13112024-LT-01.qxd 11/13/2024 12:43 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune MAN ELECTROCUTED BY ILLEGAL POWER LINE RULES TIGHTENED ON WEAPONS AMID WEDDING SEASON JUST STARTED TO WRITE MY STORY, SAYS WAMIQA He was electrocuted after coming in contact with barbed wires around a field in Dhaba Kokrian village. P3 The directive follows tragic incident in which a bride was injured by celebratory gunfire. P3 Chandigarh girl Wamiqa Gabbi believes one needs to be good at one’s craft to avoid rejection. P4 » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 27°C | MIN 18°C YESTERDAY MAX 27°C | MIN 18°C SUNSET WEDNESDAY 5.27 PM SUNRISE THURSDAY 6:47 AM » WEDNESDAY | 13 NOVEMBER 2024 | LUDHIANA Student’s gold chain snatched Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 12 Two unidentified youths on a motorcycle snatched a gold chain from a digital marketing student, Eitisargun Kaur, in the Sarabha Nagar area here. The incident occurred around 2:30 pm near the Lodhi Club Road underbridge on November 8. The victim was on her way home from office when the assailants snatched her chain and fled the scene. She suffered injuries on her neck during the incident. The police registered a case against the unidentified youths and started scrutinising CCTV footage to identify the culprits. “The police are investigating the matter and trying to trace the duo,” said ASI Jagjit Singh. The incident is the latest in a series of daylight snatchings in Ludhiana. In past weeks, several incidents of snatching had occurred in the city and most of them are lying unsolved with the city police. Notably, most of the snatchers were repeated offenders who continue to commit such acts even after coming out on bail from prison. The police have failed to keep a tab over such criminals to curb crime in city areas. ~8.80 cr to be spent on facelift of Rose Garden MC has floated tenders, contractor to be responsible for upkeep for year Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 12 Roses will finally bloom again at Nehru Rose Garden as Rs 8.80 crore will be spent for its uplift. The Municipal Corporation (MC) has already floated tenders for the same and the contractor will be responsible for the upkeep of the garden for a year. The proposals are to plant 90 types of flowers and fruitbearing trees and do landscaping of the garden from scratch. Besides, an open gym will also be set up and a kids play area will also be created. There is also a plan to set up a mini zoo at the garden. In the past, Nehru Rose Garden was a popular destination among people for picnic. It used to witness a high footfall and the rush increased on weekends. For children, apart from swings, the boating club and mini zoo were the main attractions. However, both were closed in 1990s as the MC faced problems in maintaining the lake while the mini zoo was shut after an order from the Central Zoo Authority in There is also a plan to set up a mini zoo at Rose Garden in Ludhiana. 2001 to ensure ethical treatment of wildlife in captivity. After the mini zoo was closed and animals were shifted, a few rabbits and ducks were left in the garden but some of them fell prey to stray dogs, which led to the shifting of the remaining creatures. Recalling those days, Amrinder Singh said as children, Rose Garden was the place they used to visit often during holidays. “There was much excitement to go on a picnic and we used to spend our entire Sunday there. Sometime ago, I took my children there but the condition of the garden was not really good. If the MC is deciding to redevelop it, it is a welcome step. Children need open spaces to play and enjoy. Hopefully, it will be maintained,” he said. Another city resident, Kirpal Kaur, said Rose Garden and Rakh Bagh were two places which children loved to visit. “Today everyone is sticked to their gadgets. More parks and gardens should be developed so that children spent their time outside. Revamping Rose Garden is a great idea,” she said. Ludhiana West MLA Gurpreet Gogi said he had even proposed to set up a mini zoo in Rose Garden and the MC would apply to get permission from the Wildlife Department. Gogi said they were also exploring the possibility of having an exculsive children’s section or butterfly park inside the garden and hoping to bring back good old days of the garden. ~ 8L robbery turns out to be fake, 2 held, money recovered Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 12 The broad daylight robbery of Rs 8 lakh in which an employee of a rice trader was allegedly targeted in Khanna on Monday turned out to be fictitious. The employee of the firm fabricated the loot story in connivance with his friend with a motive to usurp the entire money. The drama unfolded when the police during a probe raised suspicion on the complainant and during his preliminary questioning, he confessed to having faked the loot story. Firm employee fabricated loot story in connivance with his friend Interestingly, Harshpreet Singh, alias Jassu, an employee of rice trader, who was earlier made a complainant in the case on Monday after the incident, has now been added as the suspect and a case