Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
Valmiki community on Thursday (July 30) once again called for a Punjab shutdown in protest against the alleged police lathicharge on sanitation workers who had been demonstrating in Barnala over their pending demands. Community leaders appealed for the closure of markets, schools, colleges, malls, and other institutions across the state.
During the shutdown, a tragic incident was reported from Amritsar, where Anti-Riot Police (ARP) constable Ranbir Singh lost his life near Bhandari Bridge.
According to initial information, the constable was on his way home after receiving an emergency call when the accident occurred.
His neck reportedly got entangled in a rope that had been stretched across the bridge area, causing him to lose control of his scooter and fall. He is believed to have died due to strangulation caused by the rope.
Meanwhile, protesters blocked Bhandari Bridge, leading to major traffic disruption in the city. Eyewitnesses said that people were not being allowed to pass through the area. Members of the Valmiki community were allegedly standing on the bridge carrying rods and sticks and were preventing the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Police officials have reached the spot and are monitoring the situation, while further investigation into the constable’s death is underway.
