Cong councillor, scribe hurt in brawl over Rs30 parking fee

Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 29

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A minor argument over Rs 30 being levied for parking a car at the District Administrative Complex on Friday turned ugly between Congress councillor Mandeep Jassal and the contractor with both groups using swords, rods and bricks to settle a score. Jassal and Ravi Gill, a scribe, who was recording the incident, also got badly injured in the clash. The incident took place around 1 pm on the main road in front of the District Administrative Complex and in presence of heavy police force.

Jassal reportedly came alongwith 30-odd armed supporters while the contractor, too, had his men. As Jassal came out of the District Administrative Complex after submitting a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on the parking issue, he reportedly entered into an argument with the contractor. Soon, both sides attacked each other.

While Gill suffered injuries on his hand and head, Jassal had more grievous injuries on his head. Both of them were immediately rushed to a hospital. The two groups had been at loggerheads against one another for the last three days. On Wednesday, Jassal had a scuffle with the parking contractor, who allegedly asked him to pay Rs 30 for parking his car, which the former refused to pay.

The Congress councillor had even approached the Sub-Divisonal Magistrate alleging that the parking contractor had been minting money by using additional space (not covered in the contract) around the District Administrative Complex.

On Thursday, both groups had met the officials concerned over the matter and the contractor staged a dharna alleging that Jassal had been taking undue advantage of his position.

Meanwhile, numerous mediapersons complained of their phones and cameras getting damaged during the brawl. DCP Gurmeet Singh, ADCP Jagjit Saroya and ACP Harsimrat Singh, were among those who reached the spot. Complaints from both the groups were being taken and an FIR was not lodged till evening.