Wed Dec 04 08:28:43 UTC 2024: **Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Escapes Assassination Attempt**
AMRITSAR, PUNJAB—Sukhbir Singh Badal, a senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, survived an assassination attempt on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. The incident occurred outside the Golden Temple in Amritsar, where Mr. Badal was performing penance following a religious punishment.
Narain Singh Chaura, identified by police as a former terrorist and criminal, opened fire on Mr. Badal, who was seated in a wheelchair due to a leg injury. Security personnel and bystanders quickly apprehended Chaura, and Mr. Badal was unharmed. Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed Chaura’s arrest and the recovery of the weapon, promising a thorough investigation.
The attack has sparked outrage and criticism of the Punjab state’s law and order situation. Senior SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema condemned the incident, demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation and a high-level judicial probe. Mr. Cheema alleged a conspiracy to undermine the Akali Dal leadership.
The incident comes just two days after the Akal Takht, the highest Sikh religious authority, issued a religious punishment to Mr. Badal and other Akali Dal leaders for alleged misconduct during their time in government (2007-2017). This misconduct included pardoning the Dera Sacha Sauda chief in a blasphemy case and failing to punish those involved in the 2015 Bargari sacrilege incident. Mr. Badal had publicly admitted to these mistakes.
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