20122025-LT-01.qxd 12/20/2025 12:29 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SCHOOLS WARNED AGAINST LAXITY OVER VAHAN POLICY BHAGYASHREE REFLECTS ON AI MISUSE AGAINST CELEBS I’M MANIFESTING ACTION FILMS, SAYS DINO MOREA Overloading, lack of documents, extremely old vehicle, among most common issues flagged. P2 The actress highlighted how people are often misguided by AI-generated content on Internet. P4 Actor says he is happy to play romantic roles but hopes that directors imagine him in an action avatar in movies. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 17°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 18°C | MIN 9°C SUNSET SATURDAY 5.26 PM » SUNRISE SUNDAY 7:14 AM SATURDAY | 20 DECEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA on to check Residents continue to burn waste Multi-level probeintel failure security lapses, in open as city air quality worsens Role of more inmates under scanner; 24 booked earlier Public Action Committee seeks action against officials for failing to curb practice has called for an independent inspection and strict action against officials for dereliction of duty and abetment of environmental offences. Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 19 The illegal burning of garbage continues unchecked across Ludhiana, with residents openly setting waste ablaze at multiple locations. The Public Action Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns over the worsening air quality. In a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), the PAC has demanded strict disciplinary and legal action against Chief Engineer RK Ratra and Municipal Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal for failing to curb the practice and enforce environmental norms. Residents said the practice had become a routine affair. Manish Kumar, a shopkeeper near Old GT Road, said: “Every other day, heaps of garbage are set on fire near the Bank of India stretch. The smoke chokes the entire area but nobody is Effects of open garbage burning Garbage being burnt in open in violation of the norms in Ludhiana. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA bothered to stop it.” Simar Kaur, a commuter from Shivpuri, said: “Garbage burning has become common near the railway crossing too. The stench and fumes make it unbearable to walk or drive past, yet the authorities remain silent.” The letter highlights two major concerns — frequent garbage burning at an ille- gal dump near Bank of India on Old GT Road, allegedly created by the Municipal Corporation, and widespread open burning by private individuals. Despite repeated complaints, the PAC claims, no preventive or punitive steps had been taken. “Such acts violate the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and constitute serious offences under the Air Act, 1981,” the letter states, citing directions from the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal (NGT). PAC member Kapil Arora alleged that the PPCB has failed to impose environmental compensation on the MC for 27 identified sites involving illegal dumping and burning of garbage, despite NGT orders. The committee Risking lives 19 Congress workers booked for clash, firing post-elections Ludhiana, December 19 After a violent clash that broke out between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress workers during celebrations of the ruling party’s victory in the zila parishad and block samiti elections, the Sadar police registered a case against 19 Congress workers, including 12 unidentified assailants. After a video of the firing surfaced, the police identified the attackers and filed a case. The police continued raids to nab the suspects. They were identified as former sarpanch Jasvir, Ajayvir, Udayvir, sarpanch Ninda, Tajinder Singh, alias Ladi, Panch Pooja, Harpal Singh, alias Babbu, and 12 unidentified persons. Notably on December 18, five AAP workers from the Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 19 The clash at the Central Jail on Tajpur Road here on December 16, in which the police had already registered an attempt to murder and rioting case against 24 jail inmates, has also triggered a massive multilevel investigation. Besides the ongoing police probe in the case under which role of more jail inmates is also under scanner, the Prisons Department, Punjab, has also launched a separate investigation that has expanded significantly to address systemic and intelligence failures and delayed containment by the jail staff concerned. Senior officials of the Prisons Department had also visited the jail after the clash to get first-hand information about possible reasons that led to the violent incident and possible lapses of jail officials in failing to control the situation at the initial stage. Sources said senior jail officials had also been recording statements of the staff to gauge cir- The Central Jail on Tajpur Road in Ludhiana. FILE cumstances that ran out of control of the Jail Department and officials became target of unruly inmates. Footage of CCTV cameras are also being checked. Jail Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar had already ordered a high-level internal inquiry to identify the administrative failure and verify critical lapses. It is learnt that the Prisons Department is looking for answers to many questions such as how inmates secured iron rods and why heavy bricks were accessible in garden areas where inmates remain present, why the internal security siren (which blared for 20 minutes) did not result in immediate containment before the Superintendent was attacked, was the Superintendent accompanied by sufficient force when he went to tackle the unruly inmates and how they were able to forcefully break locks of their barracks during the chaos. The investigators may also be probing the aspect of intelligence failure if there were prior warnings of “smoldering” tensions that warders or other concerned staff failed to report. Notably in the clash, the Jail Superintendent, Kulwant Singh, DSP (Security) Jagjit Singh, three other jail staff, including CRPF jawans, had suffered injuries. On Wednesday, ADGP (Prisons) Arun Pal Singh visited the jail and gathered a report from officials on the incident. The DIG (Prisons) has also visited the Central Jail and sought detailed information from officers and police personnel. Expedite development works, resolve grievances, MC officials told at meet Workers carry out repair works on rail tracks amid dense fog at the Ludhiana railway station on Friday morning. