Patiala, Oct 19 (PTI) A political row erupted after a purported video surfaced online on Monday showing a youth being thrashed by AAP MLA Gurdev Singh Dev Mann who claimed that the youth was driving recklessly and was about to crash his motorcycle into his vehicle.
Opposition leaders blamed Mann for high-handedness and demanded action against the MLA from Nabha for his “disgraceful behaviour”.
In the purported video, the MLA could be seen kicking him and slapping the youth. A policeman accompanying Mann is also seen slapping him and taking him away.
Later in a Facebook post, Mann claimed that the youth was driving his motorcycle — which did not have any registration number — recklessly and he nearly collided with his vehicle. The youth, who did not have a driving licence, sped away after seeing him but was soon caught, Mann claimed.
“Why did he flee?” the MLA asked, adding that police would investigate the matter.
Mann said it was his responsibility to assist in catching a person “fleeing without a registration number” even after the police had signalled him to stop.
Opposition leaders, however, were no takers of the MLA’s defence, and demanded strict action for his “VIP syndrome”.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia said the MLA allegedly chased the young man and assaulted him along with his security personnel.
“Watch the video to see how he is kicking him. It seems they have forgotten the fear of the law. He is roaming around like a duplicate South Indian movie hero, treating people as if they were insects.
“Shameful and disgraceful behaviour! I demand the strictest action against this MLA suffering with VIP syndrome,” said Majithia in a post on X.
Congress leader Vijay Inder Singla also chastised the AAP MLA for thrashing a youth.
“Is this what AAP Punjab’s revolution has come down to? MLA Dev Mann is seen brutally kicking a man, along with his security personnel, over a minor accident dispute.
“The party that claimed to give Punjab a voice must answer: if an ordinary Punjabi cannot expect dignity and safety from those in power, who will protect them? When those who promised to be ‘rakshak’ (protector) become ‘bhakshak’ (predator), what remains of their claim to serve the people?” Singla asked in a post on X. PTI COR CHS SKY
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