Residents blame ‘outsiders’ for ruining village peace
Tuesday, 28/05/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130528/punjab.htm#3
Mann (Muktsar) : Most houses in this village, a known citadel of the Congress, are large with imposing gates. The streets are dusty and brick-laned in contrast to paved streets in the nearby Badal village. The pond is still "kutcha" and drains in dilapidated condition. There is no health centre. The village has an ayruvedic doctor, Gurtej Singh, to take care of medical needs of its population.
But for the last eight days, Gurtej, too, is not available. He is on the run fearing police arrest. He is among the 25 "identified" accused in the FIR no. 65, dated May 19 regarding violence, rioting, beating of Akali workers, attempt to capture polling booths and burning of vehicles.
Gurtej treated Akalis and Congressmen alike. But today his aged mother Jarnail Kaur, a heart patient, is lying on the cot with only Gurtej's wife Parvinder Kaur to take care of her.
With the FIR stating 125 "unidentified" persons besides 25 "identified" had caused the violence, almost all families owing allegiance to the Congress are living in fear since May 19.
Gurtej's sister Baljinder Kaur said the villagers lost brotherhood and sense of belongingness for each other. "All families had been living and dining together since long despite their political affiliations. I am shocked that my mother and sister-in-law are left alone by the same people," she said.
Baltej Singh, who holds religious congregations, was also on the run. He returned today emboldened by the visit of senior Congress leaders. He blamed "outsiders" for violence and causing enmity among the villagers.
He said the peace of the village was never disturbed like this. "Everyone knows who supports whom. It is for the first time that Akali families in the village are not helping Congress supporters in distress."
He said he was a witness to the booth capturing incident that sparked violence. "There were a large number of outsiders who came in vehicles bearing registration numbers of other districts. They barged into a polling booth and beat up Congress polling agent Major Singh. He was rescued by policemen who had to fire in the air to disperse the attackers. Later, Major Singh was the first to be arrested for causing violence. We had no option but to run for our lives".
What the police says
Muktsar police chief Surjeet Singh claimed the police was not harassing Congress workers and their families. “We lodged the FIR on the basis of a complaint. We have a video footage of the incident. There is ample proof against the accused”. The police has so far arrested 10 persons, including a woman.
It’s Ramgarh of ‘Sholay’: Bajwa
The deserted streets in the village look similar to the ones in Ramgarh village as shown in Hindi movie "Sholay", said Partap Singh Bajwa. "The role of Gabbar Singh is being played by the ruling Badals. People are not even willing to peep out of their houses. A number of houses are lying locked and most of these are being taken care of by the relatives of 150 Congressmen who have been either arrested or absconding for the fear of being arrested," said Bajwa.
Infighting to the fore
Two factions of the Lambi Congress leadership belonging to Abul Khurana and Khuddian village exchanged heated arguments at the house of a Congress worker in Mann village. A minor scuffle took place when workers of one group stopped the others from entering the house, claiming that the PPCC chief’s visit was organised by them. The situation was controlled on the intervention of Congress MLA Amrinder Singh 'Raja' Warring.
Sukhbir leaves before Bajwa's arrival
It was the first visit of Partap Singh Bajwa to Badal village after taking over as the Pradesh Congress president. Before his visit, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal left for Chandigarh in a helicopter around 11.10 am from the Kaljharani village helipad. Sources said Sukhbir did not leave the village due to Bajwa's visit, but he had to attend a meeting in Chandigarh.
Two SUVs in cavalcade collide
As Partap Singh Bajwa left Mann village for the residence of party leader Jagpal Singh at Abul Khurana village, a number of vehicles, including high-end sports utility vehicles (SUVs), followed his Toyota Land Cruiser vehicle. Due to the sudden use of brakes by a driver in the cavalcade, a couple of cars and SUVs collided with each other. Though no one was injured in the mishap, a Toyota Fortuner and a Ford Endeavour were damaged.
CM flayed for not visiting Mann
Besides Bajwa, a majority of locals asked Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to explain as to why he did not visit Mann village, which is just 2 km away from his residence. Bajwa also took a dig at Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur saying a majority of women in the village were facing harassment by the police, but Nanhi Chhaan was nowhere to be seen. He said the SAD’s claim that women would not have to go to the police stations had been exposed.
