Dera-Sikh row erupts again

Dera-Sikh row erupts again
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, January 15
Tension gripped the city as the Dera-Sikh controversy erupted again, this time in the Gurunanak Pura Mohalla, late in the evening. Despite the order issued by the district administration, a family, believed to be dera followers, reportedly performed the ‘Naam Charcha’ ceremony. In retaliation, Sikhs attacked their house and threatened them with dire consequences.

The neighbourhood was tense as no one was even willing to speak of the incident. To instill confidence among the people, a large police contingent lead by the ASP (City) was deployed in the area.
As per the reports, Labh Singh and his family, along with close acquaintances, performed the Naam Charcha. When the Sikhs went to stop them, a heated argument ensued which took an ugly turn as Sikhs attacked their house. The main gate of the house was reportedly torn apart and the crowd pelted stones at the inmates.
When Kirpal Singh, son of Labh Singh was contacted, he said, “We were just celebrating the birthday of my son. Someone misguided the Sikhs that we were performing Naam Charcha at home. After getting the information, Sikhs came in hundreds laced with swords and lathis. They thrashed me, but I somehow managed to save myself and bolted the door. They then hurled stones and bricks at our house, but we escaped. Only my mother received minor injuries.”
Kirpal Singh gave a statement to the police in which he is believed to have named some persons belonging to his locality along with others whom he could not identify.
Confirming that two persons had been rounded up, ASP (City) Harsh Kumar Bansal said, “We have started rounding up persons whose identity the complainant has revealed to us.. To verify the complaint and the actual facts, we will have to detain them and record their statements.”
Before leaving the place, police personnel including DSP (Security) Parminder Pal Singh, SHO Kotwali Davinder Singh and a number of PCR policemen took a round of the area to instill confidence among people living in the area.
It may be mentioned that a similar incident had taken place on November 30 last year in Bhai Mati Das Nagar area of the city.