Cong worker attempts suicide during anti-govt protest

Bathinda, June 28 (UNI) A Congress activist today attempted to commit suicide by jumping before a passenger train during a 'dharna' staged jointly by the Congress and the CPI to protest against the alleged high highdedness of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-BJP during the recent Bathinda Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls.

According to police sources, Jugraj Singh (55) who was sitting on a 'dharna' alongwith other Congress and CPI activists jumped before the train at the Patiala railway crossing on the Bathinda-Dabwali road on the outskirts of the town here. The injured Congress worker who fractured both a leg and also received head injuries in the incident was rushed to a local hospital by the protestors.

Jugraj Singh who had participated in various 'morchas' (protests) launched by the Akalis in the 1970's and 1980's had recently joined the Congress. He was beaten up by Akali workers during the BMC elections held on June 22.

The protest 'dharna' continued at the same spot after the injured Congress worker was taken to hospital. Local Congress MLA Harminder Singh Jassi and CPI leader Joginder Dayal who addressed the protestors blamed the SAD-BJP government for the incident.

They alleged that during the poll, the SAD-BJP had adopted undemorcatic means and terrorised the voters to win the election.

UNI XC-HS JMK1416