Balwinder Singh's wife: Security only given to those who see it as status symbol

Hundreds turned up at Balwinder Singh's home in Tarn Taran district to pay respects to the former Comrade who had taken on militants at the height of insurgency in Punjab in the 1990s.  

The family of slain Shaurya Chakra awardee Balwinder Singh has blamed the state government and intelligence agencies for his killing.

Hundreds turned up at Balwinder Singh's home in Tarn Taran district to pay respects to the former Comrade who had taken on militants at the height of insurgency in Punjab in the 1990s.

Balwinder was shot dead by two men who arrived on a bike and shot him six times point blank at his house in Bhikhiwind on Friday morning.  

Balwinder's wife Jagdish Kaur said, "The government, local administration & intelligence agencies are responsible for this. We had sought security again, but they turned down our request. Those who treat security cover as a status symbol have been given provided with it. We actually needed it, but weren't provided."

"There are 42 registered FIRs of attacks on our family and countless other attacks have taken place which are not on record," she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The administration defended lowering of the security, citing coronavirus.

SDM Rajesh Sharma told media persons: "Balwinder Singh's was withdrawn because of Coronavirus outbreak. When the situation arose suddenly, gunmen provided to everyone were called back by the Police department. Unfortunately, such an incident took place. Now three gunmen have been provided to the family."

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has constituted a Special Investigation Team headed by Ferozepur DIG Hardial Mann to probe the attack.