30102025-LT-01.qxd 10/30/2025 12:59 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune JAGRAON BOILS OVER GARBAGE DUMP, BJP LEADER SLAMS MLA Protests continued for the third day over the presence of a massive garbage dump on Disposal Road in Jagraon.P2 » EXPERTS DISCUSS INNOVATIONS IN ORAL, MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY The field of oral and maxillofacial surgery is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by cutting-edge technology.P3 » BADAA KARARA PUDNA IS A STORY OF SIX SPIRITED SISTERS Cast — Upasana Singh, Kulraj & Mannat Singh — perform their energetic title song in Chandigarh. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 31°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 30°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5.37 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:35 AM THURSDAY | 30 OCTOBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Riverbanks choked with garbage after Chhath, admn fails to act Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 29 The banks of the Sutlej and Sidhwan Canal, once filled with devotion and festivity during the Chhath Puja, now lie strewn with garbage, burnt offerings and smouldering waste — a grim aftermath that refuses to fade. Despite repeated appeals and warnings, the scene remains unchanged from last year, raising serious concerns about environmental neglect and administrative apathy. Plastic bags, food waste, disposable plates, and ritual leftovers litter the shoreline, with some heaps still smouldering from onsite burning. Poles that once held festive tents now stand abandoned, a silent reminder of the celebration’s messy aftermath. Banana leaves used during rituals now lie scattered along the riverbank, adding to the post-Chhath clutter and untreated waste. In several spots, even biodegradable offerings were Authorities must enforce strict waste mgmt protocols during festivals: Ecologist RESPONSIBLE BODIES TO BE ISSUED NOTICES Aakash Aggarwal, Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, said a cleanliness drive was currently underway and all garbage along the Sidhwan Canal side was expected to be cleared by the weekend. On the issue of penalising those responsible for polluting the water bodies, he said notices would be issued to organisations that held events and left behind waste. Nine days’ time would be given to them to respond to the notices. However, when questioned about the absence of on-the-spot challans, Aggarwal cited excessive crowding on the day of events and expressed concern about potentially hurting religious sentiments. << Heaps of garbage strewn around the Sutlej, following the Chhath Puja celebrations. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA set ablaze, releasing toxic fumes into the already polluted air. The water itself appears murky and contaminated, with visible debris floating across its surface. “It is not just post-festival waste but a recurring environmental hazard,” said Kapil Arora, member of the Public Action Committee (PAC). “Last year, we raised the issue, and this year we’re filing a fresh complaint with the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Such practices should not be allowed. They directly contribute to water pollution and threaten aquatic life.” Arora emphasised the need for structural solutions. “Artificial water bod- ies should be created for rituals. It’s high time the administration took the matter seriously. Chhath is a beautiful tradition but it shouldn’t come at the cost of our rivers.” Environmentalists echo the concern. Dr Davinder, an ecologist and researcher, said: “The burning of waste on riverbanks releases harmful particulate matter and chemicals. Disposable plates and plastic waste add to the toxicity. It’s a health hazard. The authorities must enforce stricter waste management protocols during festivals.” The activists allege that civic bodies remain soft on enforcement, fearing backlash or logistical hurdles. “There’s a pattern of looking the other way,” Arora said. “But pollution doesn’t wait for permission, it spreads,” he added. The PAC has urged the authorities concerned to conduct a post-festival audit and penalise violators. They also recommend deploying volunteers and sanitation teams during major festivals to ensure timely clean-up. “It’s heartbreaking to see our rivers treated like dumping grounds year after year. The authorities know what’s happening, but they choose to shut their eyes instead of enforcing rules,” said Ramesh Kumar, a local resident and shopkeeper near Sidhwan Canal. As the smoke rises from the riverbanks, so do questions about civic responsibility and environmental stewardship, he added. Depts should work in unison: PPCB official Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) Chief Engineer Raj Kumar Ratra said: “We cannot fix the responsibility on one department, at least three or more departments such as PPCB, Irrigation and Municipal Corporation must work in unison for fruitful results. NGOs should also be involved to make the people aware and volunteers can be present on the spot to guide visitors.” 