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The incident unfolded in Jalalabad, Fazilka district, Punjab, during the nomination scrutiny for the upcoming sarpanch elections. Mandeep Singh Brar, an AAP candidate for the sarpanch post in Muhammade Wala village, was shot at during a heated confrontation near the Block Development Officer's (BDO) office. The altercation arose after objections were raised against the nomination of Harpinder Singh, son of SAD leader Vardev Singh Mann, for the sarpanch post in Chak Suhelewala village.
Brar, who sustained critical injuries, was rushed to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana. Gurpreet Singh, Harpinder's rival and the AAP candidate for Chak Suhelewala, filed a complaint alleging that Vardev Mann, along with his brother Nardev Singh Mann and 15-20 unidentified individuals, had orchestrated the attack. Gurpreet claimed that Vardev had aimed the gun at him, but the bullet struck Brar, who was standing nearby.
The FIR, registered under attempt-to-murder and other charges, names Vardev, Nardev, and the unidentified individuals. The police are actively conducting raids to apprehend them, as they are currently absconding. Gurpreet stated that he had objected to Harpinder's nomination based on allegations of his involvement in a panchayat land dispute pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He also accused Vardev of issuing threats prior to the nomination filing.
The incident sparked outrage, with the AAP condemning the attack on its candidate. Neel Garg, the party's chief spokesperson, denounced the violence and stressed that it had no place in a democracy. He also urged the authorities to take swift and decisive action against the perpetrators. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating tensions and the potential for violence during election campaigns, especially in the context of local elections where personal rivalries can often escalate.
The clash between the AAP and the SAD in Jalalabad is not an isolated incident. Similar incidents of violence and intimidation have been reported in other parts of Punjab during the current election season, highlighting the need for stringent measures to ensure free and fair elections. The police and election authorities must take necessary steps to prevent such incidents from recurring and ensure a peaceful and democratic process.