29052025-LT-01.qxd 5/29/2025 12:38 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HEALTH TEAM SEIZES 420 KG OF BANNED KHESARI DAL HOUSEFULL 5 TRAILER LAUNCH EVENT FULL OF MASTI, BONHOMIE COL JASPAL CHANDAOK EXHIBITS DRIFTWOOD ARTEFACTS A sample of dal was sent for a lab test and was found to be non-compliant with food safety standards. P2 As fifth part of Housefull 5 is all set to be released in June, makers kick-started promotions in Mumbai. P4 Colonel Jaspal Singh Chandaok (retd) has transformed his home into a captivating mini museum. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 38°C | MIN 28°C YESTERDAY MAX 39°C | MIN 29°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.18 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:22 AM » THURSDAY | 29 MAY 2025 | LUDHIANA Withdraw notification on acquiring land or face morcha, says Sukhbir Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 28 Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Wednesday demanded the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to withdraw the notification regarding the acquisition of 24,000 acres of land adjoining the city or be ready to face a ‘morcha’ aimed at securing the rights of aggrieved farmers. He made it clear that party will take agitation to other cities also where farmers were being ousted from their lands Addressing a massive dharna, ‘Jang Punjab Bachaun Di’, in front of the GLADA office here, which was attended by SAD workers and farmers alike, the SAD president said the party would not allow the AAP government to acquire even one inch of land. The traffic was affected for around 30 minutes during the protest. Sukhbir said: “We will not SAD chief Sukhbir Badal addresses protesters outside the GLADA office in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN allow AAP conspiracy to rob our farmers of their lands simply to fill party coffers to succeed.” He made it clear that the SAD would take its agitation to other cities also where farmers were being unfairly ousted from their fertile lands. Asserting that the SAD had always safeguarded the interests of Punjabis against outsiders, the SAD chief said: “We will not let the AAP central leadership, led by Arvind Kejriwal and his lieutenants Manish Sisodia and Satyendra Jain, to operationalise this scam.” He said change of land use (CLU) certificates were being offered at Rs 1 crore an acre to keep any chosen area out of the 24,000-acre acquisition. “It shows that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has surrendered completely to the AAP central leadership and now, he is even ready to snatch the precious fertile land of farmers to remain in his chair”. A farmer representative, Sukhpal Singh, who thanked the SAD president for taking a stand in favour of victim farmers, said: “The AAP government is indulging in a fraud in the name of development. Private colonies close to the land identified for acquisition are yet to be developed. If we succumb to the government’s pressure we will be forced to sell any property given to us under the land pooling scheme at distress rates as the area might take decades to develop. It will spell doom for our future generations.” Amid slogans of ‘Kisan-Mazdoor-Dukaandar Ekta Zindabad’ the farmers expressed their resolve not to let their land be acquired. Senior SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar appealed to Punjabis to unite to thwart the evil conspiracy from succeeding. Senior leader Ranjit Singh Dhillon said as in the case of the Ludhiana City scam, the SAD cadre was ready to initiate a continuous dharna to secure the right of the farmers. SAD candidate from the West constituency advocate Parupkar Singh Ghumman was among those others present. Party looking for Ayali’s alternative in Dakha’ After SAD president Sukhbir Badal termed the lone MLA of the SAD in the state from Dakha Manpreet Ayali a traitor, party insiders said the SAD was now looking for an alternative for Ayali, who can lead the party cadre in the Dakha constituency. Sukhbir also held a meeting with party workers in Chajawal village in the constituency and deliberated upon issues. 40-yr-old city resident admitted to AAP gears up for bypoll, Chandigarh hospital dies of Covid vows victory for Arora Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 28 A 40-year-old man who lost his life due to Covid at GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, was a resident of Ludhiana. Civil Surgeon Ramandeep Kaur urged the public not to panic, assuring them of the department’s preparedness, including for potential Covid-19 concerns. “The person was initially admitted to SPS Hospital one year ago for fever and abdominal problems, where he was diagnosed with Hepatitis B. On May 23, he was admitted to ESI Hospital after he experienced breathlessness and got pneumonia. He was subse- quently referred to the GMCH, Sector 32, Chandigarh, on May 26 where he breathed his last on Wednesday due to co-morbid conditions along with Covid,” the Civil Surgeon said. “I want to assure the public that the Health Department has already initiated immediate action. We have commenced sampling of diseased family members and close contacts as a precautionary measure to assess the situation thoroughly, including any potential link to Covid, given respiratory symptoms,” she said. Dr Kaur emphasised that the department was fully equipped and prepared to handle any health challenges, including those related to Covid-19. “Our teams are on high alert, and we have robust protocols in place to tackle any conditions that may arise, including monitoring for new variants and ensuring adequate testing and isolation facilities,” she said. “The current Covid strains are generally reported to be mild and our hospitals are well-prepared. We urge people to continue maintaining good hygiene practices, wear masks in crowded areas and consult healthcare professionals for any health concerns or if they observe any Covid-like symptoms,” she said. