Don't regret bat attack but will follow Mahatma's path of non-violence in future: Vijayvargiya
Indore, Jul 01: BJP MLA Akash Vijayvargiya, who was released on bail in an assault case Sunday, said he did not regret the incident but would try to follow Mahatma Gandhi's path of non-violence while raising public issues in future.
The first-time MLA was caught on camera assaulting municipal officer Dhirendra Singh Bais with a cricket bat on June 26 while opposing the demolition of a dilapidated house in Ganji Compound area of the city.
He was arrested four days ago and a Bhopal-based court on Saturday granted him bail. He walked out of the jail Sunday morning.
Akash, son of BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya, said the step (of assaulting a civic official with cricket bat) was taken "thoughtfully and with full responsibility".
He, however, said that he prays to God that he does not have to repeat the act in future.
Talking to reporters after coming out of the jail here, the 34-year-old MLA said, "Let me tell you that the action we took on that day was taken thoughtfully and with full responsibility."
"A woman was being pulled by her legs in the presence of police. The poor and helpless family was being evacuated in the rainy season. Earth moving machines were pressed into service to demolish the house.
"I did what I felt right at that point of time. I did it thoughtfully. I do not have any regrets for that," he said.
"We will try to follow Gandhiji's path in future. I pray to God that I should not be given another opportunity to pick up the bat. I also appeal to all the youths that they should put forward their point of view by walking on Gandhiji's path of non-violence," Akash said.
Replying to a query on the incident, the legislator said, "Several thoughts were going on in my mind since the past few months... I had to take this step after much contemplation. This was unusual. We should always work with love and non-violence."
"We do not have any remorse about it (incident) because India is a democratic nation and public is supreme in a democracy," he stressed.
The BJP MLA also accused municipal officials of ignoring public representatives on legitimate issues related to common people.
"The officials forget that they get their salaries by taxes paid by the public from their hard-earned money. In a bid to please their seniors, the officers become so arrogant that they treat the public like insects, which cannot be tolerated by us," he added.
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Surveillance intensified in Bengal border districts as killers of Suvendu's PA may flee out of state
Kolkata (PTI): Police stations in border districts of West Bengal intensified surveillance and searches as investigators suspect the involvement of professional shooters from neighbouring states in the killing of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's close aide, a senior officer said on Friday.
The police are also investigating the role of local criminals who might have provided logistical support to the assailants, he said.
More than 36 hours after Adhikari's personal assistant Chandranath Rath was assassinated by motorcycle-borne gunmen at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district, the police are yet to make any arrest.
“A detailed investigation is underway. The manner in which the attack was carried out suggests extensive reconnaissance and the possible involvement of hired sharpshooters from outside the state,” a senior police officer told PTI.
He also said all police stations in border districts have been alerted.
"Checks are being carried out at multiple points, and CCTV footage from areas along Jessore Road is being thoroughly scanned,” another senior officer said.
According to probe findings, the gunmen allegedly followed Rath’s vehicle before launching the attack.
“The escape route of the gunmen indicates that they were familiar with the locality, or local criminals might have assisted them. Without local support, fleeing through the lanes so quickly would have been difficult,” the officer added.
The police, however, are yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.
The police and detective department officers have launched extensive searches in and around Madhyamgram near Kolkata.
Heavy deployment of police and central forces has also been made in the area since the murder occurred on Wednesday night.
"A motorcycle used in the crime was registered in 2012 in the name of a resident of Burnpur in Asansol. However, the police found that no person by that name currently resides at the address given during the vehicle registration process," another officer said.
