Farmers Movement Archive

BJP MLA assault case: Main accused among 5 arrested

BATHINDA: Police on Monday arrested five persons allegedly involved in thrashing and stripping BJP MLA Arun Narang in Malout town of Muktsar district on March 27. Narang had gone to Malout to hold a press conference when a mob had thrashed him and stripped him. The arrested accused include Lakhanpal Sharma, block president of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur). He is alleged to be leading the farmers who reached the BJP office on March 27. Other four arrested have been identified as Alamwala village residents Jasmel Singh alias Nikka and Sandip Singh, Kuldip Singh of Enna Khera village, and Kulwinder Singh of Danewala village. Muktsar senior superintendent of police D Sudarvizhi said police had arrested 30 persons in the case so far. Earlier, BKU (Ekta Sidhupur) district president Sukhdev Singh from Bura Gujjar village, district general secretary Nirmal Singh from Jasseana village, and treasurer Nanak Singh from Fakarsar village, had surrendered in the case. SSP said the police have traced all accused after scanning video footage of the incident and on the basis of statements by the complainants. A police source claimed that Midha threw black ink on the MLA, while Kuldeep Singh and Mandeep Singh tore his shirt. Kulwinder Singh, Sandeep and Jasmail Singh were seen beating the MLA during the protest, added the source. In the meanwhile, photos of Lakhanpal Sharma have surfaced with leaders of Aam Aadmi Party, including MP Bhagwant Mann. It is said Lakhpanpal was active during the previous parliamentary elections. BJP leader Vineet Joshi said it had become clear that AAP was behind the incident as Lakhanpal was often seen with AAP leaders and another person, Bachittar, had spoken against BJP on March 30 and he was also associated with AAP. AAP MLA Harpal Cheema said false allegations were being levelled on AAP.

The Times of India

2021-04-06

Amritsar