High drama unfolded at the Municipal Corporation's Zone B office in Ludhiana on Wednesday after a heated argument between Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) councillor Chatarveer Singh, also known as Kamal Arora, and Superintending Engineer (SE) Parveen Singla allegedly turned physical. Arora is accused of slapping the senior MC official from the buildings and roads wing.
Background of the Incident
According to Councillor Kamal Arora, he visited the office to seek an update on pending development works in Ward No. 20. He alleged that roads in several localities, including GRD Nagar, were in poor condition and that residents had been demanding repairs repeatedly. Arora claimed that despite raising the issue multiple times, the work had not been taken up on a priority basis.
The councillor said he had been trying to contact the official for several days but had not received a satisfactory response. "When I reached the office to discuss the issue, an argument broke out. There was a heated exchange of words and a minor scuffle," he said. Arora maintained that residents were facing difficulties due to damaged roads and delays in repair works.
Official's Response
On the other hand, SE Parveen Singla denied allegations of negligence and said the patchwork plan for the area had already been communicated at the executive engineer level. He admitted a verbal argument took place but said the matter escalated unnecessarily. "There was a heated discussion. I have informed senior officers about the incident and we will submit a complaint to the police department," Singla said.
Aftermath
Following the confrontation, the MC authorities began an inquiry, and the engineering wing decided to approach the police. The incident has sparked discussions about the state of civic infrastructure and the conduct of elected representatives in the city. Residents of Ward No. 20 have expressed frustration over the poor road conditions, urging authorities to expedite repair work to avoid such altercations in the future.
The MC has assured that an impartial investigation will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken against those found at fault. The police are expected to record statements from both parties involved in the scuffle.
