Cops mute spectator as Shiv Sena leaders open fire as tribute

Mocking the law-and-order situation, a few Shiv Sena leaders opened fire in the air from their licensed weapons as a “tribute” to their slain companion, Durga Prasad Gupta, in the presence of police at the cremation ground at Khanna on Monday. The police remained a mute spectator to the incident.

Mocking the law-and-order situation, a few Shiv Sena leaders opened fire in the air from their licensed weapons as a “tribute” to their slain companion, Durga Prasad Gupta, in the presence of police at the cremation ground at Khanna on Monday. The police remained a mute spectator to the incident.

Shiv Sena leaders firing in the air during cremation of Durga Prasad Gupta in Khanna on Monday. (HT Photo)

Family and relatives paid last respects to the leader under heavy police security. There was tension in the area after the incident.

Read: Shiv Sena leader shot dead in Khanna

When contacted, Rajiv Tandon, chairman, Shiv Sena, Punjab, said their leaders had opened fire in the air as a mark of tribute to their companion, who was gunned down at Lalhedi Chowk by two assailants on Saturday evening.

Tandon said they would announce a Punjab bandh in case the assailants were not arrested in this week. The organisation would also take Gupta’s ashes to different parts of the state, he added.

Read: Mixed response to bandh call in Khanna over Shiv Sena leader’s killing

Tandon said that last year, the Shiv Sena had organised a programme at Mandi Gobindgarh, following which the organisation leaders received threats. Around two months ago, miscreants had set ablaze Gupta’s office near Lalhedi Chowk at Khanna. He said had the police taken the matter seriously, Gupta’s life could have been saved.

When contacted, Khanna SSP Satinder Singh said the police would take action against the leaders who had opened fire in the air.

Meanwhile, the police recovered the motorcycle used by the assailants in the crime from near the railway tracks on Sunday. During investigation, the police found that the bike was stolen. The SSP said the police would give further details after completing the investigation.