Security of six leaders downsized

PHAGWARA: Security of six leaders belonging to ring-wing outfits was scaled down over their alleged participation in wake of last Friday’s communal clashes, police said on Thursday.

Eight out of 12 gunmen, provided to right-wing leaders Inderjit Karwal, Gurdip Saini, Rajesh Palta, Munish Sood, Vipin Kumar and Shiv Batta, have been withdrawn, they said.

The security cover of these leaders was stripped after prominent citizens, who took part in Tuesday’s All-party ‘Sadbhavna’ Committee meeting here, alleged that leaders of the said community were misusing their gunmen.

The meeting was chaired by local MLA & chief parliament secretary Som Parkash. It was also attended by Kapurthala deputy commissioner Jaskiran Singh and SSP Rajinder Singh.

District administration reviewed the security cover provided to the leaders of the community, following which it was downsized, police said, adding, the security of other leaders is also being reviewed.