Man, minor drown as tractor falls into Bhakra Canal

SANGRUR :A 28-year-old man and a minor drowned as their tractor fell into Bhakra Canal near Khanauri on Tuesday.

The deceased have been identified as Mukesh Kumar and Harbilas Singh, 15.Sources said Harbilas, grandson of Jai Bhagwant, a former president of commission agents ‘association of Khanaur, and Mukesh were looking for their missing buffalo. Suddenly, Harbilas, who was driving the tractor, lost control over the vehicle and it fell into the canal.

“We have recovered the body of Mukesh. Efforts are on to trace Harbilas’ body,” said Khanauri station house officer inspector Sukhchain Singh. Meanwhile, five relatives of Harbilas, who were rushing to the accident spot, were injured when their tractor collided with a truck.

“The number plate of the vehicle has been captured in CCTV footage, but is not clear. The modus operandi is the same as in pastor Sultan Masih’s killing in July, but it is too early to say anything for sure,” he said. Later, the police released the pictures. A special investigation team (SIT) has been set up to probe the crime.

Yash Giri, zonal general secretary of the RSS, while condemning the incident termed it a “targeted” killing. “The victim was in Sangh uniform when the miscreants attacked him,” he said, adding that it was a police failure. After an attack on RSS leader Naresh Kumar in January 2016, the police were asked to provide security at all shakhas but to no avail.

Punjab BJP president and Union minister Vijay Sampla, who present at the cremation, alleged that the killing proved that the law and order situation had deteriorated in the state. “His murder is reminiscent of the black days of terrorism,” he said while seeking security for RSS and BJP leaders. BJP and RSS workers also raised slogans against police and Congress government during cremation.

Later, BJP workers also staged a protest at the police commissioner’s office, demanding that the accused be arrested. Other opposition parties, the SAD and the AAP, also condemned the killing.

SLOGANS RAISED AGAINST POLICE, GOVT DURING CREMATION BY RSS, BJP WORKERS