Sarpanch among 20 nabbed for SI’s killing in Tarn Taran

The Tarn Taran police have arrested Kot Mohammad Khan village Sarpanch Kuldeep Singh and 19 others in the firing case, in which Sub-Inspector Charanjit Singh lost his life.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Jasbir Singh also suffered grievous injuries in the incident that took place on Wednesday.

The Opposition targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) over the incident, claiming that the sarpanch was associated with the ruling outfit.

The police, however, denied any political rivalry and said a dispute over a tractor had led to the violent clash.

After receiving a call on 112 helpline, wherein the caller reported firing between two groups, Sub-Inspector Charanjit Singh and his team had reached Kot Mohammad Khan village to take stock of the situation.

However, the two groups started pelting each other and the police team with stones. In the melee, one of the groups fired at SI Charanjit Singh.

Confirming the arrest of Sarpanch Kuldeep Singh, Tarn Taran SSP Abhimanyu Rana said 20 persons from both factions had been arrested.

“Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their hands. Whosoever was involved in the clash and subsequent firing, which led to the death of SI Charanjit Singh, will be nabbed and face the justice,"”said the SSP.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has raised a question mark over 'poor' law and order situation in the state.

Demanding a high-level probe into the firing incident, the BJP posted on X, “When police personnel are not safe in Punjab, what to talk about the common man? There is lawlessness in the state.”

Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said SI Charanjit Singh had not attained martyrdom but was murdered by a sarpanch who enjoyed the patronage of local AAP legislator.

“SI Charanjit Singh had not fallen to bullets fired by Pakistan on the International Border but was murdered by a sarpanch who enjoyed political patronage of AAP Khadoor Sahib MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura,” he alleged.

Majithia claimed that earlier former Tarn Taran SSP was “shunted out” after he took action against MLA Lalpura’s brother-in-law in an illegal mining case.

AAP leaders seek magisterial probe

Following the arrest of Sarpanch Kuldeep Singh, his family members and local AAP leaders demanded a magisterial probe into the firing incident.

Apart from Kuldeep, the police have arrested his father Gurdial Singh and his brother on charges of murder and attempt to murder. Sarpanch Gurpartap Singh of Chamba Khurd village, who is also associated with AAP, along with Kuldeep's brother Amandeep Singh accused the police of vendetta.