14042025-LT-01.qxd 4/14/2025 12:40 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune PEACE PROCESSION TAKEN OUT ON PALM SUNDAY UPCOMING MOVIE KESARI CHAPTER 2 SONG O SHERA OUT NEETU KAPOOR RECALLS HER ENGAGEMENT WITH RISHI Members of Christian community took out a peace procession to mark Palm Sunday. P3 The release date of Kesari 2 is around the corner and on Saturday, O Shera song was unveiled. P4 Neetu took a stroll down memory lane & shared a throwback photo of herself with Rishi Kapoor on Insta Stories. P4 » » » FORECAST MAINLY CLEAR SKY MAX 37°C | MIN 19°C YESTERDAY MAX 36°C | MIN 17°C SUNSET MONDAY 6.46 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 6:00 AM MONDAY | 14 APRIL 2025 | LUDHIANA Perform if want promotions, incentives, police officials told Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 The police officials (SHOs, ACPs and others) under the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate have to perform from now onwards in case they wish to get plum postings or promotions in desired departments. For now, a laid-back attitude will not be tolerated in the Police Department. It was conveyed by Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma here on Sunday. He said the main focus of the department was Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, traffic management in the city, cracking a whip against organised crime, approach of officials while receiving complaints at police stations, etc. When asked if he felt that the Police Department had adopted a “lethargic” approach, Sharma said it’s not lethargic but police personnel get used to the routine. “They need to pull-up their socks and perform afresh in case they want promotions and other such incentives,” he said. He said specific targets were given to the police officials in this direction. “Their performance will be accessed by myself, along with other senior officials. We HIMANSHU MAHAJAN CP says laid-back attitude will not be tolerated in department CP Swapan Sharma along with other cops at Police lines on Sunday. will see their public dealings, efforts to nab snatchers, intentions to take youth to drug-de addiction centres, how many awareness seminars they organise or attend, etc. It’s not like they are being put under any pressure but the whole exercise is to revamp the department for better results so that the public feels free to approach the police in case there is any issue,” the top cop said. The performance chart would be assessed by the CP every 10 days. All field officials, ACPs, SHOs, patrolling teams and PCRs will be adjudged through the same. The personnel will be held accountable in their respective departments. On the basis of their review performances, they will be promoted, he said. Meanwhile, Sharma said several cases and arrests reflect the Police Commissionerate’s unwavering commitment to curbing the drug trafficking menace in the region. The CP shared details of the ongoing crackdown against drugs, highlighting extensive recoveries of narcotics. The confiscated drugs include 11.50 kg of opium, 93 kg of poppy husk, 2. 220 kg of charas, 23 gm of cocaine, 21.150 kg of ganja, 8.547 kg of heroin, 357 gm of ICE (crystal meth), 27 kg of poppy husk plant, and 11,467 pills and capsules. Additionally, Rs 5,95,380 drug money was recovered in past three months. These recoveries underscore the effectiveness of police operations and persistent efforts to dismantle drug networks in the area. Further, in a decisive move, the police have helped in demolishing seven illegal constructions belonging to drug peddlers on encroached government land, working in coordination with relevant departments. Furthermore, the police have submitted five proposals to seize illegally occupied properties valued at Rs 4.35 crore, which belong to peddlers. He also emphasised on the importance of raising awareness about drug abuse through various initiatives. From January 1, the police organised 268 Sampark meetings to engage communities, along with conducting 235 drug awareness sessions in schools (196) and colleges (39). Additionally, a total of 412 anti-drug campaigns were carried out across districts, reaching people through 367 seminars, led by station house officers (SHOs), and 40 seminars, led by SP/DSPlevel officers. These highlight the police’s proactive role in making the public, especially the youth, aware of dangers of drug abuse. He expressed hope that the multi-faceted approach demonstrates the police’s commitment to curbing drug abuse through awareness, education and rehabilitation. 29-yr-old woman murdered; spouse, in-laws booked Ludhiana, April 13 A 29-year-old woman, Shivani, was allegedly murdered by her in-laws as she failed to give birth to a child. The PAU police have registered a case under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the BNS against her husband Rohit, mother-in-law Pushpa, and a brother-in-law, for mentally and physically torturing the victim. According to information, Chabba Singh, a resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, alleged that on April 11, he got a phone from her daughter that her in-laws were torturing her. Then, the call was disconnected and the next day, they were informed by the woman’s in-laws that she died by suicide by hanging herself. The father of the deceased told the police that Shivani got married to Rohit in 2016 against the wishes of her parents and they solemnised the wedding in a court. The parents of the victim alleged that Shivani did not had any child due to which her in-laws were torturing her. On April 12, her motherin-law informed the parents of the victim that she had died by suicide. When