Chandigarh: Sandeep Thapar, a prominent face of the outfit Punjab Shiv Sena, was seriously injured Friday in an attack on a busy Ludhiana road by at least three men dressed as Nihang Sikhs (an armed Sikh warrior order), while he was returning home on his scooter after attending a gathering.
The attackers, who wielded kirpans (swords), escaped from the scene on Thapar’s scooter, leaving him injured on the road.
Thapar’s gunman was riding with him but wasn’t seen making any attempts to save him from the attack in a purported video of the attack shared on social media by several people, including Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
The video shows the men crossing a busy road when Thapar’s scooter brushes against them. An argument seems to ensue, during which Thapar can be seen apologising with folded hands. However, the men proceed to attack him and then flee with his scooter.
Just received a report of an extremely disturbing incident in Ludhiana where a person was attacked with swords despite being accompanied by a security personnel. The manner in which such violent attacks are being conducted in broad day light in busy areas indicates a total… pic.twitter.com/BrocRdMQgt
— Harsimrat Kaur Badal (@HarsimratBadal_) July 5, 2024
According to some media reports, Thapar is a descendent of Indian freedom fighter and martyr Sukhdev.
Following the incident, three men in the attire of Nihang Sikhs who claimed to be Thapar’s attackers released a video on social media in Punjabi, saying that whoever talks against the shaheed (martyrs), panthis and Sikhs will be taught a lesson.
Panth refers to a group that follows the path established by the Sikh Gurus.
“People should know how to control their tongue. There is a saying that a tongue doesn’t have bones but it can lead to breaking of bones, just like what happened today,” one of the men says.
He adds that the Sikh Panth Khalsa never discriminates based on religion, caste or creed and never creates trouble unless provoked.
“Sikh Panth Khalsa never troubles but when provoked, attacked, we don’t shy away from retaliating. We follow the orders and teachings of our gurus. It is very clear, if anyone talks against our shaheeds, our history, khalsa will show its true colours,” he says.
ThePrint could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
Speaking to ThePrint, Jaskiranjit Singh Teja, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Rural Ludhiana, Zone 2 and 4, said that Thapar was attacked by three to four men donning the bana (dress) of Nihang Sikhs near the Ludhiana Civil Hospital. “He was shifted to the Civil Hospital for treatment from where he was referred to Dayanand Medical College, Ludhiana, where his condition is stable now. We have registered an FIR for attempt to murder against unknown persons at Ludhiana Zone 2 Police Station. A hunt is on,” said Teja.
Asked about the motive behind the crime, the DCP said Thapar did not reveal anything about the motive when the police were recording his statement.
Ludhiana Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal said during a press conference late Friday evening that the police have arrested two of the three accused, Sarabjit Singh and Harjot Singh, from Fatehgarh Sahib but the third accused Tehal Singh is still at large.
Fatehgarh Sahib SSP Ravnot Grewal who was also present at the press conference said police of several districts have launched a manhunt for the accused. We received input about the presence of the accused on a road near the Guru Granth Sahib University, he said, adding that officers arrested two of the the three accused who were there.
The police have also recovered Sandeep Thapar’s scooter from them.
In response to a question, Chahal said that the police were not in a position to comment on the motive of the crime since they have not been able to interrogate the accused so far.
He added that the accused revealed they had been associated with Budha Dal.
Thapar was returning with his gunman after attending a gathering to mark the death of Ravinder Arora, head of Samvedna Trust at the hospital, when he was attacked.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries, Ravneet Singh Bittu, posted a video on X condemning the incident. He criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the state over the law and order situation.
— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) July 5, 2024
Harsimrat Kaur Badal too hit out at Mann for the deteriorating law and order.
“Just received a report of an extremely disturbing incident in Ludhiana where a person was attacked with swords despite being accompanied by a security personnel. The manner in which such violent attacks are being conducted in broad daylight in busy areas indicates a total collapse in the law and order situation in Punjab. CM @BhagwantMann shud be wake up from his slumber and take corrective measures immediately,” she wrote on X attaching a video grab of the incident.
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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