1 killed, three injured in firing at Cong-PPP rally
Friday, 17/05/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20130517/punjab.htm#1
Adampur (Bathinda) : One person was killed while three others sustained injuries when armed assailants, allegedly owing allegiance to the ruling SAD, opened fire at a joint Congress-People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) rally here today.
The deceased, Jaspreet Singh Jassa, was an aide of Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, a PPP leader who was among those injured. Over 60 rounds were reportedly fired from various weapons, including a .30 US carbine (a prohibited weapon), a .30 pistol and a .12 bore gun. Sources said the target was Lakha as the firing took place just minutes before he was to get into his car.
Lakha had addressed the rally in favour of Congress candidate Malkiat Singh, who is contesting the zila parishad election from Bhai Rupa zone. Malkiat’s son Rajwinder Singh alias Raju was also wounded.
The Congress and the Sanjha Morcha have been contesting the zila parishad elections on a seat-adjustment basis.
Lakha suffered four gunshot wounds in his abdomen, shoulder and ankle. He was operated upon at a Bhucho Mandi hospital where his condition was stated to be serious. The third injured, Balbir Singh, was also Lakha’s associate.
Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Ravcharan Brar, however, denied the attack was out of political rivalry. He said Balbir had identified one of the assailants as Jagseer Singh alias Seera. He said Lakha and Seera were old rivals. “The assailants chose an election rally for the attack to avoid suspicion. But, we have identified them and they will be arrested soon,” the police officer said. He said Lakha himself was booked in 11 cases, including attempt to murder.
An eyewitness said, “When the assailants opened fire, Lakha managed to get out of his car and hid behind a cement platform. But, Jaspreet could not run to safety... Lakha and his supporters were armless.”
District Magistrate KK Yadav said the security of candidates would be upgraded. Punjab Chief Electoral Officer SS Brar said he had sought a report from the police.
Wake up Mr Badal, says Manpreet
PPP chief Manpreet Badal termed the incident as “murder of democracy”. He appealed to Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal “to learn from Nawaz Sharif’s experiences in Pakistan who returned to power despite being hounded by Pervez Musharraf for years”. He said Badal should leave his ‘Dhritrashtra’ stance and take tough decisions for the safety of the state people. He said today’s attack proved that Badal, his son and other SAD leaders “could go to any extent to remain in power”.
Reeks of political terrorism: Jakhar
Congress Legislature Party leader Sunil Jakhar has alleged that the attack was scripted by Akali goons. He, however, claimed Congress leader Gurpreet Kanger was the target. Demanding a judicial probe into all incidents of attacks on Congress leaders, Jakhar alleged that political terrorism was prevailing in the state at the behest of the SAD-BJP leadership. Jakhar appealed to the Election Commission to intervene and send outside observers to ensure free and fair elections.
Was PPP leader Lakha the target
Eyewitnesses said Lakhbir Singh alias Lakha Sidhana, a People’s Party of Punjab (PPP) leader was the target. Lakha was booked about a week ago for illegally possessing a .315 bore gun. PPP district president Jagtar Singh, however, claimed the case was false as the weapon was owned by Lakha’s mother. Once considered close to Akali leader and Education Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Lakha had unsuccessfully contested the assembly election against Maluka from Rampura Phul constituency. Jakhar, though, claimed Gurpeet Kanger was the target.
