18122024-LT-01.qxd 12/18/2024 12:24 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune NAT’L SCHOOL GAMES END, PUNJAB REIGNS SUPREME AKSHAY KUMAR PITCHES IN FOR THE SIMIAN FRIENDS! JONITA MAKING WAVES WITH HER REMIX SONG NOORIE Hosts Punjab emerge as overall champions as they grabbed eight titles in National School Games. P2 Under the Akshay Kumar-funded initiative, over 1,250 monkeys fed in Ayodhya. P4 She says crooning the number in three different languages was a challenge she relished. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 21°C | MIN 4°C YESTERDAY MAX 21°C | MIN 4°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:13 AM » WEDNESDAY | 18 DECEMBER 2024 | LUDHIANA Outrage over death of six-yr-old in mishap on pvt school campus Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 17 After a major tragedy that ended in the death of a sixyear-old girl, Amaira, at BCM School, Sector 32, Chandigarh Road, here, on Monday, residents of the industrial hub on Tuesday alleged that school bus drivers usually drive rashly and at high speed when they come to pick up and drop children. A few residents even claimed to have urged several drivers to drive responsibly, but their requests were not heeded. The victim lost her life when she was mowed down by a bus on the school campus on Monday. Though the girl was taken to a hospital, she could not survive owing to serious head injuries. Raminder Singh, a resident of Durga Puri, said, “I have seen school buses being driven at high speed in residential areas many times. Drivers should act more responsibly as in case of any mishap, lives of children will be at stake.” Another resident, Amita Chaudhary, from Chandar Nagar, said the police should monitor the movement of buses in morning and after- Parents of students and other residents hold a protest in Ludhiana on Tuesday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN PROTESTERS SEEK ARREST OF PRINCIPAL Parents of Amaira and other students and residents on Tuesday held a protest outside the Police Division 7 and demanded arrest of school principal DP Guleria, who is at large. The bus driver, Simranjit Singh, was arrested on Monday. A case on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was registered against the driver, the principal, and the school’s management. The offence is non-bailable. noon hours. “Buses should not be allowed to enter congested roads, there should be one specified spot in an open space where parents can drop off their children. It will decrease chances of mishaps,” she said. Parents of Amaira and other students on Tuesday held a protest outside the Police Division 7 and demanded school principal DP Guleria be arrested, who is at large. The bus driver, Simranjit Singh, was arrested on Monday. A case on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was registered against the driver, the principal, and the school’s management. The offence is non-bailable. RTA not taking serious action, say residents Residents complained that whenever a mishap occurs, the RTA swings into action and officials conduct checking for a few days. But when the tension dies down, they become lax in performing their duty. The school authorities take advantage of the same and allow school buses that are continued on page 2 c m y b Man offers bribe to ADCP, caught by staff Ludhiana, December 17 The Ludhiana police registered a case against a man who offered a bribe to the ADCP (Special branch) and also tried to record a video to blackmail the official later. Staff of the office caught the duo and handed him over to the Police Division 8. The police also registered a case against the father of the suspect, who reportedly sent him to the office of the ADCP . The suspects have been identified as Akash Gupta and his father Vijay Gupta, residents of Model Town. The complainant, Jagtar Singh, senior constable, said he was discharging his duty as a reader at the office of the ADCP . On December 16, Akash came to the office of the ADCP and offered bribe to the official. When asked, he said he was not sent by any staff member. He said when the suspect’s mobile was checked, he had also attempted to shot a video while offering bribe and he wanted to use the same to blackmail the official and other employees. Meanwhile, Akash also admitted that he had done this at the behest of his father. Hence, the latter was also booked by the police. Inspector Balwinder Kaur said after registering a case, further probe was launched in the case. — TNS Coming up, 55 new soil testing labs across 11 blocks in dist Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 17 In an effort to provide farmers with easy access to soil testing facilities at the grassroots level and to offer affordable testing Soil health cards to help farmers reduce fertiliser expenses, prevent overuse DC Jitendra Jorwal chairs a meeting to finalise setting up of 55 new soil testing labs in Ludhiana on Tuesday. without requiring long-distance travel, as many as 55 new village-level soil testing laboratories will be established in the district. Chairing a meeting with officials from the Agriculture, Horticulture, and Cooperative departments, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Jiten- dra Jorwal said Ludhiana comprises 11 agriculture blocks and five labs would be set up in each block. continued on page 2 ‘Drug overdose’ death: 2 booked on culpable homicide charge Ludhiana, December 17 After a man allegedly died of drug overdose, the Daba police have registered a case against two persons on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. The suspects were identified as Giani and an unidentified person. The complainant, the deceased’s mother, told the police that on the night of December 9, Giani, along with an unidentified person, brought her son Gurpreet to home. The latter was in an unconscious state. When she asked the duo about the reason behind his condition, they said Gurpreet had taken overdose of drugs due to which he lost consciousness. “When my son did not regain consciousness, I along with my neighbours took him to the Civil Hospital, where during check-up doctors declared him dead,” she said. The woman said her son had died after he was given overdose of drugs by the two suspects and action should be taken against them. Investigating officer ASI Sukhdev Singh said after receiving a complaint, the police registered a case on Monday and further investigation was on. A raid was also being conducted to nab the suspects. — TNS