Protests continue over suicide by driver, helper

The protest over the death of a truck driver and his helper by suicide, allegedly after being assaulted and humiliated by a police officer over a theft accusation on July 25, shows no sign of abating.

Today, the families of the deceased and members of the Dalit organisations took out a march through Patran, carrying the bodies of the victims. They were demanding the immediate arrest of the accused.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi has summoned Deputy Commissioner Preeti Yadav and the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Patiala, to appear in person before the commission and submit a comprehensive report on August 5.

A spokesperson for the Commission said the deceased, Davinder Singh (45) and Harpreet Singh (43), both residents of Nial village near Patran in Patiala district, died by suicide after allegedly being assaulted by a police officer.

Harpreet belonged to the SC community. The victims’ families have been holding a sit-in on the Patran-Patiala highway for the past six days, demanding justice for the deceased and swift action against the accused. The ongoing protest has caused frequent jams, forcing school buses and other vehicles to use alternative routes.

Manjit Singh, a member of the Sangharsh Committee formed to support the victims’ families, said business establishments across Patran remained shut from 10 am to 2 pm on Friday in solidarity with the protesters. He also alleged that the police had parked a sand-laden truck to block the protesters’ march.

“However, after members of farmer unions, truck unions and local residents joined the demonstration, the path was cleared,” he added.

Senior officials, including SP Vaibhav Chaudhary, DSP Inderpal Chauhan, SDM Ashok Kumar and Tehsildar Swapandeep Kaur were present at the site to monitor the law-and-order situation during the march.

The protest has received political backing, with former MP and Congress leader Dr Dharamvira Gandhi joining the agitation. He demanded financial compensation and a government job for the kin of the deceased.

The police have registered a case against five persons — three identified and two unidentified —under charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. While two accused, Desa Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, have been arrested, the prime accused, ASI Lakhwinder Singh, who was posted with the Special Task Force (STF), remains absconding.

Manjit alleged that Lakhwinder had threatened to falsely implicate the victims in a drug trafficking case.

Before consuming a poisonous substance, the duo recorded a video message on their mobile phones, accusing the truck owner —reportedly a police officer — of beating them, accusing both of stealing Rs 65,000. Davinder worked as a truck driver and Harpreet as his helper.

Malkit Singh, father of Davinder, said the two were returning after unloading goods in Hoshiarpur when the incident occurred.

Government failed poor people of Patran: Kainth

State vice-president of BJP Scheduled Caste Morcha Paramjit Singh Kainth, while addressing a gathering of protesters, said the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Bhagwant Singh Mann has failed miserably in providing justice to the poor people of Punjab.

Protests and demonstrations have been going on for the past seven days. The administration seems to have failed to arrest the main culprits who drove both Davinder and Harpreet to suicide, he said.