Ludhiana, July 17: The police have constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the murder of a church priest, Sultan Masih, 50, who was gunned down by two motorcycle-borne assailants at Peeru Banda Mohalla in the Salem Tabri area on Saturday night.
Commissioner of police RN Dhoke said the SIT would comprise deputy commissioner of police (DCP investigation) Gagan Ajit Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) Rattan Singh Brar, assistant commissioner of police (ACP investigation) Maninder Bedi and SHO of the Salem Tabri police station Amandeep Singh Brar.
Dhoke said he would monitor the investigation. “We are working on various leads, including the information provided by the family, relatives and friends of the pastor. The accused will be nabbed soon,” said Dhoke.
The police have also procured the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and are trying to identify the accused.
Earlier, members of the Christian community blocked traffic on the Jalandhar bypass in protest against Masih’s killing. The family refused to hold a funeral until his killers were arrested.
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the widow of Sultan Masih and a government job in the police for the son. The CM talked to the pastor’s family over phone to convey his condolences and promised strong action against the culprits. He told the pastor’s widow Sarabjit that her son Alisha would be provided a job in the police.
Taking a serious view of the pastor’s killing, the CM also directed the director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora to order a police crackdown on elements trying to whip up communal passions by indulging in such attacks.
Source: hindustantimes.com
