The year 2025 marked a dangerous turning point for Ludhiana, as the industrial hub grappled with an alarming rise in brazen gang violence and public shootouts. With trigger-happy criminals settling scores in the open, the city's streets witnessed a series of violent incidents, leaving residents fearful and demanding urgent action from the police force as 2026 begins.
A City Under the Shadow of Gunfire
The year 2025 became disturbingly defined by frequent shootouts, with rival gangs openly firing at each other to settle disputes. This wave of gun violence reached terrifyingly close to the public in November 2025, when gunshots erupted during a wedding function in the city, tragically killing two guests. Residents now express a strong desire for robust preventive policing, believing that while arrests have been made, the core issue of the easy availability of illegal firearms remains unaddressed.
Citizens argue that despite police action in specific cases, the flow of illegal weapons into Ludhiana continues unchecked. The problem is compounded by criminals using these guns not only for inter-gang rivalries but also for robbing people of vehicles and valuables. This has created a pervasive sense of insecurity, with people calling for a decisive crackdown on the networks smuggling and supplying these weapons.
Citizen Voices: From Night Vigil to Youth and Guns
Businessman Gursharan Singh from Manakawal highlighted the thin police presence at night. He cited recent online videos showing goons on bikes threatening people with sharp weapons and committing robberies in the late hours. "When I travel at night, I see only a few police vehicles on main roads," he said, adding that inner-city patrolling seems even scarcer, creating ideal opportunities for criminals.
Aman Thakur, an agriculturist from Haibowal, echoed concerns about the sharp rise in gun crime. "It felt like every other day, news emerged about youngsters exchanging gunfire," he stated. Thakur acknowledged police arrests but stressed the lack of preventive action. He expressed particular worry over youth without major criminal records gaining access to guns and urged authorities to target illegal gun smugglers aggressively.
Traffic Chaos: A Parallel Challenge for Ludhiana
Beyond gun violence, residents identified chronic traffic mismanagement as a major civic headache. Regular congestion across the city, especially during peak hours and festivals, needs immediate streamlining. A common suggestion from locals, including trader Karan Sharma from the old city, is to move the entire traffic challan system online.
They argue that this digital shift would free all traffic police personnel for ground duty focused solely on regulating vehicular flow, thereby reducing chaos at busy intersections. An online system is also seen as a step towards more transparent enforcement.
Psychologist Dr. Davinder Sharma pointed to infrastructural deficits, noting that popular markets like Ghumar Mandi, Civil Lines, Dugri Road, and Model Town lack proper parking facilities. This forces visitors to park illegally, leading to towing and fines. He emphasized that the police and municipal corporation must first provide adequate parking in these major commercial zones to solve part of the traffic problem.
As Ludhiana steps into 2026, the task for the city police is clearly outlined by its citizens: restore public safety by curbing gun violence and illegal weapons, and bring order to the chaotic streets through visible, effective policing and smarter traffic management. The collective call is for proactive measures, not just reactive arrests, to reclaim the city's peace.
