AAP Leader Shot At In Punjab, Party Blames Akali Dal Workers

Two Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) supporters were injured, one critically, in a violent clash at the block development and panchayat office (BDPO) in Jalalabad, Fazilka district, on Saturday. Gunfire was reported during the incident.

The altercation occurred when Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Vardev Singh Nonni Mann and his party workers arrived at the BDPO office, where AAP workers were also present.

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One of Mann's relatives is contesting the rural body elections. It is believed that Mann's group feared the rejection of their nomination papers following a complaint from AAP-backed sarpanch candidate Mandeep Brar, who is running for the seat in Muhammadewala village. Nonni Mann's camp has faced allegations of illegal land possession.

The situation escalated when Mandeep Brar reportedly got into a confrontation with Mann's group, leading to gunfire. Mandeep sustained a gunshot wound to his chest and was rushed to DMC in Ludhiana for advanced medical treatment.

Another injured worker, who remains unidentified, was shot in the hand and taken to a hospital in Faridkot.

Fazilka SSP Varinder Singh Brar, who visited the scene, said the accused held a grudge against Mandeep, who had previously filed a complaint against them for "illegally" possessing panchayat land for a private school in Chak Suhele Wala village.

The complaint led to the state government withdrawing a no-objection certificate for the school, and litigation is ongoing.

The police are in the process of registering a case against the accused, with the SSP assuring a thorough investigation.

Jalalabad MLA and AAP leader Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy visited the hospital to check on the victims, calling the incident "tragic and unfortunate."

Meanwhile, Jasbir Singh Johal, a lawyer for Noni Mann, said, "More than 100 AAP supporters initiated the clash. They attacked with stones as Noni and his associates were about to leave the venue, damaging their vehicle. They (Noni and his supporters) managed to escape unhurt."

Repeated attempts to reach Vardev Noni Mann for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond.

Vardev Noni Mann is the eldest son of the late SAD leader and three-time Ferozepur MP Zora Singh Mann. Noni Mann had previously contested from Guru Har Sahai unsuccessfully, while his brother, Nardev (also known as Bobby Mann), was the SAD nominee in the recent Ferozepur MP elections, but was also unsuccessful.