Hoshiarpur, March 3
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) committed suicide allegedly because of torture by the Station House Officer (SHO) and head constable of Goraya police station.

According to police sources, ASI Jaswinder Pal Singh (40) of Eama Mugalan village committed suicide by hanging himself from a branch of a tree near Kitna village yesterday.

In a suicide note recovered from the clothes of the deceased, Jaswinder Singh alleged that SHO Sarwan Singh Bal and head constable Harjit Singh used to torture him for collecting money from bad elements of the society for them, for which he did not oblige.

On February 12 after getting a two-day leave he came to the village for attending the marriage ceremony of his sister-in-law. After the expiry of his leave he did not go to join his duty. Sometime back, the SHO sent head constable Harjit Singh to him to ask him to join duty. Jasvir Kaur, wife of Jaswinder Singh, alleged that when her husband went to the police station to join his duty he was again tortured by the officials.

During late hours on the night of March 1 Jaswinder Singh committed suicide by hanging himself from a branch of a tree near Kitna village. On seeing the body hanging from a branch of a tree people informed cops at Saila Khurd police chowki. An identity card and a suicide note was recovered from his pocket.

On the complaint of Jasvir Kaur, the Mahilpur police has registered a case under Section 306 and 34 of the IPC against the SHO and head constable of Goraya police station.

Meanwhile, SSP Rakesh Aggarwal has deputed DSP, Garhshankar, Harpreet Singh Mandair to conduct an inquiry into the suicide case of ASI Jaswinder Singh.

Amritsar, March 3
The District Congress Committee (Rural,) led by Sukhjinder Raj Singh (Lalli) Majithia, today lodged a formal complaint to the SSP (Rural) for registering a criminal case against former SAD minister Bikram Singh Majithia for allegedly making “objectionable remarks” against former Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.

In his complaint, he alleged, “The situation in the state has become tense due to provocative, derogatory and unparliamentary language used by Bikram against Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh during a recent function in Majitha. These statements, which were published in the media, had created hatred among persons belonging to different parties and communities.”

On February 26, Bikram again made statements and uttered provocative words against Capt Amarinder in order to promote enmity between the two parties.

“Under these circumstances, necessary directions may be issued to Station House Officer, Majitha police station, to register a case under Sections 153, 153-A, 504 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in order to save the public from unpleasant situation,” he urged the SSP, Gurmeet Chauhan.

Chauhan said appropriate action would be taken after a through probe and taking legal opinion in this regard.

Tarn Taran, March 3
The All-Punjab Anganwari Mulazam Union (APAMU) has announced to carry on its agitation till its demand to consider them at par with the government employees was accepted.

The announcement was made by Hargobind Kaur, state president of the APAMU, here today while addressing a district-level meeting of the workers of the union. She said the announcement made by the Union Government in its Budget to double their monthly contribution fees was a sign of the victory of their struggle. The union would continue its struggle till their main demand was accepted. Hargobind Kaur was also honoured in the meeting. — OC

Amritsar, March 3
After getting an assurance from Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who promised to resolve the ongoing row between the Amritsar Bar Association and District Transport Officer, the association today deferred its hunger strike till March 7.

Pardeep Saini and Mukesh Nanda, president and general secretary of the association, respectively, said the representatives of the association met the Chief Minister on his invitation in Chandigarh.

Nanda claimed Badal sought time for reaching an amicable solution to the controversy between advocates and DTO as he was busy in the coming budget session. He said the association would chalk out further course of action on Monday after seeing the response of the government. It is pertinent to mention here that the Bar association had threatened that its office-bearers would sit on fast unto death on March 3 in protest against the government’s failure to transfer the DTO, Jasbir Singh. The association and DTO were at loggerheads following the alleged beating of an advocate at DTO office in February.

Jalandhar, March 3
The Jalandhar and Ropar teams today entered the semifinals of the men hockey competition during the ongoing Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Punjab Games at the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium here today.

In the quarterfinals in the men’s section, Jalandhar thrashed Faridkot by 6-0. For the winners Akashdeep Singh scored in the 25th, 47th and 50th minute, while Jasjeet Singh scored in the sixth and 30th minute and Gurvinder Singh Chandi in the 37th minute of the game.

In the second match of the quarterfinals, Ropar beat Patiala by 4-3. For winners Jaswinder Singh scored in the 11th, Gagandeep Singh in the 30th, Harminder in the 65th and Jashanpreet in the 67th minute of the play.

For Patiala Jatinder Singh scored a goal in the ninth, Kulbir Singh in the 44th and Charandeep Singh in the 46th minute of the play.

In the girls’ category, Patiala beat Jalandhar by 3-0 to enter the semifinals. The scorers for the winners were Ranjana in the eigth and 40th minute and Ravneet Kaur in the 39th minute.

In another match of the day, Amritsar beat Ludhaina by 3-0. For winners Kirandeep Kaur, Amandeep Kaur and Nagma scored one goal each.