25042025-LT-01.qxd 4/24/2025 9:55 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune WB REVIEWS CANAL-BASED CITY WATER SUPPLY PROJECT CITY’S LARGEST POOL OPENS FOR SEASON CITY SPINNER GEARS UP FOR U-19 WORLD CUP A World Bank (WB) &Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank delegation is on a 3-day visit to review progress. P2 The civic body’s Olympic-size swimming pool was officially opened to the public for the season on Thursday. P2 Anmoljeet Singh of Shimlapuri, Ludhiana, is aiming to make his mark in the U-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup. P3 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 39°C | MIN 21°C YESTERDAY MAX 40°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET FRIDAY 7.01 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 5:47 AM FRIDAY | 25 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA PAU employee reinstated Hathoya illegal de-addiction centre sealed, 37 rescued Iron goods trader shoots himself with Claims wife was under a lot of stress, died last night Manav Mander revolver Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, April 24 A businessman dealing in iron goods, Dalbir Singh, shot himself with his licensed revolver at his residence in Sunview Enclave last night. On hearing the gun shot, the family members rushed to his room to check Dalbir and found him bleeding profusely. The members immediately took him to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead. According to available information, Sarabha Nagar police are investigating the matter and a postmortem examination will be conducted before handing over the body to the family members. Sources add that the deceased was an alcoholic. Last night, he was coming in his car when he lost control over the vehicle. The car banged into a tree, due to which he got upset. On reaching home, he took out his licensed revolver and shot himself on the temple. Neeraj Chowdhry, Station House Officer (SHO), Sarabha Nagar, said that he was into the business of rolling of iron. Mandi Ahmedgarh, April 24 The authorities concerned at Amargarh subdivision rescued 37 inmates from an illegally run drug de-addiction centre being run under the name of “A New Hope Foundation” wellness centre at Hathoya village near here today. As the organisers of the alleged de-addiction centre could not produce required sanctions and documents during the surprise checking conducted by senior functionaries of the police, health and civil administration, the raiding team sealed the premises, though no case has been registered by the police yet. The prohibitory and punitive action was taken in pursuance of the guidelines of Deputy Commissioner, Malerkotla, Viraj S Tidke and SSP Gagan Ajit Singh in connection with ongoing ‘ Yudh Nashian Virudh’, a few days after Health Minister Balbir Singh warned private drug de-addiction centres against violation of guidelines for running a detoxification centre. Police personnel led by DSP Davinder Sandhu seal an illegal drug de-addiction centre at Hathoya village in Amargarh subdivision on Thursday. MAHESH SHARMA Malerkotla SSP said that joint teams of the police, health and civil administration had raided an illegal deaddiction centre being run under the guise of a fitness centre at Hathoya village under the supervision of Amargarh DSP Davinder Singh Sandhu. Ritu Sethi, SMP Civil Hospital, Amar, garh, psychiatrist Dr Ashok Kumar and drug inspector Navpreet Singh led the Health Department team. Preliminary investigations revealed that owner of the premises, Chhikku Khan of Jamalpur locality, had rented out the premises to Didar Khan of Saddopur, who was running a de-addiction centre under the guise of a wellness centre. As the organisers failed to satisfy the raiding team regarding the presence of 37 inmates, including those undergoing treatment, the authorities got all incumbents freed from organisers and handed them over to their parents. The SSP said further action would be taken on the basis of reports submitted by the team of the Health Department. Following the constitution of the Cabinet committee on fighting drug addiction, the Health Minister had announced that the accountability of private drug deaddiction centres would be fixed in the campaign launched to create a drugfree society. Cong backs govt on dealing with terror: Rana Gurjit PSPCL officer caught taking ~30K bribe Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 24 The Congress today extended complete support to the Government of India in dealing with terror in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The party also warned against letting down the guard in Punjab, particularly in view of a series of terror attacks like hurling of grenades at police stations, temples and houses of political leaders. Addressing a press conference here today, senior party leaders, including AICC secretary Ravinder Dalvi, former ministers Rana Gurjeet Singh, Sunder Sham Arora, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Rakesh Pandey, besides Barinder Dhillon and Shyam Sunder Malhotra, said that the entire Congress leadership stood firmly with the Central Government to teach Pakistan a lesson for instigating and abetting terrorism in India. Rana said this was a challenge to the country’s unity and integrity and this was the time for all of us to fight the enemy together. He pointed out that the Congress Working Committee had also passed a resolution extending full support and coopera- Ludhiana, April 24 The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested Jasmel Singh, Junior Engineer, posted at the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Roomi subdivision, in Ludhiana district while accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000. Disclosing this here, an official spokesperson of the state VB, said the PSPCL official had been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Deharka village in Jagraon subdivision. He said the complainant had approached the VB, alleging that the Junior Engineer had demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 for installing a power connection at his dairy farm. The spokesperson said after a preliminary verification of the complaint, a team of the VB flying squad laid a trap during which the suspect was caught red-handed accepting Rs 30,000 as bribe from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. In this regard, a case had been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB flying squad-1 police station, Mohali. The suspect will be produced in a court on Thursday, he said. Congress leader Rana Gurjit Singh addresses a press conference in the city on the Pahalgam terror attack. