Protesters Halt Sit-In After Promises of Fair Investigation in Barnala Murder Case

The family and supporters of murder victim Sukhwinder Singh Calcutta have ended their week-long protest in Barnala, India, following commitments from local authorities for a thorough investigation. The sit-in, which began on October 4, 2023, immediately after Calcutta was fatally shot in Sehna village, drew attention from the community and beyond.

Protesters, organized by a 21-member action committee, had been vocal about key demands, including the inclusion of Bhadaur MLA Labh Singh Ugoke in the First Information Report (FIR), compensation for Calcutta’s family, and a job for his next of kin. Despite the absence of concrete responses to these requests, assurances from the district administration led to the decision to cease the demonstration.

Assurances from Authorities

Local authorities, including Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sarfaraz Alam, confirmed that the family withdrew from their sit-in following discussions with the deputy commissioner and police officials. The family expressed the need for a transparent investigation into the murder, which has shocked the local community.

While the demands regarding compensation and employment remain unfulfilled, the SSP noted that the administration committed to investigating the case fairly. He also confirmed that the post-mortem examination has been completed, with Calcutta’s cremation scheduled for today.

Community Response

The action committee, representing the interests of Calcutta’s supporters, highlighted that their week-long efforts had gone largely unheard. With mounting frustration over the lack of immediate action, the decision to end the protest was viewed as a necessary step.

To date, Barnala police have apprehended three individuals connected to the murder, although the investigation continues. Calcutta was noted for his active engagement in regional issues and had recently shifted his political allegiance from the Congress party to Simranjit Singh Mann‘s Akali Dal Amritsar. The community remains vigilant as they await further developments in the case and the promised investigation.