Sikh-Dera supporters clash curfew imposd

Loveye

mauja maan di
Curfew was imposed in Dabwali town in Sirsa district on Friday morning following clashes between a group of Sikhs with Dera Sacha Sauda supporters.

One person was killed and several injured when clashes between the two groups broke out following an altercation between them during morning prayer - namcharcha - of Dera supporters, Deputy Commissioner of Police V Umashankar said.

Tensions have been prevailing in the area following the clash and additional forces have been deployed to prevent any untoward incident, he said.

According to reports, shops of Dera follower in the town were set on fire by Sikh protestors. Also, the Sirsa-Bhatinda highway was closed folowing the protests. The Deputy Commissioner was also injured during the clashes between groups.

Meanwhile, a high alert has been issued in Punjab and Harayana states following the tension between the two factions.

Last month, one person was killed in firing by a bodyguard of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh during a clash with Sikhs when the sect head had visited Mumbai.

Relations between the followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect and mainstream Sikhs have been soured for almost a year now. Dera chief had sparked a huge uproar by the Sikhs a few months ago when Ram Rahim allegedly tried to imitate the dress and activities of the last Sikh Guru Guru Gobind Singh.

The move enraged the Sikh community to a great extent and demanded apology from him. Later, Ram Rahim tendered an apology, saying he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs, but the Sikh clerics rejected the apology.
 
Top