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Suicide by Bhattal’s brother
From Our Correspondent

BARNALA, Oct 17 — Mr Manjit Singh Bhattal (65), former MLA and brother of Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, former Punjab Chief Minister, committed suicide at Bhattal village, 15 km from here this morning.

According to reports, Mr Bhattal who won from the Dhanaula Assembly constituency in 1992 as the Congress nominee, shot himself in the head. He was brought to Dhanaula, hospital after first aid, referred to the DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, where he succumbed to his injuries at 2 p.m. Barnala police chief Ajaib Singh said the deceased was “depressed probably due to differences with his wife over certain issues”. The cremation will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at his native village.

The body of former MLA and brother of Mrs Rajinder Kaur Bhattal is taken for a post-mortem examination. (Right) his son Harpratap Singh along with friends and relatives. Photo by Rajesh Bhambi

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, has expressed grief over the death of Mr Manjit Singh Bhattal. Describing him as a “true nationalist”, he expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family.