On Thursday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal commended the Punjab Police for foiling an assassination attempt on SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, describing it as part of a conspiracy against Punjab and ‘Punjabiyat’.
While addressing the media in Delhi, Kejriwal stated, “First of all, I would like to congratulate the Punjab Police that they foiled such a major mishap with their alertness. This is an example for the entire country that how good Policing can thwart any major mishap. The mishap shows a major conspiracy is being hatched against Punjab and Punjabiyat, to defame them.”
Kejriwal emphasized the importance of preventing such conspiracies from succeeding and expressed his appreciation for the Punjab Police’s efforts in foiling the attack.
“We should not let this conspiracy succeed at any cost. Punjab Police is doing good work. A few people in the BJP and media are raising their voices about law & order in Punjab – the Punjab Police showed them that they thwarted a major mishap due to their alertness. I would like to urge them to also speak about the deteriorating law and order situation in Delhi,” he further asserted.
Political Reactions Erupt After Attack On Sukhbir Badal
The attack on Badal sparked political reactions across party lines. Congress accused the Punjab government of being negligent in its security measures, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) termed the assassination attempt as a sign of a complete breakdown in law and order.
The incident took place while Sukhbir Singh Badal was performing ‘seva’ (service) at Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.
The assailant, identified as Narain Singh Chaura, tried to shoot Badal but was quickly subdued and arrested. Fortunately, Badal remained unharmed.
Badal was performing ‘seva’ as punishment after the Akal Takht declared him ‘tankhaiya’ (guilty of religious misconduct) in August, due to decisions made by the SAD-led government during his tenure from 2007 to 2017.
As part of his penance, Badal washed utensils, with his family members also taking part in the task.
Majithia Criticizes Punjab Police SP Over CCTV Footage of Attack
Following the attack, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) General Secretary Bikram Singh Majithia raised concerns over the handling of the investigation. Majithia criticized Punjab Police SP Harpal Singh Randhawa after CCTV footage showed him shaking hands with the attacker.
“Sukhbir Singh Badal is alive today by the grace of God. Yesterday I released a video of SP-level officer Harpal Singh Randhawa who is from Dera Baba Nanak shaking hands with Narain Singh Chaura (attacker). Have we ever seen a police officer shaking hands with an ISI agent (Narayan Singh Chaura). Punjab Police has launched a cover-up operation and the High Court or Supreme Court should investigate this matter,” he said.
Majithia also responded to comments made by Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, who suggested that Badal might have staged the attack to gain sympathy.
Majithia accused Bhullar of making such remarks to protect his position and cover up his failure.
Police sources stated that the attacker, Narain Singh Chaura, is a hardcore terrorist who returned from Pakistan. He was the former head of the Akal Federation and had written books on guerrilla warfare and other subversive topics.
A senior official stated, “He was involved in smuggling of weapons and explosives into Punjab during the early years of militancy. He reportedly crossed into Pakistan in 1984 and remained there for several years before he returned to Punjab. During his stay in Pakistan, he was remotely in touch with radical organizations in Punjab and helping them.”
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