has been registered against him and his friend, identified as Gaurav Singh, a resident of Malaud. SSP Khanna, Ashwini , Gotyal, while addressing a press conference stated that after the arrest of both suspects, the police also recovered looted cash, Rs 5 lakh Cops address mediapersons in Ludhiana on Tuesday. from Harshpreet and Rs 3 lakh from Gaurav. SSP Gotyal said Harshpreet was working as a clerk in the firm, Krishna Trader, at Mandi Gobindgarh. On Monday, Harshpreet was sent to HDFC bank in Bardhala for withdrawing cash. While returning to the firm, the suspect said he was intercepted by two autorickshaw-borne persons who attacked him and snatched his bag containing cash at Salaudi village. Initially, considering it a serious loot case, senior police officials reached the scene for investigation. Even CCTV cameras of the area were also scanned minutely to get any clue about the robbers. During a probe, the police found a CCTV footage which showed that Harshpreet after withdrawing cash from the bank was heading towards Khanna on a motorcycle. He could be seen carrying a bag till Big Resort. Later, when cameras 2 of snatchers’ gang nabbed VB conducts survey of Cong leader’s colonies Nikhil Bhardwaj Ludhiana, November 12 The Focal Point police claimed to have busted a gang of mobile snatchers and nabbed two of its members. They also recovered six mobile phones and one motorcycle from their possession. The suspects were identified as Rahul of the Lohara road area and Mithu Shah of Pipal choke, Giaspura. SHO, Focal Point police station, inspector Amandeep Singh Brar, in a statement issued stated that the ASI of the Dhandari Kalan police post had liad a naka at Dhandari Khurd where on suspicion two bike-borne persons were asked to stop for checking. The duo tried to flee the scene but fell off the vehicle. Afterwards, a man, Satya, came and levelled allegations Tribune News Service The suspects in Ludhiana police custody. against the suspects, stating that they had snatched his mobile phone a few days ago. Brar said the police team arrested the miscreants. They confessed that on November 9, the snatchers had targeted Satya and snatched his mobile in Dhandari Khurd. “We have recovered six mobile phones, which included one snatched from Satya. Other five phones were snatched by the suspects from other residents in city areas. The police would find real owners of the seized mobiles and the same would be handed over to them,” Brar said. Of the arrested suspects, Mithun Shah has a criminal history as two cases were registered against him in the past in Ludhiana. — TNS Ludhiana, November 12 A team of the Vigilance Bureau (VB), Punjab, reached Kasabad village on Tuesday. The officials surveyed about 12 colonies here. Besides, they also inspected the controversial under-construction multi-storey shopping complex in Gandhi Nagar. The colonies and multi-storey complex are owned by former chairman of the market committee and senior Congress leader Darshan Lal Baweja, aka Laddu. Sources revealed that a complaint had reached the Vigilance Bureau that Darshan Lal Laddu had misused his powers while being the chairman of the market committee. As the chairman, he caused rev- VB officials conduct the survey of colonies in Ludhiana. enue loss to the government by developing illegal colonies. In connection with the complaint, the Vigilance team reached Kasabad for probe. Complaints of irregularities in the construction of the complex are also under inves- tigation by the VB. Under the probe, statements of the building branch officials of the MC have also been taken. On the other hand, Darshan Lal Baweja said some people want to spoil his image. Rumours were also being spread about the Vigilance investigation related to his real estate. According to him, a complaint regarding his real estate had reached the VB two years ago, in which it was alleged that he caused loss to the government by developing illegal colonies. He said he had deposited the government fee to get his colonies regularised under the regularisation policy. At the same time, a dispute is also going on in the court regarding the multi-storey shopping complex located in Gandhi Nagar but the fee of about Rs 50 lakh for the property was also deposited. Baweja said he had not caused any loss to the government revenue and was ready to cooperate with the investigation of the VB. of a petrol pump at Salaudi were checked, Harshpreet was seen going on his motorcycle without any head injury but he was not carrying any bag, which actually brought him under scanner. The place where Harshpreet claimed he was targeted by two armed assailants was quite far away from the petrol pump, which further raised the suspicion on him, the SSP said. Gotyal said the firm employee turned out be the prime suspect and his theory of loot was not supporting any logic. When he was strictly questioned, he admitted to having fabricating the loot incident to usurp money. Police sources said even call records of the employee helped the police in establishing a connection between him and his friend Gaurav. Interestingly, the key suspect staged a drama of being