200 SAD workers booked for murder bid, no arrests
Akali Dal and Congress supporters had resorted to firing at each other on the penultimate day of the filing of nominations
TARN TARAN : Police have booked 200 persons, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)’s former chief of Bhikhiwind nagar panchayat (NP), for attempt to murder, and hooliganism on Tuesday. Fifteen of the accused have been named, while others could not be identified. The SAD has claimed that no Congress worker has been booked.
SAD and the Congress supporters had resorted to firing at each other on the penultimate day of the filing of nominations. More than 50 rounds were fired from each side.
The accused created a ruckus, wielding firearms, sharp-edged weapons and sticks for at least 30 minutes.
They were not were not arrested, despite heavy deployment of police, including two deputy superintendent of police (DSPs) and four station house officers (SHOs). Even at the time of the filing of this report, there had been no arrests.
Several video clips of the violence had surfaced on social media showing the accused resorting to indiscriminate firing despite the presence of the police force.
Both parties had claimed injuries to two of its workers.
Besides the clash, candidates
Our two DSPs tried to stop them, but failed. One of the accused fired in the air. Suddenly, a group of 50 persons emerged and a clash ensued.
SARABJIT SINGH, Bhikhiwind SHO
of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also alleged assault and tearing of nomination papers by “Congress party’s goons”.
A video clip showing some miscreants beating an AAP candidate and snatching his nomination file has also gone viral on social media.
The identified accused are Amarjit Singh (ex chief of NP), Rinku Dhawan, Aman Sharma, Harjinder Singh, Vinay Malhotra, Surinderpal, Manjit Singh, sukhdev Singh, Vicky, Sonu, Upkardeep Singh, Palwinder Singh, Manjit Singh, Harjit Singh and Goldy of Bhikhiwind and its adjoining villages.
The case has been registered on the statement Bhikhiwind SHO Sarabjit Singh.
He said, “At 2.20pm, the accused carrying swords, baseball bats, sticks and firearms, came from the Bhikhiwind side and started shouting slogans in favour of SAD, and against the Congress and AAP parties. Our two DSPs tried to stop them, but failed. Amarjit fired in the air. Suddenly, a crowd of 40-50 persons emerged from the rear of the bus stand and a clash ensued. During the clash, vehicles were damaged, with some of the accused firing to kill.”
Former SAD MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha said, “Our workers were attacked and were not allowed to file nominations on Tuesday by Congress workers. The police have booked our men under pressure. No Congress worker has been booked.” Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Bhullar said the SAD and AAP workers had resorted to hooliganism.
A case has been registered under 307 (attempt to murder), 186 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of his duties), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting) of the Indian Penal Code and 25-54-59 of the Arms Act.
SSP Dhruman H Nimbale said all accused would be identified. “All those violating the election code of conduct will be booked,” he added.