Dera Followers, Bhinderanwale Youth Group Clash Injures 30

0
203

TARN TARN – Sikh youths, reportedly led by Bhindranwale Youth Federation leader Balwant Singh Gopala and Satkar Committee chief Baljinder Singh, clashed with followers of the Noormahal dera followers at Jodhpur village near Tarn Taran this evening. At least 30 persons, including a policeman, were injured.

The Sikh organisations were upset at the Divya Jyoti Jagriti Sansthan organising satsang (religious congregation) at the residence of a village resident. Eyewitnesses said the trouble began when Sikh youths, carrying swords and batons, attacked the satsang venue. In retaliation, dera followers hurled stones at them.

Leaders of the Sikh organisations alleged that two policemen attached with the dera followers opened fire, injuring several Sikh youths. Among those injured are Kanshi Ram, Jasmeet Singh, Jaswinder Kaur and Subheg Singh, all dera followers, and constable Tajinder Singh. A grievously injured Sikh youth was admitted to a hospital in Amritsar.

The dera followers accused the police of inaction. They alleged that the Sikh organisations had threatened them against holding the satsang, which was why the police had been deployed in the village.

Balwinder Singh Dhaliwal, DC, and Manmohan Sharma, SSP, rushed to the village when told about the violent incidents. More policemen have been deployed at the village to avert further clashes.