2 more land in police net Properties worth ~2.38 cr of 9 smugglers attached Properties of other suspects were also under scanner, says cop in grenade seizure case Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 29 The Ludhiana police have held two more persons in the grenade seizure case, taking the total number of arrests to five. The grenade was recovered from a man at a police checkpost on Tuesday. The arrested include two inmates of a Muktsar jail. Meanwhile, police sources said the investigation pointed to the smuggling of the grenade from across the border with Pakistan with the help of a drone. Earlier, the Ludhiana police claimed to have foiled a major terror plot. The grenade was suspected to be detonated at a crowded place, possibly a Chhath Puja venue. “The entire conspiracy was hatched by Pakistan’s InterServices Intelligence (ISI) through their operatives active in Punjab,” said a source. Initially, the police had arrested Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Muktsar, who was given the task to transport the explosive to Ludhiana while his aide Shekhar Singh managed to escape. Two inmates of Muktsar jail — Ramneek Singh and Parwinder Singh Chidi — who were an "integral part" of the conspiracy were also booked and arrested after bringing them on production warrant from the jail. Those arrested now were identified as Shekhar and Ajay. A senior police official said their ISI handler sitting abroad was in touch with the two jailed inmates and the duo was told to further deploy men for orchestrating attack in Ludhiana. The officer said Kuldeep and Shekhar were then engaged by inmates to ferry the grenade from Chheharta in Amritsar to Ludhiana. From Ludhiana, the grenade was allegedly to be handed over to another contact for a possible blast during Chhath Puja celebrations. “Kuldeep and Shekhar, after collecting grenade from a border area, travelled to Ludhiana in a bus. The intercepted near Shivpuri Chowk. Shekhar managed to give a slip to the police while Kuldeep was arrested. Their ISI handlers had directed the accused to ensure blast in some busy market. The possibility of a blast at a Chhath venue cannot be ruled out,” another officer said. Ludhiana, October 29 Taking action against drug smugglers, the Ludhiana rural police claimed to have attached properties of nine big smugglers and the value of the attached properties is around Rs 2.38 crore. Ankur Gupta, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Ludhiana (Rural), said under the special campaign launched by the state government and Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, to control the drug smugglers and anti-social elements to make Punjabdrug free, the police district Ludhiana (rural) cracked the whip against the smugglers in the cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The SSP said properties Police personnel outside the house of a smuggler in Ludhiana. they should also verify their properties and if the same are found to be garnered through drug money, process to attach the properties should be started immediately. In a statement issued the police stated that the attached properties include a property worth Rs 1.02 crore of smugglers Varinder Kumar, alias Varinder Kumar Arora, and his father Satish Kumar, residents of Jagraon, property worth Rs 30.75 lakh of Sandeep Kumar, alias Monu, and his father Baldev Raj of Neem Wali Gali, Jagraon, properties worth Rs 62.65 lakh of Karamjit Singh, his father Jagdev and mother Jasvir Kaur of Jagraon and a property valued at Rs 42.94 lakh of Harpreet Singh and Gurbachan Singh, both residents of Agwar Gujjran. of many other smugglers were also under scanner and the same would be attached after following the due procedure of law. Even strict instructions were also given to police officials that whenever they nab any smuggler, Industry breathes sigh of relief post-Chhath but Bihar elections keep labour concerns alive 3 illegal under construction buildings razed School bus driver ‘beaten, abducted,’ after vehicle crushes dog at village Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 29 With the Chhath Puja celebrations over, city industrialists are breathing a sigh of relief. Traditionally, migrant workers from Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh return to their native places during Diwali and Chhath Puja, causing disruptions in factory operations. This year, many stayed back — thanks to incentives, bonuses and infactory celebrations — ensuring production lines remained largely