26052026-LT-01.qxd 5/25/2026 10:36 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune 3 WOMEN BASEBALL STARS GET MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH AWARD NOW, TREES ON PAU CAMPUS TO TELL THEIR TALES RANDEEP WAS ONLY CHOICE FOR WEB SERIES: DIRECTOR The state govt has conferred state’s highest sports honour upon 3 baseball players for their outstanding achievements.P2 The university has launched “QR Treescape Initiative”, turning its green expanses into an interactive library. P3 Neeraj Pathak speaks on casting, cop culture & balancing realism with massy appeal of Inspector Avinash. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 43°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 42°C | MIN 26°C SUNSET TUESDAY 7.21 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 5:25 AM TUESDAY | 26 MAY 2026 | LUDHIANA Civic bodies polls: 2.09L voters to decide ‘Disillusioned’ residents of Doraha prefer to keep fate of 452 candidates in six towns numbers and exercise their right to vote without any fear, pressure or inducement. The counting of votes will be conducted on May 29. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 25 A total of 2,09,561 voters will exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 452 candidates contesting the municipal council (MC) elections in Khanna, Samrala, Payal, Doraha, Raikot and Jagraon on Tuesday. Polling will be conducted from 8 am to 5 pm at 257 polling stations set up across 108 wards. Elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth, peaceful and transparent polling in all municipal councils. Adequate security personnel have also been deployed at polling stations and sensitive locations to maintain law and order during the electoral process. Among the total electorate, there are 1,09,244 male voters, 1,00,303 female voters and 14 voters belonging to the third gender category. Khanna Municipal Council, which has 32 wards, has the highest number of electors among all six civic bodies. A total of 99,391 voters, including 51,680 male voters, 47,709 female voters and two others, are eligible to cast their votes in Khanna. In Samrala Municipal Council, voting will be held in 12 wards where 17,167 voters, including 8,792 male voters, 8,372 female voters and three Stage set for election of 61 councillors in Malerkotla A flag march being taken out by Payal DSP, along with other officers and police personnel, at Doraha. others, will participate in the elections. Payal Municipal Council has 6,371 electors, including 3,376 male voters, 2,993 female voters and two others, spread across 11 wards. In Doraha, a total of 18,160 voters, including 9,526 male voters and 8,634 female voters, will cast votes in 15 wards. Raikot has 20,596 eligible voters, including 10,712 male voters and 9,884 female voters, for elections in 15 wards. Jagraon Municipal Council has 47,876 voters, including 25,158 male voters, 22,711 female voters and seven others, across 23 wards. Officials informed that there were 112 wards in these municipal councils. However, four wards have already been decided unopposed, including three wards in Samrala and one in Khanna, reducing the number of wards going to polls to 108. The administration has appealed to voters to participate enthusiastically in the democratic process and cast their votes fearlessly while following all polling guidelines. Voters have also been advised to carry valid identity proof to polling booths for hassle-free voting. Voters who do not possess a voter photo identity card, but whose names are included in the ward-wise voter list can cast their votes by showing any of the alternative documents. These include Aadhaar Card, Indian passport, driving licence, PAN card with photograph, MGNREGA job card, ration card/blue card among others. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain stated that conducting free, fair and transparent elections was the top priority of the administration and adequate arrangements had been ensured as per the directions of the state election commission for smooth and hassle-free conduct of the entire electoral process. He appealed to voters to come forward in large Malerkotla: The administration here has claimed to have completed all arrangements for free and fair election of 61 councillors at three subdivisions of Malerkotla district on Tuesday. About 800 police personnel have been deployed for maintaining security and 141 booths have been established at 52 polling stations of Ahmedgarh, Amargarh and Malerkotla. The administration has made adequate security arrangements at 36 sensitive locations and 111 sensitive polling booths. 31 of these have been identified as hypersensitive. 1,27,778 eligible voters, including 61,175 women, have been enrolled for election in Amargarh (5,943), Ahmedgarh (23,971) and Malerkotla (97,864). DC Viraj S Tidke said that adequate arrangements had been made according to guidelines of the election commission, Punjab, for polling at Ahmedgarh (17 wards), Amargarh (11 ) and Malerkotla (33) scheduled to take place on Tuesday. — OC Varanasi man robbery Khanna SSP takes stock of case cracked, two held security arrangements Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 25 In a swift operation, the Daresi police station has arrested two members of a gang allegedly involved in robbing a Varanasi man here. The accused have been identified as Gagan Dhir, a resident of Government Ram Nagar, 33-Foot Road, Jamalpur, and Rohit Singh of Islam Ganj, Ludhiana. Additional DCP Sameer Verma while addressing a press conference stated that the incident occurred on May 23 when Dilip Kumar Moria, a resident of Rajahi