Bid to grab school land: Canada based NRI expresses dismay over police ‘inaction’

Even though the Chheharta police have registered an FIR in connection with demolishing the boundary wall of a private school belonging to an NRI, they have expressed their dismay over the non-inclusion of names of the alleged suspects in the case.

This despite the fact that the complainant had categorically given the names of the accused in their complaint with the police.

“Our NRI minister has been holding online monthly meetings with Punjabi NRIs to listen to their grievances, however, our plea have fallen to deaf ear so far,” said Amandeep Singh, Canada based NRI and owner of the school.

Shivalika Dhillon, principal and co-owner of the school, said that earlier two FIRs had been registered and also the local court had ordered to maintain status quo, the accused were repeatedly trying to usurp the land. Several persons damaged boundary wall of the playground of the school — Lake Head Public School — in an attempt to illegally grab it.

Not once but twice, the accused demolished the boundary wall in two days. Overall it was fourth attempt by the accused, she alleged.

First FIR was registered by the NRI police on September 14, 2024, Among those booked included Hardayal Singh Pandori, Lalli Kabal Singh of Kohali village here, Manjit Singh Hansowala of Hansowala village in Khadoor Sahib and their unknown accomplices. The second FIR was registered against Sukhjit Singh of Kohala village on November 4, 2024, apart from his unidentified companions.

Amandeep Singh had sought intervention of the Punjab Chief Minister and the Punjab DGP after several persons who attempted to grab his ancestral property by manipulating and fabricating the land records. The school has been functioning for past nearly four decades there.

He said his father, Dr Avtar Singh, a former professor at the historic Khalsa College, started the school in the 1980s after his return from Canada with a mission to provide quality education to poor kids in the rural belt. He said two years ago he passed away.