, the staff will be working on deputation. With Health Department already reeling under staff shortage and another hospital added, it will only add to the workload till the staff is appointed for UCHC. Keeping in view the rush of patients at Civil Hospital, this UCHC was built in 2014 but could never be started due to staff shortage and currently a ESIC dispensary and Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT Health Minister Balbir Singh talks to patients at the health centre on Friday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN clinic) is being operative here. In addition to this, few rooms were occupied by officials clerical staff, which have now been shifted. This building has been constructed at a cost of Rs 4.25 crore and will offer quality Medical services to the people of nearby locality including daily general OPD, emergency, dental, Mother and Child services, EYE, X-rays and c m y b basic lab tests. The minister also added that till next year, five health centres will be opened for the public so that people can avail quality medical services to the people near their localities. He stated that 17 new doctors have already been appointed for Ludhiana and 24-hours emergency medical services will be ensured at the district hospitals. He said by January 2025, the Ludhiana Civil Hospital will be transformed into a state-of-the-art medical facility, offering services comparable to private corporate hospitals. Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora announced Rs 10 lakh for the hospital and a new hi-tech ambulance for Ludhiana West Constituency. Ludhiana, December 6 Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains on Friday laid the foundation stone of the upgrade work of Shaheed E Azam Sukhdev Thapar School of Eminence, Bharat Nagar, at a cost of around Rs 17 crore. Accompanied by MLA Gurpreet Bassi Gogi, Markfed Chairman Amandeep Singh Mohie and Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal, Bains said new works will include a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, a multipurpose hall, new science laboratories, additional classrooms, roof tiling, new doors and windows, new electrical wiring, sewage system, covered parking area for students, a shelter for mid-day meals. It would include the demolition of the old hall for the construction of seven new classrooms on the ground floor with bathrooms, basketball court, a new main entrance, a waiting area for parents, and other work. The project would be completed in 11 months, transforming the school into a top academic institution. The indoor sports complex will be named in honour of Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh, he mentioned. Bains emphasised that Schools of Eminence (SoE) are being established across Punjab, ensuring that students in government schools have access to facilities comparable to be found in convent schools. He highlighted that Shaheed-E-Azam Sukhdev Thapar School of Eminence, located at Bharat Nagar Chowk in Ludhiana, is one of the most esteemed institutions, currently educating around 2,000 students. He said this would be the second school of Eminence of Ludhiana city that would have all ultra modern facilities. The Minister also revealed that five new Schools of Eminence (SOEs) will be inaugurated for the people in the coming months by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Significant efforts are already underway to ensure high-quality infrastructure in government schools, including boundary walls, furniture, sports facilities, and more. He also discussed the business blaster initiative aimed at cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit among students, motivating them to transition from job seekers to job creators. By involving students in practical business ventures, the programme promotes essential skills such as creativity, problemsolving, and critical thinking. The minister paid floral tributes to Shaheed-E-Azam Sukhdev Thapar at his statue installed on the school premises.