Close X
Saturday, November 16, 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

    Passengers spared, freight rates hiked in India's rail budget

    Passengers spared, freight rates hiked in India's rail budget

    New Delhi, Feb 26 (IANS) Sparing a passenger fare hike but raising freight rates again, Mini...

    Passengers spared, freight rates hiked in India's rail budget

    Indian-origin man charged with deceiving woman spared jail

    Indian-origin man charged with deceiving woman spared jail
    An Indian-origin man in the Australian who was charged with deceiving a woman about his appearance on a dating website and then engaging in sexual activity with her, has been spared jail but his actions were criticised Wednesday by a judge as "selfish, immature and inappropriate".

    Indian-origin man charged with deceiving woman spared jail

    US citizen Manjita Dhillon get detained at Amritsar airport with 25 bullets

    US citizen Manjita Dhillon get detained at Amritsar airport with 25 bullets
    A US citizen of Indian origin was detained Wednesday at the Amritsar International Airport with 25 live bullets when she was trying to board a flight to New Delhi, police said.

    US citizen Manjita Dhillon get detained at Amritsar airport with 25 bullets

    Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to function independently: Digvijay

    Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to function independently: Digvijay
    Congress party vice president Rahul Gandhi "feels very strongly" that he is not being allowed to function independently by "vested interests" in the party, said Congress party general secretary Digvijay Singh Wednesday.

    Rahul Gandhi not being allowed to function independently: Digvijay

    Revolt spreads in Trinamool; leaders allege graft, attack Mamata

    Revolt spreads in Trinamool; leaders allege graft, attack Mamata
    Trinamool Congress Wednesday faced a series of revolts, with a legislator protesting in the assembly premises against graft and another being sacked from the parliamentary secretary's post for his closeness to general secretary Mukul Roy.

    Revolt spreads in Trinamool; leaders allege graft, attack Mamata

    PM approves Rs.426.83 crore for Jammu and Kashmir flood relief

    PM approves Rs.426.83 crore for Jammu and Kashmir flood relief
     Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday approved financial aid of Rs.426.83 crore from his relief fund for assistance to the owners of severely and partially damaged houses during last year's devastating floods in Jammu and Kashmir.

    PM approves Rs.426.83 crore for Jammu and Kashmir flood relief