Another Alleged Encounter; Samana 'Dharam Yudh Morcha' Enters Day 8

The Panjab police killed a 19-year-old Ranjit Singh in an ‘encounter’ on 24 Feb for his alleged role in the 21 Feb killing of two policemen near the Pakistan border in Gurdaspur district. Deputy Inspector General, Border Range, Sandeep Goel, identified the suspects as Ranjit Singh and Dilawar Singh (also arrested), both teenagers from Adhiya village, Gurdaspur district. A third suspect, 21-year-old Inderjit Singh of Ali Nangal, Gurdaspur district, believed to be the recruiter and handler, is absconding. Police picked up Ranjit from his home and took him to recover a hidden weapon at around 3 am. According to the police, their vehicle overturned due to heavy fog, allowing Ranjit to escape. Police then traced Ranjit to the Purana Shala, Gurdaspur district, and when confronted, Ranjit opened fire, wounding Crime Investigation Agency Inspector Gurmeet Singh. Police returned fire, killing Ranjit. In the last three months Panjab police have reported 34 encounters resulting in five deaths and injuries to 45 people. Ranjit’s mother, Sukhwinder Kaur, asked if her son had engaged in the murder of policemen Gurnam Singh and Ashok Kumar on the border post, why was he sitting at home? She said the police had told them they were taking Ranjit for questioning. Panjab activists and political organizations are raising accusations of misconduct against the police, asking: Why did the police pluck out the CCTV DVR installed in the village? Why the midnight rush to recover the weapons? If policemen were injured when the vehicle overturned, why wasn't Ranjit injured? If Ranjit escaped from police with handcuffs on, how did he get a motorcycle and weapons, 30 kms away from the site of the accident at 6 am? The Punjab Human Rights Organization (PHRO) has expressed concern and doubt over the death of Ranjit. PHRO has asked the Panjab government to get the case investigated by a judicial commission and suspend the concerned police officials. Meanwhile, in Samana, Patiala district, activists and farmer unions who have camped on behalf of Gurjeet Singh Khalsa have declared themselves united under the banner of Dharam Yudh Morcha (Principled Battle Front). On 3 Mar, they were on Day 8 of the protest, raising questions about the committee formed in July 2025 to decide laws pertaining to sacrilege cases (earlier coverage).