Curfew was imposed in Punjab’s Patiala metropolis from 7 pm at present until 6 am on Saturday after two teams clashed throughout a protest march held in opposition to banned terrorist outfit Khalistan at present. Stones the place hurled within the brawl leaving two individuals injured. Police fired within the air to carry the state of affairs underneath management.
The conflict befell outdoors the Kali Mata temple when members of an outfit that calls itself Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray) started a “Khalistan Murdabad March”. Some Sikh activists, together with Nihangs, took out one other march in opposition to the Sena occasion.
Near the Kali Mata temple, the 2 teams got here nose to nose and hurled stones at one another. The temple gates had been locked and police deployed in giant numbers to stop the state of affairs from escalating additional within the metropolis, police mentioned. Two individuals, together with a policeman, had been injured, within the stone-pelting, they added.
A Sena chief mentioned the outfit had deliberate the march as a reply to the announcement by Sikhs for Justice to mark the “foundation day of Khalistan” on April 29.
Patiala Inspector General of Police Rakesh Agarwal mentioned that the state of affairs was now underneath management. “We have called force from outside. A peace committee meeting has been called by the Deputy Commissioner,” he mentioned, including restoring peace within the space was the precedence for police at current.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann termed the incident unlucky and mentioned he was in contact with the state police chief. “The incident of clashes in Patiala is deeply unfortunate. I have spoken to the DGP; peace has been restored in the area. We are closely monitoring the situation and will not let anyone create disturbance in the state,” Mann mentioned in a tweet.
He mentioned Punjab’s peace and concord are of utmost significance. Asked in regards to the incident, IG Agarwal mentioned the incident befell as “some mischievous elements had spread some rumours. We have controlled the situation. We are also conducting a flag march in Patiala city”.
Asked how many individuals have been injured within the incident, Agarwal mentioned police are nonetheless checking it.
The “Khalistan Murdabad March” was organised by ‘Shiv Sena (Bal Thackeray)’ chief Harish Singla. The march began from Arya Samaj Chowk with the Sena activists elevating the “Khalistan Murdabad” slogan. Singla mentioned Gurpatwant Pannun of the Sikhs for Justice had introduced to watch April 29 because the “foundation day of Khalistan”.
“To answer them, the Sena had also decided to take out ‘Khalistan Murdabad March’ on April 29,” he mentioned. Patiala Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney mentioned, “We appeal to all to maintain calm and not to lend credence to any rumour.”
“Peace and harmony are central to all our religions and their basic ethos. Even if there is any dispute or misunderstanding, it is important to resolve it by dialogue,” Sawhney mentioned in a press release. “The Patiala district administration appeals to all brothers and sisters of Patiala and Punjab to continue to maintain peace and brotherhood,” he mentioned.
“The present situation is under control and being continuously monitored. All measures are being taken to ensure peace and harmony,” he added
Source: www.financialexpress.com”
