22102026-LT-01.qxd 10/22/2026 12:42 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune ARADHYA BACK WITH A BANG, SENDS HOME 5 DELHI BATSMEN TWO SHOPS CHALLANED, 7 FOOD SAMPLES COLLECTED DEEPIKA, RANVEER NAME SECOND DAUGHTER DEVI Aradhya Shukla makes strong comeback, clinching a match-winning five-wicket haul for Punjab against Delhi. P2 Two challans issued as Food Safety Wing of the Health Department steps up crackdown ahead of Diwali. P3 Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh have named their second daughter as Devi Padukone Singh. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 31°C | MIN 16°C YESTERDAY MAX 31°C | MIN 16°C SUNSET THURSDAY 5:45 PM SUNRISE FRIDAY 6:29 AM THURSDAY | 22 OCTOBER 2026 | LUDHIANA Driver shot dead over parking dispute; 1 held, weapon seized Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 21 A man was shot dead in EWS Colony on Tajpur Road here following a heated argument over parking that escalated into a clash between two groups on Tuesday night. The deceased has been identified as Darbara, alias Harry, a driver by profession. According to the police and his family members, members of one group allegedly damaged windowpanes of a vehicle belonging to their opponents. When Harry reached the scene to object to the damage, the confrontation turned violent and shots were fired. He sustained a bullet injury in the chest and was rushed to the CMCH, where doctors declared him brought dead. KEY DISCLOSURES EXPECTED DURING QUESTIONING: COP DCP (Rural) Gursewak Singh said the police achieved a major breakthrough in the murder case as the main suspect, Jonty, was arrested and the illegal .32 bore pistol used in the crime was seized from him. The probe revealed that he was a hardened criminal with four previous criminal cases filed against him. The police team was intensively interrogating the suspect. Darbara, the deceased. Several important disclosures were expected during the questioning. Harry’s wife, Rajwinder, said her husband was suffering from fever and was resting at home when a friend informed him about the damaged vehicle. Later, four-five youths came and took him along. Around 3 am, she received a call informing her that Harry had been shot. She claimed that those standing in the front remained unhurt while her husband, who was standing behind six-seven persons, was hit by a bullet. Rajwinder said her hus- band had a similar altercation with the same group on Saturday, during which he was allegedly beaten. She demanded justice, saying her life had been ruined. The Police Division 7 registered a case and are investigating the incident and the role of those involved in it. DCP (Rural) Gursewak Singh said the police achieved a major breakthrough in the murder case as the main suspect, Jonty, was arrested and the illegal .32 bore pistol used in the crime was also seized from his possession. The probe also revealed that the suspect was a hardened criminal with four previous criminal cases registered against him. The DCP said the police team was intensively interrogating the suspect. Several important disclosures were expected during the questioning. Persons from both groups involved in the parking dispute and the clash would be identified and they would face cases. 22-yr-old dies as speeding SUV rams into car Motorists commute on a dug-up Tajpur road stretch in Ludhiana. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN Dug-up Tajpur Road leaves commuters inconvenienced Sukhpreet Singh Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 21 Commuters and residents along Tajpur Road continue to face inconvenience as a long stretch of the road remains dug up and awaits restoration, even as the Municipal Corporation (MC) has floated a tender worth around Rs 7 crore for re-carpeting of the road. The affected stretch runs from Central Jail towards Tajpur Road Chowk and further up to Vardhman Chowk. Residents said the road had been dug up at several points for underground civic works but the surface had not been restored, leaving commuters to negotiate dusty and uneven stretches. Residents said the sewerage pipeline work in the area had been carried out, but the road restoration was yet to be completed. With heavy traffic passing through the stretch throughout the day, the poor condition of the road has continued on page 2 Ludhiana, October 21 A 22-year-old factory worker died and two others suffered injuries when a speeding Mahindra Scorpio hit their Hyundai i10 car from the rear on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh road near the Jamalpur police station on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased was identified as Raja Kumar, a resident of New Ram Nagar, Mundian. The injured were identified as Anil Kumar Tiwari (32), a resident of Vardhman Park, and Pankaj, a resident of Tibba Colony, Mundian Khurd. Sources said three friends were on the way to Dasehra fair at Vardhman chowk in a car owned by Pankaj. After reaching near the Jamalpur police station, when they stopped the car, a speeding Scorpio rammed into their car from the rear. The SUV after hitting their car further hit an electricity pole and a Mercedes