13012026-LT-01.qxd 1/13/2026 12:37 AM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune SEECHEWAL DEMANDS REPORT ON ZERO-DISCHARGE POLICY AAP GOVT TRYING TO ‘SPOIL’ PUNJAB’S ATMOSPHERE: SAD GOLDEN GLOBES 2026 BIG WINS, MORE SURPRISES Rajya Sabha MP pulls up authorities and dairy unit owners over Buddha Nullah pollution. P2 District chief Bhupinder Singh Bhinda blames Kejriwal’s ‘anti-Punjab and anti-Sikh thinking’. P2 Owen Cooper (16) has created history by winning Golden Globe for his role in Netflix series Adolescence. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 15°C | MIN 4°C YESTERDAY MAX 15°C | MIN 4°C SUNSET TUESDAY 5.44 PM SUNRISE WEDNESDAY 7:20 AM TUESDAY | 13 JANUARY 2026 | LUDHIANA Second encounter in extortion cases in a month by city police Incident after grilling of jailed member of R’sthan-based Rohit Godara gang Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 12 The fierce encounter of the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate with three members of the most wanted Rajasthan-based Rohit Godara gang members was a result of the questioning of gangster Shubham Grover who was recently brought on production warrant from the Ferozepur jail. The encounter team was led by the Haibowal police station SHO inspector Varinder Uppal and Jagatpuri police post in-charge ASI Sukhwinder Singh. Pardeep Singh, head constable, had a miraculous escape as bullet grazed through his turban. Pertinently, this is the second encounter in extortion cases by the Ludhiana police within a month as on December 12, a police team exchanged gunfire with two suspects in an extortion case in Vardhman Colony, who had come to collect extortion money in the name of the notorious Amrit Dalam group. One of the suspects sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was arrested while CP Swapan Sharma addresses the media in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN PANIC IN LADIAN-JASSIAN AREA AFTER FIRING After exchange of fire between the police and suspects, there was reportedly panic in the Ladian-Jassian area as police vehicles started coming to the place. The police cordoned off the stretch and no vehicular traffic was allowed to enter it. the other managed to escape from the scene. In the case, a goldsmith from Vishwakarma Nagar had received an extortion call and threat from a caller posing as member of the Amrit Dalam Group, which was linked with gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria gang, demanding ?1 crore. A senior police official sharing information about the latest case said after firing at a readymade garment shop on the intervening night of Jan- City man found dead in Malaysia Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 12 A city-based 29-year-old man was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Klang city, Malaysia, on December 27, 2025. The deceased was identified as Shamsher Singh, a resident of Chaunta vilage, who went to Malaysia five years ago. He was working as a hairdresser at a salon in Klang city. His family got to know about the man’s death on Sunday after a friend of the deceased informed them over phone. Shamsher allegedly died after uary 5 and 6, it was totally a blind case for the police. The police had only a single lead that a caller posing as Mahinder Dhalana, a close aide of dreaded gangster Rohit Godara, had demanded Rs 50 lakh extortion from the owner of a garment shop. As the police carried out a technical investigation and gathered intelligence, role of gangster Shubham Grover, a close aide of gangster Mahinder Dhalana, came into light. Following this, Shubham, who is a resident of Butana village, Sonipat district, Haryana, lodged in the Central Jail, Ferozepur, was brought on production warrant, arrested and named as a suspect in the case. During interrogation, he admitted that the incident of firing at the readymade shop in Civil City, Haibowal, was carried out at the behest of Dhalana who further sent Sumit, alias Ultron, alias Tunda (21), of New Prem Nagar, Ghumar Mandi, Sanju (19) of Tank Mohalla and Sumit Kumar (19) of Dugri for firing at the shop. CP Swapan Sharma told The Tribune that Sumit Kumar and Sanju suffered bullet injuries in the exchange of fire while third suspect Tunda was also rounded up. When asked about any monetary benefit the three suspects were supposed to get from Dhalana, CP replied that questioning of the suspects would give vital leads to the police about the network of gangster Dhalana and their gang’s kingpin Godara. There might be many youths enrolled by the gangster to carry out extortions and notorious criminals sitting in jails are also playing active role in carrying out the extortions. Though Godara has been hiding abroad, he has his men in jails and further network in Punjab and other states for carrying out extortions. Meanwhile, police officials said gangster Shubham, lodged in a Ferozepur jail, was aware about the extortion demand raised by Dhalana. Questioning of Shubham has also given vital leads about the extortion network being run by gangsters while sitting in jails. The police have also identified several such gangsters and in coming days, these gangsters would be brought on production warrant for questioning. Seeking release of Sikh prisoners, toll plaza made free forvehicles Protesters allowed free passage from 12 noon to 3 pm Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 12 The Qaumi Insaaf Morcha organised a sit-in at all toll plazas in the state, demanding release of Bandi Singhs (Sikh prisoners). As part of the protest, morcha workers on Monday freed the Ladhowal toll plaza here and the toll plaza near Samrala on the Chandigarh road. Vehicles passed without paying toll between Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Morcha members said they had been fighting for a long law and order situation. “Those who have completed their sentences should be released from jails. These include prisoners who have been incarcerated for years but have not yet been legally released,” the protesters said. The morcha workers, who were also carrying pictures of Sikh detainees, warned the Centre that if Sikh detainees were not released, they would intensify their protest and in days to come, they