In a violent altercation on Saturday at the Block Development and Panchayat Office (BDPO) in Jalalabad, Fazilka district, two supporters of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) were injured, with one reported in critical condition. The incident escalated to gunfire amid a dispute involving the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) over election nominations.
The clash erupted when SAD leader Vardev Singh Nonni Mann and his supporters arrived at the BDPO office, where AAP workers were already present. Tensions rose as Mann’s relative is contesting the rural body elections, and there were fears within his camp that their nomination papers might be rejected due to a complaint lodged by AAP-backed sarpanch candidate Mandeep Brar, who is running from Muhammadewala village. Allegations of illegal land possession have also been leveled against Mann’s camp.
The situation became violent when an argument ensued between Mandeep and Mann’s group, leading to gunshots being fired. Mandeep Brar sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and was immediately transported to DMC Ludhiana for urgent medical treatment. The second injured individual, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, suffered a gunshot to the hand and was referred to a hospital in Faridkot.
Fazilka SSP Varinder Singh Brar, who visited the scene, stated that the accused had a personal grievance against Mandeep, who had previously filed a complaint regarding the illegal occupation of panchayat land for a private school in their village, Chak Suhele Wala. Following this complaint, a no-objection certificate issued by the state government for the school was revoked, leading to ongoing litigation.
The police are in the process of registering a case against the suspects, and the SSP assured that a thorough investigation is underway to address the incident.
