‘Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' — a satire on the system in protest against drug menace in a Bathinda village
The brutal assault on an ex-Army man Ranbir Singh, who is in his mid-40s, allegedly by Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh, both having prior drug-related criminal records, on May 31 triggered strong resentment among villagers, and the banner turned out on June 1.
Singh, who earned respect among villagers for motivating youths to quit drugs and embrace sports, suffered serious leg injuries and underwent surgery on June 3.
Police, however, suspect old hostility between the accused persons and Ranbir. However, on the contrary, locals see the assault as an attempt to silence voices challenging the drug network in the area.
In a video message posted on social media, Lakhbir questioned the system and condemned the 'impunity with which drug smugglers operate.' Soon, the 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' banner became 'a symbol of rural frustration and resistance,' Lakhbir said.
Bathinda SSP Amneet Kondal said police acted promptly, arresting both accused within 24 hours. 'No one will be allowed to threaten or harm citizens, especially those who are up against the crime,' the SSP said, acknowledging Ranbir's courage in encouraging youths to quit drugs, which reportedly angered the peddlers.
The attackers were booked under serious charges, including attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and grievous hurt.
The SSP said, 'Punjab Police is actively cracking down on drug networks, including demolishing illegal properties of identified drug peddlers, and encouraging citizens to report drug-related activity with assurance of confidentiality.'
On June 2, Lakhbir posted a video, thanking the police for their swift action. However, in another video the same evening, he alleged that Kotfatta police station SHO Manish Kumar threatened him for speaking out. Lakhbir alleged that the SHO even warned him of getting his dope test done. 'I am ready for any such tests,' Lakhbir said in the video, holding his four-month-old daughter.
The SSP said, 'In one video, he praised police action, while in another video… I sent an officer to his place to counsel him. I will also meet him to allay his fears.'
Meanwhile, Bathinda police posted on X their official response under the hashtag #YudhNashianVirudh. 'A resident of village Bhai Bakhtaur recently shared a video on social media alleging that he was threatened by the SHO of police station Kotfatta. Taking immediate and serious note of the incident, Bathinda Police officials reached out to the individual and assessed the situation. SSP Bathinda personally spoke to him and assured him that appropriate action would be taken against the concerned officer. Contact numbers of the Bathinda SSP and the SP (Rural) have also been shared with him for reporting any drug-related information directly.'
Based on the charges levelled by Lakhbir Singh, SHO Manish Kumar was told to report to the police lines, while Jaswinder Kaur was posted as the new Kotfatta SHO.
Political reaction
Replying to a question about Bhai Bhaktaur village in Bathinda putting itself on sale over the failure of the government to stop drug peddling, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said there cannot be a bigger slap on the face of the AAP government and proof of the defeat in the so-called 'Yudh', than an entire village putting itself for sale as the drug peddlers are having a field day there.
'Bhai Bhaktaur village is not an exception but an example of how drugs are freely available in Punjab, irrespective of the Punjab government's claims,' he said. The PCC president said not only are the peddlers selling drugs, but they also dare to beat up an ex-serviceman who was opposing the sale of drugs, and the state government should hang its head in shame.
BJP's Punjab media head Vineet Joshi blamed the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for 'failing to control the drug crisis'. 'The day the ex-serviceman was attacked, three overdose deaths were reported in different villages of Punjab. Youth are dying and the government is doing little,' he alleged. Joshi, however, praised the courage of villagers like Lakhbir and Ranbir Singh, saying, 'They represent the spirit of Punjab that refuses to surrender to addiction and fear.'
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