Punjab Congress on Thursday demanded independent judicial probe into the “dastardly politically-motivated murder” of Patti Youth Congress block president Sukhraj Singh and the “murderous attack” on Congress MlA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi.
Maintaining that they have “no faith” in Punjab police, the Congress demanded a thorough independent judicial inquiry or probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the two “eye-opening” incidents.
However, the protest dharna was withdrawn on late Thursday evening after Ferozepur SSP gave an assurance to register an FIR for murderous attack made on Guru Harsahai MlA Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi on May 7.
PPCC president Partap Singh Bajwa was sitting on dharna since morning along with senior party leaders and thousands of party workers. Bajwa had indicated that dharna would be not be ended until FIR was registered against the accused.
SSP Varinderpal Singh, earlier reluctant to register FIR, later succumbed to pressure by Congress leaders and gave assurance to register FIR by Friday noon.
Already, The congress has turned down the Special Investigative team (SIT) formed by the Punjab Police to investigate the case. Bajwa had also talked to Inspector genral of Police Hardip Singh Dhillon.
The police also agreed to conduct medical examination of Sodhi’s PA who was injured in the firing by miscreants. SSP told Bajwa that medical examination will be conducted in the presence of media.
Congress has also demanded that the “power politicians”, believed to be behind these incidents, should also be investigated to find the complete truth. “In case justice is not rendered, the Congress would be forced to gherao police stations and intensify its struggle under state party chief Partap Singh Bajwa,” said PPCC spokesperson Sukhbpal Khaira.
He said: “While Punjab is burning with total collapse of law and order, the Chief Minister and his henchmen are busy trying to reap political dividends out of a sensitive issue like 1984 riots in Delhi.”
“Two sensational incidents of political nature have taken place during last 48 hours in Punjab that deserves uttermost government attention. These heinous crimes are direct fallout of gross politicization of the police in Punjab by the Akali government, and Badals are using the police force like a private militia to settle personal scores. Police stations have been hijacked by the Jathedars who call the shots and rule the roost in Punjab,” he added.
He alleged that SAD-BJP Government has become utterly “insensitive” to the hue and cry of the people, opposition leaders have protested for two days at Ferozepur.
Sonia informed about YC leader’s killing
Chandigarh: Punjab Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa has informed the Congress national president Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde regarding murder of Youth Congress leader in Patti. Bajwa has also apprised congress national vice-president Rahul Gandhi of ground situation in Punjab. Bajwa maintained that Union Home Minister has assured him to take up the matter seriously.