The North News
Chandigarh, January 12
The Punjab Police have arrested seven people in connection with the murder of a village sarpanch in Tarn Taran district earlier this month, and are pursuing suspects believed to be operating from overseas. Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said two of the main assailants were arrested from Raipur with the assistance of Chhattisgarh Police. Two others, allegedly part of the logistical and support network, were arrested by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali, while three more suspects were detained from Tarn Taran.
Sharing details, Yadav said the investigation indicates a case of personal enmity, allegedly involving gangster Prabh Dasuwal, who is believed to be abroad. “The ringleaders sitting overseas will be brought back to face justice,” he said. The two accused arrested in Raipur — Shukraj Singh and Karmjit Singh — are currently in police custody on transit remand until 14 January, the DGP added.
The incident took place on January 4 at a wedding ceremony at a marriage resort near Amritsar, where Jarmal Singh, the sarpanch of Valtoha village, had gone to attend a function. According to police, two men approached him while he was seated and opened fire at close range, shooting him in the head. He collapsed on the spot and later died in hospital.
The CCTV footage of the attack has since emerged. The Police said that the video shows the two shooters walking towards the victim with pistols concealed in their clothing. One assailant reportedly stood in front while the other fired from behind before both fled the scene.
Yadav said investigators analysed CCTV footage “very scientifically”, tracking both forward and backward movements of the suspects and corroborating it with technical data to establish linkages in the case.
