18112025-LT-01.qxd 11/18/2025 12:16 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune DEPUTY COMMISSIONER REVIEWS INFRA PROJECTS AGRI VARSITY CELEBRATES RURAL ROOTS IN ART DC directs proposal for new bypass connecting Kohara Chowk to National Highay 44. P2 At PAU, the youth festival transforms campus into a vibrant celebration of rural artistry, heritage. P3 » STARS LIGHT UP MYNTRA GLAMSTREAM FEST IN MUMBAI The event saw a dazzling lineup of celebrities, including Malaika Arora, Sanya Malhotra and Palak Tiwari. P4 » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 26°C | MIN 9°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5.25 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 6:51 AM » TUESDAY | 18 NOVEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Homeless left out in cold as city’s centrally located night shelter remains missing Civic body had declared Clock Tower shelter unsafe in 2021, citing structural concerns Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 17 As winter grips the city and minimum temperature dipping to 9°C, Ludhiana’s homeless are battling not only the chill of the season but also the indifference of civic planning. The absence of a centrally located night shelter — declared unsafe four years ago — has left hundreds of vulnerable residents sleeping under flyovers, along footpaths and near busy junctions. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had declared the Clock Tower night shelter unsafe in 2021, citing structural concerns. Once considered the most crucial facility due to its accessibility to migrant workers and poor families near the railway station, Jagraon Bridge and Guru Nanak Stadium, the shelter has remained closed ever since. Despite repeated promises, no alternative has been provided. The delay in demolishing the old building stems from shops operating on its ground floor. Though eviction notices were issued, tenants have yet Woman killed as speeding tipper truck rams into scooter Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 17 A speeding tipper truck crushed a mother and her daughter commuting on a scooter near Samrala town. The mother died on the spot while the nine-year-old daughter was seriously injured. The child was initially brought to the Samrala Civil Hospital but due to her critical condition, she was referred to Chandigarh. The truck driver hit the scooter from the rear and then drove off, crushing the two-wheeler, woman and her daughter. The deceased was identified as Rajmeet Kaur (34), a Driver drove off, crushing two-wheeler, woman, her minor daughter resident of Kartar Nagar, Khanna, and the injured was identified as Srishti Kaur. Rajmeet Kaur, the deceased The truck’s tyres crushed the woman’s head and the child’s legs. The woman died on the spot. On receiving information about the incident, the police reached the scene and began a probe. Jagjit Singh, a relative of the deceased, said the woman and her daughter were returning to their home at Kartar Nagar in Khanna on a scooter after paying obeisance at gurdwara. When their scooter reached Bardhala, a speeding tipper truck coming from the rear hit the scooter, causing the woman to lose control over the vehicle. Afterwards, the driver ran the truck over them. The injured girl was brought to the Samrala Civil Hospital. He said both of the child’s legs were fractured. The police launched an investigation to trace the truck driver. For many homeless persons, the night shelter near Clock Tower is irreplaceable. PHOTOS: INDERJEET VERMA to vacate, stalling progress. Officials admit these facilities remain underutilised due to their remote locations. Homeless individuals prefer staying near central streets where food and warm clothing are easily available. For many, the Clock Tower shelter was irreplaceable. “It was nearest to the place where we sit during the day. Other shelters are too far and buses don’t run in the morning to bring us back,” said Ramesh, a beggar, who now sleeps under Jagraon Bridge. Another homeless man, Baldev, said: “We don’t go to Moti Nagar or Hambran Road shelters. If we go there, we miss the chance to get food here at the City Centre. Clock Tower was the only place that is suitable for us.” Attempts to ferry the homeless to shelters using city buses and providing free food have failed to make a significant impact. “These meas- ures have not served much purpose,” officials conceded. “The night shelter near Clock Tower was declared unsafe years ago but no proper renovation or alternative arrangement has been done. Homeless people have started sleeping under flyovers and along footpaths again. The MC should take urgent action before the situation worsens,” a local resident said. With temperatures dipping and civic promises still hang- ing in the air, Ludhiana’s homeless continue to face the harsh reality of winter nights without a central refuge. Shiv Sena leader gets death threat tered an FIR against an unidentified suspect for threatening Shiv Sena leader Amit Arora over mobile phone for speaking out against Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) chief Amritpal Singh. According to Arora, the caller identified himself as the brother of notorious gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Patient’s death: Kin accuse compounder of negligence Traditional treat plaint that on November 5, he saw a video on Facebook in which a suspect was threatening to kill him, his national president Amit Arora and other leaders. The police are trying to trace the Facebook ID that was used to issue the threat. Earlier on October 9, Police Division 7 regis- Cops launch special drive to ensure public safety Distant alternatives, limited use At present, Ludhiana operates three shelters in outlying zones - Moti Nagar (Zone B), with a capacity