Curfew imposed in Punjab town after clashes

BHIKI - Curfew was imposed in this town in Punjab’s Mansa district Sunday after a group of protesters clashed with police and also damaged at least six vehicles.

“Curfew has been imposed in Bhikhi town to thwart any untoward incident. A group of anti-social elements had attacked police. They also damaged around six vehicles, including police vehicles,” said district police chief Hardyal Singh Mann here Sunday.

The situation became tense in the town Saturday after a Sikh preacher, Baljit Singh Daduwal, had used some derogatory words for Haryana-based Dera (sect) Sacha Sauda. After this, a huge number of dera followers had gathered at Bhikhi but police managed to prevent any clash between them and Daduwal’s followers.

However, a group of protesters, believed to be the sect’s followers, clashed with police while they were trying to enter the premises of the venue where Daduwal was addressing a gathering here Sunday.

“Heavy police force has been deployed at all sensitive locations. We are keeping a close eye on every development and police are ready to tackle any kind of emergency situation,” Mann said.

Daduwal is a strong critic of Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.