AKAL TAKHT JATHEDAR SEEKS ACTION OVER ALLEGED POLICE ASSAULT ON SIKH YOUTH IN SANGRUR

Naresh Kumar/Sangrur 

The alleged assault on a Sikh youth by police after he showed a black flag to Punjab Chief Minister has snowballed into a major controversy, with Akal Takht Sahib Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj taking serious note of the incident and demanding strict action against those responsible.

The youth, identified as Mohanjit Singh, a resident of Sheron village in Sangrur district, was allegedly subjected to police excesses after he protested peacefully and showed a black flag to the chief minister.

Addressing mediapersons during the Miri-Piri Khalsa March that began from Gurdwara Sri Bhatta Sahib in Ropar, Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj said peaceful protest against anyone was a democratic right in India. He described the allegations concerning the alleged disrespect to the Sikh religious symbols and articles of faith as serious and demanded strict action against the police officials found responsible. “If strict action is not taken against the guilty, Sri Akal Takht Sahib will stand with the victim,” the Jathedar said.

Meanwhile, several Sikh organisations, which have come out in support of Mohanjit Singh, alleged that the police committed excesses against him and disrespected his Sikh identity during the incident. They also demanded an impartial probe and action against the officials responsible.

The alleged incident has also triggered a political row, with leaders of various opposition parties visiting the injured youth in hospital on Friday. Among those who visited Mohanjit Singh were Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, former MP and Congress leader Vijay Inder Singla, Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, Parminder Singh Dhindsa, SAD leader Arvind Khanna and BSP’s Punjab president Avtar Singh Karimpuri, besides representatives of other political parties.

The opposition leaders strongly criticised the state government and demanded action against the police officials allegedly involved in the incident.

Meanwhile, Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Ravjot Kaur Grewal I P S, said the youth was detained at the spot after he showed a black cloth to the chief minister.

She said preliminary verification revealed that eight FIRs had previously been registered against him in different cases.

According to the SSP, a dope test had also indicated the presence of intoxicants in his system, following which he was handed over to his family after some time.

The SSP said questions had subsequently arisen regarding how the youth sustained injuries and added that a detailed probe into the entire sequence of events had been entrusted to the Superintendent of Police (Headquarters).

The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances under which the injuries were caused and determine whether any police official was responsible for wrongdoing.