13022026-LT-01.qxd 2/13/2026 12:27 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune KHANNA POLICE RAID 10 IMMIGRATION CENTRES Businesses allegedly involved in preparing fake documents to help fugitives evade action. P2 » READY FOR MONTHS, INDOOR POOL YET TO BE OPENED ‘BOSS LADY’ JASMINE SANDLAS AND HER GULABI GANG All-weather swimming pool at Rakh Bagh in Civil Lines area is yet to be thrown open to the public. P3 AtaDelhiconcert,pausingherperformance, she said, “Appan gawan ge hi nahi jab tak kudiya safe ni feel kardi hoye.”P4 » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 26°C | MIN 10°C YESTERDAY MAX 26°C | MIN 11°C SUNSET FRIDAY 6.10 PM SUNRISE SATURDAY 7:04 AM FRIDAY | 13 FEBRUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA Pedestrian killed after being dragged by speeding tipper Cops remain on toes as kin, residents stage protest Mahesh Sharma Members of various unions hold a protest; and (right) passengers face inconvenience at the bus stand during the strike in Ludhiana on Thursday. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Bharat Bandh: Normal life hit as trade unions observe strike Mid-day meal, state transport, banking services affected across city Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 12 Employees and workers associated with a joint forum of central trade unions observed a one-day strike on Thursday, disrupting normal life in the city. From banks to government primary schools, services were hit as various unions, including bodies of mid-day meal workers and contractual staff of the PSP- CL, PRTC and PUNBUS, joined the protest against amendments to labour laws and the recently announced India-US trade deal. At government schools, teachers faced a challenging situation as mid-day meal workers stayed away from duty. “Kadhi-chawal was on the menu on Thursday and we had to request a few private individuals to help prepare the food. Teachers are also contributing and supervising the temporary workers. Amid all this, regular studies have been affected,” said Anju Sood, in-charge, Government Primary School, Khanna. In many schools, teachers extended a helping hand in preparing meals for students. At the GSSS, Cemetery School, mid-day meal workers agreed to prepare the meals, after which they City businessman held for ~9-crore GST frauds Erring official too dismissed with immediate effect Ludhiana, February 12 A city businessman has been arrested for committing GST frauds amounting to Rs 9 crore. Cracking the whip against an erring official too, the Excise and Taxation Department dismissed an inspector with immediate effect due to his prolonged unauthorised absence. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, in a press statement issued, said a major operation by the State Intelligence and Preventive Unit (SIPU), Ludhiana, led to the arrest of Rohit Gupta, proprietor of Maa Steel, Ludhiana, by the Excise and Taxation Department. He said: “The department has unmasked a significant GST fraud where Maa Steel was found issuing fake invoices for HR/CR coils and strips without any actual supply of goods. The fraudulent network managed to pass ITC exceeding Rs 9 crore to various beneficiaries, causing a direct and substantial loss to the state exchequer. During the search, department teams also found glaring discrepancies between physical stock available on the premises and the firm’s record books.” The minister further revealed that the scope of the investigation was expanding. “We are currently investigating several manufacturers of cycle parts and spare parts, who are suspected of being part of the scam. Their firms are under the scanner for improperly claiming export refunds or benefits through an inverted duty structure. Our government remains committed to vigorously combating tax evasion, protecting government revenue and ensuring a level playing field for every compliant taxpayer in the state,” he said. The Finance Minister announced that the state government had dismissed the Excise and Taxation inspector with immediate effect. — TNS went on a strike. Banking services were also hit as employees went on a strike against the Central Government’s policies. Routine transactions such as cheque deposits, clearances and RTGS were impacted to a considerable extent. A massive rally was organised by the Punjab Bank Employees’ Federation (PBEF), Ludhiana, in front of the Canara Bank branch at Bharat Nagar Chowk here. Comrade PR Mehta, general secretary, Punjab Bank Employees’ Federation (PBEF), said the new labour codes were a direct attack on hard-earned rights of the working class. He said these codes dilute existing labour laws, weaken collective bargaining, restrict the right to strike and make employment more insecure continued on page 2 Ludhiana, February 12 The police remained on toes handling the situation following the death of a pedestrian after being dragged by a speeding tipper on the accident-prone Rahon Road, under the jurisdiction of the Jodhewal police station. On Thursday morning, the victim, identified as Sunil Kumar, a native of Lakhimpur Kheri (UP), was going to his workplace when a tipper hit him and dragged for a distance of several metres. Irate residents, including family members, friends and relatives of the deceased, organised a dharna to protest the alleged irresponsible driving by tipper drivers on Rahon Road in routine, thus turning the road into a black spot. The protesters alleged that several accidents had occurred due to reckless driving by tipper drivers in the past. Residents have urged the administration to tighten noose around tipper owners and ensure that potential risks due to vehicular traffic on the Rahon Road were minimised. Meanwhile, the police have launched a manhunt Residents and kin of the deceased man protest on Rahon Road in Ludhiana on Thursday. