Punjab Hooch Tragedy: SAD postpones planned protest outside Sonia Gandhi's residence

Former Punjab Minister and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Singh Cheema said on Sunday that party has postponed its protest outside Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi’s residence in Delhi on August 11.

In a tweet, Cheema said that protest against Congress chief over Punjab Hooch trdy has been postponed due to security concerns amid Independence Day celebrations. final date for demonstration of SAD party in Delhi will be anunced later on, he said.

READ | Amarinder Govt In Trouble? Cong MP Claims Security Removal Amid Punjab Hooch Trdy Row

SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal had said on Saturday that he will st a dharna outside Sonia Gandhi's residence against Congress’ alleged involvement in production and pedalling of spurious liquor that killed over 120 people in Punjab. SAD chief said he will demand resignation of Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh over incident, along with a statement from top leaders of Congress party.

On Friday, Punjab Chief Minister had said those involved in hooch trdy would t be spared at any cost and properties of those responsible for tragic incident would be confiscated.

READ | Amritsar Hooch Trdy: CM Amarinder Visits Victim's Families; Akali Dal Demands CBI Probe

SAD demands CBI probe

A delegation of SAD, led by MP and party president Sukhbir Singh Badal met Punjab goverr on Thursday, seeking CBI probe into illicit liquor trade. Sukhbir Badal claimed that two Congress MLAs including Ramanjit Sikki and Rana Gurjeet Singh are allegedly running this trade. Sukhbir said that Punjab police have arrested suppliers, but are t nabbing ‘big fishes behind this nexus’. In response to allegations against MLAs and leaders, Congress government in a statement said that SAD is trying to play dirty politics and playing with sentiments of victim families.

READ | SAD Takes Out March Against Punjab Hooch Trdy

He added that Congress government has constituted SITs to save ir legislative members instead of putting m behind bars. Apart from CBI probe, SAD also raised demand for compensation anunced by Punjab government is t being given to victim families. 

Meanwhile, Amarinder Singh visited Tarn Taran to share his sympathies with bereaved families and assured of severe action against perpetrators. Chief Minister also enhanced compensation to from existing Rs 2 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs.

READ | Hooch Trdy: Punjab Cops Nab 2 Absconding Accused; Add Murder Charge In FIRs

(With inputs from ncy)