Former CM Parkash Singh Badal alleges that the three ISYF activists, held last week, were hired to eliminate him.
CHANDIGARH: The recovery of 11 kg of RDX from three activists of the International Sikh Youth Federation (ISYF) in Jalandhar last week has sparked fear about the security of former Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal.
The three accused belong to the Rode group of the ISYF whose chief, Lakhbir Singh Rode, has been reportedly hiding in Pakistan. His brother, Jasbir Singh Rode, former Akal Takht jathedar, who was also among the guilty and from whose car the RDX consignment was recovered, was reportedly let off by the police.
As Rode is an officebearer of the Akali Dal (1920), headed by Ravi Inder Singh, who enjoys close proximity to chief minister Amarinder Singh, Badal has accused the chief minister for hatching a conspiracy to eliminate him in the run-up to the polls in February. He alleged that Jasbir Rode was let off by the police at the behest of chief minister Amarinder Singh.
Badal alleged that Jasbir Rode, along with others, was scheduled to meet Ravi Inder to execute the plan. The chief minister was at the backdrop of the plan as he wanted to create law and order fear to help the Congress, he said. He blamed the chief minister for helping militants revive their activities in Punjab.
Dispelling Badal’s fears, the chief minister on Sunday ordered intense security cover for the Akali Dal president.
According to Jalandhar SSP Naunihal Singh, while the accused admitted that they had planned to attack “moderate Sikh leaders”, Jasbir Rode was let off by the police as there was no evidence regarding his involvement in the matter.
One militant identified as Pheera is still absconding in the case, the SSP said.
The accused included UK-based militant, Paramjit Singh Dhaddi (54), Amolak Singh (52) and Jaswinder Singh (23).
Apart from the RDX, 11 detonators, four hand grenades, 11 timer devices, two batteries, two pistols with four magazines and 100 cartridges, 10m of wire and a walkie-talkie set were seized.
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