The Hindu : National : 25 injured in Sikh-police clash at Dera branch

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Monday, Jul 09, 2007
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25 injured in Sikh-police clash at Dera branch

FEROZEPUR: Over 25 persons, including six policemen, were injured when Sikh activists demanding removal of the ‘Ek Onkar’ symbol from the facade of a Dera Sacha Sauda branch here clashed with police on Sunday.

The activists, several of them armed with swords, reached the branch to prevent Dera followers from holding a “Namcharcha” (prayer meeting), Additional Deputy Commissioner Rahul Tiwari and Sub-Divisional Magistrate D.P.S. Kharbanda said.

They said the administration prevailed upon the Dera not to organise the congregation and it agreed but the situation took a violent turn when the activists demanded that the “Ek Onkar” (God is one) painted at the Dera’s entrance be erased as it was a Sikh symbol.

Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Pratap Singh said they tried to forcibly enter the Dera leading to a clash with police, which used water cannons and teargas to disperse the violent protesters and when that failed, baton-charged them. Mr. Singh said that the injured included a head constable and five constables, one of whom has been referred to a Ludhiana hospital. President of Sikh Students’ Federation (Grewal), termed the police action as “unwarranted”. — PTI

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