CONG-SAD clashes: Sukhbir, party leaders lay siege to Harike bridge, want roll back of cases
FEROZEPUR:UPPING the ante ahead of December 17 civic elections in Punjab, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Thursday evening led a party blockade on the Harike bridge here in protest against the alleged attack by Congress activists on Akali workers at Mallanwala on Wednesday.
Sukhbir, former Akali minister Bikram Majithia and other party leaders were sitting at the site of protest till last reports came in after midnight and sources said the dharna would continue throughout the night.
They said the blockade will not be lifted till the government accepts their demands, including withdrawal of alleged false cases against Akali workers filed on Thursday, registration of cases against Congress leaders who attacked them, suspension of Zira DSP and local SHO for their alleged collusion with Congress workers and countermanding of elections in Manawala and Makhu nagar panchayats and Baghapurana and Ghanaur municipalities.
Meanwhile, Akali leaders Ajit Singh Kohar and Bibi Jagir Kaur led a dharna of party workers at Ghudher Dindi Bridge over Satluj and blocked the road from Ferozepur-jalandhar road. Party leader Virsa Singh Valtoha led another such protest on another bridge on Satluj, blocking the traffic on Ferozepur-patti road. The routes joining Ferozepur (which is in Malwa) with Majha and Doaba had been blocked by the protest.
He lashed out at the ruling Congress for “spreading violence deliberately to thwart all prospective candidates from contesting the civic elections.
“The Amarinder government has lost faith in the electorate due to its non-performance. To capture MC polls, it is encouraging party workers to use muscle power,” he said.
He added, “We will even move the high court and demand that police officials, including the DSP as well as IG MS Chhinna be treated as co-conspirators in the attack on Akali leaders.”
Police registered a case against SAD leaders, including
former MLA Joginder Singh Kindu, Avtar Singh Minna and Verdev Singh Noni Mann under Sections 307, 506, 120-B, 148, 149 of the IPC and the Arms Act.
The cops also registered a cross-case against five Congressmen.
AAP SLAMS CONG,
SAD FOR VIOLENCE
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday hit out at the Congress and the SAD-BJP combine for violence. AAP co-president Aman Arora said, “These parties have politicised the state machinery and the office of state election commissioner is playing the role of a mute spectator.”
YAD LEADER
BOOKED IN BATHINDA BATHINDA : Police have booked a Youth Akali Dal leader in Talwandi Sabo Nagar Panchayat polls and three others for allegedly attacking the son of Cong candidate contesting against his mother.
NO CHANGE ON POLL SCHEDULE IN GHANOUR, BAGHAPURANA AND MAKHU; SAD NOT SATISFIED