car. Locals rushed the victims to the hospital. Raja was declared dead while Pankaj and Anil were undergoing treatment. The Focal Point police said a probe was on to identify the driver of the SUV. — TNS Work hit as employees begin 2-day strike Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 21 Work at government offices across the state was disrupted on Wednesday as employees began a two-day strike, causing inconvenience to the public. The strike call for October 21 and 22 was given by the Joint Action Committee representing government employees, teachers and pensioners. The employees have been demanding the release of pending dearness allowance (DA), higher salaries, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and acceptance of other longpending demands. In Ludhiana, employees staged a dharna outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and raised slogans against the state government. Union leader Sunil Kumar said their demands had remained unresolved and alleged that the government was not even giving them a “patient hearing”. Union leaders Sanjiv Bhargav and Amit Arora said work at government offices was severely affected by the strike. Property registrations could not be carried out while routine work at the DC’s office, Municipal Corporation Roadways employees hold a protest in Ludhiana on Wednesday. PHOTO: ASHWANI DHIMAN and other government offices was disrupted, causing inconvenience to visitors. Employees of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) also extended support to the strike. The employees have organised protests and strikes over their demands in the past as well but the government has not conceded to them. Teachers join protest Meanwhile, following a call by the Joint Coordination Committee representing various employee, pensioner and teacher organisations, employees from the Khanna, Ludhiana, October 21 A family dispute that allegedly began just days after marriage has ended in the death of a man. Hardeep Singh, who visited his in-laws’ house at Ghawaddi village only three days after his wedding to meet his wife, was allegedly subjected to humiliation and abusive language. Mentally distressed by the incident, he consumed a poisonous substance and died during treatment later. On the complaint of the victim’s father, Pirthipal Singh, Dehlon police on Tuesday registered a case against four persons for allegedly abetting his suicide. The suspects named in the FIR are the deceased’s wife Prabhjot Kaur, mediator Baljinder Kaur, alias Rano, father-inlaw Jagrup Singh and brother-in-law Laddi. According to the complaint, assured comprehensive support from the state government and the Punjab Police to families of the martyrs. Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 21 The Police Commemoration Day was observed on Wednesday at the Police Lines, here, paying tributes to brave police and paramilitary personnel who sacrificed their lives for the nation’s unity and integrity. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Arvind Meena led the ceremony, paying tributes to fallen heroes of the Punjab Police and paramilitary forces. Accompanied by former Director General of Police (DGP) DR Bhatti, retired DIG Gurpreet Singh Toor and other dignitaries, DCP Meena praised the Punjab Police as an exemplary force, steadfast in serving the nation during both peaceful and turbulent times. He highlighted their courage in combating militancy and maintaining internal security, noting that 117 Ludhiana Khanna police release booklet on martyrs A cop pays tributes to martyrs at the Police Lines in Ludhiana on Wednesday. ASHWANI DHIMAN police personnel made the ultimate sacrifice during dark days of terrorism in the state. DCP Meena emphasised that the freedom and security enjoyed today are a result of these martyrs’ bravery. He reaffirmed the Punjab Police’s unwavering commitment to serve the border state with dedication and valour. Roop Deep Kaur, Assistant Commissioner Police, PBI/Special Crime, Ludhiana, read over the names of police martyrs who laid down their lives for the sake of the nation. Thereafter, the bereaved families were honoured and then proceeded to martyrs’ memorial to lay wreath. After- wards, all officers had interaction with the bereaved families and heard their grievances. The families were assured necessary help to overcome problems being faced by them. The Ludhiana rural police also observed the day at the Police Lines where SSP Lud, hiana rural police, Ankur Gupta, led the ceremony. He c m y b also accused the government of reneging on its election promise of restoring the old pension scheme. The protesters demanded regularisation of contractual and outsourced employees by absorbing them into their respective departments and extending to them equal benefits relating to pay commissions and financial security. They also sought restoration of 37 allowances, including the rural allowance, which they said had earlier been withdrawn. Besides, they demanded that vacant permanent posts in government institutions across the state be filled without delay. Man dies by suicide Jathedar meets riot Hardeep Singh’s marriage with Prabhjot