CHANDIGARH: At least six persons were injured in a clash between two groups in Patiala during the Wednesday bandh in Punjab in support of a clemency demand for Balwant Singh Rajoana, a Babbar Khalsa terrorist, who is on death row in the assassination case of former chief minister Beant Singh.
The two groups clashed in Patiala after some members of several organizations objected to Khalistan slogans raised by the clemency supporters.
Another incident of violence was reported from Lehragaga in Sangrur district where members of two communities pelted stones at each other.
In Jalandhar, protesters forcibly tried to close a bank and pelted stones at open shops. In Muktsar internal exams of students of a medical college were disrupted by the agitated demonstrators.
The violent incidents occurred despite huge presence of security personnel.
The strike till afternoon had remained peaceful and the state government had sounded a high alert and beefed up the security by deploying over 60,000 Punjab police personnel and 15 companies of para-military forces. Flag marches were carried out by the police department and the para-military forces in all the major cities. A complete 'bandh' was observed in Punjab hitting the normal life across the state.
The bandh call was given by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, which has been demanding clemency for Rajoana. Shops, business establishments and schools remained closed in all the major cities including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, and Ludhiana.
Public transport was also badly affected and roads remained deserted as buses throughout the state remained off the roads. Rajoana is to be hanged on March 31 as per the Chandigarh district court orders.
Complete bandh in Amritsar
Complete bandh was observed in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on Wednesday in protest against scheduled hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, accused in killing of former chief minister of Punjab Beant Singh.
However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of districts. In the morning supply of essential items including milk, fruits and vegetables remained normal but the main markets of the city and towns, banks and schools remained closed.
While Sikh radical groups including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), Khalsa Action Committee had given a call of Punjab Bandh, the Sikh clerics had asked the Sikhs to 'refrain' from work.
Sikh radical leaders had ensured that no one take out naked sword during the protests , however, a few Nihangs were seen flashing naked swords.
In a statement, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh expressed gratitude towards people of Punjab for extending support to bandh call. Dal Khalsa members under the leadership of Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib took a march on the streets of Amritsar. They carried flags having picture of Rajoana.. "if hanged, Rajoana would be a martyr of Khalistan struggle" said Satnam.
Reports of bandh was also received from Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany where Sikhs kept their businesss closed. Founder of Gurdwara Sahib, Langenthal, Switzerland Ranjit Singh Masuta told TOI over phone from Switzerlad that in Langenthal, Hotel Langenthal and Shalimar Restaurant, owned by Sikhs, remained closed and Sikhs also fluttered saffron flags outside their business establishments and houses. "Sikhs also kept their business closed in Italy, Germany and France" he said.
Meanwhile, police commissioner RP Mittal informed that no untoward incident or report of violence was received from any part of city.
Tension reigned at Lehragaga in Sangrur on Wednesday afternoon when members of certain Hindu and Sikh organizations indulged in stone pelting over the call for Punjab bandh against the upcoming execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana, who is co accused in the killing of then Punjab CM Beant Singh on August 31, 1995 is to be hanged on March 31. Both sides tearing apart the peaceful fabric threw stones at each other. Lehragaga is represented by former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in Punjab assembly.
The two groups clashed in Patiala after some members of several organizations objected to Khalistan slogans raised by the clemency supporters.
Another incident of violence was reported from Lehragaga in Sangrur district where members of two communities pelted stones at each other.
In Jalandhar, protesters forcibly tried to close a bank and pelted stones at open shops. In Muktsar internal exams of students of a medical college were disrupted by the agitated demonstrators.
The violent incidents occurred despite huge presence of security personnel.
The strike till afternoon had remained peaceful and the state government had sounded a high alert and beefed up the security by deploying over 60,000 Punjab police personnel and 15 companies of para-military forces. Flag marches were carried out by the police department and the para-military forces in all the major cities. A complete 'bandh' was observed in Punjab hitting the normal life across the state.
The bandh call was given by the Akal Takht, the highest temporal body of the Sikhs, which has been demanding clemency for Rajoana. Shops, business establishments and schools remained closed in all the major cities including Amritsar, Jalandhar, Phagwara, Muktsar, Faridkot, Moga, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda, Mohali, Patiala, and Ludhiana.
Public transport was also badly affected and roads remained deserted as buses throughout the state remained off the roads. Rajoana is to be hanged on March 31 as per the Chandigarh district court orders.
Complete bandh in Amritsar
Complete bandh was observed in Amritsar and Tarn Taran districts on Wednesday in protest against scheduled hanging of Balwant Singh Rajoana, accused in killing of former chief minister of Punjab Beant Singh.
However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of districts. In the morning supply of essential items including milk, fruits and vegetables remained normal but the main markets of the city and towns, banks and schools remained closed.
While Sikh radical groups including Dal Khalsa, Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar), Shiromani Akali Dal (Panch Pardhani), Khalsa Action Committee had given a call of Punjab Bandh, the Sikh clerics had asked the Sikhs to 'refrain' from work.
Sikh radical leaders had ensured that no one take out naked sword during the protests , however, a few Nihangs were seen flashing naked swords.
In a statement, Dal Khalsa spokesperson Kanwarpal Singh expressed gratitude towards people of Punjab for extending support to bandh call. Dal Khalsa members under the leadership of Satnam Singh Paonta Sahib took a march on the streets of Amritsar. They carried flags having picture of Rajoana.. "if hanged, Rajoana would be a martyr of Khalistan struggle" said Satnam.
Reports of bandh was also received from Switzerland, Italy, France and Germany where Sikhs kept their businesss closed. Founder of Gurdwara Sahib, Langenthal, Switzerland Ranjit Singh Masuta told TOI over phone from Switzerlad that in Langenthal, Hotel Langenthal and Shalimar Restaurant, owned by Sikhs, remained closed and Sikhs also fluttered saffron flags outside their business establishments and houses. "Sikhs also kept their business closed in Italy, Germany and France" he said.
Meanwhile, police commissioner RP Mittal informed that no untoward incident or report of violence was received from any part of city.
Tension reigned at Lehragaga in Sangrur on Wednesday afternoon when members of certain Hindu and Sikh organizations indulged in stone pelting over the call for Punjab bandh against the upcoming execution of Balwant Singh Rajoana. Rajoana, who is co accused in the killing of then Punjab CM Beant Singh on August 31, 1995 is to be hanged on March 31. Both sides tearing apart the peaceful fabric threw stones at each other. Lehragaga is represented by former chief minister Rajinder Kaur Bhattal in Punjab assembly.
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