Two killed, scores injured during protests by Sikhs in India's Faridkot

Published October 14, 2015
Sikhs belonging to Faridkot and its adjacent Moga district are protesting for some days after the alleged sacrilege took place on Monday ─ Reuters/File
Sikhs belonging to Faridkot and its adjacent Moga district are protesting for some days after the alleged sacrilege took place on Monday ─ Reuters/File

FARIDKOT: At least two people were killed and over 100 people, including cops, injured during clashes between Sikh community protestors and police over an alleged incident of desecration in Faridkot district of Indian Punjab, according to reports published on The Hindu and the Hindustan Times websites.

Sikhs belonging to Faridkot and its adjacent Moga district in Indian Punjab have been holding protests for past two days after more than 100 torn up pages from Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book were found near a gurdwara in Bargari village of the district on Monday.

The holy book was reportedly stolen from the Gurdwara in June.

Two people were killed in violent clashes between the police and protesters at Vaibhal Kalan village, 10 kilometres from Kotkapura, the biggest city of district.

Police used batons and water cannons to disperse the protestors. Meanwhile, Bathinda's Inspector General of Police was also wounded during the clashes.

The police said they had arrested Sikh leaders including Bhai Ranjit Singh Dhadriyan Wale, Bhai Amrik Singh Ajnala, Panth Preet Singh, Jaskaran Singh Kahan Singh Wala and members of the Parmeshar Dwar Trust, Nirvair Khalsa Jatha and Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj.

Meanwhile, around 75 members of the Sikh community were also arrested in Ludhiana over fears that they could block roads, police said.

On Tuesday, a violent clash between the police and protesters at Buttar Kalan village in Moga district also left 19 people injured. Nearly 200 protestors belonging to the Sikh community were also arrested by policemen, who were later released.

Indian Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the people to remain peaceful while heavy police force has been deployed in the district to avoid any untoward incident.

The CM assured people that those found guilty of sacrilege would not be spared.

Read: Sikhs remember Golden Temple attack

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.