Punjab Police IG arrested for firing on anti-sacrilege protesters in 2015

CHANDIGARH: The special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police here on Monday arrested inspector general (IG) of police Parampal Singh Umaranangal in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing in the Faridkot district in October 2015. Two people were killed in the firing.

The SIT, set up to probe the incidents, last month arrested former Moga district SSP Charanjit Singh Sharma, the first person held after the SIT was formed last year. He was leading a police team that allegedly opened fire at protesters in Behbal Kalan.

“I can confirm that Paramraj Singh Umranangal has been arrested in Chandigarh on the basis of sufficient evidence we have against him,” SIT member Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh said.

“We have questioned a number of people, including police officials, as part of our investigation. He was questioned twice. We have got sufficient evidence that...the procedure adopted (to open fire) was not correct,” Singh said. “It was proved that protesters were sitting peacefully and there was no provocation by them. It was also proved that firing was opened deliberately.”

The SIT member said Umranangal was posted as Ludhiana police commissioner when the incidents happened.

“During investigation, it came to light that he was commanding everything and force in strength had gone there (the spot where protesters were sitting) from Ludhiana. He was managing everything,” said the official.

“More things will come to light as the probe progresses. For now, it is sufficient to say we have enough evidence, sufficient basis to arrest him”.

› More things will come to light as the probe progresses. For now, it is sufficient to say we have enough proof, sufficient basis to arrest him KUNWAR VIJAY PRATAP SINGH, SIT