In Bathinda, sarpanch, villagers protest against suspension

Bathinda: The sarpanch of Ghudda village in Bathinda, Seema Rani, along with panchayat members and villagers protested against her suspension by blocking traffic on the Bathinda-Badal road on Sunday.

While an official said she had been suspended as she had been found involved in irregularities in the auction of shops in the village, the protesters said the suspension was political and without any reason.

“I have been victimized on political grounds as I defeated a close relative of an aide of a senior Congress leader in panchayat elections and the Congress leader could not tolerate it. Thus, action has been taken against me. We will not tolerate this action and will keep on raising our voice against this unjustified step,” she said.

When contacted, Bathinda district development and panchayat officer (DDPO) Harjinder Singh said Seema had been indicted of irregularities in the auction of some shops at Ghudda and the department director had suspended her because of that.