Other States - Haryana   

Curfew continues, but situation improving

Photo: Akhilesh Kumar

‘in control’: Punjab Police commandos watching activists of Damdami Taksal and other Sikh leaders in Chandigarh on Saturday during a dharna on the concluding day of their 11-day movement demanding arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Raheem Singh.

DABWALI (HARYANA): A day after widespread clashes between Sikhs and Dera Sacha Sauda followers left one person dead, the situation in this town was limping back to normalcy on Saturday even as curfew remained in force as a precautionary measure.

“The curfew that was imposed yesterday still continues though it was lifted for two hours this morning,” said Sirsa police chief K. Venkatramana.

He said no untoward incident was reported from anywhere in this town and the State Government’s request for Army help would again be reviewed tomorrow.

Cremation of the victim of Friday’s violence, Mandar Singh, was held at his native village here on Saturday afternoon.

“The cremation passed off peacefully,” said Sirsa Deputy Commissioner V. Umashankar. Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) president Avtar Singh and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) chief Simranjit Singh Mann along with some other Sikh leaders and local Indian National Lok Dal MLA Sita Ram joined the funeral procession.

Two Dera Sachcha followers, Sunder Dass and his son, both residents of Dabwali town at whose house clashes broke out during prayers, were arrested and booked on the charge of murder. They were produced before a Sirsa court which sent them to judicial lock-up for 14 days.

The situation in Sirsa, headquarters of the sect, and in parts of Punjab remained tense but peaceful on Saturday. About 800 Rapid Action Force and Border Security Force personnel besides Haryana Armed Police men remained deployed in Dabwali’s adjoining towns of Sirsa, Ratia, Ellanabad and Kalianwala and conducted flag marches there to instil confidence among the people.

In Chandigarh, demanding immediate arrest of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh, radical Sikh organisations on Saturday issued a “cease work” call for July 23 in Punjab and Haryana.

Damdami Taksal chief Harnam Singh Khalsa said only essential services including medical services would be allowed during the total shutdown sponsored by Sant Samaj, a conglomerate of various Sikh outfits.

Khalsa, who is a descendant of the late Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and convener of the Samaj, appealed to the Sikh community and members of various outfits to take part in the bandh.

The call comes following the culmination of 11 days of peaceful protest demonstrations in the city against the Dera chief.

The Samaj will also observe “martyrdom day” on July 27 in honour of 25-year-old Harmandar Singh, killed in the clash between Dera followers and Sikhs in Dabwali on Friday.

Khalsa said the Samaj would meet in Ludhiana on July 30 to chalk out the future course of action. - PTI

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Curfew continues, but situation improving

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