Firing in nagar kirtan: Dirba SHO transferred

SANGRUR: Three days after seven persons in Kamalpur village fired in air during a nagar kirtan, organised to celebrate the 550th Parkash Purb, Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg has ordered a departmental inquiry against Dirba SHO Lakhwinder Singh and transferred him to Sangrur Police Lines.

A video grab of the firing incident at a Sangrur village.

Parvesh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 15

Three days after seven persons in Kamalpur village fired in air during a nagar kirtan, organised to celebrate the 550th Parkash Purb, Sangrur SSP Sandeep Garg has ordered a departmental inquiry against Dirba SHO Lakhwinder Singh and transferred him to Sangrur Police Lines. The action came after the video of the firing incident went viral on social media.

The delay in action has, however, earned a bad name for the police. Area residents, on anonymity, told The Tribune that delay in action had exposed the failure of the police and bullet could have hit any devotee during the nagar kirtan. They also requested senior police authorities to take action to prevent such incidents in future as more nagar kirtans would be organised across the state to celebrate the Gurpurb.

On Thursday, after the video of the incident went viral on various WhatsApp and Facebook groups, initially it was not confirmed that the incident happened in Sangrur district. Late in evening, when some Dirba residents identified the persons, the matter reached senior police officers.

“The SHO must have registered an FIR immediately after seeing the video, wherein seven persons can be seen firing in air. I have ordered a departmental inquiry and transferred Dirba SHO to Sangrur Police Lines. The arm licences of all seven accused, who fired in air, will also be cancelled. I have also ordered the registration of FIR against them,” the SSP said.

Some policemen posted in Dirba police station, however, said the firing did not take place during their presence in the nagar kirtan and it might have taken place before.

“All seven have been identified,” the SSP added.

‘Overenthusiastic’ devotees

Three days ago, seven persons fired in air during a nagar kirtan organised to celebrate the 550th Parkash Purb in Kamalpur village of Sangrur district.
On Thursday, a video of the firing incident went viral on social media, including WhatsApp and Facebook groups.