BJP seeks action after Tarn Taran clash, Badal sets up SIT

The BJP Wednesday demanded the registration of a case of attempt to murder and the arrest of the accused following a clash between Akali Dal and BJP workers in Punjab's Tarn Taran town. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal constituted an SIT to probe the incident.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) will comprise Inspector General (Border Range) Ishwar Chander and Amritsar Commissioner of Police Jatinder Singh Aulakh.

Leaders and workers of the Akali Dal and the Bharatiya Janata Party clashed openly in Tarn Taran Tuesday. Shots were fired, and some people were injured in the clash.

Badal spoke to Punjab BJP president Kamal Sharma Wednesday regarding the clash.

He also asked Akali Dal secretary and spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Akali Dal and the BJP have been running an alliance government in Punjab since 2007.

BJP national secretary Tarun Chugh, in a statement, while condemning the clash, demanded immediate action against the guilty Akali Dal leaders.

Demanding that the accused be booked for attempt to murder and arrested immediately, Chugh said the BJP will not tolerate any compromise with the respect and security of BJP leaders and workers.

Chugh said police officers, who remained mute spectators during the clash, should be dismissed from service.

--Indo-Asian News Service

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