Punjab village 'for sale' over drug menace

B

ATHINDA: A man's outrage over the brutal attack by alleged drug peddlers on an ex-serviceman prompted a dramatic protest with a "village for sale" sign - and swift police action.On Sunday, Lakhbir Singh from Bhai Bakhtaur in Punjab's Bathinda district posted a hand-written banner at the village entrance that read: "Saada pind vikau hai" (Our village is for sale)." The sign, a desperate cry for help, came a day after ex-serviceman Ranbir Singh was allegedly thrashed so badly by two men involved in drug crimes that his legs were broken.Attackers Kuldeep Singh and Gurpreet Singh were arrested within 24 hours, Bathinda police have now said.

Charges include attempted murder, unlawful restraint, and causing grievous hurt.SSP Amneet Kondal said: "We have taken swift action, and no one will be allowed to threaten or harm citizens - those standing up to crime, especially." Ranbir Singh, who recovers in a Bathinda hospital, had reportedly been urging local youths to reject drugs and turn to sport - a message that appears to have angered local drug peddlers.

Lakhbir Singh, who put up the protest banner, is a farmer who also posted a video denouncing the attack and accusing cops of failing to protect villagers from drug violence. The incident comes just days after Punjab's police chief pledged a stronger crackdown on drug crime from June.