Cong, AAP workers clash again in Bhindi Saida

Tension flared up in Bhindi Saida village on Friday after groups of Congress and AAP leaders and workers clashed, leaving several persons from both sides injured.

AAP leaders alleged that Congress leader Surjit Singh, who is contesting the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections from Rajasansi, opened fire at them, resulting in three persons sustaining critical bullet injuries. The injured were rushed to private hospitals.

Jagga Singh, a relative of injured Billa Singh, claimed that Lakhwinder Singh, Halqa Sangathan in-charge, was also seriously injured in the firing allegedly carried out by Surjit Singh and his associates. He said the AAP workers were passing through the village road when they were attacked.

However, Congress leader Dilraj Sarkaria refuted the allegations, accusing armed AAP supporters of launching an attack at the residence of Surjit Singh, who is also sarpanch of the village. He said that 30-35 AAP workers stormed the house in the morning, despite prior intimation to senior police officials, including SSP Suhail Qasim Mir, about a possible attack. Sarkaria added that the confrontation was the fallout of an incident the previous evening, when AAP workers allegedly snatched and tore the nomination papers of Surjit Singh and other Congress candidates contesting the Block Samiti elections. Though the papers were refiled, Congress leaders had approached the police alleging high-handedness by AAP workers. They also alleged the police was acting in a biased manner.

The SSP said a probe was underway and assured that action would be taken against those found guilty.