Sukhbir Singh Badal attack: Bullet hit walls of premises, opposition slams Punjab govt; top cop lauds police's promptness
The incident was captured in CCTV of the premises which showed the accused slowly moving towards Sukhbir Singh Badal's wheelchair meanwhile pulling out gun from his pocket and aimed.
PTC News Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal had a narrow escape when bullets were fired point blank at him in the premises of Golden Temple in Amritsar while he was performing his religious penance as pronounced by Akal Takht.
The shooter has been identified as Naraien Singh Chaurra who is reportedly a former militant and accused in Burail jailbreak case.
The incident was captured in CCTV of the premises which showed the accused slowly moving towards Sukhbir Singh Badal's wheelchair meanwhile pulling out gun from his pocket and aimed. Prompt response by the security personnel deployed in the security averted the tragedy and grabbed the attacker's hands. During the scuffle, a bullet hit the walls behind Badal who escaped unhurt.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly condemned the attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal while applauding promptness of the Punjab Police. “Punjab Police prevented a major incident from happening today. As a result of the promptness of the Punjab Police, the conspiracy to defame Punjab and Punjabis has failed,” he said.
"The police achieved great success by arresting the assailant on the spot. I appreciate the promptness of the police, I strongly condemn the attack on Sukhbir Badal. I have issued strict instructions to the police to immediately investigate the incident and submit a report," CM Mann said.
Opposition slams Punjab Government
As soon as the incident unfolded, opposition launched a barrage of attacks on Punjab government and deteriorating law and order situation in the state.
“SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal was sitting by the Guru Ram Das Dwar as 'Chowkidar'. Bullet was fired in his direction...I thank Guru Nanak that he saved his 'sevak'...This is a huge incident, what era is Punjab being pushed into?” SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema.
On the other hand AAP's INDIA bloc ally Congress also took a potshot and condemned the incident describing it as 'negligence of the government'. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, "I think this is very wrong. This should not have happened. I consider firing at Sukhbir Singh Badal, 100% negligence of the Government...This shows the condition of law and order situation in Punjab. Whoever fired bullets should be given the strictest punishment. I condemn this in the strongest of terms...ACP should be suspended, immediate action should be taken against him. How did this happen? Who should be held accountable? Government is waiting for someone to be killed and then they can say that it was a lapse...There might be hatred for Sukhbir Badal in the minds of Sikhs...but it doesn't mean you will shoot him."
Meanwhile, Amritsar police commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar held in high regard the alertness of the police which thwarted the assassination attempt.
Due to the alertness and deployment of our Police, this attack attempt was foiled. Our personnel Rishpal Singh, Jasbir and Parminder displayed alertness and foiled the attempts. Narayan Singh Chaura [attacker], who has a criminal record, has been arrested. Case has been registered. There were adequate arrangements for Sukhbir Singh Badal's security,” the top cop said.