CM ORDERS MAGISTERIAL PROBE INTO DEATH OF ELDERLY MAN DURING MUKTSAR ANTI-DRUGS POLICE RAID

ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA OF RS. 10 LAKHS FOR NEXT OF KIN, URGES COPS TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT DURING RAIDS
Chandigarh, April 12, 2017: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the death of an elderly man during an anti-drugs police raid in Lambi in district Muktsar on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister has also announced ex-gratia grant of Rs.10 lakhs for the next of kin of Gurdev Singh of village Tarmala, an official spokesperson said here on Wednesday.

Taking serious note of media reports about the death of Gurdev Singh during a raid by the police for his alleged involvement in drugs, the Chief Minister has ordered a detailed probe to ascertain the cause and circumstances that led to the death, and to fix responsibility.

The Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt condolences for the bereaved family, praying to the Almighty to give courage to the family members in this hour of grief and grant peace to the departed soul.

Even as he reiterated his promise to free the state from the drugs menace, as promised in the Congress election manifesto, Captain Amarinder directed the police and other agencies engaged in the anti-drugs campaign to exercise restraint. He exhorted the police and other officials not to cause any sort of inconvenience or undue harassment to anyone during the ongoing search operations for drug seizures across the state.

The Chief Minister solicited public support to make the operation a success in the larger interest of the state’s welfare, and the future of their children.