Four hurt as two groups clash over paddy transportation in Barnala

Four people were injured when two groups belonging to a contractor engaged in paddy transportation from the Punjab Warehouse and Food Corporation of India (FCI) godowns and Bhadaur truck union clashed, police said.

As many as 16 vehicles were damaged in the clash, according to contractor Maninder Singh, who has filed a complaint at the Bhadaur police station.

Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sarfaraz Alam said: “We are probing the matter and action will be taken accordingily.”

According to Maninder’s complaint: “On the morning of the incident, around 6:30 am, members of the Bhadaur truck union, including president Jagdeep Singh, Davinder Pandit, Munshi Gurpreet Singh, Naib Das, with around 30-35 unidentified individuals arrived in two trucks and motorcycles. They attacked the drivers, Noor Muhammad and Ranjit Singh, and damaged around 15 trucks.”

Both the injured have been shifted from Bhadaur Hospital to Barnala Civil Hospital.

Maninder alleged that the incident occurred at the behest of AAP MLA Labh Singh Ugoke.

“We have proof that the MLA had threatened us in the past as well. We had approached the high court in the matter, and an order was issued to grant security under the prevalent circumstances. However, no security to date has been provided,” he added.

MLA Ugoke refuted the allegations and said: “I’ve directed the SSP, Barnala to investigate the matter. As an MLA, I am close to all the people of my constituency. The police should investigate, and the truth will come out.”

Bhadaur truck union chief alleged that it was contractor’s aides who attacked them. “Two persons from our group, Jaspreet Singh and Jasdeep Singh were injured in the attack and give first aid. We had gone to ask the contractor to pick our (union’s) vehicles for transportation, but the contractor’s associates attacked them,” he said.

The SSP said the police have recorded the statements of the victims. “The allegations against MLA will be verified only after the statements are completed and a detailed probe by the police. FIR would be lodged accordingly.”