27092025-LT-01.qxd 9/27/2025 12:34 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune KISAN MELA GETS OFF TO SLOW START AT PAU The two-day Kisan Mela at Punjab Agricultural University witnessed a slow start on Friday. P2 » SINGER-ACTOR DILJIT DOSANJH NOMINATED FOR EMMYS RAM DOLA YATRA CONTINUES TO ANCHOR DASEHRA CELEBRATIONS Ram Dola Yatra is not only a procession but also a living legacy carried on the shoulders of one family.P3 MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 36°C | MIN 24°C YESTERDAY MAX 35°C | MIN 24°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.13 PM The singer-actor receives nomination for Best Actor for the Imtiaz Ali film Amar Singh Chamkila. P4 » FORECAST SUNRISE SUNDAY 6:14 AM » SATURDAY | 27 SEPTEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Bank manager shot at in Feroze Gandhi Market; probe underway Tribune News Service Heaps of garbage and debris lying unattended beneath the Lakkar Bridge flyover in Ludhiana. PHOTOS: INDERJEET VERMA Neglected space under Lakkar Bridge flyover turns into a garbage dump Area that falls near key govt offices an eyesore, poses health hazard Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 26 The space beneath the Lakkar Bridge flyover has now become a symbol of civic neglect. The two sports courts are the only saving grace while the rest of the stretch lies in disrepair, littered with garbage, emitting a foul stench and sheltering the homeless in unsafe conditions. The area, which falls near key government offices, has turned into an eyesore and health hazard. Piles of plastic waste, food scraps and construction debris have accumulated TWO SPORTS COURTS ONLY SAVING GRACE The two sports courts are the only saving grace while the rest of the stretch lies in disrepair, littered with garbage, emitting a foul stench and sheltering the homeless in unsafe conditions. Piles of plastic waste, and construction debris have accumulated over months, with no visible efforts from the civic body authorities to clean or maintain the space. over months, with no visible efforts from the civic body authorities to clean or maintain the space. “It’s heartbreaking to see such a prime location go to waste,” said Harpreet Kaur, a college student who frequently passes through the area. “The smell is unbearable and it feels unsafe, especially for women, despite the fact that the Women Cell is located just a few steps away.” A local shopkeeper, Ramesh Kumar, echoed the concern. “We’ve complained multiple times to the authorities, but nobody listens. The space could have been developed into something useful but now it’s just a dumping ground,” he said. The presence of beggars and stray animals in the area has further complicated the situation. With no sanitation facilities or shelter provisions, the area has become a makeshift refuge for the homeless, raising concerns about safety and hygiene. Government employees working near the spot have also voiced frustration. “We park our vehicles close to the stretch and the stench is unbearable. It’s embarrassing when visitors come to our offices,” said an official from a nearby administrative block, requesting anonymity. Despite the installation of two sports courts, their usage remains minimal due to the surrounding filth and lack of upkeep. “The unbearable stench makes it difficult to play in the court,” said Sudhir, a 11-year-old boy. Citizens are now urging the Municipal Corporation to take swift action. Suggestions include regular cleaning drives, fencing of the place, installing CCTV cameras and converting the space into well- maintained small parks or vending zone. “The city deserves better,” said Gurpreet Singh, a retired teacher. “We need accountability and vision. This space can be transformed — but only if the authorities wake up,” he said. Ludhiana, September 26 Two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at a bank manager outside a private bank in Feroze Gandhi Market here on Thursday night. The bullet grazed the manager’s right arm. His colleagues rushed him to the Civil Hospital here. After first-aid, the injured was shifted to the DMCH. Doctors at the Civil Hospital informed the Police Division about the incident. The bank manager, Vishal Bansal, who came to the hospital for treatment, said he stays in Vishal Nagar, located on Pakhowal Road. He is posted as a zonal manager at a private bank in Feroze Gandhi Market. On Thursday night, when he was keeping his laptop and other belongings in his car outside the bank, two motorcyclists approached him from the rear and shot at him. After firing one shot, the attackers tried to fire another one but their pistol missed the target. Vishal said he raised the alarm, following which many people gathered at the scene. Seeing the crowd, the attackers fled the scene. ADCP Kanwalpreet Singh said investigation was going on and various angles were being explored to crack the case. CCTV cameras were also being checked to get any clue about the suspects. When asked if