Camp, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), reached Ludhiana railway station around 4:45 am to meet his sister. He hired an auto-rickshaw for Shimlapuri. Some other passengers and an accomplice of the auto driver were already present in the vehicle. The accused allegedly closed the curtains of the auto, prevented passengers from getting down, and after some distance, assaulted Moria with a sickle (datar) and robbed him. They snatched his mobile phone, forcibly obtained the password and transferred Rs 58,300 from his account to an ICICI Bank account through four transactions. The victim was later dropped in Jodhewal area. Acting on the complaint, an FIR was registered at Daresi police station. Both accused were arrested on May 24. From their possession, the police recovered one auto-rickshaw, a mobile phone and an iron sickle used in the crime. Two more accused, Ram Krishan of Bhola Colony, Tajpur Road, and Mukesh Sharma of Tajpur village, have also been named in the FIR. Raids are underway to nab them. Our Correspondent Payal/Doraha, May 25 Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia, along with returning officer Preet Inder Singh Bains, today took stock of the poll and security arrangements at Payal regarding the civic body elections scheduled to be held tomorrow. Elections are being held here for 11 wards. While taking a round of election-bound areas at Payal, the officials assured the residents that the elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner. Bains shared that, “Preparations have been made and we are fully prepared as far as the conduct of the elections is concerned. The staff is supposed to reach at 7 am as the voting will start at 8 am tomorrow. The candidates as well as their supporters have Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia gives directions to police officials regarding the civic body elections scheduled for Tuesday. been asked to keep their calm. We plead to voters to vote as per their understanding and in a free and fair manner, not under any duress.” The SSP said that there were a total 51 polling stations and 184 polling booths pan district. “Out of these, 4 are hypersensitive while 50 are sensitive. Although all wards need a close security check, but extra police force Khanna police arrest Punjabi singer with 5 kg heroin, ~1.50 lakh drug money Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 25 The Khanna police have arrested a Punjabi singer, Harbir Singh Sohal, and seized 5.1 kg heroin, Rs 1.50 lakh drug money, an SUV from his possession. Thirty cartridges, 10 gram ‘Ice’, 569 gm heroin had been earlier seized from his associates during a special operation. Sohal is said to be a close associate of slain gangster Jaipal Bhullar. In 2022, he was arrested by Mohali police with illegal weapons and for allegedly running an extortion racket at the behest of some foreign handlers. Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia while addressing a press conference stated that police achieved this success when it was going through an old drug case registered by Doraha police on March 7, which said during checking, a car was signalled to stop and occupant Akshay Kumar of Shimlapuri, Ludhiana, was arrested with 301 gm heroin. During further interrogation of the accused, 268 gm more heroin, 10 gm of ‘Ice’, Rs 10,750 drug money and 30 cartridges were seized. The SSP stated that during questioning, it was revealed that the narcotics had been pro- cured from Vishal and Sanjeev Kumar, both residents of Shimlapuri, Ludhiana, and all three were jointly supplying drugs. Based on this disclosure, both Vishal and Sanjeev were named in the case and Vishal was subsequently arrested. Further investigation revealed that Sanjeev was handling the supply of narcotics and collecting money through Akshay. Separate teams were constituted to arrest Sanjeev, who was arrested on May 20. Sanjeev was also wanted by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force in an old drug smuggling case and is already facing four criminal cases. The SSP revealed that during questioning of Sanjeev, it came to light that he had met Jatinder Singh in Ropar jail. After coming out, both started drug trafficking activities. Jatinder, presently residing abroad, along with his associates Gurjant Singh and Harbir, was involved in large-scale narcotics supply operations, she said and added that Jatinder, Gurjant and Harbir’s names were added in the case. “Harbir, a native of Bhindi Saidan, Amritsar, currently a resident of Kharar, was arrested along with the contraband and drug money, “ added the SSP . c m y b has been deployed in booths which have been identified as hypersensitive and sensitive. Twenty-five patrolling parties comprising of 751 personnel will function under 11 DSPs,” she further said. Meanwhile, a flag march was taken out by the police at Payal as well as Doraha to provide physical and moral support to the voters. Sessions Judge inspects jail Legal Correspondent Ludhiana, May 25 Every jail inmate is entitled to free legal aid. Those unable to engage private advocates may approach legal aid clinic already set up on jail premises for getting free legal assistance. This was stated by Harpreet Kaur Randhawa, District and Sessions Judgecum-Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority Ludhiana, during a surprise inspection of the Central Jail, Borstal Jail and Women Jail in Ludhiana on Sunday. She interacted with undertrials and convicted inmates and heard grievances relating to legal assistance and other related issues. away from election ‘shor’ Lovleen Bains Doraha, May 25 Elections are no more meant to elect