14112025-LT-01.qxd 11/14/2025 12:55 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune STUDENT UNIONS OF AGRI, VET VARSITIES FUNCTION SANS POLL Unlike teachers’ unions that are elected through formal polls, these unions function sans elections. P2 » ON CHILDREN’S DAY, CELEBS REVEAL CHILDHOOD RITUALS EDDIE MURPHY TALKS ABOUT HIS 50-YR LIFE IN NEW DOCU There are so many habits from my childhood that are still part of me, says child actor Vedant Sinha. P4 Actor Eddie Murphy opened up about his 50-year career and how his life has changed with time. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 27°C | MIN 8°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET FRIDAY 5.27 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 6:47 AM FRIDAY | 14 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Special drive launched against sale of tobacco products near edu institutes Action taken against shopkeepers, vendors violating norms GRENADE SEIZURE CASE 10 arrested so far, red corner notices issued against foreign-based handlers Tribune News Service Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 13 The Ludhiana police, led by Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma, carried out a comprehensive campaign to curb the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes near schools and educational institutions. The special operation, supervised by ADCP-2 Karnveer Singh, saw active participation from officials of Industrial Area-B, Zone-2 and other police stations. Teams conducted surprise inspections at various spots around schools and took strict action against shopkeepers and vendors selling tobacco or e-cigarettes to minors or in prohibited areas. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma emphasised that the initiative sends a strong message that the Ludhiana police was committed to enforcing law and ensuring a healthy environment for students. Police officials during a drive to curb the sale of tobacco products in Ludhiana. He said such drives would continue in the future to safeguard youth from harmful substances and ensure compliance with the norms. The Ludhiana police have urged citizens to cooperate by reporting any illegal sale of tobacco or e-cigarettes near schools to their nearest police stations. Miscreants attack jeweller, snatch gold chain Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 13 An incident of looting and vandalism has come to light in a jewellery store, ‘Dhir Di Hatti’, located in Ludhiana metropolis on Kakowal Road on Thursday. Around 15 miscreants targeted the shop. The suspects not only ransacked the shop but also snatched a gold chain from the shop owner’s Incident captured in CCTVs, shop also attacked with stones, bricks father and ran away. Even the shop was attacked with stones and bricks. The incident has been captured in CCTV cameras located nearby. In the footage, it can be clearly seen how over 12 miscreants entered the shop and committed the crime. The owner of the shop said earlier some youths had come to buy something at the shop. When they were refused to show the same, they brought about 10-15 other youths with them after some time. The miscreants entered the shop and started fighting. On opposing their move, he attacked the shop owner. While running, the assailants snatched the gold chain of his father and fled the scene. The injured shopkeeper has been admitted to the Civil Hospital in Ludhiana. The police have started an investigation in the matter. Ludhiana, November 13 The Commissionerate Police, Ludhiana, had successfully foiled a major terror bid aimed at creating unrest in the state. The timely and coordinated action of the police averted a grenade attack, thereby saving countless innocent lives in the last week of the previous month. Ten suspects were arrested in the case so far while their foreign-based handlers, with suspected links to Pakistan, are being pursued. The Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) has been invoked and Red Corner Notices (RCNs) have been issued against the suspects operating from abroad. Addressing mediapersons, Swapan Sharma, Commissioner of Police (CP), Ludhiana, stated that acting on credible intelligence inputs, the Ludhiana police had registered an FIR on October 27 under Sections 3, 4, 5 of the Explosives Act and Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Jodhewal police station. The FIR was lodged against Kuldeep Singh, Shekhar Singh and Ajay Singh, all residents of Sri Muktsar Sahib, who were arrested by the police. Given the sensitivity of the matter, special teams were constituted under the supervision of the DCP (Investigation) and DCP (City) to ensure swift and effective action. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were tasked with executing a grenade attack in a dense- DC reviews preparations for mega light, sound show Ludhiana, November 13 Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain on Thursday reviewed the ongoing preparations for the mega light and sound show scheduled to be held at Mela Ground of the Panjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Friday evening (November 14). Task was assigned by suspects operating from abroad to carry out major attack in a populated area to create unrest in state ly populated area of Ludhiana with the intent to spread terror by the Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) through their foreign handlers. Further investigation has identified the foreign-based masterminds as Ajay, alias Ajay Malaysia, a resident of Malaysia and a native of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan; Jass Behbal, at present staying in Malaysia, and Pawandeep, who is also a resident of Malaysia and native of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan. They are known to reside together abroad and were in contact with local facilitators Amrik Singh and Par- Workers make preparations for a grand light and sound show to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Teg Bahadur at the Punjab Agricultural University on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN to make elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth conduct of the event so that devotees do not face any inconvenience. Divulging details, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) said the 45- minute show would present a captivating digital depiction of Guru Tegh Bahadur’s life, legacy, teachings and supreme sacrifice. He said the presentation would offer devotees an immer- sive experience that beautifully portrays Guru Sahib’s philosophy of peace, tolerance and universal brotherhood. The DC said this show would serve as a profound tribute to Guru Tegh Bahadur’s enduring message of humanity and compassion. The entry for the show would start