Activists of right-wing group attack, vandalise AAP office

Activists of a fringe right-wing group today attacked and vandalised the Aam Aadmi Party headquarters in Kaushambi here protesting against the controversial remarks of its senior leader Prashant Bhushan on the presence of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir.

Armed with sticks and bricks, about 40 activists of Hindu Raksha Dal stormed the AAP office near the residence of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and broke the door panes and flower pots in its frontyard.

The attack drew charges and counter-charges with Kejriwal claiming that it was meant to kill him and Bhushan.

Bhushan, a noted lawyer, who had stoked a controversy suggesting a referendum on the presence of security in the Kashmir valley, claimed that the BJP was "frustrated" with the mounting popularity of AAP and had incited one of its sister organisations in the attack.

The BJP hit back by saying that while it condemned the violence, Bhushan should also mind his tongue when speaking on sensitive issues like Jammu and Kashmir, which is an inalienable part of the country.

By evening, Ghaziabad Police arrested national convenor of Hindu Raksha Dal Pinky Choudhary and 12 others in connection with the incident.

Choudhary was arrested from Sahibabad area here and an FIR was lodged against him, along with 30-40 unknown persons, in connection with the attack.

"We have registered an FIR against Pinky Choudhary and around 30-40 unknown persons for the attack on AAP's office," Deputy Superintendent of Police Ran Vijay Singh said.