Ravneet Singh Bittu was on his way to Pathankot to launch the BJP’s anti‑drug campaign when a mob near the Batala‑Gurdaspur highway hurled eggs, tomatoes and other objects at his convoy of eight vehicles. A window pane shattered on two escort cars, and a jammer vehicle sustained damage.
The security detail seized three attackers, who police say are linked to the Aam Aadmi Party, and escorted Bittu to safety. He was forced to halt the convoy as roads were blocked, forcing a detour.
And Bittu, a former Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries who resigned on July 24, warned that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the state DGP would be held accountable if harm befell him or his aides. He has already lodged a complaint with the Union Home Ministry.
AAP’s Joban Randhawa denied the accusations, insisting his workers were merely protesting quietly and that Bittu’s supporters had targeted the party. Meanwhile, a local farmer who was passing the spot recalled seeing the eggs land on the bumper of a passing truck.
The Punjab government has ordered an investigation to secure political leaders’ safety, following a similar attack on Sukhbir Singh Badal earlier this month. The probe is expected to be announced before the next assembly elections, which Bittu is likely to contest.