Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Friday asked the Punjab State Election Commission (SEC) to extend the nomination filing date for filing nominations for Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti polls due to large scale violence in various parts of the State during the course of which Akali workers were “forcibly stopped” from filing their nomination papers by Congress goons.
“I had informed State Election Commissioner Jagpal Sandhu that no Akali candidate was allowed to file nomination papers in Zira, Makhu, Guru Har Sahai, Dera Baba Nanak and Patti for either the Zila Parishad or Panchayat Samiti elections,” said former minister and Sad spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema.
Cheema said that besides this, Akali workers were stopped from filing their nomination papers at many places by Congress goondas which necessitated increasing the time period for filing nominations.
Condemning the large scale violence occurring across the State, Cheema said that Congressmen were even resorting to firing to intimidate Akali workers. “Congress goons resorted to unprovoked firing on Akali workers in the Tarn Taran SDM office complex to prevent them from submitting their nomination papers,” he said.
He said that around 20 shots were fired in premises of the SDM office despite the fact the election code is in force and all weapons are supposed to be deposited into government custody. Nomination papers of many candidates were also snatched and torn on the occasion, he said.
The Akali leader said that in Patti, one Akali leader Prem Singh was grievously injured when Congress goons fired at a group of Akali workers who were proceeding to file their nomination papers. “No Akali candidate was allowed to file nomination papers. The firing occurred in the presence of the police force but policemen as well as civil officials remained mute spectators,” he said.
“Strict disciplinary action including suspension, should be taken against all officers who are acting as stooges of Congress legislators”, he added.
In another case of violence, several Akali workers were injured when their vehicles were stoned in Dera Baba Nanak constituency. No Akali worker was allowed to submit nomination papers at Dera Baba Nanak, he said.
Cheema said that in another shocking incident, Congress goons closed the gates of the Ferozepur deputy commissioner’s office to thwart Akali leaders from filing their nominations, while providing a long list of incidents from across the state wherein Akali workers were attacked and were not allowed to file their nomination papers.
SAD leader said that he had sent reports of 18 incidents on Thursday to the Commission, and 12 the day before. “Besides incidents of violence, SAD workers were not being given no dues certificates at various places in the State. Voter lists had not reached some places which was coming in the way of filing nominations,” said Cheema.