2 groups clash to take control of Rama Mandi truck union, 6 held
4MEMBER COMMITTEE OF CONGRESSBACKED TRANSPORTERS WAS FORMED ON MONDAY, ANOTHER GROUP OF CONG WORKERS STAKED THEIR CLAIM
BATHINDA : A day after two Congress supporters were shot dead in an alleged bid to take control of a truck union at Bareta village in Mansa, police on Monday arrested six persons for murder bid following a clash between two groups of the Rama Mandi truck union.
Both the groups reportedly owe allegiance to the Congress. According to reports, a fourmember committee of Congress-backed transporters was formed in the Rama Mandi truck union on Monday, replacing office-bearers owing allegiance to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
However, another group of Congress workers staked their claim over the truck union. This led to a clash and some members fired gunshots and a vehicle was also damaged. Police had to resort to canecharge to control the situation.
On a complaint of one Ramesh Kumar, police arrested Gurbinder Singh of Rama Mandi, Gurlal Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Vijay Kumar, Swaranjit Singh of Faridkot and Gurkirat Singh of Ferozepur under Section 307 (attempt to murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). One of the accused, identified as Dilawar Singh, is yet to be arrested. Gurbinder had actively worked for Congress candidate Khushbaz Singh Jatana in the assembly polls.
With the Congress winning the assembly polls, tension is brewing at many places to take control of the lucrative transport business in the region. The Congress-backed truck operators have already removed photos of the Badals from office in Bhucho. An attempt was made to take control of the truck union office at Mandi Killianwali in Lambi assembly segment allegedly by a Congress leader. An uneasy calm also prevailed at Kot Ise Khan in Moga district on the same issue.