Bhikhiwind civic poll campaign marred by violent political clash

Tarn Taran: In what is being described as the first incident of poll violence ahead of nagar panchayat elections in Bhikhiwind, supporters and family members of a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) candidate were allegedly attacked by a large group of political rivals armed with sharp-edged weapons and batons late Friday evening.According to Sarabjit Singh, whose wife Manjit Kaur is contesting the nagar panchayat elections from Ward No. 12, the violence erupted shortly after a political meeting and tea gathering held at their residence in support of the SAD campaign. Sarabjit Singh alleged that senior SAD leader Virsa Singh Valtoha's son, Gauravdeep Singh Valtoha, had attended the meeting where local election strategies and campaign issues were discussed ahead of the May 26 civic polls."After the meeting concluded, we stepped out of the house and had barely crossed a few houses when nearly seventy armed persons suddenly attacked us," alleged Sarabjit Singh. He claimed the attackers used sharp-edged weapons and batons, triggering panic in the locality and leaving several supporters injured.The incident has sent shockwaves through Bhikhiwind, with SAD leaders terming it a "direct assault on democracy" and one of the most serious attack held during the ongoing civic body election campaign in the region. Police officials confirmed that a case has been registered following the complaint. Assistant sub-inspector Salwinder Singh said that the police booked the accused under Sections 126(2), 324, 351(2)(3), 190 and 191(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are underway.Interestingly, despite the seriousness of the allegations, Sarabjit Singh later indicated that the matter may not escalate politically, claiming that senior SAD leaders have initiated efforts for a compromise between the two sides. "With the intervention of senior party leadership, talks for a compromise are underway and an official settlement may be signed on Saturday," he said.