Sarpanch Among 20 Arrested in Tarn Taran Firing That Killed Sub-Inspector

• Apr 11, 2025

The Tarn Taran police have arrested 20 individuals, including Kuldeep Singh, the sarpanch of Kot Mohammad Khan village, in connection with a violent clash that resulted in the death of Sub-Inspector (SI) Charanjit Singh and left Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Jasbir Singh critically injured.

The incident occurred on Wednesday following a dispute between two groups reportedly over a tractor. According to police, SI Charanjit Singh and his team rushed to the village after receiving a call on the emergency helpline 112, reporting gunfire between the groups. Upon arrival, the police team was met with stone-pelting from both sides. Amid the chaos, one group opened fire, fatally injuring SI Charanjit Singh.

Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhimanyu Rana confirmed the arrests, stating that 20 people from both factions had been taken into custody. “No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands. All those responsible for the violence and SI Charanjit Singh’s death will be brought to justice,” he said.

The case has sparked political controversy, with Opposition parties targeting the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Allegations have surfaced that sarpanch Kuldeep Singh is associated with AAP, a claim the police have downplayed, stating the incident stemmed from a personal dispute rather than political rivalry.

The BJP, demanding a high-level investigation, took to social media to question the state’s law and order, posting: “When even police personnel are not safe in Punjab, what about the common citizen? The state is gripped by lawlessness.”

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia also launched a sharp attack, claiming SI Charanjit Singh was not a martyr in a border skirmish but was "murdered by a sarpanch protected by AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura.” He further alleged that a former Tarn Taran SSP had been transferred after initiating action against the MLA’s brother-in-law in an illegal mining case.

The incident has reignited debates over political interference, governance, and the safety of law enforcement officers in Punjab.