Abohar incident: AAP asks Sukhbir Badal to resign on moral grounds
Friday, 18/12/2015
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AMRITSAR/GURDASPUR: Citing the brutal manner in which two persons were maimed at the farmhouse of a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader in Abohar, resulting in the death of one of them, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) demanded the resignation of deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and an inquiry into the incident by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Aam Aadmi Party Punjab convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur addressing a press conference in Amritsar on Thursday.
“Murders and killings have taken place in Punjab, but never has an incident of such brutality ever occurred here. The deputy CM, who holds the home portfolio, must take moral responsibility of the incident and quit,” AAP state convener Sucha Singh Chhotepur stated here on Thursday.
AAP SEEKS CBI INQUIRY
Addressing the media, Chhotepur also sought a CBI inquiry alleging that the Punjab Police could never deliver justice and this was quite clear from the manner in which the cops handled the case right from the start and took their time in including the names of the two main accused Shiv Kumar Doda, the Akali leader at whose farmhouse the incident happened and his nephew Amit. He also demanded the immediate transfer of the Fazilka SSP, the DSP and station house officer (SHO) who were handling the case.
The AAP leader visited the local hospital where Gurjant Singh was undergoing treatment. His hand, left arm and leg were chopped off at Doda’s farmhouse and he was brought here by his relatives in a critical condition. His friend, Bhim, who also had his limbs chopped, succumbed to his injuries.
Chhotepur refuted the claims of the state government that the Abohar incident was a case of gang war between two groups involved in the liquor business. “If it had been a gang war, then Bhim and Gurjant would not have gone to Doda’s farmhouse in a casual manner, they would have taken their supporters along with them,” he pointed out.
The AAP leader, who had also visited Abohar, said Doda’s nephew Amit used derogatory and casteist remarks against Bhim before chopping off his limbs. Chottepur indicated that his party will be approaching the President of India and also the National Commission for Scheduled Caste for getting justice to the families of the two victims. ARREST DODA, NEPHEW
He also demanded the immediate arrest of Doda and his nephew. He said if justice was not delivered then AAP would be announcing a new programme to confront the government. “AAP will be taking out a candle light march on Friday evening in protest against the heinous crime,” he said.
Replying to a query, Chhotepur said Doda was not just a member of the SAD, but was also close to leaders of other political parties. “Only a CBI inquiry would bring out the truth of his liquor business and the legal and illegal manner in which it was being run,” he said.
AAP ACTIVISTS TO TAKE OUT CANDLE MARCH
Meanwhile, the AAP activists would take out candle march in all the towns and cities across the state on Friday to protest against the killing of the Dalit youth in Abohar. Chhotepur, while addressing the media at his residence at Chhotepur village near Gurdaspur, termed this incident a threat to democracy and the common man in Punjab. He demanded that the alleged killers of the Dalit boy be put behind bars immediately. He said a compensation of `25 lakh be given to the family of the deceased, besides ensuring free treatment and financial help to the injured Gurjant.
Chhotepur expressed concern over the alleged threats by the accused to the witnesses of the incident and declared that AAP would stand by the bereaved family to ensure justice to them.
