02072025-LT-01.qxd 7/2/2025 12:23 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SRK HEAPS PRAISE ON ANUPAM KHER'S TANVI… KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN MARKS 25 YEARS IN FILMS Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan has completed 25 years in the Hindi film industry. P4 GENERALLY CLOUDY MAX 34°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 24°C SARA ALI KHAN, ADITYA ROY TRAVEL WITH FANS IN METRO The trailer of Anupam Kher’s upcoming directorial Tanvi The Greathas received widespread acclaim. P4 FORECAST Both were seen enjoying a metro ride in Mumbai as part of promotions for their upcoming film Metro...In Dino.P4 » » SUNSET WEDNESDAY 7.28 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 5:25 AM » WEDNESDAY | 2 JULY 2025 | LUDHIANA Protesting against non-payment of salaries, sanitation workers dump garbage on road Commuters face trouble as rain exacerbates foul smell emanating from refuse DELAY DUE TO ONGOING PROBE IN SCAM, SAY OFFICIALS Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 1 Protesting against non-payment of salaries, sanitation workers in Ludhiana took to streets on Tuesday, blocking the road near the Middha Chowk’s compactor site with heaps of garbage. They were holding the protesting against the Municipal Corporation (MC) for its failure to disburse salaries to 154 contractual employees. These employees were outsourced by the corporation for sanitation duties and now, they are fumed over non-payment of salaries for eight to ten months. The protesting workers said they were receiving only Rs 10,000 per month, which was a meagre amount. They even expressed confusion about their employment terms, stating that they were never told if their hiring was on a contract basis, DC rate or some other means. Their grievances were heard by members of the Municipal Employees Federation, who reached the spot and prom- MC officials attributed the delay in payment of salaries to an ongoing inquiry in a scam involving money being sent to “fake accounts”. They claim files of the 154 contractual employees were linked to the alleged fraud, as these workers were not officially on MC records. Sanitation workers dump garbage in protest on a road in Ludhiana on Tuesday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN ised to resolve the matter. The protest caused significant disruption for commuters, especially amid heavy rainfall, which exacerbated the foul smell emanating from the scattered garbage. However, MC officials attributed the delay in payment of salaries to an ongoing inquiry in a scam involving money being sent to “fake accounts”. They claim files of the 154 employees were linked to the alleged fraud, as these workers were not officially on MC records. Area councillor Kapil Sonu said he was aware of the situation and had already discussed the same with Mayor Inderjit Kaur. He said if the employees had worked for the civic body, they should receive their due salaries. He had pledged to arrange a meeting with the Mayor to resolve the issue and ensure the salaries were released. An official from the MC health branch said the employees were hired two years ago but their payments were withheld due to unspecified reasons and the matter was already in the knowledge of senior MC officials. He said the final decision rests with the Mayor as the scam probe report was yet to be completed. After an hour, the protesters lifted the protest and left without cleaning roads. Area councillor Kapil Sonu managed to clear the refuse from the road. Minor girl violated for over two months 15 booked for bid to encroach Couple booked for forcing victim to have sexual relations with several persons upon school Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 1 A shameful incident of a rape of a schoolgirl has come to light in the city. Unidentified persons continued to sexually harass the child for over two months. A couple who forced the minor girl to have sexual relations with other persons booked by the police. After the couple went abroad, the 15-year-old girl victim escaped from the house recently and reached her sister’s house, where she narrated the atrocities committed on her. Taking swift action in the matter, the Sadar police on Monday registered a case against Sushil and his wife Naina, residents of Leshian Tower near Rajan Enclave, based on the complaint of the girl, who is a resident of Ludhiana. A case was registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and under the Pocso Act. As per information, the victim, belonging to a migrant family, complained to the police that her mother had to go out of the city for some urgent family work in April. The woman left her daughter with her friend, Naina. The mother thought that her daughter would also help with household chores at her friend’s place and the latter would take care of her. The girl also told the police that in early April, an unidentified person came to Naina’s house. After forcibly establishing physical relations, the suspect started threatening her. After a few days, other persons came to the house and raped her. They raped her many times continuously for two months. Naina and her husband Sushil were involved in the crime with the other suspects. The suspects had kept her confined in the house against her wishes. Investigating officer sub-inspector Naina Devi said efforts were on to nab the couple. Ludhiana, July 1 The Sarabha Nagar police have registered a case against 15 individuals for attempting to encroach upon the school belonging to Vishwa Manav Ruhani Kendra. The police have taken action against 15 persons, including 14 unidentified persons, in the matter. The FIR was registered by the police based on a complaint filed by Gurdarshan Singh Mahal of Sector 32A, Chandigarh Road. ASI Balvir Singh said Probe was on in the case. — TNS Admn reviews preparedness to tackle floods, 8 control rooms set up Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 1 In view of monsoon season, the district administration on Monday reviewed the preparedness and arrangements being put in place to tackle any flood-like situation in the district, especially on the embankment of the Sutlej. While holding a meeting with the officials concerned at the DAC, Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rakesh Kumar also directed them to carry out an inspection of the area adjoining the Sutlej bank. He said requisite action should be taken, where needed, to avert any exigency in future. He also instructed to ensure adequate arrangements in term of suitable locations for shifting people as and when Our Correspondent Doraha, July 1 A team of the Doraha police claimed to have arrested a resident of Bhathal village and seized 304 gm of