Punjab police seize body of Daljit Singh; opposition demands CM resignation
- Police removed the body of 35-year-old Daljit Singh from his family on Tuesday.
- The family was attempting to take the body to a protest site in Mansa.
- Opposition leaders including Sukhbir Singh Badal have demanded the resignation of CM Bhagwant Mann.
- SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary stated police acted to maintain law and order after protesters blocked roads.
- The incident is linked to ongoing protests over the murder of activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.
On Tuesday, authorities in Mansa, a city located in the northern Indian state of Punjab, took possession of 35-year-old Daljit Singh's body following an attempt by his relatives to move it toward a demonstration area. The death of Singh on Monday is believed to have been caused by a drug overdose.
Although kin and locals from Bhamme Kalan village sought to convey the remains to the protest site, law enforcement obstructed the path by positioning trucks and other vehicles across the roadway. Protesters at Ramditte Wala Chowk said police carried out a lathicharge, took the body into custody, and detained several people.
The family alleged that the body was snatched during the transport attempt. Opposition leaders and the family of the deceased have criticized the government's handling of the drug crisis and the police action.
Opposition leaders target Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann
Congress leader Raja Brar described the police action as "shameful and inhuman" and accused the Mansa police of taking the body from the grieving family. Brar wrote in a social media post that the drug crisis in Punjab is claiming young lives and that police snatched the body before fleeing.
Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal targeted Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, asking on X whether his conscience had died and calling the incident a greater injustice. Badal also accused the government of disrespecting the Sikh faith and failing to address the drug menace.
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the police for removing the body and questioned the government's overall response to the drug crisis. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mann and Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary while calling for the imposition of President's rule in Punjab.
Mansa police defend actions and cite law and order
Vaibhav Chaudhary, the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police, stated that officers stepped in due to attempts by certain individuals to disrupt public order. Choudhary claimed police used "mild force" to disperse protesters who blocked a road.
Three officers sustained injuries during the protest, according to police reports. Authorities are now registering an attempt to murder case in connection with the incident.
Police took the body of Daljit Singh into custody and sent it out of the station for a post-mortem examination. The body was moved out of Mansa, and the family is satisfied with the arrangements for the last rites, according to Choudhary.
Choudhary clarified that police will not perform the last rites. Further action will occur only after the police obtain the family's consent.
Police will not take action at the site of the ongoing sit-in protest in Mansa, as the event remains peaceful.
Family demands justice for drug-related death
Daljit Singh was a married man with two children and served as his family's sole breadwinner. He had struggled with drug addiction for some time.
His family alleged that he traveled to Mansa on Monday morning to purchase drugs, and his body was later discovered in fields near Ramanandi.
The family demanded the immediate arrest of those supplying the drugs. They stated their protest will continue until authorities take action.
Furthermore, kin challenged the state government’s assertions about its anti-drug campaign, contending that youths are still dying.
Protest links to Parvinder Singh Jhota murder case
The protest in Mansa is part of a broader movement demanding justice for the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The family of the deceased had intended to bring his body to this site to join activists.
Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Choudhary said the death is being investigated as a murder case. Choudhary noted that police have rounded up three suspects.
Police detained Waris Punjab de leader Lakha Singh Sidhana for allegedly attempting to break law and order.
The family of Jhota has refused to allow a post-mortem for two weeks. They insisted their demands, including the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, must be met.
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