04042026-LT-01.qxd 4/3/2026 10:47 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 95 ATTEND PAU KISAN CLUB MEET ‘VAPSI’: A PLAY ON JOURNEY BACK HOME At least 95 farmers attended the training camp organised by the Kisan Club at Punjab Agricultural University. P2 SCD Government College staged a play telling a rather different story, one of return, rediscovery and belonging. P3 » » SAVOUR BIHAR’S LITTI CHOKHA, CURRIES AT HYATT CENTRIC Hyatt Centric, Chandigarh, is offering litti chokha and village curries at a special Magadhi pop-up. P4 FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY/RAIN MAX 30°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 32°C | MIN 21°C SUNSET SATURDAY 6.47 PM SUNRISE SUNDAY 6.10 AM » SATURDAY | 4 APRIL 2026 | LUDHIANA Online registration for Agniveer extended to April 10 Ludhiana, April 3 Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Poonam Singh has announced that the online registration for Agniveer recruitment in the Indian Army has been extended till April 10. She directed all departments concerned to launch an extensive awareness drive to ensure that maximum eligible youth register for this opportunity. Earlier, the last date for online registration was April 1. Eligible unmarried youth, primarily male candidates from categories such as general duty (GD), technical, clerk/store keeper technical, tradesmen, and others, can apply online exclusively through the official website: joinindianarmy.nic.in. The recruitment drive is open to candidates from multiple districts in the region, including Ludhiana, Moga, Mohali, Rupnagar and others. Singh stressed on the need to reach out to as many eligible candidates as possible, especially in the rural areas. “Service to the nation through the armed forces is not just a career, but a matter of immense pride, honour and responsibility,” Poonam Singh said. She urged the youth to come forward enthusiastically, register online without any delay, and grab this chance to serve the country. — TNS Man, wife booked for stealing jewellery Our Correspondent Khanna, April 3 The police have tightened noose around a migrant labourer couple who has been booked for allegedly stealing jewellery and valuables worth lakhs from the house of their employer, an established industrialist of Khanna. The accused have been identified as Nanku, alias Pappu Chaudhary, and his wife Sapna, natives of Balaila village under Gelola police station of Shravasti district in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Perusal of an FIR registered under Sections 306 and 3 (5) of the BNS revealed that the duo had allegedly stolen jewellery worth lakhs from the house of complainant Suvaila Kanwar, a resident of Sulekh Ram Building, GT Road, Khanna. The accused were employed by the complainant for household works and personnel care and were also allowed to stay in a portion of the building. Suvaila alleged that the accused were aware of the presence of jewellery belonging to her daughter who found ornaments missing from almirah on return from Dubai. Though the police have yet to divulge details about investigations conducted so far, it has acknowledged that the duo was arrested. DSP Karamjit Singh Grewal said a probe had been initiated after arresting the accused and making partial recoveries of the stolen jewellery. “As the accused have been involved in crime for around five years we have to interrogate them intensively to recover all items stolen from the house,” Grewal said, maintaining that ornaments weighing five tolas had already been recovered from the accused. Grewal said Nanku was booked for a theft in Gobindgarh before he started working for the family in 2021. Preliminary investigations revealed that the complainant family became suspicious about the role of the accused in theft of ornaments worth around Rs 80 lakh on learning that the duo was constructing a palatial house in a historic city of the UP Lavish . lifestyle of the duo and their children transformed their suspicion to belief following which an FIR was registered at the Khanna city police station on March 31. Suvaila said total loss due to theft was yet to be ascertained by the family. Illegal constructions raise questions over Municipal Corporation’s functioning Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 3 An unchecked spurt of illegal constructions in Ludhiana has put the Municipal Corporation (MC) under sharp scrutiny, with residents questioning its monitoring and accountability. Residents allege that multi-storey buildings and commercial structures are being built without proper permissions. This has led to traffic congestion, shortage of parking space, sewage overflow and safety hazards across the city. A recent case in Rishi Nagar has come to the fore. Area residents claim that a make-up artist constructed an additional floor without approval and has been running commercial activities from the premises. Despite these alleged violations, no inquiry or action has been initiated by the authorities concerned. Residents point out that apartments, earlier under the jurisdiction of the Improvement Trust, are now under the Municipal Corporation Ludhiana (MCL), but there is no enforcement of rules. RTI activist Rohit Sabharwal has filed 43 complaints since 2022 with the Munici- A JCB machine demolishes an illegal construction in Ludhiana. pal Commissioner and the Director of the Local Bodies Department. Acting on his complaints, the Director sought action reports, but building branch officials failed to respond even after 10 reminders. The Municipal Town Planner (MTP) also issued