11092025-LT-01.qxd 9/11/2025 12:00 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune CITY SHOOTERS EXCEL IN SHOTGUN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMINARS ORGANISED TO MARK SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY 84 TOH BAAD REVISITS PUNJAB’S DARK PAST Punar Pratap Singh Sidhu and Banipreet Singh bagged medals at the tourney held in Patiala. P2 An oath was taken in response to call made by officials led by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh and DC Viraj S Tidke. P2 It’s actor writer Jarnail Singh’s 150th project. A web series — 84 Toh Baad — was dropped on Chaupal recently. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 32°C | MIN 25°C YESTERDAY MAX 33°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET THURSDAY 6.33 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:05 AM THURSDAY | 11 SEPTEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA NGT slaps ~50Kpenalty on MC for green belt violations the compliance report. If the report is not submitted, the Commissioner will be required to appear in person on November 12, 2025, and show cause as to why arrest and civil detention should not be ordered for continued defiance of the Tribunal’s directives. Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 10 The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed a penalty of Rs 50,000 on the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation (MC) for failing to comply with its earlier orders regarding the illegal construction of a library on a designated green belt opposite Old GT Road near Dholewal Chowk. The civic body had already been fined Rs 1 lakh previously in the same case for delaying submission of the Master Plan to the Joint Committee. The NGT had directed the MC Commissioner to comply with its orders of restitution of the park, retaining its original shape and file a compliance report. In its latest order, the NGT noted that the MC had failed to submit the required compliance report within the stipulated time, despite earlier directives issued on October 4, 2024, and March 24, 2025. The Tribunal has also issued a stern warning, Case background The NGT had directed the MC Commissioner to comply with its orders of restitution of the park and file a compliance report. directing the Municipal Commissioner to appear physically on the next hearing date and face possible arrest if non-compliance continues. The orders also reiterated that only 5 per cent of parks and green belts may be paved, but nearly 50 per cent of the green belt along Old GT Road has been concre- tised, causing significant environmental damage. The counsel for the MC sought an adjournment, which was granted with the condition of depositing Rs 50,000 with the NGT Bar Association for causing unnecessary delay in proceedings. The Tribunal has now given the MC two months to file The controversy dates back over two years, when the Council of Engineers filed a petition against the construction of a library on land officially designated as a public park in the Ludhiana Master Plan. The MC had spent over Rs 22 lakh on the project, despite admitting in an affidavit that the land was part of a green belt. The NGT had earlier directed the MC to demolish the library and restore the park to its original condition within two weeks. However, activists allege that the MC not only failed to comply but also attempted to misrepresent the land’s status to justify the construction. Two booked for duping residents of ~71 lakh Ludhiana, September 10 The police have registered a case against two persons accused of cheating city residents of Rs 71.35 lakh. The accused allegedly promised multiple returns on investment but, after taking the money, failed to fulfil their assurances and even refused to return the principal amount. The accused was identified as Amandeep Singh resident of Bhola colony and Amritpal Singh of Ludhiana. Complainant Sanjeev Kumar Dang, a resident of Field Ganj, said this case was registered after investigation conducted by the police on his complaint submitted on June 19, 2024. He alleged that the accused misled him and his friends, collectively obtaining a total of Rs 71.35 lakh. The accused claimed the money would be invested in a company named Sun-Capital, offering attractive profits. However, when he discovered that the company was fraudulent, the accused stopped answering his calls. The police said a case has been registered against the accused and further investigation was launched by the police. — TNS Rights panel seeks report on city’s crumbling roads Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 10 The Punjab State and Chandigarh (UT) Human Rights Commission has taken serious note of the deteriorating road infrastructure in Ludhiana, following a complaint triggered by a news report published in The Tribune on August 22, 2025. The report, titled “Continuous rains expose city’s poor road infra, civic apathy,” highlighted the alarming condition of city roads during the monsoon season. Acting upon an email complaint from a Ludhiana resident, the Commission — comprising Chairperson Justice Sant Parkash and Member Justice Gurbir Singh— has directed the Municipal Commissioner of Ludhiana to submit a detailed report on the issue. The report must be filed at least one week before the next hearing, scheduled for December 11, 2025. The complaint paints a bleak picture of Ludhiana’s road