india

Updated: Jun 24, 2019 11:50 IST

Dera Sacha Sauda followers on Sunday refused to perform the last rites of sect follower Mohinder Pal Bittu, who was murdered inside the Nabha jail, until all sacrilege cases were dropped against him and other premise.

Bittu, named as prime suspect by the SIT in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege case, was killed by two Sikh inmates, suspected to be having radical links, on Saturday.

Dera members gathered in large numbers at Kotkapura, Bittu’s hometown, after his body was brought from Patiala and demanded judicial probe into the incident. “We want judicial probe into the attack. While police have identified two persons who carried out the attack, but we want that those who planned the attack should be identified and punished, said Harcharan Singh, who is part of the dera’s 45-member executive committee.

“The cremation would be allowed only after the state authorities ensure justice. Bittu’s name was wrongly associated with desecration of the Sikh holy book. It is against the tenets of the dera to speak against any religion. The deceased was known for his social activities in the region and he was made a scapegoat under a conspiracy,” he added. Bittu’s son Ravinder Pal said that the family used to meet him in jail every Saturday. “As soon as we left yesterday, we were informed that he has been attacked… my father was killed in a planned way. He was killed near the office of jail superintendent and authorities claim to have no clue what is going inside the premises,” he added.

Bittu’s son also alleged that case against his father “was registered under a conspiracy … His name was dragged into this case, we want justice”.

Earlier, emotions ran high as dera supporters, including women, descended on the naam charcha ghar (prayer centre) where Bittu’s mortal remains have been kept in a refrigerated casket.

Tight security measures were put in place across the state. While paramilitary forces have been deployed in Kotkapura, police conducted flag marches in Moga and Faridkot districts.

Kotkapura and many of its adjoining towns in Punjab have sizeable presence of dera followers.

Ferozepur Range inspector general of police MS Chhina said: “We held a meeting with dera members to convince them to cremate the body. But they are adamant on their demands. We will again hold a meeting at 10:30 am tomorrow with them.”

“Dera men are demanding cancellation of sacrilege cases against sect followers. But we cannot do anything as the matter is sub-judice,” added the IG.