LAKHA SIDHANA, BHANA SIDHU ARRESTED AS POLICE DISPERSE PROTESTERS
Naresh Kumar/Mansa/Sangrur
Tension prevailed in Mansa district on Tuesday after police took custody of a youth’s body from protesters who were taking it to a sit-in demanding justice for anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta. A confrontation broke out between police personnel and protesters, following which the police dispersed the crowd and detained several people.
The family members and villagers were taking the body to Trikoni Chowk in Mansa, where a protest has been underway demanding justice for Jhotta. However, police personnel stopped them on the way by placing vehicles and trucks across the road, triggering a heated argument and a scuffle.
Amid the confrontation, police took possession of the body and removed it from the protesters’ custody. Several protesters were allegedly dragged away and detained as the police moved to clear the area.
In a related development, police also arrested Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) leaders Lakha Singh Sidhana and Bhana Sidhu from the Jhotta protest site.Body of 35-year-old found in fields
The incident followed the recovery of the body of Daljit Singh, 35, from fields in Bhamme Kalan village on Tuesday. His family alleged that he had died due to a drug overdose and demanded immediate action against those allegedly involved in selling drugs in the area. The family said their protest would continue until the alleged drug peddlers were arrested.
According to family members, Daljit was married and is survived by two children. He was the sole earning member of the family and had reportedly become addicted to drugs some time ago.
Daljit had gone to Mansa on Tuesday morning. The family said he returned after allegedly purchasing drugs, following which his body was found in the fields.
After the recovery, family members and villagers staged a protest by placing the body on the Sirsa-Mansa road, demanding action against those allegedly responsible for supplying drugs.
Wife, mother demand immediate arrests
Daljit’s wife, Paramjit Kaur, and mother, Channo Kaur, demanded the immediate arrest of those allegedly selling drugs.They questioned the government’s claims of curbing drug abuse, saying the continued availability of narcotics was claiming the lives of young people and leaving their families to bear the consequences.
The family insisted that the agitation would continue until action was taken against those allegedly involved in the drug trade.Three persons detained, says SSP
Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary said a youth had been murdered in Bhamme Kalan village and that three people had been taken into custody in connection with the case. He said some elements had allegedly attempted to disturb law and order, prompting police intervention. The police took custody of the body and shifted it to another location, he added. The SSP clarified that the police would not conduct the cremation and that further proceedings would be carried out with the family’s consent.
Regarding the ongoing protest in Mansa, Chaudhary said the sit-in was proceeding peacefully and that no action would be taken against the protesters at the site.
He alleged that Lakha Singh Sidhana had attempted to disturb the situation during the protest, leading to his arrest. Police have not publicly established, in the information available for this report, whether the death was caused by a drug overdose or whether it was linked to the alleged murder being investigated in the village. The circumstances of Daljit Singh’s death and the allegations made by his family remain subject to investigation.
