Congress workers flee homes
Allege torture by police
From Chander Parkash
Tribune News Service

BAGAPURANA (Moga), Oct 29 — A number of families of Congress workers of this area have fled their homes to escape atrocities being committed on them allegedly by the local police under political pressure after the recently held Lok Sabha elections.

Mr Amarjit Singh, President, District Congress Committee, alleged he was booked in a criminal case by the local police on September 23, 1999, as he had supported the Congress candidate, Mr Jagmeet Singh Brar, from the Faridkot parliamentary constituency. He said he had secured bail from the court.

In a writ filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, Mr Amarjit Singh had demanded that his employee Sadhu Ram, who was picked by the local police on September 25 and was not traceable, should be released from "illegal" police custody. He had also sought redress for the maltreatment meted out to his family members by policemen when they raided his house on September 24.

Kala Ram, another employee of Mr Amarjit Singh, alleged that he was kept at the police station from October 10 to October 14 and tortured. He was rescued by a warrant officer appointed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Mr Parminder Singh, grandson of the late freedom fighter Pala Singh, in an application to the DGP, alleged that he and his brother was tortured by the police under political pressure after the Lok Sabha elections as they had supported Mr Jagmeet Brar.

Mr Surjeet Singh, a shopkeeper, alleged he was picked up from his shop on October 25 and beaten up by the local police. He said he was freed on October 26. No case was registered against him.

Residents of Rajiana village falling in this subdivision, on the condition of anonymity, said male members of their families were spending nights outside their home due to fear of police highhandedness.

Mr Sharad Chohan, SSP, Moga, when contacted, said on a complaint by a deputation of Congress workers regarding atrocities, he had asked the SP (Headquarters) to conduct a probe. He claimed some persons were levelling allegations against the police to cover up their "misdeeds".

Mr Joginder Singh, SHO, when contacted said Mr Amarjit Singh was involved in land garbbing and a number of cases were registered against him in other police stations as well.

He pointed out that a number of criminals were trying to escape action against them by trying to give political hue to police functioning.

Mr Amarjit Singh, however, denied he was involved in any land grab case. He said the police was only making "excuses".