Hoshiarpur, In a shocking incident in Punjab, India, a Dalit leader and sarpanch, Sandeep Singh, was shot dead by three armed assailants in the Dadiyana-Hoshiarpur area. The murder has sparked outrage within the Dalit community, leading to demands for immediate action against the perpetrators.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the attack occurred on Thursday when the armed individuals, riding a motorcycle and shrouded in shawls, approached Singh. Despite being known to Singh, as evidenced by a handshake exchanged before the shooting, they proceeded to fatally shoot him at close range.
The incident has caused considerable unrest within the Dalit community, with members threatening to start an agitation if the assailants are not quickly apprehended. Following the murder, workers from the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) compelled local shopkeepers to close their businesses in protest.
In a separate incident of violence in Punjab, three masked men attacked a shopkeeper with acid in the city of Patiala’s Sanaur area. The victim, Nikhil Singla, was preparing to open his hardware shop when he was assaulted, resulting in burns on his face and arms.
These incidents highlight a surge in violent crimes in Punjab, raising concerns about law and order in the state. The Dalit community’s call for justice underscores the urgent need for effective law enforcement measures to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups.