Tarn Taran Diary: ‘Inhuman’ Patti police

On November 14, 40-year-old farmer Satnam Singh of Ghariala village committed suicide by allegedly consuming poisonous substance at his house. Though he left behind a suicide note, the Patti police seemed least interested to take note of it. In the suicide note, Satnam wrote how Sukhchain Singh and his wife Salwinder Kaur of the same village had got the registry of his house done with fake documents. He stated that the duo was threatening him to vacate his house, else they would take the possession forcibly. On the basis of suicide note, Satnam’s mother Balbir Kaur and marginal farmers approached Patti Sadar SHO Vipin Kumar to register case against Sukhchain and Salwinder. As the SHO concerned didn’t heard the matter, the victim’s family refused to cremate the body. On November 17, members of several farm associations led by the Kirti Kisan Union staged a three-day dharna infront of the Patti Sadar police station. It was on November 19 that Patti DSP Lovekesh Kumar called the agitating farmers and assured them that they would register a case against Sukhchain and Salwinder. Later in the day, the police booked Sukhchain and Salwinder under Sections 108 and 3(5) of the BNS. Nachhatar Singh, district president of the KKU, said the attitude of the Patti police had been inhuman, biased and authoritarian, which go against the democratic set up.

Left-leaning author comes up with poetry book

A book titled “Sulgde Harfan Di Lo”, authored by Jaswinder Singh Manochahal, was released during an event organised by the Government Pensioners’ Union, Tarn Taran.

Manochahal, who is a left-leaning author, has written a total of 56 poems of different issues mostly of social importance. He tried to hit at the corruption prevailing in the system from the low level to the higher ups, including by the politicians. He has also tried to highlight social evils like discrimination with women. He has also extended his expressions with the farmers of the country and the other working class. Manochahal has published six books in Punjabi, including “Vardi Da Mull” (a collection of stories), “Main Jaania Dukh Mujh Ko” (autobiography), “Badle Rang Punjab De” (narrative), “Mera Pind Te Mere Lok” (narrative), “19 Kalman 72 Rang” (editing) and “Daldal” (a collection of stories).

Text & photos: Gurbaxpuri