Cong workers demand ''end to police atrocities''

Kapurthala, July 13 (UNI) Congress workers, led by Rana Gurjit Singh, MP, today held a protest rally in the district court complex here demanding ''an end to police atrocities'' on the party workers after suicide of a party activist here yesterday.

Addressing the workers, Mr Rana warned that the party will be forced to launch an agitation against the police, if it did not stop ''repression of Congress cadre under political pressure.'' The MP alleged that the youth Sukhdev Kumar, who had committed suicide here yesterday was driven to take the extreme step due to the torture of the police.

He demanded registration of criminal case against the city DSP Sukhdev Singh Chhina, alleging that he, under political pressure, had directed the police to torture the youth, who was a Congress activist, after foisting a false theft case against him.

He demanded the arrest of those responsible for forcing Sukhdev Kumar to commit suicide. He also demanded a compensation of rupees 10 lakh to the victim's family.

Meanwhile, Police has registered a criminal case under section 306 of the IPC against BJP District President Hira Lal Dhir and contractor Jamil Khan for abetting Sukhdev Kumar to commit suicide following recovery of a suicide note from his pocket.

UNI