CHANDIGARH: AAP legislator Amarjit Singh Sandoa was attacked by goons in Noorpur Bedi on Thursday when he tried to stop illegal sand mining at Beihara village near Ropar in Punjab.
Sandoa was hit by a stone on the chest and was admitted to a hospital in Anandpur Sahib. As he complained of chest pain, doctors referred him to PGI hospital at Chandigarh where he is under treatment.
“Our MLA Sandoa was attacked by the goons of mining mafia. If this is the plight of the elected representatives who are provided security, imagine what is the fate of ordinary citizens,’’ AAP senior leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira said after meeting his colleague at PGI.
Sandoa along with a few mediapersons had gone to a quarry to expose illegal mining. The sand mafia got a wind of it and removed all machines and vehicles before the Ropar MLA reached the spot.
As soon as Sandoa reached the quarry, the goons attacked him with wooden planks, iron rods and stones.
The MLA’s two securitymen were also roughed up. Under attack, Sandoa hastily left his car at Beinhara village. The police have slapped attempt to murder charge against five people, including a sarpanch.
“It is a total breakdown of law and order. Even legislators are not safe. The mafia was earlier attacking officials and, now, they haven’t spared legislators either. This shows they have the full support of the government. We are going to launch a campaign against the mining mafia,’’ AAP’s Punjab unit co-convenor Balbir Singh said.