Moga/Bathinda (June 10, 2014): According to the media reports, over 300 armed men of task force displayed muscle power on Monday (June 09) while taking over 161 acre land in Bhai Rupa village of Bathinda district.
“Many an eyebrow has been raised over the manner in which at least 300 members of the SGPC task force took over the 161 acres of land at Bhai Rupa village, brandishing arms”, reported The Tribune.
A report published on the name of senior The Tribune reporter, Jupinderjeet Singh adds, “They carried .315 bore guns, lathis and swords. Many had their faces concealed. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SSP, said he was not at the site. When told The Tribune had pictures on the armed SGPC members, he said … he would ask two SP-rank officials to get to the bottom of the matter. Deputy Commissioner Basant Garg said he had sought a report”.
The police forces shielded the task forces men and villagers were gheraoed in a hall in the middle of the village and were not allowed to go to the land site.
The SGPC task force is already under criticism for mishandling the situation during Ghallughara samagams at Akal Takht Sahib on 6 June 2014. About a dozen people had sustained injuries as the SGPC task force clashed with a group of unorganized youth who were raising slogans inside the Akal Takht Sahib.
The member of the SGPC task force used excessive force and mercilessly beaten up many persons. They also resorted to indiscriminate lathi-charge not even sparing elderly pilgrims and women.
