28072025-LT-01.qxd 7/27/2025 10:32 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune PAU’S MIYAWAKI GROVE BECOMES SOIL RESEARCH HUB KARGIL VIJAY DIWAS OBSERVED AT MILITARY COMPLEX On the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, a commemorative event was organised at the Dholewal Military Complex. P2 SPELLS OF RAIN MAX 34°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 28°C TARUN TAHILIANI MARKS 30 YRS WITH BRIDAL ODE AT ICW As the world observes Nature Conservation Day, PAU showcased its Miyawaki forest near Gate No. 1. P2 FORECAST Tarun Tahiliani, a celebrated designer, marked his three decades in fashion with a return to the ICW 2025. P4 » » SUNSET MONDAY 7.24 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 5.41 AM » MONDAY | 28 JULY 2025 | LUDHIANA 4 booked attempt to take Massive fire breaks out in possessionforproperty illegally of factory on Bahadurke road Two days left to apply for Class VI admission in JNV Ludhiana, July 27 Only two days remain to apply online for admission to Class VI in Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Dhanansu, for the academic session 2026–27. The last date to submit applications is July 29, as per the vidyalaya samiti’s official schedule. Vice Principal Sonu Sharma said 1,450 students had already registered for the entrance exam. “A surge in applications is expected in the final days. Candidates can apply on cbseitms.rcil.gov.in or navodaya.gov.in for admission,” he said. “The entrance exam is scheduled for December 13, 2025,” Sharma said. “To qualify, an applicant must be permanent resident of Ludhiana district and currently studying in Class V at a government or recognised school during the 2025–26 session. Besides, students must have studied in recognised schools for Classes III, IV and V The eli. gible date of birth for admission is May 1, 2014 to July 31, 2016,” Sharma said. — TNS Tribune News Service Machinery & goods worth several lakhs reduced to ashes Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 A massive fire broke out in a fabric printing factory — HN Fashion — on the Bahadurke road in the city last night. The fire engulfed the first floor of the unit. Timely arrival of the firemen prevented fire from spreading on the ground and second floors. Fortunately, the factory was locked when the incident occurred, otherwise workers could have been trapped inside the unit. Machinery and goods worth several lakhs were reduced to ashes in the fire. Since the unit was situated in a narrow street, only small fire tenders could enter the lane. Big fire tenders were stationed on a nearby road. As per the information, when smoke and a strong smell of burning started com- A video grab of the fire at a unit on the Bahadurke road in Ludhiana. ing from the factory, people living nearby informed the unit owner about it. The locals initially tried to extinguish blaze, but when it start- ed spreading rapidly, the fire brigade was called. The fire was so fierce that the factory was completely destroyed and cracks appeared in the building. After over two hours struggle, firemen managed to control the blaze. Around 10 fire tenders were used to douse the flames. Area residents said the owner went home from the factory around 9.30 pm after which smoke started billowing from the unit and they immediately informed him. Leading fire man Rajinder said the call was received at 9.56 pm. The fire was brought under control thereafter, he said. Around 10 vehicles were engaged in extinguishing the blaze, he said. There was no loss of life, but goods and machinery were reduced to ashes, he said. Panic has spread in the area due to the incident as several factories are located in the same lane. There is a fear that fire could spread in the adjoining units too. No check on plying of unauthorised makeshift vehicles Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 27 Hundreds of unauthorised vehicles, popularly known as “gharuka”, “peter rehra”, motorcycle rehri, pose a threat to the lives of people, who commute on them. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, violation of speed limit, overloading, not wearing seatbelts, lack of pollution certificates and insurance attract fines and punishments for owners and drivers of authorised company-made vehicles. It’s strange that such rules don’t apply on owners of illegally improvised vehicles. The Punjab and Haryana High Court has banned the use of “jugaad” vehicles while taking into account safety concerns. Shortly after the constitution of the Aam Aadmi Party PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Mahesh Sharma People ferry goods on a motorcycle rehri in Mandi Ahmedgarh. government in Punjab, the administration had completely banned all types of makeshift vehicles in April 2022. Later, the government took a U turn on its decision due to political reasons and lifted all restrictions on such vehicles. Rampant use of unauthorised vehicles is a proven risk for both their drivers and occupants. Despite this, most mishaps involving such vehicles go unnoticed. As none of these vehicles is registered with the transport authorities, no challan can be issued against them. Any