Week after suicide, farmer yet to be cremated

Perneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 10

It has been a week since Gursewak Singh, a farmer from Dhurkot Lehra village, committed suicide, but the farmer unions are adamant on their stand that he will not be cremated until all accused in the abetment of suicide case are arrested.

Activists of the BKU Ekta Ugrahan continued their protest outside Rampura (City) police station for the seventh day on Sunday. The protest has got support from the BKU Ekta Dakaunda. While one of the accused, Darshan Singh of Mandi Kalan, surrendered in the court, the remaining two are absconding.

Gursewak had allegedly hanged himself from a tree at his village last Sunday. 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.

Incidentally, Rampura (City) police station SHO Sunil Kumar has been shifted and replaced by Bikkar Singh. SSP Naveen Singla claimed that it was a routine transfer. When asked about the case, he said the police were conducting raids to nab the remaining two accused.

BKU Ekta Ugrahan district president Shingara Singh Mann alleged that the police had failed to nab the prime accused. “It seems they are giving them time to secure bail. The DSP concerned had sought two days to arrest them, but nothing was done. Now, the new SHO is telling us that he is trying his best to nab them.” He alleged that the land mafia was flourishing under political patronage and they were duping the gullible farmers. He said their dharna would continue till the accused were put behind bars.