Patiala: Amid the political row over alleged intimidation of people questioning the Punjab govt on the drug crisis, the Democratic MGNREGA Front has announced a public ‘Sawaal Sabha’ in Nabha on Sept 22, calling it a platform to assert citizens’ right to question elected representatives.Front district president Kulwinder Kaur said villagers would be encouraged to prepare question boards for political leaders visiting their areas. The convention will be dedicated to agricultural labourer Gulzar Singh, who died by suicide after confronting finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema at a grievance meeting over the alleged availability of chitta and his son’s addiction. The front is also backing activist Mohanjit Singh, who has alleged custodial torture after being detained during a protest against the government’s handling of the drug crisis.Gulzar, 47, of Toor Banjara village in Sangrur’s Dirba constituency, consumed pesticide a day after the September 6 meeting. Before his death at DMCH Ludhiana, he alleged that local panchayat leaders and police had pressured him to apologise for questioning the minister. Sangrur police subsequently registered an FIR against five people, including the village sarpanch, for alleged abetment of suicide and under provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.Cheema has denied intimidating Gulzar, saying he had heard him patiently and directed officials to act against drug peddlers.The front also cited the case of Mohanjit, who waved a black flag and raised slogans near chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s ‘Lok Milni’ venue in Sunam on September 2. After being taken into preventive custody, he alleged torture at Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, including electric shocks and beatings. Police have disputed his allegations. Amid the controversy, a deputy superintendent of police was transferred, three other personnel were shifted to police lines and human rights panels initiated inquiries.“Expressing disagreement or holding peaceful demonstrations is not a crime under the Constitution,” Kulwinder said, describing the Nabha convention as a platform for free expression and accountability.
