Punjab MLA hurt in mining mafia attack

Chandigarh: AAP legislator Amarjit Singh Sandoa was allegedly attacked on Thursday by members of a sand mining mafia in Punjab’s Rupnagar district. He was visiting a quarry to verify reports of illegal sand mining in Beinhara village when he was attacked.

Ropa r / Chandi g a rh, June 21: AAP legislator Amarjit Singh Sandoa was allegedly attacked today by members of a sand mining mafia in Punjab’s Rupnagar district.

The local MLA was visiting a quarry to verify reports of illegal sand mining in Beinhara village near Nurpur Bedi when he was attacked, the Aam Aadmi Party said.

He is in hospital in a stable condition, the party said.

Police said the MLA's personal security officer, head constable Sukhdeep Singh, was also injured when they were hit with iron rods and wooden planks.

This comes three days after alleged members of a sand mining mafia attacked six forest department officers in Mohali district, leaving two of them in a serious condition.

Rupnagar police arrested three men and were looking for two more as a video recording of the attack surfaced on social media.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh sought a detailed report from the Ropar Deputy Commissioner as opposition parties expressed outrage over the attack.

“Sandoa was attacked by goons from the mining mafia,” Sukhpal Singh Khaira, AAP MLA said.