Curfew relaxed for an hour at Bhikhi

Curfew relaxed for an hour at Bhikhi
Rajay Deep/TNS

SAD (A) leader Simranjeet Singh Mann stages protest at Cheema Mandi in Sangrur along with his followers after being prevented from entering Mansa district on Monday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Markets wear a deserted look after curfew remained in force in the Bhikhi town of Mansa district on Monday. Tribune photos: Pawan Sharma

Mansa Deputy Commissioner Kumar Rahul and Senior Superintendent of Police Hardayal Singh Mann reviewing the situation. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

Bhikhi (Mansa), January 3
Curfew imposed on Bhikhi town of Mansa district yesterday following a clash between radical Sikhs and the police continued on Monday. An uneasy calm prevailed in the town but by and large, the situation remained peaceful as policemen kept patrolling throughout the day. Finding the situation under control for nearly 24 hours, the district administration relaxed the curfew for an hour (4.30 pm-5.30 pm) to make people fetch items of daily need. After that, curfew was again clamped for an indefinite period.
Earlier, hardline Sikh preacher Baljeet Singh Daduwal, along with 11 others, was sent to the Ferozepur Central Jail this morning. Daduwal and his followers were arrested from Gurdwara Jandalisar (Bathinda) to prevent them from reaching Bhikhi on Sunday, as the police was apprehending a clash between radical Sikhs and followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda due to some remarks that Daduwal had allegedly made against the Dera Sacha Sauda chief during his religious discourse at Bhikhi.
On the other hand, the Bhikhi police arrested nearly 40 radicals, who were allegedly involved in the clash, under Sections 307 and 353 of the IPC on Sunday. Over 100 unidentified persons were also included in the case, but they are still at large.
Meanwhile, the police denied permission to the senior general secretary and general secretary of the Sant Samaj, Hari Singh Fatehgarh Sahib Wale and Sukhchain Singh Dharampura Wale, respectively, for entering the town.
The two leaders claimed that they had come to take account of the situation to submit a report to the Sant Samaj, but the police intercepted their vehicles at a checkpost in Dhaipi village. Talking to the media, the leaders expressed their resentment and said: “As the police is not allowing us to enter the town, we are returning with an impression that it had exaggerated the situation on Sunday. The attitude of the police shows that Daduwal, who is also a dignitary of the Sant Samaj, has been falsely implicated. We will submit a report to the Sant Samaj after which a fresh strategy will be chalked out.”
They demanded that as the issue was related to the Sikh community, the Jathedar of Akal Takht and the SGPC president must intervene and take necessary steps to get all, including Daduwal, released at the earliest. Later, SAD (Amritsar) chief Simranjeet Singh Mann also attempted to enter the town but taking preventive steps, the police managed to intercept his vehicle near Cheema town of Sangrur district. Finding police officials reluctant to allow his entry, he staged a dharna and returned after half an hour.
Mansa DC Kumar Rahul and SSP HS Mann said: “The situation is under control but the curfew will continue.”