Sikh youth activist Mohanjit Singh tortured in police custody in Punjab
Patiala: A Sikh youth activist, Mohanjit Singh, was arrested by Indian police and has been subjected to custodial torture in Punjab.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was scheduled to hold a public meeting in Sheron village of Sangrur on September 2. While he was addressing the gathering, activist Mohanjit Singh protested by displaying a black flag from the roof of a house about 200 metres from the venue. He also raised slogans, following which police took him into custody.
Reports subsequently emerged saying that he was beaten while in police custody.
Mohanjit Singh was admitted to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala on Sunday following allegations of custodial torture.
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His supporters and close associates said that his condition deteriorated after he was administered an injection by a junior doctor at a hospital in Sangrur. They said that he remained unconscious for some time after the injection and expressed concern that the incident was intended to prevent a planned protest in Sangrur.
Meanwhile, opposition parties continued to blame Sangrur police for the torture and demanded the dismissal of the police officers concerned.
The developments came a day after India’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to conduct an inquiry into police torture and submit a report within two weeks.
Mohanjit’s supporters had called on organisations and local residents to gather at the protest site and demonstrate against the Punjab government and police in Sangrur. However, the protest was postponed following his transfer to Patiala.
