Two people were killed and 75 others, including an IGP, were injured as clashes rocked a number of places in Punjab, including Faridkot, Moga and Sangrur districts, over alleged desecration of a holy book.
A major clash between protesters and police took place in Behbal Kalan village, some 20 kms from here, where activists of various Sikh organisations, including radicals, had set up a blockade.
“A police party was sent to clear the blockade set up by some activists near Behbal Kalan village. The protesters clashed with cops, pelted stones on them, forcing police to fire in self defence, lob tear gas shells and use water cannons to disperse the mob,” Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police Sukhwinder Singh said.
The clash left two youth, both in their 20s dead, and many injured, he said, adding “The situation is tense, but under control.”
Earlier, protesters clashed with police at Kotkapura also in this district, he said.
Bathinda Zone IGP J. K. Jain was among 75 people injured, four of them seriously in these clashes. There were 15 police personnel among the injured, officials said.
Clashes between protesters and police were also reported from some places in Sangrur and Moga.
Police had to open fire, use water cannons and lob tear gas shells and cane charge the protesters to disperse them, officials said.
Heavy police force has been deployed to maintain law and order in Faridkot, Moga, Mansa, Bathinda and Sangrur district, officials said.
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and his Deputy Sukhbir Singh Badal have promised action against the miscreants and appealed for maintenance of peace.
Congress condemns police action
Meanwhile, Congress Deputy Leader in Lok Sabha Amarinder Singh has strongly condemned the killing of two persons in police firing.
“Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has virtually lost control over things and the state is drifting towards anarchy,” he alleged in a statement. Asserting that the situation in Punjab was “going from bad to worse”, Mr Singh said Mr Badal should quit if he was not able to maintain law and order in the state.
“Trying to assert your authority by use of brute force and killing unarmed protesters is not going to restore your image and credibility that has been eroded beyond any hope of redemption,” he said while warning the chief minister not to add fuel to the fire.
Holding Mr Badal squarely responsible for the current situation including the loss of two lives, the former Chief Minister said, “Whenever situation has demanded, Mr Badal has always failed to rise to the occasion by letting down people of Punjab. And, he has failed again”. - PTI
