CHANDIGARH: Nafe Singh Rathee, president of the Haryana Unit of the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD), was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bahadurgarh town in Jhajjar district of Haryana near the national capital.
A party worker, one of them identified as Jaikishan, was killed, too. In the ensuing gunfire, two others who were travelling with them were critically injured.
Police said that four people who reportedly came in an I20 car opened a volley of gunshots at the former MLA, the party worker, and his private gunmen, and fled the scene.
Nafe Singh Rathee was travelling in his Toyota Fortuner (SUV) when the attack happened. He was rushed to the Brahma Shakti Sanjeevani Hospital. for treatment where he was declared brought dead.
A doctor at the hospital said that Nafe Singh Rathee and Jaikishan had suffered heavy blood loss were brought dead. "The doctors tried to give them CPR but they could not be saved," he said.
"Two others have been admitted to the ICU with gunshot wounds on their shoulder, thigh, and the left side of the chest. The multiple wounds suggest there were multiple rounds of firing and thus major vessels got damaged causing heavy blood loss, and eventually, a heart attack,’’ the doctor added.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said that he had asked the officials to take immediate action over the shooting incident.
Superintendent of Police of Jhajjar Arpit Jain said, "We have received information regarding the incident of firing. CIA and STF teams are working and the accused will be arrested soon.’’
The attack came a few weeks ahead of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, drawing wide condemnation from political parties.
'Rathee not provided with security of Haryana Police'
Demanding a CBI inquiry into the killing of Rathee, senior INLD leader Abhay Chautala accused the BJP-JJP-led Haryana government of failing to provide Rathee with security despite there being a threat to his life. He also demanded the resignation of the chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and the state home minister Anil Vij.
"Rathee, our two-time MLA and also our state unit chief, was not provided with security of Haryana Police. In writing, representations had been made to senior police officers and state home minister that he was facing threats and should be provided with security. Had he been provided with security, such a situation would not have arisen,’’ Chautala alleged.
He alleged that law and order had broken down in Haryana and today that has been proved yet again.
Former Haryana Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda too alleged that the situation of law and order under the Khattar government has become bankrupt.
"The news of INLD State President Shri Nafe Singh Rathi being shot dead in Haryana is very sad. This reflects the law and order of the state. This incident made it clear that law and order has become bankrupt. Today no one feels safe in the state. My tribute to the departed soul and deep condolences to the family. I pray to God to give strength to the family members to bear this loss. I wish for the speedy recovery of the security personnel injured in the attack,” he said in a post on X.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sushil Gupta also slammed the BJP-JJP government as he said that rule of law has ended in Haryana and "jungle raj" prevails. "No one is safe in Haryana today,’’ he claimed.