CHANDIGARH—Acting on the recommendation of Justice Ranjit Singh led Investigation Commission, the Chief Minister of Punjab Captain Amarinder Singh today announced to hand over the investigation of Kotkapura and Behbal Klan firing incidents to the CBI. Notably, two innocent Sikh youths had attained martyrdom and several others were injured in an unprovoked firing opened on the peacefully protesting Sikhs by the Police on October 14, 2015.
Justifying the move, the Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh said that it is necessary to ensure an impartial and objective investigation against all those implicated by the Commission. He added that the role of all the police officers named by the commission will be probed by the CBI and all documents related to the incidents will be handed over to the agency. “Very senior officers could be involved so it was felt to let the matter being investigated by the CBI” he maintained.
In an attempt to console the families of martyred Sikhs and the injured ones, Captain announced to provide compensation worth Rupees 10 million to the family of each martyr while the seriously injured S. Beant Singh will be given Rupees 5 million along with a government job to one family member. Compensation worth Rupees 6 million along with an attendant and facility of reimbursement of medical expenses will be given to S. Ajit Singh, who has been incapacitated for lifetime.
All other injured persons will be provided a financial aid worth Rupees 1 million each.
It may be recalled here that the Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Ranjit Singh had submitted its first part of the report on 30th June 2018. Though the full report is awaited, the Punjab government considered it better to act on the recommendation made by the Commission to compensate victim families and the affected persons.
Giving an end to the speculations about the presentation of the report in an upcoming session of the Punjab assembly, Captain Amarinder Singh made it clear that the report of the Commission would be presented in the Punjab assembly in its next session after the Commission completes its proceedings. Responding to a query, Captain said a special session of the House will be called once the government receives the full report since action taken report cannot be tabled on a partial report.
“The complete report, running into 182 pages with thousands of pages of evidence, will be in four parts and all four would be tabled in the House with the action taken report”, Captain informed.
Elaborating the details of the first part of the report submitted by Justice Ranjit Singh, Captain informed that the Commission, in its first report, has recommended appropriate action against the then SDM Kotkapura and those police officials who, though not apparently guilty of any criminal act, were nevertheless seen to be responsible for police action. “A number of police officers have been found liable for failing to carry out proper and fair investigations of incidents of sacrilege and in the cases which were registered regarding use of force at Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan. So, the Commission has recommended appropriate action in accordance with law against all such officials” he added.
Captain further informed that the Commission has, in particular, mentioned the role of Inspector Pardip Singh, SI Arriarjit Singh, and SP Bikramjit Singh and recommended them to be named as accused in FIR No. 130 Police Station Baja Khanna and their role be thoroughly investigated which has not happened so far. He added that the role of the then SSP Moga Charanjit Singh Sharma has also been cited in this context and the Commission has recommended that his role, and that of Constable Shamsher Singh, Constable Harpreet Singh, Constable Gurpreet Singh and Constable Parminder Singh, as also of Inspector Harpal Singh SHO Ladowal, be thoroughly investigated as they were carrying assault rifles at Behbal Kalan.
It is learnt that the Commission has also recommended the investigation about role of the Commando Police for indiscriminately cane-charging on peacefully protesting Sikhs causing injuries to number of persons.
It may be recalled here that the Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh had appointed Justice Ranjit Singh led Investigation Commission in April last year to re-probe the serial sacrilege incidents occurred in Punjab during past years. Captain Amarinder Singh had annulled the report submitted by Justice Zora Singh led Investigation Commission by terming it as an inconclusive.
Prominent amongst others who were present on the occasion included Cabinet Ministers Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa, Aruna Chaudhary and Bharat Bhushan Ashu, Former Minister of State for External Affairs Maharani Preneet Kaur, AICC Punjab Incharge Asha Kumari, Senior Advisor to CM Lt. Gen. (Retd.) TS Shergill, Media Advisor to CM Raveen Thukral, Advocate General Atul Nanda, Special Principal Secretary to CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) NS Kalsi and Secretary Home Kumar Rahul.
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