heroin from his possession. A special drive was conducted to nab criminals supplying drugs under the guidance of Khanna SSP Jyoti Yadav Bains, SP (Investigation) Pawanjeet, Payal DSP Hemant Malhotra and Doraha SHO Akash Dutt. The Doraha police had put up a naka near Gurthali pull for checking of suspicious persons. Manpreet Singh, alias Manna, who was riding a Bajaj Boxer motorcycle (bearing registration no PB 10 BF 1466), was stopped on the basis of suspicion. When searched, 304 gm of heroin was seized from him. The suspect was taken into custody and a case under Sections 21/61/85 of the NDPS Act was registered at the Doraha police station. The Payal DSP said the Khanna police had initiated a Tribune News Service House of couple facing drug cases razed in Jagraon Tribune News Service Motorists and pedestrians navigate waterlogged roads amid rain in Ludhiana on Tuesday. PHOTOS: ASHWANI DHIMAN & HIMANSHU MAHAJAN one rain exposed everything. “The nullah was overflowed on Tuesday following continuous rain. Crores spent on the under bridge went into drain. Residents are facing a lot of inconvenience. Those riding two-wheelers had to take alternative routes to reach their destinations as the bridge was flooded,” he said. In many areas, sewers overflowed due to which residents faced a difficult time. Though MC workers were seen cleaning sewer lines, waterlogging troubled commuters. Waterlogging was witnessed in many areas and c m y b on roads in the city. The Janakputri area always remains at a high risk in rainy days as the rainwater enters houses and shops. “Though we have constructed mini-walls in front of doors of our houses, during heavy rainfall, water enters the premises, causing drive against drug suppliers for the past quite some time. “We have achieved major successes ever since the launching of the drive. A number of members of the drug mafias had been nabbed and major recoveries had been made from them”, the he said. He said Manpreet Singh had already been booked under the NDPS Act and various sections of the IPC. Further investigation in the case was on and there were chances of more major recoveries, the DSP added. The suspect in Doraha police custody. Shivani Bhakoo we are used to such rains and waterlogging,” he said. The under bridge near Chand Cinema was deluged in water due to overflow of the Buddha Nullah passing nearby. Shiv Ram, a resident, said crores were spent by the government on the construction of the bridge but only 2433100. Flood control rooms had also been set up at the sub-division level, including 0161-2922330 for Ludhiana East, 01612412555 for Ludhiana West, 01624-223256 at Jagraon, 01628-226091 at Khanna, 01628-262354 at Samrala, 01628-276892 at Payal and the control room number at Raikot was 01624-264350. The ADC instructed the officials concerned that if culverts on roads of villages and cities were closed, they should be cleaned immediately and made operational. Under training IAS officer Pragati Rani, SDM Ludhiana West Poonampreet Kaur, SDM Khanna Baljinder Singh Dhillon and Assistant Commissioner Payal Goyal, officials of various departments were among those others present. One nabbed with 304-gm heroin Rain brings respite for residents, misery for commuters Ludhiana, July 1 The rain, which started in the city around 6:45 am on Tuesday, brought smiles on faces of residents as they got a respite from the sultry weather. At the same time, rains troubled many, who had to struggle hard to drain excessive water from their houses and workplace premises located in low-lying areas. As it rained for over three hours, the low-lying areas in the city were submerged in water and it took almost three hours for the rainwater to recede. Low-lying areas such as Chawni Mohalla, Nali Mohalla, near Chandan Nagar, Jainpuri, Dholewal and near Field Ganj were in bad shape after the rain, which continued for around four hours. Even in posh areas near Mall Road, puddles of water were witnessed. Surinder Kumar, a resident of Chawni Mohalla, said he had to come to work by passing through a long stretch of road where accumulated rainwater caused inconvenience. “This is a routine affair in the area in every rainy season. But the problem has never been resolved. Hence, required in case of a floodlike situation, besides arrangements of medicines, healthcare arrangements and saving milch cattle. The ADC pointed out that eight 24x7 control rooms had been established in the district, including one at the DAC, so that the people could easily get and give requisite information. He said the officials concerned would carry out advance visits to sensitive places situated on the Sutlej river embankment in the district. He also instructed the SDMs, tehsildars and naib tehsildars to visit all points falling under their respective jurisdictions to gauge the situation in advance. The ADC said staff were being deployed for the DAC control room, the number of which was 161- losses every year. This is a low-lying area, the authorities need to come up with a plan to drain out excessive rainwater. Every year, rains come as a nightmare,” said Beenu Prasad, a resident staying at a vehra in the Janakpuri area. Ludhiana, July 1 The house of a couple facing 15 cases of drug smuggling and other serious crimes was bulldozed by the Municipal Council along with officials in the Mai Jeena area of Jagraon. As per officials, Harpreet Longa and his wife Inderjit Kaur had illegally occupied the land and built a house. The council had earlier sent notices to them, asking for documents. Action was taken when the documents were not received. SSP Ankur Gupta said the couple was at present lodged in jail in connnection with drug smuggling cases. “We have already shortlisted many other smugglers who have built illegal properties in Ludhiana with the help of drug money and the same will be demolished in coming days. The police also appealed to those people who are involved in drug smuggling to shun the Suspects’ lawyer accuses council of disobeying court orders, says house demolished before hearing illegal trade else they will be sent behind bars,” he said. During the proceedings, couple’s lawyer Rajwinder Singh had also reached the spot and said a case was filed regarding the house seeking a stay order in a Jagraon court. The next hearing was scheduled for July 4. He said a notice was sent to the Municipal Council on June 11. The council deliberately demolished the house before the hearing. It could have taken action even after the hearing in the court. The lawyer accused the council of disobeying the court orders. He questioned why it failed to take any action when the house was being constructed. During the action, the police had sealed the area in view of security arrangements.