Stampede during CM's visit; Cong put divided face at Nabha

Nabha, Nov 18 (UNI) The Punjab Congress virtually put a divided face here today when Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh visited the town in Patiala distriuct to inaugurate various roads and bridges.

A stampede occurred when one faction of Congress wanted to enter the venue where the chief minister was to meet the party workers. At least seven people, including a journalist were injured in the incident.

Sources told UNI that the workers meet at Heera palace was organised by Nabha Congress MLA Randeep Singh, while a separate function was organised near Rohti bridge by his brother and political rival Jagdeep Singh.

The supporters of both these local Congress leaders engaged in a scuffle with each other to reach the chief minister on the stage which was set by the MLA and his men and this caused a stampede.

When contacted, Jagdeep Singh told UNI, ''We did not go there, and we told the workers to go home but they wanted to have more glimpse of their beloved chief minister.'' However, legislator Randeep Singh put the responsibility on police, saying that the incident had occurred due to the negligence of police.

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