In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the political and social fabric of Punjab, a village head was brutally assassinated in broad daylight. The victim, identified as Dalbir Singh, served as the sarpanch of Bhagwanpura village near Rajasansi in Amritsar district. The killing has sparked a fierce blame game between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the state police over alleged security failures.
The Fatal Attack and Immediate Aftermath
The tragic event unfolded on the morning of May 26. According to police reports and eyewitness accounts, Dalbir Singh was ambushed by two unidentified assailants on a motorcycle. The attackers opened fire, unleashing a hail of bullets that struck the sarpanch multiple times. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead upon arrival, succumbing to his grievous injuries.
Initial investigations by the Amritsar Rural Police suggest the murder was a premeditated attack. The assailants reportedly trailed Dalbir Singh from his home to the location where they executed the shooting. Senior police officials have stated that a special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe all angles, including potential personal enmities and other motives behind the targeted killing.
AAP Leaders Point Finger at Security Lapses
The assassination prompted swift and sharp reactions from leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, to which the slain sarpanch belonged. Senior AAP figures have launched a scathing attack on the state police apparatus, accusing them of gross negligence and failure to provide adequate security to a public representative.
Prominent AAP MLA and party spokesperson, Jagdeep Singh Goldy Kamboj, led the charge. He asserted that Dalbir Singh had previously received threats and had apprehensions about his safety. Kamboj claimed that despite these known risks, the police did not act on requests for security cover, leaving the sarpanch vulnerable. This alleged inaction, according to the AAP, constitutes a serious security lapse and a breakdown of law and order under the current state government's watch.
The party's narrative frames the incident not just as a murder but as a failure of governance, questioning the administration's ability to protect its citizens and elected grassroots leaders.
Police Counter Claims, Cite Ongoing Probe
In response to the political accusations, the police administration has pushed back strongly. Senior officers have publicly demurred, rejecting the characterization of the incident as a security failure. Authorities clarified that Dalbir Singh did not have any officially sanctioned security detail at the time of the attack, as no formal threat assessment had justified such protection.
Police officials emphasized that providing armed guards to every public representative is not standard protocol and is only granted based on specific intelligence inputs and perceived threat levels. They have urged against politicizing the tragedy and have called for patience, assuring the public that the investigation is their top priority. The police maintain that their primary focus is on apprehending the culprits and establishing the definitive motive behind the murder.
Community in Shock and Political Repercussions
The killing has plunged the local community of Bhagwanpura into a state of fear and mourning. Dalbir Singh was a known figure in the area, and his violent death has raised concerns about the safety of other local leaders. The incident has also ignited a political firestorm in Punjab, with the opposition likely to leverage it to criticize the AAP-led state government on law and order issues.
As the Amritsar Rural Police's SIT delves deeper, scanning CCTV footage and questioning potential witnesses, the demand for justice grows louder. The case highlights the persistent challenges of political violence and the complex dynamics of security provision for local representatives in Punjab. The coming days will be crucial as investigators work to unravel the plot behind the sarpanch's murder and address the serious questions raised about safety and security protocols.