notices twice to all four zonal Assistant Town Planners (ATPs), demanding reports within seven days, but no replies were sent. Notices clearly stated that records of illegal constructions were not being maintained despite repeated instructions, proving negligence. Shockingly, officials have not maintained records of illegal constructions since 2014. Building inspectors are required to investigate unauthorised structures, prepare maps showing compoundable and non-compoundable portions, and record them in registers. ATPs must check these records monthly and conduct physical verifications. Sabharwal has also written to the Punjab State Human Rights Commission, seeking a survey to identify hotels illegally constructed since January 1, 2021. He alleged that dozens of hotels were misusing parking spaces for commercial purposes and violated building by-laws by constructing excess floors without approval. Sabharwal reminded the authorities multiple times, pointing out violations in Jawahar Nagar Camp, areas around the bus stand and Barewal Road (Ferozepur Road). He stressed that law was equal for everyone. He said action against violators should be taken as per law of the land. Social organisations and residents have demanded a special drive against illegal constructions, urging strict action against both erring officials and builders. Hargun Singh, a city resident said, “If timely steps are not taken, Ludhiana’s basic infrastructure could collapse under mounting pressure. The MC has to take strict action against illegal buildings as their number is increasing with each passing day.” Amid claims of Ludhiana’s development under the Smart Cities Mission, residents say unchecked illegal construction risks reducing the idea of progress to mere paperwork. “We now await concrete action from the Municipal Corporation to preserve Ludhiana’s reputation as the city of dreams,” said another city resident. Neeru Katyal, MC Commissioner, said, “Recently, a survey was conducted by the MC during which we came to know that there are at least 335 illegal constructions, including under-construction buildings, across the city. Notices have been served to their owners and action is being taken against them.” “The MC is digitising its property record. Anyone can access the record online. This process will be completed soon,” she said. 2 arrested for murder Repair work on road heading from 2hurtinattackondhaba Earlier, same group of of Congress leader Saggu Chowk to Hambran yet to begin miscreants attacked Our Correspondent Our Correspondent Ludhiana, April 3 With the arrest of two key accused wanted in murder of Congress block president Parminder Tiwari, the police have completed the investigation. The police said murder could have been avoided had residents of Takhran village reported about movement of the accused armed with an axe in his hand. The Khanna Congress leadership applauded the police for arresting all accused simultaneously following which the victim’s family cremated his body on Thursday. “We appreciate professional approach of the investigating team to nab all accused. We demand an intensive interrogation of the accused to extract information regarding exact reason behind murder,” said Khanna district rural Congress president and former MLA Payal Lakhvir Singh Lakha, urg- ing that the case should be probed from all angles. ACP Inderjit Singh Boparai said multiple teams of the police had been constantly tracking movement of the key accused and their sympathisers since the duo used public transport to leave the area. Boparai said motorcycle used by the accused to reach bus stand was recovered. Acknowledging circulation of a video clipping showing the main accused roaming in Takhran village ahead of murder, Boparai argued that the murder could have been avoided, had area residents informed the police. Evading questions on the outcome of investigations till now, Boparai said revelation of vital information at this juncture could affect investigation. Boparai said a press conference would be held soon to divulge information about the sequence of events leading to murder and subsequent arrest of the accused. Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 3 City residents continue to face inconvenience due to broken roads and stalled projects, the fallout of mismanagement and poor coordination by the civic authorities. The Municipal Corporation (MC) had announced longawaited repair of the road heading from Saggu Chowk to Hambran Road, a vital stretch leading to hospitals and schools. However, work on this road is yet to begin, as pipelines for the city’s ambitious 24-hour canal water supply project must first be laid on the stretch. The canal-based water supply scheme costing Rs 1,422-crore, which includes construction of 62 overhead tanks, was envisioned to transform drinking water infrastructure. But the excavation required for pipeline installation has left several thoroughfares dug up and incomplete, with no relief expected for at least past two months. Broken road heading from Saggu Chowk towards Hambran in Ludhiana. TRIBUNE PHOTO: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Saggu Chowk and the adjoining areas now present a grim picture such as gaping potholes, uneven surfaces and broken signage which highlight the civic neglect. “We were promised better infrastructure, but instead we are left with broken roads and uncertainty,” lamented a local shopkeeper. Daily life has been disrupted by traffic snarls, dust pollution and safety hazards. Concerns are mounting as the monsoon season approaches, with fears that