Acting on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the Muktsar district police on Tuesday arrested a sarpanch for thrashing a woman teacher, Varinder Kaur, during a recent sangat darshan programme of Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Balwinder Singh alias Toti, sarpanch of Daula, was arrested from Bharu village and a case registered against him under Sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code, an official release said quoting Senior Superintendent of Police Inder Mohan Singh.
While the incident evoked Statewide outrage, Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh said he did not have any faith in either the Chief Minister or his son, who headed the Home department. “Even if they have booked the guilty sarpanch, nothing much should be expected”.
Capt. Singh said the entire government and surprisingly even Ms Badal, in whose presence the incident happened, remained quiet for two days. “It was only after a hue and cry was raised did the government decide to take some action.”
He said this was not the first time an Akali leader slapped or manhandled a protester. Earlier, Akali leader Sikander Singh Malooka was caught on camera beating up protesting teachers.
The Congress leader asked Mr Badal to tame his leaders from running amuck, adding beating up protesters or people coming to meet the Chief Minister or any of his family members had become a routine.
