Ludhiana witnessed high drama on Monday as BJP leaders and workers gathered in large numbers outside the police commissioner's office on Ferozepur Road to stage a protest. A heavy police force was deployed to stop the protesters, leading to heated arguments between the workers and police personnel.
Police Barricades Prevent Entry
The police barricaded the entrance to the CP office and did not allow BJP leaders to enter the premises. As tensions mounted, police personnel pushed the workers away, preventing them from locking the CP office. BJP leaders said they planned to lock the CP office as a symbolic protest against the “ineffectiveness” of the police after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders staged a protest outside the BJP office on Sunday. During that protest, workers of both parties had engaged in heated arguments and jostling on the road.
March Towards CP Office
On Monday, BJP workers and leaders first gathered on Ferozepur Road near the CP office and then marched towards the complex. Anticipating trouble, police had already deployed forces in large numbers and installed barricades to stop the protesters. District BJP leaders and workers raised slogans against the administration.
Attempt to Lock CP Office Thwarted
The situation turned tense when BJP workers attempted to lock the CP office. However, the police intervened, stopped them, and snatched the chain and lock from their hands. Following this, the protesters alleged that police repeatedly pushed them back, leading to chaotic scenes for some time, even as sloganeering continued.
Allegations of Ink Attack
Later, senior BJP leader Gurdev Sharma Debi and former councillor Gurdeep Neetu alleged that unidentified bike-borne youths threw ink on their faces before fleeing the spot. Questioning police action, the leaders asked how the administration planned to act against those responsible for the incident when BJP workers had been stopped from protesting.
On Sunday, AAP workers had protested outside the BJP office, during which both sides accused each other of misconduct in the presence of the police. The incident has further escalated tensions between the two parties in Ludhiana.
