A group of farmers allegedly thrashed and tore the clothes of a BJP MLA in Punjab on Saturday in Malout, Muktsar district, according to police.
Farmers in the state have been enraged by BJP leaders for months. Over the farm laws problem, agitating farmers have been opposing the saffron party’s policies in the state.
Officials said that when Abohar legislator Arun Narang and local leaders arrived in Malout on Saturday to speak at a press conference, they were surrounded by a group of protesting farmers who threw black ink at them and their vehicles.
The MLA and local representatives were taken to a store by several police officers. However, as they exited, the demonstrators reportedly thrashed Narang and ripped his clothing, according to police.
The police officers escorting Narang had a difficult time keeping him safe from the demonstrators. The lawmaker was then escorted to a secure location by officers, according to authorities.
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (Malout) Jaspal Singh, the demonstrators were adamant that the BJP lawmakers would not be allowed to hold a press conference.
A video has emerged on social media purporting to show the MLA being moved to a safer location by the police in ripped clothing.
Narang later told PTI that some people “punched” him.
“I was repeatedly punched, and my clothes were ripped off,” he claimed.
The BJP legislator said he went to Malout to hold a press conference, but demonstrators prevented him from doing so. According to the MLA, they became hostile and surrounded him.
When asked if he has filed a lawsuit, Narang said he would resolve the matter with the party leadership.
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has firmly denounced the suspected assault on Narang and has cautioned that anybody attempting to disrupt the state’s stability would face severe consequences.
He urged farmers not to engage in such acts of violence and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the crisis sparked by the enactment of farm laws in parliament last year as soon as possible to prevent the situation from worsening.
The chief minister ordered the police chief to take stern measures against the incident’s attackers, who also fought with officers attempting to save the lawmaker.
When attempting to rescue and evacuate the MLA, Faridkot Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) was killed. He was struck in the head with a cane, causing his turban to come off. The CM said in a tweet that he was admitted to Malout Civil Hospital.
The DGP claimed that a criminal complaint would be lodged against the suspects, and that comments from local BJP leaders would be taken down.
Although farmers have the democratic right to protest, Amarinder Singh said that violence of any kind would not be accepted.
In response to Punjab BJP leaders’ demands for his resignation, he said that instead of seeking to gain political mileage from Saturday’s event, they should put pressure on their central leadership to repeal the controversial farm laws.
The alleged assault on Narang at Malout was also firmly condemned by Punjab Assembly Speaker Rana KP Singh.
“It is not only unacceptable, but also particularly condemnable that an elected leader of the people was thrashed mercilessly in broad daylight,” he added.
“Today, farmers protested against BJP MLA from Abohar,” Darshan Pal, the chief of Samyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella body of farmers’ unions spearheading the movement against the central Agri laws, said. It became abusive under the circumstances, and the MLA was physically attacked.
“It is unfortunate that a public official was handled in this manner. We do not condone such behavior. In a tweet, he said, “We firmly condemn this act.”
Pal also said that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha encourages all demonstrators to stay peaceful and orderly.
The incident was condemned by Punjab’s ruling Congress, the BJP, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD).
