19052026-LT-01.qxd 5/18/2026 10:16 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune COPS FACE ACTION FOR GIVING DEAD MAN’S STATEMENT RAIN FEAR LOOMS OVER GOVT PRIMARY SCHOOL AT DABBA SOPHIE CHOUDRY KEEPS IT REAL The then Dehlon SHO and a head constable have been booked for ‘submitting’ the statement of a dead man in court.P2 With the monsoon approaching, the “deteriorating” condition of Govt Primary School, Dabba, has come into focus. P3 With Famously Fit with Sophieon MX Player, the singer-host blends workouts & candid conversations. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 43°C | MIN 27°C YESTERDAY MAX 43°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.17 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:28 AM TUESDAY | 19 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Six Ludhiana-based schools, Halwara airport receive bomb threat emails Nikhil Bhardwaj Ludhiana, May 18 Six Ludhiana-based schools and Halwara airport have received bomb threat emails. The schools include Bal Bharti School in Dugri, Sacred Heart School, The Asian School and the Bharatiya Vidya Mandir branches in Kitchlu Nagar, Udham Singh Nagar and Sector 39. Upon receiving the threats, the school administrations immediately informed the police. Police teams evacuated the students and cleared the premises. Bomb squad conducted thorough checking of schools for hours. However, nothing objectionable was found and threats were found to be false. Sarabha Nagar SHO Vijay Kumar said anti-sabotage teams conducted a thorough investigation. Nothing suspicious was found. With the help of the cyber team, the police was also trying to trace the origin of the email. In the threatening email sent by the Khalistan National Army, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and External Affairs Minister Jaishankar were called enemies of Sikhs and farmers. Regarding Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, it was said that he became the Chief Minister with the votes of Khalistani people. The CM Will never get associated with AAP: Ayali Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 Manpreet Singh Ayali, a senior Akali Dal leader who had parted ways with SAD due to differences with its president Sukhbir Badal, has clarified today that he will only align with a Panthic party and never associate with the AAP , “because it is not a Panthic party, and all of its operations are being run from Delhi”. An AI-generated image is doing rounds, in which Ayali, Bibi Jagir Kaur and Prem Singh Chandumajra have been shown with CM Bhagwant Mann, which has led people to start speculating that perhaps the three have joined AAP Denying this, . Ayali said that this was an AIgenerated image and that he had nothing to do with it, and he would never join the AAP because its ideology was different from the Panthic agenda. However, he had also formed an alliance with Waris Punjab De and a committee was constituted comprising equal number of members from both Waris Punjab De and Ayali’s party. But nothing much has taken place after that. He pointed out that many of the rebel SAD leaders did not like the working of Bibi Jagir Kaur and Chandumajra due to which even SAD (Punar Surjit) was also divided. “Ultimately, we all have to be united and reach a consensus, and all are waiting for that,” said Ayali, adding that their roots were still with SAD, but they were against Sukhbir Badal. “If he leaves the presidentship for the sake of the party, all will show a united face,” he added. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Tribune News Service Parents reach a city school to take their wards after some institutes received bomb threat emails on Monday, triggering panic in Ludhiana; and (right). SP(H) Gursharan Singh Sandhu discusses details of operation with other cops at a school in Malerkotla on Monday. has been threatened that he would meet the same fate as former Chief Minister Beant Singh. Apart from this, former DGP Sumedh Singh Saini has also been threatened. An email sent to the official IDs of these schools stated that Khalistanis were not against children. Former cop Mustafa has also been referred to as a terrorist in the email. Furthermore, a threat was also given to blow up the Halwara airport parking lot. It also called for targeting trains and railway tracks running on the Dhuri-Delhi route. On March 10, 10 schools in Ludhiana had received a similar email. On February 10, 16 schools of Mohali had received a bomb threat. On April 23, four Ludhiana schools had also received similar threatening emails. Hoax bomb threats to five Malerkotla schools Malerkotla: The Malerkotla administration received bomb threats on emails at several private schools of the district on Monday. DAV Senior Secondary School, Sita Grammar Public Senior Secondary School, Ludhiana-Malerkotla Road, The Town School, Ballewal, Tara Convent School and BGS Senior Secondary School, Binjoki, Amargarh, were among which received the threats at different times before noon and immediately reported the matter to the police. Though the police have not revealed details of the source of these email messages, some insiders revealed that the bomb threats were received on official email IDs of certain functionaries of the school administrations. Teaching at most of the schools was stopped immediately and the premises were got smoothly vacated, followed by intensive searching of these schools and surrounding areas for any unwanted object. SP (H) Gursharan Singh Sandhu said that an alert was sounded