Kaur was solemnised on September 20. On September 23, he went to his in-laws’ house in Ghawaddi to meet his wife. The mediator, Baljinder Kaur, and members of the wife’s family were present there. The complainant alleged that Hardeep was subjected to ill-treatment and insulting remarks directed at his dignity. His wife, the mediator and members of the in-laws’ family have been accused of involvement in the incident. Pirthipal Singh told the police that after the incident at the in-laws’ house, Hardeep remained disturbed. On October 6, he swallowed a poisonous medicine. His condition turned critical and he was admitted to a hospital in Mandi Ahmedgarh. Despite treatment he succumbed after 13 days. — TNS Tributes paid to bravehearts on Police Commemoration Day Nikhil Bhardwaj Samrala, Machhiwara and Doraha blocks went on a collective leave and held a protest rally at Prem Bhandari Park in Khanna. A large number of pensioners from the region also participated. The protesters later took out a march and raised slogans against the state government, accusing it of pursuing anti-employee policies and adopting an apathetic attitude towards public-sector institutions. Addressing the gathering, speakers criticised the government’s economic policies and alleged that the administration was citing legal technicalities to delay the release of 18 per cent DA dues. They SP (D), Khanna, Rakesh Yadav, on Wednesday paid floral tributes to the martyrs of the police and paramilitary forces at the Police Lines, Khanna. A book commemorating sacrifices of the martyrs was also released on the occasion. Yadav urged people to firmly combat anti-national forces. He said the great sacrifices of the martyrs had enabled the country to live in peace and communal harmony. “We can never forget the sacrifices of our martyrs,” he added. He recalled that 33 police personnel of the erstwhile Khanna police district had laid down their lives while combating terrorism during its dark days. He appreciated the sacrifices made by the force in fighting terrorism in the state and in helping maintain peace and communal harmony in other states by tackling internal disturbances. A police contingent led by DSP Khanna Vinod Kumar presented a salute to the martyrs. Later, SP Yadav, SDM Khanna Swati Tiwana and other police officers distributed the commemorative book and air fryers among the families of the martyrs. victims’ kin, asks govt to provide them relief Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, October 21 Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Wednesday asked Atam Nagar halqa MLA Kulwant Singh Sidhu to end illegal encroachments by AAP supporters on flats given to riot victim families so that real owners can get the flats. He was in the city on Wednesday to meet the families under the leadership of Riot Victim Welfare Society president Surjeet Singh and women’s wing president Bibi Gurdeep Kaur in Dugri after listening to the plight of the 1984 riot victims. Jathedar asked the state government to listen to grievances of the families of the victims of the Sikh genocide that occurred in 1984 and provide solutions to them. He said he admires the patience and courage of the victims’ families who had been struggling for justice for the past 42 years. He said the government should also take stock of those families who had not received any compensation or any other relief for resettlement. The victim families informed the Jathedar about their problems and matters related to their rehabilitation. He assured them that he would take appropriate action to provide justice and resolve their issues. Surjit Singh and Bibi Gurdeep Kaur made serious allegations against the state government and said for the rehabilitation of the victim families who had come to the state after the 84 riots, several decisions were taken by the SAD government and the Punjab and Haryana High Court in the past, under which the families were supposed to be provided houses, jobs, booths for business, new red cards and other facilities. But the previous Congress government and the present Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in the state had failed to provide the facilities to them. Surjit Singh said in the past several decades, it was for the first time that any jathedar of Akal Takht had visited them. He said the Chief Minister had given time seven times to hold talks with the organisation but every time the meeting was cancelled. Now, the government has sent letters to some families and talked about taking action regarding vacating houses and cancelling the red cards. He appealed to the state government to listen to the issues of the victims’ families and find solutions to them. Significance of day Police Commemoration Day is observed across all states and by the country’s paramilitary forces to pay homage to CRPF jawans who laid down their lives during the Chinese attack at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21, 1959. The day is observed every year to salute all police and paramilitary personnel who sacrificed their lives to uphold the unity and integrity of the nation. Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN