Sarpanch killed after tiff over granthi’s selection

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 26

A sarpanch, who had shifted his loyalties from the Akali Dal to the Congress, was allegedly beaten to death by a rival group at Jhite Chet Singh Wala village near Manawala late last evening.

The deceased was identified as Gurpinder Singh Lalli. The Chatiwind police have booked Sukhdev Singh, his son Jagsher Singh, Gurbir Singh and Shamsher Singh. A case under Section 302, 34 IPC has been registered, but no arrest has been made so far.

Sources said both groups were staunch Akali supporters, but changed their loyalties to the Congress ahead of the recent state Assembly elections. Amarjit Singh, SHO, Chatiwind police station, said the two groups had a dispute over the appointment of a granthi in the village gurdwara. This has led to verbal dual that turned ugly.

While Gurpinder Singh had appointed granthi of his choice, the rival group was insisting on another candidate. They gathered to resolve the issue last evening when after a verbal spat, the rival group members attacked Gurpinder and thrashed him brutally. He later succumbed to his injuries.

Amarjit said raids were being conducted to nab the culprits, who would be nabbed at the earliest.