Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday, 2 February, staged a dharna in protest against the attack on his vehicle in Jalalabad, reported ANI.
SAD had earlier alleged that Badal had been attacked, and claimed that three party workers were injured in the firing, IANS reported. It claimed that police-backed attackers were led by the brother of a Congress legislator.
“They think they can intimidate Akali workers by firing bullets. But see who had to flee? They had to flee,” Badal said at the dharna.
Senior Superintendent of Police Harjit Singh told the media that four people were injured but refused to reveal their identity and their political affiliation.
He said gunshots were fired, but it is yet to be known who fired, and at whom.
SAD Demands Resignation of CM
In light of the incident, SAD demanded Chief Minister Amarinder Singh's resignation, saying that there was a complete breakdown in the law and order situation in the state.
“Captain Amarinder Singh has no right to continue as the CM, as the law and order situation in the state is such that even a person provided with ‘Z plus’ security is being attacked like this. Police stood as a mute spectator. Gangsters are running Punjab, there is 'gunda raj',” SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said, according to ANI.
Police Complicit in Crime, Says SAD
In a statement , SAD spokesman Daljit Singh Cheema said, "It seems there was a premeditated attempt on the SAD president's life and the Jalalabad police was complicit in this crime as it allowed the attackers a free run."
"A high-level judicial inquiry should be held into this attack under the supervision of the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court, as the heinous act seems to enjoy state patronage," he added, according to IANS.
Asserting that democracy was being murdered in the state with criminals ruling the roost, Cheema said the Chief Minister had lost the moral right to continue on his post.
"He should put down his papers immediately," the SAD leader asserted, while accusing the chief minister of being directly responsible for disturbing the peace and communal harmony of the state.
The SAD leader also condemned the firing allegedly done by goons led by Congress legislator Raminder Awla's son on the occasion, according to IANS.
Cheema said it was clear now that free and fair elections could not be held to the municipal bodies under these circumstances.
"The State Election Commission has also utterly failed to rein in rogue Congress elements. The SAD demands immediate deployment of paramilitary forces in the state, saying Punjab Police could not be trusted to do its duty. The Ferozepur SSP and all other police officials complicit in this crime should also be proceeded against immediately," Cheema added.
(With inputs from ANI and IANS.)
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