Parties seek end to dynastic rule in state

* BJP, AAP, Cong, BSP and CPI leaders attend bhog of brothers killed in fake encounter

Bohapur (Ludhiana), The bhog ceremony of two brothers, allegedly killed by the police in a “fake encounter” on September 27, saw Opposition parties coming together to seek an end to the “dynastic rule” in the state. Representatives of various parties, including the BJP, attended the bhog ceremony held amid heavy police security.

BJP national vice-president and former minister Laxmi Kanta Chawla criticised the government, targeting the Badals. Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Members of Parliaments (MP) Bhagwant Mann and Dr Dharamvira Gandhi, CPI national executive member Joginder Dayal, state Congress spokesperson Sukhpal Singh Khaira, BSP president Avtar Singh Karimpuri, Akali Dal-Mann vice-president Jaskaran Singh and trade union leader Tarsem Jodhan made a call for a fight against the state government. They claimed that the two brothers had been killed as they had supported the AAP. At least 300 of the 450 votes polled in the village during the Lok Sabha elections had gone to AAP.

Alleging “ goonda raj” and “jungle raj” in the state, the parties, in one voice, demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and the removal of the state police chief, Sumedh Saini. Laxmi Kanta Chawla said she wanted to be on any committee that was set up to seek justice in cases of police high-handedness. Taking on Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, she claimed that no case was registered in the state without his permission. “Halqa chiefs appointed by the SAD have become more powerful than sitting MLAs,” she alleged.

Neither any SAD leader nor any district official attended the bhog.

Tarsem Jodhan, who anchored the proceedings, said the leaders had gathered here to seek justice for the two youths and not as politicians. Dr Gandhi, Patiala MP, comparing the incident with the cold-blooded murder of an ASI in Amritsar, said:

“The Akalis are blinded by power. We must fight for justice in the streets, villages and cities as Punjab has become a fiefdom of one family.” He announced Rs 1 lakh for the bereaved family. Karimpuri said the two killed youths were Dalits. “The capitalist forces resented their activism.” Dayal said the youths were “martyrs” as they had chosen to fight the SAD’s “jungle raj.” He said earlier the police had protected a criminal who had kidnapped a minor girl in Faridkot.

Jaskaran Singh said suspending the area SSP was not enough. He sought action against the state DGP.” Bhagwant Mann said: “It is not a mere coincidence that one or the other Akali leader is present during such incidents,” He said he would raise the issue in Parliament and with the standing committee on law and order.

Khaira pointed out that the state DGP himself was facing criminal cases. “All political parties should pledge not to remote control the police as is being done by the present government,” he added.