Kartarpur road blockade over undertrial's death ends after police assurance

A two-day protest demanding legal and departmental action against jail officials allegedly linked to the death of an undertrial prisoner at Kapurthala Central Jail ended peacefully on Sunday evening after senior police officials assured demonstrators that their grievances would be taken up in a meeting with the SSP, Kapurthala.

Following the assurance, protesters lifted their blockade on the Kartarpur–Kapurthala road, restoring normal traffic after nearly 48 hours of disruption.

The agitation was triggered by the death of an undertrial prisoner inside Kapurthala Central Jail. The deceased's family alleged that certain jail officials were responsible and accused the authorities of failing to initiate prompt legal and departmental action. Claiming that the repeated appeals had elicited no concrete response, the family sought support from the Guru Ravidass Tiger Force (GRTF), which launched a protest demanding justice and accountability.

The protest began on July 11, when 70-80 members of the GRTF, led by Jassi Talhan, along with the deceased's family members, gathered outside the office of the SSP, Kapurthala. Carrying placards and raising slogans, they demanded registration of a criminal case, departmental proceedings against the officials concerned, and a fair probe into the circumstances surrounding the prisoner's death.

As talks with police officials failed to produce a breakthrough, the protesters shifted their dharna to the busy Kartarpur–Kapurthala road, blocking traffic and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill. The police diverted traffic through alternative routes and deployed personnel to maintain law and order.

The protest also received support from Nachattar Singh, president of the Sher-e-Punjab Naujawan Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

Determined to continue the agitation until their demands were addressed, protesters arranged food, mattresses and other essentials at the site, indicating their readiness for a prolonged sit-in. They insisted that either the SSP or the DC should assure them of action against the officials concerned.

Later, the Additional DC accepted a memorandum and assured the protesters that their grievances would be placed before the competent authorities. However, the assurance failed to satisfy the demonstrators, who continued the blockade through the night.

On the second day too, they remained firm on their demands. The prolonged road closure caused inconvenience to commuters and disrupted traffic on a key district route.

The deadlock ended late Sunday evening when SP (Headquarters), Kapurthala, visited the protest site and held fresh talks with representatives of the GRTF and the bereaved family. He assured them that their grievances would be heard at a meeting with the SSP and that the allegations against the jail officials would be examined in accordance with the law.

Following the assurance, the protesters called off the dharna and removed the blockade. The police reopened the Kartarpur–Kapurthala road shortly thereafter, restoring normal traffic movement.