Suspended sarpanch’s brother tries to kill himself in protest

Tribune News Service

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Sangrur, December 24

Jawahar Lal today reportedly attempted to commit suicide to protest the suspension of Mahmadpur village sarpanch Suraj Bhan, who is also his elder brother, at the local grain market.

He tried to hang himself from a tree near the waterworks, where sarpanch Suraj Bhan and other members of the panchayat were protesting Bhan’s suspension. They have been atop the waterworks since yesterday.

Bhan said Jawahar Lal was safe as the people present there had saved him. He said they climbed down the waterworks on the assurance of senior SAD leader Gobind Kanjhla that his suspension would be revoked. Bhan said if his demand wasn’t met, they would intensify their agitation.

Bhan was suspended by the Director of Rural Development and Panchayats for being involved in a case, wherein some person had reportedly encroached upon panchayat land. However, the sarpanch has refuted the charge, adding he had been framed.

Meanwhile, panchayat member Surinder Singh, who was also atop the waterworks, today fell ill and was taken to the hospital. Earlier, members of various parties, including the BSP, AAP, Congress and SAD (A) took part in the dharna, organised near the waterworks. Members of various panchayats also participated in the dharna.

Additional Deputy Commissioner (development) Rajinder Batra, Dhuri SDM Jashanpreet Kaur and Dhuri DSP Nahar Singh also visited the agitation site.