the victim had enmity with anyone or he received any threat calls, the ADCP said no such details came to the fore so far, soon the police would crack the case. Scooter taken away at gunpoint from man In another incident in Mundian village, a miscreant threatened a passer-by with a gun and took away his scooter. Inderpal Singh, a resident of Mundian village, alleged that on September 24, he was going on his Honda Activa scooter towards the city for work. When he reached the office, a clean-shaven young man stopped him and pulled out a pistol. He pointed the pistol at him, intimidated him and forcibly took away his scooter. One booked for robbing scooterist In a similar incident, the Moti Nagar police registered a case against Jarnail Singh, alias Jelly, alias Happyveer, a resident of Noorpur Kapurthala village. ASI Vijay Kumar said the police received information that Jarnail had robbed a person of his scooter in the Mundian village by firing a shot in the air. The suspect was roaming on the Chandigarh road in Sector 38 to commit another crime. Following the tip-off, the police registered a case against the suspect and started a search for him. GST team raids mobile shop Ludhiana, September 26 Officials of the GST Department on Friday conducted a raid at a mobile shop, Gupta Mobile Store, Mata Rani Chowk, here on Friday. Panic gripped shopkeepers when the officials visited the shop. Sources said the action was taken in connection with wrong GST claims. One of the shopkeepers said the officials came around 4:30 pm and in less than two hours, they left the shop after GST officials during the raid at the mobile shop. INDERJEET VERMA taking important documents and other records. The shop was closed and later opened in the evening. Many shopkeepers gathered at the spot during the raid. — TNS Vigilance attaches ill-gotten properties of Ensuring safe festivities: Health Dept ex-Dy Director Singla, kin in graft cases strengthens food safety checks in city Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, September 26 Eight properties and bank accounts belonging to former Deputy Director of the Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Department, Rakesh Kumar Singla, his wife Rachna Singla and their sons Swaraj Singla and Siddarth Singla have been attached by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB). The action involving properties and amounts worth crores of rupees was taken following a court order in connection with ongoing crimi- INBRIEF BEOPAR MANDAL WELCOMES GST 2.0 Ludhiana: The Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal held a meeting here on Friday, attended by senior trade representatives. The traders said implementation of GST 2.0 from September 22 has brought significant positive changes in markets across the state. TNS HEALTH & WELLNESS The Tribune is starting a Q and A column to address your health-related queries. Please mail your questions (not exceeding 40 words) at healthandwellness@tribunemail.com. The Tribune’s panel of doctors will answer all your healthrelated concerns. nal cases against them. A spokesperson for the Punjab Vigilance Bureau said the attachment order was issued by a Ludhiana court in a case titled ‘State versus Rakesh Kumar Singla and others,” regarding an FIR registered on April 19, 2023, under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120-B of the IPC. The attached properties are situated at Khanna, Sector 48 A in Chandigarh, Mullanpur and SAS Nagar. Additionally, the bureau has attached bank balance amounting to Rs 1,08,44,785 received by Rachna Singla as rental returns from these properties as well as rent amounts of Rs 14,32,992 and Rs 16,25,088 received by Swaraj and Siddarth, respectively, from other properties. The VB said the court, in its order dated September 15, has restrained the suspect and their legal heirs/attorneys from transferring or mortgaging these properties during the pendency of the case. The action is part of the broader probe into allegations that Rakesh amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income during his tenure. Investigation had revealed that Singla was allegedly involved in a criminal conspiracy case earlier highlighted in an FIR registered on August 16, 2022, vide which he was accused of corruption and embezzlement. The investigation further revealed that he illegally purchased properties in the names of his family members using proceeds from corruption. Singla and his wife were declared proclaimed offenders as they had been evading law enforcing agencies. