Tension grips Amritsar after the death of the Shiv Sena leader Sudhir Suri on Friday. Amid protests that erupted following the incident, heavy police has been deployed in several places. The autopsy of Suri, who was shot dead while taking part in a protest in Amristar, will take place on Saturday at Government Medical Collge hospital, said the officials.
According to police officials, after the post-mortem procedures, the body will be handed over to Suri's family.
On Friday, Suri was protesting, in one of the busiest places in the city, against the management of Gopal Mandir on Majitha Road after some broken idols of Hindu deities were allegedly found on the roadside, which he termed an act of sacrilege.
A video that went viral in social media showed Suri protesting along with others encircled by gunmen. Police officials were also present at the venue.
While protesting outside a temple, five shots were fired at Suri (58). He collapsed after being shot and was rushed to a hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.
As per reports, the accused, Sandeep Singh alias Sunny (31), was arrested and the .32 bore licensed weapon used in the crime was seized. He owns a garment shop near the protest site, according to police.
The officials said security around Suri's house has been beefed up.
Meanwhile, the ruling AAP's Amritsar North MLA Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh demanded dismissal of the Amritsar police commissioner. He said that the police system in Amristar was a "failure" and "the police commissioner is not fit for this job."
However, police officials said that the questioning of the accused is underway and a case has been registered for murder. According to police, a preliminary investigation revealed that the accused never met Suri before.
Suri was known for his provocative speeches and he was booked for the same. Reports also said that he was on Khalistani hit list, however so far there is no official confirmation on the Khalistani terror links.
Suri's outfit has called for Punjab Bandh on Saturday.
After the incident, opposition Congress and BJP targeted the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government, saying another prominent person was killed less than six months after the murder of singer Sidhu Moosewala in May.
(With inputs from PTI)
