Ex-sarpanch stabbed to death, accused arrested

Saurav Minhas Billa (44), a former sarpanch and active leader of the farmers' organisation "Pagdi Sambhal Jatta Lehar," was murdered with a sharp-edged weapon by a local man at Nangal Awana village of Mukerian on late last evening.

In a statement to the police, Suryansh Minhas, Billa's nephew, stated that around 6:30 pm on November 6, he, his friend and Billa were returning home from the fields. Billa was about 20 feet ahead of them while talking on the phone. Suddenly, a man from the village attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon. The attacker stabbed him multiple times. When they rushed to his rescue, he fled the scene.

Family members and villagers rushed the severely injured Billa to the Civil Hospital, Mukerian. However, due to his critical condition, doctors referred him to a private hospital in Jalandhar, where he died during treatment late at night. In a statement to the police, Minhas stated that the murder stemmed from an old rivalry.

When Billa's body was brought to the local Civil Hospital this afternoon, a large crowd gathered, including political leaders, local dignitaries, and leaders and activists of various farmers' organisations. Questioning the police administration's handling of the situation, the people blocked the national highway in front of the Civil Hospital, Mukerian, for about an hour. The crowd demanded that the administration must arrest all those involved in this conspiracy, stating that only one person could not be behind this incident.

The police have been given time until 11 am on November 8 for this purpose. They warned that if the police administration continues to be lax, a fierce protest will be launched against them.

SHO Daljit Singh stated that the accused has been identified as Beant Singh, alias Vicky, of Nangal Awana. He has been arrested and a case has been registered against him.