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN to arrest the driver of the tipper who had absconded after the death of the victim. The police said an FIR would be registered after recording the statement of the next of kin of the deceased. Man booked for raping LPG sale sans licence prohibited 21-year-old daughter Mahesh Sharma Ludhiana, February 12 The Tibba police have launched a probe into the alleged rape of a 21-year-old pharmacy student by her father. She said her father raped her at their house on Sunday night. The victim called the police from her college and lodged a complaint on Monday. The suspect, a 50-year-old resident of New Shakti Nagar here, was booked on Wednesday. He is absconding. Investigating officer Rajinder Singh said a probe had been initiated to verify the allegations levelled by the complainant, a student of a private college. Probable hideouts of the suspect were being raided. Suspect at large; repeatedly harassed me under influence of liquor, says victim Preliminary probe revealed that the man and the victim had been staying alone at their house after the girl’s mother and younger brother went to their native place in Bihar. As per the victim’s statement, the suspect had repeatedly harassed her under the influence of liquor. She was preparing for her exams on Sunday night when her father dragged her into another room and raped her. She informed her friends and the matter was brought to the attention of the college authorities. Ludhiana, February 12 The administration on Thursday prohibited the use, storage, refilling, distribution and sale of gas cylinders without an authorisation mark or licence. Residents, including tenants, vendors and owners of commercial establishments, will now not be allowed to use or refill unauthorised LPG cylinders. The orders were issued by ACP Rupinder Singh in public interest after he became aware of the circulation of LPG cylin- ders without the ISI/BIS stamp. The absence of the mark indicates that the cylinders do not conform to the required Indian Safety Standards and potentially pose a threat to property and lives of consumers and other citizens, he said. — OC MAHA SHIVRATRI OFFER ADMISSION Jan Aushadhi Kendra struggles amid medicine shortage With basic medicines also remaining unavailable, it has turned into a mere showpiece Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, February 12 Patients visiting the Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Civil Hospital are facing difficulties due to a shortage of essential medicines. Shelves at the centre remain largely empty, with only 25 to 30 types of medicines, bandages and diapers available. Besides, some equipment required by ortho patients are also not available here. Jan Aushadhi Kendras are supposed to be operational 24x7 for the facilitation of the public but the one located inside the Civil Hospital opens for only 5-6 hours, defeating the very purpose of its existence. With basic medicines also remaining unavailable, it has turned into a mere showpiece. The absence of basic drugs has left patients in the lurch. During a recent visit, racks at Jan Aushadhi Kendra at the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana, remains open for only five-six hours a day. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA the centre were found empty with even common medicines missing. Patients arriving with prescriptions expressed frustration, stating that medicines they required were unavailable. Several people said they were unable to obtain antibiotics, which were critical for treatment. Since there is a pharmacy at the Civil Hospital and many NGOs are also giving free medicines inside the hospital, it seems less attention is being paid towards the kendra. The shortage has raised concern about the effectiveness of the Jan Aushadhi scheme, which was launched to provide affordable medicines to the public. The patients argue that the lack of stock defeats the very purpose of the initiative, especially for those dependent on government facilities for healthcare. Hemraj from Shimlapuri said one of the medicines prescribed by the doctor for his mother was generally available at the kendra. “On Wednesday, I came at 5 pm to get the medicine but it was closed. Today, I again came during the day but sadly, it was out of stock,” he said. Another patient, Shyama, who came to the Gynae OPD, said she got one medicines from the hospital’s pharmacy but one was not available. “I came to JAK but it was not available here also. Now, left with no other option, I will buy it from a chemist outside,” she said. Though the pharmacy at c m y b the Civil Hospital is also there for medicines but sometimes patients from outside also come to buy medicines from here and in case any medicine is not available at the pharmacy, they generally make their way to JAK but sadly they had to return without medicines many times from there also. Generic medicines are available at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra and the list of medicines available here is also provided to doctors of the hospital so that they can prescribe medicines according to the salt and not brand. Senior official from the Civil Hospital said there was a pharmacy where medicines were given free of cost and NGOs inside the hospital are also taking care of medicines. Hence, there was no issue for patients in getting medicines. The stock of JAK was updated as per requirement. 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