A Congress leader at Ambikapur, Chhattisgarh, was reportedly attacked and injured “severely” during a violent incident at his residence late Saturday evening. A group of about 15-20 individuals allegedly attacked Gurupreet Singh Sidhu while he was in his house in the Darripara area, inside the boundary of the Manipur police station.
From initial reports, it seems that the attackers were armed and entered the premises of Sidhu and somehow assaulted him. He was badly injured to his eye and admitted to a hospital for treatment. Police are probing and trying to determine who is responsible for the incident, leading to tensions in the area.
Sidhu, who is perceived to be in the good books of former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh TS Singh Deo, has said the attack against him was orchestrated by BJP leader Prakash Sahu. He alleged that it was a matter of “jealousy” stemming from an old political rivalry and social media posts by a BJP leader over a dispute and comparisons with the party’s senior leader.
Sidhu claimed that people of Sahu reached his house, beat him on his body and started beating him inside the house. He also said he had reported threats to his life earlier to Inspector General (IG) and had allegd a fake FIR had been earlier filed against him.
But Sahu vehemently denied the claim as ‘unfounded’ and lashed out at Sidhu for trying to ‘ram his case’. He said he was at home at the time and that action be taken against the perpetrators. Sahu also alleged that there was an old political tussle between Sidhu and him and the row was connected with BJP winning the ward elections.
Both police and police investigators are investigating the claims from both sides to find out what was the motive behind the attack and to find the accused.