Delhi CM Kejriwal’s car attacked in Ludhiana
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, February 29
A mob pelted stones at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s car in Ludhiana on Monday, the last day of the Aam Aadmi Party national convener’s five-day tour to the state. The police have registered a case against unidentified persons in this connection.
Protesters pelted stones at the Innova car he was travelling in at Ludhiana’s Hassanpur village, where he held a meeting at a marriage hall. Some stones caught the car’s windshield. Bits of glass fell on Kejriwal, who was sitting in the front seat. He was immediately moved to another vehicle.
Deputy Inspector General of Police SK Kalia said Senior Superintendent of Police Jagraon Ravcharan Brar informed him he was in the vehicle with the Delhi chief minister when the incident occurred and assured him he was safe.
Kalia also said police had made adequate security arrangements at the place where the Delhi Chief minister held a meeting, but sources in AAP claimed victims of the 1984 riots had begun to protest at the venue of the meeting. Most of the protesters have the support of Qutal-e-am Sangarsh committee, Sikh organisation that is backed by the state government.
Kejriwal left the venue through the back door after holding a meeting that lasted an hour, but some 40 men waited near the back entrance and pelted stones at him.
Kalia refused to comment when asked what led to the security lapse. In the meantime SSP Jagraon Ravcharan Brar was not available for comments
Aam Aadmi Party’s national origanisation head Durgesh Pathak claimed the mob was armed with rods and sticks but said Kejriwal was safe.
“The tour will continue according to the schedule,” an AAP spokesperson said, but called the attack “a huge security lapse”.
“The police allowed the mob to get too close to the vehicle,” he said.
“Some miscreants threw stones at the Delhi Chief Minister’s car, but he is safe and has been given police protection,” ADGP law and order HS Dhillon said.
"My car attacked with sticks and stones in Ludhiana. Front glass pane broken. Badals and Congress nervous? They can't break my spirits," the Delhi chief minister tweeted.
My car attacked with sticks and stones in Ludhiana. Front glass pane broken. Badals n congress nervous? They can't break my spirits
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal)
AAP uploaded a photograph showing the shattered windshield with a visibly worried Punjab police officer standing close to the car. The car appeared to be stranded on a rural road.
Kejriwal's visit to Patiala, scheduled later in the day, was called off due to the attack. AAP leaders Sanjay Singh, Durgesh Pathak, Sucha Singh Chhotepur and Bhagwant Mann will join a protest by the Unemployed Linemen Union and interact with party volunteers.
Kejriwal is on a five-day tour to Punjab. His visit to Batala was also met with protests by the VHP on Sunday, forcing police to resort to baton charge. Some 200 people had been detained.
The AAP has emerged a major player ahead of assembly elections in Punjab due next year.
The attackers came within an inch of grievously injuring Kejriwal. It was by only God's grace that he escaped unhurt.
— Ashish Khetan (@AashishKhetan)
(With inputs from agencies)