immediately after the mails. “Having received information about the threat, our teams reached the schools concerned and got these vacated in a systematic manner,” said Sandhu, claiming that no objectionable object was received during the searches. Census survey duty: Field staff face trust , safety & tech issues Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 The field staff conducting the ongoing Census-related survey are facing multiple challenges while going from doorto-door to collect information. The questionnaire, which seeks detailed information on caste, religion, drug addiction and crime-related issues, has triggered hesitation among many residents, making the exercise increasingly difficult for surveyors. With cyber frauds, thefts and snatching incidents on the rise, many respondents are hesitant to share personal information with survey teams. Apart from trust issues, staff members, particularly female teachers deployed for the exercise, are also struggling with technological and safety concerns. Several teachers engaged in the survey alleged that despite drawing salaries of just Rs 20,000, they are required to arrange smartphones with updated software versions, costing over Rs 25,000, to compile and upload data for the state government. Female staff members cited safety concerns while travelling to remote villages in the scorching summer heat after school hours. An associate professor deployed for the survey said the government’s instructions follow a “bring your own device” policy. “For data collection and other operations, a mobile phone with Android version 12 or above is required, but I have an older model. We have been given Rs 9,000 for the survey and the remaining Rs 15,000 will be released only after completion. My salary is Rs 20,000, how can I afford a phone costing over Rs 25,000?” she asked. Another female teacher said she lived in Ludhiana and taught in Sidhwan Bet area, but her assigned survey station was Kothe Ath Chak, a deserted locality where snatching incidents are common. “Now, I have to ask my husband or other relatives to accompany me for safety concerns,” she said. The survey staff also pointed to the highly personal nature of several questions, which often makes respondents uncomfortable and unwilling to answer. “For instance, we are required to ask about caste and sub-caste details, whether people face discrimination while fetching water or visiting places of worship, and questions related to drug addiction, including where drugs are allegedly sold in the locality. Many families find these questions too intrusive and refuse to respond,” rued another survey worker, adding that the survey by the state government was not going to bear any fruit. Family detains teacher Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 A woman teacher deputed for census duty was allegedly detained by residents at a house in the Model Town area on Sunday after they suspected her identity during an official survey visit. The matter was later resolved after intervention of senior officials, following which the teacher was released. According to information, the teacher had gone to a house near Gurdwara Baba Deep Singh in Model Town for census-related work. During the visit, family members reportedly asked her to show her identity card. Though the teacher presented her official ID, suspicion arose after the mobile number mentioned on the card was found switched off when the family attempted to verify it. The residents allegedly stopped the teacher from leaving the premises and informed the police. Following the incident, officials from the administration and police reached the spot. Assistant Commissioner Jasdev Singh Sekhon verified the teacher’s credentials, after which she was allowed to leave. Her husband also reached the spot and objected to the alleged detention. A complaint was given to Model Town police station against the family. 6 held for buying, selling newborns Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 The Khanna police have busted a gang involved in buying and selling of newborn babies and arrested six accused, including five women. A newborn baby was also found. Poor and needy families were mainly being targeted by the gang. Superintendent of Police (Detective) Pawanjit while addressing a press conference stated that on May 15, a female informant residing in Khanna approached the police and informed them that a gang had been active in the area, which lured parents of newborn babies from poor or needy families with handsome money in lieu of their babies. After buying babies from them, they used to sell them to customers at a much higher price. The gang members have been identified as Kuldeep Kaur of Vijay Colony, Khamano, Fatehgarh Sahib, Harmeet Kaur of Sahnewal and Monica of Khanna village. The children sold by this gang were suspected to be used in illegal activities and were being exploited, added the SP. As per secret information, even on Monday, the above-mentioned women of this gang were present at the gate of the grain market in Khanna with the intention of selling the said child of a woman, a resident of Ajnali village, Fatehgarh Sahib district. It was suspected that the accused had bought the child from that woman in lieu of some money and the child was to be delivered to their customer. The SP revealed that a police party immediately conducted a raid and three women were arrested along with the child. After thorough interrogation of the accused, it came to light that Daljit Singh and Manpreet