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Tribune News Service Open burning of garbage releases toxic fumes, including carbon monoxide, particulate matter and carcinogenic compounds, which severely degrade air quality and pose health risks such as respiratory problems, eye irritation and cardiovascular diseases. The practice also contributes to climate change by emitting greenhouse gases and black carbon. Besides harming human health, it damages soil fertility, contaminates groundwater and endangers biodiversity. Frequent burning near residential and commercial areas exposes thousands of people daily to hazardous smoke, making it a grave public health and environmental concern. CLASH AT CENTRAL JAIL VIDEO SHOWS AAP WORKERS CHALLENGING OPPONENT Though the AAP blamed the Congress for the clash, a video of the scuffle and firing being circulated on social media showed AAP workers challenging a Congress leader with a group outside a house. An argument then ensued, leading to stone-pelting and firing. The 1.57-minute video also showed AAP and Congress workers challenging each other. Gill segment were injured after a group of Congress workers attacked a victory procession of the former being organised a day after the declaration of the results of the zila parishad and block samiti elections. Aam Aadmi Party leaders had alleged that Congress activists, led by Jasvir Singh, had allegedly attacked their workers and fired bullets on them, besides hurling bricks and stones. The assailants had gathered at a house before attacking the AAP activists. Though the Aam Aadmi Party blamed the Congress for the clash, a video of the scuffle and firing being circulated on social media, showed AAP workers challenging a Congress leader with a group outside a house. An argument then ensued, leading to stonepelting and then firing. Angered by the incident, Aam Aadmi Party workers had also blocked the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road near the Marado police post. The 1.57-minute video shows workers of the AAP and Congress challenging each other. Ludhiana, December 19 Working on the directions of Mayor Inderjit Kaur and Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal, zonal commissioners of all four zones of the civic body conducted meetings with councillors of various areas falling under their respective zones. The aim of the meetings was to expedite development works and to resolve grievances faced by councillors and residents at the ground level. Zonal Commissioner Abhishek Sharma held a meeting with councillors at MC’s Zone A office, Zonal Commissioner Neeraj Jain at Zone B office, Zonal Com- Zonal commissioners and councillors during a meeting. missioner Gurpal Singh at Zone C office and Jasdev Sekhon held the meeting at the Zone D office. Ludhiana North MLA Madan Lal Bagga, Atam Nagar MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu, Senior Deputy Mayor Rakesh Prashar and Deputy Mayor Prince Johar among others who attended the meetings and issued necessary directions to the officials. Councillors of different political parties were invited to the meetings keeping in mind the overall development of the city. MC Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal said the zonal com- Suspect thrashed by residents for abducting girl Building razed on GLADA chief order Ludhiana, December 19 A 12-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped from New Shivaji Nagar and about three hours later, when the suspect returned to drop back the girl due to some reason better known to him, people surrounded him and took custody of the girl. Enraged over the matter, the residents thrashed the man and later handed over to the Shingar police post. The suspect is a native of Meerut in UP . The girl’s father said he works as a tailor. The suspect, who was staying near their house, had been keeping an eye on his daughter. He had also tried to kidnap her two months ago but she was rescued. On Thursday night, he and his wife went to Chandigarh. The man lured his daughter into his car and took her to the Chandigarh road here area at 2 am. When he returned to drop her off at 5 am, people caught him. The girl told him that the suspect was accompanied by three other persons. — TNS Ludhiana, December 19 On the directions of Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and GLADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar, its regulatory wing demolished one unauthorised building on Friday at Pohir village and dismantled its illegal constructions and structures. The developers did not stop the illegal construction works despite receiving notices. A special team carried out the demolition drive, which went unopposed. The GLADA has also recommended filing of FIRs against the developers. A spokesperson stated that zero tolerance was being adopted against unauthorised and unplanned development with a special focus on illegal colonies. He said a special drive had also been launched to take punitive action against those who were fleecing innocent residents under the garb of offer- c m y b Tribune News Service An illegal building being demolished at Pohir village. ing cheaper plots in unauthorised colonies, which lacked statutory sanction and compliance with the government norms. Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar appealed to the public not to purchase plots or buildings in unauthorised colonies as GLADA would not provide any facility such as water supply, sewerage, electricity connections, etc. The list of approved and regularised colonies along with their sanctioned maps was available on the official website of GLADA, which should be checked by prospective buyers before buying any property, he added. missioners had been directed to conduct fortnightly meetings with the councillors for proper monitoring of development works and timely redressal of any issues being faced by councillors/residents. He said the zonal commissioners had been directed to submit proceedings of respective meetings with his office too. The officials concerned had been directed that no laxity would be tolerated in terms of development works and they should also move to the field to take stock of the situation at the ground level. Their focus was on ensuring cleanliness, expediting development works and providing hassle-free services to the residents. — TNS Odisha youth booked for rape of minor cousin Ludhian, December 19 The Haibowal police on Thursday registered a case against an Odisha-based youth who allegedly sexually assaulted his minor cousin. After committing the rape, the suspect fled to his native place. He was identified as Bablu Jaina, a native of Kendrapara district in Odisha. The complainant said her daughter was about 14 years old. She was feeling nervous for many days but the girl had not been revealing the cause behind the same. On Thursday, when she was repeatedly asked about the cause of her tension, the victim told her mother about the sexual assault. “My daughter said my sister-in-law Lalita Jaina’s son Bablu Jaina (22), cousin of my daughter, had been staying at our house for four months. He had been threatening and sexually assaulting the girl and now, he had fled to Odisha. I have lodged a police complaint and a case was registered,” she said. — TNS