Chandigarh: BJP leader and former Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Friday alleged that his convoy was attacked near Batala in Punjab while he was travelling from Amritsar to Pathankot to participate in the launch of the party’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’.
The alleged incident took place on Friday, September 18, near Ghaseetpur/Ghaseetpura village, close to Batala, along the Amritsar-Pathankot route. According to reports, a crowd gathered along the highway as Bittu’s cavalcade approached the area.
Bittu claimed that people surrounded his convoy, hurled eggs and tomatoes at the vehicles and smashed the windows of convoy cars. He also alleged that stones were pelted at the vehicles and that some people in the crowd were carrying weapons.
What Happened During Bittu’s Convoy Attack?
According to Bittu’s account, the confrontation occurred when his cavalcade was passing near Ghaseetpur/Ghaseetpura. He alleged that a large group surrounded the vehicles and disrupted his movement towards Pathankot.
Bittu claimed that more than 200 people were involved and alleged that they were supporters of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). He further alleged that the gathering had been organised under the guise of a langar and that the confrontation was aimed at stopping his convoy.
Bittu, who has Z-plus security cover, said his security personnel halted the convoy and moved him to a nearby house for safety after he alleged that some people in the crowd were armed. His security team reportedly apprehended suspects at the spot and handed them over to local police. Different reports have put the number of detained suspects at two or three.
Bittu Alleges AAP Supporters Behind Incident
In a video following the incident, Bittu alleged that AAP supporters were behind the confrontation. He also alleged that some police personnel were facilitating the situation.
Bittu said such incidents raised concerns about the safety of political leaders and called for an investigation into what he described as a security breach.
He also reportedly briefed Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav about the incident and sought action against those responsible.
Punjab BJP Chief Condemns Alleged Attack
Punjab BJP President Kewal Dhillon strongly condemned the alleged attack on Bittu’s convoy.
Dhillon alleged that AAP workers were behind the incident and said the confrontation took place even before the ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ could begin.
He urged the Punjab DGP to take immediate action against those responsible and called on the police to function as a professional force.
The BJP state chief said the party would continue its campaign against drugs and would not be deterred by such incidents.
The allegations made by Bittu and the Punjab BJP leadership concern the reported confrontation near Batala. The circumstances surrounding the incident, the identities and role of those involved, and the allegations against AAP supporters remain subject to police investigation.