Punjab IGP arrested in 2015 firing case

Chandigarh, Feb 18 (IANS) The special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Police here on Monday arrested Inspector General (IG) of Police Parampal Singh Umaranangal in connection with the Behbal Kalan firing in the Faridkot district in October 2015.In recent months, Umaranangal was called by the SIT for questioning about the circumstances and person who ordered firing on Sikh protesters, agitating against sacrilege cases of Guru Granth Sahib, during the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP regime.Two men were killed and several others injured in the firing.The SIT had last month arrested former Moga Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Charanjit Sharma in Hoshiarpur in connection with the case.Sharma and three other prime accused in the case were booked for murder and attempt to murder following recommendations by the Justice (Retd.) Ranjit Singh Commission of Inquiry.While Sharma was suspended and later compulsorily retired, SSP Bikramjit Singh, Inspector Pardeep Singh and Sub-Inspector Amarjit Singh Kular were granted anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.SIT officials said questioning of these officials would disclose who actually ordered firing.Punjab was brought to a standstill in October 2015 with radical Sikhs and others blocking highways and roads for days.Former Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was was also questioned by the SIT on November 16, 2018.
--IANS js/pg/pcj