In a shocking incident, Shiv Sena Punjab leader Sandeep Thapar, also known as Gora, was brutally attacked on a busy street outside the Ludhiana Civil Hospital on Friday afternoon. The attack occurred just days after Thapar’s security cover was reduced. Thapar, 58, was assaulted by four unidentified men in nihang attire while he was riding his scooter.
The CCTV footage of the incident shows the attackers following Thapar on foot as he exited the hospital, accompanied by his gunman riding pillion. The assailants confronted Thapar, who was seen begging for mercy with folded hands before one of the attackers began hitting him repeatedly on the head with a sword. Thapar lost his balance and fell off his scooter, while another nihang continued the assault with a sword. Shocked commuters watched as the first attacker picked up the scooter and drove off with his accomplice. Disturbingly, Thapar’s gunman did not intervene or attempt to chase the attackers, instead, he stood by as a mute spectator.
Thapar had just left the office of Samvedna Trust, an NGO, near the civil hospital where he attended a ceremony marking the fourth death anniversary of the trust’s founder-president, Ravinder Arora. Eyewitnesses rushed the seriously injured Thapar to the civil hospital, from where he was referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Jaskiranjit Singh Teja reported that an attempt to murder case has been registered against the unidentified attackers, and a search is underway to apprehend them.
Protests Over Security Withdrawal
Following the attack, Shiv Sena Punjab leaders gathered outside the civil hospital to protest against the Punjab government and police. Sumit Arora, the youth wing president of Shiv Sena Punjab, revealed that Thapar had initially been provided with three gunmen, but his security cover was withdrawn a week ago, leaving him with just one gunman. Arora criticized the gunman for allowing the attackers to flee without resistance.
Rajiv Tandon, chairman of Shiv Sena Punjab, accused the police and government of negligence regarding the security of Hindu organization leaders. “They have proved this by withdrawing the security cover of our leaders,” he stated.
Political Reactions
Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu condemned the attack and expressed concern over public safety. “Such a brutal attack on an individual in full public view is condemnable. It has created panic among residents,” he said. Bittu also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of neglecting law and order in Punjab. “Administration is missing from Punjab. They have made a mockery of law and order. Officers are busy pleasing AAP leaders instead of doing their job,” he remarked.
Sources By Agencies