First arrest in Baliyali shootout

Dilbar,who is the younger brother of Baliyali village sarpanch Kulwant Singh,was one of the five persons booked on charges of murder,attempt to murder,rioting and offences punishable under relevant Sections of the Arms Act. Kulwant is a partner in the liquor trade run by local Congress MLA Balbir Sidhu Sidhu and is considered a close aide of the latter. Sidhu,his brother Amarjeet Singh Jeeti,Kulwant and his son Jatinder Singh were the others named in the FIR registered on the complaint of Rattan’s elder son Harjinder Singh.

In an official release,Senior Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the special investigating team formed to inquire into the case was still on the lookout for the four accused.

On the other hand,Harjinder threatened to launch an agitation against the “delay” on part of the police to arrest the MLA and others named in the FIR. Addressing a press conference here,Harjinder,who is a member of the village panchayat,said the “biased” approach of the police was evident from the fact that seven of his family members,including his deceased father,were “falsely implicated” in a cross case registered on the statement of Dilbar.

The MLA,however,reiterated that he and his brother were “totally innocent” and had “no role” in the crime. “As the police failed to drop our names from the FIR even after expiry of my ultimatum,a special meeting of the Congress activists will be held here tomorrow to chalk out further course of action,” he said.