AMRITSAR: Senior BJP leader and former Union minister of state Ravneet Singh Bittu was allegedly targeted at Ghasitpura village while he was on his way to Pathankot, around eight kilometres from Batala on the Amritsar-Pathankot highway, to attend the launch of the BJP’s ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ on Friday morning.In a video posted on his social media page, Bittu alleged that a group of more than 200 people surrounded and disrupted his cavalcade, pelting his vehicles with stones and eggs. He claimed that those involved were supporters of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and alleged that some police personnel were facilitating the confrontation.Questioning how the group knew his route and movement schedule, Bittu said he was a Z-plus security protectee and that the incident took place despite the presence of his security personnel and police.He alleged that a second ‘attack’ took place after he sought shelter in a house in Ghasitpura, which he described as a “safe house”. According to Bittu, some of those gathered outside subsequently attempted to enter the premises. His security personnel detained two men, one wearing a turban and another without one, he claimed.The two men were later seen seated on either side of him in a recording made after the incident. He further claimed that the turbaned man still had eggs in the pocket of his kurta.The BJP leader said he had contacted Punjab Director General of Police but had not received a response. He also said that the district police chief had not reached the spot and alleged that two senior police officers were assisting those involved in the incident.“I have brought the matter to the knowledge of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and will be complaining against these officers with the Home Ministry,” Bittu said.He also claimed that a mobile phone recovered from one of the men showed that two AAP leaders, including an MLA, were speaking to him live and allegedly giving directions during the episode.Bittu further accused the AAP leadership of patronising drug peddling and alleged that its campaign against drugs was merely a “hoax”.The BJP is launching its ‘Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra’ from Pathankot on Friday. The campaign is scheduled to pass through all 117 Assembly constituencies and cover nearly 4,000 km before concluding on September 30. BJP president Nitin Nabin and other senior party leaders are scheduled to inaugurate the yatra.No senior police officer from Amritsar (Rural) could be contacted for a response to the allegations.
