NEW DELHI, Oct 16: Two persons, both Nihang Sikhs, have been arrested in connection with the gruesome murder of a Sikh youth whose body with severed limbs were found on Friday hanging from an upturned police barricade near the Singhu Delhi – Haryana border where the protesting farmers are camping.
While Saravjit Singh, a Nihang, had surrendered before the Haryana police on Friday evening and claimed responsibility for the sickening killing of 35-year-old Dalit labourer Lakhbir Singh, a second Nihang – a ‘warrior’ Sikh – was arrested on Saturday in this connection. Nihang Baba Narain Singh was arrested by the Punjab Police from Rakh Devidass Pura in Amarkot village.
Residents and panchayat of Cheema village, where the deceased lived, have resolved to cremate the man in the village. However, no one except the family will attend the cremation and no last rites as per Sikh maryada will be performed, as per the resolution. Lakhbir Singh was lynched for allegedly desecrating a Sikh holy book.
Singh was produced at a local court on Saturday and was send to seven days’ police custody; authorities asked for 14 days’, saying he had info on other suspects and that they had to recover the murder weapons.
In a video that emerged shows the Nihang members had no regrets for the gruesome killing. The video – from before his surrender – shows him tightly flanked by other Nihangs – at least two of whom still carried swords – as a reporter asks: “Do you feel repentance?” To this Singh looks disinterested, waves the question away and shakes his head, and replies “No.”
As news of the brutal and sickening murder spread, at least three videos were circulated, showing a large group of Nihangs, standing around his body as lay bleeding and in pain. One video shows the group standing over him after his left hand was cut off. Another showed them filming his dying moments and a third showed him strung up by his feet like a slab of meat.
Also, reports circulating since yesterday morning claim that Lakhbir Singh was attacked for allegedly desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh’s holy book. The Nihangs allegedly beat Lakhbir to death, cut off his limbs and tied him to the police barricade.
The Samyukt Kisan Morcha, which is spearheading farmers’ protests against the government’s new laws, and members of which group are among the thousands camped out at Singhu, has unequivocally distanced itself from the murder and any connection with the Nihangs.
Haryana Chief Minister ML Khattar held a high-level meeting at his residence in Chandigarh to discuss the murder; Home Minister Anil Vij and the state’s police chief were present. Khattar, sources from his office said after the meeting, promised “action will be taken.”
(Manas Dasgupta)