damaged roads could worsen flooding issues. Civic activists have sharply criticised the lack of coordination between officials manag- ing the water supply project and road construction work, arguing that repeated digging and delays lead to wasteful expenditure. They demand more transparency, accountability and clear timelines for completion of such projects. “There should be co-ordination and proper planning as lot of people are affected due delay in completion of projects,” said Parminder Singh, a civic activist. “Every day feels like an obstacle as potholes, dust and traffic jams have become routine. The road is so uneven that even walking is risky, forget about driving safely. All we see is dug-up stretches and broken promises,” said Aryan, who commutes daily on this road. “My children’s school bus struggles to pass through this road. For now, residents continue to navigate hazardous roads, waiting for promises of better infrastructure to finally materialise,” said Arvind, another area resident. Ludhiana, April 3 A group of miscreants wielding sharp weapons attacked owner and workers of Gareeb Nawaj Hotel (dhaba) situated in zero number street of Shiv Puri falling under the Daresi police station on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Eatery owner Rahi Ansari and an employee Manjur Alam were injured in the attack. Earlier, same group of over 12 miscreants had attacked dhaba on Tuesday night, but the police failed to identify and arrest them. Refusal to serve meals beyond working hours of the eatery was cited to be reason behind the attack. Having failed to seek justice from the police, the victim dhaba owner sought intervention of Atyachar Roko Organisation led by former councillor Sat Pal Puri. Investigating officer Gurmeet Singh claimed that a probe had been initi- eatery on Tuesday ated to identify miscreants. However, he acknowledged that the delay was caused because the police were preoccupied in some other criminal case. Rahi Ansari alleged that miscreants had allegedly threatened him of dire consequences in case the matter was reported to the police, even though two persons including him were injured with sharp weapons on both nights. Ansari argued that yesterday’s attack could have been prevented, had the police taken action on the complaint in connection with Tuesday night’s incident. Accusing the police of showing unconcern about complaints regarding brutal attacks, former councillor Sat Pal Puri said a delegation of activists of his organisation would soon meet the Police Commissioner to seek justice for the victim dhaba owner. Stray dogs run amok, enter classes at SCD Government College 2 held with illegal firearms Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 3 SCD Government College students allege stray dogs run amok on campus and even enter their classes, posing a significant safety threat. According to students, they can’t hang out in the canteen or on college grounds because over 15 stray dogs roam on campus round-the-clock. “Just the other day, a ferocious dog bit a student. The students, especially girls, are always in panic. They avoid stepping out alone because of the stray dog menace,” said a Stray canine on the SCD Government College campus in Ludhiana. BA final year student, requesting not to be named. Students claim they raised the issue with the higher authorities multiple times, but nothing has been done so far. GS Sandhu, principal, admitting the issue exists, c m y b said there was panic a couple of days ago as a stray dog bit an employee on the campus. “We have requested the Deputy Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Commissioner and the dog sanctuary authorities for help. Residents of the area also contribute to the issue as they feed dogs by throwing eatables from outside. Small wooden gates were changed into iron ones as people used to barge in to feed dogs. Though every precaution is being taken, the menace still continues,” the principal said. A student, requesting anonymity, said he raised the issue with the principal and other authorities, only for it to fall on deaf ears. A girl student said a teacher was also bitten by a dog. “We go out in groups so that dogs do not attack us. These stray canine are ferocious and growl when we pass through,” said the student. Students said they also submitted a written complaint to the principal. A lecturer at the college said dogs “had always been there”. He said matter was reported to the MC authorities and they had taken a few dogs for sterilisation, only for releasing them back on the campus. Our Correspondent Sahnewal, April 3 The police claims to have arrested two miscreants in separate cases and recovered two country-made pistols from them. The accused are presently on police remand. Their criminal antecedents are being ascertained by the police. A case was registered against Raja Kumar, alias Said, alias Rajat, under Sections 109, 194 (2), 324 (4), 333, 351, 191 (2) and 190 of the BNS and later under Section 326(G) of the BNS, along with Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. Raja, a native of Bihar, is currently residing at Ramu da Vehrah, Kunti Nagar, Lohara Road. He had been on the run since case was registered against him. A country made.315 bore pistol was recovered from him. In second case, Mantosh Kumar, a resident of Rasulpur, Bihar, currently living in Ganpati Colony, Jaspal Bangar, Sahnewal, was arrested by the police. A case was registered against him under Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. The police recovered a .315-bore country-made pistol from him.