The Hindu : National : Protests continue in Jaipur

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Thursday, Aug 24, 2006

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National

Protests continue in Jaipur

Special Correspondent

Dharna withdrawn after assurance from Chief Minister

JAIPUR: Protests continued here on Wednesday over the cutting of Sikh boy's hair on Monday. He was waylaid and attacked by some youths when he was returning home from school.

Shops and market places in the Raja Park area, a predominantly Sikh locality, remained closed. Thousands of people joined a dharna in front of the local gurdwara, demanding the arrest of the culprits. The dharna was withdrawn in the evening after an assurance from the Chief Minister.

There were some minor incidents of Sikh youths clashing with police and smashing the windowpanes of vehicles in some areas. But the Raja Park area remained peaceful.

Suspended

The authorities placed Ramdev Singh, Station House Officer, and Raj Kumar, constable at the Gandhi Nagar police station, under suspension. Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, who addressed the dharna, said a charge sheet would be filed against the two.

The victim and his father alleged police apathy in responding to their compliant against the accused.

President of the Sikh Gurdwara Prabhandhak Committee (SGPC) Avatar Singh Makkar and former cricketer and MP from Amritsar Navjoth Singh Siddhu addressed the dharna. Arya Samaj leader Satyavrat Samvedi and Engineer Mohammed Saleem, president of the Rajasthan State Jammat-e-Islami Hind, addressed the gathering and expressed their solidarity with the Sikh community. The Arya Samaj has announced a rally here on Thursday in protest against the incident.

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