they reached their house, only the mother-in-law was available and the deceased’s husband and other members of the inlaws’ family were absconding. Shivani’s father alleged that his daughter was killed by her in-laws. — TNS AAP initiatives fail to cut much ice with Opposition Panic exercise, say leaders from other parties; showing sincerity, work we’ve done: AAP MLA Shivani Bhakoo Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 Recent initiatives taken by the AAP government in the form of Sikhiya Kranti, action against drug peddlers and surprise checking by the police, among others, are being dubbed as “panic exercise” by leaders belonging to all major Opposition parties in the state. They said this kind of “damage control” would hardly bring any fruitful result as in the past three years, the AAP government had failed miserably on all fronts. Mamta Ashu, wife of Congress candidate for the upcoming Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll Bharat Bhushan Ashu, said all models of the AAP government had failed in Delhi due to which the party had to face defeat. Now, they were trying to bring everything here in Punjab and would meet the same fate again, she said, adding that washrooms, toilets and classrooms in schools are being inaugurated but where were teachers or the other required infrastructure? By disturbing works at civil hospitals and Ludhiana rural police officials with the seized poppy husk. FILE dispensaries, mohalla clinics had failed to borne no fruitful results. “They are demolishing properties of drug peddlers, why the woman constable from Bathinda, who remained in controversy, is spared? The pick-and-choose policy of AAP is uncalled for,” Mamta Ashu said. Former SAD minister Maheshinder Singh Grewal said the present government was doing a “panic” exercise to control damages done in the past three years. “But they stand exposed and such damage control at this stage would hardly bring good results. The AAP has faced crushing defeat in Delhi poll, they are going to meet the same fate this time here too. They are not demolishing houses of drug peddlers but adhering to the High Court orders and razing unauthorised buildings actually. Instead of coming up with new inauguration plaques, the government should maintain schools as and when required,” he said. Voicing similar views, senior BJP leader Anil Sarin said for the past three years, the AAP government had done nothing. The people of the state have already created an image that the present government has failed to provide them with a safe environment. “Extortion calls, grenade attacks, snatching in every street, law and order, everything is in disarray. On drugs, they should tell the people where are big fish or kingpins? They have not taken any action against the drug mafia that controls everything, petty peddlers are being targeted. Sikhiya Kranti is nothing but an inauguration kranti. They should tell people that more than 40 per cent seats of principals, BPEO are lying vacant, how can they claim to bring about a kranti,” asked Sarin. Meanwhile, AAP MLA Madan Lal Bagga, commenting on the inauguration spree continued on page 2 Three get life term in kidnapping case Three of robbers’ gang land in police net Rajneesh Lakhanpal Ludhiana, April 13 The Court of Additional Sessions Judge Sandeep Singh Bajwa has sentenced three persons to rigorous life imprisonment in connection with the 2016 kidnapping case of Ranjit Singh, a resident of Dhaipai village. Those convicted include the conspirator, Mandeep Singh, a cousin of the victim and his partner-in-crime Gurjant Singh, alias Gaggu, residents of Pandori village, and Mandeep Singh, alias Doctor, of Barnala. Delivering the verdict, the Judge said the prosecution had proven beyond reasonable doubt that the accused, acting with a common intention, kidnapped Ranjit on the evening of April 28, 2016. The court observed that the incident occurred on a road between Dhapai and Saholi villages. They intended to instill fear of death in the victim and forced his brother, Hardeep Singh Grewal, residing in Holland, to pay a ransom of Rs 30 lakh. “The evidence shows that the accused kept the victim in illegal confinement, voluntarily caused him injury to extort the ransom and threatened him with dire consequences,” it said. The case was initially registered on April 28, 2016. How- ever, the breakthrough came on April 30, 2016, when the victim approached the police and narrated harrowing details of his abduction. A farmer by profession, Ranjit revealed that while he was returning from his evening walk, a grey Scorpio intercepted him. Masked men forcibly dragged him into the vehicle, assaulted and robbed him of two mobiles and Rs 3,000. He identified them by names they used during the incident — ‘Doctor and “Gaggu’. As per Ranjit’s statement, he was injected with a sedative. When he regained consciousness, he was in a locked room. He identified one of the sus- pects as Mandeep, alias Doctor, a known face in Pandori village. Later, he overheard a conversation between his cousin Mandeep and Gaggu, confirming that the motive behind the abduction was a property dispute, involving 17 acres recently sold by his family. The probe led to the arrest of the suspects on May 2, 2016. Authorities seized Rs 8.9 lakh and two empty bags from the residence of the victim’s cousin. Gaggu’s statement resulted in the recovery of Rs10 lakh in cash and a toy pistol. Doctor’s disclosure led to the recovery of Rs 10 lakh and the motorcycle used during Ranjit’s release. Raikot, April 13 The Ludhiana (rural) police claimed to have busted a gang of miscreants, who had been robbing commuters