Punjab DGP orders inquiry into Akali-BJP clash

Chandigarh, May 16 (UNI) Punjab DGP N P S Aulakh today directed IGP (border range) R P Meena to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident of violence involving workers of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at Daburji village in Tarn Taran district on May 11.

The clash took place a day before the polling to the Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samitis.

The inquiry would take into account the role of various district officials in handling the situation, an official release today stated.

The IGP has been directed to submit the report within a week to the DGP for onward submission to the state government.

The decision by the DGP follows the assurance given by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to the BJP leaders to bring to book those responsible for the violence at Daburji. The clash between the SAD and BJP workers had left 10 to 12 people injured while the vehicle of BJP MLA Anil Joshi, a close confidant of MP Navjot Singh Sidhu was set ablaze by the Akalis.

The Chief Minister had also directed the DGP to probe lapses, if any by district officials. The Chief Minister had already ordered the suspension of an SP and DSP of Tarn Taran for failing to reach the spot in time to prevent the clash.

A case in this regard has already been registered against Akali workers including Tarn Taran MLA Harmeet Singh Sandhu.

UNI HS BDP DS1432