A political poster war has broken out in the Majitha constituency following the registration of a criminal case against senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former MLA Bikram Singh Majithia
A political poster war has broken out in the Majitha constituency following the registration of a criminal case against senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former MLA Bikram Singh Majithia over a clash during the recent municipal council elections.
After posters describing Majithia as a “missing fugitive” appeared across Majitha town, his supporters retaliated on Friday by putting up fresh hoardings carrying the defiant message, “Ehna range billean nu keh deo, tiger aje zinda hai (Tell these coloured cats that the tiger is still alive).”
A clash broke out between Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and SAD activists, leading to the arrest of Akali worker Jobanpreet Singh. To secure his release, Majithia and his supporters allegedly stormed the Majitha police station on May 31, prompting police to launch raids at various locations to apprehend the leader.
As Majithia remains untraceable, large hoardings featuring his photograph were plastered on walls and electricity poles across the town, portraying him as a fugitive and urging the public to inform police of his whereabouts. Majithia’s supporters tore down several of the offensive signs overnight and replaced them with the “tiger aje zinda hai” posters.
AAP halqa in-charge Talbir Singh Gill hit out at Majithia, alleging that the Akali leader had gone into hiding after facing legal action despite previously challenging authorities to register cases against him. Gill claimed that during his tenure, Majithia was responsible for registering cases against innocent people and is now facing the consequences of his own actions, adding that the AAP does not want the peaceful atmosphere of the constituency disturbed.
Meanwhile, police have intensified search operations, and details of the first information report were made public following directions from an Amritsar court.
Apart from the former Punjab minister, the FIR names Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Jodh Singh Samra, advocate Bikramjit Singh Baath, SAD Amritsar Rural president Raja Ladeh, party leader Sahib Singh Hamja, and around 50 unidentified individuals.
Police allege that Majithia and a mob of 50 to 60 supporters forcibly entered the Majitha police station, searched various rooms, damaged official records and case files, and attempted to rescue a detained worker from custody.
They have been booked under nine sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—including Section 132 for assault against a public servant, 221 for intentional obstruction, 304 for snatching, 62 for attempt to commit offence, 263 for rescuing from lawful custody, 241 for destruction of evidence, 351(2) for criminal intimidation, 190 for unlawful assembly, and 191(3) for armed rioting—besides Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.
A special investigation team (SIT) has been constituted and a lookout circular (LOC) has been issued against Majithia.
Surjit Singh is a correspondent. He covers politics and agriculture, besides religious affairs and Indo-Pak border in Amritsar and Tarn Taran.