Haryana home minister attacked by opposition activists

SIRSA - Haryana Home Minister Gopal Kanda’s cavalcade was attacked by activists of the opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in this Haryana district Saturday, police said.

Kanda’s cavalcade was attacked while he was on way to his office, police said. However, timely intervention by police prevented any untoward incident.

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda was also in this district Saturday to launch several developmental projects costing over Rs.49 crore. Sirsa is the home district of INLD chief and former chief minister Om Prakash Chautala.

Ahead of Hooda’s visit, the INLD had called for a complete bandh (strike) in Sirsa. INLD workers were also seen forcing shopkeepers to close their properties.

“INLD is furious as they have lost their political base and all support. They are against the developmental schemes launched by our government in Sirsa. Opposition to Hoodas visit clearly indicated that Chautalas are hell bent on the criminalisation of politics,” Kanda told reporters here.

He said that 30 to 40 anti social elements stopped his car and intimidated him.