Punjab Convoy Attack Allegations
BJP Leader Ravneet Singh Bittu Alleges Convoy Was Attacked by Mob in Punjab
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Key Points
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Bittu alleged that the confrontation occurred near an office of Joban Randhawa, the AAP in-charge for the Fatehgarh Churian assembly constituency, and that the gathering had been staged under the guise of organizing a langar, or community kitchen.
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Bittu claimed that a second confrontation took place after he was moved into a nearby house, saying some people outside later tried to enter the premises. He said the two men detained by his security team were later shown seated beside him in a recording, with one allegedly still carrying eggs in his kurta pocket.
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Bittu alleged that a mobile phone recovered from one of the detained men showed two AAP leaders, including an MLA, speaking to him live and allegedly giving directions during the incident.
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The BJP campaign was launched under party national president Nitin Nabin, with four separate yatras planned to cover nearly 4,000 kilometres before converging in Jalandhar on September 30 for an expected address by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
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Bittu said he had been waiting at the scene since about 9 a.m. for an FIR and the SSP, and warned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Punjab DGP that they would be responsible if anything happened to him.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that his convoy was attacked near Ghasitpur village in Punjab on September 18 while traveling to launch the party's anti-drug campaign. Times of India reported that approximately 200 to 500 people surrounded his 8-to-9 vehicle convoy, throwing eggs, tomatoes, and stones that damaged windows and escort vehicles. Bittu's security team moved him into a nearby house as protesters allegedly attempted to enter the premises.
Bittu accused the AAP government, local police officials, and an AAP legislator of enabling or directing the confrontation. NewsAble reported that Bittu called the AAP a "gangster party" and warned Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state's police leadership that they would be held responsible if anything happened to him. He also sought action from Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
How the Confrontation Unfolded at Ghasitpur
The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. as Bittu's convoy traveled along the Amritsar-Pathankot highway near Ghasitpur village. ANI News reported that a crowd surrounded the vehicles near an office of Joban Randhawa, the AAP in-charge for the Fatehgarh Churian assembly constituency. Bittu claimed the gathering had been staged under the guise of organizing a langar, or community kitchen.
When protesters began throwing projectiles and breaking windows, Bittu's Z-plus security detail halted the convoy and moved him into a nearby residence. DailyHunt reported that security personnel apprehended three individuals at the scene, including a Zila Parishad member. Bittu claimed a second confrontation erupted as people outside later tried to enter the house where he was sheltering.
Bittu's Claims of Political Direction and Police Collusion
Bittu alleged that the attack was orchestrated by senior AAP leaders, including an elected MLA. He claimed that a mobile phone recovered from one of the detained men showed two AAP leaders speaking to him live and giving directions during the incident. IndiaNews reported that one detainee was later shown seated beside Bittu in a recording, allegedly still carrying eggs in his kurta pocket.
Bittu said he waited at the scene for more than an hour starting around 9 a.m. for police to file a formal complaint and for the Senior Superintendent of Police to arrive. He accused the Batala police of failing to prevent the attack despite being present nearby, claiming they helped perpetrators escape the scene.
BJP's Anti-Drug Campaign Continues Despite the Disruption
Despite the confrontation, BJP National President Nitin Nabin proceeded to officially flag off the Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra in Pathankot at noon. NewsAble reported that the campaign will travel across all 117 Punjab Assembly constituencies over 13 days, covering nearly 4,000 kilometers before converging in Jalandhar on September 30 for an expected address by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The anti-drug campaign was launched following public outcry over drug proliferation in Punjab, triggered by the September 7 suicide of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur after he publicly confronted a state finance minister over the issue. The BJP has accused the ruling AAP government of inaction on narcotics, while the AAP has dismissed the campaign as using the drug crisis for political advantage.
AAP Denies Organizing Attack, Calls Incident "Peaceful Protest"
The Aam Aadmi Party rejected Bittu's accusations of orchestration and violence. NewsAble reported that AAP sources claimed their workers were engaged in a peaceful demonstration or community service activity and that Bittu's team had provoked the situation. Joban Randhawa, the AAP constituency official, denied staging the confrontation.
The incident mirrors rising political tension in Punjab ahead of upcoming electoral contests. In a previous confrontation on September 10, a crowd had surrounded and blocked the vehicle of BJP Punjab President Kewal Singh Dhillon while he was visiting Gulzar Singh's family. Both major parties continue to trade accusations over law-and-order governance in the state.
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