representatives who are of the people, for the people and by the people. It is now a game of muscle and power, where the common man is a mere puppet acting as per the whims and fancies of the influential ones. This is the opinion held by a number of residents of Doraha, especially those who are completely disillusioned by the way the candidates change colours as soon as they assume power. So, they have decided to keep themselves aloof from all poll ‘shor’. There was a time when this very discontented lot had shown keen interest in electing their representatives, but not anymore. The category mainly comprises the elderly for whom what the candidates say holds no importance. President of the Government Pensioners Association of Doraha Pawan Kumar Kaushal expressed, “Why should we vote after all? The reason for my disgust is that it has been years together that we have been demanding basic amenities, but no one has ever tried to lend an ear. Regular meetings of MCPI(U), All-India Kisan Federation, Powercom Employees Union, United Front of Trade unions, Government Pensioners Association, etc. are held in the state office situated in ward no.14. For years, members of these bodies are welcomed by stagnant sewage collected in front of its gate.” “Also, the 40-year-old problem of scant medical facilities for Doraha town is far from being resolved. Residents had pinned hopes on the newly built Civil Hospital, Permanent sewer accumulation in some wards in Doraha has made the lives of commuters a virtual hell. but the building is awaiting inauguration even after more than three years of its completion. Despite the approval to 51 posts for the 30-bed community health centre, residents still await regular and earnest medical care. With such a sorry state of affairs, the MLA is promising a medical college in the town in his poll propaganda,” added a senior citizen. “The drainage system has almost collapsed, unhygienic conditions are allowed to prevail, and raising of low-lying areas and timely removal of accumulated water and blockages has seldom taken place. Years have passed, but no people’s representative could find any solution to the sewer water accumulation on Doraha roads for years together. The Minor attacked in broad daylight in city dies after 3 days Tribune News Service Ludhiana, May 25 A 16-year-old boy, who was brutally attacked by assailants on May 21, succumbed to the injuries at a hospital on May 24. The Sadar police station have registered a murder case against the assailants. Panic had gripped Phullanwal area of Ludhiana after the Sahil, a Class X student, was brutally murdered in broad daylight by a gang of youths, who surrounded and mercilessly hacked him with swords and sickles in the middle of the road. The gruesome had left his family devastated. According to the complaint filed by his father, Sanjit Singh, a resident of Karnail Singh Nagar, Sahil had gone to buy vegetables on a motorcycle with his cousin Pankaj. As they reached near the Sewa Kendra close to Phullanwal Stadium, a group of assailants, who were apparently lying in wait, tried to stop them. Sensing danger, Sahil got off the motorcycle and tried to flee, but the attackers quickly surrounded him from all sides. Eyewitnesses said the assailants armed with sharp-edged weapons attacked him. Sahil collapsed on the road in a pool of blood. The attackers fled from the spot immediately. The seriously injured teenager was rushed to a hospital on Ferozepur Road. Sadar police have named three youths from Dev Colony and one from Haibowal in the FIR. Besides them, 10 to 12 unidentified youths have also been booked in the murder case. The police stated that a thorough investigation was being conducted. Sahil’s family members have no knowledge of any enmity or reason behind the attack. Police said the actual motive would become clear only after a detailed probe. leaders have always befooled us. The arrival of grants is nothing, but a mere false assurance. We have been left to our own fate,” rued Dr Tamanna, still another resident. “If these leaders have failed to listen to us for years together, why should we be bound by their call to attend their rallies and listen to their bunch of lies. Do the candidates think that we are fools? Will the problem of sewer water entering our houses stop by our voting? They are the chips of the same block. So, it is better to sit back and relax,rather than lining up early in the morning before an election booth for those who are going to misuse government funds,” expressed philanthropist Jandeep, a resident of Doraha. Two arrested in snatching case; 8 phones, four vehicles recovered Ludhiana, May 25 The Salem Tabri police have cracked a snatching case within 24 hours by arresting two accused and recovering a large number of items. The arrested persons have been identified as Inderjit Singh of Kehar Singh Nagar, Haibowal, and Khush Mohammad of Balloke, near Bijli Ghar, Haibowal, Ludhiana. According to the police, around 6 am on May 23, Lekh Raj, a retired inspector from Punjab Roadways and a resident of Amaltas Enclave, Bhattian, Ludhiana, was out for a morning walk and going towards Kasabad village when two youths on a scooter approached him. They snatched his mobile phone and forcibly obtained the password to withdraw Rs 4,500 from his account. Both accused were arrested on May 24 from the backside of Metro Store, Bhattian. The police recovered the victim’s phone along with seven other mobile phones, one iron sickle and the scooter used in the crime. After the questioning of the accused, three more motorcycles were recovered, taking the total number of stolen vehicles recovered to four. — TNS