'Anti Khalistani March' call leads to clashes in Patiala of Punjab, curfew imposed

New Delhi, April 30

The call for an Anti-Khalistan march by the Shiv Sena led to clashes in Patiala of Punjab where Shiva Sena members and Sikh activists clashed near Kali Mata temple in Patiala.  

The incident also led to stone-pelting by both sides. Four persons, including two policemen, were injured in the clash. 

SHO Karanvir Singh from Tripuri police station sustained a minor hand injury while trying to stop the Sikh group. A head constable also got injured and had to be administered 15-16 stitches.

The incident was the first major law-and-order incident in the state under the new AAP government. 

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called for an “immediate probe”. The government has imposed 11 hour long curfew in Patiala to avert any law and order situation. 

The police said on April 29 evening, the Shiv Sena leadership in Mumbai directed its Punjab unit to take stern action against all those linked to the party who were involved in the clash. 

In a statement issued through the Punjab unit, the Sena said it has expelled a local leader, Harish Singla, who had allegedly led the “Khalistan Murdabad” march.

Singla had announced the march around 15 days ago after the banned outfit, Sikhs For Justice (SFJ), gave a call to observe “Khalistan Sthapna Diwas (Khalistan foundation day) in April across district police offices in Haryana.

Singla was later arrested in a case lodged under IPC sections 153-A (promoting enmity), 186 (obstructing public servant), 188 (disobeying official orders) and 353 (assault to deter public servant).

Singla has been described as the working president of Shiv Sena the unit of the Sena in Punjab. 

According to the police, Nihangs gathered at Dukh Niwaran Sahib gurdwara to counter the Sena unit’s call and marched towards the temple raising slogans. They were joined by other Sikh activists.

The police team, including Patiala SSP Nanak Singh, fired several rounds in the air to disperse the Sikh group which had reached outside the temple. A separate police contingent was deployed at Arya Samaj, a kilometre away, where those supporting Singla’s call were holding the march.

According to the SSP, Sikh protesters alleged that a member of their group suffered a gunshot injury. “We are getting it examined by doctors,” he said. A member of the “anti-Khalistan” march sustained a “minor injury” on the hand allegedly caused by a sharp-edged weapon, the SSP said.

The Sikh activists later sat on a dharna demanding action against those who caused the “gunshot injury” but dispersed after being assured by the police that a separate case would be registered.

The Punjab Police mentioned that Singla was denied permission to hold the march. 

Following the clash, Singla was attacked by members of the local Hindu community outside the temple on Friday evening when he had come to attend a meeting. They accused him of “vitiating the atmosphere with the march”. 

The police have registered two more cases on various charges, including attempt to murder (IPC section 307) were registered against “unknown persons” on complaints from both sides involved in the clashes.