CONG CRIES FOUL AS 2 CANDIDATES BOOKED FOR MURDER BID
Thursday, 19/02/2015
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MUKTSAR: A day after Manpreet Singh, cousin of Congress candidate Shubhdeep Singh (ward number 23) and nephew of another party nominee Bakshish Singh (ward number 24), was allegedly assaulted by Akali activists, the Malout police have booked both candidates in an attempt to murder case at the Malout city police station. Another case against them has been registered for criminal conspiracy at the Kabbarwala police station.
Besides the duo, the police have also booked Manpreet, Dharminder Singh, Komal Singh and four unidentified persons under sections 307, 323, 324, 148, 149 of the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act at Malout on the complaint of Gurwinder Singh of Dhani Kolianwali.
The police have booked them on the complaint of Jeet Singh of Karamgarh village, who alleged that Manpreet and others fired shots at him at his house — at the behest of Shubhdeep Singh and Bakshish Singh.
“Five nominations have been withdrawn under pressure and the ruling alliance is creating an atmosphere of terror. It is murder of democracy,” said Nathu Ram, former Congress MLA.
The police denied the charges that the Congress candidates had been booked allegedly under pressure or due to the elections.
“There was a clash between two groups; both Shubhdeep and Bakshish have many cases registered against them earlier too. The groups have an old rivalry. We are trying our best to ensure a free and fair election,” said Manvinderbir Singh, deputy superintendent of police, Malout.
“If the other injured also record a statement to the police, another cross case may be registered. The guilty will not be spared,” he added.