action taken against owners of these unclassified vehicles is adjudicated in court of law and might ultimately lead to dismantling of the vehicle. Leaders of the rival political parties argue that the ban imposed by the AAP government could have rendered owners of unauthorised vehicles jobless. According to them, “jugaad” vehicles were used to ferry goods. On the contrary, the ground situation is completely different as these vehicles ferry residents and that too without caring for their safety. In one such incident, Ravinder Kumar of Sumel Kheri village in Payal segment died and Surinder Singh of Malaudh Kheri village was seriously injured when illegally manufactured crackers, being carried on motorcycle rehri, had burst at Tibbi village in April 2021. Though a case was registered in this connection, no action was initiated against people engaged in transportation of crackers in an unsafe manner. When it comes to taking action against illegal vehicles, the authorities turn into silent spectators. In a recent example, a migrant labourer was seen ferrying at least 12 persons, including children and women, on an unauthorised vehicle near Jagera Bridge on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla highway on Saturday. When contacted, Regional Transport Officer Gurmeet Kumar Bansal acknowledged that none of the improvised vehicles was registered at his office. He said the authorities could challan only registered vehicles. “Makeshift vehicles cannot be registered under the categories of private or commercial vehicles. We have not approached their owners to get their vehicles registered. However, we have registered around 350 e-rickshaws,” said Bansal. Ludhiana, July 27 Several persons barged into a property near Lodhi Club with a motive to take its possession illegally. After over three weeks, the Ludhiana police registered a case against the accused in this connection. Those booked, were identified as Amit Kumar, Vijay Kumar, Dinesh Kumar and Davinder Singh Mangat, all residents of Basant Avenue. Complainant Charanjit Singh Bajaj, a resident of Sarabha Nagar, said that on July 3, he had submitted a complaint to the Ludhiana police against the accused for criminal trespass, theft of electric meter and vandalising the property. Bajaj said on July 2, 2025, around 6 pm, the four accused unlawfully and forcibly trespassed into his property measuring 789 square yards, located adjoining the Lodhi Club road, Ludhiana. The accused, in a criminal conspiracy and active connivance, not only trespassed on the premises, but also illegally removed installed electricity meter from the said property, said Bajaj. Furthermore, they damaged and destroyed existing sheds (tavern) constructed on the site and attempted to The accused used a JCB machine in a bid to take possession of the land illegally on the Lodhi Club road in Ludhiana. ACCUSED FACING MULTIPLE FIRS Charanjit Bajaj said, “Accused Amit Kumar, along with his brother Dinesh Kumar and their father Vijay Kumar, have been attempting to take possession of our property for a long time.” He said, “Earlier, multiple FIRs were registered against Amit. Still he and his family want to take possession of our property illegally. Amit runs a firm — Basant Colonisers and Builders. He is presently in jail in connection with the hiring of a contract killer to commit murder of his former business partner Prem Singh Babbar.” illegally merge his land into their adjoining property, Bajaj added. Multiple FIRs have already been registered against the four accused in the past for similar unlawful acts concerning the same property. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP) conducted an investigation into the incident after receiving complaint from Bajaj. After conclusion of the probe, the ADCP recommended registration of case against the four accused. The accused had severely beaten up security guard Ranjit Singh and drove him away, who then informed about the incident to security in-charge Harbans Singh. The accused had also brought a JCB machine to damage the property. They stole goods lying on the property premises that include sofas, chairs, tables, refrigerator, LED and CCTV cameras, along with DVR, and some other items. Teacher booked for kidnapping girl Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 A karate teacher at a government school in Sidhwan Bet lured a minor girl into marriage and eloped with her. After the victim’s mother lodged a complaint, a case was registered against the teacher on the charges of kidnapping at the Sidhwan Bet police station. Investigating officer ASI Rajvarinder Pal Singh of the Sidhwan Bet police station said the victim’s mother stated in complaint that her 15-and-a-half-year-old minor daughter was studying in Class 10. On the night of June 29, the family went to sleep after dinner. On the morning of June 30, when the family woke up, they saw that their daughter was not in the room. Despite a lot of searching, no trace of their daughter was found. Later, it the family came to know that accused Gurpreet Singh, who teaches karate in the school, had taken their daughter with him by luring her with the promise of