To be held, man drinks poison

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 11

A youth allegedly attempted suicide by consuming some poisonous substance after a police team tried to arrest him for drug peddling at his shop here late on Tuesday evening. The cops ran away from the spot after his condition deteriorated.

Identified as Supinder Singh of Wadala village in Rayya, he was rushed to a hospital by his family members. His condition is stated to be stable. The family members have urged Chief Minister Capt Amarinder singh, DGP Suresh Arora and Amritsar (Rural) SSP Parampal Singh to ensure action against the cops. They alleged that they had already met the SSP and informed him about the harassment being meted out to the family.

Balwinder Singh, father of the victim, said his son Supinder was once a drug addict. The police arrested him but was released by the court. He said his son underwent treatment and shunned the drugs. After that, he opened a welding shop to make a living. However, during the recent drive, the police started harassing and threatening him, he alleged.

“Supinder was in his shop on Tuesday when a police team from the Khilchian police station came to arrest him. Perturbed over this, he consumed some poisonous substance. We got to know about it from the owners of neighbouring shops, following which we took him to a private hospital,” he said.

However, Avtar Singh, SHO, Khilchian police station, said there was a specific input that Supinder was indulged in drug trade. “He has spent some time in jail on similar charges. The matter is being investigated,” he said.

SSP Parampal Singh said he was not aware about the incident as he was in Chandigarh. He said he would look into the matter.