SAD chief Sukhbir Badal faces public wrath in Punjab’s Jalalabad   

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief and former Punjab's  Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal faced public wrath in Jalalabad (an Assembly constituency represented by him thrice) in Fazilka district of Punjab with a mob attacking his official vehicle on Tuesday morning.

According to reports, irate and armed people attacked Badal's car with stones and battens outside the office of Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Jalalabad. The SAD chief had been to the SDM office and was  accompanying his party candidates to file nomination papers for the upcoming Punjab Municipal elections.

There are reports that gunshots were also fired at Badal's car.

According to eyewitnesses, tension had been prevailing in the area since MC elections were declared. Following heated arguments, the SAD and Congress supporters clashed when Sukhbir Singh Badal and local MLA  of Congress reached the SDM office accompanying their party candidates and supporters.

Over a dozen persons, belonging to both the parties,  were also injured in the clash, it is learnt.

Harjit Singh, SSP Fazilka, claimed that four persons were injured in the incident and their identity and party affiliation were being ascertained. The police have initiated investigations in this context, he added.

Condemning the attack, SAD spokesman Dr Daljit Singh Cheema termed the incident a premeditated attempt on the SAD president’s life. He also demanded a high-level judicial inquiry under the supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.