at 5 pm on Friday. The devotees can enter the venue without any pass. minder, alias Chiri, both of whom were previously involved in drug smuggling operations for them. During the investigation, Vijay, brother of Ajay Malaysia, who was lodged in a Ganganagar jail in connection with a commercial quantity of the NDPS Act case, was also arrested on production warrant for his role as a facilitator in the case. The probe further uncovered the local network involved in facilitating the delivery of the hand grenade in the state. Individuals who had been arrested for their roles as couriers and facilitators include Sukhjit Singh, alias Sukh Brar, and Sukhwinder Singh, both residents of Faridkot, Karanveer Singh, alias Vicky, a resident of Sri Ganganagar in Rajasthan, and Sajan Kumar, alias Sanju, of Sri Muktsar Sahib. He informed the media that they had recovered a Chinese hand grenade, one black kit and a set of gloves from the suspects. The CP reiterated that the Ludhiana police’s prompt action had successfully thwarted the nefarious designs of anti-national elements. The investigation continues to trace and verify the possible cross-border links connected to Pakistanbased handlers. Reaffirming the department’s commitment to public safety, Sharma said: “The Ludhiana police stand firmly with residents of the city to protect their lives. The DCP Punjab, has , appreciated the Ludhiana police for the major breakthrough, which busted the Pakistan ISI-backed grenade attack module and arrested 10 key operatives of the foreign-based handlers. The task was assigned by the handlers to carry out a grenade attack in a populated area to create unrest in the state. WRONGFUL DEDUCTION IN HOSPITALISATION CLAIM Insurance company told to settle resident’s dispute Tribune News Service Event to commemorate 350th anniv of Guru Teg Bahadur’s martyrdom The event is being organised by the Punjab Government to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur. Jain examined various arrangements for the event, including security, traffic management, venue cleanliness, parking arrangements, uninterrupted power supply and deployment of medical teams. He directed the police and the civic departments Cops address mediapersons in Ludhiana on Thursday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, November 13 The Insurance Ombudsman for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K and Chandigarh has directed Oriental Insurance Company Limited to pay Rs 5,134 to a city resident, Rakesh Satija, after deductions from his wife’s hospitalisation claim were found partly unjustified. The order, passed by Ombudsman Alka Jha, came following mediation under Rule 16 of the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017. Satija had filed a complaint under the Insurance Ombudsman Rules, 2017, alleging wrongful deduction of Rs 7,255 from his wife’s hospitalisation claim. His wife was admitted to the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana, on May 9, 2024, for treatment of acute gastroenteritis. Against a total bill of Rs 30,911, the insurer authorised a cashless treatment of Rs 22,745, deducting charges for vitamins, dietician consultation, patient kit and consumables. During the hearing held on August 27, 2025, Satija argued that the deductions were unjustified since tests and charges were prescribed by the treating doctor at an empanelled hospital. The insurer maintained that the deductions were made in accordance with policy terms, excluding non-payable consumables and unrelated investigations. The ombudsman observed that the insurer’s contention regarding “irrelevant investigations” did not hold ground as the medical tests were prescribed by the doctor. In the course of mediation, the insurer agreed to settle the claim by paying Rs 5,134 to the complainant, after deducting Rs 2,121 for dietician charges and consumables. Satija accepted the settlement. The Ombudsman directed the insurer to comply with the recommendation within 30 days, warning that failure to do so would attract a penalty of Rs 5,000 per day under the Master Circular on Protection of Policyholders’ Interests, issued on September 5, 2024. Speeding car hits stationary Malkhana munshi held for stealing cash, jewellery worth crores vehicle, hurts child, driver held Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, November 13 A speeding Maruti Wagon R car met with a major accident outside Guru Nanak Stadium near the busy Jagraon Bridge here on Thursday. The car first hit a Mahindra Bolero vehicle parked on the road and then hit a child working by the roadside. As per sources, the person who was driving the Wagon R vehicle fell asleep, due to which he lost control over the vehicle and the mishap occurred. The boy used to work at a roadside juice stall. At the time of the incident, he was going towards a car to give juice to a customer. The uncontrollable Wagon R hit him. After the accident, people present nearby rushed him to a hospital. At present, he is undergoing treatment at the hospital. The driver of Wagon R was arrested and he is being interrogated by the police. — TNS Jagraon, November 13 Ahead of his retirement, a head constable posted as munshi at a Malkhana of the Sidhwan Bet police station has landed behind the bars at his police station. Identified as Gurdas Singh, the official is accused of allegedly misappropriating cash and valuables worth c m y b about Rs 1.5 crore allegedly by breaking seals of bags kept in his custody. Though the investigating team is yet to ascertain details of the case, sources in the department revealed that the suspect had committed the crime for compensating for losses incurred by him in gambling. The usurped case property includes drug money worth Rs 1.25 crore that was seized from a gang of smugglers nabbed by the Jagraon CIA wing on December 13, 2023. He is also suspected to have misappropriated cash, jewellery and valuables worth lakhs seized in several other cases. Acknowledging the arrest of Gurdas, SSP Ankur Gupta said a three-member panel, headed by an SP had ini, tiated a probe to verify the exact amount of money or valuables stole by the suspect or by his accomplice, if any, ading that all benefits and payments to be made at the time of his retirement would be withheld. The case surfaced when the suspect hesitated to present records regarding the captioned NDPS case involving drug money worth Rs 1.25 crore in a court. The case pertained to gang members, led by Avtar Singh Taari of Dhudike village in Moga, nabbed with arms and ammunition, fake number plates of vehicles and police uniforms, besides the drug money in question. The policeman had been working as the Munshi for about 20 months. The suspect, an ex-serviceman, is also drawing a pension from the Indian Army.