Drunk dancing costs cop his revolver

BANUR Patiala, Oct 4: Dancing with an orchestra party during Ramlila celebrations proved costly for an assistant sub-inspector posted a...

BANUR Patiala, Oct 4: Dancing with an orchestra party during Ramlila celebrations proved costly for an assistant sub-inspector posted at Banur police station. It was only later that he discovered his service revolver was no longer in his pistol-case.

The incident occured on September 27, when Maa Durga Dramatic Club and Public Welfare Club jointly put up a Ramlila in the Anaj Mandi here. As soon as the Ramlila began, Balwinder Singh, the ASI who was the duty in-charge at the venue, offered to dance with the orchestra party. Singh was allegedly under the influence of liquor and was dancing. Later, people raised objection to this and a quarrel took place during which the police official lost his service revolver along with six live cartridges.

Sources assert that a report has been submitted to the police, affirming that Singh was intoxicated when the incident took place. The Banur police, however, narrate the story differently.

According to the FIR lodged in this regard, a complaint was made by one Bhagwan Das that some people were creating disturbance in the Ramlila. The FIR stated that following this, Balwinder Singh reached the site. He controlled the situation, but lost his service revolver number 15175208 during the process, added the FIR.

In a follow-up action, police rounded up six persons for questioning, who were later let off. The action of police for hauling up these 8220;innocent persons8221; has caused a terror among the residents and they did not want to be named fearing harassment by the cops.The Banur Municipal Committee president, Jagjit Singh Sandhu told Newsline that the incident was brought to the notice of Punjab Finance Minister Capt Kanwajit Singh, who also represents the area.

Sandhu said that he had never seen Bhagwan Das and his niece who were the complainants mentioned in the FIR. Singh added that a search for the missing revolver was carried out yesterday. The police cordoned off the area where the incident took place and carried out searches, but to no avail. The area was cleaned and the water of a pond in the locality was also drained out during the operation, he added.

The Patiala Superitendent of Police, Param Pal Singh, has asked the Criminal Investigation Department officials to inquire into the matter and submit the report. Sources say that the report is expected to be submitted tomorrow.

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Residents of the area demand strict action against the erring police official. They also demanded the ASI8217;s suspension till the pendency of the inquiry.

The Rajpura Deputy Superitendent of Police, Harcharan Singh Bhullar told Newsline that Balwinder Singh was medically examined and wasnot found to be under the influence of liquor. The investigation is on and the truth will be brought to the public at the earliest, he added.