Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 19
A day after alleged attack on the LIP MLA from the Atam Nagar constituency, Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, along with Bains brothers and AAP MLAs met the Police Commissioner (PC) here on Monday, and sought registration of an FIR against the accused. To mark their protest, they also raised slogans against the Congress government outside the Police Commissioner’s office.
Giving an ultimatum to the police, AAP and LIP leaders announced to hold protest march and dharna outside the Police Commissioner’s office on Tuesday morning if FIR was not registered against the accused.
After meeting with Police Commissioner RN Dhoke today, Khaira said, “The police commissioner has deployed an IPS officer for investigation. He has assured to take necessary action in this regard.”
He alleged that, “The police work on instructions of the Congress leaders. Thus, FIR has not been registered against those who ‘attacked’ MLA Simarjit Singh Bains in a planned manner.”
“The Congress wants to ‘hijack’ elections as it did during the poll in Patiala, Amritsar and Jalandhar. It is a direct attack on democracy, which is under threat in the state. I invite all other political parties in the opposition to protect democracy in Punjab,” he added.
He further blamed that Punjab Police had lost its credibility and was being misused by the ruling parties in the state. “We want that the Election Commission of India should deploy central agency forces for free and fair MC elections in Ludhiana,” said Khaira.
Meanwhile, MLA Simarjit Singh Bains said, “I have given my statement to the police and medico legal report has been prepared. Now, FIR should be registered against the accused otherwise we will stage a protest outside the Police Commissioner’s office on Tuesday. We are not afraid of the Congress atrocities. I have appealed to our supporters and workers to maintain peace.”