SAD workers, radicals clash in Talwandi Sabo

Eight hurt, Akalis claim protesters stopped party workers’ vehicles from reaching rally venue; police say no complaint received

BATHINDA: A day after Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s cavalcade was attacked by members of radical Sikh outfits in Sangrur on Thursday, another protest by radicals against the visit of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal to Talwandi Sabo, turned into a clash on Friday.

At least eight persons were injured in the clash between SAD workers and Sikh radicals near a resort on the Talwandi Sabo-rama road, about 10.30am. Badal addressed gathering at noon as a part of mobilising people for party’s Patiala rally on Sunday. Three of those injured were SAD workers.

ALLEGATIONS AND COUNTERS

SAD workers claimed that before their public meeting, two dozen protesters with black flags gathered on road leading to thevenue. They wanted to express resentment on the issue of the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib and the killing of two persons in police firing on anti-sacrilege protesters three years ago.

“These protesters started stopping vehicles that were bringing SAD workers to the meeting. A scuffle started after a bus of SAD workers coming to the resort was stopped,” said SAD worker.

Party workers already inside the venue of the meeting also reached place which was near the meeting venue and the issue escalated,” said a SAD worker.

“Party workers including Gurdeep Singh, Bhinder Singh and Sukhdev Singh were injured,” said a SAD worker.

SAD (Amritsar) district president Parminder Singh Balianwali, Darshan Singh, Ajaib Singh and two others were injured.

DSP Talwandi Sabo Surinder Kumar said, “A scuffle took place. No formal complaint has been lodged. We will act on a complaint.”