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN tion to the government. The former minister also drew the attention to disturbing incidents in Punjab like the regular and frequent grenade attacks on police stations and religious places. He pointed out that the government had itself admitted that drugs and weapons were being smuggled from Pakistan with the help of drones. The senior Congress leader cautioned that the Punjab government needed to be highly alert as wherever there was peace, Pakistan had always tried to sabotage it. “So there is a need for added caution,” he observed. The Congress leaders later took out a candlelight march, which passed through differ- ent parts of Ghumar Mandi area, to express solidarity with the families of the victims of the terror attack. Hundreds of people joined the march to pay homage to the victims. The Aam Aadmi Party also held a candle march to express solidarity and condemn the terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam. City MLAs, councillors and party workers took part in the march, which started from Clock Tower and passed through Chaura Bazar, Meena Bazar and ended at Mata Rani Chowk. “This candle march is our way of paying tributes and standing with the bereaved families,” said a party worker. Ice cream factory raided, mgmt challaned Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 24 The District Health Department’s food safety team carried out a surprise inspection at an ice cream manufacturing unit situated in the Industrial Area, Hambran, Ludhiana. The inspection revealed alarming levels of uncleanliness and unhygienic food preparation practices. The working environment of the factory was found to be filthy, cluttered with waste and lacking basic sanitation, raising serious concerns regarding consumer health and safety. The team collected two samples of ice cream, which have been sent to the state food laboratory for further analysis. A challan was issued on the spot to the factory management for severe violations of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and legal proceedings had been initiated. Amarjit Kaur, District Health Officer (DHO), while emphasising the department’s strict stance on food safety said: “There will be no compromise when it comes to public health. Food estab- lishments operating in unhygienic conditions not only break the law, but also endanger the lives of consumers. Our teams are actively conducting checks, and offenders will be dealt with firmly.” The Health Department has urged all food business operators to ensure strict compliance with hygiene protocols, failing which stringent action will be taken. c m y b Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 24 An employee of the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) who was suspended due to his reported confrontation with an Aam Aadmi Party leader was reinstated today. PAU, Vice Chancellor, SS Gosal said that the suspended employee, Amrik Singh, had submitted a written application, stating that he was not at fault and the committee after verifying the facts took the decision. “Three days’ time was given to the union and today was the second day and after all verifications he had been reinstated and orders for the same issued,” said PAU VC. On Tuesday, PAU Employees Union was to hold a protest against the suspension, but heavy deployment of police force on the university campus and detention of several members of the union did not allow it to happen. Later, a meeting was held with the VC, who gave three days to resolve the issue. Meanwhile, during this entire episode, wife of Amrik died yesterday night. She was undergoing kidney transplant at the PGI. “She Members of the PAU Employees Union among others at the house of Amrik Singh, after he lost his wife. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN went under stress after the turn of events and died. I blame the entire episode for her death,” said Amrik. Her cremation will be held two days later as the couple’s daughters live abroad. After speculations about employees staging a protest, blaming the turn of the events the reason behind Amrik’s wife’s death, police officials were seen holding talks with the union members during the day. When Amrik was contacted regarding his stand in this issue, he said that the union’s decision was his decision. President of PAU Employees Union Baldev Singh said that the news of his wife’s death was very unfortunate. “We had a word with Amrik at his house and he was completely shattered and does not want to pursue anything in this regard,” said Walia. The incident caught the attention of other political parties as well and with Ludhiana West bypoll just around the corner. Congress leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu reached Amrik’s residence to pay his condolences. “This is the height of high headedness of the ruling party. Are these aam aadmis? asked Ashu. State BJP unit wrote on their X handle, “Arrogance. Vendetta. Misuse of Power. AAP’s dictatorship has claimed a life.”