Patiala under curfew after group clash, four injured
Right-wing activists, members of Sikh radical groups hurl stones at each other outside Kali Devi Temple; Mann orders probe; ‘Sena’ leader Harish Singla held
PATIALA: Curfew was imposed in Patiala district from 7pm on Friday to 6am on Saturday after four people, including a policeman, were injured when Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) and proKhalistani activists clashed, forcing the police to resort to firing 15 rounds in the air to bring the situation under control near the local Kali Devi Temple in the afternoon.
Patiala deputy commissioner Sakshi Sawhney imposed the curfew as a preventive measure after reports of radical elements gathering in different parts of the city.
Hours later, police arrested Harish Singla, “working president” of “Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray)” for taking out a procession without permission and instigating violence.
Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann summoned a highlevel meeting of officers after the clash. The CM later said he has ordered a probe into the clash and given strict instructions that not a single culprit is spared. “Anti-Punjab forces will not be allowed to disturb Punjab’s peace at any cost,” he said.
“The incident of clashes in Patiala is deeply unfortunate,” he tweeted. “We are closely monitoring the situation and will not let anyone create disturbance in the state.”
Opposition leaders slammed the new Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over the violence. “Visuals from Patiala are disturbing,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted, stressing that peace and harmony are “most imperative”.
Trouble began when radical Sikh elements came out in large numbers to oppose the Khalistan Murdabad March organised by a self-styled right-wing outfit, the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray). Its Punjab unit executive president, Harish Singla, led the antiseparatist march from Arya Samaj Chowk to Kali Devi Temple. Amid slogan-raising, Singla said: “The Shiv Sena will never allow Khalistan to be formed in Punjab or anywhere in India.” He said banned outfit Sikhs for Justice convener Gurpatwant Singh Pannu had announced that the foundation day of Khalistan would be observed on April 29. The Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) march was organised to oppose Pannu’s call.
The Sikh radicals broke the police cordon and reached the Kali Devi temple, where the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) activists were protesting, and both sides started throwing stones at each other besides brandishing swords. The Sikh radicals threw stones at the temple and even ransacked shops in its vicinity.
No permission to hold march, FIR against both sides
As the situation escalated, Patiala senior superintendent of police (SSP) Nanak Singh reached the spot and 15 rounds were fired in the air to bring the situation under control.
A Hindu activist, Ashutosh Gautam, Sikh supporter Balwinder Singh and station house
officer Karamvir Singh were injured. Another unidentified person was also injured. Gautam and Karamvir suffered injuries by sharp-edged weapons, while Balwinder was being treated for a bullet wound. The anti-riot force was requisitioned to control the situation and security was beefed up across the city.
After the incident, Punjab Shiv Sena president Yograj
Sharma expelled Singla for antiparty activities. Singla, however, said that he had nothing to do with Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) as his outfit followed the principles of the late Bal Thackeray. The police said Singla did not have the permission to hold a march and a case had been registered against both sides.
Appealing for peace and urging people not to fall prey to unsubstantiated information and social media forwards, DC Sakshi Sawhney said: “Even if there is any dispute or misunderstanding, it is important to resolve it by dialogue.” Later, she met the injured in hospital.
Patiala IG Rakesh Agarwal said: “We have called force from outside. A peace committee meeting has been called by the DC on Saturday,” he said. We are also conducting a flag march in Patiala city, he added.