15122025-LT-01.qxd 12/14/2025 10:45 PM Page 1 c m y b Ludhiana tribune STRAYS ATTACK 9-YR-OLD BOY IN GANDHI NAGAR MISSING SAROOPS HAUNT THE SGPC, YET AGAIN VIN TEASES RONALDO’S ROLE IN FAST & FURIOUS Panic gripped Gandhi Nagar in Model Gram here after a stray dog attacked a boy on his way to buy curd . P2 5 yrs on, the alleged ‘disappearance’ of 328 copies of Guru Granth Sahib has put the SGPC in a peculiar situation. P2 Hollywood star Vin Diesel teased that footballer Cristiano Ronaldo may feature in the upcoming Fast & Furiousfilm. P4 » » » FORECAST PARTLY CLOUDY MAX 20°C | MIN 6°C YESTERDAY MAX 22°C | MIN 8°C SUNSET MONDAY 5.26 PM SUNRISE TUESDAY 7:17 AM MONDAY | 15 DECEMBER 2025 | LUDHIANA Sonof AAPcandidate accuses Ind of doling outcash,attacked Nikhil Bhardwaj Tribune News Service Women show their ID cards after casting their votes at Government High School, Ayali Kalan, Ludhiana-2; and (right) a cop checks the ID of a voter at a school in Ayali Kalan. TRIBUNE PHOTOS: HIMANSHU MAHAJAN City witnesses 46.6 per cent voting in zila parishad, block samiti election Shivani Bhakoo Tribun News Service Ludhiana, December 14 Ludhiana district witnessed about 46.6 per cent voting during the zila parishad and block samiti elections held today. The elections started at 8 am, saw tension and arguments at few places, where voters alleged that their names were not in the voter list, but in most of the polling stations the election went peaceful. Tight police security arrangements had been done at sensitive areas. An old woman, Inderjit Kaur, who had come to cast vote at Government Senior Secondary School, Baddowal, in the morning, alleged that she had been exercising her right for the past over 50 years and today she was told that her name was not there in the list. “Not just mine, all five members of my family were told that their names were not in the list,” said the woman. Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain, however, said that the zila parishad elections were different from Vidhan Sabha. At times, the supplementary lists reach booths late. “We inquired about the miss- FINAL POLL PERCENTAGE Dehlon Doraha Jagraon Khanna Koomkalan Ludhiana Ludhiana Machhiwara Malaud Mullanpur Raikot Samrala 43.41 per cent 53.67 per cent 41.17 per cent 54.52 per cent 51.59 per cent 1- 32.10 per cent 11- 40.12 per cent 54.66 per cent 57.49 per cent 50.73 per cent 48.57 per cent 54.63 per cent. MAXIMUM VOTER TURNOUT AT MALOUD, MINIMUM AT LUDHIANA 1 AND 11 ing voters’ name and then got the supplementary list, where all names and booths had been mentioned. Accordingly, the voters casted their votes and there was no issue,” said Jain. He further said that the exact percentage of voter turnout can be stated later after the polling parties return. Meanwhile, villagers started coming out from their homes exactly around 8 am to cast their votes at the respective polling stations in the area. Though it was cold, still villagers braved the chill, stood in queues and patiently waited for their turn to cast vote. Till 2 pm, the voter turnout in Ludhiana district was 29.8 per cent while at 4 pm, the polling percentage reached 35 per cent. The villagers, who were inside the polling stations before 4 pm, were allowed to vote, even if it was 5:15 pm at many polling stations. On being asked about the reason for low turnout of voters, Ajaib Singh, a villager in Dakha area, said that there were few reasons. “These elections are not as important as Vidhan Sabha elections, so the NRIs, who are abroad, will not come to cast vote for the rural polls. Secondly, it was comparatively colder day, so majority of the old people remained inside,” he said. This time, many youngsters were seen coming forward during the voting process. Tejinderpal Singh, a youth from Dakha, said that the youth have to understand and come forward to save the villages from drugs and many other social evils. “The youngsters can bring about a change,” said the young voter. Barring stray scuffles, polling goes peaceful in Malerkotla Mahesh Sharma Ahmedgarh/Raikot/Payal, Dec 14 Amid allegations of rigging during the zila parishad and block samiti election, polling passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported in this region of Malerkotla and Ludhiana districts today. Elderly, frail and disabled persons showed unprecedented enthusiasm to reach their respective booths despite cold weather. Around 50 per cent of the electorate, including a record number of first timers exercised their franchise. Minor