Cong MP Bittu, supporters lathicharged, booked by Bathinda police for rioting
Thursday, 01/10/2015
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BATHINDA: A Congress protest led by member of Parliament from Ludhiana Ravneet Singh Bittu took a violent turn here on Wednesday, leading to clashes in which more than 20 party workers and six policemen were reportedly injured. Bittu was among those who sustained minor injuries.
Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu protesting outside the mini secretariat in Bathinda on Wednesday.
Police resorted to a lathicharge thrice to disperse Bittu and Congress workers who were protesting against the Punjab government over the alleged involvement of its officers in the multi-crore pesticide scam.
Two FIRs (first-information reports) were registered against Bittu, party MLA from Sardulgarh Ajit Inder Singh Mofar and more than 200 party workers on the charges of rioting, unlawful assembly, attacking police personnel and sections of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The sections slapped include 342 (wrongful confinement), 148 (rioting) and 149 (common intention), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 427 (whoever commits mischief and thereby causes loss or damage), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public function) and 452 (rioting and unlawful assembly) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
AGRI OFFICE RANSACKED
Demanding the resignation of agriculture minister Tota and the formation of a special investigation team under the supervision of a sitting high court judge to probe the pesticide scam, pegged at `33 crore, the Congress had planned to lock offices of the chief agriculture officer and the deputy commissioner.
Trouble started when Bittu and his supporters allegedly ransacked the office of the chief agriculture officer, smashing windowpanes and uprooting the entrance gate.
Later, they marched towards the DC’s office, but cops intercepted them near Liberty chowk and launched a canecharge. However, Bittu and some of his men managed to reach the office and tried to jump over the barricades.
Police then again lathicharged the protesters to control the situation. Bittu’s turban got toppled in the melee.
Later, the MP and party workers protested against the police action. Another lathicharge ensued, following which they were rounded up and taken to Maur and Sangat police stations.
“The Badal family is operating like dictators. Deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal is behaving like Saddam Hussein. Police lathis cannot stop us from showing the state government’s real face to the people,” the Congress MP said.
He added that the Punjab Congress will lead a delegation to the governor and submit a memorandum to him.
Meanwhile, inspector general of police (IGP, Bathinda zone) BK Bawa claimed that the police had not detained any Congress leader or worker as they managed to flee from the spot.
“The police had to resort to a lathicharge in order to ensure law and order. We have started an investigation into the matter. The Ludhiana MP will be arrested as he has been booked under non-bailable offences,” Bawa said.
Senior superintendent of police Indermohan Singh Bhatti said no one would be allowed to damage public property. “Strict action will be initiated against the violators,” the SSP said.
