BJP leader alleges cavalcade attacked in Punjab

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged on Friday that his cavalcade was attacked by a group he identified as Aam Aadmi Party workers near Batala, Punjab, while he was en route to Pathankot for the launch of his party's anti-drug campaign. Bittu, a former Union Minister, claimed in a video and statements to media that over 100 people surrounded his vehicles, hurling eggs and stones. He alleged the assault broke windows of two escort vehicles and damaged a jammer vehicle. "A window pane of two escort vehicles broke. They also damaged the jammer vehicle," Bittu said. The incident occurred on the morning of September 18 as Bittu traveled to attend the inauguration of the BJP's "Nasha Mukt Punjab Yatra," a campaign against drug abuse. The yatra is scheduled to cover all 117 Assembly constituencies in the state. Bittu stated his security team apprehended three individuals allegedly connected to the attack. He further alleged that senior Punjab Police officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police and a Superintendent of Police, were present but did not prevent the confrontation, and accused some of facilitating it.