LUDHIANA: The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today regretted the incidents of violence in Ludhiana which left one Congress leader seriously injured. This was the second incident of violence against the Congress leaders in the Shimlapuri area.

Block Congress president Palwinder Singh Taggar was seriously injured in an attack by the Akali workers early morning in Shimlapuri area.

Addressing a press conference here Monday, the Prime Minister said, these incidents were quite regrettable and reprehensible. He hoped that the district administration will take adequate measures to ensure peaceful and smooth elections.

He maintained that the Election Commission of India must have taken note of the incidents and acted accordingly. He hoped that the voters are able to cast their vote without any fear.

Meanwhile several Congress leaders today condemned the attack on Taggar and demanded immediate arrest of the culprits. They pointed out, it was second such incident in less than a week and in the same area. They criticized the local administration for acting in a partial and biased manner and not taking any action against the culprits.

The party candidate from Ludhiana, Manish Tewari said, it was shocking and surprising that Taggar was supposed to be under police security and still he was attacked. He pointed out, this clearly shows the tacit connivance of the police with the culprits. He warned the police and the administration against shielding the culprits.

Tewari regretted that the district administration had not learnt any lesson from the previous incident. “Instead of arresting the culprits, the police registered cross FIR against our workers under nonbailable sections”, he pointed out, while holding the local administration squarely responsible for the situation.

The Congress workers led by the Kila Raipur MLA, Jassi Khangura staged a dharna at the Jagaraon Bridge against the inaction and partisan role of the police. They were demanding immediate arrest of the culprits. Khangura pointed out, the administration was being clearly biased and warned against the partisan attitude. 

He said, the Akalis were feeling desperate and frustrated as they had started smelling the defeat and were now resorting to violence and intimidation of Congress workers. “Come what may, try what you can, but you are certainly going to lose these elections”, Khangura told the Akalis.

Several other Congress leaders including Harnam Dass Johar, Surinder Dawer, Rakesh Pandey, Milkiat Singh Birmi, Milkiat Singh Dakha, Jagjivanpal Singh Gill, Amarjit Singh Tikka, Gurdev Singh Lapran, Gurmail Pahalwan, Pawan Dewan and others have condemned the attack on Taggar and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.