In the wake of the tragic killing of a 39-year-old man during a violent scuffle over a land dispute in Greater Kailash area of Jammu city, SSP Jammu Dr. Vinod Kumar has taken strict action against derelict police officials and initiated a thorough probe into the matter.
Addressing the media on Thursday, the SSP announced the suspension of the incharge of Greater Kailash Police Post, Puneet Sharma, and attachment of SHO Gangyal, Harmohinder Singh, for their alleged negligence in controlling the clash that led to the death.
A three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by SDPO City South Kartik Shrotriya has also been constituted to comprehensively investigate the incident.
As per the SSP, the fatal altercation erupted on April 22 over a longstanding 33 marla land dispute between two parties – Balbir Singh and Parshotam Singh – in Greater Kailash. When the police incharge attempted to execute a court order to hand over possession to one side, the other aggrieved group objected vehemently.
“The situation spiraled out of control with the involvement of some anti-social elements and land grabbers. Despite being alerted, the policemen present failed to professionally discharge their duties to prevent the violence that unfortunately claimed the life of one Avtar Singh,” the SSP rued.
Underlining that negligence of any kind will not be tolerated, Dr. Vinod Kumar stated that departmental inquiries have been initiated against the suspended officers. Meanwhile, acting on the complaint of the deceased’s uncle, police have detained seven persons including the notorious land grabber Ravinder Gupta alias ‘Gola Shah’ and his son Rajat Jandiyal, Parshotam Singh of Katholi, Bari Brahamana, Samba; Suraj Singh of Khartoli, Samba; Vikas Singh of Greater Kailash, Jammu; Sandeep Charak of Kothay Hoshyari, Sarore, Samba. Cases under sections 302, 307, 323, 447, and 147 of the IPC have been registered against them.
The SSP asserted that the investigation will be conducted in a highly transparent manner, and more detentions are likely as the role of others is scrutinized, irrespective of their status or influence. He also issued a stern warning to land grabbers, stating that zonal task forces are being created to ensure stringent action against such elements in coordination with revenue authorities. The administration aims to send an unequivocal message that lawlessness will not be tolerated, and justice will be delivered to victims of land grabbing, the SSP affirmed.
