A man trying to mediate between two groups after a clash at Punjabi University was shot dead at a dhaba outside the campus in Patiala on Tuesday night. Four men have been booked for the murder.
Identified as Dharminder Singh, the victim was a gym enthusiast and president of the kabaddi club at Daun Kalan village. Also politically active, he had campaigned for the Aam Aadmi Party in Ghanaur after leaving the Shiromani Akali Dal ahead of the elections.
According to police, two rival groups of Daun Kalan and Theri villages had clashed in the university on Tuesday evening. After some time, Dharminder was representing his villagers during a meeting with the rival group at a dhaba outside the campus when someone shot him dead.
“We have taken possession of the body and started investigation. So far, four persons behind the murder have been identified,” said Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nanak Singh. A case under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against Harvir Singh, Tejinder Singh and two unnamed suspects belonging to Daun Kalan.
The SSP said police teams have been dispatched to arrest the accused and the body has been sent for post-mortem. “It’s a murder that took place due to personal enmity,” he said, while denying the involvement of gangsters. The senior cop also clarified that the victim was not a kabaddi player and only a gym enthusiast.
{{/usCountry}}The SSP said police teams have been dispatched to arrest the accused and the body has been sent for post-mortem. “It’s a murder that took place due to personal enmity,” he said, while denying the involvement of gangsters. The senior cop also clarified that the victim was not a kabaddi player and only a gym enthusiast.
{{/usCountry}}The murder triggered criticism by Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu and former chief minister Amarinder Singh over the AAP government’s handling of law and order.
“Complete collapse of law & order in Punjab... On an average 3-4 murder taking place daily, people are in state of fear...” Sidhu shared on Twitter. “Recent spike in incidents of violence in Punjab are very worrisome,” said Amarinder in a tweet.