Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital firing: Role of Cantt police under scanner

Tribune News Service
Amritsar, May 18

Days after a cross case was registered in a clash between two groups at Luv Kush Nagar in Putlighar, which had led to firing at Jallianwala Bagh Memorial Civil Hospital, the working of the Cantonment police have come under scanner.

Cops allegedly let off one of the suspects in the cross case who was handed over to the police by residents of Luv Kush Nagar.The suspect identified as Santosh Kumar was let off allegedly under the influence of a political leader.

Locals informed the Cantonment police about presence of Santosh in Gwal Mandi area. Following this, he was nabbed by the police team led by Assistan Sub-Inspector Sushil Kumar. Santosh was booked by the police by name in the case. The ASI said he was not aware why he was let off. He said he went off duty after arresting Santosh.

SHO Jaspal Singh said Santosh was not arrested as the inquiry in the case was under progress. “We are still ascertaining the role of the suspects in the two cases,” he said.

The Civil Hospital firing had led to an injury to an emergency medical officer. It was an outcome of a clash, which occurred at Luv Kush Nagar, hours before the incident on March 14. An FIR was registered by the Cantonment police station in this connection and the police had booked Raj Kumar Raju along with Sunny Sahota, besides their other accomplices on charges of illegal restrain, firing and creating law and order problem, and under the Arms Act. They were booked on the statement of Rahul Negi and his brother Madan Negi, who were injured in the incident. However, on May 10, the police on the statement of Vijay Kumar of Luv Kush Nagar had filed a cross case while booking Rahul Negi, Madan Negi and their accomplices who had attacked Raj Kumar Raju at his residence and damaged his car before the retaliation by the other group.

Geeta, wife of Raju, said when the police had arrested a person in the case, how can they let him go. She said if the police fail to nab the suspects they would sit on a dharna outside the residence of Congress MLA Raj Kumar Verka.