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 28 An important strategy meeting was held here on Tuesday by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to discuss preparations for the upcoming bypoll to the Ludhiana (West) constituency. The meeting witnessed the participation of senior party leaders, including AAP’s Punjab working president Sherry Kalsi, cabinet minister Ravjot Singh, MLAs, municipal councillors, party office-bearers, and grassroots workers. The party’s candidate for the bypoll, Rajya Sab- ha MP Sanjeev Arora, also attended the meeting. A unanimous resolution was passed to ensure Arora’s victory, under the leadership of AAP’s national convener Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab president Aman Arora and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Party leaders emphasised that the election was more than just a political contest, it was an opportunity to further strengthen values of honesty and service-driven governance that AAP stands for. They urged party cadres to work tirelessly at the grassroots level to ensure a decisive win. Bizman kidnapped, Cong candidate dares AAP to robbed of cash, mobile list single thing it did for city phone by two robbers Ludhiana, May 28 Two robbers kidnapped a dealer selling bicycle parts and took him around in a Maruti Swift car for about an hour. The miscreants robbed him of cash and mobile phone at knifepoint. Afterwards, the miscreants snatched the ATM card of the victim and made six transactions on Pakhowal Road. After looting the money, the robbers dropped the businessman near Dugri Greenland School and fled. A day after the incident, the suspects again threatened the businessman and demanded a ransom of Rs 3 lakh. The victim, Rajinderpal Singla of Dugri, said on May 23, an unidentified person called on his mobile posing as a client and ordered about 43,200 pieces of bicycle parts. On May 24, the caller asked him to come near Pahwa Hospital to collect the cheque. Two people were sitting in a Swift car. The person sitting in the driver’s seat asked him to sit in the car and said he was issuing a cheque. When he got into the car, they locked the vehicle. The person sitting in the rear seat took out a knife and threatened to kill him. They asked him to hand over whatever he had. Singla handed over Rs 3,000 in cash, a mobile and his wife’s ATM card to the robbers. They took him to an ATM on Pakhowal Road, where they asked him for the card’s PIN and withdrew Rs 40,000. He said they took them around the city for over one hour. The man sitting in a rear seat said he had committed three murders in the past and if he lodged a complaint with the police, he would come out from jail after six months and kill them. When the matter reached CP Swapan Sharma, he ordered to file a case. — TNS Ludhiana, May 28 Punjab Congress working president Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Wednesday challenged the Aam Aadmi Party government in the state to list one single thing it had done for Ludhiana during the past three-and-a half-years of its tenure, except the alleged open loot and robbery of the public with rampant corruption. Ashu taunted claims of AAP leaders about having completed the Elevated Ferozepur Road project of the Halwara airport. He pointed out these projects were not conceived, executed and completed in three years. He said the Halwara airport project was planned during the 2002-2007 tenure of the Congress government. He said it was followed by subsequent governments as a lot of formalities had to be completed. Moreover, it was a Central Government project. “Merely making a group of aware about who has done works for the city,” he said. Mamta Ashu holds meetings with women Bharat Bhushan Ashu campaigns in Ludhiana West segment. people to visit the airport did not mean you have made it,” he remarked while taking a jibe at AAP leaders for trying to showcase it as their achievement and that too when it is not even complete so far. On the Elevated Ferozepur Road project, Ashu said it was planned and executed during the Congress government tenure and he took personal interest in its completion and it could be verified from records. He said: “Merely erecting boards and hoardings doesn’t mean you have done all works.” People of Ludhiana are well c m y b Mamta Ashu, wife of Congress candidate for the Ludhiana West constituency bypoll Bharat Bhushan Ashu, had always been active in politics and with the byelections just around the corner, she is out in the field, campaigning for her husband and adopting a personalised approach with women voters of the constituency. Leaving behind the comfort of the home, she is braving the scorching summer heat to assure Ashu’s win in the upcoming byelection. “People of the constituency know us and works done by us. I meet people on my own to cover as much area as possible. I interact with women voters and ask them to make an informed decision,” said Mamta Ashu. She held special meetings with women from Sargodha Colony and Sarabha Nagar. — TNS Students uproot poles installed to earmark parking area for temple in GCG ground Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 28 The decision to convert a portion of the ground of the Government College for Girls (GCG) into a parking lot has sparked off a controversy resulting in students uprooting poles installed to earmark the space for the parking for Durga Mata Mandir. The portion of the sports ground, measuring 109 ft x 498 ft (nearly 6,000 sq yards), has been allocated to the temple parking. Students under the aegis of Punjab Students Union (PSU) uprooted the poles and also questioned the principal on allotting the portion of the college ground for parking and had also submitted a memorandum with the Deputy Commissioner in this regard. They also staged a protest and raised slogans against MP Sanjeev Arora and demanded an immediate rollback of the