Brazen attack puts Mann-led govt on the backfoot

The assassination attempt on former deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal at the Golden Temple complex has apparently put the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the dock, with the Opposition gunning for the state government over alleged failure to maintain law and order.

Leaders of all Opposition parties charged at the ruling party on this sensitive issue, putting the government on the defensive.

Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP state chief Aman Arora, the rank and file of party, however, strategically resorted to exhibiting “bravado”, by lauding the policemen for timely nabbing the accused, rather than going in for introspection on the security breach.

Calling it a dastardly act, Mann, who is also the Home Minister, said his government had deployed around 175 cops in and around Golden Temple complex, besides senior officers to prevent any untoward incident. “This produced the desired results as a conspiracy to bring bad name to the state was foiled by the Punjab Police. I am keeping tabs on the entire incident and have directed officers to maintain maximum vigil against anti-social elements. I have already directed the Director General of Police to conduct a thorough probe into the matter,” he said.

For one, the attack, even though no one was injured, has huge significance, considering that it happened just outside the Golden Temple. The incident is also a grim reminder of the days of terrorism in Punjab, besides once again bringing into focus the slowly shifting narrative towards hardline politics and decimation of moderate Sikh politics.

This does not augur well for any government in the state, because it has the potential to alienate the majority of Hindu and urban Sikh voters. With urban civic bodies poll due to be announced this week, the incident is likely to have its political impact on the ruling party.

Perhaps realising this, Arora said the Punjab Police was committed to maintain peace and no one would be allowed to disrupt law and order. “Darbar Sahib, being a sacred site, presents unique challenges for security measures as frisking and formal checks are not feasible. To address these challenges, police personnel in civil outfits were deployed in the area to monitor and safeguard the security of Sukhbir and other leaders. The suspect, Narain Singh Chaura, was under surveillance and the police managed to capture him immediately after he tried to attack,” said Arora.

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal said, “A big disaster was prevented because of the excellent work of the Punjab Police. I commend their alertness, which has set an example for the entire country on how to maintain law and order.”