A big controversy has started in Punjab after a dramatic conflict unfolded in Sangrur and Dhuri which involves Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab Police. The whole incident revolves around the detention of BJP leader Onkar Singh.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party strongly attacked Bittu on Wednesday. They said he was doing "gundagardi" and trying to put pressure on the police administration.
The issue started on Tuesday. Onkar Singh, who used to work with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was detained by Sangrur Police. Onkar Singh had worked as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister. Later he joined BJP two years ago.
The police said Onkar Singh was campaigning in Dhuri during the civic body elections. They claimed he was asked to leave the area as was not supposed to stay in the constituency after Sunday.
When Onkar Singh was detained tension increased in Sangrur. Ravneet Singh Bittu went to the police station and strongly objected to the police action.
After hours of drama and heated exchanges Onkar Singh was produced before a Duty Magistrate on Tuesday evening and was later released.
The Aam Aadmi Party president Aman Arora strongly reacted to the episode and accused Bittu of trying to scare the police force. He said the scenes in Sangrur showed the " style" of BJP. Arora alleged that the BJP wants to bring its "model" to Punjab before future elections.
Arora criticised Bittu over his remarks against Punjab Police officers. This included Sangrur SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal and questioned how Bittu could target the police.
He said Bittu’s family benefited from appointments in the Punjab Police during the Congress government and during his remarks Arora referred to Bittu’s brother Guriqbal Singh and alleged that Guriqbal Singh was appointed as DSP during the government led by former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh.
The AAP leader accused BJP of attacking Punjab Police and said the police played a role in maintaining peace in the state during difficult times.
Arora also accused BJP of being "anti-Dalit" and "anti-women”. He said this about the clashes and tensions reported during polls held across 103 local bodies in Punjab.
