Cong leader, aides booked

Our Correspondent

Tarn Taran, February 23

The Sarai Amanat Khan police on Monday booked Avan Kumar, alias Sonu Cheema, a senior Congress leader and sarpanch of Adda Chabal village, along with his 14 supporters, for allegedly attacking panchayat secretary of Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO), Gandiwind, 10 days ago.

The allegation

Victim, Panchayat Secretary Parmeet Singh, in his complaint to the police alleged that the accused attacked him when he was on duty in the office and tossed his turban.

The accused Sonu Cheema along with his supporters staged a dharna in front of the BDPO Gandiwind on Monday. Cheema had condemned local MLA Dr Dharambeer Agnihotri on many occasions. His brother is a Congress Zila Parishad member from Gaggobua zone. Both brothers too had remained active in politics during the 10-year regime of SAD-BJP government. After seeing a decline in popularity of the ruling alliance, they joined the Congress and managed to hold key role in the local politics.

According to sources, Sonu had a support of more than a dozen sarpanches in the border area. They developed differences with area MLA Dr Dharambeer Agnihotri about one-and-a half-year ago.

Inspector Harpreet Singh, SHO, Sarai Amanat Khan police station, said that Sonu Cheema and his aide had been booked under Sections 186, 295-A, 353 and 506 of the IPC, but no one has been arrested.

The victim, Panchayat Secretary Parmeet Singh, in his complaint to the police alleged that the accused attacked him when he was on duty in the office and removed his turban.