unconscious when the police brought him to the Civil Hospital, Khanna, on Monday. Two girls die as SUV hits scooter Ludhiana, November 12 Two girls, both friends, riding a Honda Activa scooter were hit by a rashly driven Mahindra Scorpio vehicle on the Ludhiana-Ferozepur main road on Tuesday. Both were seriously injured and admitted to the DMCH, where they breathed their last. SI Kirandeep Kaur said Husanpreet Kaur (18), daughter of Gurdayal Singh, and her friend Manveer Kaur (17), daughter of Harmeet Singh, residents of Pamal village, were pursuing BSc computer course from GTB College, Dakha. After attending their college when they were returning to their village on the twowheeler, the duo were hit by the rashly driven vehicle due to which both of them were seriously injured. — TNS Man dies after Experts discuss sustainable strategies for agriculture, food security falling off rooftop in Gita Nagar PAU INT’L CONFERENCE ON TRANSFORMING AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS IN FACE OF CLIMATE CHANGES & ENERGY TRANSITIONS Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 12 Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in collaboration with Indian Ecological Society, inaugurated a landmark fourday international conference, ‘ Transforming Agri-food Systems in the Face of Climate Changes and Energy Transitions’. The event brought together prominent scientists, scholars, policymakers and international experts to discuss sustainable, climateresilient strategies for agriculture and food security. Governor of Punjab Gulab Chand Kataria, was the chief guest and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Maan was the guest of honour. Vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar’s visit was cancelled due to unfavourable weather conditions. He had to return as CM Bhagwant Singh Mann and Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria accompanied by PAU V-C Dr SS Gosal during the inaugural function of the international meet in Ludhiana. his plane could not land at the Halwara airport due to smog engulfing the city. In his address, the Governor advocated for comprehensive support for farmers, focusing on solutions rather than attributing blame. He called for providing farmers with alternative and sustainable crops and additional machinery to manage crop residue effectively. He also emphasised the role of solar energy and proper waste management practices for industries to mitigate environmental impact while preserving economic stability. The Chief Minister said c m y b the onus was on scientists to guide farmers in adopting sustainable practices ensuring Punjab’s agricultural prosperity. Stressing on the urgency of addressing climate change, he said failure to act would have severe consequences for future generations. Mann said: “In such a situation, coming generations would undoubtedly hold us accountable for our inaction.” The Chief Minister said: “The clock is ticking and it’s imperative for all of us to adopt proactive measures to mitigate effects of climate change. Citing the alarming statistic, he said growing one kg of rice requires 3,000 litres of water and same motors that gush out petrol in gulf country is used for pumping water from beneath the ground in the state. He said this unsus- tainable practice threatens the very foundation and existence of Punjab, known as land of five rivers. Leading an international delegation, Dr John Perkins from the United States offered insights into the global impact of climate change on agriculture, underscoring the need for innovative and visionary frameworks to drive sustainable solutions. Dr Perkins expressed optimism for the collaborative discussions and knowledge exchange set to take place over the next few days. PAU Vice-Chancellor Dr SS Gosal applauded the Chief Minister and the Governor for their proactive support of sustainable agriculture, positioning PAU as a model of agricultural transformation and innovation. continued on page 2 Tribune News Service Ludhiana, November 12 A man accidentally slipped off the rooftop while talking over phone in Gita Nagar and suffered serious head injury. He was rushed to the Civil Hospital where doctors declared him brought dead. The deceased was identified as Vimlesh Kumar. Ram Krishan said Vimlesh was walking on the rooftop on Monday. He had received a call from someone. While talking over phone, his foot slipped and he fell off the second floor. The victim fell on the first floor of the neighbour’s roof. When Vimlesh fell on the first floor, there was a loud sound. Neigh- bours after hearing the sound went to check and were shocked to see the man lying in a pool of blood. They took him to the Civil Hospital where he was declared brought dead. As per information, Vimlesh, a native of Uttar Pradesh, worked at a thread mill. He has two children. The man was staying in Ludhiana for the past seven years. Neighbours told the police that the deceased was not under the influence of any intoxicants. He accidentally fell off the second floor due to which he lost his life. Suspecting no foul play, the police initiated inquest proceedings in the case.