Attack on tehsildar: state govt invites flak from all corners

Benipal was allegedly beaten up and stripped at his office in the morning,following which the police booked Karwal and seven of his supporters on charges of attempt to murder.

Stating that the incident has “no parallel in a civilised society like Punjab”,Tewari said the state Government should be dissolved as it has “lost all moral authority to continue in power”.

“When the officers with magisterial powers are not safe,one can well imagine the plight of the common man,” said Tewari,adding that the Congress is closely monitoring the situation and will soon file a comprehensive report to the Centre on the matter.

“Even their (state Government’s) coalition partners and BJP ministers feel unsafe in such a state of lawlessness,” added Tewari.

Also questioning the morality of the state Government to continue in power was Kila Raipur MLA Jassi Khangura who,in a press conference with Nathana MLA Ajaib Singh Bhatti,lambasted the state Government for the incident.

Khangura claimed that the injured tehsildar,who is undergoing treatment in the DMC Hospital,told him that the mob left only after they thought he (tehsildar) was dead.

Khangura appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to take note of the situation and prevent the state from sliding into anarchy. The state Government,meanwhile,jumped into damage control mode with Punjab Revenue Minister Ajit Singh Kohar visiting Benipal at the DMC Hospital in the afternoon.

Adding that Karwal and seven others have been booked by the police,Kohar said: “I will also recommend disciplinary action against Karwal to the party high command,” added Kohar.

A group of people belonging to the Valmiki community,meanwhile,staged a dharna in Haibowal alleging that the tehsildar had made casteist comments against some persons who had gone to Benipal’s office for official work. In response (to the casteist comments),Benipal was beaten up,said an agitator.