23062025-LT-01.qxd 6/22/2025 11:00 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune AAM AADMI CLINIC BUS SEWA LAUNCHED IN SAHNEWAL EMERGENCY: 50 YEARS ON, SOME REMINISCENCES June 25 marks the 50th anniversary of the declaration of the 21-month Emergency . P2 PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 35°C | MIN 29°C YESTERDAY MAX 34°C | MIN 28°C JOHNNY DEPP CALLS HIMSELF ‘CRASH TEST DUMMY FOR METOO’ Cabinet Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Sunday launched a mobile healthcare initiative. P2 FORECAST Depp has opened up about impact of the highly publicised legal battle with his ex-wife Amber Heard. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 7:33 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5:24 AM » MONDAY | 23 JUNE 2025 | LUDHIANA Drug peddlers flee homes as police undertake massive search operation Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, June 22 Over 400 police personnel posted at various police stations of the region falling under Ludhiana (Rural) Khanna and Malerkotla police districts carried out a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) at localities already identified as hotspots of drug addicts. Though the exact quantities of drugs and narcotics seized during the operation and number of suspects rounded up was yet to be revealed officially, drug peddlers seemed to be on the run as several suspects had fled after locking their homes and hideouts. Special teams of cops were assigned localities for cordon and search operation against drug peddlers and their sympathisers by Ludhiana (Rural) SSP Ankur Gupta, Khanna SSP Jyoti Yadav and Malerkotla SSP IGP Baljot Singh Rathor and Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh lead police personnel during the search operation on Sunday. Gagan Ajit Singh from their respective headquarters on Sunday morning. Gagan Ajit said that around 200 police personnel had conducted CASO operations at various localities under the supervision of IGP Baljot Singh Rathor on Sunday. SP (D) Satpal Sharma, SP Rajan Sharma, DSP (S) Ranjit Singh Bains, DSP Davinder Singh Sandhu and DSP Kuldeep Singh led the teams conducting searches at hotspots falling under Ahmedgarh, Amargarh and Malerkotla subdivisions. “Though we had already been conducting intensive combing and search operation in all sensitive areas under the ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ campaign, we held a massive one in compliance with the orders of DGP Gaurav Yadav,” said Gagan Ajit. He acknowledged that many families suspected to be involved in illicit trade of drugs had fled after locking their houses today. The SSP claimed that the police had already arrested certain notorious drug peddlers and Free parking in West constituency sparks discontent among people of other areas Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 22 Several parking lots have been made free in Ludhiana (West) constituency, but whether this change will remain there post-election result will be seen in the coming days. But for now, Ludhiana (West) residents are enjoying the unexpected benefit. The decision to offer free parking exclusively in this constituency has sparked discontent among residents of other constituencies, who argue that such benefits should be extended throughout the city. Many have questioned why only one area is being favoured, especially when people across Ludhiana have been casting their votes and contributing equally to the civic life. “Are we any less a voter?” one resident asked, highlighting a growing sentiment that public amenities shouldn’t be tied to constituency lines or political calculations. It has also raised a question, whether such temporary relief is genuine public service or just election-time appeasement. Many residents appreciate free park- The parking at Bhadaur House also awaits auction. INDERJEET VERMA ing, but want it to continue and said that if it continued after the poll, then it would be a short-term strategy rather than a long-term solution. Meanwhile, more than two years have passed and the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has failed to auction the prime parking sites in the city. Six parking sites that are awaiting auction are Sarabha Nagar Market, Bhadaur House, Feroze Gandhi Market, BRS Nagar Market, Model Town Extension and multistorey parking at zone-A. The contract has expired and extension is continuing since November 2023, with the MC failing to organise a fresh auction till date. It has been learnt that the e-auction has been postponed again for some time due to the bypoll. Area residents from localities other than BRS Nagar and Sarabha Nagar rue that if these two parking lots can be made free, then why not the remaining ones. “Parkings have been declared free because of the bypoll. We also belong to Ludhiana, what if we do not live in West constituency,” said Subhash Sharma from Chaura Bazar. A resident of Sarabha Nagar, Parkash Kaur, said that they had been requesting the MC to make parking free for a long time. “Some time back, former MLA Gurpreet Gogi had got the park- ing at Sarabha Nagar market free, but after some time they started charging again. Parking is made free or paid according to the whims and fancies of the elected representatives. It’s better to hand over the responsibility of managing the parking lot to the market association itself,” she said. Harpreet Singh, who often visits the BRS Market, said that sometimes they paid the fee and sometimes it was free. “I fail to understand the criteria followed by them. Making parking free only ahead of the polls is like fooling people. It should be made free whether there is a poll or not,” said he. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, when asked about the auction of the six parking lots, said these were still pending. Regarding free parking at BRS Nagar and Sarabha Nagar he said that it was the demand of the area residents, which had been submitted to the government after which the parking was made free. When asked if these lots would not be auctioned in future and parking made free, he said that the government would decide on this. seized drugs and narcotics. SSP Gupta said contingents of police personnel, each led by DSPs, at Jagraon, Raikot, Mullanpur Dakha, along with DSP (D) Inderjit Singh Boparai, had conducted coercive operation under the ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ campaign in compliance with the orders of the Chief Minister and DGP Gaurav Yadav. “Besides tightening the noose around notorious drug peddlers, we have also identified some drug addicts who will be admitted at the deaddiction centres for rehabilitation,” said Gupta. Similar operations were held under the supervision of SSP Yadav at various hotspots falling under the jurisdiction of DSP Khanna Amritpal Singh Bhatti and DSP Payal Hemant Malhotra, wherein drug peddlers and addicts were rounded up for taking further action against them. Dry day today in Ludhiana (West) area Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 