Punjab police arrest two for attacking Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar

The Punjab police arrested two men who allegedly dressed as Nihang Sikhs and attacked a Shiv Sena leader with swords in Ludhiana on Friday. The Indian Express reported that two more accused are still on the Run.

Earlier in the day, Shiv Sena's Punjab leader Sandeep Thapar was attacked with swords in broad daylight when he came out of the office of the Samvedna Trust near the Civil Hospital after attending a ceremony to mark the fourth death anniversary of the trust's founder-president Ravinder Arora, police said.

In the purported video, the assailants dressed as Nihangs approached Thapar while he was on a scooter with his security man riding a pillion.

While Thapar was speaking to the assailants with folded hands, one of them suddenly attacked him with a sword while passersby looked on. Another assailant appears to be pushing Tharpar's security man away.

After Thapar fell down, a third assailant also started hitting Thapar with a sword. Later, two of the accused fled on Thapar's scooter.

Nihangs belong to a warrior Sikh sect whose members are usually seen in blue robes, carrying traditional weapons.

Thapar who suffered head injuries was immediately rushed to the Civil Hospital. Later, he was referred to a private hospital where his condition was stated to be serious, police said.

The BJP condemned the attack and demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.