Sikh radicals disrupt Sirsa dera gathering; 14 booked
TENSION PREVAILS AT MARAURI VILLAGE IN SAMANA OF PATIALA DISTRICT; NO ONE ARRESTED
Tension prevailed at Marauri, a village in Samana town of Patiala district, on Sunday afternoon when a group of Sikh hardliners disrupted a “naam charcha” (religious congregation) of Sirsa-based Dera Sacha Sauda followers. Police have registered a case against 14 Sikh radicals but no one was arrested.
A first information report (FIR) has been registered under Sections 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)
It was first face-off between Sikh radicals and dera followers after the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government took over reins of the state.
Brandishing swords, Sikh radicals entered a school where the congregation was on and damaged religious symbols and other articles of the dera. Some dera followers also tried use force on radicals, but they were asked by their local leader to desist from it.
The radicals forced dera followers to leave the place. The radicals also raised pro-Khalistan slogans.
Following the incidents, dera supporters held a protest at Mavi Kalan village, falling under the sadar police station, Samana, demanding arrest of the accused.
Additional police force was rushed from Samana to control the situation.
“It’s height of highhandedness. Radicals are talking law in their hands. They disturbed our religious discourse without any provocation. Still we kept calm. If the police fail to arrest the accused, we will intensify our protest,” said Ram Karan, a dera representative.
Senior superintendent of police S Bhupathi said police teams have been sent to arrest the accused. “We will not allow anyone to disturb peace and communal harmony,” he said.