AAP Sarpanch’s Son Shot Dead in Amritsar

• Tirath Singh, son of an AAP sarpanch, was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Amritsar.
• His friend Ranjeet Singh suffered a gunshot injury and is reported to be out of danger.
• Police have named four suspects and launched raids to arrest them.
• The killing has triggered opposition criticism of Punjab’s law-and-order situation.

GG News Bureau
Amritsar, 27th Oct: The killing of the son of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) village sarpanch in Punjab’s Amritsar district has triggered a political controversy, with the opposition questioning the state’s law-and-order situation.

Tirath Singh was shot dead outside a gurdwara in Jheete Kalan village on Monday evening as he returned after offering prayers. His friend, Ranjeet Singh, was also injured in the firing and is undergoing treatment at a hospital. Police said he was out of danger.

According to preliminary police findings, the incident took place around 7:30 pm when the two men were at the gurdwara. The assailants allegedly fired seven to eight rounds, with two bullets striking Tirath Singh and killing him on the spot.

Police suspect that the murder stemmed from an old family rivalry. Amritsar Rural Senior Superintendent of Police Kavalpreet Singh Chahal said the initial investigation points to personal enmity rather than a gang war. He added that teams had been formed to arrest those involved.

Four Suspects Identified
Police have identified four suspects — Gurjant, Gora, Harkirat, alias “Hockey”, and Gurditt Singh. An FIR naming them has been registered, and police teams are conducting raids to trace and arrest them.

However, the victim’s brother, Karaj Singh, has alleged that the attack was linked to the family raising its voice against drug peddlers. The allegation has not been established by the preliminary police findings.

Tirath Singh’s family is politically active in the area. His mother is the village sarpanch, while his brother is a member of the Block Samiti.

Opposition Targets AAP Government
The killing has sparked political attacks on the AAP government in Punjab. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned the government’s ability to maintain law and order, arguing that even people connected to the ruling party were not safe.

In a post on X, Bittu asked what protection the government could offer ordinary citizens if it could not ensure the safety of village-level leaders and their families.

Police have said efforts are underway to apprehend the suspects. The investigation is continuing to establish the motive and the circumstances surrounding the shooting.