Protesters attack Moga MLA’s car

Tribune News Service

Faridkot, December 2

Dharamkot Congress MLA Sukhjeet Singh Kaka Lohgarh’s car was reportedly attacked by protesters in front of the Civil Hospital in Moga on Monday.

The MLA had gone to the hospital to pacify protesters following a youth’s death in celebratory firing at a marriage function in Mastewala village of Dharamkot in Moga on Saturday evening.

Karam Singh (19), a member of a DJ group, died when a bullet hit him during celebratory firing at a wedding in Mastewala village. Five people were booked in the incident. It has been alleged that after Karam Singh died, some of the accused took the body to the Moga Civil Hospital and fled from the scene after dumping the body there.

Protesters, including family members of Karam Singh, staged a sit-in near the Moga civil hospital on Monday, demanding Rs 25 lakh compensation for the family of the deceased and a government job for a family member. They also demanded immediate arrest of the five accused. Members of several students’ unions also joined the protest.

The MLA had gone to the protest site to persuade them to call off their dharna. However, a heated argument broke out between the MLA and few protesters after the latter objected to his remarks regarding the incident.

Later, the MLA clarified his statement and said the accused would be caught soon. Some of the protesters also accused the Congress MLA of helping the culprits, a charge denied by the legislator. After the verbal spat, some unidentified persons threw stones at Sukhjeet Singh’s car, damaging the windscreen of his vehicle.

Sources said the MLA saved his life by hiding in a room in the office of a Senior Medical Officer (SMO) in the Civil Hospital. Later, the legislator, along with other occupants, escaped from the hospital.

The MLA said a complaint by his driver was lodged at the Moga City-2 police station. Moga SP (H) Rattan Singh Brar said the police were investigating the incident before taking necessary legal action in the incident.