Political war erupts over attack on Punjab Shiv Sena leader Thapar; Congress, BJP, SAD target AAP Government over law and order
Chandigarh, July 6
The brutal attack on Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader Sandeep Thapar by three Nihangs in Ludhiana has erupted a political war in the state with the opposition parties targeting the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government over the law and order situation; demanding that he step down on moral grounds.
The leaders, including Ravneet Singh Bittu, Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhbir Singh Badal, have targeted Mann stating that the state government has proved to be an “utter failure” on the law and order front.
In a video statement on X, Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the attack. He said the “administration is missing” from the state.
“They have made a mockery of law and order. Officers are busy pleasing AAP leaders instead of doing their job,” Bittu said.
— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) July 5, 2024
Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring too condemned the incident and targeted state government for the current law and order situation.
In a post on X in Punjabi, Warring said, “The state government has completely failed in maintaining the peace and tranquillity of Punjab and the mischievous elements have become highly motivated”.
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— Amarinder Singh Raja Warring (@RajaBrar_INC) July 5, 2024
Congress leader Partap Bajwa said, “Peace in Punjab returned after endless sacrifices, no one should be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere of the state. In Punjab people from all religions live together with love and brotherhood.”
“There are external forces at play who want to disturb Punjab’s peace once again for their political benefits. Punjab CM stop your theatrics and focus on law and order of the state, being the Home Minister the buck stops at your door,” he said in a post on X.
I strongly condemn the murderous attack on Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar. Peace in Punjab returned after endless sacrifices, no one should be allowed to vitiate the atmosphere of the state. In Punjab people from all religions live together with love and brotherhood. There are…
— Partap Singh Bajwa (@Partap_Sbajwa) July 5, 2024
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said, “This incident has proved that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is failing miserably in maintaining peace in the state.”
“Strict action should be taken against the culprits of this murderous attack,” said Jakhar in a post on X in Punjabi.
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— Sunil Jakhar (@sunilkjakhar) July 5, 2024
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also took to X to condemn the attack.
“Such incidents are occurring with increasing frequency in the @AamAadmiParty govt but CM @BhagwantMann is oblivious to the situation and is doing nothing to stop the steep slide in law and order.”
“Punjab is descending into jungle raj with extortions and targeted killings under the AAP regime,” he said.
Ludhiana today witnessed another violent incident with a person being attacked with swords despite being given police security. Such incidents are occurring with increasing frequency in the @AamAadmiParty govt but CM @BhagwantMann is oblivious to the situation and is doing…
— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) July 5, 2024
Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader Sandeep Thapar (58) was attacked when he came out of the office of the Samvedna Trust near the Civil Hospital after attending a ceremony to mark the fourth death anniversary of the trust’s founder-president Ravinder Arora, police said.
Thapar was grievously injured after he was attacked with swords by three Nihangs in full public view on Friday. Hours after the incident, two of the assailants were arrested from Fatehgarh Sahib district. — with PTI inputs