Compensation announced for slain sarpanch’s family

Jalandhar: The Jalandhar district administration on Monday announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and a job in the Deputy Commissioner's office for the family of Mohinder Singh, sarpanch of Butte Dia Chhanna village and Jamhoori Kisan Sabha leader, who died after being attacked allegedly at the behest of drug peddlers on February 28. The administration also said that a stadium in the neighbouring village of Baghela will be named after him.In a parallel development, Jalandhar Rural Police transferred Mehatpur police station SHO Pankaj Kumar and suspended munshi Sukhbir Singh.
Following Singh's death in the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, members of the Kisan Sabha and various farm and labour unions staged a dharna outside Mehatpur police station. They demanded the arrest of the main accused, compensation for the family, government coverage of his treatment expenses, a job for a family member, and action against police personnel who allegedly tipped off drug peddlers about the sarpanch's efforts to push for action against them.Nakodar SDM Simranjit Singh announced the compensation package, after which the protest was called off. Protesters said the sarpanch had been consistently raising concerns over the sale of chitta in the area.Mohinder Singh was attacked by five assailants armed with kirpans and iron rods. Villagers alleged that the attackers were merely henchmen, while the real masterminds behind the assault were different.