MLA Shoaib Iqbal injured in ‘crossfire’

Senior officers said none of the local residents had weapons.

Iqbal,a leader of Lok Janshakti Party,has been the MLA from Matia Mahal constituency since 1993. He said he had taken permission from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) for the borewell.

The water utility,however,said the attack may have been sparked by Iqbal’s insistence on digging a borewell in Sitaram Bazar area. DJB’s Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Negi said: “As per the details I have,the MLA had gone to the area for some inspection,and he insisted that a borewell be dug in the crowded market place. He was allegedly attacked by supporters of an opposing political party in the area.”

At the LN Hospital,Iqbal claimed: “There were some people who started firing at me. My PSO also fired in retaliation. The firing went on for about 30 minutes,but luckily I did not receive any bullet injury. Some people hit me with rods on my hands,arms,chest,legs and stomach.”

He said once the firing stopped,his assailants climbed the roofs of nearby buildings and pelted stones at him.

Eyewitnesses,however,said none of the residents fired at the MLA and his supporters.

Nitin,who owns a ration-shop in the market,said trouble began shortly after 2 pm. “The market is congested. Due to the digging work,business would have suffered. It would have been much more convenient if the inauguration could have been held on a holiday. That is what led to the dispute. Suddenly,the MLA’s PSO started firing,” he said.

Most shopkeepers downed shutters and returned to the area only in the evening.