Youth Akali leader killed during filing of nominations near Chandigarh

BATHINDA: In the run-up to the civic elections in Punjab, an activist of People's Party of Punjab activist Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, along with 23 others, has been booked for allegedly killing a youth Akali leader of Mehraj village in Bathinda on Friday.
Youth Akali Dal's Mehraj circle propaganda secretary Gurbir Singh alias Goldy Mehraj, 35, had just came out of the office of the Rampura Phool sub-divisional magistrate after accompanying party candidates to file nomination papers for the Mehraj nagar panchayat, when members of an opposite group fired at him.
An injured Goldy was taken to Adesh Medical College Hospital, where he breathed his last after some time. Lakha Sidhana had contested the 2012 Punjab assembly elections on the PPP ticket from Rampura Phool assembly constituency. He is already facing 10 cases of attempt to murder and under the Arms Act.
Bathinda senior superintendent of police Inder Mohan Singh said a murder case had been registered against Lakha Sidhana, Sewak Singh, Kori Singh, Satti Singh and 20 unidentified persons. He said, "Efforts are being made to arrest the accused."
Lakha Sidhana was attacked on May 16, 2013 before the zila parishad elections at Adampur village of Bathinda. Though he escaped, another PPP activist was killed in that attack.
Sources said Goldy was accompanying six Akali candidates who went to Rampura Phool SDM's office to file their papers for Mehraj nagar panchayat. Their opposing group too had reached the complex for the nominations.
Sources said Goldy got involved in a verbal duel and clashed with members of the rival group inside the court complex. Eyewitnesses said the other group led by Lakha Sidhana allegedly fired at Goldy as he came out of the office and the a bullet shot hit him in the chest. Goldy was first taken to civil hospital. He referred to Adesh Medical College Hospital as condition deteriorated where he was declared brought dead. Lakha Sidhana and group members escaped after committing crime.
Victim's father Pritam Singh said, "My son had accompanied Akali candidates and had to pay the price with his life."
Punjab rural development minister Sikandar Singh Maluka reached the hospital and termed the incident as murder of democracy. Bathinda SSP and other senior police officials rushed to the hospital.