25062026-LT-01.qxd 6/24/2026 11:16 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune HEALTH DEPT GEARS UP FOR POLIO DRIVE FROM JUNE 28 AS MERCURY SOARS, EXPERTS STRESS ADEQUATE LIQUID INTAKE MY WORLD IS VERY RICH AND SATISFYING, SAYS SAIF The Health Dept is making arrangements for a pulse polio drive from June 28 to July 2 across the district. P2 Health experts have laid stress on the importance of staying hydrated to tackle the risks that come with the heat. P3 Saif Ali Khan on his father, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and the choices he made in life.P4 » PARTLY CLOUDY, RAIN MAX 39°C | MIN 26°C YESTERDAY MAX 38°C | MIN 25°C SUNSET THURSDAY 7.33 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 5:25 AM » » FORECAST THURSDAY | 25 JUNE 2026 | LUDHIANA Waris Punjab De leader murder attempt story concocted, say police; arrest aide Nikhil Bhardwaj CASE DETAILS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 In a major turn of events in the six-month-old attemptto-murder case in which Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leader Jaswant Singh Cheema had alleged that he was attacked by two bikeborne armed assailants, the investigation of Khanna police have exposed the criminal conspiracy hatched by him, along with his associate, by saying that the story of murderous attack had been concocted by him. Cheema who was once a complainant in the case, has now been made accused for concocting the firing story. His associate has been arrested while he is absconding. Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia while addressing a press conference in Khanna stated that on January 25, Cheema, a resident of Sekhewal village, had got registered an attempt-to-murder case by saying that two bike-borne youths had allegedly fired at him. Cheema had alleged that on January 24, he was going towards Gurthali Bridge on the main highway in his Innova, when the bike-borne youths fired at him with the intention of killing him. ■ Jaswant Singh Cheema had alleged that he was attacked by two bike-borne armed assailants ■ Was once a complainant in the case, has now been made accused ■ Had got the attempt-to-murder case registered on January 25 ■ Had named Guneet Bhatia and Chandan Bhanot, both of Jalandhar, as perpetrators of the crime. << Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia addresses a press conference in Khanna on Wednesday. Ahluwalia added that Cheema had named Guneet Bhatia, a resident of GTB Nagar, Jalandhar, and Chandan Bhanot, a resident of Guru Nanakpura, Jalandhar, as the perpetrators of this incident. During the investigation, it came to light that Cheema was in a financial dispute with the persons whose names he had named in connection with some of his properties. Upon examining the scene of the incident as told by Cheema, no empty shell was found from the spot of firing, nor did any other person at that place confirmed the incident. The CCTV camera footage from Doraha to Ludhiana was also checked and it was found that Cheema, upon reaching Doraha, first stopped on a deserted road near Ajnaud village, during which his mobile phone was found to be switched off. After some time, Cheema, along with his accomplice Laddi Rathod, a resident of Ludhiana, came to Doraha police station to report the ‘incident’. From the call locations obtained that day, the location of Laddi’s mobile phone was traced at his house in Ludhiana. This also raised suspicion about the matter. When Cheema was interrogated, it came to light that he had filed a similar FIR at the Salem Tabri police station, Ludhiana, earlier also. “Guneet and Chandan were also questioned, who admitted that Cheema and his associates had done a property deal with them in collusion, and had taken crores of rupees from them. Although the deal turned out to be false, Cheema named them in the above incident to usurp their money and now he was threatening them, regarding which Guneet had presented evidence,” the SSP asserted. After Cheema’s role came under scanner, Laddi was named as an accused and arrested in the case. During the interrogation, it came to light that Laddi and Cheema and their associates had cheated them of crores of rupees by making a false statement regarding the sale of property. When Guneet demanded the money back, Cheema himself, in collusion with his associates, fired at his vehicle from his licensed pistol, and got a false case registered. His licensed pistol, magazine and an empty shell have been seized. Sources said that earlier Cheema had been expelled by SAD (A) after a criminal case was registered against him. Later, he joined Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and was made Sahnewal halqa in-charge. After today’s development, there are indications that he might face similar action. Portal malfunction leaves students seeking admission to govt colleges in the lurch Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 The first, second and third round of counselling at government colleges concluded on June 21, but hundreds of selected