Bittu's Convoy Attacked in Punjab; BJP Alleges AAP Link, Party Denies

BJP leader and former Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu has alleged that his convoy was attacked in Punjab while he was travelling to attend a party anti-drug event in Pathankot. The programme is being launched by BJP president Nitin Nabin.

According to Bittu, a group of people threw eggs, tomatoes and other objects at his cavalcade of around eight to nine vehicles when it reached near the Batala-Gurdaspur highway. The incident occurred close to the site where the 'Babe da viyah' (marriage of Guru Nanak) festival was being celebrated.

"A window pane of two escort vehicles broke. They also damaged the jammer vehicle," Bittu alleged. He said the protesters blocked the roads, making it difficult for him to proceed towards the Pathankot rally.

The BJP leader said that if anything happens to him or those associated with him, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state Director General of Police would be held responsible. He added that he has brought the incident to the notice of the Union Home Ministry.

Three protesters caught

Bittu's office said his security team caught three protesters who attacked the convoy, and alleged that they are linked to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). "Such incidents are a grave threat to democracy and the safety of political leaders. The Punjab Government must immediately investigate this incident and ensure the safety of every political worker and leader," it said.

The AAP denied the allegations. "Our workers were silently protesting, and it was Bittu who targeted us through his supporters," AAP leader Joban Randhawa said in a video.

Bittu had resigned as Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries on July 24 this year. His tenure as a Rajya Sabha MP had already ended in June. Sources indicated that he is likely to contest the assembly election in Punjab, due next year.

Second attack on a Punjab leader in a month

The incident comes a month after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal was attacked during a visit to a gurudwara in Maharashtra's Nanded. A Nihang Sikh, identified as Jaspal Singh, swung a kirpan at Badal. A security officer who came between the attacker and him took most of the damage, while Badal suffered a cut on his hand. The attacker claimed to be a law graduate from Pune who became a Nihang a few years ago.