Traffic blocked over sodomy bid

FARIDKOT, July 22: An attempt by a senior employee of the Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth of sodomising a minor traine...

FARIDKOT, July 22: An attempt by a senior employee of the Centre for Training and Employment of Punjab Youth of sodomising a minor trainee of the institute has aroused anger amongst trainees, who blocked traffic on the main Faridkot-Amritsar road for about one hour today and later gheraoed the police gypsy, taking the accused to the police station. Police had to resort to a mild lathicharge to disperse the trainees.

Police have arrested the accused, Captain Gurdas Singh, for attempting to sodomise the boy. A case under Sections 377 and 511 of the IPC has been registered against him at the local Kotwali police station.

Trainees alleged that Gurdas Singh, who was a senior employee of the centre, meant for preparing matric pass students for the Army called up 16 year-old trainee, Ranjodh Singh to his residence yesterday and tried to sodomise him. However, Ranjodh Singh did not oblige and ran away. He revealed the incident to the other students, who launched a stir against the accused.

Trainees alleged that the instructors of the centre who were from the services always made trainees to do domestic chores. They charged that they had to the chores under pressure, adding that otherwise, they would be shown the the door.

Trainees reiterated that their agitation would continue till the accused was given a stringent punishment for this shameful act, besides they demanded that his services be terminated. The trainees of the ITI where the centre is being run also joined hands with the agitators against the shameful incident.

The victim was not available for comments. The trainees told ENS that he had gone to his village fearing ridicule.Col. Tejinder Singh, head of the centre said he had written to higher authorities about the incident and further action would be taken according to their recommendation.

Meanwhile, the Association for Democratic Rights has appointed a three- member team to probe the incident.