Punjab farmer beaten to death by goons of liquor contractor

TARN TARAN : The goons hired by a liquor contractor who accompanied the excise and Taxation department officials on a raid to trace illicit liquor, on Wednesday beat up a 57 year old farmer to death, suspecting him selling the liquor illegally. Later, no recovery of illicit liquor could be made from the residence of farmer.
The victim has been identified as Sukhdev Singh of village Kadgill village in Tarn Taran district. This is not first case of its kind where private armies of liquor contractors and money landers creating scare. Few weeks back a farmer and his mother were forced to commit suicide in Moga village when money lander accompanied by police and his men went to grab the land of the farmer. Soon after the news of death of Sukhdev Singh spread, hundereds of activists of farmer organisations blocked the Amritsar-Sri Ganganagar highway at Jandiala chowk. The reports said that about 15 goons accomanied by excise and Taxation officials raided the house of Sukhdev Singhat 1 PM and goons started beating him soon he opened the door. The excise officials remained moot spectators. Sukhdev Singh who was not given any chance to clarify his position was beaten till he died.The Excise officials and goons fled from the scene sensing trouble. The excise officials also left their vehicles behind which were taken into custody by the kisan Sangharash Committee. The farmer body has been demanding registration of murder case against the accused excise officials, the policemen and goons of contractor who accompanied them. Police is yet to register the case.