ludhiana killings - Cops rendered puppets in hands of Akalis: AAP
Saturday, 04/10/2014
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2014/20141004/punjab.htm#7
Ludhiana : Bhagwant Mann, AAP parliamentarian from Sangrur, has blamed the “politicisation” of the police for the “deteriorating” law and order in Punjab.
Mann said incidents like the “cold-blooded murders” of two Dalit brothers at Jamalpur near Ludhiana could have been avoided had the police officials been acting “on their own.
“But, the men in khaki have been rendered puppets in the hands of Akali jathedars,” he said.
Mann and Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa, among others, had protested against the state government in Samrala yesterday. Wanted in an attempt to murder case, the victims were killed allegedly by a SAD leader, Gurjeet Singh, in the presence of policemen at Ahluwalia colony on September 27.
The Sangrur MP said, “Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal is also facing a case of attempt to murder, robbery and voluntarily causing hurt to extort property. Will the police treat him the way they treated the two brothers?”
The comedian-turned-politician said political interference was leading to the “degeneration” of the Police Department. “It is no secret that Station House Officers (SHOs) are being appointed on the recommendation of Akali MLAs or halqa (constituency) chiefs. As such, the only motive of the police officials remains to please their political masters. This is what happened in Jamalpur,” he said.
Satpal Singh, father of victims Harinder and Jatinder, had yesterday claimed a police official, Yadwinder, currently in custody for his alleged involvement in the case, was to leave for New Zealand in a few days. He said Gurjeet had reportedly struck a deal assuring airfare to Yadwinder if the custody of the brothers was handed over to him.
Backing Satpal, Bajwa said, “Money, for sure, has changed hands in this case.” He demanded that the government should compile data of the assets owned by SHOs and details should be uploaded on the Police Department’s website.”
Bajwa said, “These SHOs never wear uniform. They operate like land mafia. Maintaining law and order never seems to be a priority with them,” he said.
