JALANDHAR /LOHIAN KHAS
Jalandhar(rural) police have arrested four more accused in connection with the violent land possession dispute in Village Pippali, bringing the total number of arrests to 17. Deadly weapons were also recovered during the latest operation, further advancing the ongoing investigation into the August 3 incident.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh told the media that the accused have been identified as Jaskamal Singh alias Sonu son of Kulwindar Singh resident of Talwann village under Bilga police station, Brij Megan alias Chetan son of Brij Bindar a resident of Mohalla Dibi Pura, Nurmahal, and his brother Brij Megan alias Megan and Manish son of Paramjit a resident of Mohalla Shadi Kha, Mehtpur.
As per details of the case Balwinder Singh, Baljinder Singh, Hira Singh, and Jagjit Singh( arrested), all residents of Pippali village were forcibly occupying 15 kanals of land owned by NRIs Dara Singh and Darbara Singh, currently residing in the UK. The dispute escalated when a group of armed men attacked the occupants, vandalized property, and looted valuables, including a tractor, gold ornaments, and cash.
According to the investigation, Dara Singh had contacted his relative, Sukhjeevan Singh alias Gaggu, and Amandeep Singh alias Amna, both of whom were involved in illegal land possession activities. Dara Singh sought their help in reclaiming his land from the accused, offering to pay Rs. 3 lakhs for the task. An initial payment of Rs. 2 lakh was made before the group of 100 armed men stormed the property on August 3. The remaining Rs. 1 lakh was to be paid after the land was reclaimed, but the situation quickly turned violent.
SSP said the arrests were made by a special police team led by SHO Shahkot under the supervision of Shahkot DSP Onkar Singh Brar. The operation was part of an extensive effort to bring all those involved to justice.
During the attack, the armed group also assaulted the landowners, ransacked the property, and stole valuable items, including gold jewelry and a significant amount of cash. The accused also damaged household items stole a Bullet motorcycle and drove off in a Sonalika tractor belonging to the family.
Following the registration of a case on August 4, police teams were deployed to track down the suspects. A key figure in the crime notorious gangster, Amandeep Singh alias Amna, was arrested on August 31, leading to further breakthroughs.
Kashmir Kaur wife of Balwinder Singh a resident of Pipalli village had complained to the police that the accused barged into her house on August 3 late evening armed with firearms and sharp-edged weapons and started beating her husband and injuring him seriously. Two accused barged into the Kitchen assaulted her and demanded documents of their land at a pistol point.
Sation House Officer Yadwindar Singh said a case under sections 109(attempt to murder), 333(house trespass ), 115(2)and 118(1) (voluntarily causing grievous hurt )1324(4) (mischief ).309(robbery ),61(2)(criminal conspiracy 351(2)(criminal intimidation ),191(1) (rioting ) .190(every member of unlawful assembly ) of the B.N.S .and sections 25/54/59 of the Arms Act was registered against the accused totaling 104.