Jalandhar– The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), a prominent organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and welfare of the global Punjabi community, has issued a formal appeal to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging the Punjab government to immediately expedite justice in the Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan cases. These tragic events, which occurred during peaceful protests in 2015, resulted in the killing and injury of innocent civilians at the hands of the police, and their families are still awaiting justice.
The Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan incidents, which saw police firing on unarmed protesters, continue to haunt the affected families and the Sikh community worldwide. Despite years passing since the tragic events, the legal proceedings have been delayed, raising concerns that the justice system may be intentionally obstructed. The victims’ families and supporters feel that the prolonged legal delays are preventing accountability and ensuring that those responsible for the killings are not held to account.
Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, emphasized that the people of Punjab, particularly the affected families, are losing faith in the justice system. “The delay in delivering justice for the victims of Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan is causing immense frustration among the community. The families of the victims, as well as countless others, are crying out for justice, but they continue to be denied it,” said Chahal. “We implore Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to take decisive action to ensure that justice is not further delayed and that the perpetrators are held accountable.”
NAPA’s call to action comes at a time when the global Sikh community is closely monitoring the developments surrounding these cases, as justice for the victims of police violence remains an urgent issue.“ We believe that a fair and swift resolution of this case will not only restore the faith of the people in the legal system but also demonstrate the commitment of the Punjab government to uphold justice, fairness, and accountability,” Chahal added. NAPA urges the Punjab government to take immediate steps to expedite the legal proceedings and bring those responsible for the tragic events to justice without any further delay. The families of the victims, as well as the people of Punjab, deserve to see justice served and closure for the suffering they have endured.