A Congress leader was hacked to death by two unknown assailants in the Ludhiana district of Punjab, officials said on Monday.
The incident is the latest in a series of politically related violence in the state, which has seen a sharp surge in recent times.
The deceased has been identified as Parminder Tiwari, Machhiwara Congress block president.
Tiwari, who ran a rental quarter for migrant workers, was sitting outside his premises on Sunday evening when motorcycle-borne assailants attacked him with an axe.
He suffered multiple blows to the head and was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival, confirmed Station House Officer Paramdeep Singh of Kum Kalan police station.
A case has been registered and investigations are underway to identify the accused. The motive behind the killing remains unclear.
Reacting to the incident, the Congress party slammed the Punjab government, describing it as politically motivated violence against its workers.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring expressed grief and anger, saying the incident reflects the worsening law and order situation under the ruling government.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the daylight murder of our Block President from Machhiwara Sahib, Parminder Tiwari ji. He was a hard-working and integral part of the @INCPunjab family,” Warring said.
He added that “Punjab’s law and order situation continues to deteriorate” and criticised the administration for its inaction.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa described the attack as a “cold-blooded assassination” and accused the government of failing to ensure public safety.
He said Tiwari was a dedicated party worker who lost his life while the state “sits in shameful silence".
Also read: Ex-Punjab Min Laljit Bhullar sent to 3-day police remand
Follow us