of their valuables and vehicles by waylaying and threatening them with sharp weapons, and arrested three of its members. A Maruti Swift car looted from the Moga area recently was also recovered from Jobanpreet Singh and Ravinder Singh Billa from Mallah village and Akashdeep Singh of Chakar village, who were arrested by a police team, led by Hathur SHO Kuljinder Singh Grewal, on Saturday evening. Harpinder Singh Pindi of Suspects in custody of the Hathur police in Raikot. Rama village in Badhni and an unidentified person, who were also booked in the case, were yet to be nabbed. The suspects were nabbed on Saturday within five hours of receipt of information about the robbery incident committed by them on the previous day. SSP Dr Ankur Gupta said the police had nabbed three of the five suspects in a robbery incident committed by them on a drain bridge on the ManukeHathur road on Friday. Inderpreet Singh of Seechewal takes dip in Buddha Dariya on Baisakhi, Speaker lauds his efforts Tribune News Service Ludhiana, April 13 Rajya Sabha MP and environmentalist Balbir Singh Seechewal took a dip in the Buddha Dariya at Bhukhri Khurd village in Ludhiana along with several residents where clean water flows. Speaker, Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Kultar Singh Sandhwan was also present on the occasion. He congratulated Seechewal and said his efforts had borne fruit and the water of the Buddha Dariya was clean at this point of time. He asked all those present to support Seechewal in the cause so that the Buddha Nullah becomes Buddha Dariya again. The Speaker said natural resources should be preserved well so that future generations also benefit from them. Sandhwan also witnessed the model of water treatment by Seechewal in the village. Seechewal thanked the Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal and residents take a dip in the Buddha Dariya at Bhukhri Khurd in Ludhiana to mark Baisakhi. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Speaker and maintained that the dyeing industry and dairy farmers were discharging waste into the nullah and the pollutants continue to contaminate the water body. Seechewal said he had committed to himself and his supporters that the issue of Buddha Nullah would be resolved for the welfare of people. On the occasion of Baisakhi, the villagers took a dip in the Buddha Dariya and thanked Seechewal for coming to their rescue in providing safe and clean water. After decades, devotees were again able to take a holy dip in the water body in Bhukhri Khurd on Baisakhi on Sun- day. In Bhukhri Khurd, nearly four feet of sludge had accumulated in the nullah and was cleared within just 40 days with the help of excavators by the RS MP . Ministers join celebrations at Mundian Kalan Meanwhile, a religious event marked the celebra- c m y b tions of the Khalsa Sirjana Diwas and Baisakhi at Khalsa Gurdwara Sahib, Mundian Kalan. The bhog of Sri Akhand Path Sahib was organised, followed by a soulful kirtan, with prayers offered for the wellbeing and prosperity of all. Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Hardeep Singh Mundian and Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal extended greetings to the gathering on the auspicious occasion. Addressing the attendees, Aman Arora and Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal emphasised on the profound religious, historical and social significance of Khalsa Sirjana Diwas and Baisakhi. They highlighted that Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa Panth in 1699 on this sacred day, while Baisakhi also signifies the start of the wheat harvest. The event was also attended by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s sister Manpreet Kaur, MLAs, including Ashok Parashar Pappi, Jiwan Singh Sangowal, Rajinderpal Kaur Chhina, Daljit Singh Bhola Grewal, Madan Lal Bagga, Manwinder Singh Giaspura and Davinderjit Singh Ladi Dhos, and Mayor Inderjit Kaur, chairpersons Zorawar Singh, Navjot Singh and Tarsem Singh Bhinder along with AAP district president Sharanpal Singh Makkar and other dignitaries. Mundian felicitated the leaders and expressed gratitude to party workers and residents of the Sahnewal constituency for their enthusiastic participation in the event, reinforcing community unity and devotion. Chananwal had informed the police on Saturday evening that the car-borne suspects had stopped his motorcycle and took away his money and other belongings by threatening him with sharp weapons. Swinging into action, the police succeeded in nabbing Jobanpreet, Ravinder and Akashdeep from different places late on Saturday evening and recovered the car. Preliminary investigations revealed that Jobanpreet was involved in some other cases, including one registered under the Representation of People Act in connection with a crime committed during some elections. — OC Man nabbed with guns, cartridges Sahnewal, April 13 The CIA staff 3 of the Police Commissionerate arrested one person and seized three countrymade pistols, a revolver, magazines and cartridges from his custody. A case under various sections of the Arms Act has been registered against him. ADCP (Investigation) Amandeep Singh Brar said the CIA staff 3, under the supervision of its in-charge Navdeep Singh, managed to nab Munish Kumar on Sua Road, Giaspura. Munish, a native of Janjalpur, in Bihar, at present residing on Sua Road, Giaspura. Three .32 bore countrymade pistols, three magazines, 13 cartridges and a revolver were seized from him. “The suspect was presented before a court on Sunday and taken on a three-day police remand. His antecedents are being ascertained,” the ADCP said. — OC