Anti-drug committee member killed in Bathinda village

BATHINDA: A member of anti-drug committee was killed at Sidhana village in Bathinda district of Punjab late on Saturday night.
Two persons riding a motorbike and armed with sharp-edged weapons attacked committee member Jasbir Singh (34) while he was on duty guarding the village and keeping a watchful eye on drug peddlers.
According to information, Jasbir Singh signaled two individuals on a motorcycle to stop.Upon reaching Jasbir, the persons attacked him with a sharp-edged weapon and he was pronounced dead upon arrival at Rampura Phool Civil Hospital. Rampura Phool Aam Aadmi Party MLA Balkaur Singh Sidhu arrived at the hospital and urged the police to take strong action against the accused individuals.
Bathinda senior superintendent of police Gulneet Singh Khurana said that based on preliminary investigations, the two individuals on the motorcycle had an altercation with Jasbir, resulting in them assaulting him with a sharp-edged weapon. Both accused individuals have no prior criminal records related to drugs and no illicit substances were recovered from them. Both have been arrested and investigations are under way.
Surjit Singh Phool, chairman of the Farmer Organization Krantikari Kisan Union, said that the slain committee member was essentially carrying out duties that the police should have done. Therefore, Jasbir should be considered to have been killed in the line of duty and the bereaved family should receive ex-gratia compensation as is typically provided to policemen who die in the line of duty.
Given the increasing issue of drug abuse in Punjab, committees have been established in various villages throughout the state to monitor drug peddlers. Committee members inform the police if they suspect any drug-related incidents involving peddling.