Traffic remained suspended on the Hoshiarpur-Chandigarh state highway for nearly four hours on Thursday as residents of Chabbewal and adjoining villages held a dharna and blocked the road demanding the suspension of deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Palwinder Singh.
The protesters allege that at the behest of DSP, a man was beaten up and booked for illegal mining on Wednesday.
Villagers allege that one Rajiv Kumar of nearby Punj village was beaten up by DSP’s staff for culling sand from panchayat land in Bajrour, and a case was registered against him and two others under Mines and Minerals Act at Chabbewal police station. They demanded an FIR against the DSP and his suspension. The dharna was lifted after the protesters were assured of a thorough enquiry and appropriate action.
DSP Palwinder Singh dismissed the allegations, stating that the villagers were resorting to pressure tactics so that they could continue illegal mining activities.