Drug peddlers’ attack on Mehatpur sarpanch case

Mahinder Singh, Sarpanch of village Bootian Dian Chhanna, who was seriously injured in an alleged attack by drug peddlers a few days ago, succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Jalandhar, triggering widespread anger and fear among residents of the area.

Following his death, activists of the Dehati Mazdoor Sabha, Jamhoori Kisan Sabha and several other organisations, along with the victim's family members, staged a prolonged protest and laid siege to the Mehatpur police station for several hours demanding strict action against the accused.

Addressing the protesters, Dehati Mazdoor Sabha state president Darshan Nahar demanded that the Station House Officer (SHO) and Munshi Sukhbir Singh of Mehatpur police station be booked under Section 120-B in the murder case. He also demanded that Mahinder Singh be declared a martyr for his fight against drug trafficking, a compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh to the bereaved family, a government job to one family member, and that the village primary school be named after the deceased Sarpanch. He warned that the siege of the police station would continue until these demands were accepted.

Satpal Sahota, state president of the MGNREGA Union, strongly condemned the drug mafia and warned that if the administration failed to deliver justice, the people would be compelled to take matters into their own hands to counter the menace of drugs.

Jamhoori Kisan Sabha state leader Major Singh alleged that Mahinder Singh's murder had taken place due to the alleged patronage of drug peddlers by certain police officials. He demanded that the Mehatpur SHO and Munshi Sukhbir Singh be included in the murder case.

Meanwhile, Shahkot MLA Hardev Singh Ladi Sherowalia expressed grief over the Sarpanch's death and said Mahinder Singh had been raising his voice against drug trafficking for a long time. He claimed that the Sarpanch had repeatedly informed him about drug peddling activities in the village and that he had conveyed the matter to administrative authorities. However, he alleged that the nexus between some police personnel and drug peddlers ultimately led to the Sarpanch losing his life. He also called upon people to join the struggle to ensure justice for the family.

DSP Shahkot Sukhpal Singh stated that three accused involved in the attack had already been arrested and that the remaining suspects would be apprehended soon. Responding to a question from journalists, he said the matter regarding Munshi Sukhbir Singh had also been reported to the district police chief and appropriate action would be taken after due inquiry.

Till the filing of this report, the protest and siege of Mehatpur police station were continuing.