network, riddled with potholes and open pits that The commission has directed the MC Commissioner to submit a detailed report on the issue. TRIBUNE PHOTO pose a grave threat to public safety. A newspaper clipping attached to the complaint recounts an incident in which a senior citizen fell into a sixfoot-deep pit dug for sewerage repairs. It also draws attention to the particularly poor condition of roads outside Dayanand Medical College and Hospital and the Civil Surgeon’s office, both high-traffic areas. “The city’s roads have become death traps during 25 teams deployed to prevent dengue, Health Dept to organise 75 malaria spead around Buddha Nullah relief camps in flood-hit areas Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 10 The Health Department today launched an intensive campaign to combat water-borne and vectorborne diseases in communities situated on both sides of Buddha Nullah. To safeguard public health, the Health Department has constituted 25 dedicated teams comprising a total of 75 members, with each team comprising one supervisor, a swasthya sahyik and a breading checker (BC). The drive was launched in the presence of Sandeep Kumar, Chief Administrator of GLADA, and Dr Bishav Mohan from Hero Heart Institute, DMC&H. As part of this campaign, the teams will carry out extensive spraying operations and IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities across vulnerable localities. The objective is twofold: to control the spread of disease and to raise An intensive drive to curb vector-borne diseases around Buddha Nullah being kicked off. critical awareness among residents regarding preventive measures. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ramandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon, Ludhiana, emphasised that the campaign reflects our firm commitment to ensuring a healthier Ludhiana. With the active participation of the community and support from local authorities, we aim to reduce the incidence of water and vector-borne diseases significantly.” The Civil Surgeon’s Office has appealed to all residents living near Buddha Nullah to extend full cooperation to the health teams, actively take part in awareness initiatives, and follow recommended preventive practices. This initiative marks a vital step towards safeguarding community health through prevention, awareness, and partnership. Ludhiana, September 10 In a proactive measure to protect public health in the aftermath of recent floods, the Punjab Health Department has announced to hold 75 special health camps across floodaffected villages and localities in Ludhiana district. The camps, scheduled between September 10 and 20, 2025, will provide essential preventive and curative healthcare services to residents impacted by the disaster. With the risk of outbreaks of water-borne and vectorborne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, jaundice, malaria, and dengue rising sharply after the floods, the department has mobilised extensive medical teams to ensure timely intervention. Civil Surgeon Dr Ramandeep Kaur, stated that the Health Department is deploying teams comprising doctors, paramedical staff, and multipurpose health workers to these areas. “Our objective is to provide immediate relief and preventive care to the Highway horror: Braveheart woman’s nephew recalls ordeal Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 10 While my aunt was fighting the accused, they pointed a sharp weapon at us and threatened to kill us if we raised our voice, recalls Ganesh while narrating the ordeal he faced along with his aunt, Kiran Devi, on the Ludhiana-Jalandhar national highway on Monday. Talking to The Tribune here on Wednesday, Ganesh a resident of Dhandari Kalan said, he, his aunt and her two sons had first boarded an auto from Dhandari to Jalandhar bypass, from where they hired another auto to reach Phillaur. Kiran Devi was to take a bus from Phillaur to Nawanshahr. CP Swapan Sharma has directed all SHOs to intensify checking of auto-rickshaw drivers and verify their criminal backgrounds. FILE On the way, two passengers—who later turned out to be the driver’s accomplices—suddenly snatched Ganesh’s mobile phone. They then attempted to rob Kiran Devi of around Rs 3,000 in cash. Kiran Devi, risked her life by clinging on to the vehicle while resisting the snatchers. “Suddenly we found our- selves trapped inside the moving auto and panicked. Even my aunt’s children began crying. As my aunt tried to resist, the accused brandished a sharp weapon at us, warning that he would kill us if we raised any alarm. My aunt then began shouting for help and clung desperately to the auto, even as her feet were dragged on the road and she sustained injuries,” recalled Ganesh. Ganesh said his aunt’s courage saved their lives. The assailants had already threatened to kill him and her children, which provoked her into fighting back. “As the struggle continued, the auto overturned. My aunt suffered injuries, though not criti- c m y b cal, and I was also injured. Thankfully, her sons were physically unharmed, but they remained traumatised for hours,” he added. According to Ganesh, his aunt was left in depression after the incident. Having lost her mobile phone, she became incommunicado and has avoided meeting people as she recovers from the shocking experience. Following the incident, Ludhiana Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma directed