Protesters block rail, road traffic---- Security beefed up in Bathinda

Protesters block rail, road traffic
Security beefed up in Bathinda
Rajay Deep
Tribune News Service

Bathinda, June 21

The Dera-Sikh controversy, today apparently re-emerged in Bathinda after the death of a man, who was killed in firing by the Dera Sacha Sauda chief’s bodyguard at Mumbai on Friday evening. Sensing the situation the district police sounded Red alert in the city, even the security at the deras has been beefed up.
Lodging protest, Sikh radicals today blocked the Bathinda-Chandigarh NH and Bathinda-Ambala rail track. Meanwhile some youngsters, belonging to a Gatka Akhara in the city, after holding a symbolic dharna at bus stand, carried a protest march throughout the markets, while brandishing swords and other weapons in hands.
Members of the gatka akhara, today while carrying out the march hurled abuses against the Dera chief. Ironically, police remained following them but allegedly made no effort to round them up. Later at Gurudwara Singh Sabha, the district police chief ordered cops to snatch the weapons from them. But within a few minutes the matter was settled after returning their weapons.
Meanwhile, some hard liner members of Khalsa Action Committee blocked the Bathinda-Chnadigarh national highway, staging dhrna at Bathinda-Ambala rail track-crossing at Rampura. During the sit-in, some goods trains and one Bathinda-Dhuri passenger train remained halted at Rampura Phul railway station. In an attempt to show remorse against the ruling party the agitators gherowed a Badal owned Orbit bus on its way from Bathinda to Patiala. Late in the evening, some Sikh youths burnt the effigy of the dera chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim at Gol diggi area of the city.
The protesters were of the demand to book the dera chief and his bodyguard under section 302 of the IPC and also not allowing him to enter the state.
The district police held a flag march in the city this morning but when the youngsters were violating the orders of district magistrate under section 144, police was just playing a role of spectators.
When contacted the acting SSP Bathinda, Manminder Singh said, “The youngsters were below 14 and after having conversation with them we had settled the matter. Police has been ordered to be more vigilant towards any kind of untoward incident. The securities at the deras located at Salabatpura and Bathinda have been beefed up.”