Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) demands cancellation of FIR against Balongi Sarpanch
Chandigarh: The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Saturday demanded immediate cancellation of a false case registered against its Balongi –Sarpanch in Mohali district besides action against the Block Development Officer (BDO) and Balongi police station SHO for becoming party in the victimization of the couple on the directions of local legislator and Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu. Addressing a press conference here, former minister Daljit Singh Cheema along with Mohali district SAD President N K Sharma, said the Congress government and its ministers were murdering democracy by getting false cases registered against Akali Sarpanches and leaders. Narrating the incidence of Balongi Sarpanch Saroja Devi the Akali leaders said a false case pertaining to damaging public property was registered against her on July 11 after she protested against the installation of a submersible borewell on a public street. Cheema said the Sarpanch and her husband Dinesh Kumar first tried to stop work on the submersible tubewell on June 26 by visiting the spot. He said subsequently the panchayat passed a resolution on July 2 against this activity and even sent a copy of the resolution to the Balongi police station. He said the BDO even visited the spot and forwarded their complaint to the police station. SAD Mohali leader Tejinderpal Singh Sidhu said it was bewildering that despite all this the Balongi police registered a case against the Sarpanch under the Prevention Public Property Act. He said this was intolerable and that in case the FIR was not canceled and action was not taken against the BDO and SHO within one week the party would organize a district level dharna on the issue. Also Read: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari Criticises Sidhu For Hugging Pak Army Chief Earlier N K Sharma said Minister Balbir Sidhu was engaging in political vendetta against Akali workers and gave several instances to buttress this claim. He said false cases were being registered against Akali workers and they were being pressurized to join the Congress. Balongi Sarpanch Saroja Devi said a false case had been registered against her because she had resisted pressure from Balbir Sidhu to join the Congress party. Others present on the occasion included SAD president’s political secretary Charanjit Singh Brar and Mohali Istri Wing president Kuldeep Kaur Kang. -PTC News
