The state government has transferred deputy commissioner Mohinder Singh Kainth and placed senior superintendent of police Varinder Pal Singh and deputy superintendent of police (rural) Manpreet Singh under suspension in connection with the death of Jaspal Singh, who was killed in police firingduring a bandh call which was given by Shiv Sena in Gurdaspur on Thursday. Another youth was seriously injured in the police firing.
Meanwhile, deputy superintendent of police (rural) Manpreet Singh and assistant sub-inspector Harjinder Singh have been named in the FIR registered in connection with the case.
The government took the decision after Akal Takht jathedar Gurbachan Singh, former Akal Takht Jathedar Jasbir Singh Rode, Damdami Taksal chief Bhai Harnam Singh and Sant Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwala arrived Chorh Sidhwan village, 7 km from here, on Saturday to attend the cremation of Jaspal Singh.
A large number of people from nearby villages and members from various Sikh organisations had gathered on the occasion. Jaspal’s family had put up several demands, apparently under the directions of the radicals, before the Akal Takht jathedar to tell the government that they would not perform the last rites of the deceased before their demands are accepted.
The family cremated Jaspal Singh (18) after receiving a copy of the government orders sent by fax. Deputy commissioner Mohinder Singh Kainth went to Chorh Sidhwan village to convey the decision of the government to Gurbachan Singh and other Sikh leaders.
Though agitated youth resorted to stone-pelting, the DC escaped unhurt. The Sikh leaders held separate closed-door meetings with the deputy commissioner in the village, even as the agitated youth raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
The Akal Takht jathedar spoke to chief minister Parkash Singh Badal over phone and apprised him of the demands of the aggrieved family. The government took some time to decide on the matter and finally accepted the main demands of the family.
Meanwhile, curfew continued for the third day in Gurdaspur. The administration gave relaxation for two hours each in morning and evening from 6.30 am to 8.30 am and from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm.
News Source: H TImes
