AMRITSAR: In a fresh incident highlighting deteriorating law and order in Punjab, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-affiliated sarpanch was shot dead by unidentified assailants during a marriage function in Tarn Taran district on Wednesday.
The deceased, Harpinder Singh, sarpanch of village Thathian Mehta, was attending a wedding at a marriage palace when two armed attackers opened fire. He died on the spot, while his cousin brother sustained serious injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.
The killing comes barely a month after another sarpanch, Jarnail Singh of village Valtoha, was gunned down in a similar manner during a marriage function in the same district. In that case, two assailants had reportedly approached on foot and fired at the victim before fleeing. Both slain sarpanchs were associated with the AAP.
The latest incident occurred even as the Punjab government is conducting the second phase of its anti-gangster drive, “Gangsteran Te Vaar.” Notably, the murder of Jarnail Singh had taken place during the first phase of the crackdown, raising serious questions over its effectiveness.
In a separate incident in Sangrur district, unidentified assailants scaled the boundary wall of a house and shot dead a youth, Gurpreet Singh, inside his bedroom, further underlining concerns over public safety in the state.
Police have launched investigations into both incidents and are trying to identify the attackers.