BKU activists lay siege to Rampura police station

BATHINDA: Activists of the BKU Ekta Ugrahan on Wednesday laid a permanent siege to the Rampura police station to protest the alleged failure of the police in arresting Amarjeet Sharma, a Congress leader from Bhagta Bhaika, in connection with the abetment to suicide case registered against him.

Activists of the BKU Ekta Ugrahan protest in Bathinda on Wednesday. Tribune photo

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 20

Activists of the BKU Ekta Ugrahan on Wednesday laid a permanent siege to the Rampura police station to protest the alleged failure of the police in arresting Amarjeet Sharma, a Congress leader from Bhagta Bhaika, in connection with the abetment to suicide case registered against him. A farmer from Dhurkot Lehra village ended his life on June 3.

BKU Ekta Ugrahan district president Shingara Singh Mann said, “We have intensified our agitation, as the police have failed to nab Sharma who is known for his proximity to a senior Congress leader of the area. We have gheraoed both entry and exit gates of the police station. We will not lift the siege until he is arrested. We are also ready to face police action, but will not back out now.”

He alleged that one of the police officials even told them that they were hoping that the two parties would reach some sort of a compromise. He alleged that the police were deliberately going soft on the issue of Sharma’s arrest, owing to his links with the ruling party leaders. He said they were firm on their stand of not cremating the farmer until the third accused was arrested. The protest has got support from the BKU Ekta Dakaunda.

The body of farmer Gursewak Singh is still lying at the Rampura Civil Hospital. Gursewak had allegedly hung himself from a tree at his village on June 3. The Rampura police had recovered a suicide note from his pocket. Gursewak had held Amarjeet Sharma of Bhagta Bhaika, Darshan Singh of Mandi Kalan and Rishu of Rampura Phul responsible for his death, as they had purchased land from him, but were allegedly not making full payment. When he asked for money, the accused reportedly threatened him, read the suicide note. The police had registered a case against the trio on the statement of the deceased’s widow, Kulwinder Kaur. The police have already arrested Darshan Singh and Rishu in connection with the case.

Rampura SHO Bikkar Singh said, “We are inside the police station, while our teams are conducting raids to arrest Sharma.”

He refuted the allegations levelled against the police by the union leaders.