DIG S.K. Kalia claimed that the police made adequate security arrangements at the venue, but AAP sources said some people protesting against the 1984 riots in Delhi had caused the trouble. Most of the protesters had the backing of the Qutal-e-am Sangarh committee, a Sikh organisation that is backed by the state government.
Mr Kejriwal left the venue via a back door after the hour-long meeting, but some 40 men waiting at the back door saw him and pelted stones at him. The DIG, Mr Kalia, refused to comment when asked what had led to the security lapse. SSP Jagraon Ravcharan Brar too was not available for comment.
AAP national origanisation head Durgesh Pathak claimed the mob was armed with rods and sticks but said Mr Kejriwal was safe.
“The tour will continue according to the schedule,” an AAP spokesperson said, but called the attack “a huge security lapse”.
“The police allowed the mob to get too close to the vehicle,” he said. “Some miscreants threw stones at the Delhi chief minister’s car, but he is safe and was given police protection,” ADGP (law and order) H.S. Dhillon said. AAP has emerged as a major player ahead of the Assembly elections due in 2017.
