Akali Dal demands CBI probe into Bakala firing

Jalandhar, Jan 29 (UNI) Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) general secretary and former Union Minister Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa demanded probe by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in today's incident of firing during a clash between activists of ruling Congress and Akali Dal near Baba Bakala under Beas assembly segment which left at least one person dead.

Talking to reporters here, Mr Dhindsa alleged that the assailants were Congress supporters who opened fire at SAD candidate Manjinder Singh Kang's supporters.

Mr Dhindsa alleged that four people were killed in the firing, however, only one body could be recovered from the spot as the assailants had removed bodies of other three victims.

He said that sitting Congress MLA Jasbir Singh Dimpa and his SP brother were involved in the incident and therefore, the probe into the incident should be entrusted to CBI.

He also demanded lodging of murder case against the guilty.

Mr Dhindsa said the reported abduction of a Congress supported sarpanch in the area last night, which is said to be the immediate provocation behind the clash, was ''stage-managed'' and therefore the abduction case should also be transferred to CBI for fair investigation.

Mr Dhindsa said the Congresss leaders were frustated in view of their inevitable defeat in the assembly elections due next month and were commiting desperate acts and misdeeds.

He expressed apprehension that more such clashes were likely elsewhere in the state during the electioneering and therefore, the Election Commission should deploy central para military forces in the state for smooth conduct of election process.

Formal representations in support of the demand for deployment of paramilitary forces had already been submitted before the Commission, he added.

UNI