M A I N   N E W S

30 hurt in Rajasthan clash

Sriganganagar, May 15
At least 30 persons including four policemen, were injured and 22 arrested as clashes between Akalis and followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda sect spilled over into Rajasthan today.

Prohibitory orders were clamped on this town after some 700 persons belonging to both factions clashed near the district collectorate.

The trouble started when some 300 Akali activists converged near the district collectorate here and tried to burn the effigy of the Dera chief leading to a clash with Dera followers, Additional Superintendent of Police Mahipal Singh said.

He said both sides pelted each other with stones and the police had to use water cannons and batons to disperse the mob.

More than 30 persons, including four policemen and some mediapersons, were injured in the melee, Singh said.

He said police reinforcements were deputed in the town to control the situation which was “tense”.

Members of the Sikh faith were watching the live coverage on various news channels of the clashes in Bathinda in Punjab and other places.

The clashes between followers of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and the Dera broke out after news reports and an advertisement showing the head of the Sirsa-based sect allegedly distributing ‘amrit’ (nectar) while attired in the dress of Guru Gobind Singh. — PTI

Sacha Sauda chief denies wrongdoing
Tribune News Service

Sirsa, May 15
Denying that he had imitated Guru Gobind Singh, head of the Sacha Sauda Baba Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh today said he had no intention of hurting the sentiments of the Sikhs. Neither, he said, had he copied the Guru. “I will never do such a thing,” he said. On the controversial dress and offering of “amrit” to seven followers, he said that he wore the dress that had been donated by his devotees at a function in Bathinda. Besides, he said, it was not “amrit” but “jaame ruhani” that was served to his followers.

Talking to mediapersons at his dera, about 8 km from here, the Baba asserted that “it is not only the Sikhs but other people also who come to my Dera. I deliver speeches based on teachings of saints of various religions. We serve “jaame ruhani” to followers while they are required to take oath to follow 47 principles which include staying away from the drugs, alcohol and non-vegetarian food.”