1 killed, six hurt in clash over possession of land

A WOMAN IS CLAIMING OWNERSHIP OVER 22 KANALS THAT THE GOVT HAD GIVEN TO THE POOR IN 1974; FARMERS AND FARM LABOUR IS PROTESTING AGAINST IT

AMRITSAR: One person was killed and six injured in a clash over possession of land at Tapiala village in Amritsar district on Sunday.

The deceased has been identified as Sukhdev Singh, 50. It is learnt that the government had allocated 22 kanals to the poor under a scheme in 1974.

However, one Sukhbir Kaur claimed that the land belonged to her and she also had court orders in her favour.

Things turned ugly on Sunday when Kaur, along with her relatives and supporters, gathered in the village and decided to take possession of the land and also demolish a few structures already built there.

Farmers and farm labour associations were holding a protest and demanded that the poor should not be displaced.

Police said that Kaur’s supporters allegedly started pelting stones and also fired gunshots. One of the bullets hit Sukhdev, leading to his death.

Amritsar senior superintendent of police (rural) Parampal Singh said a case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had been registered against Kaur, her relatives and several unidentified persons.

He said five persons have been arrested so far and hunt had been launched to nab other suspects.

Perturbed over the incident, farmer unions staged a dharna outside the Lopoke police station.

Vice-president of the Jamhoori Kisan Sabha Rattan Singh Randhawa said the unions have demanded immediate arrest of all suspects and.

He also demanded free treatment for the injured and compensation to Sukhdev’s family and added that police needed to conduct a free and fair investigation for the matter to reach a logical conclusion.