31122025-LT-01.qxd 12/31/2025 12:53 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HOUSE, HOSIERY UNIT GUTTED IN GANDHI NAGAR Goods worth lakhs destroyed in a massive fire that charred a threestorey house and a factory. P3 » SUNNY ATTENDS SCREENING OF DHARMENDRA’S FILM IKKIS BOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES SHARE THEIR NEW YEAR PLANS Bollywood star Sunny Deol arrived at the venue looking emotional, yet he cheerfully posed for cameras. P4 While some are planning relaxing getaways, others are looking forward to welcoming year with family & friends. P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 17°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 17°C | MIN 6°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.33 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 7:19 AM WEDNESDAY | 31 DECEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Chaura Bazaar set for security overhaul with 132 CCTV cameras Tender amounting ~3.86 cr for vigil devices, ~24.69L for lighting floated through cameras but also with proper infrastructure,” remarked Inderjit Singh, an elderly shopkeeper who has witnessed the market’s evolution over decades. Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 30 The historic Chaura Bazaar, one of the city’s busiest commercial hubs, is all set for a major security upgrade with CCTV cameras and lights. CCTV cameras in the old Bazaar will act as a watchful eye while LED lights will illuminate old lanes of the bazaar and at the same time improve its aesthetics. Chaura Bazaar has been selected under the Urban Land and Planning Reforms initiative, with an aim to transform the area into a central business district (CBD). In the state, Ludhiana and Amritsar are two districts selected for the project. Tender amounting Rs 3.86 crore for CCTV cameras and Rs 24.69 lakh for lighting has been floated. Ahead of the major revamp, these early works are part of a mandate from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, which asked to showcase preliminary plans before launching the larger renovation of the Bazaar. The Municipal Corporation has announced the installa- The revamp plan Chaura Bazaar has been selected under the Urban Land and Planning Reforms initiative, with an aim to transform the area into a central business district. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA tion of 132 CCTV cameras across the market, a move aimed at curbing thefts, managing traffic chaos and restoring law and order in the congested lanes. In addition to the cameras, LED street lights are also been installed to enhance the security and illumination simultaneously. “The cameras will be strategically placed at entry points, intersections and crowded stretches, all linked to the con- trol room in the MC office for real-time surveillance. Access of the cameras will also be provided to the police. We believe it will act as a deterrent against petty crimes and enhance safety for shoppers,” says senior MC official. Shopkeepers, who have long demanded better security, welcomed the initiative. “For years, we have faced incidents of pickpocketing and theft. Cameras will give us peace of mind and encourage more customers to visit,” said Satish Kumar, a garment trader. While traders are optimistic about immediate benefits, old timers in the bazaar are looking beyond surveillance. They recall the market’s golden era and are expecting the revamp will address longstanding issues of congestion, drainage and parking. “We want Chaura Bazaar to regain its pride, not only Tough times Under the Rs 150-crore redevelopment plan, the city’s oldest market will be transformed with arched openings, fluted columns, domed parapets and jharokha-style balconies, architectural motifs designed to restore rhythm and elegance to its crowded lanes. There will be uniform facades for shops, pedestrian-friendly pathways, underground water tanks, improved lighting, benches, water ATMs, CCTV surveillance, dustbins and emergency response systems. Signage will adopt heritage-inspired fonts with bilingual identity while façade colours will draw from Lodhi-era palettes, anchoring the market in history yet inviting contemporary engagement. Bazaar will undergo a facelift modelled after Amritsar’s famed Heritage Street. Two held with 1.5-kg opium Motorists commute as a thick blanket of fog engulfs city on Tuesday morning. DC Himanshu Jain has issued directions to departments and agencies concerned to act with utmost urgency to prevent mishaps amid fog. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Ludhiana, December 30 The Sadar police claimed to have arrested two drug peddlers who had been distributing drugs in the region after smuggling the same from other states. The police seized 1.5 kg of opium from the suspects, identified as Sukhwinder Singh of Ludhiana and Dalip Kumar of Mandsaur in MP . ADCP Karanveer Singh said police officials, led by ACP Harjinder Singh, had intercepted two suspicious persons during a naka at a locality falling under the jurisdiction of Basant Chowki and seized 1.5 kg of opium from their possession. The police have taken remand of the suspects for extracting further information. — OC SUICIDE BY BHUDAN’S FAMILY Week on, bodies of three victims await final rites Mahesh Sharma Malerkotla, December 30 In a tragic incident, a 33-yearold widow, her mother and nine-year-old son had died by suicide at Bhudan village on the night of December 23. Their bodies are still lying in the mortuary even after a week as kin have been protesting, seeking arrest of all suspects responsible for their death. The deceased were identified as Inderpal Kaur, a widow of Bhudan village in Malerkotla, her mother Hardeep Kaur of Gurbakshpura and nineyear-old son Jordan Singh. The Sandaur police had booked 10 persons, including the mother-in-law of Inderpal Kaur, on the basis of a video recorded by the latter before her alleged death by suicide and arrested three suspects. But kin of the deceased have been demanding arrest of all suspects and addition of murder charges in the case. On the other hand, residents of Bhudan village, led by officebearers of the village panchayat, have been organising protests for the cancellation of the FIR. They claimed that some unidentified persons were responsible for the death of the three persons and the video was recorded at some other village at the instigation of some people yet to be identified. The protests by both groups have been led by office-bearers and activists of constituents of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha. While activists of BKU (Dakaunda), led by Karamjit Kin continue protest seeking arrest of all suspects, villagers demand cancellation of FIR Singh, had been organising a protest in front of the Sandaur police station to demand immediate arrest of all suspects and addition of murder charges in the case registered for abetment to commit suicide. They have also threatened to bring the bodies, at present kept in police custody at the mortuary of the Civil Hospital, Malerkotla, to the protest