Chandigarh: Members of several Sikh groups protesting against the alleged desecration of their holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, clashed with police in Faridkot district of Punjab on Wednesday, leaving at least 90 people injured.
Police used batons and water cannons and fired in the air to disperse members of the Sikh groups who gathered in Kotkapura of Faridkot district early on Wednesday to protest the act of sacrilege in Bargari village. Several policemen were among the injured.
The clash erupted in the main square of Kotkapura when police tried to arrest the leaders of the protestors. The protestors also tried to block highways leading to Moga and Bathinda towns. The situation in Faridkot district is tense but under control, officials said. A strong police contingent has been deployed in the area to maintain law and order.
Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the people to maintain calm. The chief minister said those found guilty would not be spared.
Kotkapura has been tense since more than 100 pages of the Guru Granth Sahib were found scattered in a street leading to a gurdwara in Bargari on Monday. The pages were allegedly torn from a ‘bir’ or copy of the Guru Granth Sahib that was stolen from Burj Jawahar Singh Wala village, located 5 km from Bargari, in June.
Police took the torn pages, which were kept in a ‘palki’ or palanquin on a tractor trolley, to an undisclosed place. The protesters were reportedly taken to Muktsar, Moga, Ferozepur, Bathinda and Faridkot.
The Sant Samaj led by Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Dhuma has called for a shutdown in Malwa on October 15 to protest against the alleged desecration. Dhuma said the ‘bandh’ was called to pressure the government. “Those responsible for the sacrilege of the scripture should be arrested immediately,” he added.
The bandh will be observed in Faridkot, Moga, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Muktsar, Bathinda and Barnala. Health services have been kept out of its purview. Dhuma asked Sikhs in the Malwa belt to maintain peace during the bandh.
Bureau Report
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