Clash over possession of dera leaves one dead, 3 injured in Baba Bakala
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 6
Four accomplices of Ranjit Singh Rania, who claimed to be a descendant of controversial Nihang Sikh Ajit Singh Poohla, were injured in a retaliatory fire after Rania, accompanied by 25 armed Nihangs, barged into a dera in Baba Bakala, where the family of the Poohla lived, and started indiscriminate firing in the wee hours of Monday. One of the injured died later.
Who is Ajit Singh Poohla
- Ajit Singh Poohla of Tarna Dal was killed in Amritsar Central Jail when two jail inmates set him ablaze after pouring diesel on him in 2008. He was facing a number of cases related to murder, attempt to murder and kidnapping. He had succumbed to his injuries at PGI, Chandigarh.
- According to police officials, the Ranjit Singh group who claimed to be his descendent had took possession of almost all other deras, except the one in Baba Bakala.
According to information, Rania claimed ownership of the 15-acre dera land and had come to take its possession. The deceased was reportedly identified as Sukhraj Singh while injured included Tejpal Singh, Satnam Singh and Hardeep Singh.
A case of murder bid, criminal trespass and violation of the Arms Act had been registered against Ranjit Singh and his accomplices, said Amritsar (Rural) SSP Vikram Jeet Duggal, adding that 15 of them had been arrested.
The SSP said around 20 policemen were already deputed at the dera entrance as the police had been tipped off about the attack. He said while the police personnel were guarding the entrance gate, the suspects entered the sprawling dera complex from the backside. They also fired at the cops when they reached the spot after hearing the gun shots. The policemen returned fire.
