Ludhiana:Traders thrashed during Pahalgam attack protest

The accused allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans during the altercation; shortly thereafter, another individual arrived in a car and further misbehaved with the protesting traders; the accused managed to flee the scene

A demonstration by Ludhiana traders against the Pahalgam terrorist attack took a disturbing turn on Sunday when a group of unidentified individuals allegedly disrupted the protest with manhandling, threats, and the raising of pro-Pakistan slogans on Chandigarh Road. The incident near Sector 32 has prompted a police investigation and heightened local tensions.

A video grab of one of the accused assaulting a trader in Ludhiana on Sunday. (HT)

According to police reports, trader Arvind Kumar filed a complaint detailing how he and his friend Raman Kapoor organized the protest as a mark of outrage over the killings of pilgrims in Pahalgam. Their demonstration involved laying a Pakistani flag on Chandigarh Road for vehicles to symbolically drive over. However, the situation took a turn when the flag was allegedly removed during a brief absence of the organisers.

Kapoor stated that upon their return and after placing the flag again, a turbaned man confronted them, objecting to their form of protest and physically assaulting him. The accused allegedly shouted pro-Pakistan slogans during the altercation. Shortly thereafter, another individual arrived in a car and further misbehaved with the protesting traders. As a crowd began to assemble, the accused managed to flee the scene. Kapoor, however, was able to note down the registration numbers of the vehicles involved and subsequently filed a formal complaint with the police.

The police have initiated a manhunt to identify and apprehend the accused individuals, and further investigations into the matter are currently underway.