marriage. According to the investigating officer, the accused was on the run. “The police are searching for the accused and the girl,” he said. As dwarf virus creeps into 6 districts, Ludhiana farmers stand guard Manav Mander Tribune News Service A sealed illegal liquor vend near Gill road canal bridge in Ludhiana. MC seals illegal liquor vend near Gill road Tribune News Service Ludhiana, July 27 Acting on the issue raised by Deputy Mayor Prince Johar, Municipal Corporation (MC) sealed an illegal liquor vend near the Gill road canal bridge in Ward No. 40 on Sunday. Action was taken after Johar took up the matter with Municipal Corporation Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal in writing and sought action against the illegal liquor vend. Johar stated that the liquor vend was constructed illegally and that too near a temple and a park. Also the illegal liquor vend posed danger to lives of the people as it was constructed under high tension wires, he said. Deputy Mayor said the area residents had raised concern over the liquor vend following which he took up the matter with the Municipal Corporation Commissioner. Ludhiana, July 27 At a time when Punjab’s paddy fields should be flourishing in the monsoon warmth, farmers in six districts are instead battling stunted crops and growing anxiety as the Southern rice blackstreaked dwarf virus (SRBSDV) tightens its grip for the third consecutive year. Though no case has been reported in Ludhiana this season, farmers are on high alert, inspecting their fields daily and watching for any signs of abnormal growth. Agricultural experts from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) have issued an advisory urging timely vigilance, thorough inspections and immediate reporting of suspicious symptoms. The SRBSDV, transmitted by the white-backed plant hopper (WBPH), leads to narrow upright leaves, poor root development, reduced plant height — often to just one-third of the normal size —and eventual withering of the crop. “In districts of Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Sangrur, Nawanshahr, Ropar and Mohali, the virus has hit Labourers tend to paddy crop at a field in a village of Ludhiana district. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN early-transplanted fields hardest, particularly in varieties like PR 114, PR 128, PR 132, and Pusa 44. Weather plays an important role. Monsoon arrived early this year and it can be one of the factors behind spread of the virus. Visually, it looks like the crop is underfed — but molecular diagnostics clearly point to a viral agent. Farmers, who transplanted paddy early, are witnessing stunted growth in certain patches, while neighbouring areas remain unaffected,” said Dr c m y b Satbir Singh Gosal, ViceChancellor, PAU. While Ludhiana’s fields remain unaffected for now, farmers like those from Samrala — whose crops were devastated in 2022 — remain cautious. “We know what this virus can do. Every day, I inspect the field row by row,” said farmer Gurpal Singh, echoing a widespread sense of unease. Another farmer, Balkar Singh from a village near Machhiwara said he had a bad experience two years ago. Balkar had to plough paddy after virus was detected in his fields. “I am regularly monitoring plants every day. I am on strict guard this year, especially after virus has been detected in some parts of Punjab and Haryana,” he said. Meanwhile, experts from PAU have advised farmers to stay vigilant about symptoms of plant dwarfing. “The virus affects rice plants by stunting their growth, leading to narrow and upright leaves, poor root and shoot development, and a drastic reduc- tion in plant height, often to half or even one-third of normal size. In severe cases, plants may wither and die prematurely, resulting in substantial yield loss. Farmers noticing any such symptoms in their fields should inform the nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or contact PAU directly for expert guidance,” said Dr Gosal. Dr KS Suri, Principal Entomologist, PAU, stressed on the importance of regular field surveys to detect the presence of the SRBSDV, especially in rice nurseries and young fields. He advised farmers to conduct weekly checks by gently tilting and tapping the base of rice plants, a method that helps dislodge white-backed plant hopper (WBPH) nymphs or adults, which can then be seen floating on water surfaces. “Upon detection of WBPH, farmers should take timely action and use insecticides recommended by PAU. These insecticides include Pexalon 10 SC (triflumezopyrim) at 94 ml/acre, Ulala 50 WG (flonicamid) at 60 g/acre, Osheen/Dominant/Token 20 SG (dinotefuran) at 80 g/acre, Imagine 10 SC/Viola 10 SC (fluprimin) at 300 ml/acre, Orchestra 10 SC (benzpyrimoxan) at 400 ml/acre and Chess 50 WG (pymetrozine). For one acre, 120 gram of insecticide is to be dissolved in 100 litres of water. The insecticide has to be sprayed directed specifically at the base of plants using proper nozzles like flat-fan or hollow cone for maximum effectiveness. The indiscriminate or unnecessary use of pesticides can lead to pest resistance, environmental harm and loss of biodiversity,” said Dr Suri.