In Malerkotla, 20 armed men attack Muslim activist, chop ear; victim blames land mafia

Khan, who had recently formed an organisation – “Muslim Tiger Force” – while blaming “Muslim land mafia” for the attack, said that he was targeted as he has been speaking out against the mafia that have encroached on Waqf Board property in Punjab including mosques, burial grounds and others.

“Recently I got a chunk of land vacated from encroachers in Raikot. That’s why I have been targeted. I have been requesting for long to Punjab CM and DGP to provide me security but no one bothered. I fear serious threat to my life,” he alleged.

Khan said that on Wednesday he was present at a typist’s shop in the market of Malerkotla when a group of at least 20 men, armed with swords and weapons, opened attack on him. “My one ear has been chopped and I have received 15 stitches. They wanted to kill me,” said Khan, alleging that the local police was not registering the FIR under attempt to murder sections.

“I request CM and DGP to take strict action against this Muslim land mafia who almost killed me and left me blood-soaked on road. Thanks to the crowd which took me to hospital. Malerkotla police is not putting serious charges like attempt to murder on them because of local MLA’s pressure. There are 15 stitches on my head and ear. I can’t hear properly as they pierced a sharp weapon in my ear,” said Khan.

In the recently concluded Lok Sabha polls, Khan had campaigned for Congress’s Sukhpal Singh Khaira who unsuccessfully contested from Sangrur seat.

Malerkotla DSP Gurdev Singh said that an FIR has been registered against six identified persons named by Khan and their unidentified accomplices. “FIR sections have been put as per the initial medical report which says injuries were caused with blunt weapons. We will add attempt to murder later during further course of probe,” said the DSP.