intact. However, the relief is shortlived. With the Bihar Assembly elections scheduled next month, factory owners fear a second wave of absenteeism as workers plan to return home to vote. “This year, around 35–40 per cent of the labour force went back, which is slightly higher than usual,” said Badish Jindal, president of the World MSME Forum. “But now that the Chhath is over, we don’t expect many Migrants perform rituals to mark Chhath Puja in Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA more to leave. The industry’s efforts to retain workers have paid off,” he said. To prevent mass departures, industrialists across Ludhiana offered a range of incentives — bonuses, gift hampers and even personalised gift options. Some units organised Chhath Puja rituals on factory premises, complete with prasad and water tanks, allowing workers to celebrate without travelling. “I gave my workers the option to choose from four different gifts. They were thrilled,” said Vijay Kansal, a small-scale cycle parts manufacturer. Only three workers went home. I’m relieved that the festival is over but I still can’t sit calmly as the elections are approaching and the fear of absenteeism still looms.” Sanju Dhir, Chairman of the Ludhiana Woolen Manufacturers Association, called the twin events a “double whammy.” “Chhath Puja and elections have hit us hard. Around 50–60 per cent of our labour force has already returned to c m y b their native places and more are expected to leave in coming days. Many stayed back due to incentives but I’m sure they’ll head home soon to cast their vote,” he said. For migrant workers, the decision to stay or leave is often a tug-of-war between duty and tradition. Employers push to continue work while families and political parties back home demand participation in celebrations and the democratic process. “My owner insisted I stay back to complete an urgent order,” said Ramesh Yadav, a factory worker from Samastipur, Bihar. “I agreed, but now, I plan to leave in a few days. My constituency votes on November 11, and I want to be there,” he said. While industry leaders remain hopeful that the worst is over, they acknowledge that the possibility of further absenteeism of workers could not be ruled out. For now, city factories are running — but with fingers crossed. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 29 Taking action against illegal constructions, the Municipal Corporation (MC) demolished three under construction illegal buildings in Gobind Nagar of New Shimlapuri here on Wednesday. Working on the directions of MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, the action against illegal constructions was taken by the building branch of the MC’s Zone C office. Officials said violators were trying to establish a colony illegally in a plot. Three buildings were being constructed in the area which had now been demolished by the civic body. Meanwhile, the corporation officials appealed to residents that they should commence construction works only after getting building plans approved from the civic body, otherwise strict action would be taken against unauthorised constructions. Ludhiana, October 29 The police booked four persons for brutally attacking a school bus driver. The alleged assault of the driver occurred after a pet dog was crushed by the bus in Machhiwara. The suspects have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, Saurav Rana, Gaurav Rana and Manpreet Singh, all residents of Kacha Machhiwara. The complainant, 58-yearold Didar Singh from Bhorla Bet village, said he drives a bus of a school in Garhi Tarkhana. On the morning of October 28, when he was passing near a house in Kacha Machhiwara village on the way to pick up students, a dog darted on the road and went under the vehicle’s rear wheel, resulting in its death. He stopped the bus to check but the dog had already died. He said four persons present at the scene told him to leave as the dog is dead, hence, he left the place. Later, when he was returning after picking up a student from Gaunsgarh village, three of the suspects — Lovepreet, Saurav, and Manpreet, allegedly cornered his bus and began to vandalise it. The assailants forcibly pulled open the bus window and dragged him out of the vehicle. They also tossed his turban, grabbed him by the hair and began hitting him with sticks, the complainant alleged. “Afterwards, they forced me to sit on on their motorcycle and drove me to their Kacha Machhiwara village, where the fourth suspect, Gaurav, was waiting. They severely beat him again. Hearing my cries, people gathered at the scene. Following which, the suspects fled the place,” the complainant said. People took the victim to the Civil Hospital, Machhiwara. Later, a police complaint was lodged, which led to the registration of a case against the suspects. — TNS