M A I N   N E W S

Mann, Shiv Sena men clash
Varinder Walia and Gurbaxpuri
Tribune News Service

Tarn Taran, December 3
In a no-holds-barred clash, at least five activists of the Shiv Sena (Bal Thackrey) and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) were injured when they clashed here today. The injured included Mr Ashwani Kumar Kukku, district president, Shiv Sena, and Mr Lakhwinder Singh Pandori Golan of the SAD (A). Apart from using swords and lathis, the activists of the warring groups exchanged blows.

This clash exposed the 'inefficiency' of the local administration since it was virtually written on the walls that activists of both the radical parties would clash following an open challenge thrown by them. The Shiv Sena had pasted big posters on various walls of the city, announcing that an effigy of Mr Simranjit Singh Mann, president, SAD (A), would be burnt in protest against his 'outburst' against Mr Kuuku, district president of the Shiv Sena, in a Panthic magazine. On this , Mr Kukku had called upon his activists and other political parties, including SAD (Badal), to assemble in a local temple to chalk out a programme to burn the effigy of Mr Mann, using harsh language against the SAD(A) chief. Leaders and activists of SAD (A) also assembled here to counter the move of the Shiv Sena, under the leadership of Bhai Ram Singh and Mr Harbir Singh Sandhu, national general secretary and district president of the party. However, the police which failed to act initially, swung into action only after the burning of the effigy. Within no time, the SAD (A) men broke all barricades put up by police, resulting in the clash.

However, Mr S.K.Sinha, district police chief, said five activists of the SAD(A), including Mr Balwant Singh, Mr Balwinder Singh, Mr Vikramjit Singh, Mr Jagdeep Singh and Mr Jagdev Singh out of 15 persons had been arrested under Section 307 of Indian Penal Code . He said no one from the Shiv Sena had been arrested.

While the SAD (A) has convened an emergency meeting of the party here tomorrow, the Shiv Sena has decided to arrange state-wide protests.

The SP, Mr Manmohan Singh, alleged that the attack was initiated by SAD (A) and Mr Ashwani Pappu was targeted. However, the Khalra Mission Organisation held the Shiv Sena, RSS and SAD (Badal) responsible for the clash. The organisation has sought immediate release of all the five Sikh activists who were arrested after the clash. Earlier, the Executive Magistrate, Mr Jagdeep Singh Momy, tried to pacify both the warring groups, but failed to convince them.