Last rites of slain Adda Chabal sarpanch performed by kin

Tarn Taran, January 17

The body of Awan Kumar Khullar alias Sonu Cheema, Sarpanch of Adda Chabal and a known personality in social and political circles was cremated in Cheema Kalan village on Wednesday. A large number of well-wishers of the family were present on the occasion. The family was awaiting the arrival of the wife and son of the deceased from abroad before performing the last rites. They arrived on Tuesday at the Amritsar residence of the family.

Sonu Cheema was shot dead on Sunday by two armed and masked unidentified persons when he was visiting a saloon in Chabal in the early hours. One of the two assailants pumped two bullets into him and managed to escape from the spot on a motor-cycle on which they had come. The body was brought in a well-decorated van from the Amritsar residence of the family and was placed at Chabal crossing where residents paid their tribute to the departed soul. AAP MLA Dr Kashmir Singh Sohal, SAD leader and former minister Adesh Partap Singh Kairon, Baba Nirmal Singh, SGPC member, were among those present.

But four days have passed since the incident and the police appears to be clueless in arresting the shooters. However, SSP Ashwani Kapur said the police was following vital leads and was hopeful that the accused would be arrested soon.