M A I N   N E W S

Cong, Akali workers clash near Ferozepur, 1 hurt
Anirudh Gupta/TNS

Claim, counter-claim Rana Sodhi (in pic) alleged that his PA Naseeb Singh was fired at by Akali workers and that a bullet hit him in the left thigh. Akali leader Vardev Mann, however, maintained there was no firing from their side. My vehicle was intercepted on the way (to Mamdot) by some Akali workers near Chaupati village. They threatened me of dire consequences. — Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, Congress MLA from Guruharsahai The Congress had apprehended that the ruling alliance could go to any extent in using muscle power to demoralise Congress workers to grab a win in the zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections, and this is turning out to be true. We demand a judicial probe. — Sunil Jakar, CLP Leader

Ferozepur, May 7
A clash broke out between Congress and Akali workers during the filing of nomination papers for the forthcoming zila parishad elections in Mamdot, around 25 km from here, today. Naseeb Singh, personal assistant (PA) to Congress MLA from Guruharsahai Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, was reportedly injured in the incident. He was taken to a private hospital for treatment and his condition was stated to be stable.

As a very large number of Congress and Akali supporters had gathered in the office of Returning Officer Manjit Singh, they were asked to move out to facilitate official working. A brawl broke out between supporters of the two sides while leaving the office of the Returning Officer. Naseeb Singh allegedly received a bullet injury during that time.

Talking to The Tribune, Rana Sodhi said he was at Guruharsahai when he came to know about the incident. He left for Mamdot immediately, he said. “My vehicle was intercepted on the way by some Akali workers near Chaupati village. They threatened me with dire consequences,” he alleged.

“I informed senior police officials about the incident and even spoke to Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal about it. However, no action has been initiated in the case so far,” he alleged. He said there was a threat to his life. All his candidates were being intimidated by Akalis to withdraw their nominations, he added.

Addressing a press conference later, Sodhi said Congress workers would organise a dharna in Ferozepur tomorrow in protest against the highhandedness of Akalis. MLA Parminder Singh Pinki, who was also present during the press conference, termed the incident as a murder of democracy.

Akali leader Vardev Singh Mann has, however, denied all allegations levelled by Sodhi. He said Sodhi was feeling distraught as his support base in the constituency was fast eroding. He said not even a single bullet was fired or any Congress worker attacked. “It is a concocted story without any element of truth,” he said.

Ferozepur SSP Varinder Pal Singh said the police had not received any written complaint in connection with the case till now. “We will not allow anyone to take law into his hands,” he said. The police would initiate a prompt action as soon as any complaint in connection with the incident was lodged, he added.