BJP's Abohar MLA Arun Narang, some other party leaders thrashed in Malout town

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, March 27

Angry over three new farm laws, a large number of farmers allegedly thrashed BJP MLA from Abohar Arun Narang, tore his clothes and threw black ink on him in Malout town on Saturday.

Terming it a murderous attack, Narang, in the evening, said, “I have a hunch that the state government could be behind it. It needs a thorough investigation. I don’t trust Punjab police now. I have undergone the medical examination; will take further action after consulting with my senior party leadership or whatever Modi ji will direct me. If the state government can’t protect an MLA, then one can better understand the present situation of law and order in the state. Those attacked me were not the genuine farmers, they seem to be motivated by someone. This is not a kisan aandolan, but goondaism. Today, it was me, tomorrow, it can be anyone else.”

Narang had come to Malout to hold a press conference against the state government.

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The farmers were, however, already waiting for him near the BJP office. As soon as Narang reached there in his car, the farmers gheraoed him and threw ink on him. They also blackened his car.

The cops and BJP workers then took Narang inside a shop. However, when Narang came out, the farmers allegedly attacked him with full force, even tore his clothes. In some videos viral on social media, cops are seen saving Narang from the farmers, who, however, continued abusing and thrashing him. Meanwhile, some other BJP leaders too were thrashed by the farmers. Party office was also ransacked.

BJP leaders were again taken inside a shop. After a few minutes, the police took them out from the backdoor of the shop and shifted to a safer place.

A senior police officer too suffered minor injury during the scuffle as the melee continued nearly an hour.

The saffron party leaders could not even reach the BJP office in Malout, where they were scheduled to hold a press conference at 3 pm. The farmers reportedly also burnt the party flags in the BJP office.

At the time of filing this report, the farmers were dispersing from the spot.

In November last year, the farmers had gheraoed Narang at Tarmala village in Lambi Assembly segment here.

Two days ago, the farmers had gheraoed senior BJP leader-cum-former cabinet minister Surjit Jyani in Bathinda. A number of senior BJP leaders, including state president Ashwani Sharma and former state president Vijay Sampla, too have faced the farmers’ protest in the recent past.

The SSP said a case of attempt to murder is being registered on complaint of the injured SP.

Speaking over Tribune over phone in the evening, Muktsar SSP D Sudarvizhi said, "No BJP leader has yet given statement about today's incident. We are registering a case on the statement of SP (H) Gurmail Singh, who suffered injuries on his head, elbows and legs today, admitted to Malout civil hospital."

The case is being registered at Malout City police station under sections 307, 353, 186, 188, 332, 342, 506,148 and 149 of the IPC.

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