Bathinda, June 10

Residents of Chauke village in Bathinda staged a protest outside the mini-secretariat complex here when a man died after being brutally thrashed by a group of residents from the village.

The family members of the deceased and residents alleged a group of drug suppliers from their village had beaten up seven residents after being confronted by the latter for selling drugs around 15 days ago. A video clip that went viral on social media showed a group of persons brutally beating up a man lying on the ground.

The deceased was identified as Harwinder Singh, who was a kabaddi player and popularly known as ‘coach’ among locals.

His family members alleged Harwinder used to encourage youth to play sports and objected to a group of men allegedly selling drugs near the village playground.

Bathinda SSP Bhupinderjit Singh Virk said, “Of the total 13 accused, five have been arrested and special police teams have launched a manhunt to nab the other accused.”— TNS