SAD, BJP seek judicial probe into attack on forest officials in Mohali

A joint delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today submitted a memorandum to Punjab Governor V P Singh Badnore, seeking a judicial inquiry into the murderous assault on forest officials by the sand mafia in Mohali.

Two officials, including a forest officer, were brutally attacked by five to seven assailants with sticks and sharp-edged weapons on the night of June 18 when they intercepted a tractor-trolley near Seonk village in Mohali.

The SAD-BJP delegation, led by SAD MP and secretary general Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa and BJP state president Shwait Malik, briefed the governor about the assault as well as the alleged patronage being extended to the mafia by the Congress.

It also urged the governor to direct the Congress government to ensure safety of life and property of all employees working to check illegal activities, besides taking prompt action to bring those indulging in such crimes to book immediately.

The delegation said the state was "descending into a jungle raj" with honest government officials who wanted to do their duty coming under attack.

Malik said it was clear that the sand mafia and other illegal activities were "flourishing" in the state with the alleged "open support" of the ruling Congress party.