Moga clash: Day after, Cong worker booked

Kulwinder Sandhu

Tribune News Service

Baghapurana (Moga), December 7

A day after a clash between Congress and Akali workers at Baghapurana resulting into injuries to 10 persons, the police today registered a case against Dilbagh Singh, a Congress supporter, and 20-25 unidentified persons. No one was arrested so far.

The city president of the SAD, Pawan Kumar Dhand, admitted to the district hospital in Moga, told the police that when he went to file his nomination papers at the SDM’s office, Dilbagh Singh was standing there with a stick in his hand.

“Dilbagh snatched tore my nomination papers. When I resisted, he pulled me out of the office. His supporters numbering 20-25 followed us. They all started beating me up. My son and my nephew came to my rescue,” he alleged.

Investigating officer Gurmeet Singh, ASI, said no official of the SDM office backed Dhand’s statement. “We are investigating the matter and will act accordingly,” he said.

SAD Moga district president Tirath Singh Mahla alleged that the police were trying to protect Congress MLA Darshan Singh Brar and his son Kamaljit Singh Brar at whose behest the violence took place. “We want an FIR against them. The current case is a mere eyewash. The offences of rioting and attempt to murder must be added. The statements of other injured persons too have not been recorded,” he said.

Senior Akali leader Tota Singh and his son Barjinder Singh Brar alleged that the Congress workers had hurt the religious sentiments of the Sikhs by tossing the turbans of Akali workers.

Meanwhile, hundreds of SAD-BJP workers staged a protest against Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh at Baghapurana, accusing him of murdering democracy by not allowing SAD-BJP and Independent candidates to file their nominations.

They demanded the cancellation of the ongoing poll process and asked the EC to announce fresh dates elections to the Baghapurana MC.

16 in fray, 15 of Cong  

Moga: A total of 20 candidates had filed their nomination papers for 15 wards of Baghapurana. Of them, 19 belonged to the Congress. Only one women candidate of the SAD, Kamaljit Kaur, could manage to file her papers. No other candidates of the SAD-BJP or AAP were even allowed to enter the SDM office on Wednesday. Papers of four Congress candidates were rejected on Thursday. This means that 14 candidates of the Congress will be elected unopposed. TNS