Two Nihang Sikhs arrested for sword attack on Shiv Sena leader on busy Ludhiana road

Thapar was riding his two-wheeler, with a gunman provided to him riding pillion, Shiv Sena (Punjab) chief Rajiv Tandon said. He alleged that the attack comes days after Thapar’s security cover was pruned from three to one personnel.

CCTV footage and videos recorded by passers by show that the Nihangs approached Thapar while he was riding his two-wheeler. Thapar stopped and even as he was speaking to them with folded hands, one of the assailants attacked him with a sword. In the CCTV footage, another assailant purportedly appears to be pushing Thapar’s gunman away. After hitting him several times with swords, two of the assailants fled on his two-wheeler, leaving Thapar in a pool of blood.

Shiv Sena (Punjab) chief Rajiv Tandon said that “a group of Nihang Sikhs attacked Thapar with swords” and he was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) in a serious condition.

ASI Sukhwant Singh, the gunman who was accompanying the Shiv Sena leader, took the profusely bleeding Thapar to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH), where he is still in critical condition.

The spot where the incident took place is only a few meters away from Civil Hospital police post and Division Number 2 police station where an FIR was registered for attempted murder and other offences under the sections 109, 3(5), 115(2), 304 and 132 of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on the complaint of ASI Sukhwant Singh.

The ASI in his statement said that three Amritdhari Sikhs, carrying swords, gheraoed Thapar’s two-wheeler. He further said that as soon as he alighted from the vehicle, one of the accused tried to snatch his service revolver and pushed him aside. Then all three opened attack on Thapar with swords injuring his head, arms and legs.

Addressing a joint press conference, Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal and Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal said that three attackers have been identified as Sarabjit Singh Saba (34) of Tibba road, and Harjot Singh alias Jota (30) of Bhamiyan, both in Ludhiana, and Tehal Singh Ladi of Amritsar. They were currently living at Nihang Sikhs Chhawni in Shiv Shakti colony, near Transport Nagar.

Grewal said that a police team chased the accused and arrested Sarabjit and Harjot from Fatehgarh Sahib and also recovered Thapar’s two-wheeler.

Chahal said that the probe was on to know the motive behind the attack. “An inquiry has been initiated against the on-duty gunman who was accompanying Thapar and he will be suspended soon,” said Chahal.

Inspector Gurjeet Singh, SHO division number 2 police station, said that all three attackers are Nihang Singhs.

Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (Punjab) chief Tandon alleged that Thapar’s security cover was recently pruned. “He was given three gunmen but later they were withdrawn. Recently, he was given one gunman,” he said, accusing the Punjab Police of not being serious about the “safety of those who talk about the welfare of Punjab and the country.”

“Those who peddle drugs and support gangsters are given security cover while those who talk against them are not treated like human beings. Their security is withdrawn despite the threat,” said Tandon.

The party leaders and members from other Hindu organizations also staged a protest at the DMCH and raised slogans against the Punjab government and the police.

The incident drew sharp reaction from the BJP, which demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio.

Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu said: “Law and order has been reduced to a joke in Punjab. The entire Ludhiana is living in fear after what has happened today. Is there something called law and order left in Punjab? CM Mann needs to answer.”

State BJP general secretary Anil Sareen said ever since the AAP has come to power in Punjab there has been “a substantial increase in murder and robbery cases and activities of gangsters” and CM should take moral responsibility for such incidents and resign.

Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the manner in which such violent attacks are being carried out in broad day light indicates a total collapse in the law and order situation. “CM Mann should wake up from his slumber and take corrective measures immediately,” she said.

Her husband and Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal said, “Punjab is descending into jungle raj with extortions and targeted killings under AAP regime”.