YAD-Cong clash over ‘chitta’ Ravana

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 11

Thirty-five persons were injured in a clash between Youth Akali Dal (YAD) and Congress activists here late last evening. Vehicles, including the car of Deputy CLP Leader Bharat Bhushan Ashu, were vandalised.

The YAD activists dismantled an effigy of “chitta” Ravana, which was being given the finish touches, and later set it afire.This Dasehra, the Congress had planned “chitta” Ravanas as a protest against the sale of heroin/smack in Punjab, but had to abandon their plan as also the public screening of Sadhvi Khosla’s documentary “Fading Glory” on the issue of drugs.

Led by Ludhiana Member of Parliament Ravneet Singh Bittu, the Ludhiana Congress today burnt the effigies of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, Cabinet Minister Bikram Singh Majithia and other Akali leaders.

Bittu alleged that YAD activists, in connivance with the police, had stormed the Dasehra venue last night and attacked Congress workers, including Ludhiana DCC (Urban) chief Gurpreet Gogi. Ashu accused the police of acting as “private militia” of the state government.

“The YAD activists attacked our workers without any provocation. Two of them were admitted to the DMCH,” Bittu claimed. Thereafter, the Congress leaders met the Police Commissioner past midnight and held a dharna outside his residence.

Refuting the charges, YAD Ludhiana (Urban-1) chief Gurpreet Singh Babbal said they were told the Congress was planning to burn the effigies of the CM and the Deputy CM on Dasehra. “Our boys called up another YAD leader Tarsem Bhinder (Malwa Zone-3) and we spoke to the SP.

“We decided to visit the Dasehra venue where Bhinder was manhandled. He was kidnapped by Congress activists and taken to the Police Commissioner’s residence. Five of our injured activists were admitted to the CMCH,” he claimed.

FIRs had been registered against both Congress and YAD leaders, said ACP (East) Saurabh Jindal.

Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh said: “We will verify the allegations levelled by both parties. Thereon, the law will take its own course.”

Bittu argued that the Congress had decided on “chitta” Ravanas as ‘chitta’ (drugs) was ruining Punjab. “We wanted to highlight the issue this Dasehra,” he added.