Firing victim’s relatives block road, allege police inaction

Charanjit Singh Teja

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 23

The family members of the gunshot victim, Ashish Kumar alias Ashu, blocked the Rattan Singh Chowk on Fatehgarh Churian road, as he succumbed to his injuries at the PGI, Chandigarh, today. His kin accused the police of inaction in the case and demanded the arrest of the accused. The protest continued till late in the evening even as the family was waiting for the body.

Raju, the father of the victim, accused the police of working under the pressure of political leaders and failing to arrest the accused. The family members raised slogans against the police and also a Congress leader.

The Chheharta SHO said the police was making efforts to nab the accused and refuted the allegations of political pressure. Sarabjit Singh Bajwa, Assistant Police Commissioner (North), said, “We have been trying to pacify the family and assured to meet their demand. They are waiting for the body of the deceased and will clear the road.”

Ashu was seriously injured when several persons, equipped with firearms, attacked on him on April 16. He had to be admitted to Guru Nanak Dev Hospital where the doctors referred him to the PGI. He received bullet injuries in his legs and back.

Based on the statement of Ashu, the police registered a case against seven persons, identified as Cami Pehalwan, his brother Love, Pawan, Tidda, Yash, Baljinder Singh and Bittu Pehlwan, all residents of Navi Abadi.

Ashish had informed the police in his statement that he had been residing at the residence of his sister in Mahal village for over a month. His friend Sonu came to meet him and they went to play cricket at the government school’s playground in the village. The accused came in two SUVs and started firing at him. Police had claimed old enmity to be the reason behind the clash.

Meanwhile, commuters at the Old Jail road, Circular Road and Fatehgarh Churian road were stuck in traffic jam. The demonstrators did not provide the way even to an ambulance. The police claimed that they diverted the traffic to avoid harassment to the public.