Congress leader attacked in Gurdaspur

A Congress leader was today allegedly attacked by two persons when he was returning from a protest against land mafia, following which party workers blocked the Amritsar-Pathankot highway, police said.
In his complaint, Raman Behal the former President of Municipal Council here alleged that he was attacked and manhandled by two youths with sharp weapons when he was returning from a dharna at Post Office Chowk, police said.
After the incident, Congress workers and supporters blocked the Amritsar-Pathankot highway and raised slogans against an Akali leader, alleging that the attack was at his behest.
Condemning the incident, state Congress chief Pratap Singh Bajwa demanded registration of a criminal case against the Akali leader and the main accused, while Congress Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh asked the police to ensure a fair probe and immediate arrest of the culprits.

In a statement issued at Amritsar, Amarinder demanded immediate arrest of the culprits, failing which he said, the Congress workers will come on the streets and he will personally lead the protest.
The former Punjab Chief Minister also warned the police against playing "second fiddle" to the ruling Akalis.

Bajwa, the former MP from Gurdaspur, alleged that "jungle law prevailed in the state in which the Akali goons had been given a free hand".
"Administrative system has been totally wrecked. Political adversaries were being targeted by ruling Akali leaders," he said, adding, "Law and order situation in Punjab has worsened in this regime as this brutal attack on senior Congress leader took place in the a broad day light."

Police said that they were investigating the matter.