Close X
Friday, November 15, 2024
ADVT 
India

Arvind Kejriwal's Narrow Escape As Car Attacked In Ludhiana; Punjab Orders Probe

IANS, 29 Feb, 2016 11:12 AM
    Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had a narrow escape on Monday when the vehicle he was travelling in was attacked with stones and sticks by some men near Ludhiana in Punjab. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal ordered a probe into the incident.
     
    Pointing an accusing finger at the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the attack was a "conspiracy hatched by the Akalis to kill Kejriwal". The AAP held Badal responsible for the attack.
     
    Kejriwal, who ended his five-day tour of Punjab on Monday, tweeted that his car was attacked with batons and stones, shattering its windscreen.
     
    Police said the chief minister, who enjoys Z-plus security cover, was safe and escorted from the spot.
     
    Kejriwal was seated alongside the driver in an Innova multi-utility vehicle when the attack took place. He was immediately shifted to another car and driven away.
     
    "The attack lasted for 3-4 minutes. There were about 30-40 people who carried out the attack," a police official present at the spot told IANS.
     
    Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh demanded a high-level probe by a high court judge into the attack.
     
    "It was a well-planned conspiracy hatched by Akalis to eliminate Kejriwal, who has emerged as 'masiha' for the people of Punjab," he said.
     
    He alleged that the attack took place at Sukhbir Badal's behest.
     
    "The presence of Harkinder Singh, younger brother of Ludhiana MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali, apart from Youth Akali leaders Amandeep Singh Aulakh and Prabhdeep Singh Mangat, is enough indication for the conspiracy by Akalis to 'kill' Kejriwal," the AAP leader said.
     
    He accused the Punjab Police of being "hand-in-glove in the conspiracy", saying they "deliberately guided the convoy to an unscheduled route on the pretext of safety where more than 100 goons were waiting for the attack".
     
    On his part, Kejriwal tweeted earlier: "Badals and Congress nervous? They can't break my spirits."
     
    AAP leader Ashish Khetan called it a "well orchestrated attack" and said the "goons sent by the Badals attacked Kejriwal's car with stones and rods as the police stood by".
     
    "The attackers came within an inch of grievously injuring Kejriwal. It was only by god's grace that he escaped unhurt."
     
    Condemning the incident, Sukhbir Badal, who is also Punjab's home minister, said due action would be taken against the attackers.
     
    "I have directed the police to register a case against the stone pelters and take action immediately," he said in a statement.
     
    Badal directed the Punjab DGP to inquire if there was any lapse on the part of the security apparatus provided to the AAP leader.
     
    "The Punjab government is committed to providing adequate security to Kejriwal during his visits to Punjab," he said. He denied that the Akali Dal was behind the attack.
     
    Kejriwal was on a five-day tour of Punjab, where the AAP has emerged as a major player. The Punjab assembly polls are scheduled for February next year.
     
    The AAP leadership pointed out that BJP supporters held a protest at the venue while the Akali Dal workers attacked Kejriwal's motorcade.
     
    Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh said the Congress had nothing to do with the attack.
     
    During his visit to Punjab last month, the Punjab government did not provide security to Kejriwal while he was travelling back to Delhi.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia
    The BJP on Thursday took a dig at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi wondering when he will return but Congress chief Sonia Gandhi asserted that he will soon be back among the people.

    When Will Rahul Return, Asks BJP; Soon, Says Sonia

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row
    Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday dismissed union minister Giriraj Singh's "racist" remarks as stemming from a "narrow mindset" even as party members staged protests while the BJP sought the matter to be closed as he had expressed regrets.

    Giriraj Remarks: Sonia Says Narrow Mindset, BJP For Ending Row

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?
    As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commenced its largest strategy meet on Thursday since coming to power at the Centre, veteran leader L.k. Advani is not likely to address the national executive meet.

    Advani Not To Address BJP Meet?

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive
    Another batch of over 300 Indian nationals will be ferried to safety from Yemen, the government said on Thursday, as 358 Indians who arrived from the strife-torn country in two airplanes early on Thursday expressed relief to be back home and away from the constant bombings.

    300 More Indians To Be Evacuated From Yemen, Two Planeloads Arrive

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana
    Four Bangladeshi nationals have been detained in Punjab's industrial city of Ludhiana in connection with the gang rape of an elderly nun in West Bengal last month, police said on Wednesday.

    Bengal Nun Rape Case: Four Bangladeshi Suspects Held In Ludhiana

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief
    Condemning the calling of Indian revolutionaries as terrorists, RSS chief Mohan Bhagawat on Wednesday said "saffronisation" was imperative to rectify the country's "distorted history".

    'Saffronisation' Imperative To Rectify Distorted Indian History: RSS Chief