would again make toll barriers free for all. Top cop vows tough stance against gangsters CP Swapan Sharma reiterated the force’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks. Sending a “loud and clear” message to anti-national elements, Sharma stated that anyone opening fire or engaging in violence would face the full weight of the law. Members of the Qaumi Insaaf Morcha protest at the Ladhowal toll barrier in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN Lohri spirit Darpan Ahluwalia assumes charge as Khanna SSP KIN SEEK PROBE INTO DEATH The family demanded that through investigation needed to be done as there may be foul play in his death. Deceased was the only breadwinner of the family. falling from a water tank. The family demanded that through probe needed to be done as there might be foul play in his death. Deceased was the only breadwinner of the family. The victim’s family urged the state government and district administration to seek help in repatriating the body. time but the Central Government was not releasing Sikh prisoners. As a result, they had given a call to make all toll plazas free across the state. Several farmer organisations also cooperated in the protest and took part in it. The members of the morcha arrived at the Ladhowal toll barrier at 12 noon on Monday. They allowed the vehicles to pass freely without paying any toll fee till 3 pm. Senior police officials, led by ACP West Jatinderpal Singh, remained present at the spot to keep a watch over A wide range of colourful kites displayed by vendors on the eve of Lohri festival in Ludhiana. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN SEE ALSO P2 Ludhiana, January 12 Dr Darpan Ahluwalia, assumed charge as the Senior Superintendent of Police, police district, Khanna, on Monday. On the occasion, a contingent of the Khanna police personnel welcomed her with a guard of honour and conveyed a message to the people of the police district that the functioning of the police would be impartial and transparent. After assuming charge, Dr Ahluwaila, held a meeting with the gazetted officers, SHOs and in-charges of the district. During the meeting, discussions were held on further strengthening law and order, enhancing transparency in policing and prioritising people-friendly and responsive police services. She passed on directions to the team to ensure disposal of every complaint in a timebound manner. She also directed the officials to continue action against drug smugglers, anti-social elements and gangsters. — TNS Night shelters too few to cater to hundreds of homeless sleeping in open Shivani Bhakoo KIN SEEK PROBE INTO VICTIM’S DEATH Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 12 The Raen Baseras — night shelters being run by the Municipal Corporation at different locations in the city — are providing basic facilities of stay and bedding to the poor and needy amid the severe cold. However, these are too few to cater to hundreds who continue to spend sleepless nights in the open. The government needs to come up with more such shelters in the city. At present, three night shelters are being run near Vishkarma Chowk, Industrial Area B in Moti Nagar and near Haibowal Dairy Complex on Hambran Road, where around 50 inmates are accommodated at each shelter. These facilities are not sufficient to provide shelter to all homeless in the city. Besides, many of the deprived, including rick- Visitors at night shelters feel that if food is provided twice a day at the shelter homes, more people would prefer staying there. Another concern is that buses are not run regularly — sometimes they come to pick up people while on other occasions they fail to reach the needy. There should be continuity and inmates should be dropped back in the morning at places from where they were picked up at night. People sleeping in the open under a bridge in Ludhiana. PHOTO: INDERJEET VERMA shaw-pullers, beggars and daily wagers, do not prefer the shelters as these are located far from places where spend their daytime. Ramdeen, a rickshaw- puller who spends his nights under a bridge near Bhai Bala Chowk, said as he works in the Civil Lines area, it is not possible for him to go to these shelters, even if free stay facilities are available. “I just need a blanket and a quilt to spend the night as my day starts early in the morning. Though it is extremely difficult to sleep in the open c m y b and many nights turn sleepless due to the biting cold, there is no other option for people like us. If we want to go, the authorities pick us from here but they do did not provide drop facility in the morning. Travelling from faroff places to the workplace becomes difficult,” he said. The night shelters provide bedding, a hall, caretakers and bus service to pick up people from roads but there is no facility for food. An inmate at the Industrial Area night shelter, Sia Saran, said generally the atmosphere at the shelter remains continued on page 2 MC chief conducts midnight inspection Tribune News Service Ludhiana, January 12 For ensuring proper functioning of night shelters to facilitate the homeless, Municipal Corporation (MC) Commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal conducted surprise inspection at night shelters on Sunday midnight. The inspection was done at night shelters situated in Moti Nagar (Ghoda Colony), near Vishwakarma Chowk and near Haibowal Dairy Complex. The inspection continued around 1:30 am. Civic body officials said recently 200 mattresses, blankets, room heaters, etc, were added to the existing infrastructure to facilitate the homeless visiting the shelters. Renovation works had also been taken up Wherever required. The civic body has also tied up with different NGOs, gurdwara management committees for providing food to the homeless at the shelters. City buses have also been deployed for ferrying the homeless to such places during night hours. The MC Commissioner said the officials concerned of the civic body have been directed to ensure regular maintenance of the shelters and ensure that the homeless should not face any problem. He said zonal commissioners had been directed to ensure proper functioning of the shelters falling under their respective zones.