Police: Attack on right-wing leader was not planned

A day after arresting two Nihangs for attempting to murder Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader Sandeep Thapar alias Gora, who was staying in public near Ludhiana Civil Hospital, police claimed that it was not a pre-planned attack. The accused saw Sandeep Thapar at Civil Hospital and decided to attack him with swords as he had uploaded “provocative” posts on his social media accounts in the past, police claimed. The critically injured victim was taken to Civil Hospital from where he was referred to the local Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.

The accused – Sarabjit Singh alias Saba, 34, of Mohalla Company Bagh, Tibba Road, and Harjot Singh alias Jota, 30, of Bhamian – were produced before a court on Saturday which remanded them in police custody for three days of interrogation.

Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Singh Chahal said investigations are underway, so it is too early to say anything. Police are questioning the accused to ascertain the motive behind the attack. Chahal added that a manhunt is on for the third accused. Police are also checking their criminal records, if any. The superintendent of police also asked city residents to avoid making provocative statements on social media.

The police found a membership certificate of the Baba Buddha Dal, a Nihang group, on the accused. The officer further said that one of the attackers had been treated at a drug rehabilitation centre and was at the government hospital for a doping test. They spotted Thapar, who had come to pay his last respects to BJP leader Ravinder Arora on his death anniversary, and followed him with the intention of attacking him.

People familiar with the development said Sandeep Thapar had been vocal against hardliners like separatist leader Amritpal Singh and Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale. Police are searching the attackers’ mobile phones to find out if they were in touch with any organisation.

The attack took place in front of the Civil Hospital at 11.40 am on Friday in full view of the public. A police officer accompanied the victim, who reportedly did not resist the attack. However, the police officer claimed that one of the attackers tried to snatch his service weapon. The accused fled on Thapar’s scooter.

Ritu Thapar, wife of Sandeep Thapar, said the attack on her husband was planned and several people were involved. “The attackers wanted to kill him. The police should investigate the incident thoroughly. The gunman did not react during the attack, which suggests that he was also part of the conspiracy. His role should be investigated,” she said.

According to her, Sandeep Thapar was regularly threatened by radicals. “The police gave the radicals a free hand by restricting his security,” she added.

After Division 2 police filed an FIR under sections 109, 3 (5), 115 (2), 304 and 132 of the BNS, two of the attackers were caught in Fatehgarh Sahib on Friday evening.

Several right-wing organisations claimed that Thapar was attacked as part of a conspiracy and demanded that the attackers be brought under the National Security Act.

If the state cannot provide security, the central government will: Jakhar

Sunil Jakhar, Punjab BJP president, criticised the AAP government for the “deteriorating” law and order situation in the state. He said if the state government is unable to provide security to the people under threat, the central government will do so. “The chief minister is camping in Jalandhar for a by-election while criminals are running amok with impunity and can take the life of anyone at will,” said Jakhar, who was at the Dayanand Medical College and Hospital to meet the victim. He also referred to the fatal attacks on Shiv Sena leaders Sudhir Suri in Amritsar and Prabhakar in Nangal.