Latest news with #LakhbirSingh
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
‘Village for sale' poster over drug abuse: SHO transferred for threatening whistleblower
Bathinda: The Kotfatta police Station SHO, Manish Kumar, was transferred after Lakhbir Singh, a resident of Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda, in a video accused him of threatening him. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now On Sunday, Lakhbir Singh had pasted a poster reading "village for sale" following complaints of rampant drug abuse in the village, especially after ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh was mercilessly beaten by two individuals, including Kuldeep Singh Kala, who faces two cases under the NDPS Act and two under the Excise Act. Amneet Kondal, senior superintendent of police, Bathinda, said the Kotfatta SHO had been transferred to the police lines and a departmental enquiry was initiated against him. The action was taken against Manish Kumar following the complaints made by Bhai Bakhtaur village resident Lakhbir Singh, said the SSP. Ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh, who opposed drug abuse and encouraged youths to engage in sports, was brutally beaten by Bhai Bakhtaur residents Kuldeep Singh Kala, Gurpreet Singh, and another person late Saturday. In response, village resident Lakhbir Singh uploaded a video on social media, expressing concern that after the attack on Ranbir Singh, many in the village, including women, did not feel safe. In anger, he also put up the "village on sale" poster. Although Kala and Gurpreet were arrested, Lakhbir uploaded another video Monday night, claiming that SHO Manish Kumar was angry about the video and threatened him with dire consequences, in addition to mentioning that a dope test should be conducted on him. Meanwhile, various political leaders visited Ranbir Singh in hospital and appreciated his stand against drug abuse and his challenge to the state govt. Congress MLA Pargat Singh visited Bhai Bakhtaur village to show solidarity with the family of the ex-serviceman and assured them of every possible support in their fight for justice. MSID:: 121595563 413 |
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- New Indian Express
Punjab village 'for sale' over drug menace
CHANDIGARH: Following the brutal attack by alleged drug peddlers on an ex-serviceman on Sunday in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district of Punjab has prompted villagers to put up a sign declaring, "Our Village is for Sale." Lakhbir Singh, a farmer from Bhai Bakhtaur village in Bathinda district on Sunday posted a hand-written banner at the village entrance which read `` Our Village is For Sale '' (Saada pind vikau hai). This step was taken after a day after ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh was allegedly brutally thrashed by two men, Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh involved in drug cases. Lakhbir also posted a video denouncing the attack and accusing the police of failing to protect villagers from drug violence. According to Bathinda SP Amneet Kondal, Singh had reportedly been urging youths to leave drugs and play sports. This message appears to have triggered local drug peddlers. Singh is presently admitted in a hospital at Bathinda. Police have arrested both accused and booked them on charges of attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and causing grievous hurt, he added Vineet Joshi, media head of the Bharatiya Janata Party in Punjab, alleged that on June 1, three people died of drug overdoses in different villages across the state—Deharka (Ludhiana district), Rodikpura (Faridkot district), and Senia (Fazilka district). Meanwhile, in Bakhtaur village in Bathinda, frustrated residents put up a sign reading, "Our Village is for Sale", in a desperate protest against the unchecked drug menace. 'This reflects the grim reality behind the so-called 'War Against Drugs' and exposes the failure of the AAP government's May 31 deadline to make Punjab drug-free. The message 'Sadda Pind Bikau Hai' is not a political slogan—it's a cry of anguish from a village gripped by fear and helplessness. Today, shopkeepers, labourers, and even women in rural Punjab feel unsafe. While farmers and protesters are swiftly arrested—sometimes along with their mothers and sisters—drug traffickers continue to roam free, even with multiple cases pending against them,' Joshi said. Punjab's situation is now worse than Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. villagers live in fear of "Chitta" (heroin) smugglers, who openly threaten them. We are not political workers, nor affiliated with any party, but things have gone too far now," said a youth in a viral video, where he praised UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his crackdown on criminals.
Hindustan Times
09-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
SHO, ASI booked for ‘torturing peddlers'
A station house officer (SHO) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) have been booked for allegedly torturing three drug peddling accused, including a minor, and forcing them into unnatural sexual activities at the Mehatpur police station. The case was filed following directions from senior superintendent of police Harvinder Singh Virk after the victims' families accused SHO Lakhbir Singh, ASI Dharminder Singh and other police personnel of severe misconduct. Both the officials were suspended on April 30. The Mehatpur police had arrested two youths and detained a minor after recovering poppy husk from them on April 27. While the minor was released the same day, the two adults were booked under the NDPS Act. The victims' families have alleged that the accused officers subjected the detainees to physical torture and coercing them into unnatural sexual acts. Deputy superintendent of police Onkar Singh Brar said the FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the SC/ST Act.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
SHO, ASI suspended for ‘torturing peddlers'
A station house officer (SHO) and an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) have been placed under suspension for allegedly torturing three drug peddling accused and forcing them to take up unnatural sex activities in the Mehatpur police station. The action was taken on the directions of senior superintendent of police (SSP) Harvinder Singh Virk after the families of the youths, including a minor, staged a protest outside the police station while blaming SHO Lakhbir Singh, ASI Dharminder Singh and other police personnel for the 'torture'. The Mehatpur police had arrested two youths and detained the minor after some poppy husk was seized from them on April 27. The minor was released on the same day while a case under the NDPS Act was registered against the two. According to the protesters, the minor told them that the cops meted out inhuman treatment to them and forced them to take up unnatural sex activities. The protesters said they narrated the whole incident to senior officials. Meanwhile, deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Onkar Singh Brar said such indiscipline won't be tolerated and the concerned police personnel were immediately place under suspension on the basis of the complaint. 'An inquiry has been initiated. Further action will be taken accordingly,' he added.
