Police accused of ‘illegally’ detaining two BJP workers

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, December 13

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the police of detaining two of their party workers inside Basti Bawa Khel police station illegally for over two hours on Tuesday night. According to BJP district president Ramesh Sharma, party candidate Ravi Mahendru from ward number 78, had gone to meet a supporter at around 10 pm late night. His brother and nephew were waiting outside in another car.

“Suddenly some people seemed to be Congress supporters gheraoed the vehicle and began to instigate the people sitting inside the car. Ravi called me and I later called Police Commissioner Praveen Sinha to get them rescued,” said Sharma.

However, Sharma claimed that he was shocked to see his men detained by the Basti Bawa Khel police. This was done at the behest of Congress MLASushil Rinku, he said.

Following this, BJP workers led by Sharma and Mahendru held protest outside the police station.

Meanwhile, Congress candidate Jagdish Samrai accused the BJP of manhandling him.

When contacted, the police commissioner said it was Mahendru and his men who had gone to the area to create a ruckus and he had received a call from Congress MLA Rinku. “We managed to diffuse the tension by acting swiftly,” said Sinha.

Meanwhile, the BJP has taken up the matter with the party high command and the Election Commission of India and sought an action against the erring officials.