scuffles were reported from some localities as the supporters of candidates had heated arguments over issues like presence of outsiders and those accompanying voters to polling stations. Supporters of candidates, including the Congress, BJP , Shiromani Akali Dal and Aam Aadmi Party, accused SSP Gagan Ajit Singh interacts with elderly women visiting a booth for casting vote in Malerkotla polling staff of favouring candidates supported by rival outfits. Unlike other parts of the state, residents of villages falling under Malerkotla, Amargarh and Ahmedgarh were less enthusiastic about supporting their respective candidates. Pace of polling remained low up to 2 pm, but afterwards the process speeded up due to sudden arrival of a higher number of voters. Polling continued till 6.30 pm at several polling booths. No untoward incident was reported from the region. Ludhiana, December 14 A clash erupted between workers of AAP including the , candidate’s son, and an Independent candidate last night at Dakha. An AAP worker was allegedly attacked when he accused the Independent candidate of distributing liquor and cash to woo voters. Dakha DSP Varinder Singh Khosa said that last night at 11:30 pm a quarrel took place between Varinder Singh (AAP candidate’s son) and workers of Independent candidate, including Jatinder Singh, a former sarpanch of Dakha village. Varinder was brutally attacked by Jatinder, his aides Pawanpreet Singh, Aakash and Kiran, both sons of Mandeep Singh, and four unknown persons. Complainant Varinder had alleged that Jatinder was distributing liquor and money in the village to lure voters and when he tried to stop him, he was beaten up. Varinder (his mother is a candidate for block samiti, Dakha zone) belongs to Aam Aadmi Party. A case on charges of attempt to murder and others sections has been registered against the accused. Meanwhile, SAD workers also created a scene outside the polling station at Baddowal, near Dakha, where they alleged that their names were missing from the voting lists. They levelled allegations against the ruling party leaders for getting their Mahesh Sharma Malerkotla, December 14 Raipur village in Amargarh block of Malerkotla district set up a unique example during the Panchayati Raj Institutions election by facilitating villagers in casting their vote. Though all major political parties, including Aam Aadmi Party, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, had their candidates for the election, no senior leader was seen approaching or following voters at the polling booths. Contrary to the common trend in Punjab to set up indi- vidual stalls, candidates contesting election for Malerkotla zila parishad, Bagrian zone and Amargarh block samiti zone, Alipur, assisted villagers in casting votes by installing a common booth under a common shed in the centre of the village. Harvinder Singh appreciated that none of the candidates or their supporters had tried to influence, coerce or allure voters on the polling day or during campaign. “We have tried to perpetuate the tradition set by our elders that all voters will be free to choose their candidates during the election to the zila parishad and block samiti and we are glad that all leaders owing allegiance to different political parties, followed the real democratic tenet,” said Harvinder, acknowledging that some leniency was allowed during the gram panchayat election. Meanwhile, Gurpreet Singh, Rachhpal Singh, Lambardar Jarnail Singh, Jaswinder Singh, Pavitar Singh, Vijay Kumar and Amandeep Singh, activists of various political parties, aired similar views and called upon residents of other localities to stick to democratic norms during every election. Leaders of various political outfits sit at a common facilitation stall installed at Raipur village in Malerkotla district during rural body poll on Sunday. Elders keep democracy alive as youth migrate abroad Manav Mander Tribune News Service Ludhiana, December 14 The absence of younger generation during the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections was striking. Since many youngsters have migrated abroad in search of livelihood, those here prefer to remain away from the polling booths. In their place, it was the elders wrapped in shawls and carrying decades of memories of democracy, who lined up patiently to cast their vote. For them, the ballot is not just a choice, but a ritual of belonging, a way to keep their voice alive even as their children and grandchildren watch from distant shores. “I