NEW DELHI, February 6: Congress councillor Ramesh Datta was stabbed opposite the party candidate from New Delhi, R.K. Dhawan's house in Golf Links this evening. He received severe facial injuries.The incident occurred around 9.45 p.m.. Ramesh Datta, aged 52, had just reached R.K. Dhawan's house and was getting down from his car when a youth approached him and stabbed him on his face.
A member of Dhawan's campaign team was present when the incident occurred.``He had just reached the house and was getting out from his car. I myself was just walking to the front door of the house and my back was turned towards him. Then I heard a loud scream and I turned and saw that he had fallen down. I also saw a well-built youth in a black jacket. He said, `Now let's see how you help Dhawan win'. Then he ran away.''
The knife had pierced the left cheek and entered the right part of the jaw. ``After being stabbed, Datta fell down. When he got up the knife was still stuck in his jaw. He himself pulled the knife out andwas bleeding heavily. I helped him to the house,'' he said. Datta was rushed to the AIIMS casualty.
At the casualty ward, doctors said that his situation was stable. ``He was bleeding from his mouth, nose and all over his cheek so we couldn't even figure out where the wound was. But we have packed the area around the nose and cheek,'' said one of the doctors. They said the bleeding had stopped, but that his condition was still serious. Datta is a diabetic.
He was visited at the hospital by R.K. Dhawan and former prime minister Chandrashekhar. ``We have also informed the home secretary and the police commissioner and they are due to reach here,'' said a Congress worker.
Congress workers present refused to speculate about the motive behind the attack or the identity of the assailant. ``There is a conspiracy behind the act. There is no doubt about it,'' said R.K. Dhawan.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
