Punjab Shiv Sena's Sandeep Thapar Attacked With Swords In Ludhiana; Two Arrested (image-X/Arya_Anviksha_)
Shiv Sena (Punjab) leader Sandeep Thapar Gora was brutally attacked with swords by two men dressed as Nihang members on a busy road in Ludhiana on Friday. Thapar has been admitted to the district hospital and is in critical condition.
The incident occurred near the Civil Hospital when Thapar was returning from the NGO Samvedna Trust after attending the death anniversary of Ravinder Arora, the founder and president of the trust, which also runs the hospital.
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A video of the incident has gone viral, where the two attackers can be seen dressed as Nihang Sikhs, a warrior Sikh sect dressed in blue and carrying traditional weapons. The men attacked Thapar, who was riding his two-wheeler, accompanied by a gunman, ASI Sukhwant Singh. As per the CCTV footage, Thapar can be seen talking to one of the assailants with folded hands when he was attacked.
Another attacker purportedly appears to push the Shiv Sena leader’s gunman away. After the attack, the two assailants fled the scene on Thapar’s two-wheeler. Singh rushed Thapar to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital (DMCH).
An FIR has been registered for attempted murder and other charges based on Singh’s complaint.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal and Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal stated that three attackers have been identified as Tehal Singh Ladi of Amritsar, Harjot Singh alias Jota of Bhamiyan, and Sarabjit Singh Saba (34) of Tibba Road in Ludhiana.
Sarabjit and Harjot were arrested in Fatehgarh Sahib after the police team chased them, said Grewal. Thapar’s two-wheeler has also been recovered.
An inquiry has been launched against the on-duty gunman, who will be suspended soon, said Chahal.
Shiv Sena (Punjab) chief Rajiv Tandon alleged that Thapar’s security was recently pruned from three to one personnel. Tandon accused the state police of being unserious regarding the “safety of those who talk about the welfare of Punjab and the country.”
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Led by party leaders and members from other Hindu organisations, a protest took place outside the DMCH hospital against the state government and the police.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur criticised the AAP-led state government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. “The manner in which such violent attacks are being conducted in broad day light in busy areas indicates a total collapse in the law and order situation in Punjab. CM Bhagwant Mann shud be wake up from his slumber and take corrective measures immediately,” she said in an X post.
