M A I N   N E W S

MURDER of a policeman 
ASI murder key accused in SAD directory, says Cong
GS Paul/TNS

Amritsar, December 11
The Shiromani Akali Dal’s recently published directory of district-level leaders kicked up a storm on Tuesday, with Punjab Pardesh Congress Committee chief Amarinder Singh alleging that leaders mentioned in it enjoyed “immunity” from police action if found indulging in any criminal activity.

Ranjit Singh Rana, the now expelled SAD general secretary who allegedly shot dead ASI Ravinderpal Singh in Amritsar on December 5, features on page 51 of the directory. Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Sunil Jakhar said there were 25 other SAD leaders with criminal background in the directory. Titled ‘Zila Akali Jatha, Amritsar’, the directory’s cover page carries a slogan: ‘Sukhbir Singh Badal da supna, ik majboot jathebandhak dhancha (Sukhbir Singh Badal’s dream: A strong network of party workers’ and contains the antecedents of “active” SAD workers of Amritsar. Its aim: to serve as an area-wise ready reckoner of SAD leaders for the public.

Ranjit Singh Rana, expelled SAD general secretary who allegedly shot dead ASI Ravinderpal Singh, features on page 51 of the directory.

Capt Amarinder Singh, at a dharna at Rialto Chowk here today, blamed the SAD top brass for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. “The SAD directory has been distributed in all police stations. Officers have been directed to look the other way if a case involving party functionaries mentioned in the directory comes their way,” said Amarinder, who later visited the family of late ASI Ravinderpal Singh.

“The directory is authentic proof of the criminal-politician nexus. There are at least 25 SAD leaders mentioned in it who have been indulging in criminal acts such as land grabbing, liquor and drug smuggling. It is the liability of the Punjab CM to get the particulars of his leaders verified,” said Jakhar.

The Chief Minister admitted that Rana was an unknown name for him, he said. “Rana’s true face emerged only after the ASI’s killing, but there are more Ranas enshrined in this directory,” said Jakhar.

SAD Amritsar district unit (urban) president Upkar Singh Sandhu refuted the allegations.

“It is baseless to say that these directories have been specifically distributed in police stations. It is equally groundless to say the directory contains the antecedents of SAD workers with a criminal background. Rana did not have a criminal background till he killed a police officer,” he said.

We have informed the police commissioner that if any of our workers are found involved in any case, we should be informed right away, he said. “We have also directed our local chiefs to be vigilant about all party workers and verify their backgrounds,” he said.