Farmers Protest: Nihang who murdered Dalit labourer claimed no regrets for his act

News Desk: Saravjit Singh – a Sikh ‘warrior’ or Nihang yesterday has claimed responsibility for the gruesome murder of a Dalit labourer Lakhbir Singh at a farmers protest site in Haryana’s Singhu yesterday and said that he has no regrets for this act. He was produced at a local court today following his surrender yesterday and sent to seven days police custody.

Since yesterday morning, reports were circulating that Lakhbir Singh was attacked for allegedly desecrating the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh’s holy book. Swaraj India chief Yogendra Yadav, who is part of the group leading the farmers’ protests, had indicated an argument broke out at the protest site Thursday night over a question of desecration. The Nihangs allegedly beat Lakhbir to death, cut off his limbs and tied him to the police barricade.

However Lakhbir’s home village Cheema Kurd said a different story. “He could not have done this; he was not that kind of a person. He was made to do this” Masa Singh said. Another, who requested anonymity out of fear of reprisal stressed: “Lakhbir can’t be involved in desecration” and a third, retired soldier Harbhajan Singh said “… he must have been lured there”

The Samyukt Kisan Morcha distanced itself from the murder and any connection with the Nihangs. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar promised actions against those involved in the act.