of 130 beds and expandable to 200; Vishwakarma Chowk (Zone C), 70 beds; and Hambran Road (Zone D) with a capacity of 60 beds. Tribune News Service Students perform giddha on the last day of the PAU inter-college youth festival in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN SEE ALSO P2 Ludhiana, November 17 A patient’s death at a private hospital in Mullanpur on Sunday night led to protest by relatives and villagers, who alleged negligence by a hospital employee. The family claimed a compounder administered a wrong injection to 48-year-old Karnail Singh of Detwal village, leading to his death. Karnail, admitted for low platelet count, was reportedly recovering and expected to be discharged. His relatives said he was denied discharge and had arguments with an employ- Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 17 Manish Verma, Punjab president of the Shiv Sena (Lion), reportedly received a death threat on social media. The Cyber Crime police station registered an FIR against an unidentified suspect. Verma stated in a com- SUSPECT ‘ADMITS MISTAKE’ Following the incident, the residents gathered outside the private hospital and raised slogans against the administration. The compounder allegedly admitted his mistake but denied any personal enmity with the victim, saying that the patient was hyper and had to be restrained. ee. They alleged that during a heated exchange, the compounder threatened the patient and later administered a wrong injection to him after which he breathed his last. Following the incident, the residents gathered outside the hospital and raised slogans against the administration. The compounder admitted his mistake but denied any per- sonal enmity with the victim, saying that the patient was hyper and had to be restrained. The police, led by ASI Inderjit Singh, reached the spot and took the body for a post-mortem examination and initiated proceedings against the compounder. Investigation is on and further action will be taken after the arrival of the autopsy report. Ludhiana, November 17 Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma, initiated a special checking campaign to ensure the safety of residents and further strengthen law and order in the city. The campaign was led by Kanwalpreet Singh, ADCP Zone-3, Ludhiana, with the support of Jatinder Pal Singh, ACP West (PPS), Ludhiana; Guriqbal Singh, ACP Civil Lines and officials from police stations under Zone 3. Police teams conducted extensive checks in grain markets, rented accommodations and temporary settlements. They examined tenant records, verified identities and kept strict surveillance on suspicious individuals or activities. — TNS AQI levels improve as farm fires decline in state Man lands in police dragnet with illegal pistol, cartridges Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 17 Despite November being the driest month so far with no rainfall recorded, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the region has shown slight improvement following a dip in farm-fire incidents across the state. On Sunday, six stubble-burning cases were reported from Fazilka district while Bathinda and Muktsar recorded five each. Mansa and Ludhiana reported four cases each. In comparison, Ludhiana had logged 63 farm fires on the same day in 2023 and seven in 2024. In Ludhiana, AQI dropped to 159 on Sunday, down from 185 on Nov 14 With the reduction in the incidents, the AQI levels have shown some respite. In Ludhiana, the AQI dropped to 159 on November 16, down On Sunday, four stubble-burning cases were reported from Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN from 185 on November 14. Amritpal Singh, Nodal Officer for farm fires, said the region usually witnesses peak stubble-burning cases till November 15, after which numbers start declining. According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) c m y b data, Mandi Gobindgarh continues to record the poorest air quality in the region. Its average AQI between November 10 and 16 stood at 215. Ludhiana recorded an average of 163 during the same period while Khanna reported a higher average of 198. Among Amritsar, Ludhiana, Mandi Gobindgarh, Patiala, Jalandhar, and Khanna, Amritsar reported the lowest average AQI at 135. The average readings for the past week were: Jalandhar 168, Khanna 198, Patiala 145, Mandi Gobindgarh 215 and Ludhiana 163. Kamal, a homemaker, said her father-in-law had been experiencing breathlessness for the past 10–15 days and required a nebuliser to breathe comfortably. She said every year the problem worsens as stubble burning, when mixed with fog, leads to dense smog, posing health risks not only to the elderly but also to the people of all age groups. The suspect in Ludhiana police custody on Monday. Ludhiana, November 17 The Ludhiana police on Monday claimed to have nabbed a miscreant and recovered an illegal weapon from his possession. Amandeep Singh Brar, ADCP (Investigation), Ludhiana, said under the leadership of ACP (Detective-2) Deep Karan Singh, inspector Beant Juneja, in-charge, crime branch, Ludhiana, ASI Bhupinder Singh and others had been taking action against anti-social elements involved in illegal arms smuggling. They also succeeded in arresting Shubham Sharma, a resident of Jalandhar and at present residing in Ludhiana, along with illegal arms. From the man, one countrymade .32 bore pistol, along with a magazine and two car- tridges, was recovered, which he was possessing illegally. A case was registered against the suspect at the Jamalpur police station, under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. He was produced before a court and had been taken on a police remand for the next five days, during which he would be interrogated regarding the supply chain of the illegal arms, Juneja said. — TNS