Faridkot :Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today went after the Punjab Police over the death of two Sikhs killed in police firing during anti-desecration protests at Faridkot and asked the SAD-BJP government to restore peace in the state.
Kejriwal, who is on his first visit to Punjab since becoming the Chief Minister in February met the families of the two youths – Gurjit Singh (26) of Sarawan village and Krishan Singh (43) of Behbal Khurd village – and assured the all possible help.
He later told reporters that Gurjit was killed in police firing when he went to serve langar (a communal meal) to about 300 peaceful protesters. “As per rules, police fire warning shots in air and then into the ground…it was completely wrong,” he said.
Keriwal demanded immediate arrest of those behind the sacrilege and strict action against policemen who opened fire on the protesters and their seniors who ordered firing.
“We condemn the incident of sacrilege. Punjab is burning and we appeal to the state government to arrest those behind the incident. I demand that a copy of the FIR be given to Gurjit’s family so that they could be aware of its contents,” the Delhi Chief Minister said.
He said the state was on the “boil” after alleged incidents of sacrilege and asked the SAD-BJP government to take immediate steps to restore peace.
Gurjit and Krishan were part of the protests over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and were killed in police firing on October 14. The incident provoked widespread criticism of the state government and Punjab Police.
In the wake of the incident, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal put Moga SSP Charanjit Sharma under suspension for “lapses” in the line of duty.
Under pressure from several quarters, Punjab Police on Wednesday registered a case under various sections of the IPC in connection with the matter. It is being probed by a team led by ADGP Crime cum Director of Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, I P S Sahota.
PTI