Panic in Khanna as Sena men fire into the air at leader’s cremation
Gurminder Singh Grewal
Khanna, April 25
Panic gripped the cremation ground and surrounding areas of Khanna when Shiv Sena leaders fired several shots into the air during the last rites of Shiv Sena labour wing state president Durga Parsad Gupta.
Durga Parsad Gupta was shot dead by two unidentified persons on April 23 at Lalheri Chowk here when he was going on a motorcycle towards his home from office.
Though heavy police force, including DSP City, was present at the cremation to keep a watch on the situation, they remained mute spectators to the firing. About 4-5 persons, having pistols and a gun, fired into the air reportedly to honour their slain leader. Besides that, the cremation passed off peacefully.
Shiv Sena state president Sanjiv Ghanouli confirmed the firing incident and alleged that the state government had failed to cremate the leader with state honours as he had “died for the country”. He said that they fired into the air to give state honours to their slain leader and to warn Khalistani supporters. Ghanouli also warned that if the police failed to nab the killers, they would hold Punjab bandh soon.
The Khanna district police have registered a case in the firing incident. SSP Satinder Singh confirmed this and said that a case under Section 336, 34 of the IPC and 25, 54, 59 of the Arms Act was registered against four Shiv Sena leaders, including state president Sanjiv Ghanouli, at Khanna City police station.
DIG Ludhiana Range SK Kalia confirmed the firing incident and said that the roles of Shiv Sena leaders who fired the shots and the police officials who were present were under the scanner.
IG Jalandhar Range, DIG Ludhiana Range and SSP Khanna were present in Khanna city when the firing took place.
