Two unidentified assailants on Monday fired shots at the ground where Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Shakha was planned to be held but there were no casualties as the venue was vacant at Shaheedi Park, Kidwai Nagar. The incident took place around 6.32 am when two motorcycle-borne persons fired shots at the Shakha ground. The eyewitnesses said that sound of two gun shots were heard.
Police said that the unidentified miscreants were wearing monkey caps and hence could not be identified. DCP Narinder Bhargva said that the police party rushed to the spot after receiving the information. No one was injured in the firing as assembly of sangh sanyamsewaks was yet to start.
It may be recalled that terrorists attacked RSS Shakha at Dresi ground here in May 1991 in which five volunteers died and 15 others were badly injured. A case FIR No 07 dated 18-01-2016 u/s 307/336 IPC, 25/27 Arms Act has been registered in police station Division No 2, ludhiana. A police spokesman in Chandigarh said all efforts are being made by ludhiana police to work out the case.
Punjab BJP has condemned the attack with national Secretary Tarun Chugh terming it as an attempt to disturb the hard earned peace in Punjab. He said that RSS, an organisation known for its patriotic character had been targeted earlier also.
Chugh said some separatist elements who have already been trying to create a wedge between peace loving Sikhs and Hindus, could be behind the attack. The BJP leader urged Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal to direct Punjab Police to identify and arrest the culprits at the earliest.
Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma termed the attack as an act of “cowardice”. Strongly condemning the attack in a statement issued here, Sharma demanded from the State Government to ensure adequate security arrangements for the organisations and people, who are tirelessly working for the country.
He also lauded the role of Kidwai Nagar RSS Shakha Karyawahak Naresh Chauhan in dealing with the incident. Some vested forces are hell bent upon derailing the RSS by indulging in such acts of violence with an intention to terrorise the Sangh volunteers,” Sharma added.
He demanded that those behind the attack must be arrested and the State Government should ensure proper security arrangements at the RSS offices and places of Sangh activities.