Victims’ neighbours shocked, say family never fought with anyone

Residents of Bali Ram Mohalla here are in a shock over the brutal killing of their neighbour Satpal Kumar (65) and his son Ramesh Kumar (35), who had no enmity with anyone.

Neighbours of the Dera Sacha Sauda followers, who were shot dead at a canteen being run at the ‘naam charcha ghar’ in Jagera village of Ludhiana district on Saturday, said the family had been living in the area for the past five decades and never even fought with anyone.

Satpal was constructing a house for his two married sons and their families, which is still incomplete and stays locked after the tragedy.

“There is no personal enmity behind the killing. I think it happened due to Dera Sacha Sauda’s clash with some forces. They have been living here for 50 years and the family is known for its decency,” said Dinesh Dhand (60), a resident of Bali Ram Mohalla.

Before the father-son duo started working at the dera canteen around two months ago, Satpal was working at a brick kiln as a ‘munshi’ and Ramesh traded in leather goods. Ramesh leaves behind wife and an eightyear-old daughter.

“We never heard any bad thing about them, so their murder shocked us. They were not the kind of persons who would misbehave with anyone,” said a woman, who is the next door neighbour of the victim family.

Neighbours said Satpal’s family has been associated with the dera for the past 30 years. One of his brothers was also living in the dera and served as a full-time devotee.

“We had no personal enmity with anyone but they killed my father and brother. We want justice. We will follow the instructions of the dera management regarding our next course of action,” said Mukesh Kumar, Satpal’s son.

RAMESH, WHO TRADED IN LEATHER GOODS, IS SURVIVED BY WIFE, 8YROLD DAUGHTER