A day after a clash between Congress and Akali workers left Naseeb Singh Sandhu personal assistant to Congress MLA from Guru-har-Sahai Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi with a bullet injury,preliminary investigations have revealed that though a clash did take place,there was no firing. Congress and Akali workers had entered into a brawl during the filing of nomination in Mamdot area of Ferozepur district. Sodhi had alleged that SAD constituency in-charge Vardev Singh Manns PA Bachittar Singh entered into an argument with Naseeb Singh over the filing of nomination papers. The brawl turned violent turn as both the parties attacked each other. Sodhi had added that Mann and his supporters also fired at Congress workers in which Naseeb Singh sustained a bullet injury in his thigh. Mann,however,denied all allegations. I never attacked Naseeb Singh. No bullet was fired. I am ready to face arrest if the charges against me are proven. Rana Sodhi must swear about his allegations in gurdwara if he is speaking the truth. As per our investigations,there was no firing because the Tehsildar Manjit Singh and DSP Mamdot Jasbir Singh were present at the time of clash. Both have denied any firing. Our special investigation team (SIT) is investigating the matter and an FIR will be registered once it submits a report, Ferozepur SSP Varinderpal Singh said. Though the police claimed that according to preliminary probed,no bullet was fired in Tuesdays clash,Dr Kamal Baghi,incharge of Baghi Hospital where Naseeb Singh Sandhu is currently admitted,said: It was a bullet injury and the bullet can be seen in the patients thigh. We have sent an X-ray of it to the police officials. The patient has refused to undergo operation as he is waiting for an FIR to be lodged. The SSP,meanwhile,has asked Civil Surgeon Dr Avtar Singh to get Naseeb Singhs injury examined. Following this,a three-doctor panel has been formed. Baghi Hospital has also been asked to bring the patient for examination at the civil hospital. Naseeb Singh,however,had refused to go to the civil hospital and instead asked the board of doctors to examine him at Baghi Hospital. Meanwhile,Congress MLAs staged a protest at the state highway on Wednesday and blocked traffic for about three hours on Ferozepur- Abohar road. CLP leader Sunil Jakhar,who also participated in the protest,said: We want an FIR of attempt to murder to be registered against Vardev Mann and his supporters. If the police is not ready to take action,they must arrest us. Tomorrow,we will gherao the SSP office in Ferozepur. Congress MLAs from across the state will take part in this and if police doesnt take any action,we will court arrest. This is the only way in this lawless state, Sodhi said. State Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa will participate in Thursdays protest. Sodhi,while alleging that Tuesdays incident was an attempt to assassinate elected representative,said: The SAD should dismiss the accused. The police also must investigate their businesses,as they are into illegal weapons trade. When asked about the polices claim that there was no firing,Sodhi said: If 10 people gherao me,isnt it an attempt to kill me? What other proof does the SSP want? He is delaying the probe as he is under political pressure.
