A shocking incident of assault on an elected public representative occurred in Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh, during the ongoing Ganesh festival. Pritam Thakur, the Bharatiya Janata Party councillor representing Ward Number 19, was confronted, assaulted, and had his car pelted with stones by two unidentified youths riding a motorcycle. Following a minor verbal altercation that quickly escalated into physical violence, the councillor approached the Kotwali police station to register a formal complaint and seek immediate legal action.
Stalked and Intercepted on the Way to Festivities
Detailing the sequence of events, councillor Pritam Thakur shared that he had stepped out to visit local pandals and participate in the Ganesh festival celebrations. During his commute, two unidentified individuals mounted on a motorbike began tailing his vehicle. As the car approached the vicinity of Bathia Nursing Home in the Baironbazar area, the motorcyclists forced him to pull over. The youths immediately initiated an aggressive confrontation, using abusive language and picking an altercation that rapidly turned physical.
Intoxicated Attackers and Vandalism of the Vehicle
Thakur alleged that both assailants were severely intoxicated at the time of the incident and appeared to be carrying weapon-like objects. As tensions flared, the youths began hurling heavy stones directly at his vehicle, damaging the car. Hearing the commotion, passersby and local residents rushed to the scene and alerted the police. Realizing that a crowd was gathering rapidly, the two attackers fled on their two-wheeler before law enforcement personnel could arrive at the spot.
Police Complaint Lodged at Kotwali Station
Immediately following the assault, councillor Pritam Thakur went to the Kotwali police station to lodge an official First Information Report. He noted that the entire incident unfolded right in front of a police station, exposing significant lapses in ground-level vigil. Thakur provided the police with a full account of the altercation, demanding that investigators promptly identify and apprehend both the motorcycle-borne attackers.
Concerns Raised Over Law and Order and Substance Abuse
The attack has prompted Thakur to voice strong apprehensions regarding the deterioration of public safety and rampant substance abuse in Raipur. He argued that if an elected representative can be targeted in broad daylight close to a police station, ordinary citizens are left exceptionally vulnerable. Thakur criticized the prevailing security apparatus, asserting that intoxicated youths roam the streets without fear and that criminal elements appear to enjoy local patronage. An official response from the police department regarding these allegations is still awaited.