22 Exercising the power conferred under Section 54 of the Punjab Excise Act, 1914, and Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), District Magistrate Himanshu Jain has declared a dry day in the area falling under the revenue limits of Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency and 3 km area adjoining the constituency on June 23. District Magistrate Jain also ordered the closure of country liquor and foreign liquor vends. Besides, no hotel, restaurant, club, bar and other establishment will store/sell/serve liquor in the area falling within the revenue limits of Ludhiana (West) Assembly constituency and 3 km area adjoining it. The liquor shops, hotels, restaurants and clubs run by anyone, even if they have been issued different categories of licences for possession and supply of liquor, are also not permitted to serve liquor during the above-mentioned time period during the day on June 23. The DC, along with the general observer, takes stock of the arrangements at the counting centre. Ludhiana bypoll: Counting of votes to begin at 8 am today Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 22 Originally set for 7 am, the counting of votes for the Ludhiana (West) Assembly bypoll comprising 14 rounds will now begin at 8 am on Monday at Khalsa College For Women. Officials have not stated the reason for the change. On Sunday, general observer Rajeev Kumar and district election officer (DEO) Himanshu Jain inspected the arrangements to ensure a smooth operation. The officials reviewed the examination hall, equipped with 14 tables for vote counting, and two addi- tional tables designated for postal ballots and electronically transmitted postal ballot system (ETPBS) votes. They also assessed the media centre located in the college auditorium. The district administration has implemented extensive measures, including robust security, with adequate police deployment at the counting centre. Special attention has been given to optimising parking arrangements for the convenience of all those involved in the exercise. Meanwhile, the second randomisation of vote counting staff was successfully conducted on Sunday under the supervision of the general observer and district election officer. Providing further details, Jain stated that 72 counting staff members had been randomised to ensure a seamless vote counting process. The exercise aims to efficiently allocate personnel for the counting of votes. A total of 24 counting supervisors, 24 counting assistants and 24 micro-observers will be deployed, with each counting team comprising one supervisor, one assistant and one micro-observer. Jain added that the final randomisation for the counting staff will be held tomorrow morning. Residents pin hopes on new MLA Sukhmeet Bhasin Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 22 As Ludhiana (West) prepares for the June 23 vote counting of its high-stake bypoll, local expectations for the new MLA are soaring. The seat fell vacant after AAP's Gurpreet Bassi Gogi passed away in January, and the constituency has since witnessed an intensely contested fourway battle between AAP , Congress, BJP and SAD. Residents in the constituency voiced strong dissatisfaction with the stalled Smart City Mission projects for checking congestion on roads. Local industry hopes that the next MLA will tackle this, alongside promises for improved power supply, faster clearances of files and job creation. Sahibgun Singh, a youth, said "There is so much potential in Ludhiana's youth. We expect better digital services, BRING MORE INDUSTRY TO CITY ❝ We want that projects which have been pending should be completed at the earliest and strict action should be taken against the corrupt. Moreover, being an industrial hub, efforts should be made to bring more industry here and resolve the issues pertaining to industrial sectors as well. — Arun Sharma, A LOCAL RESIDENT ❞ co-working spaces and training hubs. We want that the person who wins, thinks long term and not just for the present tenure." Another resident Pankaj Arora said "We expect that the new MLA will resolve issues pertaining to waterlogging as during the rains it becomes difficult for commuters to travel as water gets accumulated on roads. We want that this issue should be resolved at the earliest." Arun Sharma, another resident, said, "We want that projects which have been pending should be completed at the earliest and strict action should be taken against the corrupt. Moreover, being an industrial hub, efforts should be made to bring more industry here and resolve the issues pertaining to industrial sectors as well." Sumil Mahendru, also from the city, said, "I feel law and order is a major issue of concern in this area. We hope that the new MLA will work to make sure to improve law and order situation as presently at night no one, especially women, dares to come out at night due to the fear of chain snatchers active in this area." City records 49 mm rain, commuters face discomfort Manav Mander Tribune News Service A drain near Shingar Cinema overflows after Sunday’s rain, making it difficult for commuters. Ludhiana, June 22 A sharp spell of pre-monsoon rain lashed Ludhiana on Sunday, recording 49 mm of rainfall, offering a brief respite from the heat, but also laying bare the city’s chronic drainage issues. The day’s maximum temperature touched 34.9°C, while the minimum hovered at 29.1°C, adding to people’s discomfort as humidity level surged. Several parts of the city were left water-logged, with Gaushala Road submerged and the drain near Shingar Cinema overflowing, causing major inconvenience to both residents and commuters. “It’s not just water, it’s frustration that floods our streets every mon- c m y b People wade through water-logged Gaushala Road on Sunday. PHOTOS: ASHWANI DHIMAN soon,” said a local shopkeeper, ankle-deep in muddy water. Despite repeated assurances from the municipal corporation about pre-monsoon desilting and preparedness, today’s downpour once again exposed the tall claims. Traffic crawled through inundated roads, and many lowlying areas, with commuters facing a difficult time. Wading through ankle-deep water on Gaushala Road, Suresh Kumar, a 62-year-old retired schoolteacher, described the experience as both chaotic and disheartening. “I stepped out to buy medicines for my wife, but I couldn’t even see where the footpath ended and the road began. It’s not just an inconvenience anymore, it’s a crisis,” he said. Not everyone was disheartened by the downpour. For 28-year-old Aarti Verma, a freelance graphic designer from Civil Lines, the rain brought a welcome break from the scorching heat and a chance to slow down. “It felt like the city finally exhaled,” she said while sipping tea on her balcony as grey clouds rolled in. While many parts of the city grappled with waterlogging, Aarti chose to embrace the moment. Looking ahead, the Meteorological Department forecast says mostly cloudy skies for Monday, with a chance of rain during the day and light showers expected at night.