A village headman, known as a nambardar, was brutally gunned down in broad daylight in Amritsar on Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident, rooted in a long-standing land dispute, occurred in the Verka area on the outskirts of the city.
Details of the Fatal Attack
The victim has been identified as Satnam Singh, a 52-year-old nambardar of Verka. According to police reports and family statements, the attack took place around 11:30 AM on Tuesday. Satnam Singh was outside his residence when assailants opened fire. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Preliminary investigations by the Verka police point towards a land dispute as the primary motive behind the killing. The area has witnessed tensions over property and land ownership, which are believed to have escalated into this violent outcome. Authorities have registered a case and have launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits involved in the shooting.
Family Alleges Police Negligence
In a distressing turn of events, the family of the deceased nambardar has come forward with serious allegations against the local police. They claim that Satnam Singh had previously approached the Verka police regarding threats to his life connected to the same land conflict.
The grieving family asserts that despite repeated pleas for protection and intervention, no substantive preventive action was taken by the police. This alleged inaction, they argue, ultimately paved the way for the fatal attack. The accusations have raised significant questions about police responsiveness and the protection of citizens in property-related disputes.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The murder has created an atmosphere of fear and anger in Verka. The role of a nambardar is traditionally one of respect and local leadership, making the violent targeting particularly egregious in the eyes of the villagers. Community members are demanding swift justice and a thorough probe into both the murder and the prior complaints.
Senior police officials have assured that the investigation is a top priority. Teams are scanning CCTV footage from the vicinity and questioning individuals connected to the land dispute. The police have also stated they are looking into the family's claims of prior complaints to determine the sequence of events and any potential lapses.
This tragic incident in Amritsar underscores the sometimes-volatile nature of land disputes in the region and the critical need for timely law enforcement intervention to prevent escalation into violence. The outcome of the police investigation and the eventual arrest of the shooters will be closely watched by the local community seeking closure and justice for Satnam Singh.
