The Shiromani Akali Dal Wednesdaybegan a review of the directory of its local office bearers,which included the name of Ranjit Singh Rana, accused in lastweek's killing of a policeman.
The move to review the directory comes after protests bythe Punjab Congress led by its President Amarinder Singh tohighlight the alleged deteriorating law and order situationin the state.
Rana is the key accused in the murder case of AssistantSub-Inspector of Police Ravinderpal Singh, who was shot deadin full public view when he tried to stop the accused andhis accomplices from teasing his daughter.
Local residents had complained to Amarinder Singh duringhis visit here yesterday that local SAD leader Rana, who wasshunted out from the party, was mainly known for ferryingpeople to Akali rallies and unleashed terror in some pocketshere after claiming close proximity with the SAD high-ups.
Meanwhile, Amritsar SAD Urban president Upkar SinghSandhu has expelled office-bearers Baljit Singh Billa seniorvice-president, and Baljinder Singh Dhillon vice-president forrecommending the name of Ranjit Singh Rana in the party foldbut local Congress leaders described this action of SAD asmere eyewash.
Upkar Singh said the party has begun to check theantecedents of all the Akali workers in the district.
He said that Block presidents and Ward heads were told tocheck the background of each and every party activist.
They were strictly warned that they will be heldresponsible in case an Akali activist was found indulging inany kind of unlawful activity.
During his protest meeting here yesterday, AmarinderSingh had alleged that the directory of Youth Akali Dal whichwas released by Punjab Minister Bikram Majithia "was largelycirculated in all the police stations with the directions thatall the Akali activists having name in the directory be givenVVIP treatment in the police station when they arrive for anypublic job".
Amarinder had accused SAD-BJP Government for misuse ofpower and unleashing terror on innocent people of Punjab.