A 27-year-old youth of Meonwal village of Phillaur, who was returning from his shop in Talwan on Sunday evening, was crushed to death by a tipper.
The family has not performed the last rites of the youth as it continues to seek justice for their lost son.
Victim Kamaljit Singh was married two years back. His father Amrik Singh and residents of the village and some social activists staged a dharna, seeking action against the tipper owner. The family has alleged that since the tipper belonged to a prominent Aam Aadmi Party leader in the Phillaur-Nakodar area, the police were pressuring them to reach a compromise.
Taking suo motu notice of the case of the Dalit family, the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission has sought a report from the SSP, Jalandhar Rural, by June 17. Commission Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said directions have been issued for the report to be submitted through the Deputy Superintendent of Police. He added that he would visit Meonwal village on June 19 to meet the bereaved family.
Garhi said the commission would ensure strict action against those found responsible for the youth’s death. He further stated that the commission would also examine allegations of illegal mining in the Phillaur constituency, which, residents claim, has posed a threat to public safety.
The chairman also took serious note of a statement made by senior Aam Aadmi Party leader Prem Kumar, who alleged that illegal mining activities had increased in the Assembly constituency over the past 15 days and that the fatal tipper accident involving the Dalit youth was linked to such activities.
A case related to the incident is being investigated and the commission has sought a detailed report from the district police authorities.
