Thathi (Tarn Taran), January 27
The police allegedly went berserk when an assistant sub-inspector in uniform was beaten up by the wife and three daughters of Mr Dharm Singh in public here yesterday.

According to Thathi villagers, the ASI, Mr Arjun Singh, posted at Jhabal, was beaten up with his own baton and his turban removed even as the constables accompanying him fled the scene after the incident.

Family members of Mr Dharm Singh alleged that the police party had descended on their house following a complaint lodged by Gurcharan Singh, resident of Panjwar, in connection with a land dispute. They alleged that the police party abused and manhandled Mrs Resham Kaur (wife of Dharm Singh). Harjinder Kaur and Gurjinder Kaur, her daughters came to her rescue and beat up the ASI.

The family members alleged that in retaliation, more policemen were requisitioned who attacked the family of Mr Karm Singh, brother of Mr Dharm Singh.

However, Mr Narinder Bhargav, district police chief, claimed that the family members of Mr Dharm Singh had torn the uniform of the ASI without any provocation. He denied that the policemen had gone berserk as alleged by the family of Mr Dharm Singh. Mr Piara Singh, SHO, Jhabal, and Mr Gurjit Singh, Sarpanch of the village, also corroborated the version of Mr Bhargav. The sarpanch alleged that it was the family members of Mr Dharm Singh who had assaulted the ASI.

However, Mrs Resham Kaur alleged that her husband and son Kulbir Singh were taken to a police station on January 25 by a police party led by Mr Arjun Singh but they were released on the way after taking ‘bribe’. She said that the ASI again visited the house the next day and asked the family members that if Mr Dharm Singh failed to appear before the police, he would summon his wife and daughters to the police station.

Mrs Resham Kaur alleged that after manhandling her and her three daughters, the policemen went to the house of her brother-in-law Karm Singh and unleashed terror there. The household belongings of Mr Karm Singh and Mr Dharm Singh were found scattered and their cattle were driven out.

The SSP, Tarn Taran, has deputed Mr Ashok Batha, SP, to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The Jhabal police has registered a case under Sections 307, 186, 353, 323, 148 and 149 (25, 27, 54, 59) of the IPC and Arms Act against Mr Dharm Singh, his son and daughters.