Punjab Shiv Sena Leader Sandeep Thapar attacked with Swords by Nihangs in Ludhiana
- In Reports
- 08:30 PM, Jul 05, 2024
- Myind Staff
A week after his security detail was scaled back, Sandeep Thapar, also known as Gora, a Shiv Sena leader in Punjab aged 58, was viciously assaulted by four unidentified individuals dressed in nihang attire. The attack occurred while Thapar was riding his scooter on a busy road outside Ludhiana Civil Hospital on the afternoon of July 5th.
As per the CCTV footage, after Sandeep Thapar left the hospital, accompanied by his security personnel on a scooter, four individuals in nihang attire followed him on foot. They confronted him, and despite Thapar pleading with folded hands for mercy, one of the attackers repeatedly struck him on the head with a sword. Thapar lost his balance and fell along with his scooter onto the road. Meanwhile, another attacker joined in, continuing the assault with a sword. Shocked bystanders watched as the first attacker then took Thapar's scooter and fled the scene with his accomplice.
According to police reports, Thapar's lone gunman, after the attack, simply walked to the roadside and observed as a silent spectator. He did not intervene to protect Thapar or attempt to pursue the attackers. The assault occurred after Thapar had departed from the office of Samvedna Trust, an NGO located near the civil hospital. Thapar had attended a ceremony commemorating the fourth death anniversary of the trust's founder-president, Ravinder Arora, prior to the attack. Eyewitnesses rushed the seriously injured leader to the civil hospital, from where he was later transferred to the local Dayanand Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskiranjit Singh Teja stated that a case of attempted murder has been filed against the unidentified attackers and authorities are actively conducting a search to apprehend them.
Following the attack, Shiv Sena Punjab leaders assembled outside the civil hospital and voiced their grievances against the Punjab government and the police. Sumit Arora, the president of the Shiv Sena Punjab youth wing, highlighted that Sandeep Thapar had been assigned three gunmen for security, but the police had reduced his security detail a week prior to the incident. Subsequently, the services of one gunman were reinstated.
Arora alleged that the lone gunman present at the time of the attack did not effectively intervene to prevent the assailants from fleeing. This has raised concerns and criticism regarding the adequacy of security measures provided to Thapar, especially given the seriousness of the incident.
Rajiv Tandon, the chairman of Shiv Sena Punjab, criticised both the police and the government, alleging that they are not prioritising the security of leaders from Hindu organisations. He pointed out that this neglect was evident in the decision to withdraw security cover from their leaders, which he believes has now been underscored by the attack on Sandeep Thapar. Tandon's remarks highlight broader concerns within the community regarding the safety and protection of leaders advocating for Hindu interests in Punjab.
Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu, who recently contested as the BJP candidate for Ludhiana in the Lok Sabha elections, condemned the brutal attack on Sandeep Thapar, emphasising that such violence in broad daylight has instilled fear among residents. Criticising the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, Bittu accused them of incompetence in maintaining law and order. He further alleged that administrative officials prioritise pleasing AAP leaders over fulfilling their duties, which, according to him, has contributed to the deteriorating security situation in the state.
Image Source: Organiser
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