Kaur, both of Pratap Nagar, Ludhiana, and Asha worker Jasvir Kaur of Ajnali village, Fatehgarh Sahib, were part of the gang and they were also arrested. The new newborn baby was safely handed over to his mother. The interrogation of the accused was going on. The police will probe to find how many new-born babies had been bought and sold by this gang in the past, the SP claimed. The accused involved in sale and purchase of newborn babies in Khanna police custody on Monday. New 66 kV power grids to strengthen Digital Census: City first in supply in Salem Tabri, Jaspal Bangar state in self-enumeration Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 The Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has finalised land acquisition for two new 66 kV power grids at Salem Tabri and Jaspal Bangar, setting the stage for a major upgrade in Ludhiana’s electricity infrastructure. Construction has already begun at Jaspal Bangar (Lohara Road), while work at Salem Tabri is expected to commence shortly. Officials said the projects would directly benefit more than 50 residential colonies and adjoining villages, many of which have long struggled with transformer overload, low voltage and frequent tripping. For years, households and industrial units in these areas have faced erratic supply, often leading to disruptions in daily life and production AREAS TO BENEFIT FROM THE FACILITIES ■ With the establishment of the Salem Tabri Grid, electricity supply will improve in Nanak Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Peeru Banda, Karbara Chowk, Bahadurke Road, Noorwala Road, Subhash Nagar, Bindra Colony, Vijay Nagar, Jaswant Nagar, and Delhi Chowk, along with nearby areas. schedules. The new grids are expected to ease the burden on existing transformers, stabilise voltage and reduce the frequency of faults. Residents anticipate that uninterrupted power will improve not only domestic comfort, but also the efficiency of small-scale industries that form the backbone of Ludhiana’s economy. According to PSPCL officials, the initiative is part of a broader plan to modernise Ludhi- ■ Similarly, the Jaspal Bangar Grid will benefit Shimlapuri, Jaspal Bangar, Daba, Lohara, Gareeb Nagri, Eastman Chowk, Brahman Majra, Satsang Ghar Mohalla, Giaspura, Ambedkar Nagar, Gagan Nagar, Ganpati Enclave and Ajit Singh Colony, as well as several villages and urban colonies. ana’s power distribution system. The new grids are being designed with future demand in mind, ensuring that the city’s growing residential and industrial clusters have reliable access to electricity. “We are strengthening supply to meet tomorrow’s needs, not just today’s,” an official remarked. Residents are hopeful about the project’s impact. “For years, Shimlapuri has struggled with frequent power cuts. c m y b DIRECT ADVANTAGES ■ 50-plus colonies will see improved voltage and reduced outages. ■ Nearby villages will gain stable supply, supporting agriculture and rural enterprises. ■ Industrial units will benefit from fewer interruptions, boosting productivity. ■ Will ease burden on existing transformers, stabilise voltage. If this grid truly improves supply, it will make daily life much easier for families like ours,” said Ramesh Kumar, a longtime resident of Shimlapuri. “Reliable electricity is the backbone of manufacturing. On Karabara Road, our machines often halt due to outages. A stronger grid will help us maintain production schedules and reduce losses,” noted Harpreet Singh, owner of a small-scale industrial unit. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 18 Excelling under the Digital Census-2027, Ludhiana bagged first position in the state in self-enumeration with 17,640 entries (within city limits) submitted by residents. Municipal corporation (MC) Commissioner-cum-principal Census officer Neeru Katyal Gupta, Joint Commissioner-cum-city Census officer Vineet Kumar and Deputy Director (Census) Punjab Ruchi Gupta congratulated the residents over the achievement. Neeru and Ruchi held a review meeting with the Census charge officers at the MC Zone D office in Sarabha Nagar on Monday. Necessary directions were issued to expedite and streamline the ongoing field survey under the first phase of Digital Census2027 (Houselisting and Housing Census). Zonal Commissioner Neeraj Jain, Zonal Commissioners Gurpal Singh and Jasdev Sekhon, SE Sham Lal Gupta, Superintendent Vivek Verma, statistical investigator (census) Alok Kumar among others were present in the meeting. The field survey (door-todoor survey) started on May 15 and it would continue till June 13. The residents have been urged to cooperate with the enumerators and provide accurate information to them as this data will help the government frame policies and welfare schemes for the residents. The enumerators would be asking 33 questions listed by the state government during the field survey. If the residents have submitted their housing details through selfenumeration, they only need to share the SE-ID with the enumerator when they visit their property during the field survey. No documents or OTP will be demanded by the enumerators. The MC Commissioner stated that the civic body would also send a recommendation to the senior authorities to extend the dates for self-enumeration for a few days, so that more residents could submit their housing details online by sitting at their respective homes. Meanwhile, Neeru and Ruchi again appealed to the residents to cooperate with the enumerators, submit accurate details and engage in nation building.