students are unable to deposit their fee as the official portal continues to malfunction. As per university rules, students are required to pay their fee within three to four hours of seat allotment, yet three days have passed since the final counselling and the portal is still inaccessible. The last date for fee submission has been fixed as July 21, but the delay has left parents and students anxious. “It is about the students’ future. The authorities must act swiftly,” said a worried parent outside SCD Government College. A student echoed the frustration: “We are left in the lurch, standing at the crossroads. Should I take admission in a private college or not? I am confused.” The situation has drawn sharp criticism from alumni groups. Brij Bhushan Goyal, organising secretary of the alumni association at SCD Government College, remarked, “The state’s Higher Education Department must not keep students and parents on tenterhooks. Their portal is yet not open, and this is really very frustrating.” Assistant Director of Higher Education Rajesh Kumar admitted that technical glitches had stalled the process. “A meeting was held today. The issue will be resolved by evening and instructions will be sent to colleges,” he assured. Meanwhile, private colleges have stepped in to accept fee manually at their counters, offering a temporary alternative. “As a security measure, my friend deposited fee at a private college,” said another student, highlighting the growing uncertainty among aspirants. The delay has created a precarious situation. While government colleges await fixing of the problem, private institutions are quietly securing admissions. “The choice is agonizing, whether to wait for the portal to reopen or to safeguard our child’s future by opting for private colleges at higher cost,” said Tejinder Singh, another parent. Dismissed cop flees from custody 7 booked for murder Did not return rented SUV, changed numberplate Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 A dismissed Punjab Police constable Vikas Kumar of Ferozepur fled from police custody when he was being taken for medical examination to the Civil Hospital, Ludhiana. He, along with his two associates Vipan of Kapurthala and Parvinder of Ferozepur, had been arrested for illegal possession of an SUV. The police also recovered a .32-bore revolver with six cartridges and .32-bore pistol with six cartridges. The nabbed cop had been dismissed from service after a criminal case was registered against him. The three had been arrested while they were travelling in an SUV of a car rental company. Police sources said that Gurdev Singh had rented the SUV to the accused for Rs 6,000 per day, but it was not returned as promised. The accused had kept it under a well-planned conspiracy as they had replaced the original number plate with a fake one and even GPS trackers fitted in the SUV were also removed by the accused. To their bad luck, one GPS tracker remained active as the accused failed to notice it. The rental company then alerted the police, which after tracking the SUV movement, intercepted the accused and nabbed the trio. The police have launched an investigation to know the source of illegal arms recovered from the accused. SHO inspector Hamraj Singh said that accused had escaped from police custody and a case was being registered against the accused. in Ludhiana village Ludhiana, June 24 The Dehlon police have booked seven persons, including four unknown, for alleged murder of septuagenarian Sawinder Singh Binder of Tibba village, brother of former sarpanch of the village. The accused have been identified as Megh Singh, his son Golu, Gopi Pandit and four unknown accomplices. A land dispute among two parties has been cited as the reason behind the murder and Sawinder had gone to the site to intervene in the matter. The FIR registered on the statement Paramjit Kaur revealed that her husband Sawinder had gone with Kewal Singh and others to facilitate the resolution of a land dispute on the outskirts of Tibba village on Tuesday. While Sawinder was trying to pacify the warring groups, the accused assaulted him. They allegedly fired a shot at the victim that proved fatal. Investigating officer Pardeep Singh said the accused had been booked under various sections of the Arms Act. Raids are being made to nab all accused, claimed the IO. — OC Healthcare paralysed as officers continue strike Manav Mander KEY HEALTHCARE SERVICES DISRUPTED Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 Healthcare services in the district, especially the rural areas, have been paralysed as the strike by community health officers (CHOs) entered the third day today. There are 260 posts of CHOs, of which 238 posts are filled and 90 per cent of them are working in rural areas. CHOs are posted at the community health centres, primary health centres, sub-centres and Ayushman Arogya Kendras. Today was the third day of their strike, which left patients without essential services. As a result of the strike, routine checkups, vaccination