BJP leader and former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu on Friday alleged that his convoy was attacked while he was travelling to Pathankot to participate in the launch of the party’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’, and Bittu alleged that a large group surrounded his cavalcade, attacked vehicles and damaged their windows.
According to Bittu, around 500 people were present at the spot. He claimed that some people were carrying weapons and that protesters were threatening members of his convoy and he also alleged that eggs and tomatoes were thrown at the vehicles. The claims have not been independently established.
Bittu said he was travelling with Z-plus security and around 100 security personnel and claimed that the local DSP and an SP were also present with police personnel at the location.
Speaking to reporters, Bittu alleged that people surrounding his convoy were repeatedly asking others to “surround” and attack them and he claimed that vehicle windows were broken during the incident and said some people at the spot were carrying weapons.
Bittu also alleged that his security team apprehended three people whom he claimed were linked to the Aam Aadmi Party, he further alleged that local MLA Sherry had sent them to stop him from participating in the BJP’s campaign. These allegations were made by Bittu and have not been independently confirmed.
Following the incident, Bittu said he wanted an FIR registered and was waiting for the SSP. He claimed that he had been at the location since around 9 am seeking police action.
He also raised questions about his security as a Z-plus protectee.
Bittu said that if the safety of a protected political leader could not be ensured, questions would arise about the security of ordinary people and he linked the alleged attack to the BJP’s campaign against drugs and said the party would continue with the yatra.
Bittu also referred to the Centre’s stated objective of eliminating drugs and said the campaign was intended to raise the issue across Punjab.
The incident took place on the day the BJP began its statewide ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’. BJP national president Nitin Nabin was scheduled to flag off the first yatra from Ekta Sthal at Madhopur in Pathankot’s Sujanpur and the BJP has planned four separate yatras across Punjab, together, they are scheduled to cover around 4,000 kilometres and all 117 Assembly constituencies.
The campaign will culminate in Jalandhar on September 30, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to address a rally.
AAP Punjab media in-charge and Nasha Mukti Morcha chief spokesperson Baltej Pannu questioned the BJP’s record on the drug issue.
Pannu said the BJP was a partner in the Punjab government from 2007 to 2017 and questioned why it did not launch a similar anti-drug campaign during that period and he also questioned the Centre’s role in stopping drugs from entering Punjab through the international border.
AAP has said that several sensitive districts in Punjab are border districts and that the Centre and Border Security Force should explain their role in preventing cross-border drug smuggling. Pannu also said the Bhagwant Mann-led government launched its ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign after coming to power in 2022 and claimed that Punjab Police has continued action against drug networks. Pannu also pointed to the state government’s sports infrastructure and said more than 3,100 sports grounds had been built across Punjab, with around 750 already dedicated to the public and these remarks were part of AAP’s response to the BJP’s broader anti-drug campaign.