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Gurdeep Singh Mann
Tribune News Service
Dulowal (Mansa), January 2
Senior Akali Dal leader and Rajya Sabha MP Balwinder Singh Bhunder’s supporters today allegedly beat up two workers engaged by the Forest Department following an argument over non-payment of their dues.
It all started around 3 pm when Bhunder reached the village’s Government Senior Secondary School for distribution of cheques for various grants. Addressing a gathering, he eulogised the developmental works carried out by the SAD government.
Objecting to his claims, the workers, Raja Singh and Jalandhar Singh approached the MP claiming their wages had been “siphoned off by some officials”.
One among Raja and Jalandhar is learnt to have held the SAD leader by his hand reportedly to put forth his view. Fearing their leader could be manhandled, Bhunder’s men allegedly attacked the two and dragged them to some distance till they were taken into custody by the police.
When contacted, Bhunder claimed the villagers were not beaten up, and only heated arguments took place. “They were under the influence of some intoxicant,” he said.
Kotdharmu SHO Gurmel Singh corroborated Bhunder’s claim: “The two men were attacked. They were either drunk or were high on drugs and started arguing with the MP.”
CPM district secretary Kulwinder Uddat, however, said, “Bhunder’s bogus claim of development did not go down well with the workers, who have been seeking the arrest of the officials who usurped Rs 78 lakh, which was to be paid to them as wages.”
“Questioning by workers upset Bhunder during an election programme. He signalled his men to teach them a lesson. The two men were mercilessly beaten up and then dragged in full public view,” said Uddat. Congress MLA from Sardulgarh Ajitinder Singh Moffar came out in support of the villagers: “This is an unfortunate incident. The voters will teach them a lesson.” The villagers later gheraoed the police station seeking the release of the two workers. Their protest was on till the filing of this report.
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