Govt no to SAD’s Sept 16 poll khol rally in Faridkot
Apprehensions of a clash between Akalis and radicals camping in Bargari led to the decision, says district administration
FARIDKOT:The Congress-led Punjab government has denied permission to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to hold its poll khol rally in Faridkot on Sunday, citing apprehension of violence.
The district administration conveyed its decision to local SAD leaders on Friday.
This was hours before the visit of former deputy chief minister and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal to review preparation for the rally.
FARIDKOT:The Punjab government has denied permission to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to hold its poll khol rally in Faridkot on Sunday (September 16), citing apprehension of violence. The district administration conveyed its decision to local SAD leaders on Friday morning.
This was hours before the visit of former deputy chief minister and SAD president Sukhbir Badal to review preparation for the rally. Sukhbir and former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal were expected to speak on the issue of justice Ranjit Singh (retd) Commission report at the rally. Previously, the rally had been scheduled in Kotkapura on September 15. It was shifted due to security concerns.
Hours after the denial, the SAD moved the Punjab and Haryana high court seeking direction to the authorities to grant permission for the rally. A mention of the case was made before the bench of justice AK Mittal. The matter was also sent to the chief justice for assigning it to some bench.
Late in the evening, the case was assigned to the bench of justice RK Jain for Saturday. The party had told the court that it was their constitutional right to hold a peaceful rally and questioned the authorities’ stand on refusal. The party alleged the permission was denied due to political considerations.
VIOLENCE HAD BROKEN OUT ON SEPTEMBER 5
On September 5, Akalis and radicals had clashed in the town before Sukhbir was to address a meeting. Swords and sticks were brandished, with cops looking on as mute spectators.
Top police officers said the Union home ministry had shared an intelligence input with the state home department, regarding possible violence by radicals during the rally. Faridkot saw sacrilege incidents in Bargari, followed by firing at Behbal in October 2015, which had triggered statewide protests.
Faridkot SSP Raj Bachan Singh Sandhu cited law and order
as the reason for denial of permission. In his report, Faridkot DSP, Jastinder Singh Dhaliwal, had said radical Sikhs, protesting in Bargari, 40km from the venue, may disrupt the rally.
The DSP also mentioned that part of the police force was already busy in making arrangements for the annual five-day Baba Farid Mela held in September. Faridkot SDM Paramdeep Singh endorsed the DSP’s report and denied permission for the rally.
Intelligence sources said ensuring the security of Sukhbir and former CM Badal, who are under Z+ category, was also a concern. Intelligence agencies are also worried over the increasing support for the protest at Bargari, where parallel jathedars and their supporters have stayed put for over 100 days now.