Ghaziabad, Jan 8: Thirteen people, including national convenor of the Hindu Raksha Dal Bhupendra Tomar alias Pinky Chaudhary, were arrested for an attack Wednesday on the AAP office in this Uttar Pradesh town bordering New Delhi, police officials said.
Tomar is believed to have led the protest and vandalisation at the AAP office in Kaushambi in Ghaziabad Wednesday. He surrendered at the Indirapuram police station.
"We are against the statement made by Prashant Bhushan (on army deployment in the Kashmir Valley), and will not tolerate such statements," said Tomar.
"I have committed no crime. The police came to my party office and I surrendered," he told reporters at the police station.
Police also arrested 12 other people accused of attacking the AAP office.
According to police, complaints have been registered under various sections of the Indian Penal Code against "unknown" assailants and the Hindu Raksha Dal.
"We have registered complaints under Sections 147 (punishment for rioting), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) and 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and other sections of IPC," said Superintendent of Police Muni Raj.
About 30 people attacked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) office near the residence of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in Ghaziabad, shattering window panes and vandalising furniture. Police have since decided to bring the office under security cover.
AAP office attack: one arrested, Prashant Bhushan blames BJP, Arvind Kejriwal refuses security
New Delhi, Jan 8: Arvind Kejriwal today said he or his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) would not reconsider their refusal to take security after an attack this morning on the party's office that AAP leader Prashant Bhushan has blamed on the BJP.
A case has been registered in Ghaziabad and one person has been arrested for the attack.
The attackers, carrying flags of 'Hindu Raksha Dal', entered the AAP office near Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's home, threw stones and broke windows with lathis. (Watch video here) They also allegedly targeted workers and misbehaved with women. One of the attackers said they were protesting Mr Bhushan's remarks suggesting a referendum in Kashmir on whether the people want the army for internal security. The AAP leader withdrew those remarks after much criticism. (Kashmir integral part of India, says AAP's Prashant Bhushan after row over referendum remark)
Mr Bhushan said the same group attacked him at his office in 2011, and its leader, Tejinder Bagga, is a BJP activist.
"So-called nationalistic party, the BJP, has started unleashing its goons against the AAP," said Mr Bhushan. "BJP and Sangh-affiliated organisations are frustrated with the rise of AAP. It is unfortunate that a big political party lets its associates indulge in such kind of violence. This reflects their fascist and lumpen mentality."
Asked whether the vandalism warrants a rethink on his refusal to take any security, Mr Kejriwal said, "I will not take security, not even for the party office. The problem will not be solved by staying under cover. I am a Hindu too. What do they want? I invite these people to come and have an open chat with me. If they think they can solve the problem of Kashmir by harming Prashant or me, I am ready to meet them at a place and time of their choosing."
There was minimal security at the AAP office at the time of the attack. Mr Kejriwal has repeatedly asserted that his party will end "VIP culture", starting with its most glaring symbols - vehicles with read beacons or lal batti, and heavy security. ('God will protect me,' says Kejriwal)
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