Sukhdev, his pregnant wife Binder and four-year-old daughter Kusum committed suicide by jumping in front of the Ludhiana-Lohian train near Vir village on the Nakodar-Noormahal railway section. They died on the spot.

They took this step as the police was reportedly harassing them in the case of Pooja of Kot Badal Khan village, who had been missing since May 16.

This infuriated the people of the area, who took to the streets and reportedly vandalised public property. The protesters also gheraoed the police station. When the police attempted to disperse them, the mob turned violent and threw stones at it. Four policemen, including DSP Harpeet Singh Benipal, were injured. Later, more police force was pressed into action.

Two weeks back Pooja had been allegedly abducted by Sandeep. Shivdev Singh Kahlon, SHO of Nurmahal police, had detained the boy’s uncle, Sukhdev, for questioning. The police had earlier also detained him twice in connection with the case.

DSP Harpreet Singh Benipal has ordered the suspension of Shivdev Singh Kahlon. Besides, Jalandhar deputy commissioner, DIG and SSP were camping at Nurmahal.

Meanwhile, a crowd of more than 200 Dalits was demonstrating at the Civil Hospital against the police firing. Jalandhar ADC Sukhwinder Paul Mrar, SP(HQ) S.K. Kalia, Phillaur SDM Pritam Singh, besides CRPF officials and Civil Surgeon, Jalandhar, were camping at the hospital for negotiations with the protesters. Paramilitary forces and Punjab Police policemen were patrolling the closed bazars of the town. A three-wheeler was found damaged and bricks were lying scattered near the Nurmahal police station.

Sandeep and Tandi of Uppal Khalsa village and a woman, Pammi, sustained bullet injuries.

Surjit Kaur, sister of Sukhdev blamed the police for the suicide.

ADC Sukhwinderpal assured the protesters that a case would be registered against the SHO. Meanwhile, the protesters foiled the attempts of the administration to conduct a post-mortem examination of Balwinder. On the other hand a post mortem of Sukhdev and his family was conducted at the Nakodar Civil Hospital and the bodies were handed over to his family.

Jalandhar deputy commissioner Ajit Singh Pannu has said SDM, Phillaur, Pritam Singh will be the inquiry officer with regard to the case and will submit the report within 15 days. He said Rs 5 lakh would be given to the family of Balwinder while MLA Sarwan Singh Phillaur has given an assurance to give Rs 3 lakh to the family. Pannu said Rs 50,000 each would be given to the injured along with free medical treatment.

A case has been registered under Section 304, IPC, against head constable Parminder Singh responsible for the firing. The police has also registered a case under Section 307, IPC, against a mob on the charges of assaulting police employees.

Meanwhile, the post-mortem examination of Balwinder conducted at the Civil Hospital was videographed and the body handed over to his family.