BBN industrial belt turning into criminals’ hideout

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 2

The industrial hub of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) has turned into a crime hub, where miscreants from neighbouring states are operating fearlessly.

Recently, six youths were arrested from Makhnumajra village and Handa Khundi for allegedly killing one and grievously injuring four others in neighbouring Haryana. One of the accused has been facing 10 criminal cases.

Even the infamous shootout case of Punjabi singer Parmish Verma in Mohali in April has its roots in the Baddi industrial area from where two local youths were arrested by the Punjab Police for their alleged involvement. According to investigations by the Punjab Police, the BBN has become hideout of criminals from the neighbouring states.

Punjab policemen had recently initiated covert operations in the BBN area to nab wanted criminals. It came to light during one of their operations when two Punjab policemen opened fire on a local youth at Jharmajri in May. While the Baddi police was caught unawares about their presence, the case brought to the fore the vulnerability of the industrial belt.

Sources said being an industrial belt, there was a huge population of migrant labours in the area. Many of them have had criminal background. In certain criminal cases wherein migrant labourers were involved, it became difficult to trace the accused in the absence of their proper record with the local authorities.

A migrant labourer from Jharkhand was recently murdered by his neighbour at Barotiwala village. The accused is yet to be arrested as his whereabouts are unknown. The principal of Shiwalik Senior Secondary Science School, Kharuni village, was allegedly killed by armed assailants at his house on August 13. His wife was grievously injured.

Harjinder Pal, cousin of former Congress MLA from Doon, was killed with sharp-edged weapons in a land dispute case. A former MLA’s nephew was allegedly assaulted by six armed assailants in Baddi in June without any provocation. The accused are yet to be arrested.

DIG Asif Jalal said some measures had been initiated to strengthen the police department in the BBN area.