A petrol bomb was hurled at a homoeopathic clinic on Mela Ram Road in Bathinda on Monday night. The attack happened at a time when Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was in the city and the police were on high alert.
The clinic is run by Dr Tarsem Garg, whose family recently switched allegiance from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It is located just opposite the recently inaugurated Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office.
Attack details and damage
According to The Tribune, no injuries were reported in the incident. However, a scooty parked in the courtyard and some plants were damaged. The petrol bomb struck a window, and burn marks were visible at the site.
Dr Garg told the publication, "Two employees were present at the clinic when the attack took place. They informed me over the phone that a blast had occurred and that they had extinguished the fire."
Police response and investigation
Senior police officials rushed to the scene after the attack, as reported by India Today. The incident has raised questions about law and order in Punjab.
According to Moneycontrol, two men, who came by foot, hurled a petrol-filled bottle after igniting it towards the clinic located in Vishal Nagar at Mela Ram Road.
Political context
The attack comes amid heightened political tensions in the region. Dr Garg's family recently switched from the ruling AAP to the BJP, and the clinic is situated opposite the newly inaugurated RSS office. The timing of the attack, when the Chief Minister was in the city, has added to the seriousness of the incident.
Our Take: A worrying attack on a medical facility
This attack on a medical clinic is deeply concerning. Targeting a place of healing, regardless of the political affiliation of its owner, is unacceptable. The fact that it happened opposite an RSS office and when the Chief Minister was in town suggests a deliberate attempt to create fear and disrupt peace. In our view, the police must act swiftly to identify and apprehend the attackers. The people of Bathinda deserve to know that such acts of violence will not be tolerated. This incident also highlights the need for better security for public figures and their properties, especially when political tensions are high.