drives and preventive care was suspended. This has left rural communities vulnerable as CHOs form the backbone of primary healthcare in villages. In Ludhiana, the striking CHOs staged a sit-in outside the Civil Surgeon’s office, demanding redress of their grievances. Union leaders have announced a state-level protest on July 2, signalling an escalation in the confronta- ■ OPD closures : Outpatient A protester speaks at the sit-in by community health officers on Wednesday. tion. The strike is expected to intensify if the authorities fail to respond to the demands of the health officers. Patients dependent on affordable care are now forced to travel long distances or pay higher costs for treatment. “We have nowhere else to go for basic treatment,” one villager said, highlighting the effects of the standoff. “I walked nearly 5 km to reach the Ayushman Arogya Kendra, only to find the gates locked. My blood pressure medicines are finished, and now I don’t know where to go. This strike has left us helpless,” said Balkar Singh from Phullanwal village. “My wife is in the last months of pregnancy, and the CHC was our only hope for regular checkups. With the centre closed, we are worried about her safety. The government must listen to c m y b Departments at all 238 centres have remained shut for two days. ■ NCD screenings halted :Tests for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and blood pressure have been completely stopped. ■ TB diagnosis work stopped: Operations under the TB “Nischay ID” programme are no longer functioning. ■ Telemedicine service disrupted: Patients not able to receive treatment through telemedicine services. ■ Wellness programmes suspended: Preventive and wellness initiatives have been discontinued. ■ High-risk pregnancy checkups affected: Screening and monitoring of high-risk pregnancies are not being carried out. these health workers before more families suffer,” said a worried Harjit Singh from a village near Jodhan. Striking CHOs argue that their demands have been ignored for months, leaving them with no choice, but to go on strike. The counselling session for government colleges is over, but students have been unable to deposit their fee as the portal continues to malfunction. FILE PHOTO Commuters risk life by taking shortcut Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 Commuters are putting their lives at risk near the elevated bridge on Buddha Nullah on the Salem Tabri side by crossing a cut which has come up after a median from the road was removed. There is a high possibility that commuters using this road from Salem Tabri to reach Jagraon bridge may get involved in some road mishap. Sources said that there was a median on the road, which was removed due to some road construction and a little opening was made for commuters to use. Area residents said that since the cut was almost at the start of the bridge on one side and at the end on the other side, fast traffic coming from Jagraon bridge to Salem Tabri and vice-versa come suddenly face-to-face with the commuters using the cut to take a shorter route. Salem Tabri resident Avinash Rai said that although this cut served as a short route for commuters, who otherwise have to drive a little more to take a U-turn, it might lead to some road mishap. “Since it is an elevated road, commuters who go up or come down from it usually drive at good speed and presence of any vehicle or pedestrian on this cut may hinder the movement of the incoming vehicles and accident may happen,” he said. Residents demanded that either the authorities should place barricades around this cut to alert commuters using the elevated brigde while driving, or else this cut should be closed. Commuters cross an opening in the median near the elevated bridge on Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana. INDERJEET VERMA Assailants open fire at property dealer’s house, damage vehicles Tribune News Service Ludhiana, June 24 Unidentified assailants opened fire at a house in Shimlapuri, Ludhiana, today. Four men arrived outside the house and fired about 10 rounds. They damaged a car with bricks and fired bullets at it, and later vandalised a Jeep also. Upon receiving information, cops from the Shimlapuri police station reached the spot and began an investigation. A case has been registered against four unidentified accused. In his complaint to the police, house owner Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Shimlapuri, stated that he was a property dealer . On the night of June 23, he was sleeping at home with his family when he heard gunshots outside. He woke up and immediately went to the roof of his house to check. Kumar claimed that he saw four unidentified men standing outside his house and firing shots. The accused fired approximately 10 to 12 rounds. They also threw bricks and fired shots at his Ford Figo car, and damaged it. A Jeep parked outside the house was also vandalised by the accused. The accused fled the spot after the incident. The police have seized footage from nearby CCTV cameras.