Ex-Akali MLA’s son among 5 hurt in Gurdaspur clash
DISPUTE The incident took place during a meeting to decide on the division of Babbehali panchayat into two
GURDASPUR: Former Gurdaspur Akali MLA Gurbachan Singh Babbehali’s son Amarjot Singh was seriously injured in a clash between two groups over dividing the village panchayat into two at Babbehali village, 5 km from Gurdaspur, on Tuesday afternoon.
The clash took place during a meeting to decide upon the division of Babbehali panchayat into two.
Victim Amarjot Singh,35, and his two accomplice, Sikander Singh,40, and Gagandeep Singh,25, were first admitted to the civil hospital in Gurdaspur, from where they were referred to the Amritsar Government Hospital.
Amarjot had sustained multiple wounds including a ‘kirch’ wound in his back.
While the two injured persons of the rival group identified as Gurmit Singh ,65, and Navjot Singh ,41, were admitted to the civil hospital, Gurdaspur. Two other members of the same group, Gurmukh Singh and Gurmit Singh alias Ladi also sustained minor injuries.
As per information, panchayat secretary Joseph Masih and a four member police party were also present when the clash took place.
Senior superintendent of police (SSP) HS Bhullar said, “Only traditional weapons like ‘datars’, swords, wooden sticks ,small swords worn by baptised Sikhs , ‘kirches’ (small rapiers), bricks and stones were used in the fight.”
He said, no fire arm was used during the clash. The SSP said that an inquiry has been marked to deputy superintendent of police (DSP) (detective) Ajay Raj Singh into the case. DSP Singh said, “Investigations are going on. I will submit a report to the SSP to initiate the legal action.”
POLITICAL FEUD?
The Babbehali village has 3,500 votes and the present sarpanch Manjit Kaur belongs to SAD and is said to be a protege of Gurbachan Singh Babbehali.
The rival group, led by Gurmit Singh, supports MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra of Congress.The group had written to the district development and panchayat officer to divide the Babbehali village panchayat into two panchayats; Babbehali and New Babbehali.
Official notice was also issued regarding fixing of a meeting between the panchayat members and villagers on Tuesday. Ex-MLA Gurbachan, his son Amarjot and village sarpanch Manjit Kaur were opposing the separation of village panchayat.