Farmers Movement Archive

Punjab forms 3-member SIT to probe Singhu border lynching

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has formed a three-member special investigation team (SIT) to probe the murder of Lakhbir Singh at the Singhu border. The government has acted on a complaint filed by the deceased’s sister, who alleged that he was allured by some unknown persons and taken to Singhu, where he was murdered by some Nihangs on October 15 for alleged sacrilege. On Tuesday, Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa had called the lynching of Lakhbir, a Dalit Sikh from Tarn Taran, a possible conspiracy to defame the farmers’ agitation. The incident has kicked off a political storm after photographs of one of the Nihang leaders with Union minister N S Tomar surfaced on social media. Referring to the photographs, Randhawa said, “This has raised genuine doubts and suspicion in the minds of people which will need to be cleared and the Punjab government will do everything to reach to the root of the conspiracy and expose and punish the culprits.” As per the order issued by DGP Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota, ADGP-cum-director, bureau of investigation, Varinder Kumar will be the SIT chairman while DIG, Ferozepur Range, Inderbir Singh and SSP, Tarn Taran, Harvinder Singh will be members. Varinder has been authorised to co-opt any other police officer posted in the state for enquiry, as per requirements. He has also been given the liberty to obtain the support and assistance of any other wing/unit of the Punjab Police.

The Times of India

2021-10-21

Chandigarh