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 26 The district Health Department under the leadership of Dr Ramandeep Kaur, Civil Surgeon, carried out an extensive food safety sampling drive across the city during the ongoing festival season. With markets experiencing increased demand during the period, the initiative aimed to ensure that food products available to the public are safe, hygienic and in compliance with the FSSAI guidelines. The operation was conducted by food safety officials Jatinder Virk, Yogesh Goyal, Divyajot Kaur and Harsimran Kaur, who collected a total of 27 samples of cakes, pastries, fruits and vegetables from key market areas, including Dhandra Road, Dugri Road, Ghumar Mandi, Model Town, Kipps Market, Chandigarh Road, Malhar Road and Gill Road. In addition, four mid-day meal samples were taken from government primary and secondary Schools at Phullanwal to monitor the quality of food being served to schoolchildren. All samples have been sent for laboratory analysis and necessary action will be taken based on reports in accordance with the Food Safety and Standards Act. During the inspections, food business operators (FBOs) were reminded of their responsibility to maintain strict hygiene within their establishments, to use only good-quality raw materials and to ensure proper storage and handling of food items. They were also directed to display their valid food safety licence prominently in reception areas of their outlets, as required under the FSSAI norms. Dr Ramandeep Kaur emphasised that during the festival season when the demand for sweets, bakery products and other perishable foods rises sharply, extra vigilance was crucial to protect consumers from adulterated or unsafe products. She urged citizens to remain alert while purchasing food items and prefer only vendors and shopkeepers who follow hygiene standards and carry valid licences for running their establishments. The Health Department assured that routine checks and surprise inspections will be continued across the city. — TNS Illegal portions of peddlers’ Three nabbed for attack on AAP leader’s house structures demolished Victim had raised voice against drug peddler; two rifles, pistol, car seized Ludhiana, September 26 Continuing their fight against the drug menace under the state government’s Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, the local police launched a demolition drive for razing unauthorised constructions being initiated by drug peddlers. Illegal portions of four structures of drug peddlers were demolished by a team of officials of the Municipal Council, Ahmedgarh, led by executive officer Vikas Uppal. The suspects were identified as Mohammad Nazeer, Anwar Khan, Raj Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad, all residents of the Dehliz Road area. Some residents had allegedly opposed the action conducted under the supervision of SSP Gagan Ajit Singh but they were pacified by police personnel, led by SP Rajan Sharma. The SSP said the drive was launched in pursuance of guidelines of the DIG, Patiala, Kuldeep Singh Chahal, and illegal constructions of the suspects facing cases registered under the NDPS Act were demolished. The operation was conducted under the joint supervision of senior functionaries of the police and the Local Bodies Department. — OC Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, September 26 The CIA-1 team of the Ludhiana police has arrested three suspects in connection with the attack on the house of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader-cum-village sarpanch Sukhwinder Singh Chhinda in Lehra village, here, and the subsequent setting of his car on fire. The suspects were apprehended from Moga. Chhinda, who is also the president of the Pohir Truck Union, alleged that the suspects had attacked his house on September 20 for teaching him a lesson for opposing drug peddlers. The victim is also a c m y b Cops address mediapersons in Ludhiana on Friday. close associate of Gill legislator Jiwan Singh Sangowal. The suspects have been identified as Kuldeep Singh Manak (37), a resident of Lehra village in Dehlon, Gurmanjot Singh (29) of Chakkar village and Sukhchain Singh (26) of Mehal Kalan. DCP (Investigation) Harpal Singh, ADCP Amandeep Singh Brar, ACP (Investigation) Harshpreet Singh and CIA inspector Avtar Singh addressed a press conference regarding the matter on Friday. The DCP said the suspect, Kuldeep, had previously been involved in drug dealings while Chhinda had launched a campaign against drugs in villages and he used to convince addicts and even peddlers to stay away from drugs. It often led to conflicts with Kuldeep. One day Chhinda stopped Kuldeep from selling drugs, following which the latter decided to teach him a lesson. He put a stubble pile on fire in a bid to destroy the factory of the complainant. The assailants also fired three or four shots at Chhin- da’s house. The attackers also fired directly at Chhinda but he had a fortunate escape,” Harpal said. He said a 32-bore pistol, six cartridges, two 12-bore rifles, and a Maruti Ciaz car were recovered from the suspects. The police are currently interrogating the suspects. Kuldeep has seven cases registered against him in the past while the other two suspects have two cases registered against them. All three suspects are friends. All arms recovered are illegal and a probe is on to inquire about the unauthorised weapon supplier from whom they got the weapons.