2 dera followers shot near Khanna, probe on

Mahesh Sharma 

Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 25

A Dera Sacha Sauda follower and his son of local Bali Ram Mohalla were shot dead by unidentified assailants at a canteen run by them at Naam Charcha Ghar at Jagera village on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road this evening. 

The deceased were identified as Sat Pal Sharma (72) and his son Ramesh Kumar Sharma (40). The Khanna district police have initiated a probe into the incident. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that unidentified persons shot the “premis” when they were about to close the canteen, which is located in the front part of the dera premises around 7.30 pm. 

Though the investigation team led by Satnam Singh, SP (D), is yet to scan the footage of the CCTV installed at the dera premises, it is suspected that the assailants attacked the "premis" shortly after other devotees and attendants left the dera. 

Dera officials said the deceased had taken a contract to run the canteen only a fortnight ago and they had no enmity with anyone. They denied having received any threat in the recent past. 

While the police declined to divulge any details, sources said the CCTV footage suggested that assailants were two in number and their faces were covered. 

Meanwhile, the administration is keeping a watch on the situation.