Punjab:SAD,Congress workers clash, 4 injured

In Punjab, in a violent clash at least 4 people suffered bullet injuries after workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress clashed during nomination filing for the Jalalabad municipal council elections in Fazilka district on Tuesday. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal's vehicle was attacked in Jalalabad, Punjab, when he had accompanied party candidates to file nomination for the February 14 municipal corporation elections.Badal's media advisor Jangveer Singh alleged that It was a blatant attack on Sukhbir, a Z+ protectee, who represents Ferozepur in the Lok Sabha. His vehicle was targeted by the mob led by Jalalabad Congress MLA Raminder Singh Awala,” he said.

He said at least three Akali workers were hit by bullets and several others injured in the stone-pelting. He claimed the police remained "mute-spectator" during the whole incident. SAD leader Parambans Singh Romana alleged that Congress workers also fired from their guns. Awala charged Sukhbir with creating a ruckus and inciting his supporters to attack the Congress workers. He said at least one Congress activist suffered bullet injuries and more than six got head injuries in the stone-pelting. Leaders of both parties blamed each other for carrying firearms during electioneering that triggered the violence. Elections to eight municipal corporations and 109 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Punjab will be held on February 14.

In another clash in  Gurudaspur also two security guards of Congress MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra sustained injuries when they were attacked by SAD workers in the District Administrative complex (DAC) on Monday. In Ferozepur, Additional Deputy Commissioner Gurmit Singh Multani had a narrow escape when a youth, identified as Sukhdev Singh, took out his revolver inside his office during the scrutiny of nomination papers.The incident took place on Monday when the ADC rejected the papers of Congress candidate Gurbhej Singh Tibbi, Secretary, AICC.