plan. The ground has been allocated to Shri Durga Mata Mandir Trust for parking and the construction was already underway for the same with the installation of the poles and fence. Last month, Rajya Sabha member Sanjeev Arora had suggested that the college ground, situated opposite Durga Mata Mandir, can be used as a parking facility to address growing traffic congestion. Arora had written to Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, requesting for allotment of the same after he had received a representation from the temple Trust. Students locked the gate and handed over keys to NO WRITTEN PERMISSION GIVEN: PRINCIPAL Principal of the GCG Suman Lata said students have locked the gate and handed over the keys to her. “No written permission has been given for converting the ground space into parking lot and the higher authorities should be aware about the decision. It was only verbally that the RS MP asked me for letting some part of the ground for parking while nothing in written has been done and no agreement has been signed,” she said. the principal and demanded an FIR against the contractor who has started the illegal construction without any permission. “We will not allow illegal construction on the ground. The college has only one ground, where sports meet, events and cultural activities are conducted. Turning it into a parking lot is a blatant attack on students’ future. If the administration wants more parking space, the vacant space of the railways or space near Guru Nanak Stadium can be converted into parking areas,” said Ramandeep Kaur, a student of GCG and member of the PSU. The move has sparked outrage among students and hostellers, who are raising security concerns and protesting the loss of their space. Further, the students added that the city was already a concrete jungle and it was at the college that they find some open space where they play and hold sports activities freely and now, the government was snatching that too from them. “On the one hand, the government is encouraging students to participate in sports and shun drugs and on the other, it is taking away playgrounds from us,” said Ranvir Singh, PSU state president. Principal of the GCG Suman Lata said students have locked the gate and handed over the keys to her. “No written permission has been given for converting the ground space into parking lot and the higher authorities should be aware about the decision. It was only verbally that MP Arora asked me for letting some part of the ground for parking while nothing in written has been done and no agreement has been signed,” she said. The ground was often used for holding exhibitions and other events and the permission for the same is sought through the Deputy Commissioner and an amount is earmarked as rent per day for the same, she added. Meanwhile, an alumni of Satish Chander Dhawan Government College supported Government Girls College teachers and students to prevent encroachment on the college land. Brij Bhushan Goyal, organisation secretary of the Alumni Association of SCD College, said the girls college groomed the likes of Kamla Chowdhary, who was the first woman PCS officer from joint Punjab in early 1960s. The college gave many good teachers to many colleges and schools in the state. Instead of setting up any institute for competition preparation and sports facilities, the government has become a mute spectator to the plan to encroach the ground portion,” he said. Students uproot poles that were installed to earmark space for temple parking in the college ground. Bypoll: Ind candidate files nominations on Day 3 Rise above differences to ensure Cong’s victory: Warring to party workers Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 28 On the third day of filing nominations for the Ludhiana West seat of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, one candidate has filed his nomination papers. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C said on Wednesday that an Independent candidate, Eng Baldev Raj Katna (Debi), submitted his nomination papers for the Ludhiana West bypoll. The last date for filing nominations was June 2 and the scrutiny of the papers will be conducted on June 3. The final date for withdrawal of nominations is June 5. The voting will take place on June 19 and the results will be declared on June 23, after the counting of votes. Ludhiana, May 28 Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring on Wednesday gave a clarion call to party workers to rise above petty differences and ensure the victory of the Congress in the ensuing byelection on June 19. Addressing a meeting of officebearers and prominent workers here, Warring expressed confidence that the party would win the Ludhiana West by-election with a record margin. “Dedicate yourself with all determination for another three weeks and ensure the victory of the party on June 19,” he exhorted upon all workers telling them to make it their personal battle. The Ludhiana MP observed that the victory in Ludhiana West would be the first round towards the final victory in the 2027 Assembly elections in the state. He assured party workers that they would realise the difference in the state after the Congress government comes to power. “Every Congress worker will have the same power and authority like any other MLA or the minister,” he said amid a thumping applause from the audience. Earlier, senior party leader and former minister Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa called upon the rank and file of the party to join hands and support the party candidate from Ludhiana West. Asserting that it is a do or die battle for the party, he expressed confidence that Congress workers and leaders would work together to defeat their opponents.He said he had seen a lot of enthusiasm and optimism among the party workers as everyone believes that the Congress was going to win the byelection and set the tone for the 2027 elections.