Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Aazad's, who was shot at by unidentified men in Uttar Pradesh's Sahranpur district on Wednesday, health condition is stable and is currently recovering at district hospital.
"I did not expect such a sudden attack. I want to appeal to my friends, supporters and workers across the country to maintain peace. We will continue our fight Constitutionally...I am fine with the love and blessings of crores of people," Aazad was quoted by ANI.
He will be discharged from the hospital after detailed checkup on Thursday. According to police officials, the investigation is underway and the accused will be arrested soon.
Meanwhile, UP Police has lodged an FIR against the attackers based on the complaint of Manish Kumar, an accomplice of Aazad.
Along with the charges of attempt to murder, provisions of offences under the SC/ST Act has also been imposed.
Wrestler Bajrang Punia arrived at the hospital in Saharanpur to meet Aazad and national president of Aazad Samaj Party Kanshi Ram. "We condemn the attack on him. It is wrong that people like him who stand for the truth are being attacked. I appeal to the people to maintain peace and also appeal to the police to arrest the culprits," Punia was quoted by ANI.
The incident occurred when Aazad was travelling to attend a 'terhavin' ritual at in his supporter's home in Saharanpur district's Deoband. “Four shots” were fired by the assailants at his SUV when he was leaving, said the workers.
The crime scene has been examined by a forensic team. The assailants are said to be four or five in number, said Senior Superintendent of Police of Saharanpur Vipin Tada.
While the shots were fired at, a bullet grazed through Aazad's abdomen. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. According to the hospital authorities, his health condition is stable.
His supporters gathered at the hospital had demanded Z+ security for him at the district hospital.
Additional force was deployed near the facility to tackle any situation and a detailed report was sought from the Saharanpur police.
An investigation is underway and reportedly police have detained four people in connection with the incident. The vehicle used by the assailants carried a Haryana registration number.
A search operation is going on to recover the vehicle.
"The borders of the district have been sealed and a massive operation to track the assailant and their vehicle has been launched," said Manglik, the SP city.
After the incident, the Samajwadi Party (SP) questioned the law and order situation in UP.
"The murderous attack on Chandrashekhar Azad, National President of Azad Samaj Party in Deoband, Saharanpur, by criminals protected by power is highly condemnable and cowardly act. When people's representatives are not safe under the BJP rule, then what will happen to the general public? Jungle Raj in UP!" SP president and former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav tweeted in Hindi.
Senior SP leader Shivpal Singh Yadav tweeted the morale of criminals in the state is so high that they "have started breaking all their limits".
"The opposition in Uttar Pradesh is now the target of both the government and the criminals," he said in a tweet in Hindu.
He said the "deadly attack" on the Bhim Army chief is a commentary on the law and order situation in the state. "Wake up government!"
(With PTI inputs)