have voted in every election since the 1970s,” said 72year-old Gurcharan Singh, adjusting his turban as he waited outside the booth at Jarg village. Although my sons have moved abroad, but I do not forget my responsibility and cast my vote in every election, be it zila parishad or legislative assembly,” he said. “I was the first one to arrive at the polling booth to cast my vote and I am proud of myself,” said Bharpoor c m y b 85-year-old Gurdev Kaur alights from an auto to cast her vote at a government school in Ludhiana -2 zone. HIMANSHU MAHAJAN Singh, a 74-year-old from Mandiani village. “What if the younger lot has moved away, we cannot move away from our responsibility and I make sure to cast my vote in every election,” adds he. Across the courtyard at Rauni village, 80-year-old Satwant Kaur echoed similar sentiments. “My children moved to Canada 12 years back. They call and ask about every election and it is we, the elders, who are keeping the voice of the people strong by voting in every election,” she said. Baldev Singh, a retired schoolteacher from Baraich village, added that the young generation had moved out of the villages, some to cities and some abroad and these days only elderly live in the villages. “We are old, but we are not shunning away from our responsibility. Be it be any season or day; I always cast my vote. It is the responsibility of every citizen and this is what I taught to my students and also practising myself,” he said. The generational divide is stark. While elders continue to do their duty, youngsters have migrated abroad or moved to cities. names deleted from the lists. To prevent escalation of the situation, police officials calmed down the workers and election staff was called to listen to the grievances of the people. When KS Kang, senior AAP leader, arrived, voters cornered him on the issue of deletion of their votes. Kang left after assuring them that he will raise the issue with election staff, so that every voter can exercise his/her right to cast votes. Khosa said that no major violence was reported on the day of polling. At some places, where voters raised the issue outside the polling stations, senior officials of state election commission engaged in election duty were immediately informed and they assured voters that their grievances would be resolved. Controversy over voter list Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders have accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of rigging at Swaddi Kalan. Both parties staged a protest in front of the polling centre over the issue. The police also reached the spot to keep law and order situation under control, while election officials attempted to pacify the leaders. Fire breaks out in mall, garment store; car gutted Tribune News Service Setting example, candidates set up common stall at Malerkotla village Had also alleged distribution of liquor to lure voters Ludhiana, December 14 Two fire incidents were reported across the city on Saturday night. The first incident occurred at a prominent shopping centre on Ferozepur road, while the other took place outside the garment showroom near Bhadaur House, where a vehicle also got engulfed in flames. The fire had broken out on the ground floor of a popular apparel store in the shopping mall. Many people were inside the mall for watching a movie, but after noticing the blaze, they rushed outside for safety. The mall’s security team quickly mobilised, using onsite equipment to combat the fire, while simultaneously calling the fire brigade. The security team succeeded in containing the fire before the arrival of fire brigade. Police suspect an electrical malfunction stemming from a short circuit within the false ceiling of the billing section. As a precautionary measure, vendors from adjacent retail spaces also evacuated the premises. Senior fireman Rajinder Kumar confirmed that the timely intervention prevented any loss of life or injuries. The other incident occurred on Deepak Cinema road. After a fire broke out outside a garment showroom, a car parked close to the establishment was gutted in the fire, along with cooling units of three air conditioners. The intense heat also caused the showroom’s large glass facade to shatter. The fire brigade was immediately summoned and fire fighters successfully brought the vehicle fire under control. Area residents said fire reportedly occurred due to the pile of waste material lying outside the shop. The gutted car near Bhadaur House in Ludhiana. ASHWANI DHIMAN