'Hit on private parts, left to die': Fazilka village on edge over teen’s alleged torture, death in police custody

The death of a 19-year-old youth, Sajan Kumar, of Lamochar Kalan village in Fazilka under mysterious circumstances on Friday has triggered a massive protest. During the demonstration, which entered its second day today, family members and a large number of villagers blocked the Fazilka-Ferozepur road near Bhamba Wattu village and placed the youth’s body in the middle.

The protesters alleged that the teenager was beaten to death in police custody at Ghubaya police post, situated on the Fazilka-Ferozepur road, over the allegation of theft of sand. Youth’s parents Chhinder Kaur and Joginder Singh said that Sajan along with his friend Akashdeep had gone to bring some sand from nearby areas. They alleged that Sajan was held and taken to the nearby Ghubaya police post. They alleged that the police hit on his testicles, resulting in his death. The mother alleged that he was not even given water despite his repeated requests.

Akashdeep, who had accompanied Sajan, alleged that the police took Sajan away from him and thrashed him mercilessly, resulting in his death. The police then allegedly threw both of them on a road near Bhambu Wattu village.

Member of Parliament Sher Singh Ghubaya, who also reached the dharna site, condemned the incident and called it a “murder”. He demanded immediate action against the police personnel involved in the “crime”. The villagers, too, raised slogans against Mining Department officials, Punjab Police and Punjab Government, demanding action and arrest of officials allegedly responsible for Sajan’s death.

Meanwhile, Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurmeet Singh claimed the issue pertained to the youth and mining officials. He denied that Sajan was beaten to death by the police. He said when the mining officials tried to catch Sajan, he rushed to a nearby dhaba and tried to jump over a wall but fell on a tractor cultivator and later died.

Jatinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Jalalabad, too, claimed that the police had nothing to do with the incident. He also claimed that Sajan sustained testicle injuries after falling on the tractor cultivator. He said the police, however, were investigating into the allegations.

The villagers said that they would not lift the dharna till action is taken against the erring officials.