MOHALI: One person was shot dead by the police and two others were arrested in Phase VII here recently,

The three persons Kulwant Singh, Harjeet Singh and Amarjeet Singh were going on a scooter when they were stopped by policemen and reportedly ordered to surrender. Harjeet Singh and Amarjeet Singh gave themselves up.

The police claimed that Kulwant Singh fired at the personnel who stopped the three. Eyewitnesses, however, said he was “dragged” to plot No 2964 in Phase VIII by police men and shot dead.

One of the eyewitnesses, an old man, told newsmen that Kulwant ‘Singh did not have any pistol. The victim was seen folding his hands and begging the constables, who were raining blows on him, to let him go. The constables asked Kulwant Singh to tum around and fired at him, killing him on the spot. A pistol was kept near the body about 15 minutes after the incident. The weapon was later picked up by the local DSP, the men alleged.

Mrs Inderjit Kaur of the Istri Akali Dal (M) said another a 15 year old boy, told police that he had seen through a window. His version ‘tallied’ with that of the old man.

Witnesses alleged that constables on duty at that time were under the influence of liquor.

A few Akali leaders of the area, including Mrs Bimal Kaur Khalsa, MP, reached the scene. They did not want the body to be removed till the family of the deceased was informed. Mr Harminder Singh Dhillon of the Akali Dal (M) said the body was brought to the police station despite stiff opposition. Policemen beat up persons at the scene. He alleged.

Kulwant Singh was a resident of Nawagaon under the local police station and was working with a cable factory here, He reportedly had no criminal record. Harjeet Singh and Amarjeet Singh were living in Phase VII and work in a chemical and pharmaceutical factory at Dera Bassi.

Mrs Inderjit Kaur said the DSP, Mr Dalip Singh Kala, “misbehaved” with Mrs Khalsa, for which the SSP had to “apologise”. The SSP, Mr Mohammad Mustaffa, said nothing had happened.

The SSP told newsmen that the deceased fired at Constable Jagir Singh and was killed in an exchange of fire with policemen. He said Kulwant Singh was “running” when he was shot dead. A Mauser. 9 mm bore pistol was recovered from the scene. He claimed the three suspects had looted a gas station about three days ago and again were on a similar mission.

When asked to comment on eyewitness reports he said the public always levelled charges and never cooperated with the police. If the constables had been under the influence of liquor, they would not have done such an “excellent” job.

Mr R.C. Nayyar, Deputy Commissioner, Ropar, ordered an enquiry into the incident, which would be conducted by the CA-cum-ADC, Mr Arun Goel.

Mrs Khalsa had called for a bandh in the town in_ protest against the killing.

The Punjab Governor, Mr Virendra Verma visited the spot in Phase VII here where Kulwant Singh was shot dead by the police on Sunday but made no announcement regarding the initiation of any new enquiry into the alleged murder or action against the policemen concerned, as relatives of the deceased had hoped.

Mr Verma talked to witness’s fora few minutes and wanted to go back immediately. But he was persuaded by Mrs Bimal Kaur Khalsa, MP, and others to address the gathering in the pandal especially put up for the occasion by the NAC.

“I have tried to do justice throughout my life and in future also I will try to do justice,” proclaimed Mr Verma from the dias.

Mr Hoshiar Singh, a sub inspector and brother of the deceased, asked the Governor to check their family record. He said the village sarpanch and a Lambardar bad also come with him and they could vouch for the family. The police could vouch for the family. The police could have arrested Kulwant Singh and informed the family.

Mrs Khalsa told the Governor that the Ropar SSP, Mr Mohammad Mustaffa, had “admitted” in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner that Kulwant Singh and the two young men arrested at the time of the incident did not have any criminal record.

Later, she said, he told the press that they were involved in the looting of a gas station.

She asked the Governor why the two young men, who had no criminal record, had been remanded in police custody till July 15.

Article extracted from this publication >> August 31, 1990