Sarpanch among 10 booked for opening fire in Tarn Taran

Attempt to murder charges slapped on accused

› On Sunday, I asked Balwant to get the land’s demarcation done from the revenue department. However, he came outside my house and started abusing me following which he, along with his associates, opened fire at my home.

BALWANT SINGH, complainant

TARN TARAN: Ten people, including a sarpanch and an ex-sarpanch of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), were booked for allegedly opening fire at a man’s house over a land dispute in Majhupur village, 25 km from the district headquarters, on Monday.

A case in this regard was registered on the complaint of Balwant Singh of the same village.

The accused have been identified as Bikramjit Singh of Chhiharta in Amritsar, Ajmer Singh aka Kaka Chappa — former Akali sarpanch of Chappa village — sarpanch Varinderjit Singh of Hirapur village (both close associates of former SAD MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu), Bikramjit Singh of Chhiharta in Amritsar, Gurdial Singh and Manjinder Singh of Chappa village.

The police are yet to ascertain the identity of five others.

In his complaint to the police, Balwant Singh said, “I own 68 kanal, out of which, I sold 54 kanal to Bikramjit. He has been trying to forcefully take possession of my remaining land.”

“On Sunday, I asked Balwant to get the land’s demarcation done from the revenue department. However, he came outside my house and started abusing me, following which he, along with his associates opened, fire at my home,” he said.

“I and my family members locked ourselves in the house. They left the spot only after we started shouting for help,” the victim said.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Harsha Singh of Chabhal police station said, a case under Sections 307 (attempt to murder), 452 (house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 25-27-54-59 of the Arms Act had been registered against the accused, who are absconding.