Punjab BJP chief’s vehicle attacked in Ferozepur

vehicle of Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma was allegedly attacked by some unidentified persons with sticks and rods when he came for a meeting with local party workers on Tuesday. Sharma’s vehicle was attacked when he was leaving venue after meeting, during which some protesters h tried to storm it, forcing police to use mild cane-charge to disperse m. Sharma escaped unhurt during attack on his vehicle, officials said.

While Sharma dubbed assailants as Congress “goons”, some farmers, who h visited meting venue, said attack was handiwork of unidentified miscreants. After this incident, Punjab BJP chief and his party workers std a sit-in outside residence of Ferozepur deputy commissioner demanding action against miscreants. BJP workers also blocked highway for some time.

y lifted dharna only after DC assured m of a probe into matter and action against miscreants. Accusing Congress “goons” of masterminding attack on him, Sharma said farmers were t involved in incident. state BJP chief h come to meet party workers and discuss issues related to upcoming civic body polls. Heavy security arrangements were me by police at Sharma's meeting venue here.

Despite presence of police force, farmers belonging to various unions reached venue and started raising slogans against BJP. farmers also tried to force ir way into venue but police did t allow m. police also used mild cane charge to disperse protesters, said officials. As soon as Sharma came out after meeting, a few unidentified persons allegedly attacked his vehicle with sticks.

Following attack, entire convoy moved at a high speed following which assailants fled from spot. Farmer leers said y h come only to protest against state BJP chief and t to hurt him. y said y h come to express ir anguish against BJP leers only and ne of m wanted to hurt him. “ attackers do t belong to us (farmers) and it seems that attack was planned by some anti-social elements who wanted to take benefit of situation,” said farmer union leers.

Meanwhile, Ashwani Sharma said he h come here to meet party workers only. “It seems some few people wanted to take benefit of situation on pretext of farmer's agitation,” said Sharma. Questioning role of police, Sharma asked police how did miscreants reach venue where he was to hold a meeting and said that this was a result of some “conspiracy” involving some police officials. He said he refused to take police security and demanded a probe into matter.

Sharma also attacked Punjab DGP, accusing him of becoming a “puppet” in hands of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh. incident took place a day after Ashwani Sharma cancelled his visit to Nawanshahr after a group of farmers gheraoed venue where he was supposed to hold a meeting.