Tensions escalated in Punjab’s Mansa district on Wednesday after an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) worker Radhey Shyam was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Khaira Khurd village. The discovery of his body, marked by severe injuries, in a school playground has raised concerns of a politically motivated murder, with villagers alleging his death is linked to the upcoming panchayat polls scheduled for October 15.
Radhey Shyam, who was in his mid-30s, was a key supporter of the AAP-backed candidate in the local elections. Villagers believed his involvement in the campaign led to his murder by political rivals. The police have launched an investigation into the incident, and a formal complaint has been lodged, naming nine suspects. Residents, especially AAP supporters, are demanding swift action, claiming that the killing stems from long-standing political rivalries in the village.
According to a fellow villager and AAP supporter, Radhey Shyam was last seen on Tuesday night after attending a meeting at the home of former sarpanch Bhajan Lal to discuss election strategies. “We discussed our plans for the upcoming panchayat polls until around midnight. Both of us went to our respective homes afterward. But in the early hours of Wednesday, I received a call at around 4 am, informing me that Radhey Shyam’s body was found in the village school playground. This is a clear case of village groupism gone wrong,” said Godara.
Villagers have filed a formal complaint with the police, accusing nine individuals of being involved in the murder. The complaint also mentioned a police inspector, alleging misconduct due to his connections with the village through marriage. “Radhey Shyam had received threats in the past because of his political stance. We demand immediate and strict action against those responsible,” said an local AAP leader.
Sardulgarh police station’s Station House Officer (SHO) Angrej Singh confirmed that an investigation has been initiated. “We are investigating the matter thoroughly, and all angles are being looked into. As of now, we are yet to register the FIR, but we are in the process of collecting evidence,” he said.
Radhey Shyam’s death is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have marred the run-up to the panchayat elections in Punjab. Just a day earlier, violence erupted in Zira, where clashes between AAP and Congress supporters led to stone-pelting and gunfire, injuring a former Congress MLA. Similarly, on September 30, a sarpanch in Ferozepur fired shots outside the Block Development Office after snatching documents from an official.
The panchayat elections, scheduled for October 15, are witnessing intense rivalries, with multiple factions vying for influence. The death of Radhey Shyam has added to the already volatile political climate in the region, with AAP supporters demanding justice and calling for greater security measures ahead of the polls.
Amid rising tensions over the upcoming Panchayat elections in Punjab, former Union Minister Som Parkash, alongside senior BJP leadership, on Wednesday visited the Punjab State Election Commission to address alleged malpractices in the electoral process. The visit follows similar complaints raised by AAP leaders, marking an intensifying political battle in the run-up to the October 15 polls.
To ensure peaceful Panchayat elections, the Punjab Police Department has canceled all leaves for officers and personnel until October 15. The step, aimed at maintaining law and order during the election period, applied to over 80,000 police officers across the State. Leave will only be granted in exceptional circumstances, and strict action will be taken against those violating the directive.
The state is gearing up for elections in 13,937 village panchayats, where more than 13.3 million voters will cast their ballots on October 15. Over 96,000 election officials will be deployed across Punjab to manage the voting process. Ensuring a peaceful election is a significant challenge for the government, particularly given the localized tensions in some areas.
Efforts are underway to minimize disruptions and maintain a harmonious atmosphere in the villages. The government has introduced measures to ease tensions, including passing a resolution in the state assembly to conduct the elections without party symbols. This move, it is hoped, will encourage consensus-based voting and reduce political friction. However, despite these measures, there have been reports of unrest in several regions.
To further enhance the election process, a control room has been established by the State Election Commission at its office in Sector 17-E, Chandigarh. The control room will operate from 8:30 am to 9 pm daily, providing a platform for citizens to report any election-related issues. Voters can lodge their complaints by calling the dedicated landline number (0172-2771326). Additionally, relevant information has been uploaded on the department’s official website for public access.