all SHOs to intensify checking of auto-rickshaw drivers and verify their criminal backgrounds. He also instructed the police to step up road patrolling to prevent such incidents in future. communities that have been severely affected. The focus will be on medical check-ups, treatment, distribution of essential medicines, and health education. Special emphasis will also be placed on sanitation, ensuring safe drinking water, and mosquito control measures to prevent potential outbreaks,” she said. The 75 special health camps will comprehensively cover affected villages and bastis, including Dhulewal, Sasrali, Allowal, Khaira Bet, Talwandi Nau Abaad, Maniewal, Sangowal, Mullanpur, Village Tibba, New Puneet Nagar, Kuliewal, Madhepur, Kannian Hussaini, Khurshaidpura, Akkuwal, Rajapur, Bholewal Jadid, Garhi Fazil, Garhi Sheru, Sekhewal, Sherian, Dopana, Bamb, Accharwal, Khandoor, Pona, Rahaun, Sahibpura, Salempur, Narangwal, Phallewal, Jassowal, Shehbazpura, Sadarpura, Kothe Baggu, Dehlon, Jartauli, Sayan Khurd, Khera, Pohir, Rurka, Himayupura, Ladhowal, Kar- nail Singh Nagar, Chhajawal, Akhara, Leelen, Kot Mana, Kot Umra, Talwandi Rai, Raikot, Littar, Ghumana, Boparai Khurd, Nathowal, Barmi, Jaangpur, Agwar Ladhai, Boothgarh, Rour, Bhutta, Shankar, Agwar Pona, Hawaas, Lohgarh, Khanpur, Sarabha, Dhurkot, Shehzad, Dhaipai, Talwara, Parjian Kalan, Parjian Biharipur, Dhatt, New Bahadur Ke, and Bholewal Kadim. The department has assured that medicines, oral rehydration solution (ORS) packets, and chlorine tablets will be distributed free of cost at the camps. Serious cases, if identified, will be promptly referred to higher healthcare facilities for advanced treatment. Dr Kaur urged residents to avail the free medical services, underlining the importance of collective responsibility in maintaining hygiene, storing drinking water safely, and using mosquito nets or repellents to protect against vector-borne diseases. — TNS BJP leader submits Sahnewal flood damage report to PM Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 10 During PM Narendra Modi’s special visit to flood-affected regions of Punjab yesterday, Ludhiana district BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliawal met the PM in Pathankot and submitted a detailed account of the devastation in Sahnewal constituency. Baliawal informed the Prime Minister that along with the destruction of standing crops, nearly 450 acres of fertile agricultural land had been washed away into the Sutlej. He squarely blamed illegal mining in the constituency for this large-scale damage, calling it the primary cause of the people’s suffering. He criticised local MLA and Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, accusing him of deliberately hiding the scale of destruction from the Prime Minister. “This is nothing short of a betrayal of the people of Sahnewal by their elected representative. At a time when the farmers and villagers needed their MLA to raise their voice, he chose to remain silent,” said Baliawal. Baliawal also extended heartfelt gratitude to PM for announcing an additional Rs 1,600 crore relief package for Punjab along with the ?12,000 crore SDRF fund already sanctioned. Rajneesh Dhiman, district president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, also thanked the PM for the financial aid. the rains. The administration’s negligence is not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous,” the complainant stated. The commission’s intervention comes amid growing public frustration over civic apathy and lack of accountability. Residents have long complained that despite repeated budget allocations for road repairs, the quality of work remains substandard, with roads crumbling after every spell of rain. INBRIEF MINOR RAPED, 1 ARRESTED Ludhiana: The police on Tuesday arrested a youth for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl in the city. The accused has been identified as Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Dhandari Kalan. According to the complaint, the victim lived with her elder sister in the Focal Point area. The accused, who is the nephew of the landlord of the vehra where they reside, had been allegedly harassing the girl for some time. On 8 September 2025, the elder sister approached the police stating that her younger sibling had confided in her about an incident earlier this year. She revealed that in March, when she had been alone at home, the accused caught her in a room and raped her. The accused has been arrested, and further investigation is ongoing. TWO SCHOOLGIRLS INJURED IN MISHAP Ludhiana: Two female students sustained injuries in Jagraon on Wednesday when the auto-rickshaw they were travelling in collided with a tractor trolley. One of the injured was identified as 15year-old Jashandeep Kaur, a Class XI student. According to initial reports, 10 students from a government school were on their way home in the auto-rickshaw when the vehicle collided with a tractor trolley near a private hospital. Sources indicated that the mishap took place after the tractor trolley driver allegedly applied sudden brakes. As a result, two girl students from Class 11 were hurt and were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The tractor driver, Buta Singh, accused the auto-rickshaw driver of negligent driving and speeding. The police have launched an investigation into the incident and are recording statements from both parties.