The Tribune, January 5, 2003

Murder bid on Rohtak Congress leader
Our Correspondent

Rohtak, January 4
Three armed assailants made a murderous attack on a Congress leader here this morning. The victim suffered injuries on his head and was admitted to the PGIMS where his condition is stated to be out of danger. According to information, the attackers reached Standard Sweets shop at Babra Mohalla locality on foot at around 7.45 am. One of them reportedly took out his countrymade revolver and pointed at the shop owner, Mr Suresh Gupta, who is also the president of Block Congress Committee and the district unit of Halwai Union. As soon as the miscreants opened fire, Mr Gupta bent down. A bullet reportedly hit the rear wall. Meanwhile, Mr Gupta took out his licensed revolver. However, one of the assailants caught hold of him before he could open the safety lock of the revolver. Another assailant hit Mr Gupta on his head with the butt of his gun.

Taking advantage of the fog and thin gathering in the market, the assailants escaped when the employees of the shop came to rescue their owner. An employee, Naresh threw a brickbat on the fleeing miscreants which hit one of them. The assailants took away the licensed gun of Mr Gupta, leaving behind an unloaded countrymade revolver. A team of fingerprint experts and dog squad was pressed into service.

The shopkeepers on Quilla Road, Railway Road, Babra Mohalla, Bara Bazar, vegetable market, Mata Darwaja etc put down their shutters today in protest against the incident. A delegation comprising Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, leader of opposition in Haryana assembly, Mr Shadi Lal Batra and Dr Raghbir Singh Kadian, both Congress MLAs, Mr Laxmi Chand Gupta, president, Haryana Beopar Mandal met Mr Reshan Singh, IG Rohtak Range and demanded an immediate check on such incidents. They also met Mr Gupta in the PGIMS, and inquired about his condition. The leaders of Haryana Beopar Mandal, Rohtak Traders Association and other social organisations have convened a meeting at Durga Bhawan Mandir here at 11 am on Sunday to discuss the issue.

State protecting criminals: Hooda
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 4
Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Leader of Opposition in Haryana, has expressed concern over the “deteriorating law and order situation” in the state. In a statement issued here today, he alleged the state government’s connivance in an attempt made by anti-social elements to kill Mr Suresh Gupta, Block Congress President of Rohtak. He added that criminals and anti-social elements were enjoying protection of the state.