Uncertainty over Manpreet’s Rajasansi rally

The proposed People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) rally that was to be organised at Rajasansi on July 21,has hit a roadblock after the police summoned the party’s local level leaders today over a dispute at the venue. The site,a marriage hall,is the subject of a family property dispute with one of the brothers being backed by a powerful Akali leader.

“We have explained to the police that the dispute has nothing to do with our rally. They have now assured us that we can hold the rally but are not giving us the written permission required to hold the function to be addressed by our president Manpreet Badal”,said Shabegh Singh Ajnala,a local party leader. He accused the police and civil administration of trying to jeopardise the rally. Earlier,DC Amritsar Rajat Aggarwal imposed section 144 in rural areas of the district,prohibiting any assembly of people,he said.

SHO Rajasansi Harwinder Singh,however,said the police had received a complaint from one of the brothers who own the marriage hall and were looking into the matter. He added that the PPP was yet to seek the necessary permission.