The Hindu : National : Man killed in firing by Dera chief’s bodyguard

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Man killed in firing by Dera chief’s bodyguard

MUMBAI: A 50-year-old man was on Friday killed in firing by the bodyguard of Dera Saccha Sauda chief Ram Rahim Singh, who earned the wrath of Sikh clergy, outside a suburban mall during a protest by a Sikh group which turned violent, police said.

A group of Sikhs shouted anti-Dera slogans inside the Nirmal Lifestyles mall in suburban Mulund during a visit by Ram Rahim Singh to the place in the evening, a senior police officer said.

Altercations

The protest by Sikhs led to altercations between Ram Rahim Singh’s supporters and the Sikh group which turned violent after the group allegedly started pelting stones, he said.

The Dera chief left the mall immediately at around 6.45 p.m. for a programme scheduled later in the evening.

Blocking the motorcade

“While the motorcade was passing for the programme, some Sikh protesters attempted to block the way and charged towards the vehicles when a private bodyguard is suspected to have opened fire,” the officer said.

One person suffered grievous injuries in the firing and was taken to a nearby hospital where he succumbed to the wounds. The deceased was identified as Balkar Singh Thakur Singh.

Cyclist injured?

Unconfirmed reports also say that a car in Ram Rahim Singh’s motorcade hit a cycle injuring the person riding it, he said. “However, we have not yet traced the person alleged to be injured,” a senior police officer said.

The Dera head’s motorcade sped away from the spot and has been held in neighbouring Raigad district’s Khopoli.

A team from the Mulund police will be reaching there soon to take action against the erring bodyguard, the police said.

Immediately after the firing, the Sikh group blocked LBS MARG, one of the city’s most important arterial roads, which led to massive traffic jams in the areas. — PTI

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