Hoshiarpur: Vijay Sampla hit with microphone during Ambedkar statue protest, tension escalates
Hoshiarpur: Tension prevailed at Barian Kalan village of Hoshiarpur on Wednesday after a protest over damage to
a Dr BR Ambedkar statue turned into a confrontation between BJP and BSP workers. Former Union Minister and BJP leader Vijay Sampla was injured during the clash.
According to reports, Sampla was hit on the face with a microphone during the protest. He suffered an injury near his nose, while scratches were also reported on his neck. The police reached the spot and intervened to separate the groups and bring the situation under control. A heavy police presence has since been ensured in the village.
Protest over damage to Ambedkar statue
The confrontation took place during a protest against the damage caused to an Ambedkar statue at Barian Kalan village. The police said unidentified people allegedly threw stones at the statue in the early hours of Tuesday, damaging its face and a finger. A case has been registered against unidentified persons, while CCTV footage from the area was being examined to identify those responsible.
The incident triggered protests, with members of the BSP and other groups gathering at the site and demanding action against those responsible.
Vijay Sampla reaches protest site
Sampla reached the area along with Punjab BJP SC Morcha president Sheetal Angural and Hoshiarpur BJP district president Nitin Gupta Nannu at around 11 am on Wednesday. A protest was already underway when the BJP leaders arrived. During the proceedings, a disagreement reportedly broke out over the microphone.
According to the account emerging from the spot, Sampla initially tried to take a microphone from a speaker but was not given it. He later received a wireless microphone from someone in the crowd and began addressing the gathering. A young man allegedly took the microphone away, following which a scuffle broke out and Sampla was struck with it.
The person allegedly involved in the attack reportedly fled the spot by jumping over a nearby wall.
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The incident also led to a confrontation between workers from the two sides. Angural and Nannu were also reportedly involved in a scuffle with BSP workers.
Police personnel subsequently moved in to separate the groups and prevent the situation from escalating. Additional forces were deployed in the area amid continuing tension.
CCTV footage being examined
The police are investigating both the statue damage and the subsequent clash. CCTV cameras in and around Barian Kalan are being checked to establish what happened and identify those responsible.
Officials are also examining videos circulating on social media as part of the investigation. No official confirmation had been issued regarding the identity of the person who allegedly attacked Sampla.
- PTC NEWS
