10042025-LT-01.qxd 4/10/2025 12:01 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune WHEAT PROCUREMENT BEGINS AT KHANNA GRAIN MARKET GIPPY GREWAL AND NIMRAT KHAIRA IN HIGH SPIRITS STATUE OF DDLJ TO BE INSTALLED AT LEICESTER SQUARE DC Himanshu Jain visited Asia's largest grain market in Khanna to kick-start procurement process. P2 At the premiere of Punjabi film Akaal: The Unconquered, actor Gippy Grewal is at his modest best. P4 A bronze statue of SRK & Kajol striking a pose from their 1995 superhit film will be erected in London. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 39°C | MIN 22°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 22°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.46 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:00 AM THURSDAY | 10 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA Decks cleared for direct path towrites to Local Bodies Deptancestral house Sukhdev’s for approval of award compensation MC Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 9 The Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, has finally taken steps to provide direct access to the ancestral house of martyr Sukhdev Thapar in Naughara Mohalla. After a demand made by the martyr’s kin for the past one decade, the corporation has approached the Additional Chief Secretary of the Local Bodies Department to approve the award compensation for the acquisition of 44.50 sq yards of land. As per information, the SDM, Ludhiana East-cumLand Acquisition Collector, has prepared an award of Rs 33.01 lakh for the acquisition of the property. Officials have asked for immediate release of the amount so that the acquisition can be expedited. Notably, the direct access path will enable people to reach the martyr’s ancestral house without trouble. At present, those who wanted to visit his house have to go through narrow lanes. Only two-wheelers can reach the place but with the direct access, the people can directly reach the house in four-wheelers Martyr Sukhdev Thapar’s house at Naughara Mohalla in Ludhiana on Wednesday. ASHWANI DHIMAN WILL PROVIDE CONVENIENT ROUTE, PROMOTE TOURISM The development has brought joy to the kin of martyr Sukhdev Thapar, who have been working tirelessly to preserve the legacy of the freedom fighter. The direct access path will not only provide a convenient route to the ancestral house but also help promote tourism and cultural awareness about the martyr’s life and contributions. from Chaura Bazaar by covering a distance of 100 m only. The kin of Sukhdev Thapar had been fighting for the direct access for over a decade. The process started during the previous Congress regime but the progress was slow. Ashok Thapar, president of the Shaheed Sukhdev Thapar Memorial Trust, expressed relief that the process was mov- ing forward. He hopes the authorities would clear all hurdles, emphasising that it was not only for one person but also for future generations to learn about the martyr’s contribution to country’s freedom struggle. The development has brought joy to the kin of the martyr, who have been working tirelessly to preserve the legacy of the freedom fighter. The direct access path will not only provide a convenient route to the ancestral house but also help promote tourism and cultural awareness about the martyr’s life and contributions. Ashok Thapar further asserted that the Municipal Corporation’s decision to provide direct access to the ancestral house of Sukhdev Thapar was a significant step towards preserving the history and cultural heritage of the region. It was expected that the development would have a positive impact on the local community and will help promote a sense of pride and ownership among residents. c m y b Grocer foils robbery bid, four booked Ludhiana, April 9 Four armed robbers were booked by the Khanna police for attempting to rob a grocery store on the Malerkotla road on Tuesday night. The suspects allegedly tried to loot valuables from the store and when the owner resisted the move, they fired a gunshot. Fortunately, the victim did not suffer any bullet injury. However, they had to flee empty handed from the scene. As per information, the suspects entered the shop and asked the owner, Vivek, to hand over his chain, mobile phone, cash and other valuables. The shopkeeper resisted the robbery bid and one of the suspects fired a gunshot, shattering a glass of the store. The victim informed the police, following which officials from the Khanna City 2 police station reached the scene. A CCTV footage of the incident was also obtained, which captured the suspects attempting to carry out the robbery. “Initially I thought the suspects were playing a prank with me but they fired a shot, after which I got panicked. Still, I did not hand over any valuables to them,” the shopkeeper said. SHO inspector Akash Dutt said four unidentified suspects were booked. Soon they would be nabbed. — TNS Unscheduled power cuts amid heatwave leave residents fuming Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 9 The temperatures are soaring to 40°C and residents have started bearing the brunt of the heat wave. They are also suffering due to unscheduled power cuts in many areas of the city, including Civil Lines, Rani Jhansi Road, Dandi Swami Chowk and a few parts of the Mall Road area. The residents rued that unscheduled power cuts and voltage fluctuations were causing inconvenience to them. They feel that the summer season has just started but with it, power cuts had also been imposed by the authorities. “It’s April, the temperature is already around 40°C and unscheduled power cuts near the Sham Singh Road area was troubling residents,” said Neelima, a resident. Meanwhile, for addressing issues of the residents, area councillor Nandini Jairath has made a WhatsApp group in which residents could share their problems. Almost every day, they complain about facing voltage fluctuations or power cuts. “We are getting sporadic complaints of power outage from a few areas but we try to get the same resolved as soon as possible by conveying the concerns to the PSPCL. The department is laying new transformers (repaired or new) due to which residents are facing issues but these will be redressed soon after completing the works,” Jairath said. Meanwhile, Chief Engineer, PSPCL, Jagdev Singh Haans, said there were several issues. The work of feeder bifurcation was going on in many areas in West Circle. Besides, trees, which are touching electricity wires, were being trimmed. “Residents have to bear with us for another 10 days or so till all works get completed,” he said. One of the residents, however, complained that since domestic consumers were getting free power up to 300 units, the government in an attempt to cover up those losses, had started imposing power cuts. Power is also being diverted to the industry to balance the revenue. Canadian citizen booked for dowry harassment Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 9 A case has been registered by the Khanna police against a native of Chandigarh and citizen of Canada, Pankaj Dharni, for allegedly harassing his wife over dowry demand. The complaint was filed by Nitika Sharma, who married Pankaj on January 31, 2024, in a Hindu ceremony. Pankaj and his family reportedly demanded cash, expensive items and other dowry from Nitika’s family, forcing them to hold the wedding at a luxurious marriage palace. After the wedding, Nitika lived with her in-laws in Chandigarh, where they took control of dowry items, including gold jewellery and household goods. Pankaj left for Canada on March 2, 2024, and began quarrelling with Nitika over minor issues. His family also allegedly harassed her, citing insufficient dowry. In June 2024, instead of taking Nitika to Canada, her in-laws dropped her off at her parental home in Khanna. When Pankaj returned to India, he did not allow his wife to enter her marital home. The police after registering a case have started further proceedings.