site and not allowing anybody to conduct the autopsy and cremation. As two of the suspects, Bhola Singh of Bhudan and his son Sukhpal Singh, are office-bearers of the BKU (Ugrahan), senior functionaries of the union have joined the protests being held by villagers demanding cancellation of the FIR. Leaders of the BKU (Kadian), BKU (Sidhupur) and BKU (Krantikari) are supporting the protest demanding cancellation of the case against the 10 suspects. They have urged the police to first conduct a fair inquiry and take the decision to arrest the guilty in the case. The district police, led by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, had been busy listening to arguments of delegations of both groups. The police had already arrested three suspects, including Charanjit, her brother Pammu Singh and nephew Gurpreet Singh. It was after the police conducted raids to arrest Bhola Singh, BKU village unit president, his son Sukhpal and Kaura Singh, block samiti member of Chhiniwal, that farmer unions made efforts to prevent the police from arresting any of the remaining suspects. Though earlier it seemed that the deceased had consumed some poisonous substance following abetment by the suspects, preliminary investigation revealed that the video accusing 10 suspects was recorded at some unknown place at a distant village and some people were prompting Inderpal Kaur to utter particular names. While the police are trying to check call details of all four mobile phones being used by Inderpal Kaur, it has identified an e-rickshaw driver who brought her from some other village about 10 pm on December 23, hours before the death of the victims. Further probe revealed that Inderpal Kaur had sold over five acres of land following the death of her husband Pawandeep. Even the land in the name of their minor son Jordan was also sold. Inderpal Kaur had also executed her will in favour of her brother Kuldeep Singh and a female relative a few months ago. She had also sold some of her household goods and wheat stock two days before the incident. Senior officials of the police, led by SSP Gagan Ajit Singh, were trying to persuade protesters to perform the last rites of the deceased. Kin of the victims and farm leaders hold a protest near Malerkotla on Tuesday. City residents all set to welcome Four injured as car turns 3 under-construction New Year with parties, pvt events turtle due to poor visibility illegal colonies razed Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 30 As year 2025 is coming to a close, residents are all geared up to welcome the New Year with a bang and enthusiasm. While clubs and hostels have arranged for the New Year’s Eve events, many private parties are being organised in farmhouses and at places of residents to enjoy the night in a comfortable manner. Talking to The Tribune, Reena a homemaker near South City, said theirs was a small group of 12-15 persons and all of them have decided to hold a get together at someone’s place. “Music and eatables will be arranged and we will enjoy drinks and the company of friends,” she added. Meanwhile, Sutlej Club is organising an event with lead- EXTRA FORCE TO BE DEPLOYED ACROSS CITY To ensure that New Year revellers enjoy the occasion and welcome the New Year with fun and frolic, the police are deploying extra force across the city. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said 350 policeman and around 90 policewoman will be on duty to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. ing singer Manj Musik (RDB) on the premises, who will enthral members with Punjabi and Hindi numbers. DJ and stalls of eatables are arranged for the entertainment of the members and guests. Ombré is all set to host New Year’s Eve celebrations under the open sky. This New Year, the restaurant is hosting an ‘electrifying night’ featuring a blockbuster live performance by LylaaxSaul band, with a spread of lavish main courses, gourmet snacks, etc, curated exclusively for the night. At Elgin, three different con- cepts are set up for residents so that they can enjoy at courtyard, rooftop and Lord Elgin. At Flambois, families and youngsters have already booked tables in advance to avoid any last-minute issue. To ensure that New Year revellers enjoy the occasion and welcome the New Year with fun and frolic, the police are deploying extra force across the city. Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said 350 policeman and around 90 policewoman will be on duty to ensure that no untoward incident takes place. Tribune News Service Lovleen Bains Doraha, December 30 Four occupants of a Honda Amaze car, which was returning from Delhi after dropping their relative at the airport early this morning, were injured as their car turned turtle due to poor visibility caused by fog. The victims, who were coming from Delhi and heading towards their home town Kapurthala early this morning, met with an accident near Doraha. The driver lost control over the vehicle as he failed to negotiate between the road and the footpath due to the dense fog. As a result, the car turned turtle, injuring all four occupants. The onlookers took them to the Civil Hospital, Sahnewal. The SSF team on duty said c m y b The SSF team at the accident scene near Doraha. fog could be the only reason for the accident. The injured have been identified as Jaswinder Singh, Kewal Singh and Sukhwinder Singh of Bhanoke and Bahadur Singh of Jagarpur Jattan in Kapurthala. According to SSF ASI Sukhdev Singh, their team got information that a car turned turtle near a restaurant on the national highway near Doraha. “As the team reached the scene, the injured were already been taken to the hospital in Sahnewal by the passers-by. The driver could not negotiate between the road and the footpath due to fog, following which the incident occurred. Later, the injured were referred to a Ludhiana hospital where their condition is said to be stable,” he said. Ludhiana, December 30 Following directions of Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian and GLADA Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar, its regulatory wing on Tuesday demolished three under-construction unauthorised colonies at Dhandra and Daad villages. Developers did not stop illegal construction works despite serving them with notices. A special team carried out the sealing drive, which went unopposed. The GLADA has also recommended filing of FIRs against the developers. A spokesperson said 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 offering cheaper plots in the unauthorised colonies, which lacked statutory sanction and compliance with the government norms. Chief Administrator Sandeep Kumar appealed to the public not to purchase property/plots/buildings in unauthorised colonies as GLADA would not provide any facility such as water supply, sewerage, electricity connections, etc. The list of approved & regularised colonies along with their sanctioned maps is available on the official website of GLADA, which may be checked by prospective buyers before purchasing any property, he said.